Around Town

Old Town North to host second annual Chalk-A-Block Festival Sept. 7

By Ryan Belmore
Photo from Chalk-A-Block 2024 (contributed photo)

The Old Town North Alliance will transform the sidewalks and parking lots of Alexandria’s Arts & Cultural District into outdoor canvases during the second annual Chalk-A-Block festival on Sunday, Sept. 7.

The free, family-friendly event runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will feature chalk artists creating temporary masterpieces throughout Old Town North. Attendees can follow Old Town North Tern footprints from site to site across eight locations, including Hotel AKA, West Elm, and the Sheraton Suites.

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Smoking Kow BBQ claims victory in Alexandria’s Readers’ Choice barbecue battle

By Ryan Belmore
Food at Smoking Kow BBQ at 3250 Duke Street (staff photo by James Cullum)

The votes are in, and Alexandria has spoken: Smoking Kow BBQ is the city’s favorite barbecue destination, according to the ALXnow Readers’ Choice Awards.

After two weeks of voting that concluded Tuesday night, Smoking Kow BBQ at 3250 Duke Street secured victory with 31.67% of the vote, earning 711 votes from barbecue lovers across Alexandria. The restaurant maintained its frontrunner status throughout the entire voting period.

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Alexandria Restaurant Week returns Aug. 22-31 with $30-$50 prix fixe menus

By Ryan Belmore
Alexandria Restaurant Week (Credit: Visit Alexandria)

Alexandria Restaurant Week will return Aug. 22-31, offering diners 10 days of special menus at dozens of restaurants throughout the city.

Participating restaurants across Alexandria’s neighborhoods will feature prix fixe dinner menus priced at $30, $40, or $50 per person for in-person dining. Fast casual establishments will also offer additional specials and discounts during the event.

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Hosting an event in Alexandria? Promote it on ALXnow’s event calendar

By Ryan Belmore
A paper calendar (Photo by Eric Rothermel on Unsplash)

Looking to attract more people to your upcoming local gathering?

Submit it to ALXnow’s event calendar and connect with locals searching for things to do in our community. Thousands of Alexandria residents turn to our calendar when planning their activities. Free basic listings help spread the word about your event, while paid promotional options give you premium visibility with featured placement on the site, in our email newsletter, and on social media.

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Final Hours: Alexandria’s Best BBQ crown up for grabs as voting ends tonight

By Ryan Belmore
Food at Smoking Kow BBQ at 3250 Duke Street (staff photo by James Cullum)

The clock is ticking for Alexandria’s barbecue enthusiasts. Tonight at 11:59 p.m., voting closes for ALXnow’s Readers’ Choice Award for Best Barbecue Restaurant, and the competition has been sizzling hot.

With just hours left to cast ballots, Smoking Kow BBQ has maintained a commanding lead throughout the two-week voting period, capturing nearly 32% of the vote with 617 supporters rallying behind their smoky specialties. The popular spot has clearly struck a chord with local diners craving authentic pulled pork and tender brisket.

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From Tax-Free Shopping to Glow Paddling: Alexandria’s week packed with events, live music, and summer fun

By Ryan Belmore
Shopping in Old Town Alexandria (via Visit Alexandria)

Alexandria is serving up a diverse menu of activities this week, from Monday’s comedy nights and yoga sessions to a spectacular glow paddle adventure on Saturday evening. The Tax-Free Weekend kicks off Friday at select Old Town boutiques, while music lovers can catch everything from Three Dog Night at The Birchmere to traditional Irish sessions at local pubs. Families won’t want to miss the Friendship Firehouse Festival on Saturday or Harry Potter’s birthday bash at Del Ray Pizzeria on Thursday.

Whether you’re looking to swap plants, learn ventriloquism, or enjoy chamber music at the Lyceum, Alexandria’s packed calendar offers something for everyone through August 3rd.

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Pulitzer winner to speak on political violence at Alexandria lynching remembrance

By ALXnow.com
Remembrance Event for Benjamin Thomas (via City of Alexandria)

Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Steven Hahn will address political violence and democracy at a remembrance event for Benjamin Thomas, a Black man lynched in Alexandria 126 years ago.

The Aug. 8 event at Shiloh Baptist Church, located at 1401 Jamieson Ave., will run from 6:30 to 8 p.m., with doors opening at 6:15 p.m. The program marks the anniversary of Thomas’ death on Aug. 8, 1899.

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Little Theatre of Alexandria to open ‘Kinky Boots’ Saturday

By Ryan Belmore
Kinky Boots runs at The Little Theatre of Alexandria July 26 - August 16, 2025 (Photo via The Little Theatre of Alexandria)

The Little Theatre of Alexandria opens “Kinky Boots” on Saturday (July 26), presenting the Tony Award-winning musical through Aug. 16.

The production features music and lyrics by Cyndi Lauper and book by Harvey Fierstein. Kevin Sockwell directs the show at the theater’s 600 Wolfe St. location.

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What’s up in Alexandria this week and weekend: July 21-27

By Ryan Belmore
Farmers' Market (photo courtesy Visit Alexandria)

Alexandria residents have plenty to choose from this week, with Monday kicking off with yoga at the library and open mic comedy at Alexandria Bier Garden, followed by Pokemon GO Club and BeerYoga on Tuesday. Wednesday brings hands-on fun with a Mad Science program for kids and a handmade pasta cooking class at Aslin ALX, while Thursday features the Old Town North Farmers’ Market and a welcome home party for the Tall Ship Providence.

The weekend promises even more variety, with Friday’s wine garden event and multiple live music venues hosting everything from The Bacon Brothers at The Birchmere to karaoke nights across town. Saturday morning starts early with farmers’ markets in Old Town and Del Ray, plus unique activities like candle-making workshops and a beer festival, before Sunday rounds out the week with chamber music at the Lyceum and Rock Del Ray’s July concert featuring local bands The Derds, Parallel Lives, and Flawd By Birth at Evening Star Cafe.

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