The Connection

Ongoing

Paintings by Stanley Agbontaen. Through Aug. 28 at The Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall & Arts Center, 4915 E. Campus Drive. The Maryland-based international artist’s depictions of scenes are painted on oil canvas. Free. Visit www.nvcc.edu/schlesingercenter.

“Au Naturel” Exhibit. Through Aug. 30, first Thursdays, 12-9 p.m., Thursdays, 12-6 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays, 12-9 p.m., Sundays, 12-6 p.m. at Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mt. Vernon Ave. View artwork made in the “Au Naturel” or minimalist style. Admission is free. Visit www.TheDelrayArtisans.org.

Leigh Merrill: “Cloud Seeding.” Through Sept. 7, during gallery hours at Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union St. Texas-based artist Leigh Merrill shows photography and video in her solo exhibition Cloud Seeding. Merrill’s work examines the construction of desire, fiction and beauty in urban landscapes by digitally compositing thousands of images and videos into imaginary spaces. Admission is free. Visit www.torpedofactory.org.

Potomac Fiber Arts Gallery Juried Show. Through Aug. 30, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., 10 a.m.-9 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month. Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union St. Studio 18. View parade-themed artwork. Admission is free. Visit www.Potomacfiberartsgallery.com or call 717-359-7724.

Cool Yoga. Wednesdays through Sept. 2, 6:30–7:30 p.m. at 1900 Mt. Vernon Ave. Participate in group yoga sessions taught by Prasada Yoga’s Maureen Clyne and enjoy refreshments provided by St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub and other local eateries. Suitable for all levels. Bring mat, towel and water. Free. Call 703-671-2000.

“Fields.” Through Sept. 6, during gallery hours at The Athenaeum Gallery, 201 Prince St. Abstract Artists David Carlson and Pat Goslee make art based on their interests in spiritual exploration and energy fields. Free. Visit www.nvfaa.org for more.

Special Family Museum Tours. Saturdays through Sept. 7, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St. Flexible tours and hands-on activities provide a deeper experience into the social and political life of Alexandria in the 18th and 19th centuries. Tickets are $5 for adults ($4 with AAA card), $3 children ages 5-12, and children ages 4 and under as well as Alexandria Public School and Blue Star families receive free admission. Coupons accepted. Call 703-746-4242 or visit www.gadsbystavern.org.

Art Exhibit: Sultry Colors. Through Sept. 7, 10 a.m- 6 p.m. at Torpedo Factory Arts Center, 105 N. Union St. The Enamelists at The Torpedo Factory collaborate for an exhibit filled with sultry colors and patterns. Visit www.torpedofactory.org/event/sultry-colors/ or call 703-838-4565.

Exhibit: “Scapes.” Through Sept. 7, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at The Art League Gallery, 105 N. Union St. View the annual August landscape exhibit juried by Elizabeth Peak. Free. Visit www.theartleague.org.

Exhibit: “Taking Shape.” Through Sept. 7, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at The Art League Gallery, 105 N. Union St. This exhibit features three-dimensional works by Art League member artists. Free. Visit www.theartleague.org.

Baseball Boat to Nationals Park. Through Sept. 26 at various times. Leaves from the Alexandria Marina, 1 Cameron St. Baseball fans can avoid heavy traffic and cruise along the Potomac to Nationals Park. Tickets are $20 one-way and $25 round-trip, Monday-Thursday, $28 roundtrip Friday-Sunday. Visit http://www.potomacriverboatco.com.

Doggy Happy Hour. Tuesdays through Oct. at 5-8 p.m. at Jackson 20, 480 King St. Enjoy discounted drinks and treats with one's dog. Free. Visit www.jackson20.com.

Water Taxi to the National Mall. Through Nov. 1, at various times at Alexandria Marina, 1 Cameron St. Cruise from Old Town to D.C. on the Miss Sophie, while stopping view some of the area's most popular attractions. Tickets are $28 roundtrip and $14 one-way for adults. For children under 12, tickets are $16 roundtrip and $8 one-way. Visit www.potomacriverboatco.com/.

Mount Vernon in 3-D: Then & Now. Through Nov. 20 during regular operating hours at George Washington’s Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Highway. Visitors will have the chance to travel back in time, and in 3-D, to see how the estate appeared more than 100 years ago through a special photography exhibition. The exhibition is included in the regular admission fee of $17 for adults, $16 for seniors, $9 for youth and free for childre younger than 5. To view the historic stereoview images as well as the modern 3-D anaglyphs, visit www.mountvernon.org/3D.

“Not-So-Modern” Jazz Quartet Performance. Thursdays through Dec. 31, 7:30-10 p.m. at St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub, 2300 Mount Vernon Ave. Not So Modern Jazz Music plays music from the glory days of traditional jazz, including tunes from traditional Dixieland and the Swing era. Free. Visit www.stelmoscoffeepub.com for more.

Flamenco Show. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 7:30-8:30 p.m. at La Tasca, 607 King St. Watch dancers and guitarists perform traditional flamenco. Free to attend. Call 703-299-9810 or visit www.latascausa.com.

French Movie Night. Every Thursday, 7 p.m. in the back room of Fontaine Caffe & Creperie, 119 S. Royal St. View a French film in the company of friends or a date. Free to attend. No RSVP necessary. Call 703-535-8151 or visit www.fontainecaffe.com/reviews.html.

Journey to Be Free: Alexandria Freedmen's Cemetery. Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe St. A new exhibit tracing the 150-year history of the long-forgotten Freedmen’s Cemetery, its rediscovery and how the new Contrabands and Freedmen’s Cemetery Memorial was created at the site. Call 703-746-4356.

Their Fates Intertwined: The Lees of Alexandria in the War of 1812. Wednesday- Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, 1-4 p.m. Lee-Fendall House and Gardens, 614 Oronoco St. A new exhibit on the experiences of the Lee family in Alexandria during the War of 1812 examines the contributions of Alexandria’s citizens during the conflict that led to the writing of our national anthem through the lives of this iconic Virginia family. Visit www.leefendallhouse.org or call 703-548-1789.

Alexandria Cars & Coffee invites car enthusiasts to meet for coffee at Hollin Hall Shopping Center in front of Roseina’s, 1307 Shenandoah Road. Owners of classic cars, hot rods, exotic cars, motorcycles and more meet to share car stories and drink coffee. Group meets the first Sunday of every month. 8:30-11 a.m.

Fifty Years of Collecting. Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sundays 12-5 p.m. Fort Ward Museum, 4301 W. Braddock Road. An anniversary exhibit of objects from the Fort Ward collection. Free. Visit www.fortward.org or call 703-746-4848.

Dinner for the Washingtons. 12 p.m. at George Washington's Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway. A walking tour that goes behind the scenes to find out how food was prepared and served before the era of microwaves and TV dinners. $5 in addition to estate admission. Visit www.mountvernon.org for more.

Second Thursday Music. Athenaeum, 201 Prince St. 7 pm. Second Thursday of every month. Visit nvfaa.org to view concert calendar and listen to upcoming Second Thursday Music artists.

The Monday Morning Birdwalk takes place weekly, rain or shine (except during electrical storms, strong winds, or icy trails), at 7 a.m. (8 a.m. November through March), is free, requires no reservation and is open to all. Birders meet in the parking lot at the park's entrance at 3701 Lockheed Blvd. Direct questions to Park staff during normal business hours at 703-768-2525.

Art for Life. Third Thursday of every month. 4:30-7:30 p.m. at Torpedo Factory, 105 N. Union St. Hyatt Regency Crystal City has partnered will the National Kidney Foundation for a program highlighting a different artist each month for a year.

Civil War Sundays. 1-5 p.m. at Alexandria Archaeology Museum, 105 North Union St., #327. Learn more about the Civil War as it occurred in Alexandria. Find dioramas, newspaper articles and more. Free. Visit www.alexandriaarchaeology.org.

Friday-Sunday/Aug. 21-30

Alexandria Summer Restaurant Week. Neighborhood restaurants offer specials and deals for customers. Prices and times vary. Visit www.AlexandriaRestaurantWeek.com.

Aug. 26-Nov. 20

Young at Art Juried Art Show. Monday-Friday, 5-10 p.m. at Durant Arts Center, 1605 Cameron St. Artists 55 and older can contribute their artwork for the exhibition. On Thursday, Aug. 20, artists can bring their work to the Durant Center from 10 a.m.-noon to be registered and displayed. Artists must fill out a Entry and Artist/Lender Agreement and pay an entry fee of $20 for up to three works of art, $5 for any additional pieces. Entry forms can be found at www.seniorservicesalex.org or by calling Mary Lee Anderson at 703-836-4414, extension 111.

Wednesday/Aug. 26

Port City Beer Dinner at Wildfire. 6:30-9 p.m. at Wildfire, 2001 International Drive, McLean. Four courses will be paired with Alexandria’s Port City Beers. Tickets are $50. Visit www.portcitybrewing.com for more.

Thursday/Aug. 27

FACE It You Can Paint: Paint Your Own Flower Garden. 10-11:30 a.m. at Convergence, 1801 N. Quaker Lane. Learn simple brush techniques to create garden paintings. $45 for 1 adult/1 child and $15 for additional children. Visit www.metamorphosisaec.com to register.

Tim Cretella Performance. 5 p.m. at Blackwall Hitch-Alexandria, 5 Cameron St. Singer-songwriter, Tim Cretella, will be performing. Free. Visit www.theblackwallhitch.com.

Movie Screening. 6 p.m. at Martha Washington Library, 6614 Fort Hunt Road. Watch "Selma" and engage in a discussion about women's roles in the Civil Rights Movement. Free. Visit www.nwhm.ticketleap.com/movie-night-selma/.

Friday/Aug. 28

FACE It You Can Paint: Paint Your Own Flower Garden. 3:30-5 p.m. at Convergence, 1801 N. Quaker Lane. Learn simple brush techniques to create garden paintings. $45 for 1 adult/1 child and $15 for additional children. Visit www.metamorphosisaec.com to register.

Red Wine Diaries Performance. 7 p.m. at Blackwall Hitch-Alexandria, 5 Cameron St. Acoustic band, Red Wine Diaries, will be performing. Free. Visit

theblackwallhitch.com.

Saturday/Aug. 29

The Washington School of Ballet Open Auditions. 9:30 a.m. registration and 10-11 a.m. auditions for 4-5 year olds; 10:30 a.m. registration and 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. auditions for 6-7-year olds; 12 p.m. registration and 12:30-2 p.m. auditions for 8-10 years at The Washington School of Ballet, 3515 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington D.C. This fall, the Washington School of Ballet will be offering Pre-ballet through Level 1A classes at the Athenaeum. There is no audition fee. Visit www.washingtonballet.org for more.

The General’s Tour. 1 p.m. at the Lee-Fendall House, 614 Oronoco St. Take a guided walking tour of Lee family homes in Alexandria’s Historic Old Town. Locations and stories associated with the Confederate general’s life in Alexandria, his hometown from the age of 5 and residence of his “earliest and oldest friends” will be highlighted on the tour. Admission is free for museum members, $10 in advance, and $15 at the door. Visit www.leefendallhouse.org for more.

Aug. 31-Oct. 18

Potomac Fiber Arts Gallery Juried Show: “What I Did On My Summer Vacation.” 10-5 p.m., 10-9 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month. Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union St., Studio 18. View summer vacation-themed artwork. Admission is free. Visit www.Potomacfiberartsgallery.com.

Tuesday/Sept. 1

Tuesday Morning Stroll. 11 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Simpson Park Gardens, 420 E. Monroe St. Residents are invited to visit the garden, receive free seed packets and have their gardening questions answered by experts. Free. Contact carol_kilroy@comcast.net for more.

Friday/Sept. 4

Big Chalk Draw 2015. 8-10 a.m. at St Aidan’s Episcopal Church, 8531 Riverside Road. School supply donations are welcome at this chalk art community event. Free. Call 703-201-1250 or visit www.artatthecenter.org.

Saturday/Sept. 5

Jonathan Edwards. 7:30 p.m. at the Birchmere, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave. Folk artist who has collaborated with Emmylou Harris and Darrell Scott will make a stop on a tour celebrating the release of this new album, “Tomorrow’s Child.” Tickets are $39.95. Visit www.birchmere.com for more.

Saturday-Sunday/Sept. 5-6

Labor at Lee-Fendall Tours. 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday, 2 p.m. on Sunday at the Lee-Fendall House, 614 Oronoco St. Learn more about the life and times of the number free and enslaved laborers who inhabited the grounds. Admission is free for museum members and $7 in advance for others. Visit www.leefendallhouse.org for more.