[Archived] Weekly Event Announcements: July 12 - 18

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  July 11, 2008     

Weekly Event Announcements for the City of Alexandria
 July 12 – 18, 2008 

Saturday, July 12 – Annual USA and City Birthday Celebration 
The City of Alexandria will celebrate its 259th and the USA’s 232nd birthday on Saturday, July 12, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Oronoco Bay Park, 100 Madison St., located at the Potomac River between Fairfax, Pendleton and Madison Streets. The main event features Maestro Kim Allen Kluge and the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra presenting an explosive night of fun and fanfare featuring “Big Band Sound,” followed by a grand finale fireworks display. Admission is free. The public is encouraged to take the free King Street Trolley to the event. Trolley hours will be extended to 11:45 p.m. to accommodate individuals attending the Birthday Celebration.

Saturday, July 12 – Archaeology Family Dig Days!
Help City archaeologists and trained volunteers screen excavated soil for artifacts from a real "dig" located on the grounds of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial (101 Callahan Dr.) from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Wear comfortable clothes, protect yourself from the sun, and bring a water bottle. Please, no sandals. All necessary equipment will be supplied. Children under 16 must be accompanied by a participating adult. Cost is $5 per person and reservations are required. E-mail archaeology@alexandriava.gov or call 703.838.4399 to reserve your spot!

Sunday, July 13 – West End Farmers’ Market at Ben Brenman Park 
Shop at the West End Farmers’ Market beginning at 9 a.m. at Ben Brenman Park, 4800 Brenman Park Dr. Summer’s bounty just gets more and more delicious. The vendors at the West End Farmers Market are now displaying a sumptuous array of tomatoes. Mounds of large multi-colored heirloom tomatoes can be found next to baskets of cherry tomatoes, yellow and red plum tomatoes, and the all time summer favorite, large juicy red tomatoes, right off the vine. The West End Farmers’ Market is open Sundays, May through October, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine. For additional information, call the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities at 703.838.4343.

Sunday, July 13 – HistoricAlexandriALIVE
Alexandria's historic past comes to life between noon and 5 p.m.! See live, engaging performances at the Waterfront behind the Torpedo Factory. Eighteen-century English country dancers will demonstrate the popular dances of the day -- watch and learn a few steps! Puppet shows were a common and exciting entertainment in the 18th century and now today’s visitors will be entertained by KD Puppets performing classic tales but with a modern twist. For more information, please visit oha.alexandriava.gov/oha-main/oha-historicAlexandriaLive.html.

Sunday, July 13 – 1749 Land Auction
Step back to 1749 and be a part of Alexandria's beginning with a unique public auction of early town lots! An 18th-century auction of prime Alexandria real estate will be held at 2 p.m. at Market Square, 301 King Street, to mark Alexandria’s 259th birthday. The historic auction of Alexandria’s land will be re-created and the public is invited to participate by bidding. Bids must be placed with “pound” notes and all successful landowners will receive commemorative deeds. To participate in the auction, embrace the bartering spirit of the 18th century and bring non-perishable food items for donation to ALIVE, the local community food bank. Bidders will receive 5 pounds for every single food item (canned fruit, soup, peanut butter, etc.). For those preferring the modern method, donate $2 in lieu of a canned good.

Tuesday, July 15 – Braddock East Advisory Group Meeting
The Braddock East Advisory Group will meet at 7 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room of Jefferson-Houston Elementary School, 1501 Cameron St. The group is providing input on the redevelopment plan for the public housing sites within the larger Braddock area including James Bland, Bland Addition, Samuel Madden Uptown, Ramsey Homes and Andrew Adkins. For more information, please contact Andrew Spurgin at 703.838.4666 ext. 330.

Wednesday, July 16 – Virginia Paving Community Liaison Committee Meeting
The committee will meet at 7 p.m. in the Mini-Auditorium on the 2nd Floor of Samuel Tucker Elementary School, 435 Ferdinand Day Dr. The committee was formed to discuss operations and to resolve any problems, conflicts or issues identified by the community related to Virginia Paving's operations. For more information, please contact Rich Josephson at 703.838.4666 ext. 302.

Thursday, July 17 – Landmark/Van Dorn Advisory Group Meeting
The group will meet from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Landmark Mall, in a meeting room adjacent to Lane Bryant near main entrance from Duke Street. The group will discuss retail market analysis and retail strategy and receive a plan development update. For more information, please contact Pat Mann at 703.838.4666 ext. 303.

Thursday, July 17 – Great Books Discussion Group
Residents are invited to the Great Books Discussion Group, who will meet to discuss “The Open Boat,” a short story by Stephen Crane. The group will meet from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Beatley Central Library, 5005 Duke St. For more information, please call 703.519.5900.

Thursday, July 17 - Music at Twilight Concert, Fort Ward Park, 4301 W. Braddock Rd
Featuring Michael Hoover “Memories of Elvis” (Traditional Elvis) at 7:30 p.m. Concerts are cancelled in the event of inclement weather and subject to change without notice. For up-to-date information, call the Special Events Hotline at 703.883.4686 or visit alexandriava.gov/recreation.

Friday, July 18 – Lantern Tours
Tour Gadsby’s Tavern Museum (134 N. Royal St.) by candlelight with a costumed guide and see how guests experienced the historic tavern and hotel before the advent of electricity. Tour times are 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., and cost is $5 per person, ages 5 and up. The museum may be closed on some occasions; call 703.838.4242 in advance to verify tour dates.

Friday-Saturday, July 18-19 – Comcast Outdoor Film Festival
The Comcast Outdoor Film Festival will sponsor free outdoor movies to benefit the Hopkins House. On July 18, Bee Movie will be the feature, and on July 19, Transformers will be shown. Both movies begin at 8:30 p.m. at Ben Brenman Park, 4800 Brenman Park Dr. For additional information, call Comcast at 703.567.4488 or the Special Events Hotline at 703.883.4686.

Open through Monday, September 8 – Living Legends of Alexandria Exhibition
The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St., is hosting Living Legends of Alexandria, which celebrates and documents individuals who have made remarkable contributions to the quality of life in Alexandria. Living Legends of Alexandria features photographs of 48 nominees by Nina Tisara with information about their contributions by Christa Watters. The Lyceum, Alexandria’s History Museum, is open Monday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission and parking are free. For more information, visit www.alexandriahistory.org or call 703.838.4994.

Open through Wednesday, December 31 – Drawings by William Lydston, Jr. Exhibition
This exhibition of Civil War artwork at Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site (4301 W. Braddock Rd.) has been extended through the end of the year. Civil War drawings by soldier, artist and musician William Lydston, Jr., are featured in this exhibit with musical instruments and related objects as part of the statewide celebration of Virginia’s musical heritage. Admission to the museum is free. The exhibition is open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Sundays, noon to 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.fortward.org or call 703.838.4848.

Coming Soon!

Saturday, July 19 – Gadsby’s Tavern Museum Society’s Caribbean Night
Enjoy some summer fun at the Fifth Annual Caribbean Night at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 North Royal St. From 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., enjoy two flavors of margaritas while you bid on fantastic silent auction items to benefit the preservation of the City Tavern ice well. Cost is $30 for members of the Gadsby’s Tavern Museum Society, $40 for non-members with reservations paid in advance, and $50 at the door. Reservations are required; please call 703.838.4242 or visit www.gadsbystavern.org for more information.

Saturday, July 26 – African Heritage Cultural Festival
The City of Alexandria will host the African Heritage Cultural Festival from 1 - 7 p.m. at Market Square, 301 King St. This year’s theme is “Reaching Back, Moving Forward.” Admission is free and the festival will be held rain or shine. For up-to-date information, call the Special Events Hotline at 703.883.4686 or visit alexandriava.gov/recreation.