February 12 – Swordsmen's Rendezvous – Gadsby's Tavern Museum

En garde!  Experience this unique living history program as you learn a skill all 18th-century gentlemen must know – sword play! The program at Gadsby's Tavern Museum, 134 North Royal Street, includes re-enactment of 18th-century sword play and a display of 18th-century weapons. This popular family event will include some audience participation as you practice your new found talents. Price is $6 per person, ages 5 and up. Program recommended for 2nd grade and older (adults will have fun too!). Tours are from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and reservations are required. For more information, visit www.gadsbystavern.org or call 703.746.4242.

Alexandria Museums Hold Open Houses on Parade Day

Free Tours of Gadsby's Tavern Museum and Other Historic Alexandria Museums 

On Monday, February 21, the day of the George Washington Birthday Parade in Alexandria, several Historic Alexandria sites will be hosting special open houses with free admission. Gadsby's's Tavern Museum, 134 North Royal Street, and the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum, 105-107 South Fairfax Street, will both be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; the Friendship Firehouse Museum, 107 South Alfred Street, will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and The Lyceum, Alexandria's History Museum, 201 South Washington Street, will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors may tour these historic sites for free on this day. Also open from noon to 5 p.m. is the Historic Alexandria History Center & Museum Store, 101 North Union Street, where you can stop in and get dressed for the parade in 18th-century style! Make a tricorn hat to take with you, get your picture taken with the George and Martha Washington cut-out, and try on 18th-century clothing. Did you know that Thomas Jefferson celebrated his inauguration in 1801 in the Gadsby's Tavern ballroom? What was a popular tavern beverage of the time? What was considered luxurious for overnight accommodations in the 18th century? Visitors to Gadsby's Tavern Museum will find out at the place George Washington dined and danced. At the Apothecary, which opened in 1792, visitors will see its unique collection of herbs and botanicals, while discovering the important role the Apothecary played in early Alexandria. Among featured display items will be documents from Martha Washington, our country's first First Lady, one of several famous customers who relied on the Apothecary. At the Friendship Firehouse, first built in 1855 and remodeled in 1871, see hand-drawn fire engines, leather water buckets, axes, sections of early rubber hose and other historic firefighting equipment. The Friendship Fire Company, established in 1774, was Alexandria's first volunteer fire company, and the restoration of Friendship's distinctive cupola was just completed last year. At The Lyceum, Alexandria's History Museum, stop in for the special program "Meet the President" before the parade. At 11 a.m., Brian Hilton will portray President Woodrow Wilson and discuss events of the time of his presidency, 1913 to 1921, before taking questions from the audience. And before or after the parade, guests can explore The Lyceum's exhibitions. For more information about these events, please visit www.historicalexandria.org.

Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities Celebrates the Life and Accomplishments of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr

Several activities planned to honor and commemorate Martin Luther King, Jr. 

The Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities will commemorate the accomplishments of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at multiple recreation centers from Monday, January 10 through Tuesday, January 18. Enjoy family friendly activities including films, seminars, mural creation, displays, refreshments and much more.

For additional information, visit the Calendar of Community Events and Activities at alexandriava.gov/recreation.

Mount Vernon Children's Community Theatre Auditions - Annie!

MVCCT announces open auditions

Based upon the popular comic strip "Little Orphan Annie," this musical has won the hearts of children and adults alike with memorable songs including "Tomorrow" and "Hard-Knock Life." This beloved musical was nominated for 11 and won 7 Tony Awards including the 1977 Tony for Best Musical.

Auditions:January 10 and 11. 8-10 year olds audition from 5:30pm-7pm and age 11 and up audition from from 7pm-8:30pm. Students should be prepared to sing 16 bars of a song, sheet music is optional.  All should please bring a photograph. Email mvcct@verizon.net or call (703) 360-0686 to schedule an audition day and time. (See the MVCCT web site for more information: http://www.mvcct.org/performances.php)

Performances:
March 25, 26 and April 2 at 7:30 PM
March 27 and April 3 at 3:00 PM

Rehearsals and performances held at
Carl Sandburg Middle School
8428 Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria, VA