<cal1> Ongoing
<cal2> Historic Gadsby’s Tavern Museum By Lantern Light Friday Night Tours every Friday night, June through August, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets are $6 per person ages 5 and up. Tours last approximately 30 minutes, with the last tour starting at 9:15 p.m. Call 703-838-4242 or visit www.gadsbystavern.org.
Emotions Anonymous is a 12-Step fellowship for people whose emotions are causing difficulties in their lives. A local group of Emotions Anonymous meets every Tuesday at 8 p.m. at Mount Vernon United Methodist Church, 2006 Belle View Blvd. Call 703-660-8798, or e-mail ea-alexandria@cox.net.
On Sundays from noon-5 p.m., visit the Waterfront and see history-inspired performances near the Torpedo Factory; do a "meet and greet" of early Alexandria residents and travelers near the Waterfront and lower King Street. Free. Visit www.historicalexandria.org for more.
Fairfax County Department of Community and Recreation Services present free dance workshops at Hollin Hall Senior Center, 1500 Shenandoah Road, from 3:30-5 p.m. on May 8. To register, 703-324-4386.
Beginning Feb. 25, the T.C. Williams High School Planetarium will welcome the Alexandria community one night each month during the school year for a free hour-long show. Doors will open at 7 p.m. for "A Night With the Stars," which will run from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Advance registration, required, may be completed online at http://www.acps.k12.va.us/tcw/planetarium/ or by calling the planetarium at 703-824-6805, extension 6300.
Mount Vernon will bring back its popular National Treasure Tour through Oct. 31. Included in this approximately hour-long walking tour is the Mansion's basement and cornerstone, the setting for a pivotal scene in the movie. This daily tour is limited to 25 visitors per time slot, takes place at 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m., and costs $5 per tour in addition to Estate admission: $15 adults; $14 seniors; $7 children (6-11); free for children 5 & under. Advance tickets are available online at MountVernon.org.
Spectacular gardens are in bloom as Mount Vernon hosts its annual outdoor garden and gift sale beginning April 11 through May 10 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. This annual sale includes ornamentals, perennials and annuals, garden items, books, and heirloom plants propagated from historic cuttings. No admission is required to shop in the Gardening Days tent (located in front of the Mount Vernon Inn Complex). Visit.MountVernon.org or 703-780-2000.
Join City archaeologists and trained volunteers for a program for children of all ages at Alexandria Archaeology Family Dig Days. Monthly Family Dig Days will be held from 1:30 to 3 p.m. on the grounds of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial, 101 Callahan Drive, in Alexandria. The 2009 dates are: Saturday, May 30; Saturday, July 18; Saturday, Aug. 15; Saturday, Sept. 12; Saturday, Oct. 17. $5/person. Registration required, 703-838-4399 or visit www.alexandriaarchaeology.org.
Mount Vernon commemorates George and Martha Washington’s 250th wedding anniversary with a new collection of fine stationery available at the Shops at Mount Vernon, open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Visit.MountVernon.org or 703-780-2000.
On Sundays at 2 p.m., enjoy a family bike ride. Meet at Cameron Run Regional Park, 4100 Eisenhower Ave. Rides will be canceled if inclement weather. Reservations required, 703-303-4803.
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<cal1>Thursday/May 21
<cal2>Stand Up for Mental Health. 6:30 p.m. Comedian David Granirer performs at TC Williams High School, auditorium, 3330 King St., Alexandria. Book signing follows. Go to www.standupformentalhealth.com.
Papermaking Workshop, 7-8:30 p.m. at Art at the Center, 2804 Sherwood Hall Lane. Learn to recycle paper into beautiful hand-made paper. Visit www.artatthecenter.org/classes for details.
Under the Stars with Friends of UCM. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Get a jump start on summer gardening and enjoy Floradora cocktails and munchies while visiting with friends. Enjoy an evening while you sip and shop at GreenSpace, Unlimited. 7835 1/2 Richmond Hwy., Alexandria. Call 703-780-8657 or go to www.greenspaceunlimited.com.
Poetry Discussion. 7 p.m. at Hollin Hall Senior Center, 1500 Shenandoah Road. Discuss poetry by C.P. Cavafy. Free. 703-768-6700.
Garden Stroll and Tea. 1-3 p.m. at Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road. Take a relaxing stroll through the gardens and enjoy tea at the Historic House. $25/individual. Call 703-941-7987 to register.
Thursday, May 21
Confident City Bicycling Classes. 6-8:30 p.m. City of Alexandria is partnering with the Washington Area Bicyclist Association to teach residents how to ride safely and skillfully through city traffic. Free. At Mount Vernon Community Recreation Center, 2701 Commonwealth Ave. Call Yon Lambert at 703-519-3400, ext. 183, or visit alexandriava.gov/localmotion. Visit www.waba.org.
Free varicose veins screenings. 5 p.m.-8 p.m. at the Alexandria Imaging Center, 4660 Kenmore Ave, Suite 525 Alexandria. Call 703-750-8800.
<cal1>Friday/May 22
<cal2> Opening Reception. 7-10 p.m., the human/pet companion bond is explored through art in the "Bond for Life" exhibition at the Del Ray Artisans gallery. Free. Visit www.TheDelRayArtisans.org or 703-683-2949.
Dance Performance. 7:30 p.m. at Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre 125 S. Old Glebe Road. See the Center Dance Company perform "The Firebird Ballet and Other Works." $12-$22 and can be purchased at www.centerdancecompany.org or 703-778-3008.
Anne Leslie Silhouettes. All ages. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Invest in a handmade silhouette of one’s child from artist Anne Leslie. Call to register. 703-548-4092. Hooray for Books! Children's Bookstore, 1555 King St. www.hooray4books.com
<cal1>Saturday/May 23
<cal2>Gardening with Children. 11 a.m. Free. Open to public. For ages 6-11 with an adult. Beatley Central Library, 5005 Duke Street. Call 703-228-6414.
Teddy Bear Tea. 1 p.m. at Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe St. Children 5-10 years of age can enjoy. $18/person. Reservations required, 703-838-4356.
Community Yard Sale. 7 a.m.-2 p.m. at Anthony T. Lane Elementary School, 7137 Beulah St. Hosted by the Alexandria Jaycees. Free. Visit www.alexjaycees.org for more.
Dance Performance. 7:30 p.m. at Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre 125 S. Old Glebe Road. See the Center Dance Company perform "The Firebird Ballet and Other Works." $12-$22 and can be purchased at www.centerdancecompany.org or 703-778-3008.
Mind Your Manners Storytime. Ages 3-6. 11:30 a.m. Learn about the concepts that make up good manners. Free. 703-548-4092. Hooray for Books! Children's Bookstore, 1555 King St. www.hooray4books.com.
Swordsmanship Workshop. 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 North Royal Street, Alexandria. Participants of all skill levels and ages 12 and above are welcome. Cost, which includes lunch, is $49 for individuals, $29 for students, and $90 for professionals. Call 703-838-4242.
<cal1>Sunday/May 24
<cal2> Bach Vespers. 6-6:45 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian, 2701 Cameron Mills Road. Free. www.wpc-alex.org.
Dance Performance. 2 p.m. at Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre 125 S. Old Glebe Road. See the Center Dance Company perform "The Firebird Ballet and Other Works." $12-$22 and can be purchased at www.centerdancecompany.org or 703-778-3008.
French Storytime. All ages. 11:30 a.m. Enjoy a special French story time. Free. 703-548-4092. Hooray for Books! Children's Bookstore, 1555 King St. www.hooray4books.com
<cal1>Monday/May 25
<cal2>Memorial Day Jazz Festival. 1-7 p.m. At Fort Ward Park, 4301 W. Braddock Road. The festival opens with The Jazz Ambassadors, the United States Army’s premier touring jazz orchestra. Also, music by the Barbara Martin Quartet, with traditional vocal jazz; followed by Al Williams, a WAMMIE Award winner, performing contemporary jazz; then Dixieland Direct, specializing in traditional New Orleans Dixieland music; and ending with the sounds of the Bruce Swaim Quartet, featuring Lyle Link, with standards and contemporary jazz. In case of inclement weather, the festival will be relocated to the Lee Center’s Kauffman Auditorium, 1108 Jefferson St. Admission is free. Call the Special Events Hotline at 703-883-4686 or the Special Events Office at 703-838-4844.
<cal1>Tuesday/May 26
<cal2> Auditions. 6:30 p.m. at Durant Center, 1605 Cameron St. Audition for Alexandria Choral Society Children’s Chorus. Free. For appointment call 703-548-4734.
<cal1>Wednesday/May 27
<cal2> G is for Garden. 10:30 a.m. at Sherwood Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane. Children 3-5 can have fun with the letter "g." Free. Registration required, 703-765-3645.
Writer’s Peer Review. 7 p.m. at Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre. Get feedback on works. Free. 703-339-4610.
Lincoln Assassination Lecture. Elizabeth Steger Trindal will discuss her book "Mary Surratt: An American Tragedy" at 7:30 p.m. at the Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St. Mary Surratt, who was educated in Alexandria, was hanged for the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. Free. Visit www.alexandriahistorical.org or 703-683-2636.
<cal1>Friday/May 29
<cal2> Basic Gardening Series: A Garden Made in the Shade. 1:30-2:30 p.m. at Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road. Green Spring’s Master Gardeners share gardening tips on shade plants, clarify simple steps and debunk horticulture myths. $12/session. Call 703-642-5173 to register.
Music for Tuba. 8 p.m. Featuring Sgt. Gil Corella of the U.S. Air Force Band Chamber Players Series. At George Washington Masonic National Memorial, 101 Callahan Drive., Alexandria. Free. Call 202-767-5658 or visit www.usafband.af.mil.
<cal1>Saturday/May 30
<cal2>Relay for Life. 4 p.m. Thomas Jefferson High School, Alexandria. Fund-raiser for The American Cancer Society. Visit www.RelayForLife.org.
Rummage Sale. 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 8009 Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria, to support mission trip to Navajo Reservation in Arizona. Go to www.saintlukeschurch.net.
Mayor’s Cup Rugby Challenge. 10:30 a.m. start time. Free. The City of Alexandria, the Potomac Rugby Union and Alexandria Rugby present the Mayor’s Cup Rugby Challenge Match. At George Washington Middle School, 1005 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria. Includes a youth clinic open to all youth at 1 p.m.
Living History Program. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Fort Ward Museum, 4301 W. Braddock Road. Enjoy a rifle display, presentation, drills and more. Free. 703-838-4848 or www.fortward.org for more.
Boating Safety Class. 8 a.m.-6 p.m. at Mount Vernon Knights of Columbus Hall, 8592 Richmond Highway. $40/person; $60/couple. 703-780-0160 to register.
Old Cars in Alexandria. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St. Browse photos, see old cars and more. Free. Visit www.alexandriahistory.org or 703-838-4994.
Outdoor Fun Storytime. Ages 3-6. 11:30 a.m. Celebrate summer and the fun outdoor activities that come along with it. Free. 703-548-4092. Hooray for Books! Children's Bookstore, 1555 King St. www.hooray4books.com
Pairing Tea with Food. 2-3:30 p.m. at Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road. Look at the traditional pairings and make room on the table for some new creative combos. Program includes a traditional cream tea (tea served with scones, cream, and jam). $18. Call 703-941-7987 to register.
Propagating Woody Plants. 9:30-11 a.m. at Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road. Work alongside Mary Frogale, Green Spring’s propagator, to learn a new skill. $28. Call 703-642-5173 to register.
All Alexandria Reads 2009 Finale: Story Time with Author Mary Quattlebaum. 11 a.m. Quattlebaum is the author of the Jackson Jones series! Free. Open to the public. Barnes & Noble, Potomac Yards, 3651 Jefferson Davis Highway.
<cal1>Sunday/May 31
<cal2> Bach Vespers. 6-6:45 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian, 2701 Cameron Mills Road. Free. www.wpc-alex.org.
Dance Performance. 4:30 p.m. at King Street Gardens Park. See Jane Franklin Dance perform "Incidence." Free. Visit www.janefranklinedance.blogspot.com or 703-933-1111.