October 9
Second Thursday Art Night: Dig It! – At the Torpedo Factory Art Center from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., visitors are invited to celebrate Second Thursday Art Nights Dig It! Join in on fun activities, including a free prize drawing and scavenger hunt. Browse open studios, interact with the artists, and enjoy refreshments at this free event. 105 North Union Street. For more information, call 703-838-4565 or visit www.torpedofactory.org.

Dig It! Lecture: Forging George Washingtons Blacksmith Shop-
As part of the Torpedo Factory Art Centers Second Thursday, celebrate Virginia Archaeology Month with this Dig It lecture! John Sprinkle, Manager of Restoration for Historic Mount Vernon, presents Forging George Washingtons Blacksmith Shop: The History, Archaeology and Reconstruction of A Colonial Craft. 7 p.m. Free but reservations required. For more information, visit www.alexandriaarch
aeology.org or call 703-838-4399.

October 10
From our Trees…Artistry is Revealed – The Del Ray Artisans and the Washington Woodworkers Guild collaborate on an exhibition of both reproduction and studio furniture, turned vessels, delicate carvings and original sculpture, along with paintings, drawings and photographs, all interpreting this years theme. Opening reception 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at The Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mt. Vernon Ave. For more information, visit www.thedelrayartisans.org or call 703-838-4827.

October 11
Murder Mystery at Gadsbys – For a murderously good time, look no further than this 1920s Great Gatsby evening. Enjoy dinner in the ballroom and three murderswill one of them be you? Festivities begin at 6 p.m. Tickets $100. Limited tickets are available for this event. For more information, visit www.gadsbystavern.org or call 703-838-4242.

Alexandria Arts Safari The Torpedo Factory Art Center will host the 13th annual Alexandria Arts Safari, a free day of hands-on craft activities for kids and their families. From noon until 4 p.m. at the Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union St. Children should arrive with big imaginations and wearing clothing that can get a little dirty. Most activities are appropriate for children kindergarten age and above with parent supervision. For more information, call 703-838-4565 or visit www.torpedofactory.org.

Apothecary Open House & Arts Safari – Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum, 105-107 S. Fairfax St. Free tours, station activities, craft demonstrations, and for the Arts Safari, take-home art projects and free crayons for kids! Learn about the special properties of herbs and discover the important role the apothecary played in early Alexandria. 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 703-838-3852 or visit www.apothecarymuseum.org.

October 13
Joseph Ellis Book Signing – Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens welcomes historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Joseph Ellis, one of the nations foremost scholars of American history, for a book signing from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Shops at Mount Vernon.  Admission is free, however, Ellis books must be purchased from the Shops at Mount Vernon on Oct. 13 or have a Mount Vernon receipt in order to be signed. For more information, visit www.mountvernon.org.

October 15
Lecture Series: Tavern Entertainments – The final lecture in the John Yagerline Fall Lecture Series, named in honor of Alexandrias former town crier. Open to the public and held at Gadsbys Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St. Doors open at 7 p.m.; lecture from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. $12 fee. For more information, visit www.gadsbystavern.org or call 703-838-4242.

October 16
The Road to Wisdom, Plain and Simple Lecture – Join author and educator Dr. Searetha Smith-Collins as she discusses how parents can influence a childs intelligence and talent through common sense approaches. She will discuss and sign her book, The Road to Wisdom, Plain and Simple: Shaping Intelligence Black Style. Reservations are requested but not required. The Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe St., from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. For more information, call 703-838-4356 or visit www.alexblackhistory.org.

PRESCHOOL FAIR – Join us for our 6th Annual Preschool Fair from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Alexandria, 2932 King St.  Representatives from more than 30 local preschools will be on hand and attendees will receive a booklet listing all local preschools.  Admission is free. For more information, contact Jacqueline Condakes at 703-519-0977 or jchubbard@verizon.net.

October 16 November 9
Pearl BaileyBy Request – MetroStage presents Roz White as the legendary songstress. Performances are Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., and Sundays at 3 p.m. All tickets $35. For more information, visit www.metrostage.org or call 800-494-8497.  1201 North Royal St. Please note: The first preview is Thursday, Oct. 16 at 8 p.m. and is a Pay-What-You-Can performance (tickets available at the door one hour before the show).

October 17
ACCTs Dearly Departed – Aldersgate Church Community Theater presents the opening of the comedy Dearly Departed, directed by C. Evans Kirk, in Wesley Hall, Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 1301 Collingwood Rd. Performance dates:  Oct. 17, 18, 24, 25, 31, and Nov. 1 at 8 p.m., Oct. 26 at 7 p.m., and Oct. 19 and 26 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for students and seniors 65 and older.  For further information, call 703-660-2611. Tickets are also available through www.presaleticketing.com.

October 18
2008 International Gold Cup  – Riders from across Europe will compete with U.S. jockeys for the World Cup of Nations at Great Meadow in The Plains. General admission car passes are $55 in advance, $65 week of the race. For ticket information contact the Virginia Gold Cup Association at 540-347-1215 or order online at www.vagoldcup.com.

Through October 18
Farmers Market at National Harbor – Experience the American Market at National Harbor.  Stroll along the outdoor promenade and choose from a vast offering of fine goods and specialty foods. Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, visit www.americanmarketnh.com.

October 18 – 19
Fall Harvest Family Days – Mount Vernon welcomes the autumn season with Fall Harvest Family Days, Oct. 18 and 19 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Potomac River sightseeing cruises are half-price while supplies last. Fall Harvest Family Days is included with admission to the estate this weekend: $13 adults; $12 seniors; $6 children 6-11; free for children under 5. George Washingtons Distillery & Gristmill are free this weekend with estate admission. For more information, call 703-780-2000 or visit www.mountvernon.org.

O
ctober 19
Oktoberfest Beer Tasting – The Del Ray Artisans and Lee-Fendall House Museum celebrate Oktoberfest with a beer and cheese tasting in the gardens of Lee-Fendall House, 614 Oronoco St. Sample eight beers and receive a beer glass hand-painted by a Del Ray Artisan or Lee-Fendall House Friend. From 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., reservations required. Tickets $40. For more information, visit www.leefendallhouse.org or call 703-535-6510.
 
Historic Huntley Open House – Enjoy this twice-a-year opportunity to visit Historic Huntley, a Federal-style unrestored villa built in 1825 for Thomson Francis Mason, a grandson of George Mason.  Kids of all ages will enjoy the puppet show featuring Thomson Francis Mason and some of his family. Free Admission.  Rain or shine.  Light Refreshments. 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Historic Huntley is located at 6918 Harrison Lane, Alexandria.

October 22
Underground Railroad Lecture – Author Mary Kay Ricks will discuss Escape on the Pearl: The Story of the Largest Attempted Escape on the Underground Railroad and Its Links to Alexandria at 7:30 p.m. at the Lyceum, 201 South Washington Street.  This exciting pre-Civil War story, much of which took place in Alexandria, led to the famous book Uncle Toms Cabin. Free. Open to the public. No reservations needed.  For more information, visit www.alexandriahistorical.org or 703-683-2636.

October 25
Heritage Trail Bike Ride – Join Alexandria Archaeology for this years Heritage Trail Bike Ride. Meet at Daingerfield Island at 10 a.m. for a 10-mile guided tour, with a shorter 3-mile family ride to Founders Park and back. Tour returns to Daingerfield Island at 1 p.m. Free, but reservations and helmets required. Children under 16 must be accompanied by a participating adult. For more information, visit www.alexandriaarchaeology.org or call 703-838-4399.

Through October 27
Tavern Toddlers – A special program for toddlers (walkers through 36 months) and their caregivers, Tavern Toddlers features a weekly open playtime in the historic Gadsbys Tavern ballroom, 134 N. Royal St., anytime on Mondays (excluding Federal holidays) between 10:30 a.m. and noon. $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.

Through October 29
King Street Fresh Farmers Market – Locally grown produce plus dairy and baked goods at the regions newest farmers market. Held every Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. in King Street Gardens, just steps from the King Street Metro. For more information, call 703-683-1696.

October 30 – 31
Poe in Alexandria – Actor David Keltz recreates Edgar Allan Poes visit to Virginia in 1849. The performance at The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St., includes recitations from classic works such as The Raven, Annabel Lee, The Tell-Tale Heart, and many others. From 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. For more information, visit www.alexandriahistory.org or call 703-838-4995.

Through November 2
Death Comes to Carlyle House – To commemorate the 227th anniversary of the death of John Carlyle and to honor the memory of the many untimely deaths associated with his family, Carlyle House, 121 N. Fairfax St., presents an exhibit on the mourning practices of 18th-century Virginia through the experience of the Carlyle household. For more information, visit
www.carlylehouse.org or call 703-549-2997.

November 7 – 30
Beat It To Bead It! 3! – The Del Ray Artisans present Bead it! 3  to celebrate the art of bead making and beading. The juried show will run from Nov. 7 – 30 at the Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mt. Vernon Ave. The opening reception, free and open to the public, will be held Nov. 7 from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. The show also includes the Bead It Marketplace where visitors may purchase unique bead art. For more information, visit www.thedelrayartisans.org or call 703-838-4827.

Through November 11
Picnic by William Inge – The Little Theatre of Alexandria presents William Inges 1953 Pulitzer Prize-winning play. Performances are at 8 p.m. Wed. through Sat., 3 p.m. Sun., at The Little Theatre of Alexandria, 600 Wolfe St. For more information, visit www.thelittletheatre.com or call 703-795-0659.

Through November 15
Ah, THAT Jack and Jill! Exhibition – Celebrate the 70th anniversary of Jack and Jill of America with the Alexandria Black History Museum. 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.

Through December 31
Dr. Seuss For President Art Exhibition – Coinciding with the historic 2008 U.S. presidential election, this unusual show features Dr. Seusss rarely seen political work, including the first release of Knotty Problem, a cartoon on the issue of taxes and Capitol Hill created by Seuss in 1942. Admission is free. P & C Art Gallery, 212 King St. For more information, visit www.pcart.com or call 703-549-2525.

Drawings by William Lydston, Jr. – Drawings by William Lydston, Jr. Exhibition. This exhibition of Civil War artwork at Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site, 4301 W. Braddock Rd., has been extended through the end of the year. Admission to the museum is free. The exhibition is open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Sundays, noon to 5 p.m. For more information visit www.fortward.org or call 703-838-4848.