What’s Up in Alexandria This Weekend: Sept. 29 – Oct. 1

(Updated 9/29) From the 21st Annual Alexandria Old Town Art Festival to Oysterfest 2023, there’s something for everyone this weekend in Alexandria. Here’s a look at what’s happening for events, live music, and entertainment, enjoy! 

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29

THINGS TO DO

• 9:30 a.m.: Yoga on the Magnolia Terrace at Carlyle House
• 5:30 p.m.: Arts On The Rocks at Waterfront Park
• 6 p.m.: Games & Sips – Family Night at Lost Boy Cider
• 7 p.m.: Guided Meditation with Cats at Mount Purrnon Cat Cafe + Wine Bar
• 7:30 p.m.: 2023 Founding Debates at Mount Vernon
• 8 p.m.: Wicked Comedy Showcase at Canal Center Plaza

LIVE MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT

• Blackwall Hitch: Franklin Music Duo at 9 p.m.
• Cuates Grill: Karaoke at 10 p.m.
• Daniel O’Connell’s Irish Restaurant and Bar: The Darby Brothers at 9 p.m.
• Fish Market: DJ at 9 p.m. in the Anchor Bar
• Galactic Panther: A G’s Night Out Friday Comedy Night at 8:30 p.m.
• Laporta’s Restaurant & Jazz Lounge: The Satin Doll Trio at 7 p.m.
• Makeda Restaurant: Negussie Bogale and Tsehay Kassa at 10 p.m.
• Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub: Pat Carroll at 9 p.m, The DCeivers at 9:30 p.m.
• Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
• The Birchmere: The Whispers at 7:30 p.m.
• The Light Horse: Lights Out By 8 at 9:30 p.m.
• The Little Theater of Alexandria: Two on the Aisle, Three in a Van at 8 p.m.
• The Study at Morrison House: Live piano music at 6 p.m.
• Two Nineteen Restaurant: Fat Chance at 9 p.m., live DJ at 10 p.m.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30

THINGS TO DO

• 7 a.m.: Old Town Farmers’ Market at Market Square Plaza
• 8 a.m.: Pink Rocki 5k Wellness Walk at Jones Point Park
• 8 a.m.: Del Ray Farmers Market at the corner of Mt. Vernon and Oxford Avenue
• 9 a.m.: Blessing of the Animals at Trinity UMC – Alexandria
• 9:30 a.m.: Yoga on the Magnolia Terrace at Carlyle House
• 10 a.m.: 21st Annual Alexandria Old Town Art Festival at John Carlyle Square
• 10 a.m.: Pilates at The Brewery at Aslin Alexandria
• 10 a.m.: Preservation Tours: Lost Buildings in Alexandria
• 10 a.m.: Ice Cream Bowl Fundraiser for The Art League at John Carlyle Square
• 11 a.m.: Fall and Autumn Family Storytime at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
• 11 a.m.: Specialty: Holiday Light Up Signs at AR Workshop Alexandria
• 12 p.m.: Hazel Falls Book Signing at Lost Boy Cider
• 12 p.m.: Oktoberfest at Aslin Alexandria
• 12:30 p.m.: Get To Know Your Palate and What’s In Your Glass at Wine Gallery 108
• 1 p.m.: Hispanic Heritage Fiesta at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
• 1 p.m.: Alexandria Poet Laureate, Zeina Azzam – Author Talk at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
• 2 p.m.: Oktoberfest at Hi/Fi Tex-Mex BBQ at Evening Star Cafe
• 7 p.m.: Sips & Secrets: A Speakeasy Night at Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden
• 7:30 p.m.: Tchaikovsky’s 4th & Brahms Violin – ASO at 80-oh! At George Washington Masonic Memorial

LIVE MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT

• Blackwall Hitch: DeadEye Stare at 9 p.m.
• Cuates Grill: Karaoke at 10 p.m.
• Daniel O’Connell’s Irish Restaurant and Bar: 9th Gear at 9 p.m.
• Galactic Panther: FlamForever & Kall Me Kenny at 9 p.m.
• Laporta’s Restaurant & Jazz Lounge: Sharon Clark Trio at 7 p.m.
• Makeda Restaurant: Negussie Bogale and Nani at 10 p.m.
• Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub:  Pat Carroll at 9 p.m, Colby Sard at 9 p.m.
• Myron Mixon’s Pitmaster Barbeque: Rusty Highway Band at 7 p.m.
• Port City Brewing: Jokes On Tap: Free Comedy Night at 7 p.m.
• Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall & Arts Center: Tchaikovsky’s 4th & Brahms Violin – ASO at 80-oh!  at 7:30 p.m.
• Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
• The Birchmere: The Whispers at 7:30 p.m.
• The Light Horse: The Pop Rocks at 9:30 p.m.
• The Little Theatre of Alexandria: Two on the Aisle, Three In The Van at 8 p.m.
• The Study at Morrison House: Live piano music at 6 p.m.
• Two Nineteen Restaurant: Form of Expression at 9 p.m, live DJ at 10 p.m.
• Zikrayet Lebanese Restaurant & Lounge: Live music after 9 p.m.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1

THINGS TO DO

• 8 a.m.: Hollin Hall Alexandria Cars & Coffee
• 8:30 a.m.: West End Farmers Market at 4800 Ben Brenman Park
• 9 a.m..: Four Mile Run Farmers & Artisans Market
• 9:30 a.m..: Run Club at Lost Boy Cider
• 10 a.m.: 21st Annual Alexandria Old Town Art Festival at John Carlyle Square
• 10 a.m.: Cycling at The Brewery at Aslin ALX
• 10 a.m.: Old Town North Farmers Market 
• 10 a.m.: Duke Street Black History Tour with Manumission Tour Company
• 11 a.m.: Oysterfest 2023 at Hank’s Old Town
• 3 p.m.: Tchaikovsky’s 4th & Brahms Violin – ASO at 80-oh! At Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall & Arts Center
• 6 p.m.: Michaelmas Evensong at Westminster Presbyterian Church
• 7:30 p.m.: Seeing The Sounds Closing Party at Galactic Panther

LIVE MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT

• Blackwall Hitch: Chris Knight at 10:30 a.m.
• Christ Church: Pipe Spectacular – Organ Concerto Concert at 7:30 p.m.
• Daniel O’Connell’s Irish Restaurant and Bar: Brian Gaffney at 5 p.m.
• ESP Tea & Coffee: Open Mic Night at 8 p.m.
• Four Mile Run Farmers & Artisans Market: Live music at 10 a.m.
• Hops N Shine: Comedy Open Mic at 7 p.m.
• Laporta’s Restaurant & Jazz Lounge: Antonio James at 11:30 a.m., Walt Johnson Trio at 6 p.m.
• Makeda Restaurant: An Evening of Smooth Jazz at 8 p.m.
• Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub: Rook Richards at 8:30 p.m.
• Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall & Arts Center: Tchaikovsky’s 4th & Brahms Violin – ASO at 80-oh! at 3 p.m.
• Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
• The Birchmere: Marshall Crenshaw 40th Anniversary Tour with Rachael Sage at 7:30 p.m.
• The Light Horse: Karaoke at 9 p.m.
• Two Nineteen Restaurant: Kev Powe Thang at 9 p.m.

Ryan Belmore is an award-winning news publisher, editor, and journalist. Born and raised in Rhode Island, he now resides in Alexandria, Virginia, with his wife and two rescue dogs. Email Ryan at [email protected].