[Archived] Weekly Event Announcements: June 5 - 11, 2010

Saturday, June 5 – Historic Alexandria Museum Gala
Preserve Alexandria’s heritage as you celebrate it at the Historic Alexandria Museum Gala, at the Holiday Inn Old Town, 625 First St. Join the Historic Alexandria Resources Commission for an evening of cocktails, dinner, live music and dancing, from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., to benefit Alexandria’s museums and historic sites. Tickets start at $150 and advance reservations are required. Please visit www.historicalexandria.org or call 703.746.4554 for more information.

Saturday, June 5 - Ruby Tucker Day Celebration 
The Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority celebrates the legacy of the late community activist Ruby Tucker. The celebration will honor the Tucker’s 40 years of advocacy for safe and affordable housing, equal educational opportunity, and crime-free neighborhoods. This free event, which begins at 10 a.m. at the Ruby Tucker Family Center, 322 Tancil Court, will feature performances from First Agape Church, Stephanie Tucker, and youth from the Ruby Tucker Family Center. For more information, contact Jason Ellis at 703.535.3175.

Monday, June 7 and Monday, June 14 – Genealogy/Family History Classes
The Special Collections/Local History Branch of the Alexandria Library is pleased to offer genealogy/family history classes taught by Sharon Hodges, a professional genealogist with 20 years of experience. This two-part series will guide students to repositories and records in Maryland, including the Maryland State Archives in Annapolis. The classes are scheduled from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Large Meeting Room at Beatley Library, 5005 Duke St. The cost is $35, or $25 for Members of Friends of Local History Collections. To register, call Special Collections at 703.746.1706.

Tuesday, June 8 – From Books to Film Discussion Group
Readers and film buffs are invited to Beatley Central Library to discuss films and the written works that inspired them. The next meeting will start at 7 p.m. and participants will discuss “The Big Sleep” (unrated, 1946). The meetings are facilitated by Mark Schwartz, who has taught Film Studies on the college level and has written about books and film for ABC-Clio. For more information, call 703.746.1770.

Wednesday, June 9 – Lunch Bunch Concert at John Carlyle Park
The next Lunch Bunch concert features the acoustic blues music of Curtis Blues. The concert begins at noon at John Carlyle Park, 300 John Carlyle 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 703.746.5592.

Thursday, June 10 – Music at Twilight Concert at Fort Ward Park
This Music at Twilight Concert event features the Alexandria Citizen’s Band 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 703.746.5592.

Thursday, June 10 – SOHO Art Exhibit and Reception
View the accomplishments of young artists at the Old Town Space of Her Own program reception, scheduled from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at The Art League Annex, 1 Duke Street (Corner of Duke and South Union Streets). A program will be presented by fifth grade participants and features a before-and-after bedroom renovation video. Light refreshments will be served, and admission is free. To learn more about the SOHO program, visit www.spaceofherown.org.

Thursday, June 10 through Saturday, June 12 – Burke Branch Library Book Sale
Come out and purchase your favorite book titles at a discount at the Alexandria Burke Branch Library’s book sale! The sale will take place at Burke Branch Library (4701 Seminary Rd.) on Thursday, June 10, from 1 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Friday, June 11, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; and Saturday, June 12, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. For more information, call 703.746.1704.

Thursday, June 10 through Sunday, June 13 – Alexandria Archaeology Institute
Join Alexandria archaeologists for a unique opportunity to excavate the Shuter’s Hill site on the grounds of the George Washington Masonic Memorial (101 Callahan Dr.) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Gain hands-on experience in site-excavation methods and record keeping. Learn how to use a transit, process and catalog artifacts in the laboratory, and interpret new discoveries. Advance registration is required. For more information, visit www.alexandriaarchaeology.org or call 703.746.4399.

Coming Soon!

Saturday, June 12 – “New Muslim Cool” Film Screening
The Alexandria Black History Museum (902 Wythe St.) hosts a free screening of a film at 4:30 p.m. for the Movies with a Mission series. “New Muslim Cool” follows Puerto Rican American rapper Hamza Pérez. Hamza ended his life as a drug dealer and started down a new path as a young Muslim, taking his message of faith to other young people through his uncompromising music as part of the hip-hop duo M-Team. When the FBI raids his mosque, Hamza must confront the realities of the post-9/11 world, and challenge himself. For more information, visit www.alexblackhistory.org or call 703.746.4356.

Saturday, June 12 – 18th Century Bread and Butter Ball
Held in the historic Ballroom of Gadsby’s Tavern Museum (134 N. Royal Street), this springtime ball set in the 1790s is inspired by a ball George Washington attended. From 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., enjoy live music, dancing, refreshments, gaming, and a cash bar. Attendees are encouraged to wear period costume. Advance tickets are $45 per person or $50 at the door. For more information, visit www.gadsbystavern.org or call 703.746.4242.

Saturday, June 12 – 18th Annual Alexandria Armenian Festival
The City of Alexandria will host the 18th Annual Alexandria Armenian Festival at Market Square, 301 King St. from noon to 5 p.m. Sponsored by the Knights of Varton, the festival features live entertainment, food, cultural exhibits and more. Contributions benefit charities for children in Armenia. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.ArmenianFestivals.com.

Sunday, June 13 – 10th Annual Arlandria Chirilagua Festival
The City of Alexandria will host the 10th Annual Arlandria Chirilagua Festival from noon to 7 p.m. at 3700 Commonwealth Ave. Sponsored by Tenants and Workers United, the festival features live entertainment, food, cultural exhibits and more. For more information, call Monica Cevallos at 703.684.5697 ext. 318 or e-mail mcevallos@tenantsandworkers.org.

Wednesday, June 23 – Seventh Annual Fostering the Future Cruise
Sail away on the “Love Boat” at Alexandria’s seventh annual Fostering the Future Cruise! Purchase your $75 ticket to come aboard the Cherry Blossom riverboat in Old Town Alexandria for a wonderful evening of TropRock music, dance, food and drinks. A silent auction and raffle will also offer fabulous items! All proceeds from the event go to The Fund for Alexandria’s Child at the Department of Human Services, which benefits Alexandria’s most vulnerable children—those in foster care or who are at risk of abuse and neglect. For more information, contact Suzanne Kratzok at 703.746.5663 or e-mail thefundforalexchild@alexandriava.gov.

Ongoing!

H1N1 Flu Response Survey
How well do you think the City responded to the H1N1 flu? Let us know! The Alexandria Health Department has designed a brief survey to collect feedback on Alexandria's response to H1N1 flu. Answering these questions will help the City better respond to future public health emergencies and improve the health of Alexandrians. Fill it out online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/V2K6PTS.

West End Farmers’ Market 
The West End Farmers’ Market is open to the public on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through November 21 at Ben Brenman Park, 4800 Brenman Park Drive. This outdoor market is one of a kind in the City’s west end, featuring colorful displays of fresh, locally grown, in-season vegetables and fruits, gourmet coffee, fresh squeezed orange juice, and fresh baked pastries. For more information, visit www.alexandriava.gov/farmersmarket.

Upper King Street Fresh Farmers’ Market 
The Upper King Street Fresh Farmers’ Market, located at King Street Gardens Park, 1806 King St., is just a few steps from the King Street Metro Station. Offering area residents and commuters the opportunity to shop for fresh, locally grown produce, meat, dairy and bakery items, the market is open Wednesdays through October 27 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. For additional information, visit http://www.upperkingstreet.org 

Through Sunday, June 27 – “Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts” Exhibition
This exhibition has been extended at The Lyceum (201 S. Washington St.)! It blends historical photographs, artifacts and reflections to tell the story of Girl Scouting in the Washington metropolitan area. The exhibition features a collection of Girl Scout uniforms from the 1910s, 1930s and 1960s, Brownie items from as early as 1937, a display of cookie fundraising materials, and extensive camping and hiking exhibits highlighted by a tent and official Girl Scout gear. Suggested admission is $2. The Lyceum is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sundays, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.alexandriahistory.org or call 703.746.4994.