[Archived] Weekly Event Announcements: September 13 - 19, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 12, 2008    

Weekly Event Announcements for the City of Alexandria
September 13-September 19, 2008 

Saturday, September 13 – Grand Opening of the Renovated Hunter-Miller Park Playground 
The City of Alexandria invites the public to join Mayor William D. Euille and members of City Council to celebrate and dedicate the opening of the renovated Hunter-Miller Park Playground, located at 224 N. Fayette St., at 8:30 a.m. The event will be held rain or shine. For more information, please call the City’s Park Planning Office at 703.838.5041.

Saturday, September 13 – Art Activated Program
Check out “Art Activated” from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Torpedo Factory, 105 North Union St. Take part in the Potters’ Art, a free, family-oriented hands-on activity, at the Alexandria Archaeology Museum located on the third floor. Visitors of all ages can draw or paint patterns on paper inspired by designs from salt-glazed pottery sherds excavated from local archaeological sites. For more information, visit www.alexandriaarchaeology.org or call 703.838.4399.

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., the national organization of mothers and children that is highlighted in the exhibit, 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. The exhibition is open through Saturday, November 15, and visitors can see it during the museum’s regular hours from Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, please visit www.alexblackhistory.org or call 703.838.4356.

September 13 and 14 – 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.

Sunday, September 14 – 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. 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 14 – 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. Eighteenth-century English country dancers will demonstrate the popular dances of the day—watch and learn a few steps! Musician Stephen Christoff explores early American music, playing an octave mandolin, hand-flute, saw and other instruments! For more information, please visit oha.alexandriava.gov/oha-main/oha-historicAlexandriaLive.html.

Monday, September 15 – Tavern Toddlers
Because it’s never too early for kids to appreciate history, Gadsby’s Tavern Museum developed a special program for toddlers (walkers through 36 months) and their caregivers. Tavern Toddlers features a weekly open playtime every Monday through April at the museum, 134 North Royal St. Cost is $7 for a group of three and the program runs 10:30 a.m. to noon. For more information, please visit www.gadsbystavern.org or call 703.838.4242.

Monday, September 15 – Duncan Book Discussion Group
The Duncan Book Discussion Group will meet at the Duncan Branch Library (2501 Commonwealth Ave.) from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. to discuss American Pastoral by Philip Roth. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 703.838.4566.

Monday, September 15 – Landmark/Van Dorn Advisory Group Meeting
The Landmark/Van Dorn Advisory Group will meet at 6:30 p.m. in Landmark Mall, in a meeting room adjacent to Lane Bryant, near the main entrance from Duke Street. The group will discuss plan development and refinement, with a focus on transportation and development economics. For more information, contact Pat Mann at 703.838.4666 ext. 303.

Tuesday, September 16 – Joint Braddock East Advisory Group and Community Meeting
The Braddock East Advisory Group will meet jointly with community members at 6:30 p.m. at the George Washington Middle School, 1005 Mount Vernon Ave. The Group will continue review of the draft plan for the Braddock East area, which is available at alexandriava.gov/braddock. For more information, contact Andrea Barlow at 703.838.4666 ext. 665.

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.

Thursday, September 18 – Alexandria Historical Society Lecture: David Abshire
The Lyceum (201 South Washington St.) will host Alexandrian Dr. David M. Abshire, President and CEO of the Center for the Study of the Presidency, to discuss his seventh book, A Call to Greatness: Challenging Our Next President. The discussion will take place from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Dr. Abshire will examine how our next president can learn from the successes and failures of past presidents to be an effective leader during a time of tremendous challenges at home and abroad. This free event is sponsored by the Alexandria Historical Society. For more information, please call 703.683.2636 or visit www.alexandriahistorical.org.

Thursday, September 18 – Great Books Discussion Group
The Great Books Discussion Group will meet at the Beatley Central Library (5005 Duke St.) from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. to discuss “The Garden of Forking Paths,” a short story from Collected Fictions by Jorge Luis Borges. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, please call Bill Scouton at 703.931.3559.

Thursday, September 18 – Carlyle Design Review Board Meeting - CANCELLED
The regular monthly meeting of the Carlyle Design Review Board will take place at 7:00 p.m. in the Sister Cities Conference Room 1101, Alexandria City Hall, 301 King St. At this meeting, the board will review design of applications in the Carlyle area of the City. For more information, contact Natalie Sun at 703.838.4666 ext. 368.

Friday, September 19 to Sunday, September 21 – “The Madam C. J. Walker Story” Play 
The talented troupe from Sal St. George Productions returns to the Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe Street, for another historical play suitable for all ages. Set in the year 1919, “The Madam C. J. Walker Story” tells the inspirational story of Madam Walker, a child of slaves, who defied poverty and prejudice by creating her own hair care business and became the first African American self-made millionaire in the United States. The presentation is immediately followed with a question-and-answer opportunity with the actors. Showtimes are Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 and can be ordered online or by calling 703.838.4356.

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, September 20 – Freedmen’s Cemetery Genealogy Workshop
Noted genealogist Char McCargo Bah presents “Their Voices Can Be Heard: Tracing Descendants to Alexandria’s Freedmen’s Cemetery,” at the Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe St., from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. In this unique African-American genealogy workshop, Ms. Bah will discuss and demonstrate genealogical techniques she used to trace pre- and post-Civil War individuals to historic Freedmen’s Cemetery. She will also demonstrate how these techniques can be used for any cemetery research. This event is free; reservations are suggested but not required. For more information, visit www.alexblackhistory.org or call 703.838.4356.

Saturday, September 20 – Fete at the Fort
The Friends of Fort Ward are sponsoring the Fete at the Fort from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. to honor the City of Alexandria for its preservation activities at Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site, 4301 West Braddock Rd. Highlights include the presentation of the John G. Barnard Award, a program of Civil War music by Douglas Jimerson and the Civil War Comrades, light refreshments, and the opportunity to join the Friends of Fort Ward support group. Admission is free. Attendees should call 703.838.4848 to make a reservation. For more information, visit www.fortward.org.

Saturday, September 20 – Tenant Forum
The Alexandria Landlord Tenant Relations Board will host a Tenant Forum on Saturday, September 20, from 10 a.m. to noon at the William Ramsay Recreation Center, 5650 Sanger Ave. The forum will provide important information for renters and give them an opportunity to speak with elected officials, City staff, and organizations providing services to tenants. For additional information, call the Office of Housing at 703.746.4990.

Tuesday, September 23 – Alexandria Commission for the Arts 2009-2010 Grant Workshop
The City’s Commission for the Arts will conduct two Fiscal Year 2009-2010 grant workshops on  Tuesday, September 23 and Wednesday, October 15 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Dr. Oswald D. Durant Center, 1605 Cameron St. The workshops will provide information about the Commission’s programs and services, specifically highlighting its annual grant program that provides funding for various arts programs. All interested applicants, both new and past grant recipients, are encouraged to attend either grant workshop. For more information, call 703.838.6348, or visit www.alexandriacommissionforthearts.org.

Thursday through Sunday, September 25 to 28 – “Reel Politics": Alexandria Film Festival
The Alexandria Film Festival will host a kick-off event at Market Square (301 King St.) on September 25 at 7:30 p.m. that features the HBO Film “Recount.” Additional films will be showcased at the Lee Center’s Kauffman Auditorium (1108 Jefferson St.) from September 26-28. The official Film Festival program will be available the week of September 15. For additional information, call the Commission for the Arts office at 703.838.6348 or e-mail aca@alexandriava.gov.