[Archived] Weekly Event Announcements: June 12 – 18, 2010

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.

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 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 – 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.) from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. For more information, call 703.746.1704.

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.

Tuesday, June 15 – Learn about “Frogs and Toads”
Children ages 3 – 12 are invited to come to a “Frogs and Toads” presentation at 3:30 p.m. at the Burke Branch Library, 4701 Seminary Rd. The free program is being presented by the Jerome “Buddie” Ford Nature Center. For more information, call 703.746.1704.

Wednesday, June 16 – Lunch Bunch Concert at Canal Plaza
This Lunch Bunch concert features Michael Mulvaney playing Blues Americana at noon at 44 Canal 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 703.746.5592.

Wednesday, June 16 – Duncan Book Discussion Group
The Duncan Book Discussion Group will hold its next meeting at 7 p.m. at the Duncan Branch Library, 2501 Commonwealth Ave. They will discuss the book “Siddhartha” by Herman Hess. For more information, call Ruth Hailu at 703.746.1705 ext. 3.

Thursday, June 17 – Great Books Discussion Group
The Great Books Discussion Group will hold its next meeting at 7 p.m. at Beatley Central Library, 5005 Duke St. They will discuss “Lava Cameo,” an essay by Eaven Boland from “Object Lessons.” For more information, call 703.746.1702.

Coming Soon!

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.

Saturday, June 26 – Parker Gray Roundtable Community Day
Learn about the Parker-Gray Roundtable and get to know your neighbors at an old-fashioned block party. The event, which will be held at the Charles Houston Recreation Center, 901 Wythe St., from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., features barbecue, refreshments, music, Recreation Center open house, and health fair; and workshops on Parker-Gray history, employment programs, substance abuse prevention, summer recreation programs and more. For more information, contact Jack Browand at 703.746.5504.

Saturday, July 10 - Annual USA & City Birthday Celebration
The City of Alexandria will celebrate its 261st and the USA’s 234th 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. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.alexandriava.gov/Recreation or call 704.746.5418.

Ongoing!

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 to 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.alexandriahistory.org or call 703.746.4994.