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 Miguel Koropecky at 703-917-6407.
<cal1>Thursday/April 14
<cal2>18th Century Dance Class at the Gadsby’s Tavern museum, 134 N. Royal Museum. 7:30-9:30 p.m. Reservation is recommended. $12 per class. Call 703-838-4242.
Plant a Little Seed at the Sherwood Library, 2501 Sherwood Lane. 11 a.m. For children ages 3-6 with an adult. Stories, activities and crafts. Registration is required. Call 703-765-3645.
Nature Detectives - Backyard Birds at the Huntley Meadows Visitor Center, 3701 Lockheed Blvd. For children ages 3-5. 9:30-10:15 a.m. or 10:45-11:30 a.m. $5. Registration is required. Call 703-768-2525.
Swamp Serenade at the Huntley Meadows Visitor Center, 3701 Lockheed Blvd. For children age 5 and up. 7:15-8:45 p.m. Reservation is required. $5 per family. Call 703-768-2525.
The Danzamarina Spanish Dance Company will perform El Mundo Flamenco de Don Quixote (The Flamenco World of Don Quixote) at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center. The free performance is part of Celebration of Diversity Week on the Alexandria Campus of Northern Virginia Community College . The event will start at 11 a.m. and take place at 3001 N. Beauregard Street, Alexandria. Call Dr. Margarita E. Hodge at 703-845-6586 or email nvhodgem@nvcc.edu.
Second Thursday Art Night: Focus on Ceramics at the Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Royal St. 6-9 p.m. Demonstrations and activities with clay artists. Sponsored by the American Turkish Association of Washington, D.C. Free and open to the public. Call 703-838-4565, ext. 4 or visit www.torpedofactory.org.
<cal1>Friday/April 15
<cal2>"Fences," presented by Port City Playhouse, at 8 p.m. at the Lee Center, 1108 Jefferson St. The play speaks to the Black experience in America. $12; seniors and students are $10, and groups of 10 or more are $9. Visit www.portcityplayhouse.com or call 703-838-2880.
Senior Services Gala: "Honoring the Best," held by
Senior Services of Alexandria at the Radisson Hotel Old Town, 901 Fairfax St. Reservations and honor donations for the dinner-dance can be made by calling Senior Services at 703-836-4414, ext. 2, or Susan Winn at 703-370-9651.
Spring Start-Up: Planting Cool Weather Annuals, Perennials, Fertilizing and Watering at the Green Spring Gardens Park, 4601 Green Spring Road. 1:30-2:30 p.m. For adults. $10. Call 703-642-5173.
“Once Upon a Mattress” with the Mount Vernon Community Children’s Theatre at Carl Sandburg School, 8428 Fort Hunt Road. 7:30 p.m. A musical comedy based on “The Princess and the Pea.” Cost: $10. For tickets and information, call 703-360-0686.
<cal1>Saturday/April 16
<cal2>The Ark of Art Open Studio Show. Von Brahler Ltd./Gallery at 1437 Powhatan St. 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Call 703-798-8686.
Concert: Music of the Masters with the Alexandria Choral Society Children’s Chorus at Fairlington United Methodist Church, 3900 King St. 8 p.m. For tickets, call 703-548-4734 or visit www.alexchoralsociety.org.
Spring Bus Tour: Brandy Station Battlefield, near Culpeper, Va., with the Friends of Fort Ward. Departure 7:30 a.m. Return 5 p.m. The guide will be Virginia Beard Morton, author of the Civil War novel “Walking Through Culpeper.” Cost: $80 for members, $90 for non-members, including transportation, box lunch, beverages and admission fees. Participants should wear comfortable walking shoes. The tour involves moderate walking. Registration deadline is April 13. Call 703-838-4848.
Spring Flowering Trees & Shrubs at the Green Spring Gardens Park, 4603 Green Spring Road. 10-11:30 a.m. For adults. With Betsy Washington, George Washington University’s Woody Plant instructor. Cost: $10. Reservation is required. Call 703-642-5173 or visit www.greenspring.org.
Try-It Totally: Watching Wildlife at the Green Spring Gardens Park, 4603 Green Spring Park. 19-10:30 a.m. or 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Cost: $10 per scout, non-refundable prepayment. Reservation is required. Call 703-642-5173 or visit www.greenspring.org.
Green Spring Gardens Market at the Green Spring gardens Park, 4603 Green Spring Road. 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Call 703-642-5173 or visit www.greenspring.org.
"Fences," presented by Port City Playhouse, at 8 p.m. at the Lee Center, 1108 Jefferson St. The play speaks to the Black experience in America. $12; seniors and students are $10, and groups of 10 or more are $9. Visit www.portcityplayhouse.com or call 703-838-2880.
Morning Bird Walk at the Dora Kelley Nature Park. For adults. 9-10 a.m. With a birding expert. Binoculars and a pocket field guide to birds are provided. Reservations required. Call 703-838-4829.
Friends of Fort Ward Bus Tour, a guided excursion, to the Brandy Station Battlefield near Culpeper. $80 for members of the Friends of Fort Ward and $90 for non-members. The tour fee includes transportation, a box lunch, and admission fees. The tour will leave Fort Ward Museum at 7:30 a.m. and return at approximately 5 p.m. Registration Deadline is Wednesday, April 13; call 703-838-4848.
Carlyle House Garden Day Herb Sale at 121 N. Fairfax St. from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. 10 percent discount on garden items in the Carlyle House Gift Shop. Colonial games for children. Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia Plant Clinic from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Grand Ball at the Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St. 8-11 p.m., warm-ups at 7:30 p.m. After-five attire recommended, 1780s costume encouraged. $30 in advance, $40 at the door. Call 703-838-4242.
Hands-On Science Day at the Thomas Jefferson High School, Biology Society, 6560 Braddock Road. For elementary school children. Three sessions. The first session is reserved for children with special needs. Session A: 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Session B: 12:30-2:30 p.m. Session C: 3-5 p.m. Sign up at http://activities.tjhsst/edu/niosociety/hos/. E-mail HandsOnScienceDay2005@gmail.com.
Poetry: James Scott at the John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive. 2 p.m. For all ages. Free. Registration is required. Call 703-971-0010.
Black Authors Book Discussion Group: “The Blacker the Berry” by Wallace Thurman at the Sherwood Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane. 10:30 p.m. For adults. Registration required. Call 703-765-3645.
Brownies: Try-it Totally - Wildlife at the Green Spring Gardens Park, 4601 Green Spring Road. 9-10:30 a.m. or 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Reservation and advanced payment are required. $10 per scout. Call 703-642-5173.
“Once Upon a Mattress” with the Mount Vernon Community Children’s Theatre at Carl Sandburg School, 8428 Fort Hunt Road. 7:30 p.m. A musical comedy based on “The Princess and the Pea.” Cost: $10. For tickets and information, call 703-360-0686.
Community Yard Sale with the Alexandria Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees) in the parking lot of the Anthony Lane Elementary School, 7137 Beulah St. 7 a.m. - 3 p.m. Sellers are welcome for $15 per space. Sellers may sell anything legal except food and drinks that are sold by the Jaycees. Free for buyers. Call 703-866-7171 or visit www.alexjaycees.org.
Historic Garden Week in Virginia 2005: Alexandria Tour, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Owners of six of Old Town’s finest homes and gardens will open the doors. Cost: $30 for full ticket, including all six houses and gardens, two churches, refreshments at the Carlyle House and admission to nearby historic properties. Single house and garden admission is $5. Full ticket for children under 12 is $12, single admission is $3. Advance tickets are available at The Ramsay House, 221 King St. and on www.VAGardenweek.org. Call 703-838-4200.
Breakfast Reachout Meeting with the Arlington Aglow at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 3439 Payne St., Bailey’s Crossroads. 9:15 a.m. Speaker: Charlotte Kohlhaas. Breakfast is provided. A donation of $3.25 is requested. All women are welcome to attend. Reservation is required. Call 703-671-9264.
An Evening of Poetic Reflections hosted by poet and playwright Kwame Alexander at the Plaza Condo Community at 801 N. Howard St. 7-10 p.m. Live jazz, light refreshments and networking in support of literacy in the Washington, D.C., metro area. A $10 donation is appreciated. Limited seating. Reservation is recommended. E-mail hughfilmaker@aol.com.
<cal1>Sunday/April 17
<cal2>"Living Wreaths," with horticulturist Nancy Olney presented by Green Spring Gardens, from 9:30-11 a.m., at 4603 Green Spring Road. Moss, annuals and soil provided; bring patience and exuberance. $35 to attend. Call 703-642-5173 for reservations.
Music of the Masters: Alexandria Choral Society Children’s Chorus at the Fairlington UMC, 3900 King St. 5 p.m. Featuring Handel, Mozart, Dvorák, Britten and Vaughan Williams. Visit www.alexchoralsociety.org.
Moving! at the Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Center. 10:30 a.m. For children ages 13-23 months with an adult. Registration is required. Call 703-339-4610.
Time for Twos: April Showers at the Sherwood Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane. 11 a.m. For children age 2 with an adult. Rainy day stories, fingerplays and activities. Registration is required. Call 703-765-3645.
Historic Garden Week in Virginia: Leesburg and Windy Hill Plant Farm at the Green Spring Gardens Park, 4601 Green Spring Road. 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Cost: $82, including transportation, admission, lunch and driver tip. Reservation is required. Call 703-642-5173.
Mount Vernon Crop Walk will help the local community and aid Tsunami Relief Efforts. All churches, civic or business groups welcome. 1:30 p.m. Part of the proceeds from this walk will benefit UCM. Call Sidoux Mitchell at 703-360-4659 or Suzanne Lepple at 703-768-0462.
“Once Upon a Mattress” with the Mount Vernon Community Children’s Theatre at the Carl Sandburg School, 8428 Fort Hunt Road. 3 p.m. A musical comedy based on “The Princess and the Pea.” Cost: $10. For tickets and information, call 703-360-0686.
“Spring Thaw” at the Von Brahler Ltd./Gallery, 1437 Powhatan St. 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Featuring fine landscape and floral paintings by Nikolai Antuychin and “Andreev” from Moscow. Register before April 15. Call 703-798-8686.
Special Event: “Eastern into West” at the Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Royal St. 3-6 p.m. Featuring folktales, dancing, music and storytelling for children and adults. Performance of the Greater Washington Area Turkish Music and Choral Society at 4 p.m., and of the D.C. Folk Dance troupe at 5 p.m. Free and open to the public. Call 703-838-4565, ext. 4, or visit www.torpedofactory.org.
<cal1>Monday/ April 18
<cal2>Singer/songwriter Vonda Shepard, known for her role on the Fox series "Ally McBeal" will be performing on Monday, April 18 at the Birchmere, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave. 703-549-7500. Visit www.birchmere.com.
The Mount Vernon Toastmasters Club meets at the Sherwood Regional Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane., at
7:30 p.m., the first and third Mondays of each month. Guests are welcome and may participate in "table topics." Call 202-861-5370 or e-mail mtvernontm@yahoo.com.
<cal1>Tuesday/April 19
<cal2>"Fences," presented by Port City Playhouse, at 8 p.m. at the Lee Center, 1108 Jefferson St. The play speaks to the Black experience in America. $12; seniors and students are $10, and groups of 10 or more are $9. Visit www.portcityplayhouse.com or call 703-838-2880.
Lecture: “His First Testing Ground: George Washington and the French and Indian War” at the Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St. With Dr. Peter Henriques, historian and professor emeritus at George Mason University. 7:30 p.m. $12. Call 703-838-4242.
Friends Membership Meeting for the Friend of the John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive. 7 p.m. For adults. Registration is required. Call 702-971-0010.
Mount Vernon Genealogical Society (MVGS) Meeting at 1 p.m. in the Hollin Hall Senior Center, 1500 Shenandoah Road, Room 112. The topic will be "New England Research: A Done Deal." Free; open to the public. Call Harold McClendon at 703-360-0920 or visit http://www.mindspring.com/~mvgs.
<cal1>Wednesday/April 20
<cal2>Volunteer Meeting, 7-8 p.m. in the cafeteria of West Potomac High School, 6500 Quander Road, for those wishing to help plan the senior All-Night Graduation Celebration (ANGC). This chaperoned, alcohol/drug-free event allows graduating seniors to celebrate safely in an all-the-fun-they-can-stand environment. This year's party will be June 23, at Dave and Busters in White Flint Mall, Maryland. Call Beth Barrera at 703-360-6805, Susan Cambon at 703-799-0532 or Jerri Vlasho at 703-780-1952.
Success by Eight Program at Waynewood Elementary School, 1205 Waynewood Blvd. at 7 p.m. in the school cafeteria. An informational question and answer session for rising kindergartners and their parents about kindergarten related programs.
Workshop: Smart Women Finish Rich with the Women’s Center and United Community Ministries (UCM) of Alexandria at the UCM, 7511 Fordson Road. 7-9 p.m. With Deanda Arnett, certified financial planner. $25 for Centre Circle Donors, $35 for the general public. Call 703-281-2657 or visit www.thewomenscenter.org.
Children Are Funny at the John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive. 10:30 p.m. For children ages 2-5 with an adult. Stories, crafts and activities. Registration is required. Call 703-971-0010.
Book Discussion: “The Dive from Clausen’s Pier” by Ann Packer at the John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive. For adults. 7:15 p.m. Registration is required. Call 703-971-0010.
Books Alive! at the Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Center. 4 p.m. For children ages 6-12. No registration is required. Call 703-339-4610.
Natural Wonders: Rain at the Martha Washington Library, 6614 Fort Hunt Road. 10:30 a.m. For children ages 3-5 with an adult. Registration is required. Call 703-768-6700.
Introduction to the Microsoft Access at the Sherwood Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane. 7 p.m. For adults. Participants must know how to use the mouse and keyboard. Registration is required. Call 703-765-3645.
Parent Coffee at Mount Vernon High School, 8515 Old Mount Vernon Road, from 8-9:30 a.m. in the Media Center for the parents and guardians of rising ninth graders. Parents can meet the current administration and student representatives. Call 703-619-3258.
<cal1>Thursday/April 21
<cal2>Garden Sprouts - Amazing Ants at the Green Spring Gardens Park, 4603 Green Spring Road. For children ages 3-5. 10-11 a.m. or 1-2 p.m. Cost: $5. Reservation is required. Call 703-642-5173 or visit www.greenspring.org.
18th Century Dance Class at the Gadsby’s Tavern museum, 134 N. Royal Museum. 7:30-9:30 p.m. Reservation is recommended. $12 per class. Call 703-838-4242.
Just Twos at the Martha Washington Library, 6614 Fort Hunt Road. 10:30 a.m. For children ages 24-35 months with an adult. Registration is required. Call 703-768-6700.
Poetry Group: E.E. Cummings at the Martha Washington Library, 6614 Fort Hunt Road. 7 p.m. For adults. No registration is required. Call 703-768-6700.
Books & Music at the Sherwood Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane. 10:30 a.m. For children ages 0-2 with an adult. Techniques for sharing books, singing and music with babies. Registration is required. Call 703-765-3645.
Spring Fling Fashion Show at the Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 1301 Collingswood Road. 10 a.m. All proceeds will be donated to United Community Ministries (UCM). All clothes come from the UCM Back Porch Thrift Shop and may be purchased after the show. Free, but a love offering for UCM will be requested. Childcare is available. Call 703-360-0197.
Garden Sprouts - Amazing Ants at the Green Spring Gardens Park, 4601 Green Spring Road. For children ages 3-5. 10-11 a.m. or 1-2 p.m. Registration and advanced payment are required. $5. Call 703-642-5173.
Dinner and Auction with the Alexandria Chapter of Ducks Unlimited at Mount Vernon Country Club, 5111 Old Mount Vernon Road. 6 p.m. Call 703-768-0515 or 703-660-9220.
Special Demonstration: Painting Flowers in Watercolor with Alice Kale, at the Del Ray Artisans Gallery, Nicholas A. Colasanto Center, 2704 Mount Vernon Ave. 7-9 p.m. A part of Del Ray Artisans Spring All Member Show. Call 703-838-4827 or visit www.delrayartisans.org.
Parker-Gray Alumni Monthly Meeting at the Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe St. 4 p.m. Call 703-838-4356 or visit www.alexblackhistory.org.
<cal1>Friday/April 22
<cal2>Vegetable Gardening in Containers at the Green Spring Gardens Park, 4603 Green Spring Road. 1-3 p.m. For adults. With Cindy Brown, staff horticulturist. Cost: $35, including container, plants, potting soil and instructions. Reservation is required. Call 703-642-5173 or visit www.greenspring.org.
"Fences," presented by Port City Playhouse, at 8 p.m. at the Lee Center, 1108 Jefferson St. The play speaks to the Black experience in America. $12; seniors and students are $10, and groups of 10 or more are $9. Visit www.portcityplayhouse.com or call 703-838-2880.
Trip to Poplar Hill in Clinton, Md. with the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program. Departure at 9:30 a.m. from the Church of the Latter-Day Saints, 2810 King St., and return at 2 p.m. Cost: $35 for members, $40 for guests. Call 703-549-1607.
Vegetable Gardening in Containers at the Green Spring Gardens Park, 4601 Green Spring Road. 1-3 p.m. With Cindy Brown, staff horticulturist. $35, including container, plants, potting soil and instruction. Call 703-642-5173.
Café Cattail at the Huntley Meadows Visitor Center, 3701 Lockheed Blvd. 7-9:30 p.m. Musicians, dancers and poets. Reservation is required for performers only. Free. Call 703-768-2525.
'Don't Speak My Mother's Name in Vain,' a one-woman show performed by artist, poet, and storyteller Reanae McNeal. 7 p.m. at Minnie Howard School, 3801 West Braddock Road. Tickets may be purchased for $10 in advance or $15 at the door. Call the Office on Women 703-838-5030. Visit www.alexwomen.com.
“Once Upon a Mattress” with the Mount Vernon Community Children’s Theatre at Carl Sandburg School, 8428 Fort Hunt Road. 7:30 p.m. A musical comedy based on “The Princess and the Pea.” Cost: $10. For tickets and information, call 703-360-0686.
Reception and Art Show: “Unrehearsed Photography” by Iranian Theatre Photographer Fataneh Dadkhah at the Durant Arts Center, 1605 Cameron St., Alexandria, 6:30-9 p.m. Free and open to the public, donations are welcome. Registration is required. Call 703-778-3799 or e-mail cfripp@aol.com.
<cal1>Saturday/April 23
<cal2>Citizen of the Year Gala at the Mount Vernon Council of Citizens’ Associations, Fort Belvoir Golf Club. Visit www.mvcca.org
Workshop: Weeds - Identification & Removal at the Green Spring Gardens Park, 4603 Green Spring Road. 10-11:30 a.m. For adults. With Brenda Skarphol, staff horticulturist. Cost: $10. Reservation is required. Call 703-642-5173 or visit www.greenspring.org.
Family Fun-Mosaic Madness at the Green Spring Gardens Park, Green Spring Road. For children age 5 and up, with families. 2-3:30 p.m. Cost: $15. Reservation is required. Call 703-642-5173 or visit www.greenspring.org.
Green Spring Gardens Market at the Green Spring gardens Park, 4603 Green Spring Road. 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Call 703-642-5173 or visit www.greenspring.org.
"Fences," presented by Port City Playhouse, at 8 p.m. at the Lee Center, 1108 Jefferson St. The play speaks to the Black experience in America. $12; seniors and students are $10, and groups of 10 or more are $9. Visit www.portcityplayhouse.com or call 703-838-2880.
Lecture: “Understanding the Historical Role of Spirits Through George Washington’s Distillery” with Eleanor Breen at the Alexandria Archaeology Museum, 105 N. Union St., Studio 327. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Free; open to the public. Reservation is required. Call 703-838-4399.
Birding at South King’s Highway with Huntley Meadows Visitor Center, 3701 Lockheed Blvd. For adults. 7-10 a.m. Canceled if rain. Free. Reservation is required. Call 703-768-2525.
Concert: Kurgan’s Bane and Encompass with the Society of Art Rockers at the Old Town Theater, 815 1/2 King St., Alexandria, 10 p.m. Cost: $10. Visit www.dc-soar.org or www.oldtowntheater.com.
Annual Croquet Garden Party at the Lee-Fendall House Museum, 614 Oronoco St., Alexandria 1-4 p.m. Cost: Advanced tickets: $12 for adults and $4 for children. On the day of the event: $15 for adults and $5 for children. Call 703-548-1789 or visit www.LeeFendallHouse.org.
18th Century Grand Ball in the historic ballroom of the Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St., Alexandria. 7-11 p.m. live music, special Queen’s cake and dessert collation, period gaming and cash bar. Formal attire or 1770s dress is encouraged. Cost: $50. Reservation is required. Call 703-838-4242 or visit www.gadsbystavern.org.