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 26
Butterflies and Bugs. 1 p.m., Kingstowne Community Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre. Stories and activities for children. No cost. Ages 2-5 with an adult. Contact Kingstown Community Library at 703-339-4610.
Vacation Time. 10:30 a.m. Martha Washington Library, 6614 Fort Hunt Road. Songs, fingerplays, stories and a craft. No cost. Ages 2-5 with an adult. 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.
Author Reading. Richard B. Frank will read and talk about his book "MacArthur" at 7 p.m. at Olsson’s Old Town, 106 S. Union St. Free. 703-684-0077.
Photography Class. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Huntley Meadows, 3701 Lockheed Blvd. For teenagers age 12-16. Learn how to take nature photographs, print own images and more. All photos will be entered in the annual photo contest. Reservations are required. $90. For more information, call 703-768-2525 or visit http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/huntley.
Dance Class. 7:30-9:30 p.m. at Gadsby's Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St. Learn the dances of George Washington, Jane Austen and others in preparation for the Jane Austen Ball. $30/series or $12/class. Reservations required, 703-838-4242 or visit www.gadsbystavern.org.
Boat Sighting. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ship Thomas Jefferson will be at the Robinson Terminal south pier, 2 Duke St., from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Open for tours. 301-713-7693 for price.
Theatre Performance. 8 p.m., Metrostage, 1201 N. Royal St. Metrostage is presenting a preview of the musical "Three Sistahs" before its official opening night on Sunday, July 29 at 7 p.m. A musical incorporating gospel, r&b, funk and folk throughout the lives of three women, this performance will be "Pay What You Can" at the door only. For more information, visit www.metrostage.org.
Friday/July 27
Music Performance. The Boulder Acoustic Society will perform with Gabrielle Louise at 8 p.m. at the Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St. They are a modern string band. $18/advance; $20/door and children under 14 with adult are half price. Reservations can be made at www.sunspotpro.com or by calling 800 404-9049.
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.
Crochet Away. 2 p.m., Kingstowne Community Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre. Learn to crochet a neat pouch for treasures. No cost. Ages 9-12 with an adult. Contact Kingstown Community Library at 703-339-4610.
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.
Comcast Outdoor Film Festival. 7 p.m., Ben Brenman Park, 5000 Duke St. Enjoy a viewing of "Happy Feet" with pizza, subs and ice cream, with part of the proceeds from concessions sales to benefit local charity. Movie will begin at dusk. Free. For more information, call Lauren Spates at 301-625-3420.
Tango Cornucopia. 7:30 p.m., Alliance Dance Institute in Landmark Mall, 5801 Duke St. Suite E-200. An Argentine Tango stage production with theatrical context presented by the American Dance Montage ballroom dance theater company. Tickets are $40 per person. For more information and to reserve tickets call 703-354-6000.
Saturday/July 28
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.
Author Reading. Jane Harrington will read and discuss "Extreme Pets Handbook" at 1 p.m. at Olsson’s Old Town, 106 S. Union St. The book describes how to care for pets such as frogs, ferrets and snakes. For children ages 7-12. They will be able to meet some of the animals. Free. 703-684-0077.
Yard Sale. The Mount Vernon Evening Lions Club will be holding a yard sale from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at 6001 Monticello Road. There will be a huge collection of bears on sale along with other items. Old eyeglasses and hearing aides will be collected. Call Andrea at 703-960-4973.
Activities on Local Bugs. 10 a.m.-noon, Huntley Meadows Park, 3701 Lockheed Blvd. Visit the Visitor Center for self-guided activities that focus on bugs in the park. All favorite bugs will be covered. $2 per child. Ages 4 and older with an adult. For more information visit http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/huntley or call 703-768-2525.
Comcast Outdoor Film Festival. 7 p.m., Ben Brenman Park, 5000 Duke St. Enjoy a viewing of "The Devil Wears Prada" with pizza, subs and ice cream, with part of the proceeds from concessions sales to benefit local charity. Movie will begin at dusk. Free. For more information, call Lauren Spates at 301-625-3420.
Sunday/July 29
Tea 101. 1-3 p.m. at Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road. Learn about tea: varieties, how it is made and more. A traditional English tea follows this program. $24 and registration required 703-941-7987.
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.
Comcast Outdoor Film Festival. 7 p.m., Ben Brenman Park, 5000 Duke St. Enjoy a viewing of "Happy Feet" with pizza, subs and ice cream, with part of the proceeds from concessions sales to benefit local charity. Movie will begin at dusk. Free. For more information, call Lauren Spates at 301-625-3420.
Concert Performance. 6 p.m., The Lyceum, 201 South Washington St. The Trinity Chamber Players of The Trinity Chamber Orchestra of Washington, D.C. will host its final summer performance and will include works by C.P.E. Bach, Mozart and Poulenc. $10/adult; the concert is free for children under 12. For ticket information, call 301-881-8969 or visit www.trinitychamberorchestra.org.
Monday/July 30
Kaydee Puppets. 2:30 p.m., Kingstowne Community Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre. Colonial times come to life. No cost. All ages. Contact Kingstown Community Library at 703-339-4610.
Kaydee Puppets. 10:30 a.m., Martha Washington Library, 6614 Fort Hunt Road. Colonial times come to life. No cost. All ages. Contact Martha Washington Library at 703-768-6700.
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 31
Theater Performance. Watch "The Will Rogers’ Follies" at Little Theater of Alexandria, 600 Wolfe St. Tickets are $25 and benefit Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services. There will be a reception before and during intermission. Visit www.goodhousing.org or call Lorraine at 703-768-9404 for tickets.
Music Performance. 7-8 p.m. at Dulany Gardens, 500 Dulany St. Listen to traditional jazz music by Vaughn Ambrose. Free. Enjoy a picnic dinner. Visit www.alexandriava.gov or 703-883-4686.
Music Performance. Handbell solo artist Nancy Hascall, will perform 7:30 p.m. at Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church, 2001 Sherwood Hall Lane. The program will include works by Bach, Debussy, Fauré, and others. A donation of $10 per person is requested with the proceeds being given to UCM. 703-765-6118.
Wetland Restoration Walk. 6-8:30 p.m., Huntley Meadows Park, 3701 Lockheed Blvd. Walk with and talk to members of the wetland restoration team of Huntley Park. Free. For more information and to RSVP in advance email Kevin.munroe@fairfaxcounty.gov or call 703-768-2525.
Wednesday/Aug. 1
Stories in the Park. 11 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.
Arnie's Army Battles Prostate Cancer Fundraiser. 7 a.m.-7 p.m., Pinecrest Golf Course, 6600 Little River Turnpike, Alexandria. This is a closest-to-the-pin contest where golfers are asked to donate $20 for a tee shot. Prizes are given to the three golfers with the closest shot. Arnold Palmer, a golf legend, holds this contest to raise money for the Prostate Cancer Foundation.
Lunch Bunnies. Bring lunch or a snack and enjoy stories, songs, and a video at noon at Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre. Free. 703-339-4610.
Thursday/Aug. 2
Movie Screening. Watch and discuss "Black Wax" from 6:30-9 p.m. at Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe St. Free. A one-man act sometimes accompanied by music. Free. Visit www.alexblackhistory.org or 703-838-4356.
Story Time. 10 a.m., Beatley Central, 5005 Duke St. No cost. Ages 3-5. 703-519-5900.
Dance Class. 7:30-9:30 p.m. at Gadsby's Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St. Learn the dances of George Washington, Jane Austen and others in preparation for the Jane Austen Ball. $30/series or $12/class. Reservations required, 703-838-4242 or visit www.gadsbystavern.org.
Garden Sprouts: Lazy Turtle Days. 9:30-10:30 a.m., or 11 a.m-noon, Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road. A Native American tells a legend about how Great Turtle created Earth. Then, look for turtles in the gardens and ponds and make a turtle to take home. $5. Ages 3-5 with adult. For more information and to register call 703-642-5173.
Lecture. Friends of the Torpedo Factory Art Center present a lecture at 7 p.m. by Mark Leithauser entitled "Jekyll Keeping Mr. Hyde in Check: Balancing Two Artistic Careers" at the Torpedo Factory, 105 N. Union St. Free. Visit www.torpedofactory.org for more.
Comic Book Creation. Teenagers 12-18 can create a comic book with graphic artist Matt Dembicki at 7 p.m. at John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive. Free. 703-971-0010.
Set Sail Virginia! Children ages 6-12 can experience life in the new world with games, activities and a craft at 2 p.m. at Martha Washington Library, 6614 Fort Hunt Road. Free. 703-768-6700.
Friday/Aug. 3
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.
Opening Reception. 7-9 p.m. at Nicholas A. Colasanto Center, 2704 Mount Vernon Ave. Meet some of the artists of "Mashup! Solos and Collaborations." Tickets will go on sale for a raffle of some of the artwork. 703-838-4827.
"Illuminations." 6 – 8 p.m., at 1519 Connecticut Ave. N.W, Washington, D.C. Local artist Melissa Burley is featured at a reception for Gallery 10’s "Illuminations" exhibit.
Landscape Design Workshop. 1:30-3 p.m., at Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road. Discover the wonderful native trees, shrubs and perennials that are availabel for your garde ntody. Registration required, $11. 703-642-5173.
Fall Conference. The Woodlawn Chapel Gospel Service hosts a fall conference with guest speaker Rachel Hickson at Woodlawn Chapel Gospel Service, 1801 Wright Road, Fort Belvoir at 7 p.m. Free. 703-806-5904.
Amazing Escapes: True or False? Gary Lloyd tells stories of courage and survival for children ages 6-12 at 10:30 a.m. at John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive. Free. 703-971-0010.
Saturday/Aug. 4
Tavern Day. 1-5 p.m., at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N Royal St., Alexandria. Experience Alexandria’s five-star hotel of the 18th century through tours, period music and light refreshments. Free. Call 703-838-4242 or visit www.gadsbystaver.org.
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.
Irish Festival. Noon-7 p.m. at Waterfront Park in Alexandria. Festivities include musicians, dancing and bands. There will be crafts, food and more. Free. For further information regarding the festival, please visit http://www.ballyshaners.org.
Birthday Celebration. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at Friendship Firehouse. They are celebrating the company's 233rd birthday. Features live music, crafts and food. All children get free fire hats. 703-838-3891.
Photography Class. 4-7 p.m. at Mason Neck State Park, 7301 High Point Road, Lorton. Free and for all ages. Learn about taking wildlife photography and then take pictures outside. Cameras will be provided, but may bring own camera. 703-339-2385.
Railroad Days. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St. There will be working trains, conductors and more. Free. Visit www.alexandriahistory.org or 703-838-4994.
Garden Sprouts: Lazy Turtle Days.10-11a.m., Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road. A Native American tells a legend about how Great Turtle created Earth. Then, look for turtles in the gardens and ponds and make a turtle to take home. $5. Ages 3-5 with adult. For more information and to register call 703-642-5173.
Family Fun: Garden Jewels-Hummingbirds. 2-3:30 p.m., Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road. Look for hummingbirds and learn about them. Learn how to make a feeder, take home a plant, and invite some to your garden. $10/family or project. Ages 6 years and older with an adult. For more information and to register call 703-642-5173.
Lecture. 10-11 a.m. at the American Horticultural Society’s headquarters at River Farm. Arborist Dr. Rex Bastian with The Care of Trees will take a look at the important components of healthy soil and their effect on trees. Free but registration is required. Contact Peggy Bowers at pbowers@ahs.org or 703-768-5700 ext 149.
Fall Conference. The Woodlawn Chapel Gospel Service hosts a fall conference with guest speaker Rachel Hickson at Woodlawn Chapel Gospel Service, 1801 Wright Road, Fort Belvoir at 9 a.m. Free. 703-806-5904.
Dimview. Support group for adults with vision loss. Adults. No registration is required. 10 a.m. at Martha Washington Library, 6614 Fort Hunt Road. Free. 703-768-6700.
Sunday/Aug. 5
Basil Introduction. 1-3 p.m. at Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road. Look at the different varieties growing in the garden. A traditional English tea follows this program. $24 and registration required 703-941-7987.
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.
Carlyle Housewarming. Noon to 4 p.m., at Carlyle House, 121 N Fairfax St., Alexandria. Music and costumed interpreters bring Carlyle House alive, recalling the day when John Carlyle and his new bride Sarah Fairfax moved into their new mansion in 1753. Free. Call 703-549-2997 or visit www.carlylehouse.org.
Railroad Days. 1-5 p.m. at the Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St. There will be working trains, conductors and more. Free. Visit www.alexandriahistory.org or 703-838-4994.
Fall Conference. The Woodlawn Chapel Gospel Service hosts a fall conference with guest speaker Rachel Hickson at Woodlawn Chapel Gospel Service, 1801 Wright Road, Fort Belvoir at 11 a.m. Free. 703-806-5904.
Monday/Aug. 6
Neighborhood Night. For families from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at James K Polk Elementary School, 5000 Polk Ave. Includes music, games, snow cones and more. Sponsored by the Brookville Seminary Valley Civic Association and James K Polk PTA. Free. 703-823-3367.
Amazing Escapes: True or False? Gary Lloyd tells stories of courage and survival for children ages 6-12 at 7 p.m. at Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre. Free. 703-339-4610.
Animal Survival. Presented by a Huntley Meadows park naturalist for children age 6-12 at 10:30 a.m. at Sherwood Regional Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane. Free. 703-765-3645.
Tuesday/Aug. 7
Tiny Tots. Stories and songs for children 13-23 months with adult at 10:30 a.m. at Martha Washington Library, 6614 Fort Hunt Road. Free. 703-768-6700.
Martha's Movie Madness. Children 6-12 can enjoy a film and popcorn at 2 p.m. at Martha Washington Library, 6614 Fort Hunt Road. Free. 703-768-6700.
Wednesday/Aug. 8
Shiver Me Timbers! Pirates in Virginia waters can be discovered by children ages 6-10 at 2 p.m. at Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre. Free. 703-339-4610.
Music Safari. Nai Kante Davis presents music, story and movement from Africa for all ages at 10:30 a.m. at Martha Washington Library, 6614 Fort Hunt Road. Free. 703-768-6700.
Rising Words, Rising Images. "Grandmother's Stories" by Burleigh Muten, followed by a related activity for children age 9-12 at 11 a.m. at Sherwood Regional Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane. Free. 703-765-3645.
Thursday/Aug. 9
Restaurant Night at ‘Italian Pie.’ 5-8:30 p.m., visit with friends and members of UCM at The Italian Pie as you enjoy a pizza, calzone, sandwich, salad or pasta. Ten percent of proceeds go towards UCM’s programs. Italian Pie is located in 7475 Richmond Highway, 703-300-1616.
Opening Reception. 6-9 p.m. at Gallery West, 1213 King St. Meet the artists of "Personal Visions." Free. Visit www.gallery-west.com or 703-549-6006.
Dance Class. 7:30-9:30 p.m. at Gadsby's Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St. Learn the dances of George Washington, Jane Austen and others in preparation for the Jane Austen Ball. $30/series or $12/class. Reservations required, 703-838-4242 or visit www.gadsbystavern.org.
Opening Reception. 6-8 p.m. for Visual Rhythms/Ritmos Visuales" at Target Gallery in Torpedo Factory, 105 N. Union St. Latin American art and culture influenced the 22 artists from around the world. There will be music, Tango lessons and more. Free. Visit www.torpedofactory.org for more.
Kaydee Puppets. Colonial times come to life at 9:30 a.m. at John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive. Free. 703-971-0010.
Spoon-Puppet Fun. Children age 8-12 can create a character from Virginia history at 2 p.m. at Sherwood Regional Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane. Free. 703-765-3645.