[Archived] Weekly Event Announcements for the City of Alexandria: May 30 – June 5, 2009

For Immediate Release: May 29, 2009
 
Saturday, May 30 – Second Annual Mayor’s Cup Challenge Match
World-class rugby comes to the City of Alexandria! Enjoy free admission to a whole day of rugby at George Washington Middle School, 1005 Mt. Vernon Ave. Alexandria will host a men’s rugby team from its sister city Dundee, Scotland, and will try to win back the Cup in the second annual Mayor’s Cup Challenge Match. This event is an exchange activity under the Alexandria-Dundee sister city relationship initiated at the request of Mayor William D. Euille. It pulls the citizens and cultures of Alexandria and Dundee together in an unprecedented way, and provides a chance for Alexandria youth to observe excellent rugby being played, learn about this collaborative game, and develop an interest in trying it. For more information, contact Owen Malone at 703.851.6188 or visit www.alexandriarugby.org.
 
Saturday, May  30 – All Alexandria Reads 2009 Program Finale
All Alexandria Reads 2009 will host its final program, a story time with Mary Quattlebaum, at 11 a.m. at the Barnes & Noble at Potomac Yards, 3651 Jefferson Davis Hwy.  Ms. Quattlebaum is a local author, most famous for her Jackson Jones series. This event also kicks off the Barnes & Noble Bookfair in support of Alexandria Library's 2010 All Alexandria Reads program.  A voucher that donates a portion of all Barnes & Noble purchases to this program is available www.alexandria.lib.va.us.  Show the voucher to the cashier beginning Saturday, May 30, through Friday, June 5, at any Barnes & Noble in the metropolitan Washington, DC area. Now is a great time to load up on books, music, movies, games, and toys for the summer, fall, and winter!  Each spring, the Alexandria Library chooses a book for the community to read together, and hosts numerous community events that relate to the themes of the selected book. For more information about All Alexandria Reads, visit www.alexandria.lib.va.us.
 
Saturday, May 30 – Brady’s Michigan Sharpshooters
This Civil War living history program at Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site (4301 W. Braddock Rd.) features reenactors representing the famed Brady’s Michigan Sharpshooters. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., they will demonstrate their specialized skills to the public. Free activities include a rifle display and presentation, skirmish drills, camp life scenarios, a bugling demonstration to illustrate how riflemen moved and fired by signal calls, clerk impression in the Officers’ Hut, and camp life scenarios. For more information, visit www.fortward.org or call 703.838.4848.
 
Saturday, May 30 – Old Cars in Alexandria
Celebrate Alexandria’s automotive history at this free classic car show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St. Share memories of your favorite car and talk with owners whose antique cars are being shown. Learn about local automotive businesses, including “Chevy Corner” at King and Henry Streets, Bendall Pontiac, Herby’s Ford, or Old Dominion Hudson, once the second largest Hudson dealer in the country. For more information, visit www.alexandriahistory.org or call 703.838.4994.
 
Open through Saturday, May 30 – “1968 in America” Exhibition
This exhibition at the Alexandria Black History Museum (902 Wythe St.) reflects on 1968, a tumultuous, pivotal and influential year. Organized by four major themes, the Power of Idealism, the Power of Music, the Power of the Bullet and the Power of the Press, “1968 in America” uses original photographs, magazine covers, political memorabilia, record albums, and other objects to explore this pivotal moment in American history and in particular, African-American history. Open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Suggested admission is $2. For more information, please visit www.alexblackhistory.org or call 703.838.4356.
 
Saturday May 30 & Sunday May 31 - Old Town Arts & Crafts Fair 
The Old Town Arts & Crafts Fair will be held at Market Square, 301 King St., on Saturday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. 5 p.m. For more information, call Melinda Patrician at 703.683.1793 or e-mail mpatrician@volunteeralexandria.org.
 
Sunday, May 31 - "Incidence" Dance Performance by Jane Franklin Dance
Jane Franklin Dance will perform “Incidence” at King Street Gardens Park, 1806 King St., from 4:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 703.933.1111 or visit www.janefranklin.com.
 
Sunday, May 31 - West End Farmers’ Market
The public is invited to the West End Farmers’ Market at Ben Brenman Park, 4800 Brenman Park Dr. The West End Farmers’ Market is open to the public every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through November 22. For additional information, visit alexandriava.gov/recreation.
 
Wednesday, June 3 - Opening of the Upper King Street Fresh Farmers’ Market
The City of Alexandria and the Upper King Street Neighborhood Association will open the 2009 Upper King Street Fresh Farmers’ Market, which will be available weekly from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. through October 29. The market will be located at the King Street Gardens Park (1806 King St.) just a few steps from the King Street Metro. For additional information, visit www.farmersmarketonline.com/fm/UpperKingStreetFreshFarmersMarket.html 
 
Friday, June 5 – 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.
 
Coming Soon!
 
Saturday, June 6 - Seventeenth Annual Armenian Festival
The Armenian Festival Committee and the Knights of Vartan, in partnership with the City of Alexandria, will host its Seventeenth Annual Armenian Festival from noon to 5 p.m. at Market Square, 301 King St. Event highlights include the sights, sounds, food and culture of Armenia. Admission is free and the festival will be held rain or shine. For additional information, call the City’s Special Events Hotline at 703.883.4686, or visit www.ArmenianFestivals.com.
 
Saturday, June 13 – An Evening of Elixirs and Edibles
Experience the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum in a delicious new way—through your tastebuds! The Stablers and Leadbeaters were famous for bringing exotic flavors to the citizens of Alexandria from their apothecary, 105-107 S. Fairfax St. At “An Evening of Elixirs and Edibles,” from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., enjoy foods inspired by the herbs and spices in the store and sample beverages designed from imported liquors. Tickets begin at $75 per person and can be purchased online at www.apothecarymuseum.org or by calling 703.838.3852. All proceeds support the preservation of the Apothecary's unique collection.
 
Ongoing
 
Let’s Get Healthy for Life, Alexandria!
Are you up for a challenge? Mayor William D. Euille, the Partnership for a Healthier Alexandria, and local health and fitness organizations have launched the Mayor’s “Get Healthy for Life, Alexandria” initiative to encourage Alexandrians to eat better, get moving, and get healthy. As part of the initiative, the City is participating in the “50 Million Pound Challenge,” developed by diet expert and author Dr. Ian Smith. The Challenge provides free resources and online tools for adult participants to follow their own diet and exercise program. MEC Kids, www.meckids.com/blog, a health and fitness social network, will provide special activities for young people. To join the Mayor’s Get Healthy Alexandria team, visit www.50millionpounds.com, click “Teams,” and under “Search Teams,” type “Alexandria, VA” in the search box provided. For more information, contact Carrie Fesperman at 703.838.4400, ext. 263.
 
2009 Summer Camps, Playgrounds & Teen Activities
The Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities offers a variety of summer program opportunities for children and teens ages 3 to 17. Camp opportunities include Recreation Camps (Ages 3-12); Jerome "Buddie" Ford Nature Center Camps (K-6th grade); Summer Programs for Children with Disabilities (Ages 3-17); Summer Playground Camps (Ages 6-12); and Summertime Fun Just-4-Teens. For additional information, visit alexandriava.gov/recreation.