Now – August 7
Jane Austen Ball Dance Classes – Held at Gadsbys Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal Street, Alexandria, VA 22314.  In preparation for the Jane Austen Ball on August 9, learn 18th-century English country dancing from expert dance instructors. Times are 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. Cost is $12 per class or $30 for the series. Reservations are recommended. Visit gadsbystavern.org or call 703-838-4242

July 25
A Reception in Honor of The Campagna Center High School Summer Public Art Program Students, 5:00 p.m.  until 6:30 p.m.  At the site of the new, student-designed mural at the intersection of Eisenhower Avenue/Eisenhower Connector (Clermont) Claremont Business Park  Please RSVP to Michele Brandon  at (703) 549-0111 x145 or mbrandon@campagnacenter.org.

July 26
The Alexandria Coffeehouse Film Series: The Choking Man – Presented by Friends of the Duncan Library and sponsored by Lonely Planet Books and FilmMovement.com, the film series continues its free monthly series of great independent and international films with the screening of the American indy The Choking Man, Saturday, July 26 at 9:00 p.m at FireFlies Restaurant and Coffee Bar in Alexandria. The social anxiety of a morbidly shy Ecuadorian dishwasher working in a Jamaica, Queens diner provides the psychological engine that powers this intense blend of drama and magical realism from famed music video director Steve Barron. Newcomer Octavio Gomez Berrios gives a quietly effective performance in the title role. Also starring Mandy Patinkin.

African Heritage Cultural Festival – The City of Alexandria will host the African Heritage Cultural Festival from 1 – 7 p.m. at Market Square, 301 King St. This years theme is Reaching Back, Moving Forward. Admission is free and the festival will be held rain or shine. For up-to-date information, call the Special Events Hotline at 703.883.4686 or visit alexandriava.gov/recreation.

Crystal City Inaugural Twilighter 5K Race
8 p.m.  The Crystal City Twilighter starts and finishes in Arlingtons largest downtown and offers spectacular twilight views of the Pentagon, the Air Force Memorial, and vibrant Arlington. One of only a few evening races in the area, this event will be popular among running and fitness enthusiasts. The evening will end with a spectacular post race party, discounts and deals at local Crystal City eateries and establishments.

July 26 – August 23
1776 – The Little Theatre of Alexandria, 600 Wolfe Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. Take a front-row seat to history-making theater as LTA launches its 75th Season with our signature show, the 1969 Tony Award-winning musical 1776. The show is performed at 8 p.m. Wed.-Sat. and 3 p.m. Sun. For more information Visit www.thelittletheatre.com or call 703/683-0496.

July 28
Town Hall Meeting: An Economy on the Brink: A Legacy of Debt, Its Impact on Our Children, and How We Can Break the Cycle – A town hall meeting featuring Special Guest Speaker: David Walker, president of the Peter Peterson Foundation and former U.S. Comptroller General and head of the Government Accountability Office. The meeting will be held from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00p.m. at T.C. Williams High School Auditorium, 3330 King St. Alexandria. Congressman Moran will host a town hall discussion on the economy, its impact on Northern Virginia and what steps we need to take to strengthen it. Keynote speaker David Walker will provide his perspective on budgetary and economic issues. Mr. Walker became president of the Peter G. Peterson Foundation in March 2008. Mr. Peterson established the foundation to tackle critical challenges threatening the nations well-being, including budget deficits, national and personal savings rates, and a national debt that endangers the viability of Social Security, Medicare and our entire economy.

July 28 – August 1
ART CAMP with the Del Ray Artisans  – Kids get creative with a one week art-making camp starting off with making their own journal / sketchbook to be used with other art activities including: painting, drawing, collage, fiber fun, mixed medium, games and more. The only skills required are a desire to learn and an imagination. The camp is 30 art camp students. DRA is committed to making this community art camp financially accessible for any age-qualified child with available special scholarships and sliding scale fees. Dates: Monday, July 28 thru Friday, August 1, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Ages: 8-12. Cost: $275. Camp fee includes all project art supplies, lunch and snacks; swim and splash. The Del Ray Artisans Gallery, Nicholas Colasanto Center, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22301.  Visit thedelrayartisans.org/dra_workshops.htm.

July 28 – August 24
Exotic Asymmetries – Scope Gallery, Studio 19, Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union Street, Alexandria, VA 22314.  www.torpedofactory.org/galleries/scope.htm  or
703/838-4565. The Kiln Club alters the round, square, and cylindrical forms to create pleasingly graceful and stylish pieces of pottery. Event is Free.

August 2, 2008
Signature Theatres 3rd Annual Open House – Experience Signature through performances, master classes, and the Broadway on the Plaza concert. This years events will include performances by Tony(r) Nominee Emily Skinner, Broadway Dreamgirl and R&B recording Artist Julia Nixon, as well as some of Sigantures favorite performers. All events are free and open to the public. For more information, including a free schedule, visit
www.sig-online.org/openhouse.htm.

Inked Souls – 6 p.m. – midnight. National Harbor, MD,  Art Whino (artwhino.com) announces: Inked Souls: Customized Sneaker and Art Exhibition featuring 35 local, national and international leaders in the Pop Surrealist movement. Each featured artist will customize one pair of AKA Blank Tagr sneakers along with one painting on canvas. The event is free and open to the public. Music by Black Cats Resident DJ Lile. National Harbor is also accessible by water taxi. Visit potomacriverboatco.com for more info and schedules.  Phone: 301.567.8210.