Alexandria/Mount Vernon Weekend Fun: Sept. 4-13

Ongoing

Leigh Merrill: “Cloud Seeding.” Through Sept. 7, during gallery hours at Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union St. Texas-based artist Leigh Merrill shows photography and video in her solo exhibition Cloud Seeding. Merrill’s work examines the construction of desire, fiction and beauty in urban landscapes by digitally compositing images and videos. Admission is free. Visit www.torpedofactory.org.

“Fields.” Through Sept. 6, during gallery hours at The Athenaeum Gallery, 201 Prince St. Abstract Artists David Carlson and Pat Goslee make art based on their interests in spiritual exploration and energy fields. Free. Visit www.nvfaa.org for more.

Special Family Museum Tours. Saturdays through Sept. 7, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St. Flexible tours and hands-on activities provide a deeper experience into the social and political life of Alexandria in the 18th and 19th centuries. Tickets are $5 for adults ($4 with AAA card), $3 children ages 5-12, and children ages 4 and under as well as Alexandria Public School and Blue Star families receive free admission. Coupons accepted. Call 703-746-4242 or visit www.gadsbystavern.org.

Art Exhibit: Sultry Colors. Through Sept. 7, 10 a.m- 6 p.m. at Torpedo Factory Arts Center, 105 N. Union St. The Enamelists at The Torpedo Factory collaborate for an exhibit filled with sultry colors and patterns. Visit www.torpedofactory.org/event/sultry-colors/ or call 703-838-4565.

Exhibit: “Scapes.” Through Sept. 7, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at The Art League Gallery, 105 N. Union St. View the annual August landscape exhibit juried by Elizabeth Peak. Free. Visit www.theartleague.org.

Exhibit: “Taking Shape.” Through Sept. 7, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at The Art League Gallery, 105 N. Union St. This exhibit features three-dimensional works by Art League member artists. Free. Visit www.theartleague.org.

Baseball Boat to Nationals Park. Through Sept. 26 at various times. Leaves from the Alexandria Marina, 1 Cameron St. Baseball fans can avoid heavy traffic and cruise along the Potomac to Nationals Park. Tickets are $20 one-way and $25 round-trip, Monday-Thursday, $28 roundtrip Friday-Sunday. Visit www.potomacriverboatco.com.

Fred Eberhart Photography Exhibit. Throughout September10 a.m.- 5 p.m. at Broadway Gallery, 5641-B General Washington Drive. Photographer Fred Eberhart focuses on local Virginia landscapes. Free. Visit www.broadwaygalleries.net.

Doggy Happy Hour. Tuesdays through Oct. at 5-8 p.m. at Jackson 20, 480 King St. Enjoy discounted drinks and treats with one's dog. Free. Visit www.jackson20.com.

Water Taxi to the National Mall. Through Nov. 1, at various times at Alexandria Marina, 1 Cameron St. Cruise from Old Town to D.C. on the Miss Sophie, while stopping view some of the area's most popular attractions. Tickets are $28 roundtrip and $14 one-way for adults. For children under 12, tickets are $16 roundtrip and $8 one-way. Visit www.potomacriverboatco.com/.

Mount Vernon in 3-D: Then & Now. Through Nov. 20 during regular operating hours at George Washington’s Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Highway. Visitors will have the chance to travel back in time, and in 3-D, to see how the estate appeared more than 100 years ago through a special photography exhibition. The exhibition is included in the regular admission fee of $17 for adults, $16 for seniors, $9 for youth and free for childre younger than 5. To view the historic stereoview images as well as the modern 3-D anaglyphs, visit www.mountvernon.org/3D.

“Not-So-Modern” Jazz Quartet Performance. Thursdays through Dec. 31, 7:30-10 p.m. at St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub, 2300 Mount Vernon Ave. Not So Modern Jazz Music plays music from the glory days of traditional jazz, including tunes from traditional Dixieland and the Swing era. Free. Visit www.stelmoscoffeepub.com for more.

Flamenco Show. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 7:30-8:30 p.m. at La Tasca, 607 King St. Watch dancers and guitarists perform traditional flamenco. Free to attend. Call 703-299-9810 or visit www.latascausa.com.

French Movie Night. Every Thursday, 7 p.m. in the back room of Fontaine Caffe & Creperie, 119 S. Royal St. View a French film. Free, no reservation necessary. Call 703-535-8151 or visit www.fontainecaffe.com/reviews.html.

Journey to Be Free: Alexandria Freedmen's Cemetery. Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe St. A new exhibit tracing the 150-year history of the long-forgotten Freedmen’s Cemetery, its rediscovery and how the new Contrabands and Freedmen’s Cemetery Memorial was created at the site. Call 703-746-4356.

Their Fates Intertwined: The Lees of Alexandria in the War of 1812. Wednesday- Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, 1-4 p.m. Lee-Fendall House and Gardens, 614 Oronoco St. A new exhibit on the experiences of the Lee family in Alexandria during the War of 1812 examines the contributions of Alexandria’s citizens during the conflict that led to the writing of our national anthem through the lives of this iconic Virginia family. Visit www.leefendallhouse.org or call 703-548-1789.

Alexandria Cars & Coffee invites car enthusiasts to meet for coffee at Hollin Hall Shopping Center in front of Roseina’s, 1307 Shenandoah Road. Owners of classic cars, hot rods, exotic cars, motorcycles and more meet to share car stories and drink coffee. Group meets the first Sunday of every month. 8:30-11 a.m.

Fifty Years of Collecting. Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sundays 12-5 p.m. Fort Ward Museum, 4301 W. Braddock Road. An anniversary exhibit of objects from the Fort Ward collection. Free. Visit www.fortward.org or call 703-746-4848.

Dinner for the Washingtons. 12 p.m. at George Washington's Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway. A walking tour that goes behind the scenes to find out how food was prepared and served before the era of microwaves and TV dinners. $5 in addition to estate admission. Visit www.mountvernon.org for more.

Second Thursday Music. Athenaeum, 201 Prince St. 7 pm. Second Thursday of every month. Visit nvfaa.org to view concert calendar and listen to upcoming Second Thursday Music artists.

The Monday Morning Birdwalk takes place weekly, rain or shine (except during electrical storms, strong winds, or icy trails), at 7 a.m. (8 a.m. November through March), is free, requires no reservation and is open to all. Birders meet in the parking lot at the park's entrance at 3701 Lockheed Blvd. Direct questions to Park staff during normal business hours at 703-768-2525.

Civil War Sundays. 1-5 p.m. at Alexandria Archaeology Museum, 105 North Union St., #327. Learn more about the Civil War as it occurred in Alexandria. Find dioramas, newspaper articles and more. Free. Visit www.alexandriaarchaeology.org.

Through Sept. 18

International Guild of Realism 10th Annual International Juried Exhibition. During gallery hours at Principle Gallery, 208 King St. The Guild is dedicated to the advancement of realism in fine art. Admission to the gallery is free. Visit www.principlegallery.com/alexandria for more.

Through Nov. 20

Young at Art Juried Art Show. Monday-Friday, 5-10 p.m. at Durant Arts Center, 1605 Cameron St. Artists 55 and older can contribute their artwork for the exhibition. On Thursday, Aug. 20, artists can bring their work to the Durant Center from 10 a.m.-noon to be registered and displayed. Artists must fill out a Entry and Artist/Lender Agreement and pay an entry fee of $20 for up to three works of art, $5 for any additional pieces. Entry forms can be found at www.seniorservicesalex.org or by calling Mary Lee Anderson at 703-836-4414, extension 111.

Through Oct. 18

Potomac Fiber Arts Gallery Juried Show: “What I Did On My Summer Vacation.” 10-5 p.m., 10-9 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month. Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union St., Studio 18. View summer vacation-themed artwork. Admission is free. Visit www.Potomacfiberartsgallery.com.

Friday/Sept. 4

Big Chalk Draw 2015. 8-10 a.m. at St Aidan’s Episcopal Church, 8531 Riverside Road. School supply donations are welcome at this chalk art community event. Free. Call 703-201-1250 or visit www.artatthecenter.org.

Sept. 4-Oct. 31

“Seven Deadlies.” Fridays 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturdays 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at The Gallery @ Convergence, 1801 N. Quaker Lane. Sculptor Karen Swenholt explores lust, sloth, greed, gluttony, wrath, envy, and pride. Free. Visit www.ourconvergence.org for more.

Saturday/Sept. 5

Pohick Church Tours. 1-3 p.m. at The Historic Pohick Church, 9301 Richmond Highway. The Historic Pohick Church Docent Guild will give guided tours of the historic colonial church. Free. Visit www.pohick.org.

Jonathan Edwards. 7:30 p.m. at the Birchmere, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave. Folk artist who has collaborated with Emmylou Harris and Darrell Scott will make a stop on a tour celebrating the release of “Tomorrow’s Child.” Tickets are $39.95. Visit www.birchmere.com for more.

Saturday-Sunday/Sept. 5-6

Labor at Lee-Fendall Tours. 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday, 2 p.m. on Sunday at the Lee-Fendall House, 614 Oronoco St. Learn more about the life and times of the free and enslaved laborers who inhabited the grounds. Admission is free for museum members and $7 in advance for others. Visit www.leefendallhouse.org for more.

Sunday/Sept. 6

Walk With Washington. 2-3:30 p.m. at Ramsay House Visitor Center, 221 King St. Take a guided walking tour of locations in the heart of Old Town Alexandria associated with George Washington. Hear stories about the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army and our first President. Free, but donations accepted. Call 703-549-9128.

Tuesday-Sunday/Sept. 8-Oct. 18

Photography Exhibit. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. on Thursdays at The Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union St. View the work of photographer Karen Keating, who combines words and images in her photos. Free. Visit www.multipleexposuresgallery.com/.

Wednesday/Sept. 9

Get Moving in Carlyle. 6 p.m. at John Carlyle Square, 300 John Carlyle St. and 1901 Jamieson Ave. Take an outdoor yoga class sponsored by Local Motion Studio. Free. Visit www.localmotionstudio.com for more.

Thursday-Sunday/Sept. 10-Oct. 18

“Angel Soldier Dance Sublime.” 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at the Target Gallery, Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union St. View work exploring femininity and masculinity by female artists from Maine’s Blue Hill Peninsula. Free. Visit torpedofactory.org.

Thursday-Sunday/Sept. 10-Oct. 25

Athenaeum Invitational Exhibition. During gallery hours at the Athenaeum, 201 Prince St. Works inspired by the song “Don’t Fence Me In,” by Cole Porter, will be on display. Free. Visit nvfaa.org.

Thursday/Sept. 10

Second Thursday Art Night: Sharpen Your Pencils. 6-9 p.m. at The Torpedo Factory, 105 N. Union St. Personalize your own art journal and leave a sketch in the six notebooks scattered around the building for a community sketching project. Visit www.torpedofactory.org.

Second Thursday Live: Rhythm and Roots Experience. 7 p.m. at the Athenaeum, 201 Prince St. This performance will feature West African music. Admission is $15. Visit nvfaa.org.

Sept. 10-Oct. 5

“The Ring of Fire.” Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday; Thursday 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; 12-6 p.m. Sunday at The Art League Gallery, 105 N. Union St. Indonesian American artist Wijati Soemantoro expresses her emotional response to the natural disasters she experienced while growing up in the most seismically active zone in the world, the Pacific Ring of Fire. Free. Visit www.theartleague.org.

Friday/Sept. 11

SPARK Health and Fitness Festival. 4-8 p.m. at John Carlyle Park, 300 John Carlyle St. Hosted by SPARK Physiotherapy, LLC., fun and safe games, competitions, entertainment, raffles and giveaways. Free.Visit www.sparkphysio.com/home/make-your-health-happen-health-and-fitness-festival/ or email njbabka@sparkphysio.com.

DC Public Opera Presents: Mozart’s “Così Fan Tutte.” 7 p.m. at The Torpedo Factory, 105 N. Union St. DC Public Opera presents a contemporary production of Mozart and DaPonte's comic opera masterpiece “Così Fan Tutte (The School for Lovers).” Inspired by Andy Warhol's work and his infamous parties at his New York studio, The Factory, the performances take place in the Torpedo Factory Art Center as a live installation. Tickets are $25. Visit www.dcpublicopera.org for more.

Fort Hunt Preschool Outdoor Movie Festival. 7:30 p.m. at 1909 Windmill Lane. Watch animated film “Madagascar.” Admission is $5, free for children under 2. Call 703-768-7584 or visit www.forthuntpreschool.com.

Four Mile Summer Movie Festival. Movies start at dusk and are shown at the Four Mile Conservatory Building, 4109 Mt. Vernon Ave. National Community Church's Inaugural summer movie festival is co-sponsored by the City of Alexandria. Film is “Cool Runnings.” Bring a blanket or chair. Free. Visit www.theaterchurch.com for more.

Sept. 11-Oct. 25

“Artifact” Exhibit. Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday, and during performances at Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall & Arts Center, 4915 East Campus Drive. In this exhibit artist J.T. Kirkland integrates the painted gesture with the naturally occurring textures or “gestures” in the wood. John James Anderson will also share the space. Free. Visit www.nvcc.edu.

Saturday/Sept. 12

Community Yard Sale. 7 a.m.-1 p.m. at Seminary Walk Condominium behind Buildings 105, 203, and 205 Skyhill Road. Free to attend. Rain date: Sept. 19. Call 703-370-6914.

Civil War Walking Tour. 10 a.m. at The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St. Discover locations and stories associated with soldiers, citizens, and the enslaved, including Robert E. Lee’s departure from his hometown, the occupation of Alexandria, and emancipation. Admission is free for museum members, $12 in advance, and $15 on the day of the event. Visit www.leefendallhouse.org for more.

Container Gardening in Cold Weather. 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library, 4701 Seminary Road. Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia (Arlington/Alexandria) will present a program on gardening in containers. It will emphasize the use of edible herbs and vegetables that not only look attractive but also can survive cold conditions. Free, but registration is required. Visit www.mgnv.org.

Canine Cruise. 11 a.m. at Alexandria City Marina, 1 Cameron St. The family dog is welcome to join in on an hour-long cruise through the Alexandria Seaport. Tickets are $16 for adults and $10 for children. Dogs ride free. Visit www.potomacriverboatco.com.

Dogtopia of Alexandria Grand Reopening. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Dogtopia of Alexandria, 3121 Colvin St. Dog daycare, boarding, and spa facility Dogtopia is reopening. The grand reopening is open to the public and will include facility tours, pet-friendly vendors and more. Free. Visit www.dogdaycare.com/alexandria.

Music Festival. 12-4 p.m. Four Mile Run Park Community Building, 4109 Mt. Vernon Ave. There will be live entertainment, local performers, children's interactive games and crafts, food, face painting and various vendors. Free. Email cisco.fabian@alexandriava.gov or call 703-746-5465.

Book Signing & Reception. 2-5 p.m. at the Fort Ward Museum, 4301 W. Braddock Road. Joseph and Sharon Scopin will be on hand to discuss their book “As I Remember.” The book is about local Civil War veteran Lewis Cass White, whose story and memorabilia was discovered in the authors’ basement. Free to attend. The book will be available to purchase for $35. Only cash or check will be accepted. Visit www.fortward.org for more.

“Artifact” Exhibit. 4-6 p.m. at Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall & Arts Center, 4915 East Campus Drive. Celebrate the exhibit in which artist J.T. Kirkland integrates the painted gesture with the naturally occurring textures or “gestures” in the wood. Also meet, John James Anderson, an artist who will share the space. Free. Visit www.nvcc.edu.

Collective Delusion. 9:30 p.m. at John Strongbow’s Tavern, 710 King St. Local band will perform rock songs from the 1970s to the present. Free. Visit www.collectivedelusion.net.

Sunday/Sept. 13

Friends of the Torpedo Factory Present Art and Light. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at The Torpedo Factory, 105 N. Union St. As part of UNESCO’s International Year of Light and Light-Based Technologies, The Friends of the Torpedo Factory Art Center present Art and Light, an afternoon celebration of art, music, dance, and light. Jane Franklin Dance, the Francis C. Hammond Middle School Orchestra, The Alexandria Singers, The Dance Studio at Hollin Hall, cellist John Kaboff, and the St. Petersburg Duo will perform alongside the Radiance Orb, a large geodesic globe that responds to music and motion with flashes of color. Free. Visit www.torpedofactory.org/orb.

Grandparents Day Celebration. 12-2 p.m. at Paul Spring Retirement Community, 7115 Fort Hunt Road. Celebrate Grandparents Day with family and friends with family-oriented activities including pony rides, a moon bounce and a magician accompanied by a traditional picnic lunch and live music from the Mt. Vernon Community Band. A raffle will be held by the resident council. Free. Visit www.rui.net/paul-spring/events-activities.

DC Public Opera Presents: Mozart’s “Così Fan Tutte.” 7 p.m. at The Torpedo Factory, 105 N. Union St. DC Public Opera presents a contemporary production of Mozart and DaPonte's comic opera masterpiece “Così Fan Tutte (The School for Lovers).” Inspired by Andy Warhol's work and his infamous parties at his New York studio, The Factory, the performances take place in the Torpedo Factory Art Center as a live installation. Tickets are $25. Visit www.dcpublicopera.org for more.