Alexandria, VA : October 2008

Join us on the streets of Alexandria as history comes to life! Each Sunday, learn, participate, engage, and enjoy with performers and costumed interpreters from noon to 5 p.m. Find performers at Market Square, along King Street between Market Square and the waterfront, and on the waterfront behind the Torpedo Factory. Free! Check it out!

Drawings by William Lydston, Jr.
April 1 - December 31

Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site
4301 W. Braddock Road
Alexandria, VA 22304
www.fortward.org 703/838-4848

Original Civil War drawings by soldier, artist and musician William Lydston, Jr. Exhibit coincides with a statewide celebration of Virginia's musical heritage. Fort Ward pairs drawings from Lydston's wartime experiences with musical instruments and related objects from the Museum's collection. Free. Tuesday-Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sundays, noon to 5 p.m.

Free!
NEW! King Street Gardens Farmers Market
August 13 - October 29

King Street Gardens
King and Diagonal streets
Alexandria, VA 22314
703/683-1696

Locally grown produce plus dairy and baked goods at the region's newest farmers market. Held every Wednesday, 3 to 7 p.m. in the award-winning King Street Gardens, just steps from the King Street Metro.
"Aftermath"
September 3 - October 12

Target Gallery
Torpedo Factory Art Center
105 N. Union Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
www.torpedofactory.org/galleries/target.htm 703/838-4565

This all-media juried exhibition features art work that deals with the aftermath of traumatic events such as terrorism, war, natural disasters, and violent crime. Reception: 6-8 p.m. September 11.

Free!
“Ah, THAT Jack and Jill!” Exhibition
September 11 - November 15

Alexandria Black History Museum
902 Wythe Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
www.alexblackhistory.org 703/838-4356

Celebrate the 70th anniversary of Jack and Jill of America with the Alexandria Black History Museum! This exhibit will highlight Metropolitan area chapters while honoring the organization's history and mission to enhance the lives of children. Using photographs, chapter records and the memories of members themselves, the exhibition shows how Jack and Jill empowers children and builds strong African-American communities. Open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

$ Entrance Fee
Lecture Series: Tavern Entertainments
October 1-15

Gadsby’s Tavern Museum
134 North Royal Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
www.gadsbystavern.org 703/838-4242

The John Yagerline Fall Lecture Series, named in honor of Alexandria's former town crier, highlights a variety of historical topics related to 18th-century life in Alexandria. This fall's series focuses on tavern entertainments. The lectures are open to the public and held Wednesday evenings. Doors open at 7 p.m.; lecture from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. $12 per lecture or $30 for the series of three.

$ Entrance Fee
Death Comes to Carlyle House: An 18th-Century Virginia Home in Mourning
October 1 - November 2

Carlyle House Historic Park
121 N. Fairfax Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
www.carlylehouse.org 703/549-2997

To commemorate the 227th anniversary of the death of John Carlyle and to honor the memory of the many untimely deaths associated with his family, Carlyle House presents an exhibit on the mourning practices of 18th-century Virginia through the experience of the Carlyle household.

$ Entrance Fee
Outdoor Yoga at the Lee-Fendall House
October 3

Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden
614 Oronoco Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
www.leefendallhouse.org 703/548-1789

Join instructors from Alexandria's Yoga in Daily Life for an hour of yoga in the beautiful Lee-Fendall House garden. Classes will be on Friday mornings (9/19 - 10/10) at 10 a.m.and will be appropriate to all ages and skill levels. Walk-ins are welcome, but class size is limited. Attend just one, or come to all four! Each class is $15 and you are asked to please bring your own mat.

$ Entrance Fee
Fall Wine Festival & Sunset Tour at Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens
October 3-5

Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens
South end of GW Parkway
3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy
Mount Vernon, VA 22121
www.MountVernon.org 703/780-2000

Enjoy live blues and spectacular views of the Potomac River while sampling wine from 16 award-winning Virginia wineries. Visitors learn about the successes and failures of our Founding Father’s wine endeavors, enjoy live jazz music, and meet “George Washington” on the Mansion's piazza. Guests experience an evening tour of George Washington's home and are invited to visit the rarely open basement cellar vaults. Tickets are $30 and on sale beginning September 1 at Mount Vernon's Ford Orientation Center or via www.mountvernon.org.

$ Entrance Fee | Reservations Required
Art on the Avenue
October 4

Del Ray's Mount Vernon Avenue
Mount Vernon between Bellefonte and Hume streets
Alexandria , VA 22301
www.artontheavenue.org 703/683-3100

Celebrating the diversity of Del Ray, the 13th annual street festival along Mount Vernon Avenue has 300 juried artists, three stages of music, children's art activities (scarecrows and pumpkin painting) adn restaurants selling their specialties. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Free!
Civil War Artillery Program
October 4

Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site
4301 W. Braddock Road
Alexandria, VA 22304
www.fortward.org 703/838-4848

1st Connecticut Heavy Artillery reenactors portray a Union Civil War regiment stationed at Fort Ward and conduct firing demonstrations, set up camp, and discuss the varied tools and skills of the artilleryman. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free.

Free!
"O' Inner Voice" presented by the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra and Bowen McCauley Dance
October 4-5

Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center
3001 N. Beauregard St.
Alexandria, VA 22311
www.alexsym.org 703/548-0885

The Alexandria Symphony Orchestra, in conjunction with Bowen McCauley Dance, presents orchestral music inspired by vocal genres. Featuring: Massenet’s “Meditation from Thais”; Vaughn Williams’ “Fantasia on Greensleeves” and Brahms’ “Piano Concerto No. 1 (Mvt. 1)” with Jeffrey Watson, pianist.

8 p.m. Sat.; 3 p.m. Sun. Tickets are $20-$80. Sunday Matinee youth tickets (ages 8-18) are only $5!

$ Entrance Fee
Blessing of the Pets
October 5

Christ Church
118 N. Washington Street
Alexandria , VA 22314
www.historicchristchurch.org 703/549-1450

This special service takes place in the beautiful churchyard of historic Christ Church at 3 p.m.

Free!
Tavern Toddlers
October 6-27

Gadsby's Tavern Museum
134 North Royal Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
www.gadsbystavern.org 703/838-4242

A special program for toddlers (walkers through 36 months) and their caregivers, Tavern Toddlers features a weekly open playtime in our historic ballroom Mondays, excluding Federal holidays, anytime between 10:30 a.m. and noon. Themes change monthly. $10 for a group of three, which must include one adult, or purchase a 5 week pass for $35.

$ Entrance Fee
Second Thursday Art Night, Dig It!
October 9

Torpedo Factory Art Center
105 N. Union Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
www.torpedofactory.org/thursday.htm 703/838-4565

Browse open studios, interact with the artists, and enjoy refreshments. The event is free and open to the public. 6-9 p.m.

Free!
Dig It! Lecture: "Forging George Washington’s Blacksmith Shop"
October 9

Torpedo Factory Art Center & Alexandria Archaeology Museum
105 North Union Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
www.alexandriaarchaeology.org 703/838-4399

As part of the Torpedo Factory Art Center’s Second Thursday, celebrate Virginia Archaeology Month with this “Dig It” lecture! Jordan Poole, Manager of Restoration for Historic Mount Vernon, presents "Forging George Washington's Blacksmith Shop: The History, Archaeology and Reconstruction of A Colonial Craft." A reconstruction of Mount Vernon’s shop is underway and will open in April 2009 as a working blacksmith shop. 7 p.m. Free; reservations required.

Free! | Reservations Required
Outdoor Yoga at the Lee-Fendall House
October 10

Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden
614 Oronoco Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
www.leefendallhouse.org 703/548-1789

Join instructors from Alexandria's Yoga in Daily Life for an hour of yoga in the beautiful Lee-Fendall House garden. Classes will be on Friday mornings (9/19 - 10/10) at 10 a.m. and will be appropriate to all ages and skill levels. Walk-ins are welcome, but class size is limited. Attend just one, or come to all four! Each class is $15 and you are asked to please bring your own mat.

$ Entrance Fee
Alexandria Arts Safari
October 11

Torpedo Factory Art Center
105 N. Union Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
www.torpedofactory.org 703/838-4565

An annual festival of hands-on arts and crafts activities for children and their families. Event takes place noon-4 p.m. As part of the festivities, Alexandria Archaeology holds an open house with family activities in its third floor museum from 1 to 4 p.m.

Free!
Murder Mystery at Gadsby's
October 11

Gadsby’s Tavern Museum
134 North Royal Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
www.gadsbystavern.org 703/838-4242

For a murderously good time, look no further than this 1920s “Great Gatsby” evening. Enjoy an elegant dinner in the ballroom and three murders…will one of them be you? Festivities begin at 6 p.m. Tickets $100. Limited tickets are available for this event, so make your reservation early.

$ Entrance Fee | Reservations Required
Death Comes to Carlyle House: 18th-Century Medicine and the Treatment of Illness
October 18

Carlyle House Historic Park
121 N. Fairfax Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
www.nvrpa.org/parks/carlylehouse/index.php 703/683-3451

Learn how 18th-century physicians treated illness in an attempt to stave off the Reaper of Souls. 7-9 p.m.

$ Entrance Fee | Reservations Required
Family Dig Day
October 18

Grounds of the George Washington Masonic Memorial
101 Callahan Drive
Alexandria, VA 22314
www.alexandriaarchaeology.org 703/838-4399

Help City archaeologists and trained volunteers screen excavated soil for artifacts from a real "dig" located on the grounds of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial. Wear comfortable clothes, protect yourself from the sun, and bring a water bottle. Please, no sandals. All necessary equipment will be supplied. Children under 16 must be accompanied by a participating adult. 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. $5 per person. Reservations required. E-mail archaeology@alexandriava.gov or call 703.838.4399 to save your spot!

$ Entrance Fee
Fall Harvest Family Days
October 18-19

Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens
South End of GW Parkway
3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy
Mount Vernon, VA 22121
www.MountVernon.org 703/780-2000

With the crops picked, Mount Vernon’s Pioneer Farmer site becomes a harvest celebration. Rain or shine, meet “General Washington,” see wheat-treading, blacksmithing and cooking demonstrations, take a wagon ride, explore a straw-bale maze. The Harvest Bake Sale offers fresh-baked goods. This weekend, sightseeing cruises, courtesy of Spirit Cruises and Potomac Riverboat Company, available half-price. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

$ Entrance Fee
Tea with Martha Washington
October 19

Gadsby’s Tavern Museum
134 North Royal Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
www.gadsbystavern.org 703/838-4242

Ever wonder how the first First Lady entertained her guests? What is the proper way to hold a teacup with no handles? Here is your chance to experience history with Martha Washington as she discusses 18th-century tea customs as well as clothing of the period. Eighteenth-century tea includes the museum's special blend of tea, pound cake, dried fruit, and assortment of cookies. Party attire requested. 3 to 4:30 p.m. $25, with group rate available.

$ Entrance Fee | Reservations Required
Escape on the Pearl: The Heroic Bid for Freedom on the Underground Railroad
October 22

Alexandria Historical Society
The Lyceum
201 South Washington Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
www.alexandriahistorical.org 703/683-2636

Author Mary Kay Ricks will discuss her book, "Escape on the Pearl: The Heroic Bid for Freedom on the Underground Railroad." This exciting pre-Civil War story, much of which took place in Alexandria, led to the famous book, "Uncle Tom's Cabin." Free. No reservations needed. 7:30 p.m.

Free!
Colonel John Carlyle’s 1780 Funeral & Ghost Tour
October 25

Carlyle House Historic Park
121 N. Fairfax Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
www.carlylehouse.org 703/549-2997

Experience a re-enactment of Colonel John Carlyle’s 1780 Funeral. View Colonel John Carlyle’s coffin, learning about the mourning practices of the era, from 6 to 9 p.m., followed by the funeral procession and Internment at the Old Presbyterian Meeting House. A ghost tour of Alexandria is included in the price of admission. For program reservations call Alexandria’s Footsteps to the Past at 703/683-3451.

Reservations Required
Heritage Trail Bike Ride
October 25

Daingerfield Island
One Marina Drive
Alexandria, VA 22314
www.alexandriaarchaeology.org 703/838-4399

Join Alexandria Archaeology for a great outdoor event! This year’s Heritage Trail Bike Ride honors the late Ellen Pickering whose efforts to establish a bike path in Alexandria along the Potomac resulted a major part of the Mount Vernon Trail. Meet at Daingerfield Island at 10 a.m. for a 10-mile guided tour, with a shorter 3-mile family ride to Founders Park and back. Tour returns to Daingerfield Island at 1 p.m. Free, but reservations and helmets required. Children under 16 must be accompanied by a participating adult.

Free! | Reservations Required
Poe in Alexandria
October 30-31

The Lyceum
201 South Washington Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
www.alexandriahistory.org 703/838-4995

For Halloween, actor David Keltz recreates Edgar Allan Poe’s visit to Virginia in 1849. The performance includes recitations from classic works such as “The Raven,” “Annabel Lee,” “The Tell-Tale Heart,” and many others. 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Admission fee.

$ Entrance Fee | Reservations Required