Calendar of Events

March

Lettice and Lovage

Feb. 25 - March 18

If you are a fan of witty British humor, then this is the perfect play for you! This comedy satire, written by Peter Shaffer, the author of "Equus" and "Amadeus," and written specifically for Dame Maggie Smith, centers on an overly exuberant tour guide who loves to embellish the history behind an English country house. Ultimately she is fired, but she refuses to go without a fight.

Tickets are $24 plus a $3 fee. Little Theatre of Alexandria, 600 Wolfe St., thelittletheatre.com

60th Annual Needlework Show at Woodlawn

March 1-31 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (except Tuesdays)

Woodlawn and Nelly’s Needlers are proud to present the 60th Annual Needlework Show. This event has become the largest judged show of needle arts in the nation, displaying thousands of embroidery pieces by artists from all over the world. This year’s theme is "Craft as Comfort: Joy in Needlework."

Tickets for the show are $15 for adults, $6 for students K-12 and free for children under 5.

Woodlawn & Frank Lloyd Wright's Pope-Leighey House, 9000 Richmond Hwy., woodlawnpopeleighey.org

Fun with One Art Exhibit

March 3 - April 1

The "Fun With One" art exhibit showcases 2D and 3D monochromatic artwork by Del Ray Artisans members— revealing a fascinating variety using just one color. The opening reception is set for Friday, March 3 from 7 to 9 p.m., offering the opportunity to meet the curators and artists.

Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Ave. delrayartisans.org

Concerts at The Birchmere

Check out some of the performances scheduled for January and February at The Birchmere. Check The Birchmere’s website for the latest information and a full concert list. The concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices vary.

MARCH 2

Vanessa Carlton

MARCH 3

Keller Williams & Steve Poltz

MARCH 5

Kevin Ross

MARCH 8, 9

Lyle Lovett and his Acoustic Group (SOLD OUT)

MARCH 10, 11

Stephanie Mills

MARCH 23

Gerald Albright

MARCH 24, 25

The High Kings

MARCH 26

Larry Carlton

MARCH 29

Stanley Clarke N 4Ever

MARCH 30, 31 & APRIL 1

Drew & Ellie Holcomb

APRIL 14

Christian de Mesones

APRIL 28

Ohio Players

The Birchmere, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., birchmere.com

Mar 4

St. Patrick’s Day Parade

March 4 | 12:30-2 p.m

Alexandria’s favorite celebration of St. Patrick’s Day and all things Irish returns Saturday, March 4. Pipe bands, Irish dance schools, community organizations, musicians and performers of all kinds will fill the streets of Old Town for this festive, family-friendly parade. The event is hosted by the Ballyshaners, an Alexandria nonprofit dedicated to promoting and preserving Irish Heritage. ballyshaners.org

Homeschool Day at Mount Vernon

March 6 | 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Mount Vernon welcomes homeschooling families to discover the 18th century by exploring the Farm at Mount Vernon. Activities include watching costumed historic trades interpreters perform 18th-century farming and visiting a reconstructed cabin for an enslaved family. Pick up materials for projects to explore at home. Adult admission is $14 and student admission (ages 6-18) is $12. Children 5 and under admitted free of charge.

George Washington’s Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy., mountvernon.org

Ciaconna - Bach on the Solo Violin

March 4 | 7 p.m.

As part of the Washington Bach Consort’s Chamber Series, violinist Rachell Ellen Wong, a rising star on both the historical performance and modern violin stages, will perform Bach works for unaccompanied solo violin, featuring the renowned Partita No. 2 in D Minor, with its famous “Ciaccona.” Tickets are $40 for adults; $10 for ages 18 and younger.

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 228 S. Pitt St., bachconsort.org

Brandenberg and Blue

March 10 | 7:30 p.m. & March 12 | 3 p.m.

Members of the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra, led by Music Director James Ross, present music by Bach and Handel in the intimate setting of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Friday, March 10 and an additional performance at Westminster Presbyterian Church Sunday, March 12. The program also features a world premiere by Alexandria-based composer Jonathan Kolm, commissioned by the ASO. All seating is general admission.

Friday’s concert: St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 228 S. Pitt St. Sunday’s concert: Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2701 Cameron Mills Road alexsym.org

13th Annual March150: Special Exhibition and Art Sale

March 11-April 8

March150, Torpedo Factory Art Center’s 13th annual special exhibition and art sale, returns to Target Gallery with all proceeds going to support new exhibitions and programs. Enjoy a wide variety of art from local artists who donated the work on the gallery-provided 10×10 panels. The size and price make the works ideal for collecting. This local favorite will have public sales from March 12-April 8 with early sales starting the night of the Art Party. The Art Party will be held March 11 from 7-9 p.m. Guests can enjoy drinks and hors d’oeuvres, purchase artwork and vote for their favorite square. General admission is $30; VIP tickets (early access and two drinks) and are $50.

Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union St., torpedofactory.org

An

Evening of Irish Music

March 11 | 7 p.m.

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day early with the Irish Breakfast Band and Whiskey Before Breakfast for an evening of Irish music at The Lyceum. Irish Breakfast Band is a diverse group and most performances feature several fiddles and flutes, a guitar or two, a drummer, a hammered dulcimer, banjo, pipes, and at least one vocalist. The

Whiskey Before Breakfast Band is a new Irish instrumental group based in Northern Virginia formed by younger members of the Irish Breakfast Band. Tickets are $10 if purchased before the concert or $15 at the door. Tickets for children 17 and under are $5. Free snacks; beer and wine available for purchase.

The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St., shop. alexandriava.gov

Discovering Alexandria Walking Tour

March 18, April 22 | 10-11:30 a.m.

Alexandria has grown from a small town in the 18th century to a bustling small city in the 21st century. Join Carlyle House Historic Park staff for a walking tour of Alexandria as you explore various architectural styles that adorn the city streets. Reservations are required; tickets are $20.

Carlyle House Historic Park, 121 N. Fairfax St., novaparks.com/parks/carlyle-house-historic-park

"This Tide of Wounded": Lee-Fendall as a Civil War Hospital

March 18 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Visit the Lee-Fendall House for a day of living history demonstrations and discover the experiences of staff and patients at Lee-Fendall when it was a Union hospital during the Civil War. The Lee-Fendall House was the site of the first documented and only successful blood transfusion during the Civil War. Admission is $10 for adults (ages 18 and older) and $5 for students (ages 5-17).

Lee-Fendall House Museum and Garden, 614 Oronoco St., www.leefendallhouse.org

National Cherry Blossom Festival

March 20 - April 16

The weather determines the peak bloom for the cherry blossom trees around the Tidal Basin and here in Alexandria, but the National Cherry Blossom Festival lasts for three weeks in the spring and celebrates the beauty of cherry blossom trees and the arrival of spring. Key events include the Pink Tie Party fundraiser, the Opening Ceremony, the Blossom Kite Festival, Petalpalooza and the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade. City Experiences by Hornblower offers cherry blossom tours, transportation to DC’s events and more. Also explore options from the National Mall Water Taxi and the Wharf Water Taxi. In addition, stay in Alexandria and enjoy “Cherry Picks” from some of Alexandria’s best restaurants.

DC and Alexandria, visitalexandriava.com and nationalcherryblossomfestival.org

American Roots: Bluegrass in the Green Garden

March 24 | 5 p.m., 6:30 p.m.

Bluegrass and American Roots music returns to the Secret Garden in a transfixing, elegant program played in sophisticated arrangements for banjo and guitar. Two-time Grammy Award winners, Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer are master musicians with a career spanning over 35 years. Their superb harmonies are backed by instrumental virtuosity on the guitar, five-string banjo, ukulele, mandolin, cellobanjo and more. Tickets are $25-$45. The Rectory at Princess Street, 711 Princess St., classicalmovements.com/secretgardenconcerts

Ides of Bark Dog Festival

March 26 | 1-4 p.m.

Join Mount Vernon District Supervisor, Dan Storck and the Fairfax County Park Authority at the ultimate event for you and your four-footed friend. This annual festival will feature games, prizes, food, fun, vendors and health assessments plus

Easter Egg Hunt

April 1, 8 & 9

Find Easter eggs hidden in the Lee-Fendall garden during their popular annual egg hunt. Sign up for a timed session. Bring your own basket. Find out more including times and tickets at the Lee-Fendall website.

Lee-Fendall House Museum and Garden, 614 Oronoco St., leefendallhouse.org demonstrations by the Fairfax County Police K-9 Unit. Admission is free.

Grist Mill Park, 4710 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy., fairfaxcounty.gov/mountvernon

A Cheery Cherry Jubilee

March 27-April 23

It is springtime in the Washington, D.C. area and cherry blossoms are being celebrated. Scope Gallery artists commemorate with objects both cherry and cheery. Bowls feature cherry blossoms, and work with a color scheme of cherry red, pink or white. Serving pieces hold a slice of (or whole) cherry pie and a colander can rinse your cherries.

Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union St., torpedofactory.org

Vocal Polyphony - Thomaskantors and the German Motet

April 1 | 7 p.m.

Johann Hermann Schein’s motet series “Fontana d’Israel” is among the most important of the 17th century, with music exquisitely crafted to its biblical text. Performed by Washington Bach Consort’s superb vocalists, this will be a concert to remember. Dana T. Marsh will conduct. Tickets are $40 for adults and $10 for children ages 18 and younger

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 228 S. Pitt St., bachconsort.org

Del Ray Dog Fest 2023 & Yappy Hour

April 2 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Join the Del Ray Business Association Sunday, April 1 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the first-ever Del Ray Dog Fest, an outdoor springtime festival celebrating dogs, their owners and the Del Ray community. Welcome the warmer weather with this fun outdoor event which will include dogcentered activities, dog menu items, live music, vendors and food. The event is dog friendly and will be held outdoors, rain or shine. Following the event, there will be a “Yappy Hour” for owners and their pets at participating restaurants.

George Washington Middle School parking lot, 1005 Mount Vernon Ave. visitdelray.com/events/del-ray-dog-fest-2023

A Tale of Two Studios Art Exhibit

April 7-29

A Tale of Two Studios showcases inspiring and diverse works by local artists from Del Ray Artisans and Art Enables. Del Ray Artisans develops community-based arts activities, events and exhibits for the benefit of artists and the community. Art Enables is a vocational arts program dedicated to creating opportunities for artists with disabilities to make, market, and earn income from their original and compelling artwork. Both groups are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Join curators and artisans for an opening reception on Friday, April 7 from 7-9 p.m.

Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Ave., delrayartisans.org

American Horticultural Society 2023 Spring Garden Market

April 14, 15 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

AHS’s annual Spring Garden Market is one of River Farm’s largest fundraisers. This much-anticipated outdoor event brings together plant, seed and garden accessory retailers, nature-focused artists and authors, gardening experts, food vendors and fun activities for the whole family to enjoy.

River Farm, 7931 East Boulevard Dr., ahsgardening.org