Good morning, Alexandria! Today is Monday, June 16, the 167th day of 2025. There are 198 days left in the year.
⛈️ Today’s weather: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2 p.m. Patchy fog before 9 a.m. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 72 degrees. Northeast wind around seven mph. The chance of precipitation is 40%. A chance of showers tonight, mainly between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67 degrees. East wind around five mph, becoming calm in the evening. The chance of precipitation is 30%.
🚨 You need to know
A queer mom and community organizer is kicking off a crowdfunding campaign to open an LGBTQ+ friendly cafe in Alexandria.
Dorothy Edwards, who’s behind Friends of Dorothy Cafe, wants to create a welcoming, inclusive, and family-friendly spot where LGBTQ+ people and their allies can feel truly at home.
This isn’t just your average coffee shop. Edwards plans to showcase queer and trans artists, partner with local vendors, and host events like drag story time, trivia nights, and open mics.
What the Café Will Offer
• Specialty coffee, wine, pastries, and light bites from queer and trans vendors around the DMV
• Rotating art and handmade goods from queer and trans makers
• Inclusive, family-friendly community events like drag story time, trivia, and open mics
• A gathering place for queer joy, creativity, and belonging
The name ‘Friends of Dorothy’ is a clever nod to queer history, referencing a phrase LGBTQ+ folks once used to discreetly identify each other when times were less accepting.
Edwards has set up a GoFundMe to cover the initial costs, including finding a location, renovations, and stocking up on inventory. As of now, the campaign has raised $3,390 of its $16,000 target.
“My wife and I are building our family here in Alexandria, and we know firsthand how rare it is to find public spaces that center queer families,” Edwards says on the GoFundMe page. “Our dream is to create a café and community hub that offers more than just coffee. We envision a space that features queer and trans artists & makers, local queer & trans vendors, and events like drag story time, trivia nights, open mics, and more—a place for community, joy, and resilience”.
“This café doesn’t exist yet—but with your support, I hope to bring it to life as a joyful, inclusive, family-friendly space where LGBTQ+ folks and our allies can feel truly seen, safe, and celebrated,” Edwards says.
More from GoFundMe.
Hi, I’m Dorothy Edwards—a queer mom, community organizer, and the founder of an idea close to my heart: Friends of Dorothy Cafe. This café doesn’t exist yet—but with your support, I hope to bring it to life as a joyful, inclusive, family-friendly space where LGBTQ+ folks and our allies can feel truly seen, safe, and celebrated.The name ‘Friends of Dorothy’ comes from a phrase once used by queer people to identify each other discreetly during a time when being out was much more dangerous. It’s a nod to our queer history, solidarity, and resilience—and a reminder that we’ve always found ways to build community, even within the margins.My wife and I are building our family here in Alexandria, and we know firsthand how rare it is to find public spaces that center queer families. Our dream is to create a café and community hub that offers more than just coffee. We envision a space that features queer and trans artists & makers, local queer & trans vendors, and events like drag story time, trivia nights, open mics, and more—a place for community, joy, and resilience.Your donation will help make this dream real—covering startup costs like securing a location, renovations, and building our first inventory. This isn’t just a café. It’s an invitation to help shape something deeply needed in our community. Thank you for believing in us.Follow along on Instagram @friendsofdorothycafe
To stay up-to-date with the cafe’s progress, follow them on Instagram at @friendsofdorothycafe.
What else you should know
👉 Alexandria leaders railed against the Trump administration at Alexandria’s Market Square on Saturday, just across the Potomac River from the military parade celebrating the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary, which also coincides with President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday. Alexandria’s No Kings Rally was attended by thousands. Full Story & Photo Gallery
🆕 Stardust Vintage & Gift officially opened its doors at 1904 Mount Vernon Avenue on Saturday (June 14), marking a new chapter for the Del Ray business community and its founder, Amy Eggers. Full Story & Photos
🥏 The Alexandria City High School Gxrls Ultimate Frisbee Team competed in the 2025 High School National Invite on Friday and Saturday in Pennsylvania. The team went 0-3 in their first-ever High School National Invitational tournament.
🗓️ In celebration of Juneteenth on Thursday, enjoy traditional African American storytelling and songs reflecting the journey toward freedom at the Washington Revels Jubilee Voices Juneteenth Concert at Market Square, then head to Juneteenth Celebration @ The Athenaeum to discover the history of Juneteenth through hands-on activities, art, and poetry readings. Keep the celebration going on June 21 and celebrate African American heritage through music, storytelling, food, and family fun at the Juneteenth Festival at the Charles Houston Recreation Center.
📈 Sunday’s most read
The following are the most-read ALXnow articles for June 15, 2025.
- PHOTOS: Thousands attend No Kings Rally in Old Town, Alexandria
- Notes: Century-old Sears house, now a music studio, hosts community concert
📅 Upcoming events
Here’s what’s happening today and today in Alexandria.
Things To Do
- 10:15 a.m.: Senior Bingo at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
- 6 p.m.: Horror Fans Unite! – A summer horror club! at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
- 6:30 p.m.: Joggers & Lagers at Port City Brewing Company
- 6:30 p.m.: Yoga At The Library – with Human Kind Yoga Collective at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
- 6:30 p.m.: Resin Your Canvas or Panel Workshop at Del Ray Artisans
Live Music & Entertainment
- 219 Restaurant: Just For Fun at 9 p.m.
- Augie’s Mussel House: Live music at 5 p.m.
- Daniel O’Connell’s: Traditional Irish Music Session at 7 p.m.
- Del Ray Pizzeria: Trivia at 7 p.m.
- Laporta’s Restaurant: Jim West at 6 p.m.
- Mason Social: Rook Richards at 5 p.m.
- Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub: Colby Sard at 8:30 p.m.
- O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: Karaoke at 9 p.m.
- Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
- The Birchmere: The Musical Box performs Genesis Live at 7:30 p.m.
City of Alexandria Events & Public Meetings
- 9:30 a.m.: Alexandria Electoral Board
- 11 a.m.: VIRTUAL: AHAAC Investment Subcommittee Meeting
- 1 p.m.: VIRTUAL: Commission on Aging Housing Committee
- 4 p.m.: Alexandria Library Board Meeting
- 5 p.m.: Visit Alexandria Board of Governors Meeting
- 5 p.m.: Duke Street Land Use Plan Pop-Up
- 7 p.m.: Social Services Advisory Board (SSAB)
- 7 p.m.: George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee
- 7 p.m.: Sister Cities Committee Dundee and Helsingborg
- 7:30 p.m.: Environmental Policy Commission, Regular Meeting
- 7:30 p.m.: Public Records Advisory Commission
Organizing an event? Submit your event to ALXnow’s Event Calendar.
