E-mail announcements to the Gazette, gazette@connectionnewspapers.com. Photos and artwork are encouraged. Deadline is Thursday at noon for the following week's paper. Call Steve Hibbard at 703-778-9412 with questions.
<cal1>Ongoing
<cal2>The Kingstowne Area Artists' Association (KAAA) is looking for new members. The club meets once a month to network, socialize, learn from each other and participate in opportunities to show and sell its work. All visual artists, professional or hobbyists are welcome. Go to www.kingstowneartists.com. The group meets the second Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at the Kingstowne Active Adult Center, 6488 Landsdowne Center, Alexandria. Contact Ginny Wywyj at duchessducky@msn.com or Nancy Hannans at nancyhannans@yahoo.com.
The Del Ray Farmers Market is now open year round — located at the corner of Mt. Vernon Avenue and Oxford Avenue in Del Ray. During the winter months the market will be open 9 am to noon each Saturday. The Del Ray Market farmers that will be there are Smith Meadows meats, eggs, fresh pasta and sauces; Amish cheese, yogurt, bakery goods, eggs and jams and jellies; winter vegetables; fancy nuts; pralines; and bakery goods. Any questions, contact Pat Miller at pmiller1806@comcast.net.
Ms. Senior Virginia America is searching for candidates statewide for this year's May Pageant, which will be held Thursday, May 6 at the Lee Center Kauffman Center, 1108 Jefferson St., Alexandria. Doors will open at 1:30 p.m. Showtime is 2-4 p.m. Admission is free with a donation of $10. A deadline for entries will be Feb. 8. Call 703-978-3663 and directions at 703-838-4343. The current Ms. Senior Virginia America, Maureen Ribble, will end her reign in May. The Pageant showcases women age 60-plus who live in Virginia and are U.S. citizens.
Meditation Class. 10-11 a.m. every Sunday. Come enjoy a free group class on meditation instruction and practice. Class will be centered around calm abiding (shine/samatha). No experience is needed. All are welcome at the 3rd floor of Mindful Hands Gallery, 211 King Street. Visit http://www.palyuldc.org/meditation.html.
<cal1>Friday Afternoons
<cal2>Tea Dances. 1-3:15 p.m. Group class from 1-1:30 p.m. Ballroom, Latin and Swing music. $11/person. At the Dance Studio Lioudmila, 18 Roth Street, 2nd Floor (off Duke Street), Alexandria. Call 703-751-8868.
<cal1>Thursday/Feb. 18
<cal2>Heart Art. 6-9 p.m. Rescheduled. Free. Flowers and Candy, Printmaking Demonstration, Target Gallery Reception from 6-8 p.m. At the Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union St., Alexandria. Visit www.torpedofactory.org; 703-838-4565.
<cal1>Friday/Feb. 19
<cal2>Music for Brass. 8 p.m. Free. Presented by the U.S. Air Force Band Chamber Players. At the George Washington Masonic National Memorial, 101 Callahan Drive, Alexandria. Call 202-767-5658 or visit www.usafband.af.mil.
<cal1>Feb. 19-20
<cal2>"Cinderella." Friday, Feb. 19 and Saturday, Feb. 20 at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $5. At Carl Sandburg Middle School. Call 703-799-6204.
<cal1>Feb. 19, 20, 21
<cal2>"The Canterville Ghost." Showtimes are Feb. 19 and 20 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 21 at 3 p.m. Presented by the Mount Vernon Community Children's Theater. At Heritage Presbyterian Church. Tickets are $8/students and seniors, $10/adults. Call 703-360-0686 or www.MVCCT.org.
<cal1>Saturday, Feb. 20
<cal2>Hike to Find Wetland Waterfowl. 2-4 p.m. Walk the boardwalk to the observation tower at Huntley Meadows Park in search of green-winged teals, pintails, swamp sparrows and winter wrens. Cost is $6 per person. At Huntley Meadows Park, 3701 Lockheed Blvd., in Alexandria. Call 703-768-2525.
All A-Buzz About Bees. 5-6:30 p.m. Discover what you can do to attract bees to your garden. Fee is $6 per person. Huntley Meadows Visitor Center is located at 3701 Lockheed Blvd., in Alexandria. Call 703-768-2525.
Gift of Giving Benefit. 7:30 p.m. Sponsored by the Alexandria Choral Society. Tickets are $125/person or $1,000 per 8-person table. All net proceeds from the 1st Annual Gift of Giving benefit will be donated to The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke University in Durham, NC, and designated for children’s brain cancer research. At Belle Haven Country Club, Alexandria. Email ACS President Donna Kamm at dmbk99@gmail.com.
Multicultural Showcase to Celebrate Black History Month. 5-9 p.m. Free. Special guests and performers: Mayor William Euille, D.C. Step Team, Unique Praise Dance, gospel singers, rappers, and other artists. At the Charles Houston Rec Center, 901 Wythe Street, Alexandria.
Tapas Tasting. 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. You may never serve cheese and crackers again! These delicious and varied little dishes are a centuries-old tradition in Spain and gaining in popularity here. $22. At Green Springs Gardens. Call 703-941-7987 to register.
Swordsmen's Rendezvous. 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Re-enactment of 18th-century swordplay and a display and discussion of 18th-century weapons. Swordsmen tours are scheduled every half hour between 11 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., with each tour lasting one hour. Admission is $6/person. Call 703-746-4242. At Gadsby's Tavern Museum, 134 North Royal St., Alexandria. Visit www.gadsbystavern.org
<cal1>Sunday, Feb. 21
<cal2>Separated? Divorced? Widowed? 5:30-8 p.m. The Rebuilding Program helps people who are separated, divorced or widowed and want to move on with their lives. $45 registration fee. Meets at St. Martin De Porres Center, Alexandria. Call Carie Schaffer at 703-519-1751.
St. Patrick's Day Parade Fund-Raiser. 4 p.m. At Pat Troy's Ireland's Own to support Alexandria's March 6 St. Patrick's Day Parade. Will include two pipe bands, a variety of entertainers, silent and loud auctions and a raffle.
A Celebration of African-American Art. 3 p.m. With Youtha Hardman-Cromwell and Friends, Joe Burden and Company, Alfred Street Baptist Church Voices of Triumph, Trinity Chancel Choir. At Trinity United Methodist Church, 2911 Cameron Mill Road, Alexandria. Call 703-549-5500 x103. Visit www.trinityalexandria.org.
Eclipse Chamber Orchestra. 3 p.m. David Teie's Flute Concerto, featuring soloist Alice Kogan Weinreb. Conducted by Music Director Sylvia Alimena and also features Schumann’s Overture, Scherzo and Finale and Schubert’s Symphony #4 in C Minor, D 47 "Tragic". General admission is $25, seniors $20, students $5. At the George Washington Masonic National Memorial, 101 Callahan Drive, Alexandria. Call 703-635-2770.
Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic. 7:30 p.m. Free admissions, donations accepted. (Rescheduled) Pre-concert lecture at 6:45 p.m. Ulysses S. James, Music Director. At T.C. Williams High School, 3330 King Street, Alexandria.
Marine Chamber Orchestra. 2 p.m. At the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall, NVCC, 3001 North Beauregard St., Alexandria. Call 703-845-6156 or www.schlesingercenter.com.
Bulbs as Companion Plants. 1:30-3pm. Whether starting a new garden or adding to an existing one, Brent Heath teaches you how to combine bulbs, perennials, annuals, ground covers and flowering shrubs to create just the feeling you want for four seasons in your garden. $10. At Green Springs Gardens. Call 703-642-5173 to register.
Jazz Jam. 7 p.m. Featuring the Rick Whitehead Trio. $10 admission, musicians $5. At the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, 2280 N. Beauregard St., Alexandria. Call 703-768-5821.
<cal1>Monday/Feb. 22
<cal2>Tavern Toddlers. 10:30 a.m. to noon. Open playtime in Gadsby's historic ballroom. For toddlers (walkers through 36 months) and their caregivers. Cost is $7 for a group of three, which must include one adult, or purchase a 5-week pass for $30. Call 703-746-4242. Or visit www.gadsbystavern.org.
<cal1>Tuesday/Feb. 23
<cal1>Introduction to Figure Drawing. 2-5 p.m. At the Del Ray Artisans gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria. $12/DRA members, $16/nonmembers. Space is limited; register by Feb. 19 at https://secure.delrayartisans.org/ssl/figuredraw.htm. Question? Katherine Rand at 703-836-1468 or katherine@katherinerand.com.
What is Classical Education? 7 p.m. Join Alexandria's Jr. K - 8th Classical Academy, Immanuel Lutheran School, for a program on Classical Education, featuring Dr. Gene Edward Veith Jr. Immanuel is located at 1801 Russell Road. Contact Peg Zensinger at margaret.zensinger@immanuelalexandria.org or 703-549-7323.
<cal1>Wednesday/Feb. 24
<cal2>The Rite of Calligraphy. 7 p.m. Lecture and demonstration with noted author and calligrapher Cecil H. Uyehara, who has lectured, demonstrated and exhibited his works at premier art galleries around the United States. At the Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union St. Alexandria. Call 703-838-4565, www.torpedofactory.org.
The Amazing Journey of the Red Knot. 7:30 p.m. Free. The speaker, Darin Schroeder of the American Bird Conservancy, will discuss the shorebird, the Red Knot, which makes one of the longest migrations in the world. Presented by The Friends of Dyke Marsh. At Huntley Meadows Park Visitors' Center, 3701 Lockheed Blvd., Alexandria. Call 703-768-2525.
<cal1>Thursday/Feb. 25
<cal2>Life on Death Row. 7-9 p.m. Free. Mr. Shujaa Graham will speak on his experience on death row for a crime he did not commit. Terri Steinberg, mother of a boy on death row in Virginia, will also speak. At Epiphany Lutheran Church, 5521 Old Mill Road, Alexandria. Call 703-768-2380.
Oscar Night Gala. 7-10 p.m. First annual gala benefitting the Center for Alexandria’s Children, a public private partnership dedicated to the elimination of child abuse in the City of Alexandria. At Belle Haven Country Club, 6023 Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria. Tickets are $125. Call 703-746-6008. Visit www.centerforalexandriaschildren.org.
<cal1>Friday/Feb. 26
<cal2>Celebrity Organ Concert. 8 p.m. Christophe Mantoux, titular Organist of the Church of Saint Séverin in Paris, France. At Grace Episcopal Church 3601 Russell Road, Alexandria. Admission is Free. Call 703-549-1980 or e-mail music.director@gracealex.org.
<cal1>Saturday/Feb. 27
<cal2>The Joy of Laughter Christian Comedy Show. 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $10/advance, $15/door, $5/children. Organized by Operation H.O.P.E & Funny Style Ent. At the George Washington Middle School, 1005 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria. Contact Dawud Rawlings at 571-274-8538.
Little Conductors Day. Timed admission is on the half-hour between 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Admission is $5 per child and free for caregivers. Children ages 3 through 7 will visit train activity stations, including operating Lego trains presented by the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area LEGO Train Club, a train-related craft, a train bean-bag toss, Thomas the Tank Engine play table, Lego play area, and a miniature train display. At The Lyceum. Call 703-746-4994 or www.alexandriahistory.org.
The Organ and Friends. 4 p.m. Featuring Victoria Shields, resident organist. At the Washington Street United Methodist Church, 115 S. Washington Street, Alexandria. Visit www.wsumc.com.
Michèle Choinière. 8 p.m. $20/general, $17/members. At The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St., Alexandria. Call Marty at 703-354-6460.
Teddy Bear Picnic. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost is $10/child. Children ages 7 to 11 should bring their favorite teddy bear or stuffed toy to the museum, where they will play traditional Victorian era games, learn about the history of the teddy bear, and enjoy a picnic lunch. At the Lee-Fendall House Museum and Garden. Go to the Web site at www.leefendallhouse.org.
Understanding Your Garden's Life Cycle. 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Learn to work with nature’s resources to develop a low maintenance urban retreat! At Green Springs Gardens. To register, call 703-642-5173. Registration: $45 Boxed Lunch: $12 additional. Call 703-642-5173 to register.
Kidsave Summer Miracles. 10-11:30 a.m. Attend info session to learn about helping/hosting orphans this summer. At the John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Dr., Alexandria. RSVP to castilloaa@gmail.com or 202-280-6331. www.kidsave.org.
<cal1>Feb. 27-28
<cal2>"Feeding Our Founding Fathers." 11 a.m. –12:30 p.m. Free. Lecture by culinary historian Michael Twitty at the Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe Street, Alexandria. Culinary historian Michael Twitty, a leading expert on African-American foodways, explores the role and work of enslaved African Americans in providing food to George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and James Monroe. Free! Call 703-746-4356.
Tea with Martha Washington. 3-4:30 p.m. The tea includes the museum’s blend of tea, pound cake, dried fruit, and assortment of cookies. Party attire is requested. Cost is $25 per person or $20 each for groups of six or more. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 703-746-4242. At Gadsby's Tavern Museum, 134 North Royal Street, Alexandria. Visit www.gadsbystavern.org.
<cal1>Sunday/Feb. 28
<cal2>NAACP Celebration of Black History Month. 2-4:30 p.m. Free. Guest speaker is Dr. Ronald Walters, known for his expertise on issues of African American leadership and politics. At the Charles Houston Recreation Center, 901 Wythe Street, Alexandria. Call 703-684-6190 or visit www.naacpalexandriava.org.
Annual Black History Month Lecture & Soul Food Tasting. 2–4 p.m. Guest speaker, Ron Waters, will discuss the 2010 Black History Month Theme "The History of Black Economic Empowerment." Following the lecture, guests will sample a variety of African-American traditional foods. Free! Call 703-746-4356. At Charles Houston Recreation Center, 901 Wythe Street, Alexandria.
The Wammies. 8 p.m. 24th Annual Wammie Awards. At The State Theatre, Falls Church. Tickets are $35/non WAMA members, $20/WAMA members, $15/Nominees. Go to www.wamadc.com or call 703-368-3300.
<cal1>Tuesday/March 2
<cal2>"Chicago," The Musical. 8 p.m. Proceeds benefit the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Inova Alexandria Hospital. Tickets are $25 and include desserts at intermission. Sponsored by the Board of Lady Managers of Inova Alexandria Hospital. Reservations recommended, 703-548-9485. At the Little Theatre of Alexandria, 600 Wolfe Street, Alexandria.
Striking Example — Local Slave Patrols and Slave Resistance. 6-8 p.m. Salon-style discussion series. Historian Terry Buckalew will discuss an 1840 confrontation between a county slave patrol and a group of local slaves that has been called "the most renowned patrol attack" by slaves in the history of the United States. At Morrison House, 116 South Alfred Street, Alexandria. Visit www.morrisonhouse.com or 703-838-8000.
<cal1>Friday/March 5
<cal2>World War II Lecture. With speaker U.S. Army Lieutenant Dee Paris, now 94, a World War II Tank Commander. Sponsored by the Mount Vernon Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society. At Sherwood Regional Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane, Alexandria. Contact Mike Everard, President, Harmony Heritage Singers, 703-941-1057, smartalexme@aol.com or Ron Brandt, publicity, 703-765-4779, brandtron@verizon.net
<cal1>Saturday/March 6
<cal2>Alexandria Choral Society. 8 p.m. Presents Pour l'amour de la Musique with Brian Gendron, Artistic Director. At Fairlington United Methodist Church, Alexandria. Cost is $10/ seniors, $20/adults over 13 years of age, children 12 and under are free. Visit www.AlexChoralSociety.org or info@AlexChoralSociety.org.
SOLA Ball. 6:30 p.m. to midnight. The 23rd Annual Symphony Orchestra League of Alexandria (SOLA) Ball. At the Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City, 1250 S. Hayes St., Arlington. Silent and live auctions, dinner and dancing. Prices: $150 for first-timers, $200 for others. Contact Jane Ring at 703-548-7454 or jring10@comcast.net. To purchase ASO concert tickets, contact the box office at 503-548-0885 or go to www.alexsym.org.
Black Opal Gala. 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. The 10th Anniversary Gala of the Northern Virginia Urban League Young Professionals Network (YPN). YPN engages area young professionals in the Urban League movement toward social and economic empowerment through community service, political awareness and professional development programs. Tickets are $60 until Feb. 15; $70 after. At the George Washington Masonic Memorial, 101 Callahan Drive, Alexandria. Contact Karen James, Director of Social Programs, social@nvulypn.org; 703-785-9762.
<cal1>March 6-7
<cal2>The 24th Annual Jazz & Tap Dance Festival. Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 4 p.m. At the Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale Campus Cultural Center, 8333 Little River Turnpike, Annandale. Tickets: $18 – In advance at: www.jatdf.org 1-800-595-4TIX ; $20 – At the door.
<cal1>Sunday/March 7
<cal2>Folk Festival. 2 p.m. By The United States Marine Band — The President's Own. With Percy Grainger and Dorothy Chang. At the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center, NVCC, Alexandria Campus.
<cal1>Thursday/March 11
<cal2>Bob Sima. 7 p.m. The warmth and sincerity of Bob's tone matched with his delicious words are a powerful pairing. At The Athenaeum, 201 Prince Street, Alexandria. Call 703-548-0035. Visit www.bobsima.com.
<cal1>Saturday/March 13
<cal2>Used Book Sale. Friends Book Sale. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Call 703-339-4610.
Alexandria Coin Show. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be 50 tables with U.S. coins and currency, world coins, banknotes, ancient coins, hobby books, gold, silver, medals, tokens and collectibles. Buy, Sell, Trade. Open to the public. Prizes and coins are given away for first 500 attendees. For more information visit the Alexandria Coin Club Web site at: www.members.cox.net/alexandriacoinclub. At the Hampton Inn & Suites, corner of I-495 Beltway and Route 1, Alexandria.
<cal1>Saturday/March 27
<cal2>"JUMPPIN 4 JESUS." First Annual Double Dutch Tournament fund-raiser. To benefit the return, updated, and revised educational stage production of "Nefertiti 18th Dynasty." Visit www.biblestoriestheatre.org
<cal1>Sunday/March 28
<cal2>The Dream Hour. 2 p.m. The U.S. Marine Band with Col. Michael J. Colburn conducting and Mark Shields, moderator. At the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center, NVCC, Alexandria Campus.
<cal1>Thursday/April 8
<cal2>Laura Baron. 7 p.m. Laura brings a poet's sensitivity to her writing and is known for the beauty of her voice and style of jazz. At The Athenaeum, 201 Prince Street, Alexandria. Call 703-548-0035. Visit www.laurabaronmusic.com.
<cal1>April 15, 16, 17
<cal2>Spring Garden Market. AHS Members' Night is Thursday, April 15 from 4-8 p.m. The public sale is Friday, April 16 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, April 17 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. At River Farm, 7931 East Boulevard Drive, Alexandria.
<cal1>April 16-17
<cal2>Flower Show. District II Garden Clubs "Carpe Diem — Seize the Day" Standard Flower Show. Sponsored by the American Horticulture Society. Friday, April 16 from 1:30-5 p.m. And Saturday, April 17 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. At River Farm, 7931 East Boulevard Drive, Alexandria.
<cal1>Sunday/April 18
<cal2>German Masterworks. 2 p.m. The U.S. Marine Band with Capt. Michelle Rakers, conducting. At the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center, NVCC, Alexandria Campus.
<cal1>Sunday/May 2
<cal2>Alexandria Running Festival. 7 a.m. Open to the first 1,500 runners of all ability levels. Aims to raise funds and awareness of the partner charities that work to improve the plight of children and families, locally and globally, including Haiti. Race course starts at near the Eisenhower Metro and covers the Eisenhower Avenue Corridor. Runners can register at www.mc-coop.org/arf or call 703-683-7500.
Man vs. Machine. 2 p.m. The President's Own U.S. Marine Band. With Col. Michael J. Colburn, conducting. At the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center, NVCC, Alexandria Campus.
<cal1>Tuesday/May 4
<cal2>Benefit Concert for Autism Speaks. Schubert Cello Quintet in C. At Episcopal High School, in Pendleton Hall in the Ainslie Arts Center, 1200 North Quaker Lane, Alexandria. Call 703-933-4135.
<cal1>Thursday/May 13
<cal2>Mateo Monk. 7 p.m. Performs on acoustic guitar and flute, as well as vocals. At The Athenaeum, 201 Prince Street, Alexandria. Call 703-548-0035. Visit myspace.com/mateomonk.
<cal1>Saturday/June 5
<cal2>Historic Alexandria Museum Gala. 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Rescheduled. Dining and dancing to Doc Scantlin and his Imperial Palms Orchestra. Tickets are $150/person or $300/sponsor. At the Holiday Inn Old town, 625 First Street in Alexandria. Visit www.historicalexandria.org or call the Office of Historic Alexandria at 703-746-4554.
<cal1>Thursday/June 10
<cal2>David Kitchen. 7 p.m. Known as a road warrior in the local DC area, Kitchen has honed his skills performing before live audiences on an almost nightly basis, working as a sideman on various projects as well as fronting his own bands. At The Athenaeum, 201 Prince Street, Alexandria. Call 703-548-0035. Visit myspace.com/davidkitchen.
<cal1>Oct. 9-10
<cal2>Old Town Alexandria Wine Festival. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is $35. Visitors will educate their palate with tastings of Virginia's locally grown world-class wine, and enjoy fine arts, fancy foods and culinary seminars. At the Crown Plaza Hotel, 901 North Fairfax, Alexandria. Email: donna@OldTownWineFestival.com or visit www.OldTownWineFestival.com