Alexandria and Arlington community events, Aug. 19-26, 2010

Thursday, Aug. 19

ARLINGTON COUNTY FAIR, featuring Bixby's Rainforest Rescue, carnival rides, animal shows, music, exhibits, children's activities and food. 5-10 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday, Thomas Jefferson Community Center, 3501 S. Second St., Arlington. Admission, free. Shuttle bus from Arlington Career Center, $1; children 12 and younger, free. 703-228-1853 or http://www.arlingtoncountyfair.us.

"LANDSCAPES AND SURFACES" EXHIBIT, a clay array of textures, patterns and glossy glazes by Kiln Club artists. 1-9 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday-Sunday, Torpedo Factory Art Center, Scope Gallery, Studio 19, 105 N. Union St., Alexandria. Free. 703-548-6288 or http://www.torpedofactory.org.

ARLINGTON ARTS CENTER EXHIBITS, "Art Scouts," by Zoe Charlton, Mary Early, J.J. McCracken and others; "The Unhappy Life of a Plastic Bag," by Sabyna Sterrett; and "The Us and the They," by Kay Chernush. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Arlington Arts Center, 3550 Wilson Blvd. Free. 703-248-6800 or http://www.arlingtonarts.org.

MUSIC, ROSSLYN FARMERS MARKET, 11:45 a.m.-1:30 p.m. concerts by Whop Frazier, Thursday, and the Nighthawks, Aug. 26; 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.

"SHELF LIFE" EXHIBIT, sculpture by Mary "Mimi" Frank. Noon -4 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays, 1-4 p.m. Saturdays, through Sept. 12, the Athenaeum, 201 S. Prince St., Alexandria. Free. 703-548-0035 or http://www.nvfaa.com.

"THE GATHERING OF THE LEGENDS," photographs of the 2009-2010 Alexandrian history makers including Chet Avery, Rosalind Bovey, V. Rodger Digilio, Nelson A. Green Sr. and others. Noon-4 p.m. Thursday, noon-9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, noon-6 p.m. Sunday, Del Ray Artisans, 2704 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria. Free. 703-838-4827 or http://www.thedelrayartisans.org.

BALLSTON FARMERS MARKET, produce, teas, pies, pastries, jewelry, photography, organic bath-and-body products, 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.

"THE DRUMMER" FILM, about a rebellious son who flees from Hong Kong to Taiwan and joins a group of Zen drummers, directed by Kenneth Bi, with English subtitles. 6:30 p.m., Arlington Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy St., Arlington. Free. 703-228-5990.

EARL LLOYD TALK, Lloyd discusses his autobiography "Moonfixer: The Basketball Journey of Earl Lloyd." 6:30-8:30 p.m., Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe St., Alexandria. Free. 703-746-4356.

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.

DAVE TUCKER COMBO CONCERT, performance of ragtime, blues and more. 7-9 p.m., Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union St., Alexandria. Free. 703-838-4199.

"SERENADING LOUIE," Lanford Wilson's drama about the conflicts between two couples, performed by the American Century Theater. 8 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 2:30 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Gunston Arts Center Theater II, 2700 S. Lang St., Arlington. $26-$32. 703-998-4555 or http://www.americancentury.org.