Around Town

The Birchmere Music Hall turns 60, several shows canceled in April lineup

By James Cullum
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The Birchmere music hall, Alexandria’s most prominent musical venue, celebrated its 60th anniversary earlier this month.

The 500-seat music hall at 3701 Mount Vernon Avenue opened in 1966, and has featured notable musical artists and performers across various genres, including Ray Charles, Johnny Cash, Linda Ronstadt and Dave Matthews. Originally founded in Arlington’s Shirlington neighborhood, the venue moved to Alexandria’s Mount Vernon Avenue in 1981. It has been at the current 3701 Mount Vernon Avenue location since 1997.

Gary Oelze, the Birchmere’s founder, died in 2023. The venue has since been run by his wife, Susan Pilchard Oelze.

“For six decades, this room has been about something special: a warm welcome at the door, a good meal at the table, world-class music onstage, and an audience that comes here to truly listen,” The Birchmere said on Facebook. “We’re honored to celebrate our 60th anniversary all year long with many of our favorite returning artists, along with new favorites still to come. There is so much more music, joy and memory making ahead.”

 10,000 Maniacs shows canceled

The April 24, 25 and 26 10,000 Maniacs shows, which were announced at the venue last November, have been canceled and all tickets will be refunded, The Birchmere recently announced.

The Birchmere shared a message from 10,000 Maniacs on Facebook explaining that the “band is heartbroken to miss these shows,” but that guitarist Steve Gustafson is scheduled to get back surgery next week.

“This does mean we have to cancel our April and May shows in Virginia and Florida,” the band said. “We’re already working on rescheduling those dates, and your venue will share updates as soon as they’re confirmed.”

All tickets purchased via Ticketmaster will be refunded, The Birchmere said.

“If you purchased at The Birchmere Box Office, refunds are available at the Box Office any night we have a show from 5-9 p.m.,” The Birchmere said.

Below are upcoming shows this month at The Birchmere:

Image 2 via The Birchmere/Facebook

About the Author

  • Reporter James Cullum has spent nearly 20 years covering Northern Virginia. He began working with ALXnow in 2020, and has covered every story under the sun for the publication, from investigative stories to features and photo galleries. His work includes coverage of national and international situations, as well as from the White House, Capitol, Pentagon, Supreme Court and State Department. He's covered protests and riots throughout the U.S. (including the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol), in addition to earthquake-ridden Haiti, Western Sahara in North Africa and war-torn South Sudan. He has photographed presidents and other world leaders, celebrities and famous musicians, and excels under pressure.