Send announcements to the Gazette, by e-mail to gazette@connectionnewspapers.com; by fax to 703-917-0991; or by mail to 1604 King St., Alexandria VA 22314. Photos and artwork are encouraged. Deadline is Friday at noon for the following week’s paper. Call Meghan Williams at 703-917-6407 with questions.
Thursday/May 25
Movie Screening. The Alexandria Gay and Lesbian Community Association and People for the American Way are co-sponsoring a screening of “A Blinding Flash of the Obvious,” 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Agudas Achim Congregation, 2908 Valley Drive. The screening, followed by discussion, is free and open to the public. “A Blinding Flash of the Obvious” is a dynamic documentary that tells the story of a successful campaign in Cincinnati to repeal a law discriminating against GLBT citizens. This film is especially relevant in light of the current battle about amending Virginia’s constitution. RSVP to fairness@pfaw.org or 202-467-2377. For more information, visit www.aglca.org.
Curiosity Club. Stories, activities and an age- appropriate science experiment. Age 4-6 with adult. 4 p.m. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive. Call 703-971-0010 to register.
Practice English. Conversation group for people learning English. Adults. No registration is required. 7 p.m. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive. Call 703-971-0010.
Off We Go! Stories, fingerplays, songs and a craft. Age 2-5 with adult. 10:30 a.m. Martha Washington Library, 6614 Fort Hunt Road. Call 703-768-6700 to register.
Friday/May 26
Lunch Bunch. Bring a lunch and listen to stories. Birth-5 with adult. Noon, John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive. Call 703-971-0010 to register.
Comedy Zone. Bret Carr hosts a comedy show at 8 p.m. at Zig’s, 4531 Duke St. Call 703-823-2777 or visit www.zigsbar.com.
Workshop: Summer Weeds - Identification & Removal. Brenda Skarphol, staff horticulturist, shows how to identify common annual and perennial summer weeds. She also discusses control techniques including hand weeding, tools, herbicides, and mulch. Find out how she ‘mows’ the woods. Dress appropriately for this outdoor class. Fee: $11. 10-11.30 a.m. at Green Spring, 4603 Green Spring Road. Call 703-642-5173 to register.
Saturday/May 27
Just Me and My Dad Storytime, 11 a.m. at A Likely Story children’s bookstore, 1555 King St., 703-836-2498.
Comedy Zone. Lawrence Owens hosts a comedy show at 8 p.m. at Zig’s, 4531 Duke St. Call 703-823-2777 or visit www.zigsbar.com.
Godspeed Opening Ceremonies including ribbon cutting, remarks from Mayor Bill Euille and music, 11-11:30 a.m. at Founders Park. Visit www.funside.com/jamestown.asp for a full list of events.
Memorial Day Concert by the Virginia Grand Military Band, 8 p.m. at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Center. Patriotic music and special guests the “Flying Tigers.” $20 for adults, $10 for students 17 and under. Call 703-281-3331 or visit www.vgmb.com.
Sunday/May 28
Wheel Day. 3 p.m. at Beverley Circle located at Chalfonte and Old Dominion. Wheel Day is a parade of children of all ages on wheels that starts at the Circle and proceeds down Old Dominion to Beverley Hills Methodist Church. Most wheels, baby carriages, wagons and bikes are gaily decorated by the children and are judged in groups by age and most original or most colorful. Everyone who participates is a winner.
Monday/May 29
Memorial Day Observed.
Alexandria National Cemetery Ceremonies at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., 1450 Wilkes St. At 9 a.m., the National Sojourners, a fraternity of military masons, will place red carnations on the headstones of the cemetery’s unknown soldiers. At 11 a.m., the American Legion Post holds a memorial service and wreath-laying. Call Quantico National Cemetery at 703-221-2183 or 703-690-2217.
Memorial Day Jazz Festival. American music played by jazz ensembles and orchestras performing a variety of jazz styles. Fort Ward Park, 4301 W. Braddock Road, 1-7 p.m. Food and drinks will be for sale with picnic baskets welcome. In case of rain, festival relocated to the Lee Center, 1108 Jefferson St. Free. 703-883-4686.
Tuesday/
May 30
Personalized Internet Training. Learn how to use the Web, or increase your skills. Call for an appointment. Adults. 6.30 p.m. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive. Call 703-971-0010 to register.
Thursday/June 1
First Thursdays in Del Ray. Family-oriented street festival on Mount Vernon Avenue, 6-9 p.m. the first Thursday of every month through September. This month – wear Hawaiian shirts for Luau on the Avenue. Carbon Copy performs at the corner of Mount Vernon and Oxford Avenues, 6-8 p.m. Free. www.pwba.org, www.visitdelray.com or 703-683-2570.
Taste of River Farm. 3rd annual fund-raiser event featuring local restaurants and catering, will benefit the American Horticultural Society’s the Growing Connection program. 5:30-7:30 p.m., 7931 East Boulevard Drive. Ticket prices begin at $45, call 703-768-5700 or visit www.ahs.org.
Friday/June 2
Summer Kick Off. A Likely Story Children’s Bookstore hosts a kickball game and picnic at Blue Park on Commonwealth Avenue, behind the King Street Metro station.
Comedy Zone. 8 p.m. at Zig’s, 4531 Duke St. Call 703-823-2777 or visit www.zigsbar.com.
Saturday/June 3
Soldier-led tours of the Fort. Learn about the history of Fort Ward, the construction of Civil War forts and soldier life in the Defenses of Washington. Walking shoes and water bottles are recommended. Admission is free. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site, 4301 West Braddock Road. Call 703-838-4848 or visit www.fortward.org.
History program. City Naturalist Mark Kelly presents “John Smith’s 1608 Exploration of the Potomac”, an illustrated program for children (ages 8 and older) and their parents. The event is free but reservations are required. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Alexandria Archaeology Museum located in the Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union Street. Call 703-838-4399.
Heritage Trail Bicycle Tour. A two-hour, guided 20-mile loop. Meet at the George Washington Masonic Memorial, 101 Callahan Drive. Begins at 10 a.m.
Family Dig Day. Be part of a fascinating archaeological investigation and discover the hidden clues that people have left behind. 1:30-3:30 p.m. Registration required; children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. $5 per person. www.alexandriaarchaeology.org or 703-838-4399.
Hard Times Music Festival. Bands including Mary Ann Redmond, Last Train Home and Leaving TX perform, 1-7 p.m. at the corner of King and West Streets. Sponsored by WMZQ radio. Free admission with Hard Times food and cold drinks available for purchase. www.hardtimes.com or 703-608-7725.
Armenian Festival. Noon-6 p.m. in Market Square, 301 King St. Entertainment, food, arts and crafts to highlight Armenian culture. Rain or shine. 703-883-4686 or 703-838-4844.
Kelley Cares 5K Run/Walk. Sponsored by The Kelley Cares Committee to honor the memory of Kelley Swanson. 8 a.m.-noon, course goes through Rosemont and Del Ray.
Housing Dialogue. Community Dialogue on Housing, 10 a.m.-noon at the Sherwood Hall library, Parker’s Lane. Sponsored by the Special Committee on Affordable/Workforce Housing of the Mount Vernon Citizens’ Council.
Comedy Zone. Lawrence Owens hosts a comedy show at 8 p.m. at Zig’s, 4531 Duke St. Call 703-823-2777 or visit www.zigsbar.com.
Sunday/June 4
Gospel Concert. Back to the Old Landmark (A Tribute to Gospel Music) presented by The Youth and Adult Choir. 5 p.m. at Alfred Street Baptist Church, 301 South Alfred St. Call Rosie Graham at 703-683-2222 or visit www.alfredstreet.org.
Shower for the Shelter to benefit the Alexandria Battered Women’s Shelter. 2-4:30 p.m. at the home of Joseph F. Viar Jr. The Battered Women’s Shelter is registered for needed items at several locations to accommodate rooms in its new addition. Monetary gifts and housewarming baskets are also being accepted. Visit www.alexwomen.com or e-mail Claire Dunn, at claire.dunn@alexandriava.gov or Susan Butler at butlers2@erols.com.
Music of Scandinavia. Season finale for the Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic, featuring works from Denmark, Norway and Finland at 5 p.m. at Bishop Ireton High School, 201 Cambridge Road. Visit www.wmpa.us.
Watershed-Friendly Garden Tour. 1-5 p.m. Learn about gardening with cisterns, rain barrels, native plants, and wildlife habitat to protect local watersheds. Tour includes homes, condominiums, and schools in Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church, and Fairfax. Suggested donation is $5 per adult, payable at the first location you visit. More information: 703-228-6406 or www.arlingtonenvironment.org.
American Youth Philharmonic Concert. 3 p.m. at the George Mason University Center for the Arts in Fairfax. Program includes Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Wagner and Respighi. Tickets: Adults $14, Student/Senior $10 Visit www.ayporchestras.org, call 703-642-8051, ext. 22, or purchase at the door.
Monday/June 5
The Bender Group Charity Golf Tournament benefiting Inova Mount Vernon Hospital’s pediatric pre- and post-surgery patient areas, including the installation of original artwork and individual entertainment units and rocking chairs. Enjoy a day of giving, golf, food and fun while helping to fund the creation of an environment of comfort and healing for children and their families. Sign up online at www.thebendergroup.net or call Peg Moyer at 703-906-7102. Sign in at 11a.m. and tee off at 1 p.m. Mount Vernon Country Club, 5111 Old Mill Road.
Alexandria Democratic Committee Meeting, 8 p.m. in the cafeteria at Douglas MacArthur Elementary School, 1101 Janneys Lane. Call 703-549-3367.
Wednesday/June 7
Lecture, Reception and book signing with Sally Queen, Costume historian. Doors open at 7 p.m., lecture at 7.30 p.m. and reception and book signing to follow. $12 per person. Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St. Call 703-838-4242 or visit www.gadsbystavern.org.
Iolanta by Pyotr Tchaikovsky performance by the Bel Cantati Opera. Accompaniment: piano and harp. Reception is provided after the show. Tickets: http://belcantanti.com/paypal/index.htm. 7:30 p.m. at the Lyceum, 201 N. Washington St. 703-838-4994.
Thursday/June 8
Second Thursdays in Old Town. The Torpedo Factory Art Center, shops and galleries stay open until 9 p.m. with special events and live entertainment the second Thursday of each month through September. www.secondthursdays.com or 703-838-4565, ext. 6.
Parenting Workshop. Todd Misura leads a family discussion forum on improving children’s pre-writing skills, 7:30-9 p.m. at the SuccessLab Learning Center’s Alexandria Commons location, 3209 Duke St. Call 703-461-0808.
League of Women Voter’s Meeting. The jury system: what’s the verdict? is the topic for discussion at the League’s June meeting. 7:45 p.m. at the Martha Washington library, 6614 Fort Hunt Road. Meeting repeats June 14. 703-658-9150.
Putting for Pooches Mini-Golf Classic, 5-8 p.m. at Camerson Run Regional Park, 4001 Eisenhower Ave. Hosted by the Eisenhower Partnership and the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria. Admission includes a round a mini golf, food and drinks, and an auction ticket. Admission is $15 per person, $45 for a family of four. Visit www.eisenhowerpartnership.org or call Toni Andrews at 703-799-0024.
Friday/June 9
Citizens Band Concert. A performance by the city’s oldest performing arts organization, 7:30 p.m. in Market Square, 301 King St. 301-883-4686.
Comedy Zone. Comedy show at 8 p.m. at Zig’s, 4531 Duke St. Call 703-823-2777 or visit www.zigsbar.com.
Saturday/June 10
History and Mystery in Green Spring. Tour the house and garden and investigate their mystery. Tour meets at the Historic House, 4603 Green Spring Road. Tickets are $10. Dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes. For reservations call 703-642-5173 or visit www.greenspring.org.
Behind the Scenes at the Lee-Fendall House. From the attic to the basement, learn about this museum’s on-going preservation and its structural challenges during a tour with the museum’s executive director. 10 a.m. 614 Oronoco St. Free; reservations required. www.leefendallhouse.org 703-548-1789.
League of Women Voters Luncheon. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m., meeting begins at 10. Buffet lunch with presentation by James McKay at 11:45. $30 per person, make reservations by May 27. Checks payable to the League of Women Voters, send to Amy Kaupp, 401 Slaters Lane, #516, Alexandria VA 22311. Call 703-836-3779 or e-mail kauppa@si.edu.