Good Friday morning, Alexandria!
☀️ Today’s weather: Scattered showers, mainly between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Increasing clouds, with a high near 69 degrees. Light south wind, becoming southwest 9 to 14 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. The chance of precipitation is 30%. Tonight will be partly cloudy, with a low of around 58 degrees. South wind 6 to 9 mph. Tomorrow will be partly sunny, with a high near 84 degrees. Southwest wind 8 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
🚨 You need to know
Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic Association (WMPA) Community Concerts is bringing a unique musical experience to Alexandria with “Drums Around the World” this weekend. This free event features world/jazz percussionist Tom Teasley and Ethiopian-American singer-songwriter Munit Mesfin. Set for Saturday, March 29, 2025, from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Patrick Henry Recreation Center, the concert promises an exciting blend of global rhythms and cultural fusion.
Attendees will get to explore beats from different cultures, seeing how ancient instruments mix with modern music tech. The program includes hands-on activities where you can try out egg shakers and learn about rhythms from India, Brazil, and Africa. Adding to the cultural experience, Ethiopian dancers from the Ethiopian Community Support & Advocacy Center (ECSAC) will give special guest performances.
This event is perfect for families, and you don’t need tickets to join in. Just show up and enjoy! More Details
Here’s what else you need to know
🌸 On this day in 1904, the Alexandria City Engineer authorized construction of new, wooden “Waste Paper Boxes” to be installed throughout the downtown area of the city. More from the city archives;
“Built by local mechanics J.Y. Williams and R.F. Downham, a sample box was placed on exhibit for public view at 312 King Street. The sturdy box was paint a dark gray with hand-lettered advertising of major Alexandria merchants and was considered “a work of art.” It was hoped that residents would use the new refuse boxes, and stop their habit of discarding unwanted paper, fruit peels and other trash in the streets of the downtown area”.
🌸 On this day in 1919, the Virginia Shipbuilding yard at Jones Point was damaged by fire. More from the city archives;
“A blowtorch used for welding exploded and ignited a fire that seriously burned two employees. The coppersmith shop sustained significant damage, estimated at $40,000”.
🌸 Alate Old Town, a new luxury apartment complex for seniors, is now open in Old Town, marking the occasion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday (March 27). [ALXnow]
🌸 ALXnow’s James Cullum caught up with Josh Cease, drum major of the City of Alexandria Pipe and Drums band, about his involvement with the band, what it’s like to perform, and more. [ALXnow]
🌸 After an extensive interior renovation of the second floor above The Dog Park at 705 King Street, the new owners have expanded their operations beyond pet supplies and grooming. The space was previously a bridal shop. [ALXnow]
🌸 Metro announced on Thursday that its Board of Directors has adopted a new policy to ban violent and sexual offenders beginning June 2. [Metro]
🌸 Weekend Planner: Get a full rundown of all the events, live music, and entertainment happening this weekend around ALX via our weekend roundup. [ALXnow]
🌸 Alexandria Little League‘s 2025 season gets started on Saturday with all sorts of festivities. [ALXnow]
🌸 Much Ado About Nothing opens on Saturday at The Little Theatre of Alexandria. Catch the action through April 19. [ALXnow]
👉 Stay In The Know
📈 Thursday’s most read
The following are the most-read ALXnow articles for March 27, 2025.
- Catboat Pizza Bar ready for second season on Potomac waterfront
- From Cherry Blossoms to Live Music: Your Alexandria weekend lineup for March 28 – 30
- King Street welcomes new doggy daycare facility
📅 Upcoming events
Here is what’s going on today in Alexandria.
Things To Do
- 10 a.m.: Beatley Friends’ Book Sale at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
- 3:30 p.m.: Fun Friday at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
- 6:30 p.m.: Succulent & Sangria Workshop at PlantHouse ALX
- 7 p.m.: Guided Meditation with Cats at Mount Purrnon Cat Cafe & Wine Bar
- 7:15 p.m.: Pop Up to Wind Down: Candlelit Gentle Yoga at Local Motion Project
- 7:30 p.m.: Bach: The Early Masses at Virginia Theological Seminary
Live Music & Entertainment
- 219 Restaurant: Holly Montgomery at 9 p.m.
- Alexandria Bier Garden: Say What Again at 9:30 p.m.
- Blackwall Hitch: Too Extra Band at 9 p.m.
- Daniel O’Connell’s: Franklin Music Duo at 9:30 p.m.
- Galactic Panther: “I Drink Milk” A Food Not Bombs Benefit at 6 p.m.
- Laporta’s Restaurant: The Satin Doll Quartet at 7:30 p.m.
- Makeda Restaurant: Mesfin & Tsehay at 10 p.m.
- Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub: Lenny Burridge at 9 p.m.
- O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: The Unstoppables at 9 p.m.
- Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
- The Birchmere: Dave Hollister at 7:30 p.m.
- The Light Horse Restaurant: Black Cactus Hotels at 9:30 p.m.
- The Study at Morrison House: Live Piano Music at 6 p.m.
City of Alexandria
- All Day: ACPS Teacher Work Day- No School for Students
- 8 a.m.: ACPS Governance Committee Meeting
Organizing an event? Submit your event to ALXnow’s Event Calendar.
