August 21
Dixieland Jazz, Blues, Ballads, Swing And Music for Listening and Dancing (Live Music)! – The Not-So-Modern Jazz Quartet Plus faithfully reproduces jazz from the 20s, 30s and 40s. The musicians rely heavily on their improvisation skills in playing old standards, traditional Dixieland and Swing Era tunes. St. Elmos Coffee Pub, 2300 Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray. For more information, call 703-739-9264 or visit www.StElmos
CoffeePub.com.
Book Discussion at Beatley Library – A Book Discussion will be held at 7 p.m. at the Beatley Library, 5005 Duke Street, Alexandria. The book to be discussed is “Death in the Woods” by Sherwood Anderson, part of the collection of “The Egg and Other Stories.” Free. For more information contact 703-931-3559.
August 22
Virginia Partisans Gay & Lesbian Democratic Club Summer BBQ – Come to a summer BBQ with Governor Mark Warner at 6405 Crosswoods Drive, Falls Church, in the home of Ken Youngert and Tom Morgan, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Contribution and Sponsor Levels: Young Democrat – $35; Activist – $50; Friend – $100; Sponsor – $250; Advocate – $500; Benefactor – $1,000; Super-Hero, $2,000.
Beach Party – Celebrate the carefree days of summer with food, fun, and games at the Torpedo Factory Art Centers air-conditioned beach party. Unleash your inner rock star with Guitar Hero, practice your moves with the Hula Hoop, or just kick back and wiggle your toes in the sand. Check out an exciting performance by local break-dancers. Enjoy special summertime treats from Hard Times Caf and cool down with a glass of lemonade from Alexs Lemonade Stand. This free event will take place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. For more information visit www.torpedofactory.org or call 703-838-4565
Lantern Tours– Gadsbys Tavern Museum – See the 18th century in a whole new light! Tour the historic tavern and City Hotel by candlelight with a costumed guide. Tour times are 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. $5 per person, ages 5 and up. Call 703-838-4242 to verify tour dates and times. Gadsbys Tavern, 134 North Royal Street, Alexandria. For more information visit www.gadsbystavern.org.
August 23
War of 1812 Re-enactment: Alexandria 1814 – A City Occupied – During the War of 1812, Alexandria surrendered to a British naval force, paying a ransom of rum, tobacco, flour, cotton and sugar. Learn why at Carlyle House Historic Park, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with early 19th-century weapon demonstrations, civilian demonstrations and historic house tours. For more information, call 703-549-2997 or visit www.carlylehouse.org
August 24
Cambodian Community Day Festival – Food, arts and crafts, and entertainment. The Cambodian Community Day Festival is part of the citys Ethnic Festival series, sponsored by the Alexandria Department of Recreation. It will take place at Ben Brenman Park, 4800 Brenman Park Drive, Alexandria, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. For more information contact 703-838-4844 or www.alexandriava.gov.
The Annual Poker Run – Hosted by The Capital Area Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the annual event begins at noon, at the Old Dominion Boat Club, 1 King Street, Alexandria. The event includes a poker run, BBQ and prizes for the top three poker hands. The $50 registration fee per boat supports the chapters mission to cure leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. For more information about the Poker Run, contact Loree Lipstein at the National Capital Area Chapter of the Leukemia Society at 703-960-1100, or visit www.leukemiacup.org/nca.
Ellen Pickering Walk – The Ellen Pickering Walk takes place from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Athenaeum, 201 Prince Street, Alexandria. The Greater Alexandria Preservation Alliance sponsors the walk to honor Ellen Pickering. It will start and end at the Athenaeum. Refreshments will be provided at the end of the walk. For more information contact Boyd Walker, Greater Alexandria Preservation Alliance, at 703-519-4707.
The Covington Quartet – Music Performance: The Covington Quartet will perform at 3 p.m. at the Lyceum, 201 S. Washington Street, Alexandria. Free. For more information contact www.wmpa.us.
HistoricAlexandriALIVE! – Waterfront – Alexandrias 18th-century heritage comes to life on Sunday afternoons along the waterfront! Enjoy history-inspired performances on the docks by the Torpedo Factory. Meet and greet people from the past as re-enactors portray early Alexandria residents and travelers near the Waterfront and along lower King Street. Free! Noon to 5 p.m. www.historicalexandria.org.
August 25 through September 1
Before and After – The Kiln Club, at Scope Gallery, in the Torpedo Factory Art Center, shows the process of pottery making, from raw clay to finished pieces, using different firing techniques. For more information, call 703-838-4565 or visit www.torpedofactory.org/galleries/scope.htm.
August 28
Four Hand Piano Music – Christine and David Hagan perform four-hand piano music, by Bach, Schubert, Liszt and Gershwin. Come to the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall, Northern Virginia Community College, 3001 N. Beauregard St., Alexandria, at 8 p.m. Call 703-845-6156 for more information.
Obama/DNC Convention Watching Party-Live! – Obama Acceptance Speech party, hosted by Councilman Ludwig Gaines at his residence: 302 Princeton Blvd., Alexandria. Food and refreshments will be provided along with an open bar. Donations welcome starting at $20, $10 for Young Democrats. To RSVP contact Kevin Bailey at 703-887-5936.
