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/Feb. 22
Film Screening. At 7-9 p.m. Alexandria Gay and Lesbian Community Association is hosting a "God and Gays" Film Screening and discussion with filmmakers at the Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe St., Alexandria. The film explores sexuality and spirituality through the eyes and experiences of people wanting a relationship with the very religion that often rejects them. The filmmakers will be present to discuss the film with the audience at the conclusion of the screening. This event is co-sponsored by the Alexandria Black History Museum. Send RSVPs to info@aglca.org or 703-283-3227.
Free Concert. U.S. Army band will perform at 7:30 p.m. at Brucker Hall, 400 McNair Road, Fort Myer. No tickets required. Call 703-696-3399 or visit www.usarmyband.com.
Opening Reception. 7-8:30 p.m. at Tyler Teaching Gallery, Tyler Bldg., Alexandria Campus, 3001 N. Beauregard St. Student exhibition. 703-845-6239.
Drama Performance. Mt. Vernon drama group and My Father's House Christian Church perform at 7 p.m. at Mount Vernon Recreation Center, 2701 Commonwealth Ave. , Alexandria. Free. 703-838-4825.
Friday/Feb. 23
Music Performance. Air Force Band Chamber Players perform at 8 p.m. at the Masonic National Memorial, 101 Callahan Drive, Alexandria. Free. Call 202-767-5658 or visit www.usafband.com.
Movie Premiere. "The Nuclear Option" by Mount Vernon resident Robby Tinkler will premiere at 7:30 p.m. at Mount Vernon Unitarian Church, 1909 Windmill Lane, Alexandria. The film looks at the potential of nuclear energy to provide sustainable, non-greenhouse gas emitting energy for our society in the future. Visit http://mvuc.org/nuclear-option.html. Free.
Theater Performance. Do you love fairy tales; especially fairy tales with a twist? See Carl Sandburg Middle School's production of "Holka Polka a Fairy Tale Mystery" by D.M. Bocaz-Larson. Performances are at 7:30 p.m., doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5/adults and $3/students. Call 703-799-6204.
Saturday/Feb. 24
Wedding Sampler. The historic Hollin Hall will host a Winter Wedding Sampler from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. The boutique-style wedding show will feature "Weddings 101," by experts in the field of wedding services and a champagne brunch. Hollin Hall is located at 1909 Windmill Lane off Ft. Hunt Road between Alexandria and Mount Vernon. Cost is $10 at the door for a bride and her guest. Reservations required by Feb. 21: mvucevents@earthlink.net or call 703-625-2330.
Movie Premiere. "The Nuclear Option" by Mount Vernon resident Robby Tinkler will premiere at 7:30 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, 4444 Arlington Blvd., Arlington. The film looks at the potential of nuclear energy to provide sustainable, non-greenhouse gas emitting energy for our society in the future. Visit www.uucava.org/Calendar/Events.aspx. Free.
Music and Soup. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Art League School's Ceramics Studio, 305 Madison St., Old Town. Enjoy a bowl of hot soup in a handmade bowl while listening to music by local band Lump Dog. $15/person. Raffle will be held and the winner will win a ceramic work by the chairman of the school's Ceramics Department. Call Dale Marhanka at 703-683-5358.
ALIVE!’s Last Saturday Food Distribution. 8:30 a.m.–noon at Cora Kelly Rec. Center, corner of Commonwealth Avenue and Reed Avenue in Del Ray. Help sort, bag, and distribute food to low-income Alexandrians. Contact Andy at andyf2.71828@earthlink.net.
Theater Performance. Do you love fairy tales; especially fairy tales with a twist? See Carl Sandburg Middle School's production of "Holka Polka a Fairy Tale Mystery" by D.M. Bocaz-Larson. Performances are at 7:30 p.m., doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5/adults and $3/students. Call 703-799-6204.
Art Exhibit. See "Remembering Chincoteague Bay" by Yuri Kokoyanin from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at The von Brahler Ltd./Gallery, 1437 Powhatan St., Alexandria. This is a showing of small painted figurines at play in the bay. Free. 703-798-8686.
Sunday/Feb. 25
Walking with Washington. Bob Madison, a volunteer at the Alexandria Archaeology Museum who has researched more than 140 places in Alexandria associated with George Washington, will lead a 15-block guided tour of Old Town exploring Washington's 50-year association with Alexandria. These tours afford the opportunity to see Alexandria as Washington saw it, through the places he frequented when he was here. Meets at the Fountain at Market Square, 301 King St., Old Town Alexandria. From 1:30-3:30 p.m. Free. No reservations necessary. For more information, call the George Washington Birthday Event Line at 703-991-4474.
Orchestra Concert. American Balalaika Symphony Orchestral concert at 3 p.m. in the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center, 3001 N. Beauregard St., Alexandria. For tickets and directions www.balalaika.biz or 703-351-1331. "Meet the Artists" reception follows the concert at 5 p.m.
Comedy Performance. The Russian Honor society of the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology hosts a Capitol Steps performance at 7 p.m.
Tickets available for $25. Visit http://activities.tjhsst.edu/slava/ or e-mail TJRussian@gmail.com.
Guinea Pigs. At 1 p.m., enjoy a seminar on how to take care of guinea pigs and get general information about them. Free at Vola Lawson Animal Shelter, 4101 Eisenhower Ave., Alexandria. 703-838-4774 ext. 210 for more.
Art Exhibit. See "Remembering Chincoteague Bay" by Yuri Kokoyanin from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at The von Brahler Ltd./Gallery, 1437 Powhatan St., Alexandria. This is a showing of small painted figurines at play in the bay. Free. 703-798-8686.
Tuesday/Feb. 27
Free Concert. U.S. Army band will perform at 7:30 p.m. at Brucker Hall, 400 McNair Road, Fort Myer. No tickets required. Call 703-696-3399 or visit www.usarmyband.com.
Wednesday/Feb. 28
Open Mic/Spoken Word Café. 7-9 p.m. at Cafeteria, Bisdorf Building, Alexandria Campus, 3001 North Beauregard St. Free. Enjoy southern cuisine and participate in a celebration of African-American poets, writers and musicians—come prepared to share your favorite songs, poetry and prose. A Black History Month event featuring music by the Prodigal Son Band and door prizes. Contact Yolanda Barbier at ybarbier@nvcc.edu or 703-933-5073.
Thursday/March 1
Music Performance. Alexandria resident Bonnie Rideout will debut her show "Caledonia" at 8 p.m. at Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, Maryl. Tickets range between $25-$55. She is a Scottish fiddler. Visit http://strathmore.org or 301-581-5100.
Friday/March 2
Music Performance. United States Air Force Band Chamber Players perform at 8 p.m. at Masonic National Memorial, 101 Callahan Drive, Alexandria. Free. Visit www.usafband.com or 202-767-5658.
Rock Concert Benefit. 7 p.m.-10:30 p.m., bands from T.C. Williams, Bishop Ireton and O'Connell high schools will be performing for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. $5/person. At The Durant Center at 1605 Cameron St. in Alexandria. Contact Brian McCormick at 202-297-3968.
Opening Reception. 7-10 p.m. for the openinMeet some of Hancock County's inspiring artists while enjoying the exhibit and supporting Katrina relief efforts for Hancock County's arts community. The Del Ray Artisans Gallery is located at the Nicholas A. Colasanto Center, 2704 Mt. Vernon Avenue in Alexandria. Visit www.TheDelRayArtisans.org .
Saturday/March 3
Music Presentation. The U.S. Navy Band will perform at the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Old Town starting at 12:30 p.m. Visit www.navyband.navy.mil.
Theater Performance. See "Glorious Love, Tragic Love" at 8 p.m. at Schlesinger Concert Hall. Tickets range between $20-$80. Visit www.alexsym.org or 703-548-0085.
Painting Class. 4-6 p.m. at A Woman's Story Gallery, 1307 King St., Alexandria. $30/person. Learn how to paint with henna. To RSVP e-mail Katie at katie@ewint.org.
Sunday/March 4
Music Performance. "The President's Own" United States Marine Band, Chamber Orchestra and Chamber Ensembles will perform at 2 p.m. at Schlesinger Concert Hall, 3001 N. Beauregard St., Alexandria. Free. Visit www.marineband.usmc.mil or 202-433-4011.
Music Performance. Washington Metropolitan Youth Orchestra, with Kirsten Serba from West Potomac High School, will perform at 2:30 p.m. at Episcopal High School, Pendleton Hall, 3900 W. Braddock Road, Alexandria. Free, donations accepted. Visit www.wmpa.us or 703-799-8229.
Carnival. Celebrate the Feast of Esther from noon-2 p.m. at Temple Beth El 3830 Seminary Road, Alexandria. Games, moon-bounce, prizes, food and more. Children can wear favorite costumes for a parade. $10/unlimited game tickets. $5/food ticket. Contact Bonnie Proctor, 703-780-0545 or Barbara Silversmith, 703-323-6931.
Music Performance. Puccini's first opera "Le Villi" presented in concert at 3 p.m. at First Christian Church of Alexandria, 2723 King St. , Alexandria. $15/person. Visit www.fccalexandria.org or 703-549-3911.
Interpretation of Spirituals and Gospel. 3 p.m. at the Black History Museum, 902 Wythe St., Alexandria. The history of familiar Negro spirituals will be interpreted through music, dance and drama. Free. Due to limited seating, reservations are suggested, but not required. Call 703-838-4356.
Thursday/March 8
Art Talk. 7 p.m. Maria Simonsson's will talk about her art exhibit "Form Over Function" and will demonstrate her technique at the Art League Gallery, 105 N. Union St., Old Town. This exhibit explores the bounds of shape, form and functionality. Visit www.theartleague.org or 703-683-1780.
Planting Lesson. 7:30 p.m. at Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexnadria. Free. Learn about the rise of invasive ornamentals. Visit www.greenspring.org.
Saturday/March 10
Swordfighting. Join Gadsby's Tavern Museum for this very popular, unique living history program as you learn a skill that George Washington and all 18th century gentlemen must know - swordplay from 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at 134 North Royal St., Old Town Alexandria. The program includes re-enactment of 18th-century swordplay and a display and discussion of 18th-century weapons. This family event is suitable for all ages and will include some audience participation as you practice your new-found talents. Demonstrations last 1 hour. Last tour starts at 3:30 p.m. $5 per person, ages 5 and up. Special patch available for $3. Reservations required. Visit www.gadsbystavern.org or call for more information, 703-838-4242.
History Lecture. Fort Ward Museum and History Site will present the lecture, "Godey's Lady's Book," in honor of Women's History Month. Examine the content and editorial practices of "Godey's Lady's Book." 1 p.m. in the Museum library, 4301 W. Braddock Road. $6/person, reservations are strongly suggested. Call the Museum at 703-838-4848.
Sunday/March 11
Music Performance. "The President's Own" United States Marine Band, Chamber Orchestra and Chamber Ensembles will perform at 2 p.m . at Schlesinger Concert Hall, 3001 N. Beauregard St., Alexandria. Free. Visit www.marineband.usmc.mil or 202-433-4011.
Opening Reception. 2-4 p.m. there will be a reception for Maria Simonsson's solo art exhibit "Form Over Function" at the Art League Gallery, 105 N. Union St., Old Town. This exhibit explores the bounds of shape, form and functionality. Visit www.theartleague.org or 703-683-1780.
Music Performance. Focus Inn Alexandria presents Kim and Reggie Harris at 7 p.m. at Church of the Resurrection, 2280 N. Beauregard St., Alexandria . $15 general, $12 members. Contact Herb at herbcl@earthlink.net, 703-380-3151 or visit www.focusmusic.org.
Meet the Artists. 1-4 p.m. at 313 Mill St., Occoquan, meet Alexandria artist Gwen Lockhart and see works from the new exhibit "Duets." Include 3-D art and sculptures.
Tuesday/March 13
Author Reading. 7 p.m., Russell Bonds, author of "Stealing the General: The Great Locomotive Chase and the First Medal of Honor" will be speaking at Olsson's Books, 106 S. Union St., in Alexandria.