Good morning, Alexandria! Today is Thursday, Oct. 2, the 275th day of 2025. There are 90 days left in the year
🌤️ Today’s weather: Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. North wind 5 to 7 mph becoming east in the morning. Partly cloudy tonight, with a low around 52. Light east wind.
🚨 You need to know
Alexandria’s Virginia Theological Seminary will host the opening night of The Thirteen’s 14th season on Friday, Oct. 17, when the acclaimed professional choir and orchestra presents “On That Distant Day” at 7:30 p.m. in Immanuel Chapel.
The evening will mark a milestone celebration of Renaissance master Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina’s 500th birthday with a performance of his luminous “Missa Papae Marcelli,” the work that earned him the title “Prince of Music.” The program pairs Palestrina’s mass — representing the high point of Renaissance polyphony — with Maurice Duruflé’s moving “Requiem,” composed in 1941 during the Vichy occupation and completed after France’s liberation. The concert also features the North American premiere of Swiss composer Frank Martin’s celebratory “Cantate pour le 1er Août,” written in 1941, and a contemporary “Kyrie” by American composer Diedre Robinson. Princeton University organist Eric Plutz joins the ensemble for the performance.
“These works provide different lenses through which to view common themes — triumph through adversity, the search for clarity, and the persistence of beauty in turbulent times,” says Artistic Director Matthew Robertson of the program that launches The Thirteen’s “Kaleidoscope” season. The Washington-based ensemble, described by Gramophone as “exquisite in every way,” has built a reputation for boundary-defying performances that range from early chant to world premieres.
Families should note The Thirteen’s newly announced Kids Come Free initiative, which welcomes children ages 5 through 17 to attend any performance at no charge when accompanied by a ticketed adult. The concert is made possible by a generous gift from Sara Fein. Tickets for the Alexandria performance and additional concerts on Oct. 18 at National Presbyterian Church in Washington and Oct. 19 at Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church in Bethesda are available at TheThirteenChoir.org.
What else to know
Michael Duffin, a former State Department official who was terminated in July, announced on Wednesday his campaign for the Democratic nomination in Virginia’s 8th Congressional District, joining a growing primary field that includes a former Alexandria city councilman.
Sen. Mark Warner blamed the Trump administration on Wednesday for the government shutdown that began at midnight, saying the president bears responsibility for failing to prevent the closure despite Republican control of both chambers of Congress and the White House.
A 62-year-old Alexandria man who had been missing since Tuesday morning has been safely located, police announced Wednesday evening.
The HRP Group is offering guided tours of the former Potomac River Generating Station site in Old Town North on Friday and Saturday.
Alexandria headlines from elsewhere
- WJLA: Virginia restaurants offer ‘freebies’ for federal workers amid government shutdown
- Fox 5 DC: FCPS high school instructional assistant arrested in alleged sexual battery of 2 students: police
- DC News Now: Larger dogs’ adoption fees waived during October at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria
- WJLA: Weekend track work to close stations on Blue, Orange, Silver lines
- Reuters: US Patent and Trademark office to lay off 1% of its workforce, agency letter says
📈 Wednesday’s most read
The following are the most-read ALXnow articles for Oct. 1, 2025.
- Alexandria moves forward with next phase of Confederate street renamings Ryan Belmore
- Patent office lays off staff, closes Denver office amid broader federal workforce cuts Ryan Belmore
- Alexandria businesses offer discounts for federal workers during government shutdown James Cullum
- Fired State Department official from Alexandria enters 8th Congressional District race Ryan Belmore
- Alexandria mobilizes resources to help residents affected by federal shutdown Ryan Belmore
📅 Upcoming events
Here is what’s happening today in Alexandria, as per our newsletter and event calendar.
Things To Do
- Sept. 25 – Oct. 5 – Old Town Cocktail Week throughout Old Town
- 3 p.m. – King Street Station Farmers Market at King Street Station
- 5 p.m.: Rescue Ale Release Party at Lost Dog Cafe Alexandria
- 6 p.m.: Milwaukee-based textile artist Christine Mason Miller at Nepenthe Gallery
- 7 p.m.: Lecture: George Washington and Public Image at Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum
Organizing an event? Submit your event to ALXnow’s Event Calendar.
Live Music & Entertainment
- 219 Restaurant – Mike Kelley & Friends at 9 p.m.
- Aslin ALX – Trivia at 7 p.m.
- Augie’s Mussel House & Beer Garden – Live music at 5 p.m.
- Galactic Panther Art Gallery – Rap is Poetry Open Mic Night at 8 p.m.
- Hops N Shine – Trivia at 6:30 p.m.
- Laporta’s Restaurant – Ken Kilpatrick Trio at 6 p.m.
- Lena’s Wood-Fired Pizza & Tap – Gigi MacLaughlin & John Lee at 6 p.m.
- Lost Boy Cider – Trivia at 7 p.m.
- Murphy’s Pub – Pat Garvey and Rook Richards at 8:30 p.m.
- O’Shaughnessy’s Pub – Nuns with Guns at 9 p.m.
- Rock It Grill – Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
- The Birchmere – Pink Martini All-Stars at 7:30 p.m.
- The Study at Morrison House – Live Piano Music at 6 p.m.
City of Alexandria
Events & Public Meetings
- 6 a.m. – Chinquapin Open
- 4 p.m.: Minnie Howard Open
- 4:30 p.m.: VIRTUAL: Commission on Aging Civic Engagement and Economic
- 6 p.m.: Proclamation Ceremony Honoring Kim D. Neal
Alexandria Library Events
- All day: The Order Of The Zine (T.O.O.T.Z.) | Week #2 – The Zine of Secret Abilities at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
- All day: “Determined” – The 400 Year Struggle for Black Equality Traveling Exhibit at Local History/Special Collections
- 10 a.m.: English Language Learning (ELL) 1 Workshop – Beginner Conversation at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
- 11 a.m.: Line Dancing 101 at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
- 11 a.m.: 1000 Books Story Time (ages 2-5) at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
- Noon: Line Dancing 201 at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
- 1:15 p.m.: Baby Bounce (ages 0-14 months) at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
- 2 p.m.: Thursday Film Series – “The Old Man and the Gun” at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
- 2 p.m.: Nuestra América – Stories of 30 Inspiring Latinas/Latinos (Virtual)
- 3 p.m.: Burke Branch Friends Book Sale at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
- 4 p.m.: TCG Library League (Magic: The Gathering/Pokemon) at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
- 4 p.m.: Preschool Storytime (ages 3-5) at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
- 6 p.m.: Dungeons and Dragons: Teen Group at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
- 6 p.m.: Nerdy Knotters – Knitting and crochet group at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
- 6 p.m.: Coding Game Night (ages 6-12) at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
- 7 p.m.: World Short Story Discussion Group (Virtual)
Find more library events and details
Alexandria City Public Schools
- No School: All Students
- All Day: Yom Kippur
Alexandria City High School Events
- No games are scheduled.
