Send announcements to the Gazette, by e-mail to gazette@connectionnewspapers.com. Photos and artwork are encouraged. Deadline is Friday at noon for the following week's paper. Call Rebecca Halik at 703-917-6407 with questions.
Thursday/Aug. 16
Garden Sprouts: Splash Party. 9:30-10:30 a.m. or 11 a.m.-noon, Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road. Play water games and learn why water makes a garden grow. Bring a towel and wear your bathing suit. $5. Ages 3-5 with adult. For more information and to register call 703-642-5173.
Arr, Pirate School! Wanted: Hearty young sea lo'ers ages 8-12 wantin' to be properly learned in pirating. Lessons include crafts and games. Starts at 2:30 p.m. at Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre. Free. 703-339-4610.
Just Twos. Stories and activities for children 24-35 months with adult at 10:30 a.m. at Martha Washington Library, 6614 Fort Hunt Road. Free. 703-768-6700.
Poetry Group. Poems by Donald Hall will be discussed at 7 p.m. at Martha Washington Library, 6614 Fort Hunt Road. Free. 703-768-6700. Adults. No registration is required.
Live Jazz Performance. 8-10 p.m., St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub, 2300 Mt. Vernon Ave. Join the Not So Modern Jazz Band for a night of jazz standards and improvisation. Free. Call 703-739-9268 or visit www.stelmoscoffeepub.com for more information.
Spelling Bee. Students can participate in a spelling bee from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at SCORE!, 6550 Little River Turnpike. Students will be quizzed on grade-appropriate words. Prizes will be awarded. Open to all ages. Free. For further information or to register for the event, call 703-642-3190 or e-mail Score_Alexandrias@kaplan.com
Fundraiser. The Inova Mount Vernon Hospital Auxiliary is sponsoring a leather goods sale in the main lobby of the hospital from 7 a.m.-4 p.m. The sale will feature a selection of leather and designer handbags, briefcases, luggage and small leather goods-all at 40-70 percent off regular retail prices. The hospital is located at 2501 Parker's Lane. Call 703-664-7359 for further information or directions.
Book Discussion.7-8:30 p.m. at Charles Beatley Library, 5005 Duke St. Discuss "Which New Era Would That Be" by Nadine Gordimer, found in "Six Feet in the Country." Free. For information call Bill Scouton at 703-931-3559.
Film Festival. Watch 12 short films by Alexandria born and raised filimmakers from 7 p.m.-midnight at Old Town Theater, 815 ½ King St. $10/person.
Theater Performance. Morningstar Productions presents "The Matchmaker" by Thornton Wilder at 7:30 p.m. at Plymouth Haven Baptist Church, 8523 Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria. $5/person; $3/child, student, or senior. The play, appropriate for all ages, tells of a matchmaker who tries to set up a merchant. For more information call Pam O‚Meara at 703-799-4222 or e-mail PamOMeara@erols.com
Friday/Aug. 17
Friday Flicks. Children up to age 5 with adult can bring a lunch and enjoy stories and movies at noon at John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive. Free. 703-971-0010.
Lunch Bunnies. Children age 1-5 with adult can bring a lunch and listen to stories at noon at Sherwood Regional Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane. Free. 703-765-3645.
Lantern Tours. 7-10 p.m. at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St. $5/person. Call ahead to verify tour date. With a costumed guide, see life before the advent of electricity. Visit www.gadsbystavern.org or 703-838-4242.
Garden Splash Party. 9:30-10:30 a.m., 11 a.m.-noon, Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road. Play fun water games and learn why water helps gardens grow. Ages 3-5, $5 per child; bring your bathing suit and towel. The program also runs 10-11 a.m. on Saturday, August 18. For more information and registration, call 703-642-5173.
Live Music Performance. 8-10 p.m., St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub, 2300 Mt. Vernon Ave. Steve Hung will bring his Texas Fingerpicker style to St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub. Free. Call 703-739-9268 or visit www.stelmoscoffeepub.com for more information.
Theater Performance. Morningstar Productions presents "The Matchmaker" by Thornton Wilder at 7:30 p.m. at Plymouth Haven Baptist Church, 8523 Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria. $5/person; $3/child, student, or senior. The play, appropriate for all ages, tells of a matchmaker who tries to set up a merchant. For more information call Pam O‚Meara at 703-799-4222 or e-mail PamOMeara@erols.com
Saturday/Aug. 18
Music Performance. Listen to Keith Ailer perform from 6:30-9 p.m. at Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe St. $20/person and available at www.alexblackhistory.org. Keith Ailer performs jazz music influenced by Nat King Cole, Billy Paul and more. Visit www.alexblackhistory.org <http://www.alexblackhistory.org/> or 703-838-4356.
Alexandria Surrenders. Noon to 4 p.m. at Carlyle House, 121 N Fairfax St., Alexandria. Mayor Charles Simms and the citizens of Alexandria negotiate the surrender of the city to His Majestyís Forces in 1814. Author Christopher George provides commentary for the reenactment. Free. Call 703-549-2997 or visit www.carlylehouse.org.
Perennials. 9:30-11 a.m. learn about "Perennials For the Dog Days of Summer" at Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road. Explore the world of perennials and their allies, including cultivation, placement and more. $16/class. 703-642-5173 to register.
Music Performance. 7:30 p.m. at Schlesinger Concert Hall, 3001 N. Beauregard St. The Marine Chamber Orchestra will be performing a free concert with selections by Beethoven and more. Visit www.nvcc.edu/schlesingercenter or 703-845-6156.
Garden Sprouts: Splash Party. 10-11 a.m. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road. Play water games and learn why water makes a garden grow. Bring a towel and wear your bathing suit. $5. Ages 3-5 with adult. For more information and to register call 703-642-5173.
Black Authors Book Discussion Group. "The Measure of a Man" by Sidney Poitier will be discussed at 10:30 a.m. at Sherwood Regional Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane. Free. 703-765-3645.
Insect Video. 10-10:30 a.m., Huntley Meadows Visitor Center, 3701 Lockheed Blvd. Take a close-up look at the amazing world of insects with a free video. For information, call 703-768-2525.
Live Music Performance. 8-10 p.m., St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub, 2300 Mt. Vernon Ave. Join Steve Gellman for an intimate folk concert. Free. Call 703-739-9268 or visit www.stelmoscoffeepub.com for more information.
Theater Performance. Morningstar Productions presents "The Matchmaker" by Thornton Wilder at 11 a.m. at Plymouth Haven Baptist Church, 8523 Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria. $5/person; $3/child, student, or senior. The play, appropriate for all ages, tells of a matchmaker who tries to set up a merchant. For more information call Pam O‚Meara at 703-799-4222 or e-mail PamOMeara@erols.com
Sunday/Aug. 19
Music Performance. Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic Association presents violinist Benjamin Scott and pianist Frank Conlon performing works by Schnittke, Prokofiev, Debussy and Sarasate at 3 p.m. at The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St. Free, donations accepted. 703-799-8229.
Jazz at the Vespers. 5-6:30 p.m. at Convergence: A Creative Community of Faith, 1801 N. Quaker Lane. Featuring music by Nuc Vega w/Never in Denver. Free. There will be food. Visit www.convergenceccf.net or 703-998-6260.
Movie Night. 6:30 p.m. at Del Ray United Methodist Church, 100 E. Windsor Ave. Watch "Charlotte's Web." Free popcorn and lemonade. Free. 703-549-2088.
Jazz at Meade Project. 4 p.m. at Meade Memorial Episcopal Church, 322 N. Alfred St. The W.E.S. Group will be the performers. $10 donation. Light refreshments served. 703-549-1334.
Monday/Aug. 20
Summer Crafts. Children ages 6-12 can create fun crafts at 1 p.m. at John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive. Free. 703-971-0010.
Book Discussion. 7-8 p.m. at Duncan Library, 2501 Commonwealth Ave. Discuss "The Ox Bow Incident" by Walter Van Tilburg Clark. Free. Call Ruth at 703-838-4566.
Tuesday/Aug. 21
Mother-Daughter Book Group. Join for a lively discussion. Age 9-11 with adult. "The Borrowers" by Mary Norton. 7 p.m. at John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive. Free. 703-971-0010.
Let's Go on Vacation. Stories and activities for children 1-2 years of age with adult at 10:30 a.m. at Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre. Free. 703-339-4610.
Genealogical Society Meeting. 1 p.m. at Hollin Hall Senior Center, 1500 Shenandoah Road. Discuss the surviving records available from a variety of different sources. Free. Visit www.MVGenealogy.org or 703-360-0920.
Wednesday/Aug. 22
Kingstowne Library Writer's Peer Review Group. For those seriously pursuing the path to publication with short fiction or novels, or writing scripts. Adults 7 p.m. at Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre. Free. 703-339-4610.
Shiver Me Timbers! Pirates in Virginia waters will be discovered by children age 6-10 at 2 p.m. at Martha Washington Library, 6614 Fort Hunt Road. Free. 703-768-6700.
Thursday/Aug. 23
The Sea, the Sea. Stories, fingerplays, songs and a craft for children 2-5 with adult at 10:30 a.m. at Martha Washington Library, 6614 Fort Hunt Road. Free. 703-768-6700.
Live Jazz Performance. 8-10 p.m., St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub, 2300 Mt. Vernon Ave. Join the Not So Modern Jazz Band for a night of jazz standards and improvisation. Free. Call 703-739-9268 or visit www.stelmoscoffeepub.com for more information.
Friday/Aug. 24
Friday Flicks. Children up to age 5 with adult can bring a lunch and enjoy stories and movies at noon at John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive. Free. 703-971-0010.
Lunch Bunnies. Children age 1-5 with adult can bring a lunch and listen to stories at noon at Sherwood Regional Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane. Free. 703-765-3645.
Lantern Tours. 7-10 p.m. at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St. $5/person. Call ahead to verify tour date. With a costumed guide, see life before the advent of electricity. Visit www.gadsbystavern.org or 703-838-4242.
Saturday/Aug. 25
Terrarium Workshop. 10-11:30 a.m, at Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green spring Road. Learn to create an indoor gardent. Terrarium, plants and soil provided. Registration required. $18, call 703-642-5173.
Begonia Sale and Show. 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., at Green spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road. Attend the 27th annual Begonia Show and Sale sponsored by the Potomac Branch of the American Begonia Society for a weekend filled with demonstrations, blue-ribbon winners and workshops. Free. 703-642-5173.
Vase Craft. 2-5 p.m. at Burke Branch Library, 4701 Seminary Road. Children ages 6-14 can make a vase for summer flowers. Free. No registration required. 703-519-3498.
Music Performance. Voice and piano recital starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St. Free. 703-838-4994.
Sunday/Aug. 26
Begonia Sale and Show. Noon-3:30 p.m., at Green spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road. Attend the 27th annual Begonia Show and Sale sponsored by the Potomac Branch of the American Begonia Society for a weekend filled with demonstrations, blue-ribbon winners and workshops. Free. 703-642-5173.
Music Performance. The Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic woodwinds perform at 3 p.m. at the Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St. Free but donations accepted. 703-799-8229.
Monday/Aug. 27
Mystery Group. "Poison Heart: A Novel of Suspense" by Mary Logue will be discussed at 7 p.m. at Martha Washington Library, 6614 Fort Hunt Road. Free. 703-768-6700. Adults. No registration is required.
Tuesday/Aug. 28
Music Performance. Noon-1 p.m. at Dulany Gardens, 500 Dulany St. Listen to Blues Americana music by Michael Mulvaney. Free. Bring a picnic lunch. Visit www.alexandriava.gov or 703-883-4686.
Martha's Movie Madness. Children age 6-12 can enjoy a film and popcorn at 2 p.m. at Martha Washington Library, 6614 Fort Hunt Road. Free. 703-768-6700.
Short Story Discussion Group. 7-8:30 p.m. at Burke Branch Library, 4701 Seminary Road. Discuss short stories from the anthology "Art of the Story" by David Halpern. For information and titles/authors, call Mark at 703-519-3498.
A Night at the Opera. The Virginia Concert and Opera Theatre presents one act operas by Mozart, Gian Carlo Menotti and Edwin Penhorwood at 8 p.m. at the Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St. $15/person and sold through instantseats.com. Visit www.geocities.com/concertopera for more.
Thursday/Aug. 30
Set Sail Virginia! Children 6-12 can experience life in the new world with games, activities and a craft at 2 p.m. at Sherwood Regional Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane. Free. 703-765-3645.
Live Jazz Performance. 8-10 p.m., St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub, 2300 Mt. Vernon Ave. Join the Not So Modern Jazz Band for a night of jazz standards and improvisation. Free. Call 703-739-9268 or visit www.stelmoscoffeepub.com for more information.
Friday/Aug. 31
Last Day of Lantern Tours. 7-10 p.m. at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St. $5/person. Call ahead to verify tour date. With a costumed guide, see life before the advent of electricity. Visit www.gadsbystavern.org or 703-838-4242.
Opening Reception. 7-9 p.m. at Vienna Art Center, 115 Pleasant St., N.W., Vienna. Meet the various artists and Alexandria artist Betsy Anderson, judge for "Mix it Up!" Free. 703-319-3971.