Send announcements to the Alexandria Gazette Packet, 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/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
PTA Yard Sale at Douglas MacArthur Elementary School PTA, 1101 Janney’s Lane, 8 a.m.-noon. Household items, children’s clothing, toys. Set up a sale table for $15. Proceeds will be used to benefit the school, including ongoing playground improvements.
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 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.alexandria archaeology.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 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
Fashion Show and Luncheon. Fashion show by Draper’s and Damon’s will showcase the season’s key apparel and accessories. Kitty Chappell will share how to have the best future possible. $14 includes luncheon and free child-care (make reservations by June 5.) 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Fort Belvoir’s Officers’ Club. Allow ample time to clear security at the gate. Have driver’s license, valid car registration, and photo ID for all occupants.
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
Behind the Scenes tour of the Lee-Fendall House, where restoration is ongoing. View the basement and first and second floors. Space limited, reservation required. Comfortable walking shoes are encouraged. 10 a.m., 614 Oronoco St., 703-548-1789, www.leefendallhouse.org.
Summer and Smoke Fund-Raiser for Alexandria Commission on Persons with Disabilities. Tennessee Williams play presented in conjunction with the Port City Playhouse at the Nannie J. Lee Center, 1108 Jefferson Ave., 8 p.m. Funds will be used to support the ACPD’s Gerry Bertier Scholarship and its Community Organization Grant. Tickets are $20 each, but further levels of support are welcome. Contact Mike Hatfield at 703-519-3357, 703-838-4976 TTY, or mike.hatfield@alexandriava.gov.
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.
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.
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 11
Annual garden party for the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Association. Tickets are $40 per person, call the NVFAA office at 703-548-0035. All proceeds benefit the Brick and Mortar Fund for the building. At the Athenaeum, 201 Prince St., 2–4 p.m.
Songs of Freedom. Family event, guides discuss the lives of Gunston Hall slaves. “Slavery to Freedom” tours at 2 and 4 p.m. Performances of spiritual songs at 3 p.m. feature the Shiloh Baptist Church Choir of Mason Neck and the Alfred Street Baptist Church Male Chorus of Alexandria. Gunston Hall, 10709 Gunston Road, Mason Neck, 703-550-9220, www.gunstonhall.org.
Arlandria-Chirilagua Festival, 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m., 200 W Glebe Road. Co-Sponsor: Tenants and Workers Support Committee. For additional information, call the Events Hotline at 703-883-4686 or the Special Events office at 703-838-4844.
Monday/June 12
Del Ray Citizens Association meeting at George Washington School, 1005 Mount Vernon Ave., 7:30 p.m. Park in the rear of the school. Elections for the Executive Board will be held.
Tuesday/June 13
Receptions for Principals. Carl Sandburg Middle School PTA for a reception honoring both retiring principal Donna Pasteur as well as incoming principal Wendy Eaton. The reception is part of the final PTA meeting for the school year. Business meeting at 7 p.m. to elect the PTA officers for the 2006-2007 school year, followed by a reception at 7:30 p.m. Sandburg Middle School, 8428 Fort Hunt Road. Contact Catherine Stebbins at 703-360-5337.
Wednesday/June 14
League of Women Voter’s Meeting. The jury system: what’s the verdict? is the topic for discussion at the League’s June meeting. 9:30 a.m. at the Mount Vernon District Government Center, 2511 Parkers Lane. 703-658-9150.
Thursday/June 15
Poetry Reading. Claudia Emerson, this year’s winner of the Pulitzer Prize in Poetry, will read from her new book, Late Wife: Poems. A woman explores her disappearance from one life and reappearance in another as she addresses her former husband, herself, and her new husband in a series of epistolary poems. 7 p.m. Olsson’s Old Town Alexandria, 106 S. Union St.
Women Without Borders. Immigrant and American Artist Exhibition and Reception at The Art League Duke Street Annex, Rooms 1-2, One Duke St. Artisans from Empowered Women International’s entrepreneurial training in the arts and EWI’s artist members. Paintings, photography and wearable art of women from Sudan, Israel, Belize, Honduras, Iran, Pakistan, Bolivia, Liberia, Ethiopia, the Caribbean and the USA. 6-9 p.m.
A Celebration of Equality and Social Justice sponsored by Councilmen Rob Krupicka and Paul Smedberg at the home of Rob Krupicka. Patrons $500, Sponsors $250 and Supporters $50. Proceeds support the Alexandria Gay & Lesbian Community Association scholarship. RSVP to Elizabeth Jones at 703-684-2032 or elizabeth.jones@comcast.net.