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CURRENT EVENTS IN ALEXANDRIA |
April 1 - December 31 |
| October 4 - December 31 "Dr. Seuss For President" Art Exhibition P & C Art Gallery Old Town 212 King Street Alexandria, VA 22314 www.pcart.com 703/549-2525 Coinciding with the historic 2008 U.S. presidential election, this unusual show features Dr. Seuss’s rarely seen political work, including the first release of “Knotty Problem,” a cartoon on the issue of taxes and Capitol Hill created by Seuss in 1942; the first print of the “Triple Sling Jigger” from Seuss’s “Butter Battle Book”, and four environmentally friendly prints from “The Lorax”. Free! |
| November 13 - January 4 Portraits of Nature The Athenaeum 201 Prince Street Alexandria, VA 22314 www.nvfaa.org 703/548-0035 The Washington Society of Landscape Painters and The Nature Conservancy partner to present a magnificent collection of oil, acrylic, and watercolor scenes of The Nature Conservancy’s protected properties. Free! |
| November 14 - January 4 Holiday Happening Torpedo Factory Art Center Potomac Craftsmen Fiber Gallery, Studio 18 105 N. Union Street Alexandria, VA 22314 www.torpedofactory.org/galleries/potomac_crafts.htm 703/838-4565 A celebration of the holidays and the gifts we love to give to everyone on our lists. Jewelry, sculpture, clothing, and wall pieces are some of the items that will be exhibited. Free! |
November 20 - December 21 |
| November 20 - January 31 Stones and Bones - Arctic Inspired Work Torpedo Factory Art Center Studio 307 105 N Union Street Alexandria, VA 22314 www.torpedofactory.org/artists/sigethy_a2.htm 703/838-4565 Glass sculpture artist Alison Sigethy presents a show of new works inspired by her recent trip to the Arctic and the fascinating stones found there. Alison invites you to join her for the show’s reception and view the work in her third floor Torpedo Factory studio. Reception: November 20, 6 - 9 p.m. Free! |
| November 24 - January 2 Holiday 2008 Ornament Show Torpedo Factory Art Center The Art League Gallery, Room 21 105 N Union St Alexandria, VA 22314 www.torpedofactory.org/galleries/artleague.htm 703/838-4565 Get into the holiday spirit with The Art League. Free! |
| November 28 - December 14 Mount Vernon by Candlelight Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy South end of the GW Parkway Mount Vernon, VA 22121 www.MountVernon.org 703/780-2000 "Mrs. Washington" hosts an enchanting evening of candlelit tours, fireside Christmas caroling, and hot cider and ginger cookies. A newly-formatted tour includes the first and second floors, featuring characters from the Washingtons' world guiding visitors through the home and adding ambiance and authenticity to a traditional Christmas evening at Mount Vernon. "Mount Vernon by Candlelight" is the only time of year when the estate is open to the public for special evening tours. Mount Vernon's modern buildings include merry music and the opportunity for holiday shopping until 9 p.m. $18 for adults, $12 for youth. Tickets are available at Mount Vernon's Ford Orientation Center or at MountVernon.org starting November 1. $ Entrance Fee | Reservations Required |
| November 28 - January 6 Christmas at Mount Vernon Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy South end of GW Parkway Mount Vernon, VA 22121 www.MountVernon.org 703/780-2000 Mount Vernon is joyfully decking the halls for "Christmas at Mount Vernon," a special daytime program offered from Thanksgiving Day weekend through the Twelve Days of Christmas. Exciting additions this year include a dozen themed Christmas trees, a gingerbread Mount Vernon by former White House pastry chef Ronald Mesnier, historical chocolate-making demonstrations, 18th-century dancing, and a Christmas camel just like George Washington had on the grounds during Christmas 1787! The popular tradition continues on opening the rarely-seen third floor of the Mansion and inviting visitors to meet the charming "Mrs. Washington." Schedules may vary for dancing and "Mrs. Washington." $ Entrance Fee |
| December 3 - January 24 "Childhood Memories in Miniature: African American Dollhouses" Exhibition 902 Wythe Street Alexandria VA 22314 Alexandria Black History Museum (703) 838-4356 Take in memories of childhood and the spirit of the holidays with this joyful exhibition of miniature dollhouses by Sharon J. Frazier and Linwood M. Smith. The exhibit features more than a dozen buildings and rooms in 1:12 scale, including a log cabin, stone home, one room schoolhouse, and church, as well as buildings inspired by real places in Alexandria, like a barbershop, attorney’s office and florist -- all influenced by actual businesses in the Parker-Gray community. Recurring daily. Open Tues-Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Suggested $2 entrance contribution |
| December 4 and December 11 Community Shopping Night 915 King Street Alexandria, VA 22314 Ten Thousand Villages (703) 684-1435 Community Shopping Night Shop at Ten Thousand Villages and 20% of the sales will be donated to the Joint Council on International Children's Services. The JCIC advocates for children's rights around the world, and works to ensure every child's right to a safe, permanent, and loving family. Free! |
| December 4 Community Shopping Night 105 N Union Street Alexandria, VA 22314 Torpedo Factory Art Center (703) 838-4565 Join us for our annual holiday extravaganza. Browse studios and galleries for one-of-a-kind gifts while enjoying live music, drinks, and hors d’oeuvres. |
| December 4 - December 6 38th Annual Campagna Center Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend George Washington Masonic Memorial and throughout Old Town www.scottishchristmaswalk.com (703) 549-0111 A weekend honoring Alexandria's Scottish heritage with homes decked out for the holidays, a market place with sale of traditional heather and greens, and the popular Scottish parade winding through Old Town. Christmas Marketplace, with café, boutiques and sale of heather and greens, Thur. noon-5 p.m., Fri. and Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at Masonic Memorial. Concert at 8 p.m. Thur. at Masonic Memorial. Scottish Walk parade at 10:30 a.m. Sat. with more than 100 Scottish clans dressed in tartans and playing bagpipes, living history units, dog clubs and antique cars. Marketplace and Parade are Free! Holiday Designer Tour of Homes features residences decorated for the holidays. Open Sat. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. $ Entrance Fee |
| December 5 Del Ray Artisans Holiday Market Nicholas A. Colasanto Culture Center 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue Alexandria (Del Ray), VA 22301 Del Ray Artisans (703) 838-4827 Artists present and sell their arts and crafts at this holiday favorite event! |
| December 6 Burke & Herbert Holiday Boat Parade of Lights Alexandria's Historic Waterfront at the foot of Cameron Street Alexandria , VA 22314 (703) 838-5005 Alexandria's harbor lights up when more than 50 brightly lit sailing and powered leisure boats cruise along the Potomac River at the City's historic waterfront. Festivities, including pictures with Santa for kids and canines, begin at 4 p.m.; parade at 6 p.m. Attn: Boaters: if you would like to participate, call 703/838-4200, ext. 209. Free! |
| December 6 Holiday on the Avenue Mount Vernon Avenue In charming Del Ray Alexandria, VA 22301 www.visitdelray.com (703) 683-2905 Special events all day, with the holiday tree lighting at 6 p.m. at the Mount Vernon Recreation Center and luminarias along Mount Vernon Avenue starting at dusk. Free! |
| December 6 American Revolution Re-enactment: A Soldier's Christmas 121 N. Fairfax Street Alexandria, VA 22314 Carlyle House (703) 549-2997 The “Soldier's Christmas” program features re-enactors from the First Virginia Regiment, as well as costumed interpreters from the Carlyle House. Free! |
| December 6 Ornament Decorating Workshop for Families Alexandria Archaeology, third floor of the Torpedo Factory Art Center 105 North Union Street Alexandria, VA 22314 Torpedo Factory Art Center (703) 838-4399 Be inspired to decorate take-home, artifact-shaped dough ornaments based on colors and patterns from the Alexandria Archaeaology Museum's collection of excavated artifacts. Free! |
| December 11 Second Thursday Art Night: Decadent December 105 N. Union Street Alexandria, VA 22314 Torpedo Factory Art Center (703) 838-4565 Studios and Galleries open 6 - 9 p.m. Browse open studios, interact with the artists, and enjoy refreshments at this free event! Visit Target Gallery from 6 to 8 p.m. for the reception for the show "5x5(x5)". From 6:30 to 8 p.m., the Art League Gallery will host the reception for the "All-Media Membership Show" and Carlos Baldiviezo’s solo show. |
| December 11 Second Thursdays - Bumpkin Pie 201 Prince Street Alexandria, VA 22314 Athenaeum (703) 548-0035 BumpKin Pie - Suzanne Ives and Michael Dunkley - perform their original brand of country folk music. Hear their music at bumpkinpie.com. Performance at 7 p.m. Admission $10 at at the door or www.nvfaa.org |
| December 12 Gunston Hall Plantation Christmas and Yuletide Dinner 10709 Gunston Rd Mason Neck, VA 22079 Gunston Hall Plantation (703) 550-9220 Experience the hospitality of an 18th-century plantation holiday. Lanterns will line the path that takes you to George Mason's fine home. Ride in a horse-drawn carriage, sip warm cider by the fire, and sample period foods prepared in the colonial hearth kitchen. Costumed characters will greet you in the house and throughout the grounds. While enjoying Plantation Christmas, indulge in a delicious Yuletide Dinner. Reservations are necessary for this fine offering of traditional fare, served in a candlelit setting.$ Entrance Fee |
| December 12 Opening Reception for The World Through the Blade of Scissors 2008 Nicolas A Colasanto Center 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue Alexandria (Del Ray), VA 22301 Del Ray Artisans (703) 838-4827 Join DRA for the Opening Reception 7-10 p.m. Del Ray Artisans is hosting a very special exhibit of paper cutting from the guild of American Paper cutters combined with work from the Del Ray Artisans and other local artists. |
| December 13 Civil War Christmas in Camp 4301 W. Braddock Road Alexandria, VA 22304 (703) 838-4848 Holiday event interprets how Christmas was observed during the Civil War. Features a patriotic Santa Claus, living historiy interpreters, Victorian tree and decorations, period music, light refreshments, readings of "The Night Before Christmas". Guided tours of the fort, weather permitting. 12-4 p.m. Suggested donation $2 adults, $1 for kids. |
| December 13 Kwanzaa Craft Workshop Alexandria Black History Museum 902 Wythe Street Alexandria, VA 22314 (703) 838-4356 Join the Alexandria Black History Museum staff in a fun interactive program that will guide you through a review of the principles of this unique African American holiday as well as instruct you in ways to make inexpensive Kwanzaa gifts called Zawadi. All supplies will be provided. Free! |
| December 14 Children's Holiday Concert Alfred Street Baptist Church 301 South Alfred Street Alexandria, VA 22314 Alexandria Symphony Orchestra (703) 548-0885 Celebrate the season with the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra as we present a twist on a familiar favorite: Duke Ellington's take on the "Nutcracker Suite." After the performance, enjoy a reception featuring yummy treats, sweets, and holiday cheer! Tickets $25. |
| December 21 Holiday Favorites with the Colonial Handbell Ringers 201 South Washington Street Alexandria, VA 22314 Lyceum, Alexandria's History Museum (703) 838-4994 Join the Colonial Handbell Ringers as they play more than 60 bronze bells. Musical selections include Christmas classics like “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “Feliz Navidad,” and “Frosty the Snowman.” Sing along with your favorite Christmas carols. Free! |
| December 31 First Night Alexandria Throughout Old Town Alexandria, VA 22314 First Night Alexandria (703) 838-5005 New Year’s Eve celebration with music, dance, performing arts for all ages throughout Old Town. All performances indoors except finale of fireworks at midnight. Returning this year - the one-mile race up King Street! (Venues are alcohol free.) $ Entrance Fee |