[Archived] Weekly Event Announcements: August 15 - 21, 2009

For Immediate Release: August 14, 2009

Saturday, August 15 – Freedmen’s Cemetery History Chat and Tour
The Alexandria Archaeological Commission is hosting a free discussion and tour of the Freedmen’s Cemetery site, 1001 S. Washington St., at 10:30 a.m. City Archaeologist Pamela Cressey will share findings of the archaeological investigation and current plans for the Contrabands and Freedmen’s Cemetery Memorial. After a tour of the cemetery, participants are invited to meet at Perk Up coffee shop, 829 S. Washington St., for a discussion of archaeological and historical research and the experiences of freedmen in Alexandria during the Civil War. For more information, visit www.alexandriaarchaeology.org or call 703.838.4399.

Sunday, August 16 – 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 alexandriava.gov/recreation.

Monday, August 17 – Book Discussion Group Meeting
Join author Laura Hillenbrand for a discussion of her book, Seabiscuit, beginning at 7 p.m. at the Duncan Branch Library, 2501 Commonwealth Ave. For more information, call 703.838.4566.

Wednesday, August 19 – 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.

Friday, August 21 – 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, August 21 – Civil Rights Sit-In Commemoration
Join the Alexandria Library, Alexandria Black History Museum and Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School at the Barrett Branch library, 717 Queen St., at 10 a.m. for a special program commemorating the 70th anniversary of the 1939 Alexandria Library sit-in. Speakers and students will honor the bravery of five young men of color who were arrested for simply sitting down and reading a book inside the City’s library. This event will also honor the legacy of Alexandria attorney Samuel W. Tucker, who organized the groundbreaking sit-in. For more information, please visit www.alexandria.lib.va.us or call 703.519.3498.

Coming Soon! 

Sunday, August 23 – Annual Cambodian Day Festival 
The City of Alexandria will host the Annual Cambodian Community Day Festival from noon to 6 p.m. at Ben Brenman Park, 4800 Brenman Park Dr. Admission is free and the event will be held rain or shine. For additional information on the Cambodian Community Day Festival, visit www.cambodiancommunityday.org

Thursday, August 27 – Orientation for Prospective SOHO Mentors
The Space Of Her Own program invites creative female mentors to enjoy a light dinner with a wonderful group of women and learn details about an exciting art-based mentoring program for pre-teen girls in Alexandria. The orientation will occur from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at The Art League Annex, 1 Duke St.  Each mentor makes a one-year commitment to attend Thursday evening sessions with her mentee. Together they participate in team-building activities, learn life skills and artistic concepts, techniques and processes. SOHO was developed through a partnership between the City of Alexandria’s Court Service Unit and The Art League, Inc. Beginning this fall, SOHO will offer two locations for this program in the Old Town and West End areas of Alexandria. For more information, visit www.alexandriava.gov/soho. To RSVP for the mentor orientation, e-mail amy.cable@acps.k12.va.us. 

Saturday, August 29 – Second Civil War Sesquicentennial Meeting
A second Civil War Sesquicentennial community planning meeting will be held from 9 a.m. to noon at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial, 101 Callahan Dr. A speaker from the Virginia Tourism Corporation will facilitate sessions to plan programs for Alexandria’s commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. This meeting is open to all, and public participation is most welcome. Please RSVP to 703.746.3298. For more information, call 703.838.4554 or visit www.historicalexandria.org.

Ongoing!

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 alexandriahistory.org or call 703.838.4994.