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/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.
Second Thursday Art Night. "Rise and Shine: Awaken from the Winter Slumber" will happen from 6-9 p.m. at the Torpedo Factory Art Center , 105 N. Union St., Alexandria. Browse open studios, interact with artists and enjoy refreshments. Free. Visit www.torpedofactory.org.
Friday/March 9
Antiques Show. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. at Episcopal High School's Flippin Field House, 3099 W. Braddock Road. $15/person includes re-entry. Features over 60 dealers. Visit www.antiquesinalexandria.com.
Lunch Bunch. Noon. John Marshall Library. 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Bring your lunch and listen to stories. Children ages birth – 5 with adult. Free. 703-971-0010.
Knitting for Beginners. 12:30. Martha Washington Library. 6614 Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria. Bring your own supplies. Free. 703-768-6700.
Music Performance. The John Adams Elementary School Orff Ensemble, a group of student percussionists, will perform at 8 p.m. at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall, 3001 North Beauregard St., Alexandria. The hour-long concert is designed for a family audience. Admission is free and parking is $5.
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.
Antiques Show. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at Episcopal High School's Flippin Field House, 3099 W. Braddock Road. Designer Alexa Hampton of "This Old House" speaks. $15/person includes re-entry. Features over 60 dealers. Visit www.antiquesinalexandria.com.
Music Performance. The World Children's Choir will perform at 7 p.m. at Schlesinger Concert Hall, 3001 N. Beauregard St., Alexandria. Enjoy songs from around the world and "The Laughing River." Tickets $20/adult; $15/senior/child and are available at the door. Visit www.worldchildrenschoir.org or 703-883-0920.
Music Performance. Francis C. Hammond Middle School Symphonic Band will perform at 11:45 a.m. and the George Washington Middle School Symphonic Band will perform at 2:40 p.m. at Carl Sandburg Middle School, 8428 Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria. Free. 703-461-4100 (Hammond) or 703-706-4500 (GW).
Dance Performance. The Thistle Dancers present "Something Scottish 2007" from 3-5 p.m. at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial, 101 Callahan Drive, Alexandria. For advance tickets call 703-913-6143 or e-mail thistledancers@cox.net. Tickets $20/adult $15/child. Visit thistledancers.com .
Music Performance. The Alexandria Choral Society and Capitol Hill Chorale will perform together at 8 p.m. at Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church, located on 4th and Independence Streets, S.E., Washington, D.C. Tickets are $20-$25 with discounts available for students, seniors and military. They are available online at www.alexchoralsociety.org/tickets.aspx , via phone at 703-548-4734 and at the door.
Theater Performance. Watch "The Eleventh Finger" at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at the Athenaeum, 201 Prince St., Alexandria. Tickets are $8/non-member; $7/member. Make reservations online at www.nvfaa.org. or call 703-548.
Silent Auction. Tauxemont Cooperative Preschool's 7th Annual Silent Auction from 7:30-11 p.m. Bid on a variety of items while enjoying refined refreshments. Located at Mount Vernon Unitarian Church, 1909 Windmill Lane, Alexandria. $15/person. Contact Jodie Burns,703-660-0668.
Workshop: Pruning for the Homeowner. 9 a.m.-noon. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria. A lesson from Mary Olien, Green Spring director, on how to skillfully prune shrubs and small trees to make them look attractive and natural. $30. Registration required, 703-642-5173.
Family Fun: Do-It-Yourself Build and Grow Workshop. 1-4 p.m. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria. Materials and instruction provided to build your own portable light stand for growing plants from seeds indoors. $25 per family/project. Registration required, 703-642-5173.
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.
Antiques Show. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at Episcopal High School's Flippin Field House, 3099 W. Braddock Road. $15/person includes re-entry. Features over 60 dealers. Visit www.antiquesinalexandria.com.
Floral Design Tea. 1-3 p.m. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria. A demonstration and lesson on complex and vibrant floral arranging. Given by floral design artist, Tina Svenson. Traditional English tea follows. $24. Registration and reservation required, 703-941-7987, TTY 703-324-3988.
Music Performance. Barrage will perform at 5 p.m. at George Washington Middle School, 1005 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria. $15/person; $7.50/student. 703-706-4517.
Music Performance. The Alexandria Choral Society and Capitol Hill Chorale will perform together at 4 p.m. at Episcopal High School's Callaway Chapel, 1200 North Quaker Lane in Alexandria. Tickets are $20-$25 with discounts available for students, seniors and military. They are available online at www.alexchoralsociety.org/tickets.aspx , via phone at 703-548-4734 and at the door.
Opening Reception. 2-4 p.m. meet the artists of "Locomotion: View From my Train Window" on display through April 2 at Multiple Exposures Gallery, in the Torpedo Factory, 105 N. Union St., Alexandria.
The Underground Railroad Spirituals &Their Stories. 4 p.m. George Washington Masonic National Memorial, 101 Callahan Drive, Alexandria. Sung by the choirs of The Alfred Baptist Church and The Old Presbyterian Meeting House. Free, with donations for the Northern Virginia Chapter of Habitat for Humanity accepted. 703-549-6670, ext. 121 or wayne@opmh.org for more information.
Garden Lunacy: A Growing Concern. 1:30-3 p.m. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria. Based on Art Wolk's book, this hilarious lecture tells humor-filled tales of "plant thieves" and Better Homes and Gardens photo shoots. $11. Registration required, 703-642-5173.
Opening Reception. 1-4 p.m. at The Loft Gallery, 313 Mill St., Occoquan, Va. See "Duets" featuring sculptures by Gwen Lockhart of Alexandria and oil paintings by Susan Norman.
Monday/March 12
Rainbow Readers. 10:30 a.m. Kingstowne Library. 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Stories and fun. Ages 2-3 with adult. Free. 703-339-4610.
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.
Spring is Here. 10:30 a.m. John Marshall Library. 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Stories and activities. Children 2-3 with adult. Free. 703-971-0010.
Preview Performance. Aldersgate Church Community Theater will offer a "pay-what-you-can performance of "Hay Fever" starting at 8 p.m. at the church, 1301 Collingwood Road, Alexandria. Only 50 tickets will be available and will be available starting at 6:30 p.m. the day of the performance.
Dinner Benefit. 5-9 p.m. at FireFlies Restaurant and Coffee Bar, 1501 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria, will earn money for Matthew Maury Elementary School. The school will earn 10 percent of the proceeds from each dining bill. To participate, a patron must present the server with a Maury flier, available from the school or, during the event, at the restaurant. Visit http://firefliesdelray.com/home.html or 703-706-4440.
Good Companions. 12:45-1:45 p.m. Mount Vernon Unitarian Church, 1909 Windmill Lane, Alexandria. Tom Hirschfeld, author of "Integration of Muslims in the USA and Western Europe" and a long time member of MVUC, will discuss the differences and difficulties in the USA and Western Europe in the assimilation of their Muslim minorities. Bring a bag lunch and come discuss at 11:45 a. m. 703-765-1237.
Friday/March 16
Lunch Bunch. Noon. John Marshall Library. 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Bring your lunch and listen to stories. Children ages birth – 5 with adult. Free. 703-971-0010.
Knitting for Beginners. 12:30. Martha Washington Library. 6614 Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria. Bring your own supplies. Free. 703-768-6700.
Basic Gardening Series: Spring Start-Up. 1:30-3 p.m. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria. An opportunity to prepare for spring by learning the basics of gardening, including edging, weeding, planting, mulching, watering, fertilizing, and top dressing. $11. Registration required, 703-642-5173.
Saturday/March 17
History Lecture. 1 p.m. at Fort Ward Museum, 4301 W. Braddock Road in Alexandria. Learn about the "Nineteenth Century Art of Mourning" including clothing fashions and etiquette. $6/person. Reservations encouraged 703-838-4848.
Sophie the Dog. 10:30 a.m. John Marshall Library. 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Watch Sophie perform tricks. All ages. Free. 703-971-0010.
Shakespeare Event. Alexandria students Michaela Rothschild and Paul Perscheid will lead workshops on the plays of William Shakespeare for students in grades 1-8 from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m., which includes a performance by the students during the last hour. Free. at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, 6560 Braddock Road, Alexandria. Visit http://tjshakespearience.awardspace.com.
Annual Ball. The Symphony Orchestra League of Alexandria will host their Emerald ball at 6:30 p.m. at the Ritz Carlton Hotel at Pentagon City. The black tie event includes dinner, dancing and silent and live auctions.
Birds in My Garden. 9:30-11 a.m. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria. A chance to learn about the characteristics and sounds of over 25 birds. $12. Registration required, 703-642-5173.
Sunday/March 18
Tongues of Fire. 3 p.m. First Christian Church of Alexandria, 2723 King St, Alexandria. A sacred poetry slam. Free. 703-549-3911.
Dance Performance. Jane Franklin Dance will have classes and a performance at Ainslie Arts Center, 3900 W. Braddock Road, Alexandria. Tickets $15/performance; $10/single class; $30/unlimited classes and performance. Classes start at 11 a.m. with the performance at 3 p.m. Visit www.janefranklin.com for reduced tickets and more information.
Poetry Event. Share a sacred poem, song or scripture from 3-5 p.m. at First Christian Church of Alexandria, 2733 King St. Register in advance 703-549-3911. Free. Visit www.fccalexandria.org.
Music Performance. By The Old Presbyterian Meeting House Adult Choir at 8:30 a.m and 11a.m. Old Presbyterian Meeting House, 321 South Fairfax Street, Alexandria. Variation of March 11 performance of The Underground Railroad Spirituals and Their Stories. Featuring percussionist Robert Novak and narrator James Thomas. 703-549-
An Intentional Garden. 1:30-3 p.m. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria. Former Green Spring Director and longtime friend, Don Humphrey provides a detailed look of his latest - any very extensive - garden design. $11. Registration required, 703-642-5173.
The Eggs-quisite Egg. 1-3 p.m. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria. A chance to learn about the customs and folklore associated with the much-used product known as the egg. Traditional English tea follows. $24. Registration and reservation required, 703-941-7987, TTY 703-324-3988.