Sept. 11 – Nov. 15
Ah, THAT Jack and Jill! Exhibition – Celebrate the 70th anniversary of Jack and Jill of America with the Alexandria Black History Museum. This exhibit will highlight Metropolitan area chapters while honoring the organizations history and mission to enhance the lives of children. Using photographs, chapter records and the memories of members themselves, the exhibition shows how Jack and Jill empowers children and builds strong African-American communities. Located at 902 Wythe St., the museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit www.alexblackhistory.org or call 703-838-4356.

September 12
Market Square Arts Ceremony – Join Mayor William D. Euille at Alexandrias Market Square between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. as cranes hoist giant metal sculptures of animals some measuring more than 10 feet in height and weighing 1500 pounds to celebrate the 2008 Alexandria Festival of the Arts on Sept. 13 and 14.

 The artwork is the creation of Fredrick Prescott, one of more than 150 juried artists who will display and sell their original works at the two-day festival. Viewers also will be treated to a preview of artist demonstrations and modern dance that will take place at Art Activated, the Torpedo Factory Art Centers Saturday event. Artists include a potter on the wheel and dancers from award-winning BosmaDance. 

September 13
Art Activated at the Torpedo Factory – Visual art comes alive at the Torpedo Factory, 105 N. Union St., during the Alexandria Festival of the Arts. Artists will demonstrate pottery on the wheel, painting, enamel work, printmaking, and much more. Guests will get creative with the popular Champagne Cork Chairs Workshop and fiber art activities, while the Alexandria Archaeology Museum joins the fun with a history-inspired drawing activity.

From 12-2 p.m., enjoy West African storytelling and flute performances by artists from the Smith Farm Center for Healing and the Arts, a nonprofit organization that provides healing resources and support for adults living with cancer.
 At 2 p.m., award-winning BosmaDance will perform art-inspired dance vignettes in artist studios. For more information, visit www.torpedofactory.org or call 703-838-4565

September 13 – 14
2008 Annual Alexandria Festival of the Arts – Voted one of the top 100 art festivals in the country by Sunshine Artist magazine, more than 200 juried artists turn Old Towns famous King Street into an outdoor art show when they display and sell fine art ranging from paintings, sculpture, prints and photography to pottery, glass, jewelry and ceramics. After the festival Saturday evening, enjoy a free concert of jazz and pop-rock by Al Williams from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Market Square.

Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sat. and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sun. For more information, visit www.artfestival.com or call 703-838-5005.

18th-Century Craft Fair at Mount Vernon – The 18th-Century Craft Fair features over 50 of Americas finest craftspeople and plenty of family fun! Colonial-attired artisans demonstrate 18th-century crafts and sell traditional wares such as baskets, woodcarvings, tin and ironwork, leatherworkings, weavings, paper-cuttings, furniture, and much more. Also featuring lively 18th-century entertainment including music, fire-eating, sword-swallowing, puppet and magic shows, rat-catchers and gypsies, plus hearty specialty food for sale onsite. This weekend only, Potomac River sightseeing cruises, courtesy of Spirit Cruises and Potomac Riverboat Company, are free-of-charge at Mount Vernons Wharf. For more information, visit www.MountVernon.org or call 703-799-5203.

September 14
Second Annual Olde Towne Dogge Walke – Join Mayor William D. Euille and Alexandria Mascot Alex for a morning walk through Old Town. The 1.5-mile walk will kick off at the Olde Towne School for Dogs as local animal lovers and their four-legged friends take to the streets to raise money for the care of abandoned and homeless animals in the community. The event takes place from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. On-site registration begins at 8 a.m.

September 15 – 29
Tavern Toddlers – A special program for toddlers (walkers through 36 months) and their caregivers, Tavern Toddlers features a weekly open playtime in the historic ballroom of Gadsbys Tavern, 134. N. Royal St., Mondays, excluding Federal holidays, anytime between 10:30 am and noon. Themes change monthly. Cost is $10 for a group of three, which must include one adult, or purchase a 5-week pass for $35. For more information, visit www.gadsbystavern.org or call 703-838-4242

September 17
Madam C. J. Walker lecture – Noted author and journalist ALelia Bundles will give an illustrated lecture about her great-grandmother and namesake at the Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe St. ALelia Walker was the only daughter of Madam C.J. Walker and nicknamed the Joy Goddess of Harlem in the 1920s by Langston Hughes. Ms. Bundles will sign copies of her book about Madam C. J. Walker after the presentation. Free but reservations are suggested. 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. For more information, visit www.alexblackhistory.org or call 703-838-4356.

The Friends of Dyke Marsh Updates – Jon James, Acting Superintendent of the George Washington Memorial Parkway, will give an update on the Dyke Marsh restoration plan, waysides, research and other management issues such as pets, boats, permits, bird boxes and platforms. Sergeant Frank Barwinczak of District 2 Station, United States Park Police, will discuss some of the issues his force addresses, including commercial fishing, poaching, unleashed dogs and sexual misconduct at Dyke Marsh. Program begins at 7:30 p.m. at Huntley Meadows Park Visitors Center, 3701 Lockheed Blvd. Free. For further information call 703-768-2525.

September 18
A Call to Greatness – What can our next president learn from his predecessors? Alexandrian Dr. David M. Abshire, President of the Center for the Study of the Presidency, will discuss his seventh book, A Call to Greatness: Challenging Our Next President.  Some presidents have succeeded in rallying the nation at crucial points in our history, while others have failed.  Dr. Abshire will examine how our next president can learn from the successes and failures of past presidents to be an effective leader during a time of tremendous challenges at home and abroad.  The lecture will be held at the Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St., and begins at 7:30 p.m. It is free and open to the public and no reservations are needed.  For more information, visit www.alexandriahistorical.org or call 703-683-2636.

Enigma: A Magical Mystery Visionary artist and bestselling author Graeme Base will discuss and sign his latest childrens book Enigma: A Magical Mystery at Hooray for Books, 1555 King St., at 7 p.m. Enigma follows in the tradition of Bases blockbuster New York Times bestselling picture book mystery The Eleventh Hour, which has sold over 2 million copies worldwide. For more information, visit www.hooray4books.com or call 703-548-4092.

September 19 – 21
The Madam C.J. Walker Story – The talented troop from Sal St. George Productions returns for another historica
l play suitable for all ages, The Madam C. J. Walker Story. Tickets are $10. Performances are at 8 p.m. Fri. and Sat., and at 2 p.m. on Sun. For more information, visit www.alexblackhistory.org or call 703-838-4356.

September 20
Family Dig Day – Help City archaeologists and trained volunteers screen excavated soil for artifacts from a real dig located on the grounds of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial, 101 Callahan Dr. Wear comfortable clothes, protect yourself from the sun, and bring a water bottle. Children under 16 must be accompanied by a participating adult. 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. $5 per person. Reservations required. E-mail archaeology@alexandriava.gov or call 703-838-4399 to save your spot! For more information, visit www.alexandriaarchaeology.org or call 703-838-4399.

Their Voices Can Be Heard Genealogy Workshop – Noted genealogist Char McCargo Bah presents Their Voices Can Be Heard: Tracing Descendants to Alexandrias Freedmens Cemetery, a unique African-American genealogy workshop. Bah will discuss and demonstrate genealogical techniques she used to trace pre- and post-Civil War individuals to historic Freedmens Cemetery. She will also demonstrate how these techniques can be used for any cemetery research. Free, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe St.  Reservations suggested but not required. For more information, visit www.alexblackhistory.org or call 703-838-4356.