[Archived] Weekly Event Announcements: August 1 - 7, 2009

For Immediate Release: July 31, 2009

Saturday, August 1 – Friendship Firehouse Festival
From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Friendship Firehouse Festival celebrates the 235th anniversary of the Friendship Fire Company. Enjoy birthday cake, craft and food vendors, and a special display of antique and modern firefighting equipment at the Friendship Firehouse Museum, 107 South Alfred St. Kids get free balloons and fire helmets! Free family fun! For further information, call 703.838.3891 or visit www.friendshipfirehouse.net.

Saturday, August 1 – Soldier-Led Walking Tours
At 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., a Union soldier in period uniform will lead walking tours of Fort Ward, 4301 W. Braddock Rd. The hour-long tours will introduce visitors to the history of the Defenses of Washington, the building and role of Fort Ward, 19th-century fortification engineering, and the troops who were stationed in this area during the Civil War. Walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing recommended. Free! For more information, please visit www.fortward.org or call 703.838.4848.

Saturday, August 1 – Tavern Day
At Gadsby’s Tavern Museum’s free Tavern Day Open House, 134 N. Royal St., experience Alexandria’s five-star hotel of the 18th century whose guests included George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams! From 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., explore life in the 18th century with continuous tours by costumed guides and the chance to learn to dance like George and Martha Washington. This year’s highlights include enlightening 18th century science experiments conducted in the Assembly Room! Enjoy music and light refreshments. For more information, please visit www.gadsbystavern.org or call 703.838.4242.

Sunday, August 2 – 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.

Wednesday, August 5 – Lunch Bunch Concert 
A concert featuring Chemistry (Jazz) will take place 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, August 5 – 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.

Thursday, August 6– 18th-Century Dance Lessons
In preparation for the Jane Austen Ball on August 15, learn 18th-century English country dancing from expert dance instructors at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 North Royal St. Class is from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and costs $12. Reservations are recommended. For more information, please visit www.gadsbystavern.org or call 703.838.4242.

Thursday, August 6 – Music at Twilight Concert
All Scottish Night featuring the NoVa Branch, Royal Scottish Country Dance Society and the Alexandria Pipes & Drums will begin at 7 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.

Friday, August 7 – Market Square Concert
Featuring Alexandria Citizens Band, the “City’s oldest performing arts organization,” at 7:30 p.m. at Market Square, 301 King St.  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, August 7 – 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, August 8 - Annual Irish Festival 
The City of Alexandria will host the Irish Festival from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Waterfront Park, 1A Prince St.  The event will feature traditional Irish entertainment, food and crafts. Admission is free! For additional information, visit www.ballyshaners.org.

Saturday, August 8- Aretha Aretha! Live Jazz Performance
Join award-winning singer and Alexandria native Aretha Aretha and her outstanding band Mike Gillispie (flute), Jon Ozment (keyboards), James King (bass), and Nasar Abadey (drums) at 7 p.m. at the Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe St. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at www.alexblackhistory.org or by calling 703.838.4356.

Thursday, August 13- Local Author Reading Series
At 7:30 p.m. Ruth Baja Williams will discuss her new book, Detour Berlin at the James M. Duncan, Jr. Branch Library, 2501 Commonwealth Ave. For further information, call Ruth at 703.838.4566.

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 

PIO#197-09