[Archived] Weekly Event Announcements: July 11 - 17, 2009

For Immediate Release: July 10, 2009

Saturday, July 11 – Annual Alexandria Birthday Celebration
The City of Alexandria will celebrate its 260th and the U.S.A.’s 233rd birthday 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 evening features the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra presenting an explosive night of fun, fanfare, and fireworks. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.alexandriava.gov/recreation.

Saturday, July 11 – Living Out Loud™ Workshop 
Living Out Loud is a free, interactive workshop of simple, yet fun, improv comedy games and activities taught by DC Improv’s own Shawn Westfall. Westfall will teach survivors of sexual assault the invaluable life lessons that improv has to offer such as living in the moment, creating trust, and collaborating as a team.  This free workshop is being held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Fairfax Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, VA. For more information, contact Jen McLish at 703.746.5030.

Sunday, July 12 - 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 through November 22 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For additional information, visit www.alexandriava.gov/recreation.

Sunday, July 12 – Family Tour Day
Visitors will experience historic Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 North Royal Street, through our new Junior Docent tours! From 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Junior Docents, volunteers from grades 2 through 5, will be stationed at each stop on the tour, including the taproom, bed chambers, ballroom, assembly room and dining room. Visitors can tour at their own pace while their kids learn about Alexandria history from other kids! Admission is $5 per adult and $3 per child (ages 11 to 17). For more information, please visit www.gadsbystavern.org or call 703.838.4242.

Wednesday, July 15 -Virginia’s Foster Youth Voices For Change Art Exhibit Reception
Learn about children’s experiences in Virginia’s foster care system in a compelling new art exhibit called Voices of Change. The exhibit will be open through July 30 at the Oswald Durant Memorial Center Gallery, 1605 Cameron St., Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. At the same location, a reception will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on July 15. The reception will feature a panel discussion with several young artists from Alexandria, Fairfax and Arlington. For further information, please visit Voices for Change Project. 

Wednesday, July 15 - Upper King Street Fresh Farmers’ Market
The public is invited to the Upper King Street Fresh Farmers’ Market, located at the King Street Gardens Park,1806 King St., just a few steps from the King Street Metro. The Upper King Street Fresh Farmers’ Market is open Wednesdays through October 28 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. For additional information, visit the Farmers’ Market Online.

Wednesday, July 15 – Wes Tucker & the Skillets Concert
Come enjoy a folk rock concert featuring Wes Tucker & the Skillets beginning at 7 p.m. at the Ben Brenman Park Amphitheater, 4800 Brenman Park Dr. 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 www.alexandriava.gov/recreation.

Wednesday, July 15, 22, and 29 – Alexandria Library’s “Stories in the Park”
Children and their parents are invited to join the Alexandria Library for “Stories in the Park.” This program is recommended for ages 2 and up and will occur in Area 7 of Fort Ward Park, 4301 W. Braddock Rd. Please feel free to bring your lunch and a chair or blanket for your seating. Admission is free. In case of extreme heat or rain, the event will relocated to Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library, 717 Queen St. For more information, call 703.838.4555.

Thursday, July 16 – Music at Twilight Concert 
The Ebenezer Baptist Church Evangelical Women’s Choir will perform at a Music at Twilight Concert, beginning at 7:30 p.m. at Fort Ward Park, 4301 W. Braddock Rd. 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 www.alexandriava.gov/recreation.

Thursday, July 16 – Summer Quest Reading Program
Keep your children reading through the summer with the Alexandria Library’s Summer Quest program! This week, children ages 3 and older are invited to come to Barrett Branch Library (717 Queen St.) at 11 a.m. to enjoy messy outdoor fun that includes bubbles and coloring chalk. Admission is free! In case of the inclement of weather, there will be an indoor craft and film.  For more information, contact Lisa Springer at 703.838.4555. 

Thursday, July 16 – Dave Tucker Trio Live Music Performance
From 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., the Dave Tucker Trio will treat guests to early jazz and ragtime music, featuring Dave Tucker on piano, Les Elkins on trumpet, and Terry Brown on rhythm guitar. The free event will take place at the Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union St. For more information about Dave Tucker Trio, visit www.turboragtime.com.

Friday, July 17 – Lantern Tours
Tour Gadsby’s Tavern Museum,134 N. Royal St., by candlelight with a costumed guide  to experience the historic tavern and hotel before the advent of electricity. Tour times are 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., and the 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, July 17 – Alexandria Citizens Band Concert 
A concert at Market Square, 301 King St., featuring the “City’s Oldest Performing Arts Organization,” Alexandria Citizens Band, will begin 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 www.alexandriava.gov/recreation.

Friday, July 17 and Saturday, July 18 – Comcast Outdoor Film Festival
Featuring ”Twilight” on Friday, July 17 and “Kung Fu Panda” on Saturday, July 18, movies start at dusk at Ben Brenman Park, 4800 Brenman Park Dr. Food and beverage sales open at 7 p.m. Films 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 www.alexandriava.gov/recreation.

Coming soon!

Saturday, July 18 – Civil War Camp Day and Skirmish
Experience Fort Ward’s and Alexandria’s largest Civil War event of the year! From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., living history events include a tactical skirmish, Civil War artillery demonstration, Union and Confederate camps, drills, food preparation scenarios, medical impressions and civilian interpretations at the Fort, 4301 W. Braddock Rd. Admission is $5 per adult or $10 for families with children. For more information, please visit www.fortward.org or call 703.838.4848.

Saturday, July 25 - African Heritage Cultural Festival
The music, culture, and food of Africa takes center stage as the City of Alexandria hosts the African Heritage Cultural Festival at Market Square, 301 King St., from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. For up-to-date information, call the Special Events Hotline at 703.883.4686 or visit www.alexandriava.gov/recreation.

Ongoing!

Open through August 11 – The Fine Art of Jazz Exhibition
The Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe St, is featuring the work of Dan White, who spent almost two decades photographing Kansas City jazz musicians. The result of his work is The Fine Art of Jazz, a series of 50 black-and-white portraits of Kansas City jazz musicians. The exhibition also offers a look into the performers’ lives through excerpts of interviews with the musicians. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a suggested admission of $2. For more information, visit www.alexblackhistory.org or call 703.838.4356.

Open through September 20 – “Living Legends” Exhibition 
The latest class of Living Legends of Alexandria is profiled in an exhibit at The Lyceum, Alexandria’s History Museum, 201 S. Washington St. This photography exhibition, featuring the work of Nina Tisara, celebrates people who have made remarkable contributions to the quality of life in Alexandria. “Living Legends of Alexandria 2008-09” showcases 26 nominees who have worked to improve life in Alexandria. The museum is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sundays, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The suggested admission is $2. For more information, visit www.alexandriahistory.org or call 703.838.4994.
For more information, contact Jennifer Harris, Communications Officer, Office of Communications, at 703.746.3961 or jennifer.harris@alexandriava.gov