[Archived] Weekly Event Announcements: September 6-12, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 5, 2008    

Weekly Event Announcements for the City of Alexandria
September 6-September 12, 2008 

Saturday, September 6 – Soldier-Led Walking Tours
Call ahead to find out if this event is cancelled due to weather. Rain date is November 8, 2008.
At 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., a Union soldier in period uniform will lead walking tours of Fort Ward, 4301 West Braddock Rd. The hour-long tours will introduce visitors to the history of the Defenses of Washington, the building and role of Fort Ward, 19th-century fortification engineering, and the troops who were stationed in this area during the Civil War. To explain his duties, this soldier carries an artillery haversack of reproduction tools used to fire a cannon. Walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing recommended. Admission is free. For more information, please visit www.fortward.org or call 703.838.4848.

Sunday, September 7 – West End Farmers’ Market at Ben Brenman Park 
The public is invited to shop at the West End Farmers’ Market beginning at 9 a.m. at Ben Brenman Park, 4800 Brenman Park Dr. Shoppers will find bushel baskets of watermelons and cantaloupes, pint baskets of plump blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, plums, and apricots, and mounds of juicy Virginia peaches. 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, September 7 – HistoricAlexandriALIVE
Between noon and 5 p.m., watch Alexandria's historic past comes to life! See live, engaging performances at the Waterfront behind the Torpedo Factory. Mr. Thomas Wall, the Gentleman Fencer, will delight with his daring demonstrations! You can also take in Shakespeare’s plays, which became increasingly popular in the 18th century, as actors present scenes from Romeo and Juliet, Midsummer Night’s Dream, Taming of the Shrew and others! For more information, please visit oha.alexandriava.gov/oha-main/oha-historicAlexandriaLive.html.

Final Days! Closing 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.

Wednesday, September 10 – Public Hearing for the Proposed Renovation of the Patrick Henry Recreation Center
The Park and Recreation Commission will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, September 10, to discuss plans and ideas for the proposed renovation of the Patrick Henry Recreation Center. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at the Patrick Henry Recreation Center, 4643 Taney Ave. A regular meeting of the Park and Recreation Commission will follow the public hearing. For additional information, call William Chesley, Deputy Director, at 703.838.4842.

Wednesday, September 10 – Barrett Branch Book Discussion Group
The Barrett Branch book discussion group invites patrons to discuss the memoir, “The Glass Castle,” by Jeanette Walls. The group will meet from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Barrett Branch Library, 717 Queen St. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is recommended. To register or request more information, contact Diana at 703.838.4555.

Wednesday, September 10 – Potomac Yard Design Advisory Committee
The Potomac Yard Design Advisory Committee will meet at 7:30 p.m. in the Sister Cities Conference Room 1101, Alexandria City Hall, 301 King St. The Committee’s role is to review preliminary development plan approvals for compliance with the Potomac Yard Urban Design Guidelines. For more information, please call Matt North at 703.838.4666 ext. 326.

Wednesday, September 10 – City Council Joint Worksession on the Braddock East Plan
The City Council will be hosting a joint worksession with the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority, the Parker Gray Board of Architectural Review and the Planning Commission at 7:30 p.m. at 1100 N. Fayette St. They plan to discuss the upcoming Braddock East Plan and the redevelopment plan for the James Bland public housing development. For more information, contact Andrea Barlow or Jeff Farner at 703.838.4666.

Thursday, September 11 through Saturday, September 13 – Barrett Branch Fall Book Sale
The Barrett Branch Library (717 Queen St.) will be hosting its fall book sale to benefit the Friends of the Alexandria Library. The book sale will be held on Thursday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, please call 703.838.4555.

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!
September 13-14 - 6th Annual Alexandria Festival of the Arts
Voted one of the top 100 art festivals in the country by Sunshine Artist magazine, the 6th Annual Alexandria Festival of the Arts is one not to be missed! Discover spectacular paintings, life-size sculptures, jewelry, photography, ceramics and more. This popular outdoor event will feature art for every taste and budget, with prices ranging from $20 to $20,000. More than $15 million in art will be on display and visitors will have the opportunity to meet the artists behind the work and hear first-hand what inspired them to create their pieces. Free admission and event will be held rain or shine. For additional information, visit alexandriava.gov/recreation.

Saturday, September 13 – “Ah, THAT Jack and Jill!” Exhibition
The Alexandria Black History Museum (902 Wythe St.) is hosting a free reception from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. for the opening of its new exhibition “Ah, THAT Jack and Jill! Parents Empowering African-American Children.” Jack and Jill of America, Inc., a national organization of mothers and children, is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year. This exhibit, while showing the national scope of the organization, will also feature Metropolitan area chapters, including Alexandria-Mount Vernon and Loudoun County Chapters. “Ah, THAT Jack and Jill!” highlights the organization’s history, the Jack and Jill Foundation, and the role of chapters in providing cultural, educational, recreational and community service opportunities to enhance and enrich the lives of children. The exhibition is open from Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Saturday, November 15. For more information, please visit www.alexblackhistory.org or call 703.838.4356.

Wednesday, September 17 – Transportation Workshop
In an effort to help residents cope with increasing energy costs and other economic pressures, the City will hold a transportation workshop to educate participants on how to travel by bicycle, rideshare, and public transportation. The workshop will be held on Wednesday, September 17, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Sister Cities Conference Room 1101, Alexandria City Hall, 301 King St. For more information or to register, please visit www.alexandriava.gov/localmotion or call Donna Norfleet at 703.838.3800.

Wednesday, September 17 – A’Lelia Bundles Lecture and Book Signing
Noted author and journalist A'Lelia Bundles will give an illustrated lecture, “A'Lelia Walker and the Harlem Renaissance,” about her great-grandmother and namesake at the Alexandria Black History Museum (902 Wythe St.) from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. A’Lelia Walker was the only daughter of Madam C.J. Walker and nicknamed the “Joy Goddess of Harlem” in the 1920s by Langston Hughes. Ms. Bundles will sign copies of her book about Madam C. J. Walker after the presentation. Reservations are suggested but not required for this free event. For more information, please visit www.alexblackhistory.org or call 703.838.4356.