November 6
Don’t forget to VOTE!
November 7
“Sergeant York” Film Screening
7:00-9:30 pm
The Lyceum
201 S. Washington St.
In honor of the Centennial of the World War I, enjoy a screening of the 1941 film about World War I hero Alvin York starring Best Actor Oscar winner Gary Cooper and directed by the renowned Howard Hawks. The evening will include commentary regarding the life and career of Sergeant York and how it is portrayed in the film. Light refreshments, beer, and wine available for sale. $10
November 7-11
Duncan Library Used Book Sale
Duncan Library
2501 Commonwealth Ave.
Come shop our selection of thousands of books and DVDs priced starting at just $.50. Our popular $5/bag sale will be back all on Sunday from 1-3 p.m. Become a Friend of the Library at friendsofduncanlibrary.org and shop a special preview on Wednesday 11/7. Cash and credit cards accepted.
November 8-12
Alexandria Film Festival
Opening night: 7:00-9:00 pm
AMC Hoffman Theater
206 Swamp Fox Rd.
Beatley Central Library
5005 Duke St.
Gather at the Old Town Alexandria waterfront at 1 King Street for opening night of the 12th Annual Alexandria Film Festival. This special Portside Cinema screening of independent short films kicks off the four-day film festival which features more than 70 free and ticketed films. Screenings held at AMC Hoffman 22 Theater and the Beatley Central Library. Films include some of the best in independent filmmaking from around the world and our own Alexandria neighborhoods. Ticketed or cost-free.
November 9
Alexandria After-Work Concert Series
6:00 pm-8:00 pm
Lloyd House
220 N. Washington St.
Co-sponsored by the Office of Historic Alexandria and the Folklore Society of Greater Washington, join us for monthly Friday night concerts on the second Friday of the month. The November concert features DC Ambiance. Great music with a suggested donation for the musicians. Show up and enjoy the music! Beer and wine for sale; light refreshments available as well. Free
November 10-12
Mount Vernon Annual Colonial Market & Fair
November 10 and 11: 9:00 am- 4:00 pm, November 12: 9:00 am- 1:00 pm
George Washington’s Mount Vernon
3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway
Mount Vernon’s Colonial Market & Fair features dozens of America’s historic craftspeople and plenty of family fun. Visitors can jump-start their holiday shopping during this colonial pop-up marketplace. Colonial-attired artisans demonstrate 18th-century crafts and sell traditional wares such as food, woodcarvings, metalwork, furniture, and much more. Performers charm audiences with music and entertainment, including an 18th-century air balloon, a magician, and a puppet show. Mount Vernon’s historic interpreters will demonstrate how to make chocolate using an authentic colonial recipe and traditional methods. Included with general admission. In honor of Veteran’s Day, Mount Vernon admits free all active duty, former, or retired military personnel on Sunday, November 11.
November 10
Fort Ward Tours in Honor of Veterans Day
10:00 am-2:00 pm
Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site
4301 W. Braddock Rd.
A Union veteran interpreter conducts two 90-minute tours of the fort, reminiscing about army life in the Defenses of Washington and sharing information about Civil War veterans organizations. Free
November 10
Lecture: Come Out Fighting: How the Real Black Panthers & Other African Americans Fought the Axis and Helped Win World War II
11:00 am-12:30 pm
Alexandria Black History Museum
902 Wythe St.
This illustrated presentation by author, lecturer, and historian of the African diaspora, C.R. Gibbs, describes the gallant and inspiring story of the nation’s first African American armored unit. Organized during the Second World War, this unit rose above racism at home and skepticism on the battlefield to become one of the most hard-hitting, courageous outfits in the United States Army. They put their lives at risk and did their best fighting for the good they believed would come after the guns had been finally silenced and peace had returned. Mr. Gibbs will also provide a sweeping look at the untold stories of other black men and women who fought in history’s greatest conflict. C.R. Gibbs is the author/co-author of six books and a respected lecturer on a variety of historical topics. Mr. Gibbs has worked with Smithsonian Institution museums and is a D.C. Humanities Council scholar.
November 10
Thanksgiving 1621 to the Present
2:00 pm
Lee-Fendall House
614 Oronoco St.
A special presentation on traditional Thanksgiving foodways with food historian Joyce White. This lecture and tasting program explores the political, social, economic, and cultural traditions that have made Thanksgiving the truly American holiday that it is. Attendees will learn how Thanksgiving has transformed itself over time from the celebration of Harvest Home as practiced by the Plimoth Plantation settlers in 1621, and discover how the holiday has been influenced by prominent figures such as George Washington, women’s magazine editor Sarah Josepha Hale, and Franklin D. Roosevelt. They’ll learn that not only have the reasons we celebrate Thanksgiving changed over time, but so has the food! The PowerPoint presentation will be followed by samples of Thanksgiving food from four centuries. 703-548-1789 $15
November 11
World War One Armistice Centennial Ceremony
9:30 am
American Legion Post #24
400 Cameron St.
The Office of Historic Alexandria and American Legion Post #24 invite you to a commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the armistice to end the First World War, signed November 11, 1918. Join fellow Alexandrians in marking the centennial of Armistice Day, now celebrated as Veteran’s Day, with a ceremony and plaque unveiling. The door to the ballroom at American Legion Post #24, 400 Cameron Street, opens at 9:30 a.m. with the program beginning at 10 a.m. The ceremony features speakers, T.C. Williams JROTC, and the unveiling of a new plaque remembering all from the City of Alexandria who died during World War One. A reception in the Post #24 Club Room immediately follows the program. As part of this ceremony, over 8,000 knit and crocheted poppies will be displayed and handed to guests in memory of Alexandria’s veterans. Local residents and visitors created the poppies over the last 18 months in preparation for this event. Poppies were officially adopted as a symbol of remembrance for those who died in service to their country shortly after World War One. The event and reception are free, but please RSVP to [email protected] or call 703.746.4554.
November 11
Free Gadsby’s Tavern Museum Tours on Veteran’s Day
11:00 am-4:00 pm
134 N. Royal St.
Tours of the Gadsby’s Tavern Museum on Veteran’s Day is free for all guests.
November 11
Mount Vernon Salutes Veterans
9:00 am-4:00 pm
3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway
All active duty, former, or retired military personnel are admitted free.
November 14
The Biodiversity of the George Washington Memorial Parkway
7:30 pm
Huntley Meadows Park Visitor Center
3701 Lockheed Blvd.
Join the Friends of Dyke Marsh to hear National Park Service (NPS) biologist Brent Steury speak about the GWMP’s 11-year biodiversity inventory. The parkway is rich in natural resources, from the rare plant communities of the Potomac Gorge to the birds of the Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve. Brent will tell about NPS experts documenting 5,563 species in the parkway’s 4,580 acres. Brent has worked for the NPS for over 20 years, authoring over 40 journal articles on a wide range of subjects. Prior to joining NPS, he worked in national parks in Guatemala and Bolivia. The program is sponsored by the Friends of Dyke Marsh and cosponsored by the Friends of Little Hunting Creek, the American Horticultural /Society, and the Four Mile Run Conservatory Foundation. www.fodm.org Free
November 15
Beaujolais Nouveau Day Celebration
7:30 pm-10:00 pm
Lloyd House
220 N. Washington St.
Please join the Alexandria-Caen Sister Cities Committee and the Office of Historic Alexandria, as we participate in the world’s largest wine party. Beaujolais Nouveau Day is marked in France on the third Thursday in November, the earliest French law allows this year’s wine to be served. Parties are held throughout France to celebrate the first wine of the season, and nearly half of the Beaujolais’s annual wine production, or 65 million bottles, will be consumed during Beaujolais Nouveau festivities.
November 17
Dinorock Production Puppet Shows
10 am and 11:15 am
Durant Art Center
1605 Cameron St.
The National Capital Puppetry Guild shows are designed for all members of the family. This month, Dinorock Production puppeteers will explore characteristics that human babies and dinosaur babies share, using award winning music and dynamic puppetry. Reservations per show are $5 for all ages (adults and children). Children must be accompanied by at least one adult. To purchase tickets online, visit http://www.alexandriava.gov/webtrac, select activity number 10 am – 255211.17, 11:15 am – 255211.18
November 17
Kids Krafts at the Friendship Firehouse Museum
11:00 am-2:00 pm
Friendship Firehouse
107 S. Alfred St.
Come create and take-home craft projects inspired by early firefighting history. They will be great gifts for the holidays, or any time of year! For ages 4-8 and their caregivers. Children and caregivers work on crafts and visit the historic firehouse together. $5 per child; $2 per adult
November 20
Apothecary Geek Tour: A Magical Apothecary
12:00 pm-1:00 pm
Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum
105-107 S. Fairfax St.
Learn about the muggle botanical science that inspired the potions and herbology in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series. You’ll even make your own magical sleeping potion! Adults and children ages 8 and older welcome. $15. Tickets available online at www.Alexandriava.gov/shop.
November 22
Happy Thanksgiving
November 23, 24, 30 December 1, 7, 8, 16 5:00 pm
George Washington’s Mount Vernon
3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway
Join the Washington family for a festive evening at Mount Vernon. The experience begins in the Ford Orientation Center, where you can enjoy the sounds of the holiday season and view spectacular Christmas trees highlighting the lives of the Washingtons and their home. Light concessions will be available for purchase. When your tour begins, you will be guided into the 18th century for a lantern-lit tour of the historic area, where you will see the Slave Quarters and the Blacksmith Shop. Inside the Mansion, Martha Washington and other Mount Vernon residents will welcome you into their home and share stories of past Christmases. After the tour concludes, continue the experience by visiting the Greenhouse and participating in 18th-century dancing, just as the Washingtons might have done during the holidays. Enjoy cookies while sipping warm cider, listening to fireside caroling, and paying a visit to Aladdin the Christmas camel. The evening will conclude with live music in the Education Center Lobby and an opportunity to visit the Education Center exhibits and The Shops. $25 adult (12 and up); $17 youth (ages 6-11); Kids 5 and under are free
November 30-December 2
Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend Presented by Campagna Center
Varying times throughout Old Town
In 1749, the City of Alexandria was officially established by three Scottish merchants and named after its original founder, John Alexander, also of Scottish descent. The city continues celebrating its heritage with a weekend of festivities. The Scottish Christmas Walk Parade takes place on Saturday, December 1, at 11:00 am, when dozens of Scottish clans dressed in colorful tartans will parade through the streets of Old Town, joined by pipe and drum bands from around the region, as well as terriers and hounds.
More weekend events include the Taste of Scotland scotch tasting (November 30), a holiday Heather and Greens sale, and The Campagna Center’s Holiday Designer Tour of Homes (December 2). Free for parade, Heather and Green sales vary; $110-$290 for Taste of Scotland; $40 for Designer Tour of Homes
