After Hours

showing how she views the world through engineered eyes. The physical objects of her gaze disintegrate into boxes, planes, funnels, cones, and even jagged shapes whenever she becomes disoriented under physical pressure or her own limited version of emotional stress. Yet she can pull herself together regardless, and even selflessly pursue Josie’s welfare, by recognizing human beings’ love for one another as the main reason the Sun she worships should grant humanity the “nourishment” that is her own lifeblood as a solar-powered AF.

Klara and the Sun is a novel of tremendous beauty, power, and poetry. For a book presenting so many complicated ideas, it is very approachable. Ishiguro brings up muchdiscussed questions of bioethics and the ethics of artificial intelligence while offering no simple solutions. What aspects of genetic engineering or artificial intelligence are morally acceptable or necessary, and what aspects of so-called progress move us backwards? Is Klara more authentic in some ways than her Homo sapien owners? Are her values healthier and more indicative of less advanced but happier communities? Is Josie and her family’s society, in which genetically modified “lifted” children are considered hierarchically superior to those “unlifted” better for humanity? Is love the human quality that cannot be quantified and reduced, equivalent to the Sun in its power and ability to engender health and happiness? Can love be felt by a machine? Is self-sacrifice as human or healthy a quality as selfinterest?

Ishiguro means for us to feel the tension between viewing Klara as a B2 series Artificial Friend or a quasi-person with the empathy some human beings have trouble feeling. Without being able to judge her value system, I find Klara to be the humanity in the machinery. She is ironically primal, an archetypal disciple worshipping her one and only God, the Sun. As a highly advanced example of artificial intelligence, she is willing to sacrifice herself to achieve the goals that make her human family’s lives worth living.

CALENDAR | FROM PAGE 7

microsite that will include a directory of businesses, venues and services, guiding them from place to place starting on April 17 and continuing through that entire week. For those who want to stay virtual, each participating wedding company will have an option for a virtual tour, video or scheduled appointment. As they visit (in person or online) each venue and talk to wedding service providers, they will “check in” with the business. Couples that visit with at least five businesses during the week will be entered to win a grand prize staycation. More information will be available in the coming weeks at alexandriaweddingshowcase.com.

Taste of Old Town North

April 21st to June 21st Admission: $10 for a passport Various locations throughout Old Town North 703-836-8066 oldtownnorth.org Enjoy a two-month stroll through the neighborhood with this year’s reimagined Taste of Old Town North. Passport holders will be able to use their Passport to receive discounts at small businesses throughout Old Town North: The Arts and Cultural District, Parker-Gray and Braddock Road West. Passport sales will begin Sunday, March 21. Passports may only be used once at each participating business; if 75% of a Passport has been used by June 21, the Passport holder will be entered into a drawing to receive prizes. Passports may be purchased online at oldtownnorth. org or at the Community Table at the Old Town North Thursday Farmer’s Market. Proceeds will support the work of the Old Town North Community Partnership and ALIVE-inc.org. Historic Gardens at Historic Sites Lecture from Carlyle House

April 22nd at 7 p.m. Admission: $5 per Zoom link; additional $30 per tea box Virtual 703-549-2997 novaparks.com/parks/carlylehouse-historic-park April is Virginia Garden month. Many historic house museums have recreated gardens on their grounds. How do sites choose what is appropriate for these gardens? Join Dean Norton, director of Horticulture at George Washington’s Mount Vernon, for a virtual presentation about historic house gardens. For a bonus, Carlyle House is partnering with both The Spice & Tea Exchange and Firehook Bakery in Alexandria to offer a tea box to-go. Enjoy a delicious blend of tea and some tasty treats while listening to the lecture. Tea boxes can be picked up at Carlyle House the day of the program between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. or be delivered with contactless drop-off up to two miles from Carlyle House. Stay tuned for tickets to go on sale online.

Revolutionary War Weekend at George Washington’s Mount Vernon

May 1st & 2nd from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission: Included with general admission ($28 for adults; $15 for youth ages 6 to 11; free for children); free for members George Washington’s Mount Vernon 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy. 703-780-2000 mountvernon.org Mount Vernon’s serene 12-acre field transforms into a battleground as hundreds of Continentals, Redcoats and Hessians conduct military drills, perform cavalry demonstrations and engage in 18th-century battle reenactments. Wander through the encampment and meet the soldiers, discuss military techniques and meet General Washington. For more spring events and activities in Alexandria, see the listings below and explore more at VisitAlexandriaVA.com/Spring.

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AFTER HOURS "The Music Is Back" Please check with these fine venues to see who is playing! Birchmere 703.549.7500 3701 Mt. Vernon Ave. birchmere.com The Blackwall Hitch 571-982-3577 5 Cameron St. theblackwallhitch.com Carlyle Club 411 John Carlyle Dr. 703-549-8957 thecarlyleclub.com Chadwicks 203 S. Strand St. 703.836.4442 Evening Star Cafe 703.549.5051 2000 Mt. Vernon Ave. The Fish Market 703.836.5676 105 King St. fishmarketoldtown.com La Portas 703.683.6313 1600 Duke St. The Light Horse 703.549.0533 715 King St. lighthorserestaurant.com Murphys Irish Pub 703.548.1717 713 King St. murphyspub.com O’Connell’s 703.739.1124 112 King St. Rock It Grill 703.739.2274 1319 King St. Shooter McGees 703.751.9266 5239 Duke St. shootermcgees.com Southside 815 703.836.6222 815 S. Washington St. St. Elmos 703.739.9268 2300 Mt. Vernon Ave. Taverna Cretekou 703.548.8688 818 King St. TJ Stones 703.548.1004 608 Montgomery St. tjstones.com LaTrattoria 703-548-9338 305 S. Washington St. Two Nineteen 703.549.1141 219 King St. Village Brauhaus 710 King St. 703-888-1951

These establishments offer live entertainment. Call to confirm show times, dates and cover charges. Check our advertisers’ websites.