[Archived] Weekly Event Announcements: July 18 - 24, 2009

For Immediate Release: July 17, 2009

Saturday, July 18 – Comcast Outdoor Film Festival
The movie “Kung Fu Panda” will 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. 

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.

Sunday, July 19 – 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. Please note, the market will not be held Sunday, August 23 due to the scheduling of the Annual Cambodian Day Festival. For additional information, visit www.alexandriava.gov/recreation.

Monday, July 20 – Charles Houston Enhanced Service Hours Begin
The City of Alexandria Department of Recreation Parks and Cultural Activities will begin enhanced service hours, Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the Charles Houston Recreation Center, 901 Wythe St., beginning Monday, July 20. Participants will have use of the center’s fitness room, game room, gymnasium and computer lab. Single and multi visit admission passes will be available for purchase. For additional information, call 703.838.4814.

Wednesday, July 22 – Lunch Bunch Concert
Today’s lunch bunch concert will feature 2nd Story Band Duo, playing world beat blues. The concert begins at noon at Canal Plaza, 44 Canal Center Plaza. 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 22 – 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 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” at 11 a.m. 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 be relocated to Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library, 717 Queen St. For more information, call 703.838.4555.

Thursday, July 23 – Live Music Performance
KUKU performs uniquely soulful and captivating music inspired by his African heritage at the Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union St., from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The performance is free. Often singing in his native Yoruba tongue, this self-taught musician has enchanted audiences throughout the Washington, DC area. For further information about KUKU visit www.kukulive.com. For more information about the event, call 703.838.4565 or visit www.torpedofactory.org.

Thursday, July 23 – Music at Twilight Concert
The Alexandria Harmonizers (Barbershop) will perform 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 23 – Retail and Restaurant Business Seminar
The “Staying Relevant in a Changed Economy” seminar will provide guidance on how the economy has changed buying habits, defining your customer, effective merchandising, customer service, retail and restaurant math, marketing, Web sites and social networking. To be eligible, business owners must attend the general seminar, complete a brief self-evaluation of their business by logging on to “Business Retail Checkup” at www.mdsbdc.umd.edu/check_up.html, or “Restaurant Checkup” at www.mdsbdc.umd.edu/restaurant_check_up.html, and print the results. The seminar is free, but pre-registration is required.  To register, call 703.778.2960 or e-mail Patricia Melton, pmelton@alexandriasbdc.org.

Friday, July 24 – 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.

Coming Soon!

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 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