Good Sunday morning, Alexandria!
☀️ Today’s weather: A slight chance of showers before 8 am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. East wind 5 to 7 mph. The chance of precipitation is 20%. Partly cloudy tonight, with a low around 60. East wind around 6 mph, becoming calm after midnight.
🚨 You need to know
The Alexandria Film Festival will expand to Virginia Tech’s Alexandria campus for its 19th annual celebration, bringing screenings to the university’s new Academic Building One in Potomac Yard.
The festival, scheduled for Nov. 2 and Nov. 7-9, will utilize Virginia Tech’s 300-seat Boeing Auditorium alongside the building’s other screening spaces. Festival organizers praised the metro-accessible location as an ideal venue for the event.
“The university’s new academic building in the Potomac Yard neighborhood is the perfect hub of festival activities this year,” said Jill Ray, chair of the Alexandria Film Festival. “It’s metro-accessible, high-tech, and ultra-modern, offering multiple spaces for film screenings.”
Lance Collins, vice president at Virginia Tech, said hosting the festival reflects the university’s commitment to making Academic Building One “a hub for innovation, collaboration, and community.” The partnership represents Virginia Tech’s growing presence in the Alexandria area through its expanded campus operations.
In addition to the Virginia Tech venue at 3625 Potomac Ave., the festival will screen films at Patagonia Old Town, Beatley Library and the Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum. The complete programming schedule will be available at alexfilmfest.com. The festival receives support from the Alexandria Commission for the Arts, the City of Alexandria and numerous corporate sponsors including Adobe, Burke & Herbert Bank and Atlas Brew Works.
Visit https://alexfilmfest.com/ for updates and more information.
📈 Saturday’s most read
The following were the most-read ALXnow articles on Sept. 20, 2025:
- Former Alexandria City High swimmer Emil LaSida, 21, dies; held college records
- Alexandria pastor’s Charlie Kirk comments lead this week’s top stories
- Things to do this weekend in Alexandria: Sept. 19 – 21
- New farmers market opens Sept. 25 near King St.-Old Town Metro station
- Alexandria-based US attorney resigns under pressure amid James investigation
📅 Upcoming events
Here is what’s going on today and this weekend in Alexandria, from our event calendar.
Sunday, Sept. 21
Things To Do
- 7 a.m. – Minnie Howard Open at Minnie Howard Aquatics Facility
- 8 a.m. – Old Town Pool Open
- 8:30 a.m. – West End Farmers Market at 4800 Brenman Park
- 9 a.m. – Four Mile Run Farmers & Artisans Market at Four Mile Run Park
- 11 a.m. – Dogtoberfest at Alexandria Bier Garden – Brats, Brews & Barks! at Alexandria Bier Garden
- 1 p.m. – Writers Group at Beatley at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
- 1 p.m. – Kids Arts & Crafts at Hops N Shine
- 1 p.m. – Washington’s Compatriot in Arms, and Old & Intimate Friend, Doctor James Craik at Carlyle House
- 2 p.m. – Alexandria Oddball Cinema – Branded at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
- 2 p.m. – The Maine Shore by Avis Fleming at Studio 14, Torpedo Factory
- 2:30 p.m. – Preschool STEAM Sundays at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
- 3 p.m. – Stamped Sterling Silver Bracelet Making Workshop at Shop Made in VA
- 6 p.m. – Tai Chi With Cats at Mount Purrnon Cat Café & Wine Bar
Live Music & Entertainment
- 219 Restaurant – Kev Powe Thang at 9 p.m.
- Alexandria Bier Garden – Dogtoberfest with Oktoberfest traditions from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Blackwall Hitch – Jazz Brunch with Black Coffee at 10:30 a.m.
- Galactic Panther Art Gallery – ESP’s InterGalactic Open Mic at 8 p.m.
- Hops N Shine – Star Wars Trivia at 5 p.m.
- Laporta’s Restaurant – Steve Ragsdale at 11:30 a.m., Walt Johnson Trio at 6 p.m.
- Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub – Rook Richards 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 – Kathleen Edwards at 7:30 p.m.
