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/July 5
First Thursday in Del Ray. 6-9 p.m., celebrate Independence Day on Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray. Family welcome. Free. Visit www.pwba.org or 703-683-2570.
Daytime Book Discussion Group. 12:15 p.m. at Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre. "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Adults. Free. 703-339-4610.
Story Time. 10 a.m., Beatley Central, 5005 Duke St. No cost. Ages 3-5. 703-519-5900.
Friday/July 6
Music Performance. Sophia Bass, an indie/pop rock musician, will perform at Janet’s Java, 5735 Telegraph Road, during Happy Hour. Free. 703-960-2900.
Lunch Bunnies. Noon at Sherwood Regional Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane. Bring a lunch and listen to stories. Age 1-5 with adult. Free. 703-765-3645.
Friday Flicks. Noon at John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive. Bring a lunch and listen to stories or watch movies. No cost. Ages 5 and under with adult. Contact John Marshall Library at 703-324-8365.
Lunch Bunnies. Noon, Sherwood Regional Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane. Listen to stories and bring a lunch. No cost. Ages 1-5 with an adult. Contact Sherwood Regional Library at 703-765-3645.
Time for 2’s. 10 a.m., Beatley Central, 5005 Duke St. No cost. Ages 24 to 36 months with an adult. Contact Beatley Central for more information and to register at 703-519-5900.
Saturday/July 7
"Dance Party: The Teenarama Story." Film, Discussion and Demonstration. A film screening, panel discussion, and dance demonstration for "Dance Party," a documentary examining the teen television dance show phenomenon of the 1950s and 60s from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe St. Free. Visit www.alexblackhistory.org or 703-838-4356.
USA & Alexandria Birthday. 6 p.m. music starts, fireworks at 9:30 p.m., at Oronoco Bay Park, 701 N. Lee St., Alexandria. A concert by the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra, food and fireworks. Free. 703-883-4686 or www.alexsym.org for more information.
Birthday Celebration. 4-10 p.m. at Oronoco Bay Park, 7 N. Lee St.
Celebrate the 258th birthday of Alexandria featuring music by the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra and a fireworks display. There will be awards ceremony plus sale and exhibits. Free. 703-838-4686.
Dimview. 10 a.m. at Martha Washington Library, 6614 Fort Hunt Road. Support group for adults with vision loss. Adults. No registration required. Free. 703-768-6700.
Kaydee Puppets. "Colonial times come to life" at 3:30 p.m. at Sherwood Regional Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane. Free. 703-765-3645.
Dog Party. 1-3 p.m. at Madeleine’s Dogs, 1222 King St. Bowser beer will be served, which is an all natural, non-alcoholic beef barley ale for dogs. Bowser, a rescue bull mastiff, will be in attendance. Visit www.madeleinesdogs.com or 703-836-9046.
Saturday Stories. 10:30 a.m., Beatley Central, 5005 Duke St. No cost. All ages. Contact Beatley Central for more information and to register at 703-519-5900.
Sunday/July 8
Opening Reception. 2-4 p.m. at the Art League Gallery in the Torpedo Factory, 105 N. Union St. Reception for "Circus," an exhibition of artwork by Bridget Walsh and Lisa Schumaier. The exhibit consists of mixed media paintings and 3-D works. Visit www.torpedofactory.org for more.
Music Performance. Loudoun Jazz Ensemble will perform Big Band, Jazz and Swing music from 7-8 p.m. at Fort Hunt Park. Free. Picnics, blankets and chairs encouraged. 703-289-2500.
Music Performance. Listen to the music of Betsy Winslow Trimber and Annie Trimber, flutes and Joseph Lawson, piano with the Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic at 3 p.m. at The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St. Free. Visit www.wmpa.us or 703-799-8229.
Dancing on the National Mall. Gadsby's Tavern Museum dancers will perform 18th century dances during the Smithsonia Folklife Festival at 11 a.m. at the Tudor Rose Stage and 1 p.m at the Mountain Laurel Stage. Free. Visit www.folklife.si.edu for more.
Monday/July 9
Teddy Bear Picnic. 10:30 a.m. at Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre. Bring a stuffed animal for story time fun. Age 2-3 with adult. Free. No registration required. 703-339-4610.
Monday Morning Book Discussion. 10:30 a.m. at Martha Washington Library, 6614 Fort Hunt Road. "The Daughter of Time" by Josephine Tey. Adults. Free. 703-768-6700.
Paint & Personalize a Mug. 10:30 a.m. at Sherwood Regional Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane. Presented by Clay Cafe Studios, which will return glazed and fired mugs to the library two weeks later. Age 12-18. Free. Registration required. 703-765-3645.
Books & Ideas. Discuss "Whistling Season" by Ivan Doig at 7:30 p.m. at Sherwood Regional Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane. Adults. Free. 703-765-3645.
Author Reading. Nicholas Kulish will read from his book "Last One In, A Novel," 7 p.m., Olsson's Arlington/Courthouse, 2111 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. Free. Book follows Jimmy Stephens as he covers the war in Iraq. 703-525-4227.
Little One-Ders. 10 a.m. or 10:45 a.m., Beatley Central, 5005 Duke Street. No Cost. Ages 12-23 months with an adult. Contact Beatley Central for more information and to register at 703-519-5900.
Family Story Night. 7 p.m., Beatley Central, 5005 Duke Street. No cost or registration required. All ages. Contact Beatley Central for more information at 703-519-5900.
Tuesday/July 10
Art Gathering. Seniors age 55 and older can submit pieces of art from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Campagna Center, 418 S. Washington St., for "Young at Art," which will be on display from July 16-26. The fee for entering the first three works is $10 and $5 for each additional entry. All mediums are accepted. For entry forms or information call Eric Goodwin at 703-549-1607 or e-mail egoodwin@campagnacenter.org.
Don’t Step on A Bee. Buzz bakery, 901 Slaters Lane, will celebrate "Don’t Step on a Bee Day" by offering free honey cups—mini vanilla cupcakes topped with house-made honey frosting—to help raise public awareness of the crisis in U.S. beekeeping, and the potential implications for the nation’s food supply. Bee cookies and other themed treats will also be available for sale at Buzz, all made with artisanal honeys. Open from 6 a.m. to midnight. Visit www.buzzonslaters.com or call 703-600-2899 (703-600-BUZZ).
Wildlife of the New World. 2:30 p.m., John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive. Experience live reptiles and birds through the eyes of the settlers at Jamestown. No cost. Ages 6-12. Contact John Marshall Library at 703-324-8365.
Martha’s Movie Madness. 2 p.m., Martha Washington Library, 6614 Fort Hunt Road. Enjoy a movie and popcorn. No cost. Ages 6-12. Contact Martha Washington Library at 703-768-6700.
Tuesday Evening Book Group. 7 p.m., Martha Washington Library, 6614 Fort Hunt Road. "The Thirteenth Tale" by Diane Setterfield will be discussed. No cost or registration required. Adults. Contact Martha Washington Library at 703-768-6700.
Wildlife of the New World. 7 p.m., Sherwood Regional Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane. Experience live reptiles and birds as the Jamestown Settlers would have. No cost. Ages 6-12. Contact Sherwood Regional Library at 703-765-3645.
Time for 2’s. 10 a.m., Beatley Central, 5005 Duke St. No cost. Ages 24 to 36 months with an adult. Contact Beatley Central for more information and to register at 703-519-5900.
Wednesday/July 11
Opening Reception. 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. at The Loft Gallery, 313 Mill St., Occoquan. The exhibit "Come Saturday Morning" is by Alexandria resident Jan E. Moffatt. 703-490-1117 or www.theloftgallery.org for more.
Brown Bag Lunch. Noon-1:15 p.m. at Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington St. Topic is "African-American Student Success: Embracing One's Heritage." RSVP to Mike Mackey mike.mackey@alexandria.gov or 703-838-4180 ext. 242.
Crystal City Storytime. 10:30 a.m., Olsson's Crystal City, 2200 Crystal Drive, Arlington. Preschoolers can attend this story time for 30 minutes of stories and fun. All are welcome. Free. 703-413-8121.
Rising Words, Rising Images. 11 a.m., Sherwood Regional Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane. Lydia by Miranda Belarde-Lewis and a related activity. No cost. Ages 9-12. Contact Sherwood Regional Library at 703-765-3645.
Stories in the Park. 11:00 a.m., Fort Ward Part, 4301 West Braddock Road, Area 7 or 8. Come to Fort Ward Park with something to sit on and a lunch for afterwards. No cost. All ages. 703-838-4555, ext. 3.
Thursday/July 12
History Presentation. City of Alexandria Preservation ArchaeologistFrancine Bromberg will offer a PowerPoint presentation on the history and archaeology of Freedmen's Cemetery at 6:45 p.m. in the Alexandria Archaeology Museum in the Torpedo Factory, 105 N. Union St. Free. Reservations required, 703-838-4399 or archaeology@alexandriava.gov.
Second Thursday. 6-9 p.m. at Torpedo Factory, 105 N. Union St. Studios and galleries on the first floor will come "Alive with History." Free. Interact with artists and enjoy refreshments. Visit www.torpedofactory.org or 703-838-4565.
West End City Council Candidates Forum. 7-8:30 p.m., Charles E. Beatley Central Library, 5005 Duke St. Bill Cleveland (R) and Justin Wilson (D), both running for the vacated vice mayor seat, will be available for questions from the audience. Contact Arthur A. Impastato at 703-963-7503.
Author Reading. Jodi Lynn Anderson will read from her books "Peaches" and "The Secrets of Peaches," 7 p.m., Olsson's Books & Records-Old Town, 106 S. Union St. To celebrate Anderson's new book, the annual children's book sale will start early. Free. 703-684-0077.
Author Reading. Mike Carey will read and discuss his book "The Devil You Know," 7 p.m., Olsson's Arlington/Courthouse, 2111 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. This is a supernatural book. Free. 703-525-4227.
Harry Potter Party. 2 p.m., Kingstowne Community Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre. Games, activities, and fun in anticipation of the arrival of the final book. No cost. Ages 8-12. Contact Kingstown Community Library at 703-339-4610.
How Animals Survive in the Wild. 10:30 a.m., Martha Washington Library, 6614 Fort Hunt Road. Experience live animals that the Animal Ambassadors bring to the library. No cost. Ages 6-12. Contact Martha Washington Library at 703-768-6700.
Story Time. 10 a.m., Beatley Central, 5005 Duke St. No cost. Ages 3-5. 703-519-5900.
Friday/July 13
Music Performance. The Rick Whitehead Trio will perform at 9 p.m. at 219 Restaurant, 219 King St. $5. 703-549-1141 for reservations.
Friday Flicks. Noon at John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive. Bring a lunch and listen to stories or watch movies. No cost. Ages 5 and under with adult. Contact John Marshall Library at 703-324-8365.
Monkeys. 10:30 a.m., Martha Washington Library, 6614 Fort Hunt Road. Crafts, stories and activities. No cost. Ages 2-5 with an adult. Contact Martha Washington Library at 703-768-6700.
Lunch Bunnies. Noon, Sherwood Regional Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane. Listen to stories and bring a lunch. No cost. Ages 1-5 with an adult. Contact Sherwood Regional Library at 703-765-3645.
Time for 2’s. 10 a.m., Beatley Central, 5005 Duke St. No cost. Ages 24 to 36 months with an adult. Contact Beatley Central for more information and to register at 703-519-5900.
Photography Workshop. 7-9 p.m. at Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road. Learn how to improve photography skills and get critiques on photos taken of landscapes or gardens. $75. 703-642-5173 to register.
Saturday/July 14
Cemetery Tour. Alexandria Archaeology will offer guided tours of Freedmen’s Cemetery in Old Town from 2-3 p.m. Free. Reservations can be made by calling 703-838-4399.
Soldier Led Tours. 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Fort Ward Museum, 4301 W. Braddock Road. Soldier in period uniform will talk about the defenses of Washington, Fort Ward and more. Free. Walking shoes and water are recommended. Visit www.fortward.org or 703-838-4848.
Music Performance. The Marine Chamber Orchestra will perform at 7:30 p.m. at the Schlesinger Concert Hall, 3001 N. Beauregard St. Free. Visit www.nvcc.edu/schlesingercenter or 703-845-6156.
Annual Margarita Night. 6-8 p.m. at Gadsby’s Tavern, 134 N. Royal St. Enjoy two flavors of Margaritas while enjoying a silent auction. $30/GTMS member; $40/non-members. Reservations required, www.gadsbystavern.org or 703-838-4242.
Alexandria Jaycees Yard Sale, 7 a.m. - 3 p.m., Anthony Lane Elementary School, 7137 Beulah St. Purchase books, toys, appliances and more. This yard sale supports the Alexandria Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees). Free. 703-866-7171 or visit www.alexjaycees.org.
Hard Times Hoe Down. 7-10 p.m. with doors open at 5 p.m. at Hard Times Café on Upper King St. Enjoy music by Billy Clements and the Pick-ups, food, dancing and more. $5/person. Children 12 and under free. Contact Fred Parker 703-915-7845.
How Animals Survive in the Wild. 10:30 a.m., Kingstowne Community Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre. Experience live animals that the Animal Ambassadors bring to the library. No cost. Ages 6-12. Contact Kingstown Community Library at 703-339-4610.
Saturday Stories. 10:30 a.m., Beatley Central, 5005 Duke St. No cost. All ages. Contact Beatley Central for more information and to register at 703-519-5900.
Beatley Book Sale. 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Beatley Central, 5005 Duke St. No cost. All ages. 703-519-5900.
Photography Workshop. 8-11 a.m. at Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road. Learn how to improve photography skills and get critiques on photos taken of landscapes or gardens. $75. 703-642-5173 to register.
Sunday/July 15
Entertaining Garden. 1-3 p.m. Learn how people entertained themselves outdoors. At Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road. A traditional English tea follows this program. $24 and registration required 703-941-7987.
Opening Reception. 2-4 p.m. at the Campagna Center, 418 S. Washington St. Exhibit "Young at Art" features works by local residents age 55 and up. Free. Visit www.campagnacenter.org for more.
Author Reading. 3-5 p.m. at Barnes & Noble Potomac Yard, 3651 Jefferson Davis Highway. The readers include Wayne Batson: "The Door Within Trilogy," Bryan Davis: "Oracles of Fire" series, Sharon Hink: "The Sword of Lyric" series; and Christopher Hopper: "The White Lion Chronicles." Free. 703-299-9124.
Lantern Tours. 7-10 p.m. at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St. $5/person. Call ahead to verify tour date. With a costumed guide, see life before the advent of electricity. Visit www.gadsbystavern.org or 703-838-4242.
Music Performance. Tom Principato will perform guitar gumbo music from 7-8 p.m. at Fort Hunt Park. Free. Picnics, blankets and chairs encouraged. 703-289-2500.
One Man Show. 5 p.m. at Convergence: A Creative Community of Faith, 1801 N. Quaker Lane. "Blessed, A," is a look at the life and ministry of Apostle Paul of Tarsus. Written and performed by George Roberts. Free. Visit www.blessedproductions.net, www.convergenceccf.net or 703-998-6260.
Beatley Book Sale. 1-4:30 p.m., Beatley Central, 5005 Duke St. No cost. All ages. 703-519-5900.