[Archived] Weekly Event Announcements: November 27 – December 3, 2010

Saturday, November 27, and Sunday, November 28 – Holiday Concerts in Old Town
Enjoy the music of the season in Alexandria! Holiday concerts are held outdoors at Market Square, 301 King Street, and are canceled in the event of inclement weather. For more information, call the Events Hotline at 703.746.5592 or the Special Events office at 703.746.5418.

Saturday, November 27
• Potomac Harmony Chorus (Women’s Barbershop) at 1 p.m.
• Doris Justis (Acoustic Folk) at 2 p.m.

Sunday, November 28
• Rich Follett (Contemporary Folk) at 2 p.m.
• Barbara Martin (Acoustic Jazz) at 3 p.m.

Wednesday, December 1 – Annual Christmas Tree Sale Begins
The Annual Christmas Tree Sale to benefit the Alexandria Police Youth Camp will begin on December 1. The sale will be ongoing, weeknights from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and every weekend from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., until they are sold out! The sale is held by the Amtrak Station at 110 Callahan Dr.

Thursday, December 2 – Workshop on Small Business Jobs Act of 2010
Learn practical tips that will allow small businesses to invest in their firms and create jobs at a free continental breakfast where Bridget Bean, the Regional Director of The Small Business Administration and Chris Davidson, a noted CPA and Senior Manager of Goodman & Co., will discuss the significant provisions of the recently passed Small Business Jobs Act of 2010. Breakfast will be served beginning at 7:30 a.m. and the workshop will be held from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at the Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St. For more information, call 703.778.1292 or visit www.alexandriasbdc.org.

Friday, December 3 – Holiday on the Avenue in Del Ray
Join us for the Annual Del Ray holiday tree lighting, visit with Santa and enjoy lighting of the luminaries from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Carols begin at 5:45 pm and hot chocolate, hot cider and cookies will be provided. At 6 p.m., sing "Here Comes Santa Claus" when Santa arrives! Santa will lead you down Mt Vernon Ave. to enjoy the luminaries lining the street and then will sit and hear what children want for Christmas. There will be candy canes for the children and photos can be taken on Santa's lap. For more information, call 703.746.3301 or visit www.visitalexandriava.com

Friday, December 3 and Saturday, December 4 – Annual Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend and Parade
With the fresh scent of heather and the festive melody of bagpipes, get right into the holiday spirit at the 40th Annual Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend and Parade, sponsored by the Scottish Government. The centerpiece of the Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend is the parade through historic Old Town, which celebrates the City's Scottish heritage and features more than 100 Scottish clans, bagpipe and drum bands, history reenactment groups, dog clubs, and a visit from Santa Claus. The parade begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 4. Other events, including markets, Scotch tastings, and family activities, will take place throughout the weekend at the George Washington Masonic Memorial at 101 Callahan St. For more information, visit www.scottishchristmaswalk.com.

Friday, December 3 through Sunday, December 5 – 15th Annual Holiday Market at Del Ray Artisans
Stop by the 15th Annual Holiday Market at 2704 Mount Vernon Ave. in Del Ray! The Market offers unique handmade fine arts and crafts from 20 exhibitors, beautiful poinsettias from West Landscapes LLC, and delicious baked goods to benefit the local community. Admission is free. All exhibitors are DRA artist members and all crafts are handmade. The Market will be open from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, and 12 to 4 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, call 703.501.1736 or visit www.thedelrayartisans.org.

Friday, December 3 through Sunday, December 5 - Pet Photos with Santa 
Santa Claus is coming to town, and that means it’s time to have your pets’ photos made with the jolly man in the red and white suit! The AWLA will hold its annual "Pet Photos with Santa" event December 3-5. Drop-ins are welcome, but residents are encouraged to call 703.746.4774 to make your appointment to ensure a spot for your pet.

Coming Soon

Saturday, December 4 – Ornament Decorating Workshop for Families
Get inspired by the colors and patterns of pottery excavated in Alexandria and make a memorable holiday keepsake at the Alexandria Archaeology Museum, 105 North Union St. #327, from 1 to 4 p.m. Participants can decorate and take home dough ornaments shaped like artifacts from the museum’s own collection. This free event is great for families! For more information, call 703.746.4399 or visit www.alexandriaarchaeology.org.

Saturday, December 4 – 11th Annual Burke and Herbert Holiday Boat Parade of Lights 
Alexandria's harbor lights up when more than 50 illuminated boats cruise the Potomac River at the historic waterfront. Festivities at the Marina (located at the foot of Cameron St.) run from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. with Santa arriving by fireboat at 4:15 p.m. to take free photos with kids and pets. The boat parade begins at 6 p.m. For more information, contact Jay Atkinson at 703.304.1523 or visit www.visitAlexandriaVA.com/HolidayBoatParadeofLights.

Sunday, December 5 – 13th Annual Women's Holiday Art Show
Take a break from crowded stores and come to the Charles Houston Recreation Center (901 Wythe St.) from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. for an afternoon of art, fun, women, and wine, sponsored by the Commission for Women and the Friends of the Commission for Women. Find gifts for everyone on your list and something for yourself! More than 30 exhibitors will display pottery, clothing, scarves, purses, jewelry, crafts, and more. Free refreshments will be served, and raffles will be held. A percentage of the proceeds will be donated by the Friends of the Commission to support Domestic and Sexual Violence Services in Alexandria. For more information, contact Lisa Baker at 703.746.5030 or e-mail lisa.baker@alexandriava.gov.

Sunday, December 5 – Square Dance to Benefit Toys for Tots Drive
The Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities and United States Marine Corps Reserve are hosting the 36th annual benefit square and round dance for the United States Marine Corps’ Reserve Toys for Tots drive. Donation per couple is a new unopened toy or a minimum $10 contribution. The event will be held at the Lee Center, 1108 Jefferson St., from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. A toy contribution may be dropped off at the Exhibit Hall before 3 p.m. For more information, call the Events Hotline at 703.746.5592 or the Special Events office at 703.746.5418.

Tuesday, December 7 – iMovie Mentors Film Festival
Support Alexandria's newest film-making talent at the 4th Annual iMovie Mentors Film Festival from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Old Town Theater at 815 ½ King St. Adult male mentors attend a weekly workshop with 6th grade boys to establish mentoring relationships and learn movie-making essentials. The film festival debuts short films that have been created by the boys and their mentors. Attendees are encouraged to arrive by 5:50 p.m. to greet the youth as they arrive via limousine and “walk the red carpet” into the theater. Suggested donation for the event is $5, which includes popcorn and soda.  The event is sponsored by the Alexandria Court Service Unit with funding from the Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant. For more information, contact Kelly Robinson at Kelly.Robinson@alexandriava.gov.

Ongoing

Style and Identity: Black Alexandria in the 1970s, Portraits by Horace Day
At the Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 S. Wythe St,., view this new exhibition of 32 paintings by Horace Day featuring Alexandria street scenes and portraits of African American Alexandrians. Described as an American scene or regional painter, Day created this body of work at a time when “Black” was becoming “Beautiful,” but when media still promoted stereotypical, demeaning images of African Americans. Day’s portraits reflect the dignity and beauty he saw in his subjects. Museum is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Suggested admission is $2. For more information, visit www.alexblackhistory.org or call 703.746.4356.

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. Visit www.alexandriava.gov/recreation for more information.

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 fruit, gourmet coffee, fresh squeezed orange juice, meat, bakery items and artisans. For more information, visit www.alexandriava.gov/farmersmarket.