News

Alexandria City Public Schools has rejected federal demands to change policies allowing transgender students to use facilities matching their gender identity, defying a U.S. Department of Education ultimatum that required a response by today’s deadline.

In a statement released Friday at 12:24 p.m., School Board Chair Dr. Michelle Rief and Superintendent Dr. Melanie Kay-Wyatt announced that ACPS “disagrees with the legal analysis in the Letter of Findings, and cannot agree to the VRA [Voluntary Resolution Agreement] currently proposed by OCR.”


Around Town

Alexandria’s weekend calendar is packed with activities for residents and visitors, featuring a diverse mix of outdoor markets, craft workshops, live entertainment, and family-friendly events across the city—with improving weather conditions as the weekend progresses.

While Friday afternoon brings a 40% chance of scattered thunderstorms and sweltering heat index values reaching 101°F, conditions look much more pleasant for weekend activities. Saturday starts mostly cloudy but clears to sunny skies with a comfortable high of 87°, perfect for the Old Town Farmers’ Market at 7 a.m. and Del Ray Farmers’ Market at 8 a.m. Sunday promises beautiful weather with sunny skies and highs near 93°.


Sponsored

Enjoy the return of jazz at Metropolitan Park with a free concert series co-presented by the DC Jazz Festival and National Landing BID. Listen to live stylings from Go-Go to bossa nova across the four-part series, from 5-7PM on select Thursdays: May 7, May 21, June 4, and June 18.

Refresh with onsite vendors including Toby’s Homemade Ice Cream and Taqueria Xochi, plus free samples from Mocktail Club—non-alcoholic beverages inspired by travel destinations. Take part in artist-led Studio Sessions curated by Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington while enjoying the music. Visit businesses around Met Park to pack a picnic or sit down for a meal after the show.

Music kicks off at 5PM and concludes at 7PM, with a set break in the middle.

Featured Performers and MoCA Studio Sessions

May 7The JoGo Project (Jazz Meets Go-Go)

Art Activity: “Even Colors Dance (Synesthetic Watercolor)” | Led by David Ignaciocurrent Resident Artist at Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington’s main museum

May 21Joe Brotherton (New Orleans)

Art Activity: “Paper Garden” | Led by Jaqui Falkenheim of Arlington Collage Collective

June 4Eric Byrd Trio (Acoustic Jazz Piano/Vocals)

Art Activity: “Stitching Systems: Mapping Home” | Led by Lauren Crawford, current Resident Artist at MoCA Arlington’s main museum.

June 18José Luiz Martins (Brazilian Jazz)

Art Activity: “Day Inking with JD” | Led by JD Deardourff, recent Resident Artist at MoCA Innovation Studio.

For transportation and Met Park information, visit nationallanding.org/met-park/faqs. Met Park is a five-minute walk from the Pentagon City Metro.

Jazz @ Met is presented by DC Jazz Festival and National Landing BID, sponsored by Amazon. Additional support for performances is provided by The Galena-Yorktown Foundation and The Leonard and Elaine Silverstein Family Foundation.

Note: Performance schedule is subject to change.


News

UPDATE: Alexandria City Public Schools has rejected federal demands to change transgender policies, keeping current inclusive policies in place.

Alexandria City Public Schools faces a critical deadline today to respond to federal demands that it change policies allowing transgender students to use facilities matching their gender identity, or risk losing federal funding and potential legal action.


Announcement

Ghost Limb is a timely and haunting examination of authoritarianism set during Argentina’s Dirty War that draws poetic inspiration from the Persephone and Demeter myth. When Consuelo’s son is “disappeared” by the military, she discovers a psychic link between her injured arm and her tortured child-and races to find him before it’s too late.

Performance Days and Times


News

The Spitfire Club wrapped up its second annual Camp Spitfire this week, providing 50 girls from across Alexandria with a week of reading, community building, and confidence-boosting activities at Trinity United Methodist Church.

The weeklong camp, which concluded Tuesday, centered around the organization’s core values of curiosity, resilience, empathy, authenticity, and tenacity. Campers kicked off the week exploring the question “How can we show up as our most authentic selves?”


Event

Join us for a delightful Sunday afternoon at the BlackRock Center for the Arts as Cruise Planners Beth & Rod present a special travel-inspired matinee featuring the beloved film Under the Tuscan Sun.

Date & Time: Sunday, May 31 | 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM


News

Lucas, a 7-month-old black and white pup with striking blue eyes, is looking for his forever home through the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria’s “Back to School” adoption event.

The 64-pound mixed breed has already mastered leash walking and would make an ideal companion for hiking or neighborhood strolls, according to AWLA volunteer Maria Stebbins. Lucas also excels at fetch and enjoys squeaky toys.


News

Former Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson has been selected as the next executive director of NOVA Parks, the regional park authority announced Friday.

Wilson, who served 14 years on the Alexandria City Council, including two terms as mayor, will assume the role of Executive Director in a full-time capacity beginning Oct. 6, succeeding Paul Gilbert, who announced his retirement in April after 20 years leading the organization. During Gilbert’s tenure, NOVA Parks expanded significantly, adding 15 new parks and acquiring more than 1,800 acres of parkland through 22 acquisition transactions.


News

Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority CEO Erik C. Johnson issued a lengthy statement Thursday morning acknowledging “valid” tenant concerns and detailing reforms implemented since he took the helm in September 2024.

The statement comes two days after ALXnow reported that tenants plan to protest on Wednesday, Aug. 20, at ARHA headquarters over delayed payments, service issues, and other problems.


News

Good Friday morning, Alexandria!

⛈️ Today’s weather: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming east around 6 mph in the morning. The chance of precipitation is 40%.