To have an item listed in the calendar, mail to Calendar Editor, 1604 King St., Alexandria, VA 22314; fax to 703-917-0991 or e-mail to gazette@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is Friday at noon for the following week’s paper. Photos and artwork encouraged. Unless otherwise noted, all events are in Alexandria. If you have any questions, call Elizabeth Orr at 703-917-6449.
<cal1>Thursday/Oct. 28
<cal2>Candlelight vigil against domestic violence. The Alexandria Alliance Against Domestic Violence will hold a candlelight vigil from 7-8 p.m. at Market Square at 301
King Street. At the vigil, the life-size silhouettes of 12 Alexandria women lost to domestic violence will be presented in front of Alexandria City Hall. Commonwealth's Attorney S. Randolph Sengel will be the featured speaker and family members of the slain women will also be present. The public is encouraged to attend. For more information about this and other activities during October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, call 703-838-4911.
“Unconstitutional: The War on Civil Liberties.” The American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia and its Northern Virginia Chapter will co-sponsor a screening of the newly released documentary "Unconstitutional: The War on Civil Liberties" at 7:30 p.m. at the Lyceum. Free.
Information Technology Seminar. The Hilton Hotel in Alexandria will hold an annual Joint Seminar hosted by the NAACP. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., the opening session at 9 a.m. The seminar is titled "Information Technology: Emerging Trends in Diverse Markets."
October Business Mixer. 5-7 p.m., at Paul Springs Retirement Community, 7116 Fort Hunt Road. Prizes awarded for best costumes; no cost. Refreshments, door prizes, networking. Organized by the Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber of Commerce; call 703-360-6925 for more information.
Stratford Landing Citizens’ Assn. Candidates’ Night. Debate between Congressman Tom Davis (R-11) and challenger Ken Longmyer. 8:45 p.m., at Stratford
Landing Elementary School Cafetorium, 8484 Riverside Drive.
<cal1>Friday/Oct. 29
<cal2>"The Importance of Being Earnest," performed by Aldersgate community Theatre. Directed by Adriana Hardy and produced by Dru Vander-Linden, performed in Wesley Hall at Aldersgate United Methodist Church at 1301 Collingwood Road. 8 p.m. $12 for adults, and $10 for students, and senior citizens age 65 and older. Call 703-799-7061. On-line performance ticket orders are available at www.presaleticketing.com
"Fall Back to Fantasy." A masked ball to benefit Community Lodgings, a group supporting independence for disadvantaged families. Tickets $35; reservations required. 7-10 p.m. at Marina Towers, 501 Slaters Lane. Call 703-549-4407.
Bishop Ireton Concert. The Bishop Ireton Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Concert band will present its fall concert, at 7:30 p.m., at the auditorium, Bishop Ireton High School, 201 Cambridge Road. Admission $3 adults, $1 children. Call 703-212-5162.
Awards Dinner. The Alexandria Chamber of Commerce 2004 Business Awards Dinner begins, at 6:30 p.m., at the Alexandria Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites. Cost is $75 per person, $140 per couple. Business attire. To register, call 703-549-7000 ext. 207 or visit www.alexchamber.com. Holiday Inn is located at 625 First St.
Ski Club of Washington, D.C. Twenties and Thirties Happy Hour. Chadwick's in Old Town Alexandria, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Call Don Brinker at dbrinker@pobox.com or 703-787-8449, or visit www.scwdc.org/TNT.asp.
Bishop Ireton Fall Concert. Admission $3 adults, $1 children under 12. 7:30 p.m., at Whaley Auditorium, Bishop Ireton High School, 201 Cambridge Road. Call 703-212-5162.
<cal1>Saturday/Oct. 30
<cal2>Annual Country Market. Games, pony rides, face painting, art & crafts, and the Outdoor Cafe for lunch. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Alexandria Country Day School, 2400 Russell Road,. Call 703-548-4804 or visit www.acdsnet.org.
Holiday Open House. Women of Excellence is hosting a holiday open house and skin care classes from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at Colecroft Station Party Suite, 505 E. Braddock Road. Proceeds to benefit the Whitman Walker Clinic. To RSVP or for more information contact Anna Bran at 703-400-5363
"The Importance of Being Earnest," performed by Aldersgate Community Theatre in Wesley Hall at Aldersgate United Methodist Church at 1301 Collingwood Road. 8 p.m. $12 for adults, and $10 for students, and senior citizens age 65 and older. Call 703-799-7061. Online performance ticket orders are available at www.presaleticketing.com
Halloween Party at Mount Vernon RECenter, 2017 Belle View Blvd., 12-2 p.m. Admission cost of $6.00 includes ice skating session (11:45-1:45), costume contest, face painting, candy corn guessing, games, pumpkin painting and much more. Chaperones are $1.50 each. Call 703-768-3224. Historic Hauntings: Night of Lost Souls. Family-friendly trick-or-treat tour of Market Square, Gadsby's Tavern Museum, and Carlyle House. Goodie bags for all, costumes encouraged. $10 adults, $5 children 12 and under. 7-10 p.m. Buy tickets online at www.gadsbystavern.org or call 703-838-4242 for more information.
Edgar Allen Poe Recitations. Actor David Keltz will perform recitations from "The Raven," "The Tell-Tale Heart," and other Poe classics at 8 p.m. at the Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St. Tickets, $12, required in advance; call 703-838-4994.
Halloween Scavenger Hunt. Face painting, spooky crafts, games, storytelling and more for ages 3-6. Come in costume. 5-8 p.m. at The Athenaeum, 201 Prince St. To RSVP or volunteer, e-mail reservation@nvfaa.org or call 703-548-0035.
Mall-O-Ween. Costumed children parade through Fair Oaks Mall at the 17th annual Mall-O-Ween from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Fair Oaks Shopping Center is located at the intersection of I-66 and Route 50, Fairfax. For more information visit www.ShopFairOaksMall.com or call 703-359-8302.
"Goblin Games." An afternoon of Halloween-themed games and activities for children aged 2-7, hosted by the Alexandria Jaycees. Free; donations welcome. Games will include "Bowling for Bones," "Pin the Wart on the Witch," "Skeleton Toss" and a coloring station. 1-5 p.m., at the Nannie J. Lee Memorial Recreation Center, 1108 Jefferson St. Call 703-866-7171.
Mask-Scara. A Halloween party and mask art fund-raiser, organized by the Del Ray Artisans. Costumes, music, prizes, food and drink. $20 per person. 7:30-11:30 p.m., at the Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon
Ave. Call 703-304-9281.
Howl-oween. Sponsored by Mount Vernon Area DOG; Fund-raiser to support construction of an Off-Leash Dog Area at Grist Mill Park. 1-3 p.m., at Mount Vernon Government Center, 2511 Parkers Lane. Costume and other prizes. Entry fee $10 per dog. Call 703-360-6305.
Fall Fest. St. Louis School holds a Fall Fest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Activities include carnival games, bingo, pumpkin decorating, face painting, moon bounce, bake sale, raffles, cake walk, car wash, Haunted Hall, book fair, food and drink sales, and a Halloween costume parade. St. Louis is located at 901 Popkins Lane. Call 703-768-7732.
Historic Hauntings Tour. Hear stories of unexplained events, tragic stories and some of the more peculiar stories behind Alexandria's best known landmarks. The tour leaves Market Square at 7 p.m. and returns at 10 p.m. Tickets cost $10 for adults, and $5 for kids 12 and under. Costumes are encouraged. Tickets are available the day of the event beginning at 5 p.m. or online at www.HistoricAlexandria.org. Call 703-838-4242.
<cal1>Sunday/Oct. 31
<cal2>"The Importance of Being Earnest," performed by Aldersgate Community Theatre in Wesley Hall at Aldersgate United Methodist Church at 1301 Collingwood Road. 3 p.m. $12 for adults, and $10 for students, and senior citizens age 65 and older. Call 703-799-7061. On-line performance ticket orders are available at www.presaleticketing.com
Edgar Allen Poe Recitations. Actor David Keltz will perform recitations from "The Raven," "The Tell-Tale Heart," and other Poe classics at 8 p.m. at the Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St. Tickets, $12, required in advance; call 703-838-4994.
Beth El Hebrew Congregation Candidates’ Forum. Debate between Congressman Tom Davis (R-11) and challenger Ken Longmyer. 10:30 a.m., at 3830 Seminary Road.
Shipbuilder Ceremony. A ceremony to celebrate the installation of the Shipbuilder, a 7-foot bronze statue of a 19th century rigger atop a 3-foot elaborately carved granite base, will be held from 12:30 -1:15 p.m. Mayor Bill Euille and members of the Alexandria City Council will participate. The ceremony will be held at Waterfront Park, Old Town Alexandria.
<cal1>Monday/Nov. 1
<cal2>Author Discussion. Bill Gavin, author of "One Hell of a Candidate: A Novel of Politics," discusses his work. 7:30 p.m. at Kingstowne Library, 6500 Lansdowne Centre. Free. Call 703-339-4610.
<cal1>Wednesday, Nov. 3
<cal2>Scavenger Hunt. For ages 3-5. Go hunting for yellow and red leaves, make an autumn collage and learn about local colorful leaves. $5 fee. 1-2 p.m., at Green Spring Gardens Park, 4603 Green Spring Road, Visit www.greenspring.org or call 703-646-5173.
<cal1>Thursday/Nov. 4
<cal2>“A Fair To Remember.” Holiday Auction, Sale, & Luncheon hosted by the Springfield/Alexandria Women's Connection. 10:15 a.m. at Ft. Belvoir Officers' Club. Auctioneer Frank Bolton, speaker Maye Jespen. $12 per person including lunch and child care; reservations required by Nov. 1. Call Barbara at 703-619-0496 or Deniece at 703-451-0677, or email springalexwmnconn@msn.com.
eBay Holiday Shopping Workshop. Certified eBay trainer will discuss tips and techniques on how to find that perfect Holiday gift at a great value on eBay. Workbooks provided. No computer experience required. 7-9 p.m., City of Alexandria-Lee Center, Room: Gold 2, 1108 Jefferson St. Free. Call 703-370-9859.
Campagna Center's Business Leadership Council. Featuring guest speaker Bill Shore, founder of anti hunger organization Share our Strength, who will discuss his new book "The Light of Conscience, How A Simple Act Can Change Your Life." 8:15 a.m., at the Campagna Center, 418 S. Washington St. Call Elizabeth Garstecki at 703-549-0111, ext. 107.
Scavenger Hunt. For ages 3-5. Go hunting for yellow and red leaves, make an autumn collage and learn about local colorful leaves. $5 fee. 10-11 a.m., at Green Spring Gardens Park, 4603 Green Spring Road. Visit www.greenspring.org or call 703-646-5173.
Walk for Homeless. The United Community Ministries hold a Mini-Walk for the Homeless from 3:30-7 p.m. Participants are invited to come anytime and walk for 30 minutes. Proceeds go toward helping various programs that help to end homelessness in the community. Call Eileen McNally at 703-768-7106 ext. 327.
<cal1>Friday/Nov. 5
<cal2> Del Ray Dozen Invitational Photography Show Featuring the work of fifteen photographers, including a wide variety of works with subjects ranging from landscapes, abstracts and international locations to flowers, and Jen Chappell’s Icelandic graffiti series. 7-10 p.m at the DRA gallery space located in the Nicholas A. Colasanto Center at 2704 Mount Vernon Ave. Free. Call 703-83-4827 or visit www.radiodelray.com/artisan.
"A Passion for Fashion." Fall fashion show, organized by the Board of Lady Managers of Inova Alexandria Hospital, to benefit Inova Alexandria Hospital's Cardiovascular Services. Music, silent auction and fashions by Talbot's of Old Town. Admission $35. 11 a.m. at the Hilton Mark Center, 500 Seminary Road. Call 703-836-8853.
"The Magical World of Children's Book Illustrators." Book signing by Patrick O'Brien, water expressions by Robert F. Murray and works by other illustrators. 5-8 p.m., at Art and Framing by Valentino, 7916 Fort Hunt Road. Call 703-7668-9300.
Unusual Holiday Arrangements. A class on fresh holiday arrangements by floral designer Chris Polychronis. $12 fee. 1-3 p.m., at Green Spring Gardens Park, 4603 Green Spring Road. Visit www.greenspring.org or call 703-646-5173.
<cal1>SATURDAY/NOV. 6
<cal2>Park Tour. The Belle View Condominium Association and the Friends of Westgrove Park hold a tour of Westgrove Park from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Participants will meet, at 10 a.m., at the gate on Fort Hunt Road. Westgrove Park is located off Fort Hunt Road, south of the Belle View Elementary School.
"The Magical World of Children's Book Illustrators." Book signing by Patrick O'Brien, water expressions by Robert F. Murray, and works by other illustrators. 11 a.m.-5 p.m., at Art and Framing by Valentino, 7916 Fort Hunt Road. Call 703-7668-9300.
All Schools Rally for Families. All parents and families are invited to help discuss the programs offered by each school. Door prizes, children's activities and entertainment by students. 8:30 a.m.-noon, at George Washington Middle School. Call 703-824-6639.
18th-Century Swordplay. Join Gadsby's Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St., for a program on swordplay, featuring a re-enactment, audience participation and a display and discussion of 18th century weapons. All ages; one-hour program repeated from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. $5 per person, reservations requested. Visit www.gadsbystavern.org or call 703-838-4242.
Winter Container Workshop. Learn how to enhance a patio, deck or entrance with a container filled with winter-hardy plants from Mary Frogale, Green Spring's propagation horticulturist. $48 fee. 10-11:30 a.m., at Green Spring Gardens Park, 4603 Green Spring Road, Visit www.greenspring.org or call 703-646-5173.
Scavenger Hunt. For ages 3-5. Go hunting for yellow and red leaves, make an autumn collage and learn about local colorful leaves. $5 fee. 10-11 a.m., at Green Spring Gardens Park, 4603 Green Spring Road. Visit www.greenspring.org
or call 703-646-5173.
Gord-eous Gourds. Learn history and folklore about these garden fruits, then fashion a gourd with an original design. For children 5 and up and their families. $15 fee 2-3 p.m., at Green Spring Gardens Park, 4603 Green Spring Road. Visit www.greenspring.org or call 703-646-5173.
Fall Fantasy Auction. Live and silent auction of collectibles, art, services, event tickets, vacation houses, restaurant vouchers and more. Food, beverages and entertainment. $10. 7-9 p.m., at Grace Episcopal Church, 3601 Russell Road. Visit www.gracealex.org or call 703-549-1980.
<cal1>Sunday/Nov. 7
<cal2>Civil War Storytime. For children ages 4 to 8 and their families at Fort Ward Museum at 2 p.m. Admission is free, reservations are recommended. Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site is located at 4301 W. Braddock Road. Call 703-838-4848.
New Dominion Chorale. The 230-voice chorale and orchestra will perform Thomas Beveridge's "Yizkor Requiem" and Schubert's "Song of Miriam," 4 p.m., at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center, 3001 N. Beauregard St. Tickets in advance $22 adults, $18 seniors, $15 students; prices at the door $2 higher. For tickets, call 703-442-9404 or visit www.newdominion.org.
Artists' Opening Reception. The Waterford Weavers Guild exhibits its works at Historic Green Spring Garden. 1-3 p.m., at Green Spring Gardens Park, 4603 Green Spring Road. Visit www.greenspring.org or call 703-646-5173.