[Archived] Weekly Event Announcements: September 11 – 17, 2010

Saturday & Sunday, September 11-12 - Alexandria Festival of the Arts 
At Alexandria’s Festival of the Arts, Old Town’s King Street (from Union to Washington streets) becomes an open-air art gallery! More than 200 juried artists will display and sell fine art, ranging from paintings, sculpture, prints and photography to pottery, glass, jewelry and ceramics. Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, call 703.746.5418.

Saturday, September 11 – Living History with the 1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry
Learn about Civil War weapons, tactics, uniforms, rations and camp life with reenactors from the 1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site (4301 W. Braddock Rd.). Activities begin at 10 a.m. with a roll call and inspection of troops. Special features of the day’s schedule include firing demonstrations at 11 a.m. and at 3 p.m., a noon meal in camp where army rations will be discussed, a knapsack inspection, and a discussion of the soldier’s uniform. This event is dependent upon the weather. Free admission, but donations are welcomed. For more information, visit www.fortward.org or call 703.746.4848.

Saturday, September 11 – “Blacks Without Borders” Film Screening
At 4:30 p.m. at the Alexandria Black History Museum (902 Wythe St.) see “Blacks Without Borders: Chasing the American Dream in South Africa,” a groundbreaking documentary that takes a heartfelt look at the emotional journey of a group of African Americans who called it quits in the U.S. to start a new life in South Africa. The film provides a candid and touching tale of sacrifice, hardship and great rewards by U.S.-born citizens as they adjust to the cultural differences and combat negative perceptions that America may garner in other parts of the world. This free screening will be followed by a discussion. For more information, visit www.alexblackhistory.org or call 703.746.4356.

Monday, September 13 – Tavern Toddlers
Join us for a special program for toddlers (walkers through 36 months) and their caregivers at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St. Tavern Toddlers features a weekly open playtime in Gadsby’s historic ballroom Mondays, excluding Federal holidays, through November 15, any time between 10:30 a.m. and noon. Crafts change weekly! Cost is $7 for a group of three, which must include one adult, or $30 for purchase of a five-week pass. For more information, please visit www.gadsbystavern.org or call 703.746.4242.

Tuesday, September 14 – From Books to Film Discussion Group
On the second Tuesday of every month, readers and movie buffs (ages 13 and older) are invited to gather at 7 p.m. at Beatley Central Library (5005 Duke St.) to talk about a novel, play, short story, or work of nonfiction and the motion picture version inspired by the written work. Participants are expected to have read the work and viewed the movie before attending. Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist (PG-13, 2008) based on a young adult novel by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan, will be discussed this month. For more information, call Mark Schwartz at 703.746.1770.

Wednesday, September 15 – Grant Proposal Writing Basics Workshop
Come to a free workshop on the basics of writing a grant proposal from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Beatley Central Library, 5005 Duke St. Learn about the key components of a proposal, what to include in a proposal budget and how to package your grant proposal. The class is designed for staff, volunteers, and trustees of nonprofits only. Registration is required. For more information or to register, call 202.331.1400.

Wednesday, September 15 – Duncan Book Discussion Group
The Duncan Book Discussion Group will meet at 7 p.m. to discuss Coming of Age in Mississippi by Anne Moody. The group meets monthly at Duncan Branch Library (2501 Commonwealth Ave.) to discuss a book of the group’s choosing. For more information, call Ruth Hailu at 703.746.1705.

Thursday, September 16 – Grand Opening of the Teen Wellness Center
A Grand Opening event for the Teen Wellness Center will be held from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at its new location in T.C. Williams High School, 3330 King St. The community is invited to enjoy music, art, activities, food, raffles, and a tour of the new center while meeting the staff. For information, contact Andria Smith at 703.746.4935 or e-mail andria.smith@vdh.virginia.gov.

Thursday, September 16 – Silent Auction to Benefit Alexandria’s Breast Cancer Surgical Fund
The sixth annual Alexandria Breast Cancer Walk Silent Auction, hosted by Women Mean Business, will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Alexandria Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites, 625 First St. New this year, all funds raised at this event will benefit Alexandria’s Breast Cancer Surgical Fund, which will pay for breast cancer surgery for uninsured women who do not have the means to pay for it. Several local surgeons and anesthesiologists have agreed to reduce their fees to the Medicaid rate and this new fund will pay for the surgeries. Radiation and chemotherapy will be provided by Inova Alexandria Hospital. Women Mean Business is seeking donations for the silent auction and accepting RSVPs for the event. For more information, visit www.womenmeanbusiness.info.

Friday, September 17 - Supper Under the Stars
Enjoy an evening of music and dining from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at King Street Gardens Park, 1806 King St. Enjoy musical guest Al Williams & Friends, and cuisine from Mango Mikes Restaurant. The event is sponsored by the Old Town Professional Business Association. For more information, call Carol Suplee at 703.969.6820 or David Martin at 703.683.0333, or e-mail david@goldworksusa.com.

Coming Soon

Tuesday, September 22 - Pledge to Un-Car for a Day! 
Take part in a worldwide movement and celebrate sustainable transportation on Car Free Day, Wednesday September 22. Go Car Free or Car-Lite and make a difference for a day by bicycling, walking, teleworking, carpooling, vanpooling or taking transit. Pledge today and you’re automatically entered into a raffle for cool prizes! You can still pledge even if you’re already car free. For more information, visit www.alexandriava.gov/localmotion.

Now Registering

Saturday, September 18 – African-American Genealogy Workshop
Noted historian and genealogist Char McCargo Bah will conduct a workshop and illustrated lecture at the Alexandria Black History Museum (902 Wythe St.), showing how she successfully traced descendants of people buried at Freedmen’s Cemetery. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Bah will explore the use of church records and civic group networks in family history research. She will share how these resources helped her connect pre- and post-Civil War individuals to Freedmen’s Cemetery, the historic African-American burial ground reclaimed by the City in 2007, and discuss how her techniques can be applied to any family research. This event is $5, and advance registration is required. To register, please call 703.746.4356, or for more information, please visit www.alexblackhistory.org.

Friday, September 24 & Saturday September 25 – Alexandria Forum
Explore “Coveting, Curating and Collections: The Art of the Public and Personal Museum” at the 52nd Annual Alexandria Forum on decorative arts. On Friday, enjoy guest speaker Peter J. Gomes of Harvard University and a banquet at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum (134 N. Royal St.) from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Then on Saturday, attend a series of lectures at The Lyceum (201 S. Washington St.) from 9 a.m. to noon, followed by an afternoon of workshops on collecting antiques, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., at Lloyd House (220 N. Washington St.). Advance registration is required. For more information, visit www.historicalexandria.org or call 703.746.4554.

Saturday, October 2 – “Grapes of Wrath” Civil War & Vineyard Bus Tour
Explore Civil War sites while you sample the best of Virginia’s vineyards on the Friends of Fort Ward “The Grapes of Wrath” fall bus tour! This tour will focus on two key events from Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridan’s 1864 Shendandoah Valley Campaign. The tour will visit sites related to the Battle of Third Winchester (Opequon Creek) and the Battle of Cedar Creek. Participants will enjoy popular tour leader Col. Robert Hudson's historical discussion, which will be combined with tastings at two local wineries. The registration fee is $140 before September 18, and $160 after that date. The bus will depart Fort Ward Museum parking lot, 4301 West Braddock Road, at 7:30 a.m. and return at approximately 5:30 p.m. For more information or to register, please contact Fort Ward at 703.746.4848.

Thursday, October 21 through Sunday, October 24 – Alexandria Archaeology Institute
Do you watch the History Channel and imagine yourself excavating a real historic site? Well, here’s your chance to grab a trowel and dig in! 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.

Ongoing

Out of School Time Program
The Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities is now accepting registrations for the 2010-2011 school year Out of School Time Programs. Program hours begin when school is dismissed until 6 p.m. Out of School Time Programs include the Power–On Program for elementary students from 5 (registered in Kindergarten) to 12 years of age, and the Power-Up Program is for middle school students in grades 6, 7, and 8. For more information, visit www.alexandriava.gov/recreation.

Assist in the Restoration of the City’s Tree Canopy
The City of Alexandria experienced the loss of hundreds of trees and extensive damage throughout the City as a result of winter snow and summer thunderstorms in 2010. Residents who want to help replenish the City’s tree canopy have a variety of options available. For more information, visit www.alexandriava.gov/recreation.

City of Alexandria Farmers’ Markets 
The City of Alexandria is host to a variety of farmers’ markets, including the Old Town Farmers’ Market and Del Ray Farmers’ Market on Saturday; the West End Farmers’ Market and Four Mile Run Farmers and Artisans Market’ on Sunday; and the Upper King Street Fresh Farmers’ Market on Wednesday. Markets feature colorful displays of fresh, locally grown, in-season vegetables and fruits, gourmet coffee, fresh squeezed orange juice, meat, bakery items and artisans. For more information, visit www.alexandriava.gov/farmersmarket.