Two Kwanzaa Events at Alexandria Black History Museum December 10

Get ready for Kwanzaa in time to celebrate it this year with two special programs on Saturday, December 10, at the Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe Street.

 

The Family Kwanzaa Celebration programfrom 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. is ideal for children and their parents. Conducted by Culture Kingdom Kids, educator Jessica Smith will teach families fun and creative ways to celebrate the seven days of Kwanzaa through a variety of interactive performances, hands-on activities and crafts. "Culture Queen," the superhero mascot of Culture Kingdom Kids, will also make a special appearance. Families will be culturally enriched and better prepared to celebrate Kwanzaa in their homes and communities. Admission is $5 per person, and advance reservations are recommended.

 

Then, at 4:30 p.m., attend a free screening of "The Black Candle: A Kwanzaa Celebration." This vibrant documentary from M.K. Asante uses Kwanzaa as a vehicle to explore and celebrate the African-American experience. Filmed across the United States, Africa, Europe and the Caribbean, "The Black Candle" is a timely illumination on why the seven principles of Kwanzaa are so important to African Americans today. Narrated by Maya Angelou, it traces the holiday's growth out of the Black Power Movement in the 1960s to its present-day reality as a global, pan-African holiday embraced by over 40 million celebrants. This viewing is part of "Movies with a Mission," a series of films about the African Diaspora that seek to inform and inspire dialogue.

Rock Your Park” – Winter 2011 / 2012 Community Open Play at Ben Brenman Park Synthetic Turf Field

The City of Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities is celebrating "Rock Your Park" by offering free Community Open Play Days and Nights throughout this winter at the Ben Brenman Park synthetic turf field. 

Beginning December 6, 2011 through February 12, 2012, families, friends and neighbors of all ages are encouraged to visit our fields to exercise, play soccer, lacrosse, touch football, rugby, frisbee and much more. Staff monitored activities will be available as follows:

• Ben Brenman Park Field, 4800 Brenman Park Dr.
  Tuesday & Thursday from  6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
  Saturday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
  Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Guidelines to consider as you go to "Rock Your Park":

• Show courtesy to all other field users. 
• No permits or registration will be required and use will be on a first come, first served basis. 
• No uniformed teams or structured games allowed.
• Participants must provide their own equipment /balls.
• Tennis shoes or turf shoes only.
• Pick-up game time limits enforced.
• No pets, smoking, alcohol, or music allowed at the fields.
• Youth must be accompanied by a parent or adult chaperone.
• HAVE FUN!!!!

For additional information, call Mac Slover at 703.746.5402 or e-mail atmac.slover@alexandriava.gov.

December 10 – “Christmas in Camp” Open House

Join a Civil War Santa at this family-fun holiday event at Fort Ward Museum, 4301 West Braddock Road,from noon to 4 p.m.  See how Christmas was observed during the Civil War with living-history interpreters, a Victorian Christmas tree, refreshments, readings of "The Night Before Christmas" and a patriotic Santa Claus. Guided tours of the fort will be given, weather permitting. Suggested donation of $2 for adults, $1 for children. For more information, visit www.fortward.org or call703.746.4848

Family Fun - Evergreens Evermore:

Saturday, December 3

Spruce, pine, and cedar - find these evergreen trees and more, while discovering facts and folklore. Make an evergreen decoration for your winter home. Participants must be at least 5 and accompanied by a registered adult.2 to 3 p.m. Green Spring Gardens. $6/person. Register online. For more information call703-642-5173.