To have an item listed in the calendar, mail to Calendar Editor, 1610 King St., Alexandria, VA 22314; fax to 703-917-0991; or e-mail to gcurcio@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is Tuesday at noon for the following week’s paper. Photos are welcome.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 17
Canoe/Kayak Trip. The Northern Virginia Conservation Trust is sponsoring a Conservation Birding Canoe/Kayak Trip at Pohick Bay Regional Park from 5-8:30 p.m. Experienced and novice canoers and birders will be led by birder Stephen Eccles and a Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority naturalist through Pohick Bay. Cost is $25; call 703-354-5093.
Rotary's Crab Feast. The Rotary Clubs of Alexandria West End, Mount Vernon, West Potomac/East Fairfax County will hold their all-you-can-eat crab feast from 2-5 p.m., at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 8592 Richmond Highway. Tickets available at Peking Duck Restaurant, Route 1, and Minuteman Press, Pickett Street, Alexandria. Proceeds will benefit the local community. Price is $25. Children under 8 free when accompanied by a paying adult. Needy individuals and families are provided free tickets. For more information, call 703-718-2022.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 20
Auditions. The Alexandria Singers are holding auditions for all voices on Aug. 20 and 27 at the Lincolnia Senior Center. Singers will audition for the 2002-03 performance season, which begins in December with a Holiday Pops Concert. Call 703-941-7464.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 22
Afternoon of the Arts. The Washington House, 5100 Fillmore Ave., is hosting an “Afternoon of the Arts” from 1-3 p.m. This informal gathering will feature poetry reading, theater, instrumental music, song and culinary presentations. There is no fee to attend, but advance registration is requested. Call 703-845-5100.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 24
American Indian Festival. The American Indian Festival, co-sponsored by the Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities and the American Indian Inter-Cultural Organization, is scheduled from 1-7 p.m. at Market Square, 301 King St. There will be traditional American-Indian dancers, instrumentalists, soloists, performing arts groups, traditional arts and crafts, paintings and souvenirs. Call 703-883-4686.
Beautiful Baby Contest. New Star Discovery Inc. presents the Most Beautiful Baby Contest at Landmark Mall. Registration for 0-7 and 8-14 months will be from 9-10 a.m., judging to begin at 10:30 a.m. Registrations for 15-23 and 24-25 months, 3- to 4-year-olds and 5- to 6-year-olds will be 1-2 p.m., judging to begin at 2:15 p.m. A $100 shopping spree will be given to one winner who qualifies by entering all contest categories. Call 815-227-1070, Ext. 223.
Begonia Show & Sale. The 21st Annual Begonia Show and Sale will be held at Green Spring Gardens Park, 4601 Green Spring Park, on Aug. 24 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and Aug. 25 from noon-4 p.m. There will be a presentation on “What is a Begonia,” and reasonably-priced begonias will be on sale. Call 703-323-7513.
Indian Encampment and Re-Enactment. On Aug. 24 & 25, Mount Vernon visitors will experience an Indian encampment with hands-on cultural demonstrations presented by the Southeastern Native Loyalist Confederacy. Activities will take place throughout both days from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Re-enactment and lecture are included in the regular admission price. Call 703-780-2000.
Jaycee Yard Sale. The Alexandria Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees) will hold a Community Yard Sale fund-raiser at West Potomac High School, 6500 Quander Lane. The items for sale include toys, clothes, old appliances, collectibles, antiques and "Dollar Store" type items. The cost for vendors is $15 per space. Throughout the summer, the Jaycees will be providing complimentary spaces at the yard sales for several local community groups to raise their own funds. Vendor setup is from 6:30-7 a.m., and the actual event runs from 7 a.m.-2 p.m. For more information, call 703-766-7171, or visit the Web site, www.alexjaycees.org.
Volksmarch. Enjoy a behind-the-scenes 9 km walk through the backwoods of Mount Vernon during the annual volksmarch sponsored by the Pentagon Pacesetters. Walk will be held Aug. 24 & 25 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Call 703-250-4320.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 25
Mariachi Band. Mariachi Apache de Nogales will present a concert of traditional mariachi music at the Old Presbyterian Meeting House, 321 S. Fairfax St., at 7 p.m. Admission is free, but there will be a free-will offering taken to benefit the Arlandia Health Center for Women and Children. Call 703-549-6670.
***EXHIBITS & SHOWS***
Late Night Catechism. West End Dinner Theatre, 4615 Duke St., is once again hosting the comedy “Late Night Catechism,” through Aug. 25. Tickets are $29-$42.50; call 703-370-2500.
Storytelling at Gunston Hall. Gunston Hall Plantation, 10709 Gunston Road, presents “Summer Stories,” reading of colorful stories based on historical information and people. Program is scheduled every Wednesday through Aug. 28 from 10:30 a.m.-noon. Admission is $5 for adults and $4 for children. Call 703-550-9220.
“The Right Chord,” a juried show of international glass beadmakers, will appear at Arts Afire Glass Gallery, 102 N. Fayette St., and Imagine Artwear, 1124 King St., through Aug. 30. Call 703-838-9785 or 703-548-1461.
Print Exhibit. Kathleen Spagnolo of Hollin Hills will be showing her one-of-a-kind prints at the Sherwood Hall Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane, through Aug. 31. Call 703-768-9300.
Crazy Love. The newly restored Old Town Theater, 815 1/2 King St., is presenting "Crazy Love," a musical comedy written, directed and produced by veterans of The Improv Comedy Club. Show will be every Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. through Aug. 31. Tickets are $15 on Thursday, $17 on Friday and Saturday; call 703-535-8022.
Watercolor Painting Show. Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Ave., presents “Showing of Watercolor Paintings” by Robert Gilbert from Aug. 16-Sept. 1. Cocktail reception will be held on Friday, Aug. 16, from 5:30-8 p.m. Call 703-838-4827.
Landscape Show. The Art League, 105 N. Union St., presents The American Landscape Show through Sept. 2. Call 703-683-1780.
Acrylic Show. Gallerie La Taj, 1010 King St., presents “Soft and Bold with Acrylics” by Gerome Meminger Sr., through Sept. 4. Artist reception will be held on opening day from 2-6 p.m. Call 703-549-0508.
Watercolor Show. The Loft Gallery, 313 Mill St., Occoquan, presents “Mystical Mountains,” an exhibit of The Blue Ridge Mountain watercolors of Marcia Weidler. Exhibit will be held through Sept. 8. Call 703-490-1117.
Family Dig Days 2002. Children of all ages are welcome to join archeologists screen excavated soil in a special archeological investigation. Located behind the George Washington Masonic National Memorial, 101 Callahan Drive, the event will be held Sept. 14, 21 and 28 from 1:30-3 p.m. Cost is $5, and registration is required. Call 703-838-4399.
Boat Excursions. The Alexandria Seaport Foundation’s Potomac dory boat excursions will sail every Wednesday and Friday through October, weather permitting. The 90-minute Potomac River Sunset Sails depart at 6 p.m. from the foot of Prince Street. Donations requested. Call 703-549-7078.
Slave-Life Tours. Gunston Hall Plantation, 10709 Gunston Road, offers Slave-Life Tours, the first Sunday of each month; Women on the Plantation Tours, the second Sunday of each month; Hidden History Archaeology Tours, the third Saturday of each month; and Hoofs and Feathers Farmyard Tours, the fourth Saturday of each month. All tours will be given through October. Call 703-550-9220.
Time Travelers Program. Passports for the sixth annual Time Travelers Program are now available at City museums for the program, which runs through Nov. 1. Call 703-838-4399.
Farmers Market. The Fairfax County HomeGrown Farmers Market will be held at Sherwood Regional Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane, through Nov. 26 from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Lantern Tours. Thirty-minute Lantern Tours of Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St., will be given every Friday night from 7-10. through November. Cost is $5 for adults; $2 for children 11-18; free for children 10 and under. Call 703-838-4242.
Family Treasures Exhibit. Woodlawn Plantation, 9000 Richmond Highway, will showcase a vast array of Washington-related objects that were once part of the famous household. Titled “Holding History: Family Treasures Return to Woodlawn,” it will be held through Dec. 31. Call 703-780-4000.