Mount Vernon Gazette ❖ May 29 - June 4, 2008 ❖ 1E

FestivalSeason

Festivals start June7 and run through

Labor Day.

FestivalSeason

Festivals start June7 and run through

Labor Day.

Arts ❖ Entertainment ❖ LeisureArts ❖ Entertainment ❖ Leisure

Festivals, Page 2

2E ❖ Mount Vernon Gazette ❖ May 29 - June 4, 2008

By Chuck Hagee

Gazette

In many places summer is a time forcarnivals. In others its rodeo season.And, in still others it signals outdoorarts and craft shows. In Alexandria,

summer is for festivals —highlighting mul-tiple cultures, customs, foods and enter-tainment.

All in all, there are a dozen festivalsthroughout the city this year from June untilLabor Day. Most feature the customs, tradi-tions, dress, music and food of a particularethnic group or geographic location. Theone thing they all have in common is alearning experience encased in a day, ordays, of fun.

Alexandria summers offer a microcosmof America on parade.

The first of 2008 is the 16th Annual Ar-menian Festival on Saturday, June 7, fromnoon to 6 p.m. at Market Square, 301 KingSt.— rain or shine. It began as a way forAlexandrians to support the earthquake vic-tims in Gyumri, Armenia, which became anAlexandria Sister City as a result of thathumanitarian effort.

Now co-sponsored by the Alexandria-Gyumri Sister City Committee and Alexan-dria Department of Recreation, Parks andCultural Activities, the festival continues tobenefit a wide array of humanitarian en-deavors. To accomplish that mission it of-fers food, arts and

A Summer Of FestivalsFestivals

crafts, live entertainment,dancers, instrumentalistsand vocalists.

Metered street parking isavailable surrounding Mar-ket Square and throughoutOld Town’s core area.There are also a variety ofpublic parking facilities, in-cluding a multi-level ga-rage under Market Squarethat can be accessed fromSouth Fairfax Street. Foradditional information call703-883-4686.

The next day, Sunday,June 8, is the eighth annualArlandria-Chirilagua Festi-val from noon to 7 p.m. atthe Mt. Vernon VillageShopping Center, 3700block of Mt. Vernon Ave.Free parking is available at221 Glebe Road.

Co-sponsored by theParks and Recreation De-partment working conjunc-tion with Tenants andWorkers United, this festival offers not onlyfood and beverages but also children’s ac-tivities and live entertainment. It will becanceled in case of inclement weather. Foradditional information call 703-684-5697.

THE LARGEST EVENT of thesummer, as far as multiple ac-tivities, space and attendance, isthe Annual Red Cross FestivalJune 14-15. Held each year atOronoco Bay Park, 7 N. Lee St.,at the river’s edge in Old Town,it serves as the primaryfundraiser for the AlexandriaChapter of the American RedCross.

Featuring a series of activi-ties, rides, and a wide assort-ment of food, it runs from 10a.m. to 11 p.m. each day. Foradditional information con-tact Sharon Grant at the Al-exandria Red Cross 703-299-2524.

July holds special mean-ing for Alexandria. It doesnot officially celebrate thenational patriotic holidayof July 4. Instead it cel-ebrates it own birthdaythat preceded thenation’s by 27 years.

On July 12 Alexandriawill hold it’s 259th Birth-day in Oronoco Park, 7S. Lee St. Eight days af-ter the nation marks its232nd birthday on July4.

Featuring a concertby the Alexandria Symphony Or-

chestra, the evening with be toped off by afireworks display over the Potomac Riverand the ceremonial cutting of birthday cakesby members of City Council. Included willbe refreshments, novelty sales, and exhib-its. The rain date is July 13. But, that willentail only a fireworks display.

July 26, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., MarketSquare hosts the 2008 African HeritageCultural Festival. It’s theme this year is“Reaching Back Moving Forward.”

Commencing with the Grand Proces-sional, events include Pouring of Libation,African drummers, dance, gospel, jazz andreggae music, children’s activities, commu-nity exhibitors, and cultural commercial

sales. There will also be plenty of food andbeverages. For additional information call703-883-4686 or visit alexandriava.gov.

Aug. 2 Alexandrians have the opportunityto participate in one of the most historicactivities of this early American community— The Friendship Fire Company Festival isheld at the home of what is known asGeorge Washington’s Fire Company, 107 S.Alfred St. Co-sponsored by the AlexandriaFire Department, this festival is specially de-signed to delight Alexandrians of all ages.

On display is firefighting equipment fromColonial times to the present. The Friend-ship Fire Co. museum offers a glimpse intothe past of fire firefighting. It’s early mem-bership included the Father of this nation.

Various pieces of equipment and appara-tus are on display as well as participationby various vendors and the cutting of thetraditional birthday cake. For additionalinformation call 703-838-4994.

On that same day, Aug. 2, beginning at

Alexandria offers a varietyof events, from birthday tocultural events.

Photo from a previous year’s Armenian Festival.

Afro American FestivalJuneteenth

StaffEditor: Rebecca Halik

Photo Editor: Louise KrafftFilm: Matthew Razak

Staff Writers: Michael Lee Pope,Chuck Hagee, Rebecca Halik, David Schultz,

Brad Hathaway, Mary Anne Weber.

Photo by Louise Krafft/

Gazette

ON THE COVER: A musicianprovides entertainment at aprevious birthday celebrationfor the City of Alexandria.

See Festivals, Page 8

Photos by Louise

Krafft

Mount Vernon Gazette ❖ May 29 - June 4, 2008 ❖ 3E

By David Schultz

Gazette

In recent years, both Ar-lington Countyand the City of Alexandria have takenstrides to make their respective com-munities more friendly to cyclists.

They have created hundreds of miles ofdedicated bike lanes, repaved existing biketrails and installed dozens of bike racks, allin an effort to make the area more ame-nable to cyclists.

“Arlington and Alexandria are both well-positioned to be heavy bike usage commu-nities,” Alexandria City Council Member

Rob Krupicka (D) said. “I think we’re bet-ter than most right now.”

Now Arlington and Alexandria will beteaming up to host the fourth annual Com-munity Bike Ride as a way to show that, inthis area, cycling can be a practical substi-tute to driving.

“With the increase in gas prices and fo-cus on the environment, people are start-ing to see the bike as a viable means oftransportation,” Chantal Buchser of theWashington Area Bicyclist Association said.“If you’re just running up to the grocerystore, you don’t need to take your car.”

THE COMMUNITY Bike Ride began inArlington in 2005 as a way to encouragebike use in the County. “It’s to show peoplehow they can get around by bike,” Buchsersaid. Her organization, the Washington AreaBicyclist Association, is organizing the

ParticipateThe 2008 Arlington & Alexandria Community

Bike Ride is taking place on Saturday, June 7.Check in for the event begins at 7 a.m. at 2121Crystal Drive in Arlington, two and a half blocksfrom the Crystal City Metro Station.

Riders can go on the 23-mile Community Tourroute, which goes along trails and streets, or theeight-mile Family Ride route, which goes only ontrails. There will also be food, music and otherentertainment at the finish line in Crystal City af-ter the race.

For more information, visit the WashingtonArea Bicyclist Association at www.waba.org.

Life On Two Wheels A local bike event highlightsthe area’s cycling amenities.

event.She said that Arlington and

Alexandria are both exem-plary in what they offer tocyclists. One of the mosthelpful things for cyclists,Buchser said, are the de-tailed maps that show thebike routes of the area.“They have great maps,” shesaid. “If you know you wantto get from point A to pointB you can get there using themaps.”

Arlington County BoardChairman Walter Tejada (D)said that the CommunityBike Ride is an importantpart of the effort to encour-age bike usage in the area.“We arepromotingas much aswe can theuse of bi-cycles,” hesaid. “Notjust as analternativemeans oftransporta-tion. It’sa l s ohealthy.”

Last year,the City ofAlexandriajoined inthe act. “Wehave somevery in-volved ad-v o c a t e shere intown who knew of the Arlington ride andwe all felt like a ride done jointly by thejurisdictions would be good for people,” YonLambert, a manager in the City’s transpor-tation department, said. “[It] would helpus show the connectivity particularly, be-tween the trail systems”

“We arepromoting asmuch as wecan the useof bicycles.”— Arlington County

Board Chairman

The 23-mile Community Tour goes toRosslyn, East Falls Church, Del Ray andOld Town Alexandria. Pictured left, theeight-mile family tour goes up anddown the Mount Vernon Trail in Alexan-dria and Arlington.

“We arepromoting asmuch as wecan the useof bicycles.”— Arlington County

Board Chairman

Map contributed

“It’s nice to have a partner like Arlingtonwho can show us the way in some areas,”Krupicka said.

The focus of this year’s event, organizerssaid, is to show participants how easy it isto travel between the City and the Countyon a bicycle. Combining the two jurisdic-tions was a natural, Arlington County bikeexpert Paul DeMaio said, because they shareseveral trails and dozens of routes.

“Alexandria and Arlington are so similar,”he said. “If we were to do the ride sepa-rately it would just be duplicative of all thework.”

THIS YEAR’S Community Bike Ride startsand ends in Crystal City, an area that is try-ing to project a cyclist-friendly image.

“We’re very excited to be the main host,”said Angie Fox, the president of the CrystalCity BID, a group that promotes the area’sbusinesses. “It’s a showcase for the activeside of Crystal City.”

“We have the lovely Mount Vernon Trailthat gets heavily used here,” Fox’s colleagueMaurisa Turner-Potts said. “We have open

spaces and dedicated bike lanes.”This year’s bike ride offers two routs for

cyclists to choose from. One is an eight-milecourse that goes up and down the MountVernon Trail, which runs alongside thePotomac River from Rosslyn to MountVernon. DeMaio said that this course is for“younger individuals or maybe people whohaven’t been on a bicycle in a while.”

The other course offered is a 23-mile touraround the Arlington and Alexandria area.It goes from Crystal City up to Rosslyn, outto the East Falls Church neighborhood,along the Washington & Old DominionTrail, down through Del Ray and into OldTown Alexandria before finishing back upto Crystal City.

But make no mistake, event organizerssaid: this is not a race. Rather, it is a chanceto get a scenic tour of the area while dis-covering all Arlington and Alexandria hasto offer cyclists.

DeMaio said, a crew of police escorts willbe at the front of the pack and “No one isallowed to pass them. If anything, the po-lice will be the winner.”

Outdoors “People are starting to see the bike as a viable means of transportation.”— Chantal Buchser, Washington Area Bicyclist Association

An Arlingtoncyclist uses theMount VernonTrail, whichgoes fromRosslyn toMount Vernon.

File photo

4E ❖ Mount Vernon Gazette ❖ May 29 - June 4, 2008 Mount Vernon Gazette ❖ May 29 - June 4, 2008 ❖ 5E

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Active MilitaryInfo/Res: 703-318-0619 • www.zemfirastage.com“A Few Good Men is one of the more successful contemporary courtroomdramas ad Zemfira Stage’s production fully realizes the dramatic potential of thescript.” – DC Theatre Scene

E-mail announcements to the Gazette,gazette@connectionnewspapers.com.Photos and artwork are encouraged.Deadline is Thursday at noon for the fol-lowing week’s paper. Call Rebecca Halikat 703-917-6407 with questions.

ONGOING Bike Ride. Every Sunday at 2 p.m. at

Cameron Run Regional Park Parkinglot, 4100 Eisenhower Ave. Come rideon the Holmes Run Greenway.Anyone can ride, children under 18must be accompanied by an adult.Free. Ride either 5.6 miles or 6.9miles. Visit http://bike.meetup.com/288 or call Susan Schneider,BikeWalk Alexandria, at 202-403-1148.

Visit George Washington’sDistillery & Gristmill through Oct.31 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. See howwhiskey got started. $4/adult; $2/child. Get discounts with admission toMount Vernon Estate. Visitwww.mountvernon.org for more.

Take a seasonal walking tour from10 a.m.-5 p.m. at Mount VernonEstate. This 30-minute tour explores avariety of contributions. Free. Visitwww.mountvernon.org for more.

On Sundays take a Potomac RiverSightseeing Cruise at 10:30 a.m.,11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m.and 3 p.m. $9/adult; $5/child inaddition to Mount Vernon Estateadmission. Visitwww.mountvernon.org for schedules.

Every Tuesday and Thursday throughOctober from 5- 8 p.m. at HotelMonaco Alexandria, enjoy DoggieHappy Hour. Enjoy doggie treatsand human treats.

Join City archaeologists and trainedvolunteers for an exciting program forkids of all ages at AlexandriaArchaeology Family Dig Days. Bepart of the fascinating archaeologicalinvestigation and discover firsthandthe hidden clues left behind by thepeople who lived and worked therehundreds of years ago, by helpingscreen excavated soil. Monthly FamilyDig Days will be held from 1:30 p.m.to 3 p.m. on the grounds of theGeorge Washington Masonic NationalMemorial, 101 Callahan Drive, inAlexandria. The 2008 dates are onSaturdays: May 31; June 14; July 12;Aug. 16; Sept. 20 and Oct. 18. $5/person and spots fill up fast. Call 703-838-4399 or visitwww.alexandriaarchaeology.org toreserve a spot.

On Sundays from noon-5 p.m., visit theWaterfront and see history-inspired performances near theTorpedo Factory; do a “meet andgreet” of early Alexandria residentsand travelers near the Waterfront andlower King Street. Free. Visitwww.historicalexandria.org for more.

In celebration of the exhibition “Settingthe President’s Table: AmericanPresidential China,” visitors toMount Vernon will have a chanceevery day from June 1 to Aug. 31 towin a piece of porcelain featuring theMartha Washington “States” pattern.Drawings occur daily at 3 p.m. in theShops at Mount Vernon, and thegrand prize will be drawn on Aug. 31.No purchase is required, and visitorsdo not have to be present to win. Visitwww.mountvernon.org or 703-780-2000.

On weekdays from June throughAugust, from 10-11 a.m. or 11 a.m.-noon., children ages 6-12 can huntfor Harry Potter’s favorite plantsand explore their lore. Learn how tocraft a wand and make potions.Groups welcome. $6/student. 703-

642-5173. At Green Spring Garden,4603 Green Spring Road.

On Saturdays from June 7 throughAug. 16 from 1-3 p.m., children ages8-12 years can learn how to create agarden with hands-on activities andwill be able to grow a garden. $10/student. At Green Spring Garden,4603 Green Spring Road. To register,703-642-5173.

See Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N.Royal St., in a whole new light –lantern light. Tour the 1785 tavernand 1792 City Hotel during thesummer season with costumed guidesas you experience the tavern aspatrons did more than 200 years agobefore the advent of electricity. Toursare every Friday night, Junethrough August, from 7 p.m. to 10p.m. Tickets are $5 per person ages 5and up. Tours last approximately 30minutes, with the last tour starting at9:15 p.m. Call ahead to confirm tourdate. For more information, call 703-838-4242 or visitwww.gadsbystavern.org.

FRIDAY/MAY 30 Lunch Bunch. Noon at John Marshall

Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive.Children up to age 5 can bring alunch and listen to stories. Free. 703-971-0010.

Time For 2s. 10 a.m. at Beatley Library,5005 Duke St. For children ages 24-36 months. Free. Registrationrequired, 703-519-5900 ext. 4.

Performance. The upper elementarystudents of Aquinas MontessoriSchool, 8484 Mount Vernon Highway,will show “Aladdin, Jr.,” for the Fetecelebration from 6-8:30 p.m. Visitwww.aquinasmontessorischool.comfor more.

Theatre Performance. George MasonElementary School will perform“Storyville” at 7 p.m. at the school,2601 Cameron Mills Road. Free. 703-706-4470.

SATURDAY/MAY 31Spring Perennials – Design &

Combination Planting. 9:30-11a.m. at Green Spring Garden, 4603Green Spring Road. Bring a gardendesign to life by exploring the worldof perennials and beautiful woodyplants. $18/session. Call 703-642-5173 to register.

Car Show. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at theLyceum. See orphan cars fromcompanies such as Willys, Nash,Packard and more. Free. Visitwww.alexandriahistory.org or 703-838-4994.

Car Show. 8 a.m.-noon at MountVernon High School. Browse througha flea market, entertainment and

more. $10/car and free for spectators.703-781-0826.

Dance Concert. The ChoreographersCollaboration Project presents“Celebrate Del Ray” at 7 p.m. atGeorge Washington Middle School,1005 Mount Vernon Ave. $10/adult;$5/child.

Saturday Stories. 10:30 a.m. Time For2s. 10 a.m. at Beatley Library, 5005Duke St. All ages. Free. Registrationrequired, 703-519-5900 ext. 4.

Saturday Stories. 2 p.m. at BurkeLibrary, 4701 Seminary Road. Free.For all ages. 703-519-6000.

Movie Watch. 8:30 p.m. at FireFliesRestaurant, 1501 Mount Vernon Ave.Watch “Noise” by Aussie writer/director Matthew Saville. Free. Visitduncanfilms.blogspot.com or 703-548-7200.

Music Performance. Hearperformances by the winners of theAPAA music competition at 4 p.m. atthe Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St.Free. 703-505-0700.

Author Reading. Robert Patton willdiscuss his book “Patriot Pirates: ThePrivateer War for Freedom” at 7 p.m.at Olsson’s-Old Town, 106 S. UnionSt. Free. 703-684-0077.

Dance Concert. 8 p.m. at Convergence,1819 N. Quaker Lane. See aperformance by the MetropolitanYouth Tap Ensemble. $15/adult; $10/child. Visit www.metroyouthtap.org.

Civil War Camp Days. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.at Fort Ward Park, 4301 W. BraddockRoad. See Union and Confederate re-enactors. Suggested donation of $2/adult; $1/child. Visitwww.fortward.org or 703-838-4848.

Family Dig Day. 1:30-3:30 p.m. atMasonic Memorial, 101 CallahanDrive. $5/person. Excavate soil forartifacts. Reservations required, 703-838-4399.

Old Town Medicine Show. 11 a.m.-7p.m. at The Athanaeum, 201 PrinceSt. See “doctors” demonstrateremedies and services from the 19th

century. Free. Visit www.nvfaa.org or703-838-3852.

Horse Event. 1-4 p.m. at LittleBurgundy Fair, 5715 Sable Drive.Enjoy grooming demonstrations,prizes, crafts and more. Free. 703-549-4912.

SUNDAY/JUNE 1 Celebrate Life. 12:30-2:30 p.m. at

Stardust Restaurant. Children andadults will celebrate life at a “MadHatter” tea party. Features portraits,

auction, music and more. Benefits theInternational Morquio Organization.Visit www.morquio.org for more.

Opening Reception. 5-9 p.m. see artby Wesley Clark from June 1 throughJune 21 at Blueberry Art Gallery,3112A Mount Vernon Ave. Free. 703-894-8854.

Bridge Club. 4 p.m. at SherwoodRegional Library, 2500 Sherwood HallLane. Beginners and advanced playersage 12 and up can learn. Free. 703-765-3645.

MONDAY/JUNE 2 Music Performance. 7 p.m. at The

Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St. Hearmusic by Audrey Andrist and KaleighAcord. Free. 703-838-4994.

Martha Washington’s Birthday. Allguests named Martha get in free toMount Vernon Estate. Must show id.Visit www.mountvernon.org or 703-780-2000.

TUESDAY/JUNE 3 Birthday Talk. 7-9 p.m. at Sacred

Circle Bookstore, 919 King St. $30/person. Presented by Rev. CharleneHicks. Visitwww.violetfireenterprises.com.

Music Performance. The WestPotomac High School Orchestra willperform at 7 p.m. in the SpringbankAuditorium. Free. Hear music fromthe 18th century as well as musicscores.

Lullaby Stories. 7 p.m. at KingstowneLibrary, 6500 Landsdowne Centre.Children ages 1-5 can wear pajamasand enjoy bedtime stories. Free. 703-339-4610.

Tiny Tots. 10:30 a.m. at MarthaWashington Library, 6614 Fort HuntRoad. Children ages 13-23 monthscan enjoy stories and songs. Free.703-768-6700.

WEDNESDAY/JUNE 4 Music Performance. 7:30 p.m. at Lee

District Park Amphitheater, 6601Telegraph Road. Hear the UnitedStates Navy Band Cruisers perform.Free. 703-922-9841.

Intro to Knitting.6-8 p.m. at St.Elmo’s Coffee Pub,2300 MountVernon Ave. Learnthe basics. $55/person. Registerat “Danielle@knit-a-gogo.com.

Picnic Times. 10:30 a.m. at John

Marshall Library, 6209 Rose HillDrive. Children ages 2-3 can enjoystories and activities. Free. 703-971-0010.

THURSDAY/JUNE 5 First Thursday. Noon-9 p.m., artists

“Think Green” at the Del Ray Artisans,2704 Mount Vernon Ave., from June5-29. Artists thought about theenvironment through their artwork.Free. Visit www.thedelrayartisans.orgor 703-838-4827.

Music Performance. The GeorgeWashington Jazz Band will perform at6 p.m. as part of Del Ray’s “FirstThursday.” Free.

Music Performance. The GeorgeWashington Orchestra will perform at7 p.m. at the school. Free.

Music Performance. The WestPotomac High School, Carl Sandburgand other local school choirs willperform songs from Broadway at 7:30p.m. in the West Potomac Auditorium.$10/person. Visitwww.westpotomacchoirs.org formore.

Garden Stroll and Tea. 1-3 p.m. atGreen Spring Gardens, 4603 GreenSpring Road. Take a relaxing strollthrough the gardens and enjoy a tea.$25/person. To register, 703-941-7987.

Garden Sprouts: Lamb’s Ears andDandy Lions. 9:30 a.m. or 11 a.m. atGreen Spring Gardens, 4603 GreenSpring Road. Children ages 3-5 yearscan search for spider plants,elephant’s ears and more. $6/child.To register, 703-642-5173.

Book Discussion Group. 12:15 p.m.at Kingstowne Library, 6500Landsdowne Centre. Adults discuss“Dreaming of the Bones” by DeborahCrombie. Free. 703-339-4610.

First Thursday. 6-9 p.m. on MountVernon Ave. Enjoy booths and otheritems related to “Health andWellness.” Free. Visitwww.delraycitizen.org for more.

FRIDAY/JUNE 6 Opening Reception. 7-10 p.m., artists

“Think Green” at the Del Ray Artisans,2704 Mount Vernon Ave., from June5-29. Artists thought about theenvironment through their artwork.Free. Visit www.thedelrayartisans.orgor 703-838-4827.

Mount Vernon Nights. Listen to avariety of music at 7:30 p.m. onFriday nights at Grist Mill Park, 4710

Mount Vernon Memorial Highwaystarting June 6. Free. Visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/performances for more.

Music Performance. The WestPotomac High School, Carl Sandburgand other local school choirs willperform songs from Broadway at 7:30p.m. in the West Potomac Auditorium.$10/person. Visitwww.westpotomacchoirs.org formore.

Landscaping. 9 a.m.-noon at GreenSpring Gardens, 4603 Green SpringRoad. Learn how to create a garden.$160/two sessions. 703-642-5173.

Eco Savvy Rose Gardening. 1:30-3p.m. at Green Spring Garden, 4603Green Spring Road. Design a rosegarden with low maintenance rosesand ecologically savvy plants. $15/person. 703-642-5173.

Lunch Bunch. Children up to age 5 canbring a lunch and enjoy stories atnoon at John Marshall Library, 6209Rose Hill Drive. Free. 703-971-0010.

SATURDAY/JUNE 7 BBQ and Music. Noon-5 p.m. at Lee

Fendall House, 614 Oronoco St. Enjoybluegrass music by Dead Men’sHollow and more while eating BBQ.445/adult; $30/student; $15/child.Proceeds benefit Lee-Fendall House.703-548-1789.

Fun Fair. Noon-3 p.m. at Mount VernonRec Center, 2701 CommonwealthAve. Features moonbounces, slides,face painting, music, games, food andmore. $10/family. E-maillizwixson1@hotmail.com

Opening Reception. 5:30-8 p.m., see“2 Visions,” at Gallery West, 1213King St., from June 4 through July 6.

See Calendar, Page 7

Calendar

The bands at George Washington Middle School will perform on Thursday, June 5 at 6p.m. as part of the First Thursday in Del Ray, at 7 p.m. at the school.

Audrey Andrist and KaleighAcord (pictured) will per-form on Monday, June 2 atThe Lyceum.

To honor dad on Father’s Day, send us your favorite snapshots of you with yourdad and The Gazette will publish them in our Father’s Day issue. Be sure to includesome information about what’s going on in the photo, plus your name and phonenumber and town of residence. To e-mail digital photos, send to:

PhotoAX@connectionnewspapers.comOr to mail photo prints, send to:

The Mount Vernon Gazette, “Me and My Dad Photo Gallery,”1604 King St. • Alexandria, VA 22314

Photo prints will be returned to you if you include a stamped, self-addressed enve-lope, but please don’t send us anything irreplaceable.

“Me and My Dad”

6E ❖ Mount Vernon Gazette ❖ May 29 - June 4, 2008

Salutes all Dads with a

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By Michael Lee Pope

Gazette

In the garish light of day,Gadsby’s Tavern could be mis-taken for just another oldbuilding. Historic, of course,

but old and strangely distant from themodern world. At night, however, thetavern is transformed by candle-power. In the flickering glow of lan-terns, the tavern seems alive withshadows from the past. People whowork at the tavern say that experi-encing the tavern at night in the glowof candlelight is an experience alto-gether different from touring themuseum during the day.

“I know this sounds kind of dorky,”said Liz Williams, assistant directorat Gadsby’s Tavern. “But we alwayssay that the building seems happierwhen it’s lit up by candlelight. There’sjust something about it that’s differ-ent.”

ExperiencingGadsby’s Tavernby candlelighthas becomesuch a popularexperience thatannual lantern-led tours havebecome a fix-ture of the OldTown scene.That’s why themuseum will of-fer lantern-ledtours every Fri-day in June,July and Augustunless thebuilding hasbeen rented fora special occa-sion. Even thosewho have al-ready touredthe tavern by day may be surprised at the secrets ityields at night.

“The people who stayed at Gadsby’s 200 years agowould have seen it by candlelight,” said Amy Bertsch,spokeswoman for the Office of Historic Alexandria.“So this will give people a chance to experience thetavern the way Alexandria’s early visitors did.”

THOSE WHO venture to follow the lantern intothe darkened tavern will tour two buildings, one thatwas built in the 1780s and one that was constructedin the 1790s. Although they are from the same pe-riod, times had obviously changed for Alexandriaafter the American victory against the British. Peoplewho were staying for the night in the 1780s tavernwould have slept in the crowded third-floor“dormier,” sharing a bed with strangers. Those whoventured upstairs too late would end up sleeping on

Friday Night LightsLantern-led tours will allow visitors tosee Gadsby’s Tavern by candlelight.

Feel the CandlepowerSee the 18th century through a whole new

light by touring Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, anexperience that includes both the 1784 tavernand the 1792 City Hotel. The lantern-led tourswill be offered Friday nights between 7 and 10p.m. The tavern is located at 134 North RoyalStreet. For more information, call 703-838-4242.

the floor.“Ladies would not have stayed in a dormier,” said

Williams. “But they would have stayed at the CityHotel. So the contrast between the two buildings letsyou see the evolution of hospitality in Alexandria.”

The 1790s building on the corner of North RoyalStreet and Cameron Street, known for many years asthe City Hotel, had the luxury of offering privaterooms. One of the highlights of the lantern-led tourswill be seeing the room where the mysterious FemaleStranger died in 1816, undoubtedly more spooky atnight when visitors are likely to get a chill up theirspine when they learn about her strangely anony-mous male companion.

Another highlight will be learning about GeorgeWashington’s many visits to the tavern, where heenjoyed the simple pleasures of life. According to oneaccount of a 1798 visit documented by George Wash-ington Parke Custis, John Gadsby announced that hehad a “good store of canvas-back ducks in the lar-der.”

“Very good sir,” responded the former president inthe candle-lit tavern. “Give us some of them, with achafing-dish, some hominy and a bottle of good Ma-deira, and we shall not complain.”

Tours

Photo contributed

A guide at Gadsby’s Tavern.

Photo by Louise Krafft/Gazette

A view of one of thebedrooms in Gadsby’s.

allow visitors toby candlelight.

Mount Vernon Gazette ❖ May 29 - June 4, 2008 ❖ 7E

Catch The Best AtThe Village Wharf

www.thevillagewharf.com

7966 Fort Hunt RoadAlexandria, VA 22308

Ample Free ParkingPh: 703-765-0661 • Fax: 703-765-6761

Hours:Mon. - Thur. 7am - 10:30pmFri. & Sat. 7am - 1:30amSun. 11am - 10:30pm

Catch The Best AtThe Village Wharf

Breakfast Monday – Saturday 7-12Monday - Dinner 4 oz. Prime Rib $14.95

Tuesday - “Burger Nite” 8 oz. Burger 1⁄2 PriceWednesday - Ladies Nite

The Wharf WelcomesLadies Of The Red Hat Club

1⁄2

PUBLIC NOTICEPlease be advised that on Thursday, May 29, 2008and Saturday, May 31, 2008, between 8:00 p.m.

and 10:00 p.m., a brief fireworks display willtake place as part of a private event at George

Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens. TheMount Vernon Ladies’ Association thanks you foryour tolerance and apologizes for any disruption.

From Page 5

Calendar

Features the work of two of the gallery’snewest members, Linda Bankerd andRobinwyn Lewis. Visit www.gallery-west.com or 703-549-6006.

All About Kittens. 1-3 p.m. at VolaLawson Animal Shelter, 4101Eisenhower Ave. Learn about kittens.Free. Visitwww.alexandriaanimals.org or 703-838-4774.

Armenian Festival. Noon-6 p.m. atMarket Square, 301 King St. Enjoyhomemade food, music andhandcrafted items. Free. 703-883-4686.

Lee District Nights. 7:30 p.m. atHayfield Elementary School, 7633Telegraph Road. Hear Deanna Bogartperform. Free. 703-324-SHOW(7469).

Music Performance. The WestPotomac High School, Carl Sandburgand other local school choirs willperform songs from Broadway at 7:30p.m. in the West Potomac Auditorium.$10/person. Visit HYPERLINKwww.westpotomacchoirs.org formore.

Container Workshop: Pots. 9:30-11:30 a.m. at Green Spring Garden,4603 Green Spring Road. Design acontainer garden. $55/person. 703-642-5173.

Garden Sprouts: Lamb’s Ears andDandy Lions. 10 a.m. at GreenSpring Gardens, 4603 Green SpringRoad. Children ages 3-5 years cansearch for spider plants, elephant’sears and more. $6/child. To register,703-642-5173.

Kelley Cares 5k Run. 8 a.m. at GeorgeWashington Middle School, 1005Mount Vernon Ave. Proceeds willbenefit a Mobile Multi-Sensory Roomfor the Therapeutic RecreationProgram of Alexandria. Visitwww.delraycitizen.org for more.

School Fun Fair. Noon-3 p.m. atMount Vernon Rec Center. Free.www.delraycitizen.org for more.

SUNDAY/JUNE 8 Music Performance. Alexandria

Symphony Orchestra will performselections from “The Pirates of theCaribbean” at 2 p.m. at SchlesingerConcert Hall, 3001 N. Beauregard St.$5/person. Visit www.alexsym.org or703-548-0885.

Songs of Freedom. 1-5:30 p.m. atGunston Hall, 10709 Gunston Road,Mason Neck. Hear music by the AlfredStreet Baptist Church Male Chorus,

see hearth cooking demonstrationsand take tours www.gunstonhall.comor 703-550-9220 for ticketinformation.

Music Performance. Focus InnAlexandria presents Ellis with BobSima at 7 p.m. at Church of theResurrection, 2280 N. Beauregard St.$15/adult; $12/member. Visitwww.focusmusic.org or 703-380-3151.

Arlandria-Chirilagua Festival.Noon-7 p.m. at the Mount VernonVillage Shopping Center, 3700-3800blocks of Mount Vernon Ave. Free.Features music, food, activities, artsand crafts and more. 703-883-4686.

Picnic and Party. 11 a.m., at MountVernon Presbyterian Church, 2001Sherwood Hall Lane. There will be a

moon bounce, face painting, games,music, and food. 703-765-6118 orvisit www.mvpconline.org.

Summer Table Tea. 1-3 p.m. at GreenSpring Garden, 4603 Green SpringRoad. Learn outdoor entertaining tipswhile enjoying an English tea. $25/person. To register, 703-941-7987.

Bridge Club. 4 p.m. at SherwoodRegional Library, 2500 Sherwood HallLane. Beginners and advanced playersage 12 and up can learn. Free. 703-765-3645.

Medicine and Advertising. Robert E.Greenspan will talk about his book“Medicine: Perspectives in Historyand Art” at 4 p.m. at The Athenaeum,201 Prince St. Free, but reservationsrequired, www.nvfaa.org or 703-838-3852.

The AlexandriaSymphonyOrchestra willperform as partof theChildren’sFestival onSunday, June 8at theSchlesingerConcert Hall.

Other Items The City of Alexandria Com-

mission for the Arts announces a“Call to Artists” for the creation of the2008 Alex Awards. Artists, who eitherwork or live in the City, are asked tosubmit a proposal for up to five artpieces. All proposals must be submit-ted to the Alexandria Commission forthe Arts’ office (1108 Jefferson St.) bythe close of business on Wednesday,June 6. The theme of the 2008 AlexAwards is “The Global Arts in Alexan-dria,” and the artwork created for theaward should evoke this theme. Toreceive a “Call to Artists” form or re-quest further information call theCommission’s office at 703-838-6348,or visit the Web sitewww.alexandriacommissionforthearts.org,or e-mail aca@alexandriava.gov.

There will be an “Arts al Fresco”workshop June 23-27 from 9 a.m.-noon at Green Spring Gardens, 4603Green Spring Road. Children ages 6-

12 can use a different art medium to cre-ate garden inspired art. $135/studentincludes supplies and snacks. To regis-ter, 703-642-5173.

New and UpcomingExhibits

See “Body Piecing” by DeborahAddison Coburn at The Art League inthe Torpedo Factory, 105 N. Union St.,from June 5 through July 7. Fea-tures abstract paintings and collages.Free. Visit www.theartleague.org or703-683-1780.

See art by Wesley Clark throughJune 21 at Blueberry Art Gallery,3112A Mount Vernon Ave. Free. 703-894-8854.

“When a Painting is Knot” is ondisplay through June 29 at thePotomac Craftsmen Fiber Gallery, Stu-dio 18 in the Torpedo Factory, 105 N.

Union St. It is an interpretation ofGustav Klimt’s “The Kiss.” Free.www.torpedofactory.org for more.

See “Some New Things” fromJune 3 through July 6 at Enamel-ists Gallery in the Torpedo Factory,105 N. Union St. See art by KathyBransford. Free.www.torpedofactory.org or 703-838-4565.

Ongoing Exhibits Target Gallery in the Torpedo Fac-

tory, 105 N. Union St., presents “Ledby Thread” through June 1. Seean exhibit tat incorporates fiber. Free.Visit www.torpedofactory.org.

Gallery West, 1213 King St., pre-sents “Nature’s Journey” fromMay 7 through June 1. The exhibitshowcases landscapes, lotus and flow-ers by Darlene Kaplan. Free. Visitwww.gallery-west.com or 703-549-6006.

Fine Art

8E ❖ Mount Vernon Gazette ❖ May 29 - June 4, 2008

noon and running until 7 p.m., is the an-nual Irish Festival at Waterfront Park, 1 APrince St., sponsored by Ballyshaners,Inc.For the Irish challenged Ballyshaners isGaelic for “Old Towners.”

As from its conception, the Master of Cer-emonies will be Alexandria’s own irrepress-ible Irishman Pat Troy. And, from all indi-cations, he will still be insisting that Water-front Park, which he dubbed several yearsago “No Name Park,” be renamed“Fitzgerald Park” in honor of the mostprominent Irish founder of Alexandria.

In addition to Irish arts and crafts, Irish-American food and beverages, the festivalalso features all day entertainment by suchgroups as the Maple School, Culkin, Boyle,and O’Neill-James schools of dance; City ofAlexandria Pipes & Drums; and Washing-ton Scottish Pipes and Drums. There arealso concessions throughout the park sell-ing Irish memorabilia and heritage items.

For additional information call the eventshotline at 703-883-4686 or the Ballyshaners

at 703-237-2199 or visitwww.ballyshaners.org.

Rounding out the festival season on Sun-day, Aug. 24, from noon to 6 p.m. at BenBrenman Park, 4800 Brenman Park Drive,next to Cameron Station, is the “Festival ofCambodian Culture.” It features artisticperformances, arts and crafts exhibits, folkgames and sports, traditional Cambodiangames, a live band, as well as food and re-freshments.

Proceeds from this festival go toward pro-moting Cambodian Culture in the UnitedStates as well as funding Cambodian highereducation. It is co-sponsored by the Cam-bodian Community Day Committee and theAlexandria Department of Recreation,Parks, and Cultural Affairs.

For additional information contact:Sophia Tep - 571-218-9513; Mony Suong -571-234-7074; or Mealy Chhim - 571-228-4142. Information is also available atwww.CambodianCommunityDay.org.

In addition to the festivals, Alexandrianscan also enliven their summer evenings byattending:

Festivals Come To AlexandriaFrom Page 2

nd Note

A scene from a previousScottish festival. It is

held either in Septemberor October.

Various Cinema Del Ray outdoorfilm festivals beginning June 21 atthe Mount Vernon Avenue ball fieldcommencing at dusk. Known as “DelRay Movie Night,” they are spon-sored by the Potomac West BusinessAssociation.

An Outdoor Film Festival at BenBrenman Park from July 25 throughJuly 27.

Finally, there is the “One LoveCommunity Festival” on August 16from noon to 8 p.m. at the BraddockFall Field. It is under the sponsor-ship of Operation HOPE. For infor-mation call Lenwood Harris at 202-285-1240.

Photo by Louise

Krafft/Gazette

by Brad Hathaway

Gazette

It may be hard to imagine Ireland without its famed pubs. It would be evenharder to imagine Irish theater without them, for the image of the Irish

wrapping palms around pints is indeliblyetched on the consciousness of anyone whoattends an Irish play from time to time.

The Keegan Theatre, a company thatstarted out in Arlington and has developedstrong ties to all things Irish (including be-ing the only American theater company thatannually tours the Emerald Isle) is present-ing the American premiere of a play byOwen McCafferty that taps into the prob-lem Irish pubs are having.

With the increasing affluence of the Irish

people, they have many new options fortheir free time and they are spending lessand less time sitting in pubs knocking backa brew or a shot. As a result, many pubsare going out of business. The BBC reportedlast year on the decline in pub licenses andthe closings among rural pubs, especiallyin the Republic of Ireland where smokinghas been banned in pubs.

McCafferty’s play isn’t set in a rural pubor even in the Republic of Ireland. It takesplace in a small bar in a hotel in Belfast inNorthern Ireland - but the trend is hittingthere as well. As the owner of the estab-lishment contemplates shutting down, hisfew regulars sit watching the news on TV(and discussing the death of CharltonHeston). As local audiences learned lastyear when Keegan produced McCafferty’s

“Mojo Mickybo,” the playwright capturesthe language of his home country with anuncanny touch.

For this new production, the co-artisticdirectors of Keegan’s “New Island Project”which specializes in smaller works, EricLucas and his wife Kerry Waters Lucas, bothdirect and appear in the show. He’s one ofthe pub’s regulars who’s not above sneak-ing behind the bar to add to his pint whenleft alone. She’s the owner’s wife who worksas a barmaid and is tempted to take off toescape the atmosphere of failure in herhusband’s world.

Playing the owner/proprietor is BruceRauscher, who is discovered at the start ofthe play with his head on his arm, slumpedover a table where he passed out from toomuch drink the night before. (The drool

Keegan Theatre Portrays Pub Life In IrelandKeegan Theatre exploresfate of famed institution.

Where and When The Keegan Theatre’s production of “Closing Time” plays through June 7 at Theatre on the

Run, 3700 South Four Mile Run Drive. Performances are Thursday - Saturday at 8 p.m. witha matinee on Sunday, June 1 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $15 - $20. Call 703-892-0202 or log on towww.keegantheatre.org.

puddle on his sleeve attests both to his un-conscious state and to the attention to de-tail of the production.)

Ian LeValley and Mark A. Rhea are theother men in the bar - LeValley as a cus-tomer honest enough to put the paymentin the till whenever he pours himself a shotand Rhea as a neighbor who is handicappedby the effects of a gunshot wound to thehead on the mean streets of Belfast.

As can be expected from this cast at thistheater, the acting is expressive, well con-ceived and highly entertaining. This is es-pecially true of Rhea who stretches his skillsto handle a part that is quite different frommany of the roles he has taken in the past.He’s marvelous in this one.

Brad Hathaway reviews theater in Virginia,Washington and Maryland as well as Broad-way, and edits Potomac Stages, a website cov-ering theater in theregion(www.PotomacStages.com). He can bereached at Brad@PotomacStages.com.

Send listings to Gazette atgazette@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is 2p.m. the Thursday before publication. Call RebeccaHalik at 703-917-6407 with any questions.

Other News Act III Theatre Company is holding audi-

tions for “A Year with Frog and Toad” for men andwomen ages 15 and up on June 2-3 from 7-9 p.m.at Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre, 125 S.Old Glebe Road. 703-548-1154.

Just Starting The Port City Playhouse presents “Split Sec-

ond” from June 6-21 at Lee Center for the Per-forming Arts, 1108 Jefferson St. All shows start at8 p.m. $15/adult; $13/senior, student. Visitwww.portcityplayhouse.com or 703-838-2880.

See “The Visit” through June 22 at Signa-ture Theatre, 4200 Campbell Avewww.signature-theatre.org or 703-820-9771 formore.

From June 12 through June 15, NeelamPatel presents “Strippng Borders” at Theatre onthe Run, 3700 S. Four Mile Run Drive.www.strippingborders.com for more.

See “The Underpants” from June 7 throughJune 28 at the Little Theatre of Alexandria, 600

Wolfe St www.thelittletheatre.com or 703-683-0496 for tickets.

See “The Lion and the Mouse” from June14 through Aug. 16 at Classika Theatre, 4041S. 28th St. Visit www.classika.org or 703-824-6200for tickets and more.

Last Chance Zemfira Stage presents Aaron Sorkin’s classic

military courtroom drama, “A Few Good Men,”through May 31 at The Lyceum, located at 201South Washington St. Performances are Thursdaysthrough Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 7:30p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for stu-dents, seniors and military personnel. For

reservations or more information, contact ZemfiraStage at703-318-0619 or zina@zemfirastage.com,or visit www.zemfirastage.com.

Teatro de la Luna presents “Volvio UnaNoche” (She Returned One Night) through May31 at Gunston Arts Center, Theatre Two, 2700 S.Lang St. Performances are Thursdays-Saturdays at8p.m. and Saturday matinees at 3 p.m. Ticketsrange between $20-$30. Visitwww.teatrodelaluna.org or 703-548-3092.

Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave., presents“The Happy Time” by Kander and Ebb throughJune 1. Listen to the story of Jacques Bonnard.Visit www.signature-theatre.org or 703-820-9771for tickets and times.

Local Theater