September 5–October 7
Opening reception: Thursday, September 13, 6:30–8:00 pm
The Art League Gallery, 105 N. Union St.
Printmaker and sculptor Brian Kirk manipulates the natural interaction of water and steel to create unique, rust-pattern prints that challenge assumptions of steel’s strength and durability. To create the prints, Kirk sandwiches his cut-out steel plate designs between two sheets of archival watercolor paper. The paper is then submerged in water, oxidizing the steel for several weeks as they develop mesmerizing patterns. Kirk’s prints, in a palette of rich ochre, orange, and brown invite viewers to join in the wonderment of the natural phenomena of rust. 703-683-1780
September 9, 11:00 am-12:00 pm
Apothecary Geek Tour: American Sign Language Tour
Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum, 105-107 S. Fairfax St.
Learn about the muggle botanical science that inspired the potions and herbology of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series and make your own magical sleeping potion. This tour will be conducted exclusively in American Sign Language and only visitors fluent in ASL should attend as there will be no English interpretation provided. Please arrive between 10:45 and 11 as the museum is not open to the public until 1 and the doors will be locked when the tour begins at 11. Adults and children age 8 and older are welcome. Advance purchase recommended due to limited space. 703-746-3852 $15; tickets available at shop.Alexandriava.gov
September 9, 11am
Fall Kick-Off: Blessing of the Backpacks
Trinity United Methodist Church, 2911 Cameron Mills Rd.
Join the fun at Trinity. Enjoy the Moon Bounce, Fun, and Games. Stay for lunch – Popeye’s chicken. Please bring a side or dessert to share. 703-549-5500 www.TrinityAlexandria.org
September 13-November 11; Thurs, Fri, Sun: 12:00 pm-4 pm, Sat: 1: 00 pm-4:00 pm
The 2018 Athenaeum Invitational: The Cabinet of Curiosities
Athenaeum, 201 Prince St.
Cabinets of curiosities, first popular in Renaissance Europe, were broad collections of objects of nature, science, archaeology, religious relics, the arts, and the bizarre. Before public museums were common, these privately-owned cabinets were seen as status symbols and said something about the collector and their ability to collect the contents. They were usually displayed in elaborate structures made of exotic materials, featuring specially constructed drawers and compartments to house wonderous specimens. In some instances, the comprehensiveness of the collection was noteworthy, sometimes the diversity was celebrated, and sometimes the cabinet itself was as amazing as what was contained within. This exhibition asks artists who live or work in Washington, DC, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia to explore any aspect of Cabinets of Curiosities. Interpretations may be two or three dimensional and literal or abstract. Works will be chosen that show aesthetic excellence, mastery of media, creativity, and relevance to the theme. Underwritten by TTR Sotheby’s International Realty. 703-548-0035
September 13, 7:00 pm
Ford Evening Book Talk: Creating Capitol Hill
George Washington’s Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway
Mount Vernon welcomes authors Charles Carter, William diGiacomantonio, Pamela Scott, and Don Hawkins to the Robert H. and Clarice Smith Auditorium to discuss their book Creating Capitol Hill: Place, Proprietors, and People. This book recounts the convoluted and fascinating history of Capitol Hill. In four essays the story is revealed, recounted, and unraveled. 703-780-2000 Free, registration required
September 15-16, 9:00 am-5:00 pm
Colonial Market & Fair
George Washington’s Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway
The annual Colonial Market & Fair features dozens of America’s finest historic craftspeople and plenty of family fun! Visit with colonial artisans who demonstrate and sell traditional wares such as baskets, woodcarvings, tin and ironwork, leather-workings, weavings, furniture, and food. Watch 18th-century shows, including a puppet show, a fire-eating act, and a balloon launch and listen to colonial music. Costumed interpreters will be demonstrating the 18th-century chocolate-making process using an authentic colonial recipe! Free Potomac River sightseeing cruises are available (while supplies last). Included in general admission.
September 15, 4:00 pm
ASO’s 75th Anniversary Celebration Concert
Virginia Theological Seminary Campus, 3737 Seminary Rd.
Join the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra as it celebrates its 75th Anniversary with a special outdoor concert, featuring new Music Director, James Ross. Held on the campus of the Virginia Theological Seminary, patrons will enjoy a family-friendly program with selections from the Sound of Music, Swan Lake, Americana favorites and light classical music. General admission lawn seating and VIP tickets available. www.alexsym.org or 703-548-0885 Tickets: Lawn $20 adult/$5 youth, VIP tickets also available
September 22 & November 10, 10:00 am
The General’s Tour – Robert E. Lee in Alexandria
Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden, 614 Oronoco St.
This guided walking tour of Robert E. Lee sites in Alexandria’s Historic Old Town addresses the complicated legacy of the Confederate general’s life in Alexandria, his hometown from the age of five. The tour will last approximately 90 minutes. Tour space is limited, so the purchase of tickets in advance is highly recommended. Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes and bring water. Free for members. 703-548-1789 $10 in advance, $15 at door
September 22, 8:00 am-12:00 pm
Relay for Pre-K
St. Stephens St. Agnes High School Track, 1000 St. Stephens Rd.
A 12 lap (3 mile) “relay” around the track. It cost Child and Family Network Centers (CFNC) $12,000 to educate one child for a year, so we’re walking around the around the track twelve times. Each team should have at least one representative on the track during each lap, but the more the merrier! 703-836-0214
September 22, 10:00 am-3:00 pm
The 77th Historic Alexandria Homes Tour
Various locations in city
The 77th Historic Alexandria Homes Tour, hosted by The Twig, the Junior Auxiliary of Inova Alexandria Hospital. The walking tour features some of the most beautiful homes in Old Town Alexandria, with all proceeds benefitting Inova Alexandria Hospital. 703-338-0691 $40 in advance; $45 day of tour
September 24, 6:30 pm-8:30 pm
New Neighbors Oktoberfest & Live Auction
Port City Brewing Company, 3950 Wheeler Ave.
Each year, The Campagna Center reaches out to the community to help support the New Neighbors program through our Oktoberfest fundraiser. We bring you local brews, authentic bratwurst and German fare, and an evening of oom-pah-POW, all for a great cause.
September 27-30
DC Salsa and Bachata Dance Festival
Westin Alexandria Hotel, 400 Courthouse Square
This is a Latin dance festival consisting of dance classes, dance performances, and social dancing. Check out all the details on https://www.dcsalsabachatafest.com/ and join us for this amazing event. $30
September 29, 10:00 am-3:00 pm
73rd Annual Pohick Church Country Fair
Pohick Church, 9301 Richmond Highway
The Fair includes games, booths, moon bounce, smoked pork barbecue, funnel cakes, homemade apple butter, free children’s games, historic colonial church tours, organ concerts, live music, a classic car show, a Boy Scout camping and cooking demo, and much more. 703-644-0480
September 29, 9:00 am
Blessing of the Animals
Trinity United Methodist Church, 2911 Cameron Mills Rd.
All creatures great and small will be individually blessed by Pastor Grace Han and will receive a calligraphed Certificate of Blessing with the pet’s name. Lots of free parking. 703 -549-5500 www.TrinityAlexandria.org
