Alexandria and Arlington community events, Aug. 12-19, 2010

Thursday, Aug. 12

" 'SCAPES" EXHIBIT, all-media works by Art League Gallery artists, juried by Joey Manlapaz. Opening reception, 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday; show, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays (until 9 p.m. Thursdays), noon-6 p.m. Sundays, through Sept. 6, Torpedo Factory Art Center, Room 21, 105 N. Union St., Alexandria. Free. 703-683-1780 or http://www.theartleague.org.

18TH-CENTURY DANCE CLASS, led by Corky Palmer in preparation for the Jane Austen Ball on Saturday. 7:30-9:30 p.m. Thursday, Gadsby's Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St., Alexandria. $12, reservations requested. 703-746-4242 or http://www.gadsbystavern.org.

ROCK MUSICAL "CHESS," two chess masters, one American and one Russian, compete in chess and for the love of the same woman. Preview, 8 p.m. Thursday; regular shows, 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, 8 p.m. Aug. 19; other performances, through Sept. 26, call the theater or visit its Web site for a full schedule, Signature Theatre, Max Theater, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington. $54-$80. 703-820-9771.

BAGPIPES, PIPES AND DRUMS CONCERT, by the NOVA Branch of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society and the Alexandria Pipes and Drums. 7 p.m., Fort Ward Park, 4301 W. Braddock Rd., Alexandria. Free. 703-883-4686.

JEAN BAYOU FOLK CONCERT, acoustic music. 7 p.m., the Athenaeum, 201 S. Prince St., Alexandria. $10. 703-548-0035 or http://www.nvfaa.org.

"ART IN BALANCE: RHYTHM AND REPETITION," paintings by Marsha Staiger and sculpture by Alison Sigethy. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday-Sunday, Torpedo Factory Art Center, Target Gallery, 105 N. Union St., Alexandria. Free. 703-838-4565, Ext. 4, or http://www.torpedofactory.org.

MUSIC, ROSSLYN FARMERS MARKET, 11:45 a.m.-1:30 p.m. concerts by Robert Jospe and Inner Rhythm, Thursday, and Whop Frazier, Aug. 19; sale of produce, pastries, tea and more, sponsored by Rosslyn Business Improvement District, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursdays. North Oak Street and Wilson Boulevard, Arlington. 703-228-1850, 703-522-6628 or http://www.rosslynva.org/play/markets.

"THE GATHERING OF THE LEGENDS," photographs of the 2009-2010 Alexandria history-makers, featuring Chet Avery, John Porter, Joan and John Renner, David G. Speck, Pat Troy and others. Noon-4 p.m. Thursdays, noon-9 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturdays, noon-6 p.m. Sundays, through Aug. 22. Reception 7-10 p.m. Friday, Del Ray Artisans, 2704 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria. Free. 703-838-4827 or http://www.thedelrayartisans.org.

BALLSTON FARMERS MARKET, produce, teas, pies, jewelry, photography, digital artwork and a concert by Randy Stein, sponsored by Ballston-Virginia Square Partnership. 3-7 p.m., Welburn Square, Wilson Boulevard and Taylor Street, Arlington. 703-528-3527.

SECOND THURSDAY ART NIGHT, visit studios and meet artists. 6-9 p.m., Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union St., Alexandria. Free. 703-838-4565 or http://www.torpedofactory.org.

DOORWAYS FOR WOMEN AND FAMILIES TOUR, information about Doorways clients who are formerly homeless or who are survivors of domestic violence, and tours of the Freddie Mac Foundation Family Home. 6:30-7:30 p.m., Freddie Mac Foundation Family Home, Arlington. Free, reservations required. 703-522-8858, Ext. 22.

CENTRAL LIBRARY PLANT CLINIC, Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia offer advice, sponsored by Virginia Cooperative Extension. 6:45-8:45 p.m., Arlington Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy St., Arlington. Free. 703-228-6414.