April Alexandria Events Calendar
April Main Attractions
85th Annual Alexandria Historic Homes & Garden Tour
April 21, 2018 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Admission: $45 in advance; $55 day of; $25 for single-site admission
Various locations throughout Old Town Alexandria
703-838-5005
www.VAGardenWeek.org
On April 21st, five of Old Town Alexandria’s finest private homes and gardens will open to the public as part of the 85th Historic Garden Week, the oldest and largest house and garden tour in the nation. The homes will feature beautiful flower arrangements created by the members of the Garden Club of Alexandria and The Hunting Creek Garden Club, which are sponsoring the tour, open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A Marketplace at The Athenaeum, boutique shopping, and fine dining are just steps away. In addition, the tour ticket allows access to two Garden Club of Virginia restoration projects, George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens and Green Spring Gardens, in addition to other local properties of historic interest.
34th Annual George Washington Parkway Classic 10 Mile, 5K and Kids Dash
April 22, 2018 at 8:00 a.m.
Admission: $10-$80
Old Town Alexandria; starting places vary
www.visitalexandriava.com/parkwayclassic
The George Washington Parkway Classic is Alexandria’s hometown race, and so much more, with the Parkway route connecting two of the area’s most historic spots. The starting gun (sadly, there is no musket) fires steps from the picturesque George Washington’s Mount Vernon. From there, you’ll travel down the tree-lined George Washington Memorial Parkway to another area associated with Washington, charming Old Town Alexandria. In addition to the 10 mile distance, a 5K and kids dash are available. The George Washington Parkway Classic supports the Boys and Girls Club of Alexandria and has been voted a favorite spring race by RunWashington Magazine. Join Pacers Running for the
34th Annual George Washington Parkway Classic!
MORE SPRING EVENTS & TOURS:
Through the 29th
Spring Performances at MetroStage: Celebrating Work by Women, About Women, and Starring Women
Various times
Admission: $45
MetroStage
1201 N. Royal St.
703-548-9044
www.metrostage.org
MetroStage will feature two performances this spring celebrating work by women, about women, and starring women. From March 8-25, 2018, George…Don’t Do That! is a musical entertainment celebrating the wit and wisdom of one of Britain’s most beloved comediennes. From April 13-29, 2018, I Did It My Way in Yiddish (in English) features the internationally acclaimed Jewish comic, musician and writer Deb Filler. A brilliant storyteller, she has charmed audiences world-wide with her smash hit.
3rd
Sister City Concert: Craig Weir, Scottish bagpiper and the Highland Divas
7:00 -9:00 p.m.
Admission: Free
The Lyceum
201 S. Washington St.
703-746-4994
shop.alexandriava.gov
Craig Weir has performed for the Queen, the Dalai Lama, Princess Anne, the Duchess of Cornwall, and Gordon Brown. At the Commonwealth Games, his version of Flower of Scotland played around the world every time Scotland won a gold medal! Craig has played in Ireland, Switzerland, China, Belgium, the Faroe Islands, Germany, the U.S., France Italy, Cyprus, and Iceland. Craig has received numerous awards including a Dundee Hero Award for Performer of the Year, an Angus Cultural Ambassadors Award for his band Gleadhraich, and the Creative Scotland Arts Award at the Young Scot Awards. Craig was also honored with the title of Global Ambassador to the World Peace Tartan. Georgia, Margaret & Marla are The Highland Divas. Two from Scotland, and one from New Zealand. Three women with diverse musical backgrounds and a common heritage. These uniquely talented artists will take you on a musical journey that spans the folk music of Ireland, Scotland and New Zealand and culminates in the soaring heights of Rock Opera. A journey from the most achingly spare Celtic ballads to the most thrilling, harmonized interpretations of Popular & Classical Music.
7th
The “Grandest Congress”: The French and Indian War in Alexandria
12 noon-4:00 p.m.
Admission: Free
Carlyle House Historic Park
121 N. Fairfax St.
703-549-2997
www.carlylehouse.org
Visitors are invited to step back in time at Carlyle House and experience Braddock’s visit and the French and Indian War firsthand through costumed interpreters. Imagine, it’s the spring of 1755. Major General Edward Braddock, Commander-in-Chief of His Majesty’s Forces in North America, landed in Alexandria on March 26th to assume command of all North American military forces. He lodged at the grandest dwelling in town, Carlyle House. While staying at Carlyle House, Braddock convened a meeting of five colonial governors. Among Braddock’s objectives was to secure funding for his upcoming campaign against the French. Carlyle called this gathering “the Grandest Congress … ever known on the Continent.” Admission is free, but donations are welcome.
7th & 8th
Concerts with the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra
Admission: $5 for youth 18 and under; $10 for students with IDs; $20-$80 for adults
7th at 8:00 p.m.
Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall & Arts Center
4915 E. Campus Dr.
8th at 3:00 p.m.
The George Washington Masonic National Memorial
101 Callahan Dr.
703-548-0885
www.AlexSym.org
Journey through time as three centuries collide when the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra and Maestro Nicholas Hersh present the season finale. The program begins with C.P.E. Bach’s Baroque Symphony in E-Flat Major followed by Piazzolla’s modern tango-inspired Tangazo: Variations on Buenos Aires. Rounding out the program is Brahms’ Romantic, melancholy and pastoral Symphony No. 2.
8th
Apothecary Museum Geek Tours: Civil War
11:00 a.m.-Noon
Admission: $15
Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum
105 S. Fairfax St.
703-746-3852
www.alexandriava.gov
On this guided tour learn about the events in Alexandria during the Civil War through the lens of this family pharmacy. Tour is from 11 a.m. to noon and costs $15 per person; tour is recommended for adults only.
Facetime with History: Hannah Fairfax Washington and Jane Fairfax
1:00-4:00 p.m.
Admission: $5 per adult
Gadsby’s Tavern Museum
134 N. Royal St.
703-746-4242
www.alexandriava.gov/gadsbystavern
On the second Sunday of every month, guests will be greeted by a person from the past while journeying through the museum. While the character varies, through conversation and stories, guests will deepen their understanding of the past and how it connects to today.
12th, 19th & 26th
Jane Austen Ball Dance Classes
7:30-9:30 p.m.
Admission: $12 per person; $30 for all three classes
Gadsby’s Tavern Museum
134 N. Royal St.
703-746-4242
www.alexandriava.gov/gadsbystavern
In preparation for the Jane Austen Ball: Mr. Darcy’s Delight on the April 28, learn 18th century English country dancing from expert dance instructors.
13th
Late Shift at the Torpedo Factory: What is Art?
7:00 -11:00 p.m.
Admission: Free
Torpedo Factory Art Center
105 N. Union St.
703-746-4590
Celebrate the work of some of the region’s best up-and-coming talent during the opening reception for Target Gallery’s Emerging Artists exhibition. Meet artists Katie Barrie, Ronald Jackson, Hollis McCracken and Holly Trout and hear them talk about their work. Mix and mingle with the Factory Society young-patrons group. Enjoy music, live performances, refreshments, and more.
15th
Apothecary Museum Geek Tours: Pharmacy Nerds
11:00 a.m.-Noon
Admission: $15
Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum
105 S. Fairfax St.
703-746-3852
www.alexandriava.gov
Spend more time touring the Apothecary Museum with museum volunteer, Dr. Ken Miller, retired professor of pharmacology. Ken will focus on the historic medicinal ingredients that are still used today in modern medicine while also touching upon the Stabler and Leadbeater family and business history. This tour is great for first time and return visitors and is recommended for adults only.
21st
Carlyle House Garden Day Herb & Craft Sale
8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Admission: Free; $5 to tour house; free tours with Alexandria Garden Day ticket
Carlyle House Historic Park, 121 N. Fairfax St., Alexandria, VA 22314
703-549-2997
www.carlylehouse.org
Come celebrate spring with the Friends of Carlyle House’s Annual Garden Day Herb & Craft Sale from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 22. Tour Carlyle House, the actual site of the Mansion House Hospital featured in the PBS drama MERCY STREET. Purchase culinary and decorative herbs, plants, and flowers raised in Mount Vernon’s greenhouses. Bring your gardening questions to the Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. Enjoy live musical entertainment throughout the day, a bake sale, book sale, white elephant table, and more. Proceeds benefit Carlyle House. This event is free, however admission to the Carlyle House museum is $5 for adults, $3 for children, and free for Friends of Carlyle House or with your Alexandria Garden Day ticket. This event will take place rain or shine.
Firefighting History Walking Tour
1:00 -2:30 p.m.
Admission: $6 for adults; $4 ages 10-17
Friendship Firehouse Museum
107 S. Alfred St.
703-746-4994
www.alexandriava.gov
Explore Alexandria’s firefighting history on the “Blazing a Trail: Alexandria’s Firefighting History” tour. Participants learn about volunteer firefighting in early Alexandria, three devastating fires, and the five volunteer fire companies. The tour begins at the historic Friendship Firehouse, proceeds east on Prince Street, and returns via King Street. For age 10 and older.
28th
Jane Austen Ball: Mr. Darcy’s Delight
8:00-11:00 p.m.
Admission: $45 per person
Gadsby’s Tavern Museum
134 N. Royal St.
703-746-4242
www.alexandriava.gov/gadsbystavern
Spring is in the air! Dance to Mr. Darcy’s Delight at this late-1790s era ball. The evening will feature a variety of English Country dances in the historic ballroom, live music, and dessert collation. Period costume optional, “after-five” attire encouraged.