July will turn into August this weekend as a packed lineup of events arrives in Alexandria.
Alexandrians may see aspiring witches and wizards around for several Harry Potter-themed events lined up for the weekend — the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum’s A Magical Apothecary tour and Lee-Fendall House’s Pop Culture Trivia: Harry Potter Edition. Both events are already sold out.
There’s still plenty to do in town between lectures, a walking tour, live performances, and festivals. The biggest events of the weekend will be Old Town’s Friendship Firehouse Festival and Carlyle’s Beats, Bites and Brews on Saturday.
Here’s a guide to what’s going on around the city this weekend:
‘Catch Me If You Can’ at Little Theatre of Alexandria
When: 8 p.m. Friday, July 31 and Saturday, Aug. 1, 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2
Little Theatre of Alexandria’s latest production follows the true story of Frank Abagnale Jr. in a musical set in the 1960s. The story begins as Abagnale is caught by Agent Carl Hanratty after years of pursuit, but Abagnale wants to share his side of the story. The musical goes through his life running away from home to conning people using various identities. The show runs on select dates through Aug. 8.
600 Wolfe Street
Traditional Music Concert Series at the Lyceum
When: 7:30-9:30 p.m. Friday, July 31
John Doyle, who comes from a musical family in Dublin and co-founded the group Chanting House and supergroup Solas, will perform songs from his new album “Free by Nature: Songs of the Irish in the American Revolution.” Doyle has also performed with other notable artists in folk, Celtic and bluegrass genres. Free snacks will be provided, and beer and wine will be for sale.
201 S. Washington Street
Friendship Firehouse Festival
When: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1
This annual festival presented by the Friendship Veterans Fire Engine Association with Historic Alexandria brings neighbors together in front of the historic Friendship Firehouse Museum. To celebrate Alexandria’s firefighting heritage, the festival promises fire trucks, live music, local vendors, food and beverages, children’s activities, community exhibits and free admission to the Friendship Firehouse Museum.
100 block of S. Alfred Street
Beats, Bites and Brews
When: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1
Enjoy a day of live music, food off the grill and brews at Beats, Bites & Brews at John Carlyle Square. Admission is free, and attendees can bring blankets, lawn chairs and dogs.
300 John Carlyle Street
Penny Post’s Stationery Day
When: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1
The fifth annual Stationery Store Day celebrates all things pen, paper and analog. The in-store event will feature promotions, and neighboring Ms. Moxie’s Moon Shop will offer waiting customers live entertainment, shelter from the heat, cold drinks and snacks for customers in line waiting outside Penny Post.
1201 King Street
Kevin Ross at The Birchmere
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1
D.C.-born singer and songwriter Kevin Ross offers R&B performances “through eloquent songcraft, rich sonic architecture, and downright traffic-stopping vocals.” He launched his career in 2016 and has earned over 100 million streams and top Billboard charting songs on the Adult R&B Songs Chart. He also started artist-owned label Art Society Music Group after leaving Motown Records.
3701 Mount Vernon Avenue
Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden: MIS-Y The Secret Interrogators of P.O. Box 1142
When: 2-3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1
This lecture will explore the origins of the MIS-Y program, which involved processing and interrogating over 3,000 German prisoners of war during World War II. The operation was known by its mailing box — P.O. Box 1142— which was on land that is now Fort Hunt Park.
614 Oronoco Street
George Washington & American Revolution Tour
When: 5-7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2
To mark America’s 250th anniversary, join this tour to learn about the many sites and people in Old Town Alexandria associated with George Washington. The guide, Ed Moser, is a former “Tonight Show” writer and presidential speech writer. The tour meets outside Christ Church on the Columbus Street side.
118 N. Washington Street
