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/June 28
Civil War Camp. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Fort Ward Museum, 4301 W. Braddock Road. Boys and girls ages 8-12 can explore the lives of Civil War soldiers and civilians. $200/child. Space is limited and registration required. 703-838-4848.
Storytime. 10 a.m. at Beatley Library, 5005 Duke St. For children ages 3-5. Free. 703-519-5900 ext. 4.
Plant History. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Carlyle Historic Park. Learn how native plants were used during the 18th century. Free and designed for children ages 3-12. There will be games, crafts and more. Contact Erin Adams at Carlyle House Historic Park, 703-549-2997.
Birds & Beasts of Summer. 10:30 a.m., at Martha Washington Community Library, 6614 Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria. Stories, fingerplays, songs and a craft. Ages 2-5 with adult. Registration required. 703-768-6700.
Making Sounds for Fun & Profit. 10:30 a.m., at Sherwood Regional Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane, Alexandria. Charlie Williams, the Noise Guy, on noise imitations, vocal impression, and voiceover work. Ages 12-18. Registration required. 703-765-3645.
Summerquest. 11 a.m. at Barrett Branch Library, 717 Queen St. Children ages 2 and up can play in a play. Free. 703-838-4555.
Story Time. 1 p.m., at Kingstown Community Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Stories and activities with a garden theme. Ages 2-5 with adult. Registration required. 703-339-4610.
Cajun Swamp Stomp 2. 6:30 p.m. with a reception at the dock. Cruise from 7:30-9:30 p.m. aboard the Cherry Blossom to benefit foster children and children at risk for abuse and neglect. $65/person. Includes live Cajun/zydeco band, full buffet, hurricane cocktails, beer, wine and soda. Visit www.ourkids-ourbusiness.org/thefundforalexchild or 703-519-3318 ext. 206 for tickets and information.
Restaurant Night at ‘Just Fresh.’ 5-8 p.m., join friends and members of UCM at Just Fresh for a sandwich, salad, quesadilla, pizza or a wrap. A percentage of proceeds go towards UCM’s programs. Just Fresh is located in Mount Vernon Shopping Center, 7702-B Richmond Highway. 703-721-2003.
English Practice. 7 p.m., at John Marshall public library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Conversation group for people learning English. No registration required. 703-971-0010.
Story Discussion. 7-8:30 p.m. at Burke Branch Library, 4701 Seminary Road. Discuss short stories from the anthology "Art of the Story" (Library call # 808.8301 Art) by David Halpern. Free. For information and titles/authors, call Mark at 703-519-3498.
Summerquest Jr. 7 p.m. at Burke Branch Library, 4701 Seminary Road. Children up to age 5 can hear stories by Kaydee puppets. Free. 703-519-6000.
Music at Twilight Concerts. 7:30 p.m. at Fort Ward Park, 4301 W. Braddock Road. Michael Hoover will perform memories of Elvis as part of the City of Alexandria concert series. Free. For additional information, call the City’s Special Events Hotline at 703-883-4686 or visit www.alexandriava.gov/recreation.
Movie Watch and Discussion. 6-9 p.m. at Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe St. Watch and discuss "If You Only Knew," which follows jazz singer Jimmy Scott. Free. Visit www.alexblackhistory.org or 703-838-4356.
Author Reading. Andro Linklater will read from his book "The Fabric of America: How Our Borders and Boundaries Shaped the Country and Forged. Our National Identity" at 7 p.m. at Olsson's Alexandria, 106 S. Union St. Free. 703-684-0077.
Friday/June 29
Civil War Camp. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Fort Ward Museum, 4301 W. Braddock Road. Boys and girls ages 8-12 can explore the lives of Civil War soldiers and civilians. $200/child. Space is limited and registration required. 703-838-4848.
Time For 2s. 10 a.m., for ages 24 to 36 months, with an adult. Stories and activities. Free but registration required. Call 703-519-5900 ext. 4.
Saturday/June 30
Books: The Magic is Real. 10:30 a.m., at Kingstown Community Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Magician Joe Romano brings books to life. Ages 6-12. Registration required. 703-339-4610.
Saturday Stories. 10:30 a.m. at Beatley Library, 5005 Duke St. Stories for all ages. Free but registration required 703-519-5900 ext. 4.
Auction. There will be an auction of the estate of former Librarian of Congress Daniel J. Boorstin at The Potomack Company, 526 North Fayette St. There will be letters from Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, signed books and photos by former presidents and first ladies, and more. Visit at www.potomackcompany.com for times and to view items online.
Contemporary Gospel Concert. 5 p.m., at Minnie Howard Middle School, 3801 West Braddock Road. The Ushers of Alexandria and the Minnie Howard Middle School announce the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area premier of Patrick Lundy and the Minister of Music in concert. $15 general admission, $35 VIP tickets.
Spa Party for Girls. 1-4 p.m., at Hampton Inn Old Town South, 5821 Richmond Highway. Let your daughter come enjoy an afternoon of fun and pampering. Afternoon includes mini manicure, nail decals and art, create your own sparkle lotion or sugar scrub, and take home a beauty bag. Lunch included. $40 per person, register ahead of time. www.serenity4u.com or by phone 240-832-8970.
Sunday/July 1
Music Performance. Raymi will perform Latin Fusion 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 Michelle Kim, violin and Jessica Choe on 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.
Wednesday/July 4
Independence Day.
Red, White & Blue Concert. 8 a.m.-5 p.m., at Mount Vernon Estate, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon. A day-long celebration including 18th-century patriotic music, birthday cake and military demonstrations. Regular park admission. 703-780-2000 or www.mountvernon.org for more information.
Music Concert. 10-10:45 a.m. at St. Paul's Church, 228 S. Pitt St.Free. Features "Stars and Stripes Forever," "Fanfare for the Common Man" and more. Free. Donations will be accepted. 703-549-3312.
Parade. 10 a.m. at Waynewood Elementary School, 1205 Waynewood Blvd and ends at Dalebrook Drive and Waynewood Boulevard. Free. There will be contests, bbq and more at the end of the parade.
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.
Friday/July 6
Music Performance. Sophie 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Thursday/July 12
History Presentation. 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.
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.