[Archived] Weekly Event Announcements: September 27-October 3, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 26, 2008    

Weekly Event Announcements for the City of Alexandria
September 27-October 3, 2008 

Saturday, September 27 – Alexandria Forum
The 50th Annual Alexandria Forum focuses on the decorative arts of 18th- and early 19th-century Virginia. On Saturday beginning at 9 a.m. at The Lyceum (201 South Washington Street), Barbara Magid shares her exhaustive research into Alexandria’s thriving 19th-century stoneware industry; Newbold Richardson looks at what textiles people bought; and Betsy Davison explains the strange nautical and Tory iconography on the furniture of John Shear who worked in Virginia’s backcountry in the early 19th century. Registration is $150, and includes a reception, lunch and The Twig’s Historic Alexandria Homes Tour of 18th- and 19th-century properties. Call 703.838.4554 or visit www.historicalexandria.org.

Saturday, September 27 – Historic Alexandria Museum Gala
Celebrate and support Alexandria’s heritage at the first annual Historic Alexandria Museum Gala at the Torpedo Factory Art Center (105 North Union St.) from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. With the theme of “Making History in Alexandria,” the gala pays tribute to Alexandria’s unique and rich past, from the discovery of a 13,000-year-old spear point to the preservation of historic properties where George Washington, Robert E. Lee, civil rights pioneers, and others made history. This dazzling evening daring 18th-century entertainment, including a swordsman and Italian equilibrist Signora Bella, a visit by the replica ship the “Godspeed,” and dancing to the big band sound of the Eric Felten Jazz Orchestra. Tickets begin at $150 per person; varying levels of sponsorship are also available. Please visit www.historicalexandria.org or call 703.838.4554 to purchase tickets.

Saturday, September 27 - Multicultural Health & Community Day 
The City of Alexandria will hold a Multicultural Health & Community Day from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Cora Kelly Recreation Center, 25 W. Reed Ave. Featuring free health screenings and family activities, the festival is free and open to public. For additional information, call Cisco Fabian, Recreation Supervisor, at 703.838.6464 or Silva Portillo at 703.684.5697.

Saturday and Sunday, September 27-28 – “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.

Saturday and Sunday, September 27-28 – Godspeed Ship Visits Alexandria
The Godspeed, a re-creation of one of the three ships that brought America’s first permanent English colonists to Virginia in 1607, will host free public tours while docked in Alexandria. The Godspeed will be docked at the City of Alexandria Marina behind the Torpedo Factory Arts Center at 105 North Union Street. Visitors will be able to explore the ship and talk with historical interpreters about the 1607 voyage and 17th-century sailing, navigation and shipboard life. For more information, call 1.888.593.682 or visit www.historyisfun.org.

Sunday, September 28 – World Rabies Day “Fun Day Event”
The Alexandria Health Department will be hosting a “Fun Day Event” in the City of Alexandria to promote its campaign on rabies prevention and control. The event will be held in conjunction with the West End Farmers Market, 4800 Brenman Park Drive, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. A rabies vaccination clinic is scheduled later that day, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, 4101 Eisenhower Avenue. For more information about this event, contact Holly Feltner at 571.220.7077.

Sunday, September 28 – 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 28 – 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. Join Mr. Thomas Wall, Gentleman Fencer, who will showcase the finer points of fencing and begin recruitment for new students. Behold the amazing feats of Italian equilibrist Signora Bella, an 18th-century acrobat, as she juggles swords and flaming torches and walks the slack rope!  For more information, please visit oha.alexandriava.gov/oha-main/oha-historicAlexandriaLive.html.

Monday, September 29 – 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.

Wednesday, October 1 – John Yagerline Lecture Series: Tavern Entertainments
Gadsby’s Tavern Museum (134 North Royal St.) welcomes David K. Hildebrand, Ph.D., of the Colonial Music Institute, who will present “18th Century Tavern Music: Lecture and Concert.”  After a discussion about why music was an important part of tavern life, enjoy period music firsthand from this accomplished scholar and performer. Doors open at 7 p.m. and lecture begins at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $12. For more information or to purchase tickets, please call 703.838.4242 or visit www.gadsbystavern.org.

Thursday, October 2 through Saturday, October 4 – Burke Branch Library Book Sale
The Burke Branch Library (4701 Seminary Rd.) will be hosting a book sale on Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 703.519.6000.

Friday, October 3 – Olympic Gold Medalist Greg Louganis to Speak in Alexandria
The Alexandria Domestic Violence Program (DVP) and Sexual Assault Response and Awareness (SARA) Program invite the public to a special evening to hear Olympic gold medalist Greg Louganis speak about his experience of surviving domestic violence. This free event will be held at the Hilton Mark Center, 5000 Seminary Rd. The evening begins with a silent auction to benefit the DVP and SARA programs at 6 p.m., followed by the program at 7 p.m. For more information or to RSVP, call 703.746.5030.

Open through Saturday, November 15 – “Ah, THAT Jack and Jill!” Exhibition
“Ah, THAT Jack and Jill! Parents Empowering African-American Children,” is now on exhibit at the Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe Street. Jack and Jill of America, Inc., a national organization of mothers and children, is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year. The exhibition highlights the organization’s history and the role of chapters in providing cultural, educational, recreational and community service opportunities to enhance and enrich the lives of children. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and admission is $2. For more information, please visit www.alexblackhistory.org or call 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, October 4 - Alexandria’s Urban Forestry Steering Committee and the North Ridge Civic Association Fall Tree Sale
A City tree sale will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Trinity United Methodist Church, 2911 Cameron Mills Rd. The goal of the sale is to promote the preservation of the Alexandria’s tree canopy by encouraging the planting of trees on private property throughout the City. Alexandria Tree Stewards and Master Gardeners will be on site to answer questions about tree selection, planting and care. For additional information or to reserve a tree, call John Noelle, Arborist, at 703.838.5095, ext. 437, or e-mail john.noelle@alexandriava.gov.

Saturday, October 4 – Art on the Avenue
Art on the Avenue, a regional multicultural arts and music festival, will be taking place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. along Mount Vernon Avenue the Potomac West neighborhood of Alexandria. The festival feature over 300 arts vendors, live music, children’s art activities, and the fourth annual pie baking contest. For more information, visit www.artontheavenue.org.

Saturday, October 4 – Artillery Day 
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site (4301 West Braddock Rd.) will host reenactors from the 1st Connecticut Heavy Artillery, a unit stationed at Fort Ward during the Civil War. They will highlight the role of the artillery service in the Defenses of Washington. Visitors will learn about artillery tools, equipment and projectiles in the historic Alexandria Civil War fort. Reenactors will conduct cannon firing demonstrations featuring a 3-inch ordnance rifle and a 2.25-inch mountain rifle, as well as a 24-pound Coehorn mortar. The Union artillery unit also portrays camp life, including camp cooking, mail call, leisure activities and civilian impressions. There is no admission fee, although donations of $2 for adults, $1 for children are suggested. For more information, please visit www.fortward.org or call 703.838.4848.

Saturday, October 4 – Jack and Jill “Spotlight on Youth” Program
In conjunction with the exhibition Ah THAT Jack and Jill!, the Alexandria Black History Museum (902 Wythe St.) is hosting a youth roundtable discussion from 1 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. Young people from pre-teen to voting age, representing school, church and Jack and Jill of America will form a panel to explore how education, politics, recreation/leisure, and the economy impact their lives. This free event is open to all. For more information, please visit www.alexblackhistory.org or call 703.838.4356.

Sunday, October 5 - Annual Scottish Heritage Fair
The City of Alexandria will celebrate its Scottish heritage at the Annual Scottish Heritage from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Fort Ward Park, 4301 West Braddock Rd. Admission is free and the fair will be held rain or shine. For additional information on the Scottish Heritage Fair, call the City’s Special Events Hotline at 703.883.4686 or the Special Events Office at 703.838.4844.