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/April 19
18th Century English Country Dance Classes. 7:30-9:30 p.m. Gadsby's Tavern Museum. 134 North Royal Street, Alexandria. Dance Master Corky Palmer teaches dances that were popular in George Washington's era in the very ballroon where that famour first president danced with Martha. A fun way to prepare for the 18th Century Grand Ball on Saturday, April 21. $30. Registration required, 703-838-4242.
Poetry Readings . Olsson's is holding poetry readings by customers in honor of April being Poetry Month at 7 p.m. at Olsson's Alexandria, 106 S. Union St. Free. 703-684-0077.
English Practice. 7 p.m. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Conversation group for people learning English. Adults. Registration 703-971-0010.
Just Twos. 10:30 a.m. Martha Washington Library, 6614 Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria. Stories and activities. Ages 24-35 months with adult. Registration 703-768-6700.
Technology Talks. 2 p.m. Sherwood Regional Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane, Alexandria. Learn about new phone services like VOIP, Skype and GSM. Registration 703-765-3645
Poetry Group. 7 p.m. Martha Washington Library, 6614 Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria. Poems by Frank O'Hara. 703-768-6700.
Garden Sprouts: Earth Day Celebration. 9:30-10:30 a.m. or 11 a.m.-noon at Green Spring Garden, 4603 Green Spring Road. Children 3-5 years with adult(s) can celebrate Earth Day with poetry and face painting. Then make a play dough planet of your own. $5. 703-642-5173 or visit www.greenspring.org.
Shop For a Cure. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at St. Aidan's Episcopal Church, 8531 Riverside Road. There will jewelry, children's books, food, soaps and more. Money raised will benefit the National Mucopolysacharidosis Society. For more information, please contact the event chairperson, Margo Anderson at 703-619-0125 or via e-mail OBNurse15@hotmail.com.
Luncheon. The Army Officers' Wives Club of the Greater Washington Area Luncheon is at 10:30 am at the Fort Myer Officer's Club in the Koran Ballroom on Fort Myer. $18/person. Reservations with payment should be mailed no later than Friday, April 13 to Val Gass at 2306 Creek Drive, Alexandria, VA, 22308. Cancellations must be made by phone. Contact Val Gass at 703-780-5664.
Friday/April 20
Growing Native...In the Shade. 1:30-3 p.m. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria. Staff horticulturist, Brenda Skarphol, gives pointers and an introduction on how to grow beautiful and colorful spring natives. $15. Registration required, 703-642-5173.
Knitting for Beginners. 12:30 p.m. Martha Washington Library, 6614 Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria. Bring your own supplies. Adults. Registration 703-768-6700.
Lunch Bunch. Noon. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Bring your lunch and join us for stories. Ages Birth-5 with adult. Registration 703-971-0010.
Earth Day, Birthday! 10:30 a.m. Sherwood Regional Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane, Alexandria. Stories and activities about taking care of the earth. Ages 4-5 with adult. Registration 703-765-3645
Spring Gala. Hosted by UCM, from 7:30-11 p.m. at Belle Haven Country Club, 6023 Ft. Hunt Road. $125/person includes cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, magic, music and dancing with an auction. 703-765-8702 or 703-768-7106 ext. 346.
Garden Program. 1:30-3pm. at Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road. Brenda Skarphol, staff horticulturalist, introduces participants to the world of spring natives and gives pointers on how to grow them. $15. 703-642-5173 or visit www.greenspring.org.
Shop For a Cure. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at St. Aidan's Episcopal Church, 8531 Riverside Road. There will jewelry, children's books, food, soaps and more. Money raised will benefit the National Mucopolysacharidosis Society. For more information, please contact the event chairperson, Margo Anderson at 703-619-0125 or via e-mail OBNurse15@hotmail.com.
Plant Extravaganza. 1-3 p.m. at Winterthur Museum Store, 207 King St. Learn how to arrange flowers. Free. Visit www.winterthur.org or 703-684-6092.
One Act Plays. George Washington Middle School presents one-act plays at 7 p.m. in the school’s auditorium, 1005 Mount Vernon Ave. $5/adult; $3/student. There will be drinks and snacks available for purchase. 703-706-4500.
Saturday/April 21
Grand Ball. Gadsby's Tavern Museum will host an 18th Century Grand Ball at 8 p.m. at the museum, 134 N. Royal St., Alexandria. There will be live music and a seasonal dessert. Costumes of the 1780s are encouraged and after five attire recommended. $50/person which includes the ball and three dance classes. Reservations required. Visit www.gadsbystaver.org or 703-838-4242.
Book Discussion Group. 10:30 a.m. Sherwood Regional Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane, Alexandria. "All Souls: A Family Story From Southie" by Michael Patrick MacDonald. 703-765-3645
Plant Sale. The American Horticultural Society will be selling garden plants, books and more from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. at River Farm, 7931 East Boulevard Drive. Free. Visit wwww.ahs.org or 703-768-5700.
Garden Sprouts: Earth Day Celebration. 10-11 a.m. at Green Spring Garden, 4603 Green Spring Road. Children 3-5 years with adult(s) can celebrate Earth Day with poetry and face painting. Then make a play dough planet of your own. $5. 703-642-5173 or visit www.greenspring.org.
Luminary Decorating Workshop. Decorate candle-lit bags that will honor 1,800 African American men, women and children buried in the Freedmen's Cemetery from 1-4 p.m. at the Archaeology Museum in the Torpedo Factory, 105 N. Union St. Free. E-mail archaeology@alexandriava.gov or 703-838-4399.
Book Discussion. 3 p.m. at Barnes & Noble Potomac Yard, 3651 Jefferson Davis Highway. Author Sarah E. Moffett will discuss and sign "Growing Up Moffett." Free. 703-299-9473.
Writers Workshop. 9 a.m. at Waterfront and Old Town. Walk around Old Town and stop at selected areas to write. Meet at Founders Park, at the intersection of Oronoco and Union streets. Free. There will be an informal sharing of writing afterwards. For more information or to register, call Mehret Gebrehiwet at 703-838-5095, extension 430, or e-mail mehret.gebrehiwet@alexandriava.gov.
Workshop. 10 a.m.-noon at Alexandria Friends School, 25 S. Quaker Lane. A workshop on military recruitment and conscientious objector status for young people. Free. Register at 703-461-7222 or e-mail info@afriends.org to register.
Fashion Expo and Luncheon. 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at Aldersgate Church, 1301 Collingwood Road. There will be a lunch and the show for $20/person. Reservations required. Make them at www.aldersgate.net or 703-765-6555. The ticket price includes a $14 donation that goes right to United Community Ministries. There will be a silent auction and door prizes.
Chili Cook Off. 6 p.m. Emmanuel Episcopal Church. 1608 Russell Road, Alexandria. Hosted by the congregations of Good Shepherd Lutheran and Emmanuel Episcopal to raise funds for the ALIVE! Child Development Center. For more information please contact Patrick Anderson at panderson@pnalaw.com.
Tango Night. 6-9 p.m. at the Athenaeum, 201 Prince St. Learn how to tango, no partner or experience necessary. $15/member; $20/non-member. Sangria and other refreshments will be provided. For more information or to make reservations, call 703-548-0035, or visit www.nvfaa.org.
Fun at the Run. 1-5 p.m. at Cameron Regional Park in celebration of Crime Victims' Rights Week. There will be discounted miniature golf, displays, face painting, door prizes and a raffle. For more
information, contact Laura Huynh at 703-838-4100.
Plant Extravaganza. 1-3 p.m. at Winterthur Museum Store, 207 King St. Learn about plants. Free. Visit www.winterthur.org or 703-684-6092.
Herb Sale. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Carlyle House, 121 N. Fairfax St. Get answers to questions about plants and flowers, house tour, children’s activities and more. Free except for house tour. Visit www.carlylehouse.org or 703-549-2997.
Earth Day Celebration. Celebrate Alexandria while improving the environment from 9 a.m.-noon at Ben Brenman Park, 4800 Duke St. There will be activities, food and beverages available. Free. Visit www.alexandriava.gov/recreation or 703-838-4686.
Walkathon. City of Alexandria hosts "A Walk in the Park…Strides Toward Success" with registration starting at 8 a.m. and the walk starts at 9 a.m. at Fort Ward Park, 4301 W. Braddock Road. Register and pay in advance at www.alexandriava.gov. There will be a free t-shirt and prize giveaways. Call Lesa Gilbert at 703-838-0915, e-mail lesa.gilbert@alexandriava.gov, or visit www.alexandriava.gov.
Broadway Night. Hayfield Boosters presents a night of show tunes and dances with desserts at 7 p.m. and curtain at 8 p.m. Tickets are $12 at the door, 7630 Telegraph Road . E-mail broadwaynight07@hayfieldchorus.com.
Cheerleading Competition and Resource Fair. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at T.C. Williams High School, 3330 King St. Includes participants from the city's community recreation centers. Free. 703-838-4345.
One Act Plays. George Washington Middle School presents one-act plays at 7 p.m. in the school’s auditorium, 1005 Mount Vernon Ave. $5/adult; $3/student. There will be drinks and snacks available for purchase. 703-706-4500.
Sunday/April 22
A Legacy of Landscapes. 1-3 p.m. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria. Celebrate Virginia's Historic Garden Week by learning about the preservation of America's historic landscapes and Green Spring's, as well. Traditional English tea follows. $24. Registration and reservation required, 703-941-7987, TTY 703-324-3988.
Plant Sale. The American Horticultural Society will be selling garden plants, books and more from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at River Farm, 7931 East Boulevard Drive. Free. Visit wwww.ahs.org or 703-768-5700.
Plant Program. 1:30-3 p.m. at Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road. Doug Tallamy, Professor of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware, presents a plea: plant native plants to nourish our local wildlife community. $11 703-642-5173 or visit www.greenspring.org.
Music Performance. Franconia Baptist Church, 5912 Franconia Road, will host the Alfred Street Baptist Church Male Chorus at 7 p.m. Free.
Book Discussion. 5 p.m. at Barnes & Noble Potomac Yard, 3651 Jefferson Davis Highway. Robert J. Sawyer will discuss and sign his book "Rollback." Free. 703-299-9473.
Music Performance. New Dominion Chorale will perform at 4 p.m. at the Rachel Schlesinger Concert Hall, 3001 N. Beauregard St. They will perform Robert Schumann's "Quest for Paradise." Tickets are $25; $20 for seniors, and $5 for students. Parking is free. For tickets and information, call 703-442-0404 or purchase on line at www.newdominion.org.
A Legacy of Landscapes. 1-3 p.m. at Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road. Learn about landscapes and go on a tour of the historic garden. Tea follows the program. $24/person. 703-534-8179.
Fundraiser. Stardust Restaurant and Lounge will host a "Dining for Dollars" fundraiser in honor of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, from 4:30-9 p.m. A percentage of the proceeds will be donated to SCAN. For reservations, call Stardust at 703-548-9864 or visit www.scanva.org for more.
Plant Extravaganza. 1-3 p.m. at Winterthur Museum Store, 207 King St. Learn how to pick the right gardening tools. Free. Visit www.winterthur.org or 703-684-6092.
Monday/April 23
Drawing for Fun. 2 p.m. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Learn the basics of how to draw from a graphic artist. Ages 6-11. Registration 703-971-0010.
First Page. 7 p.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. A group for all aspiring writers, novices and experts of all genres. Adults. 703-339-4610.
Mystery Book Discussion Group. 7 p.m. Martha Washington Library, 6614 Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria. "Reflecting the Sky" by S.J. Rozan. 703-768-6700.
Woodley Hills Elementary School Science Fair. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at Woodley Hills Elementary School, 8718 Old Mount Vernon Road. Earth day theme. No registration required, 703-799-2000.
Youth Summit. 9:30-11:30 a.m. at Belle Have Park. Students from Alexandria will participate in hands-on demonstrations. To learn more about Capital Region Earth Force, visit www.earthforce.org/section/offices/capitalregion.
Tuesday/April 24
Introduction to Excel Part 1. 7 p.m. Sherwood Regional Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane, Alexandria. Learn basic text formattin. Must know how to use a mouse and keyboard. Registration 703-765-3645
Book Discussion Group. 7:30 p.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. "In a Far Country: The True Story of a Mission, a Marriage, a Murder, and Remarkable Reindeer Rescue of 1898" by John Taliaferro. 703-339-4610.
Food Seminar. 11:30 a.m. Seminar being held on children's food habits at the YMCA Alexandria, 420 East Monroe Ave. Free. 703-838-8085
Golf Outing. Starting at 9 a.m., golfers can play at Hilltop Golf Club, 700 Telegraph Road, to benefit United Community Ministries. Cost is $60/golfer with sponsorships available. Contact Betsy Damitz at 703-768-7106 ext. 338 or e-mail volunteer@ucmagency.org.
Wednesday/April 25
English Practice. 10:15 a.m and 7:30 p.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Conversation group for people learning English. Adults. Registration 703-339-4610.
It's Raining, It's Pouring. 10:30 a.m. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Stories and activities. Ages 2-3 with adult. Registration 703-971-0010.
Library Writer's Peer Review Group. 7 p.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. For those seriously pursuing the path to publication with short fiction or novels, and those writing scripts. 703-339-4610.
Book Club. 7 p.m. in the gallery at Convergence, 1801 N. Quaker Lane. Read and then discuss "A.K.A. Lost" by Jim Henderson. Visit www.convergenceccf.net or 703-998-6260.
Lecture. 7-9 p.m. at Virginia Tech's Alexandria campus, 1021 Prince St., 3rd floor. William Miller will present "The Status and Future of Public Transportation in the U.S." Free. E-mail Heike Mayer at heikem@vt.edu or 703-706-8122.
Book Sale. The Inova Mount Vernon Hospital Auxiliary will hold a book sale from 7 a.m.-4 p.m. in the lobby of the hospital, 2501 Parkers Lane. Find new books including best sellers, cookbooks, children's books and more. Proceeds benefit the hospital. 703-664-7260.
Thursday/April 26
English Practice. 7 p.m. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Conversation group for people learning English. Adults. Registration 703-971-0010.
Flying. 10:30 a.m. Martha Washington Library, 6614 Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria. Stories, fingerplays, songs and a craft. Ages 2-5 with adult. Registration 703-768-6700.
April Showers. 1 p.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Stories, activities and songs about rainy weather. Ages 2-5 with adult. Registration 703-339-4610.
Curiosity Club. 4 p.m. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Stories, activities and science experiment. Ages 4-6 with adult. Registration 703-971-0010.
Let the Games Begin. 6:30 p.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Celebrate TV Turn-Off Week with a night of board games. All ages. Registration 703-339-4610.
Introduction to Excel Part 2. 7 p.m. Sherwood Regional Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane, Alexandria. Formulas and techniques. Must know basic Excel. Registration 703-765-3645
Garden Program. Learn how to enjoy gardens in the evening with plant selection, design and lighting at River Farm, 7913 E. Boulevard Drive. Call 703-768-5700 or visit www.ahs.org for times and cost.
Poetry Readings . Olsson's is holding poetry readings by customers in honor of April being Poetry Month at 7 p.m. at Olsson's Alexandria, 106 S. Union St. Free. 703-684-0077.
Book Sale. The Inova Mount Vernon Hospital Auxiliary will hold a book sale from 7 a.m.-4 p.m. in the lobby of the hospital, 2501 Parkers Lane. Find new books including best sellers, cookbooks, children's books and more. Proceeds benefit the hospital. 703-664-7260.
Friday/April 27
Basic Gardening Series: Composing Containers. 1:30-2:30 p.m. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria. A lesson on how to best decorate your porch or patio by combining different types of perennials and annuals. $11. Registration required, 703-642-5173.
Knitting for Beginners. 12:30 p.m. Martha Washington Library, 6614 Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria. Bring your own supplies. Adults. Registration 703-768-6700.
Lunch Bunch. Noon. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Bring your lunch and join us for stories. Ages Birth-5 with adult. Registration 703-971-0010.
Garden Program. Learn how to enjoy gardens in the evening with plant selection, design and lighting at River Farm, 7913 E. Boulevard Drive. Call 703-768-5700 or visit www.ahs.org for times and cost.
Music Performance. The U.S. Army Strings Chamber Ensembles will perform at 7:30 p.m. at the Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St. Free. Visit www.usarmyband.com or 703-696-3399.
Music Performance. The Alexandria Campus Band's 30th anniversary will perform at 8 p.m. at Schlesinger Concert Hall, 3001 N. Beauregard St. Free. Contact Robert Petrella at 703-845-6026 or rpetrella@nvcc.edu.
Saturday/April 28
Workshop: Container Gardening With Edibles. 9:30-11 a.m. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria. An opportunity to learn the secrets of Green Spring's kitchen gardener, Cindy Brown, on how to most effectively plant edibles in a container. Plants and container included. $30. Registration required, 703-642-5173.
Happy May Day! 1-3 p.m. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria. A fun chance to learn about May Day traditions and take part in some of our own. 6 years and up. Traditional English tea follows. $24. Registration and reservation required, 703-941-7987, TTY 703-324-3988.
The Ron Van Sweringen Collection Auction. 10 a.m. The Potomack Company. 526 North Fayette St., Alexandria. Includes unique and beautiful art from the US and abroad, as well as a collection of approximately 150 American paintings collected by Mr. Ron Van Sweringen. 703-684-4550 or www.potomackcompany.com.
El Dia De los Niños/El Dia de los Libros. 1 p.m. Sherwood Regional Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane, Alexandria. Bilingual stories celbrate children and reading. Performance by Luis Garay Percussion World, refreshments, and a free book for each child. All ages. Registration 703-765-3645
Washington National Opera. 1 p.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Families can explore "La Cenerentola (Cinderella)" through crafts and music activities. Ages 6-12. Registration 703-339-4610.
Civil War Used Book Sale. The Friends of Fort Ward will be selling reference works, biographies, historical fiction and more from 10 a.m.-2 p.m . at Fort Ward Museum, 4301 W. Braddock Road, Alexandria. Free. 703-838-4848.
Hodgepodge Events. 2 p.m., Bwana Papyrus, created by local resident John Gaudet, will make an appearance. Located at the Nicholas A. Colasanto Center, 2704 Mt. Vernon Ave. Part of the festivities for the Del Ray Artisans Spring Show. Visit www.TheDelRayArtisans.org or 703-838-4827.
Theater Performance. 8 p.m. is the start of the Poetics Theatre Festival at the Nicholas A. Colasanto Center, 2704 Mt. Vernon Ave. Visit www.TheDelRayArtisans.org or 703-838-4827.
Music Performance. Listen to the Alexandria Choral Society Children's Chorus perform old world music at 4 p.m. at the National Masonic Memorial, 101 Callahan Drive. $15/person. Children 18 and under free. Visit www.alexchoralsociety.org or 703-548-4734.
Writers Workshop. 9 a.m. at Del Ray. Walk around Del Ray and stop at selected areas to write. Meet at the Del Ray's Farmers Market, located at the intersection of Mount Vernon and Oxford avenues. Free. There will be an informal voluntary reading and sharing of notes afterwards. For more information or to register, call Mehret Gebrehiwet at 703-838-5095, extension 430, or e-mail mehret.gebrehiwet@alexandriava.gov.
Happy May Day! 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road. For children 6 years and up. Listen to stories and look for flowers to make a mini May flower basket to take home. Tea follows. $24/person. 703-534-8179.
Benefit Gala. 8-11:30 p.m. at Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union St. $25 includes dessert buffet, drinks, dancing, raffle and auctions. Visit www.novam.org or 703-533-5505.
Pet Lecture. 10-11 a.m. at Vola Lawson Animal Shelter, 4101 Eisenhower Ave. Learn about how to tackle all different types of pet problems and behaviors. Free. 703-838-4774 ext. 210 or 200.
Community Yard Sale. 8 a.m.-1 p.m at Raceway Farms community. Visit www.racewayfarms.org for directions and more information.
Flea Market. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Mount Vernon Community Recreation Center, 2701 Commonwealth Ave. Items include furniture, clothing, gear, toys, electronics and more. Free. 703-838-4825.
LemonAide Day. Happening throughout the city. Children of all ages will sell lemonade to benefit various Alexandria charities. Visit www.kidshelpingkidsalexandria.org.
Sunday/April 29
Music and Author Event. T.C. Williams High School Jazz Ensemble will perform, along with readings and talks by a multitude of African American authors and scholars. 3:30-6:30 p.m. at Mount Vernon High School,. 8515 Old Mount Vernon Road. Free. Visit www. dstnovac.org or 703-354-6726.
Historic Huntley Open House. 2-4 p.m., children can enjoy a puppet show, and a variety of other activities at Historic Huntly, 6918 Harrison Lane. Free. Light refreshements will be served.
Music Performance. Chris Sampson will perform highlights of early blues music, focusing on Gospel music, at 4 p.m. at Bush Hill Presbyterian Church, 4916 Franconia Road . Donations accepted.
Art on the Green Festival. Noon-5 p.m. at Chinquapin Recreation Center Fields, 3210 King St. Showcases artists, crafters and student artists. Contact Pat Miller at pmiller1806@comcast.net. Money raised will help fund more than 10 scholarships for T.C. Williams high school seniors.
Tuesday/May 1
First Tuesday Social. 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Bistro Europa, 715 King St . The Alexandria Gay & Lesbian Community Assoication is holding a networking event for all GLBT persons and straight friends. Appetizers will be provided and happy hour prices will be offered. Visit www.aglca.org.
Wednesday/May 2
Native Plant Stroll and Tea. 1-3 p.m. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria. A guided tour to view some of Virginia's most beautiful native plants. Traditional English tea follows. $24. Registration and reservation required, 703-941-7987, TTY 703-324-3988.