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Virginia Historic Garden Week

April 15-22

For one week, visitors will tour inspired private landscapes, public gardens and historic sites across Virginia, enjoying our beautiful state at the peak of spring. In addition, more than 1,000 world-class floral arrangements created by Garden Club of Virginia members will enhance tour properties. This beloved statewide event will include 29 unique tours organized and hosted by 48 member clubs — from the foothills of the Shenandoah Valley all the way to the beaches of the Tidewater. The tour of Old Town Alexandria is set for April 15. The walking tour includes private homes and secluded gardens nestled along the tree-lined streets of the Historic District. 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, and to other local places of interest

Various locations, vagardenweek.org

Rite of Spring & Grieg Concert –Awaken

April 15 | 7:30 p.m.

James Ross, conductor

Natalia Kazaryan, piano

López-Gavilán: “Mojito con saoco”

Grieg: “Concerto for Piano”

Stravinsky: “Rite of Spring”

Maestro Ross pairs two symphonic music’s most popular works: Grieg’s lyrical, passionate piano concerto with Georgian pianist Natalia Kazaryan, and Stravinsky’s brutal, breathtaking ballet Rite of Spring. Cuban composer Guido López-Gavilán’s spicy musical take on Hemingway’s favorite cocktail will have you ready to party

Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center, 4915 E. Campus Dr., alexsym.org

Mary Stuart

April 22-May 13

This highly-charged political drama is about two mighty royals – Mary Stuart and

Queen Elizabeth I – and the power play between them. With inspiring, powerful characters, and a theme grounded in the struggle between religion, womanhood and statesmanship, this play mirrors and explores many of the same issues present today. Tickets go on sale March 22.

The Little Theatre of Alexandria, 600 Wolfe St., thelittletheatre.com

The Parkway Classic

April 23

Run 5k or 10 miles along the Potomac River and through Old Town Alexandria during one of the country’s most scenic running events. The 5k begins and ends at Oronoco Bay Park and the 10-miler starts at George Washington’s Mount Vernon, continues along the George Washington Memorial Parkway and finishes up at Oronoco Bay Park. A virtual option is also available. Kids 12 and under can run the 600-meter Kid’s Dash beginning at 10:30 a.m. Spaces for the Kid’s Dash are limited and should be purchased early. parkwayclassic.com

Calendar Of Events

ALX Dog Walk

April 29 | 7 a.m.

Join hundreds of dogs and their humans at the second annual ALX Dog Walk. This community event was started to educate people about the environment and sustainable and plastic-free living. Participants will take a two-mile walk which will begin and end at Oronoco Bay Park along Alexandria’s waterfront. Check-in begins at 7 a.m., the walk kicks off at 8 a.m. and at 10 a.m. there will be a dog contest, a raffle drawing and plenty of fun and treats!

Special guests include Mayor Justin Wilson, NBC Storm Team 4 Meteorologist Chuck Bell and style expert Monte Durham, owner of Salon MONTE in Old Town Alexandria. This is a plastic free/recycled plastic event so bring your own reusable water bottles. Find out more and register on the event website.

Oronoco Bay Park, 100 Madison St., alxdogwalk.com

Historic Garden Tour

April 29 | 10 a.m.

Discover the history of the Lee-Fendall garden from its 18th-century beginnings to the present. Learn how the use and appearance of the garden has changed over time and see recent efforts to restore the garden and create an educational space

April Allegria: Mozart’s Clarinet Quintet

April 30 | 6 p.m.

The stellar musicians of the National Symphony Orchestra perform Mozart’s sublime clarinet quintet, as well as a piece for violin and cello by the up-and-coming composer Carlos Simon, artist in residence at the Kennedy Center. Enjoy a reception and a meet-and-greet with the artists after the concert.

The Rectory at Princess Street, 711 Princess St., classicalmovements.com/secretgardenconcerts

Old Town Festival of Speed & Style

May 21

Save the date! The streets of Old Town Alexandria will be filled with classic, exotic and rare cars for Alexandria's biggest annual car show. Enjoy music, crafts and foods while strolling through this multiblock festival. Proceeds from the event support local nonprofit organizations. More information will be available in the coming weeks.

Festivalspeedstylealex.com