Discover all that’s happening for events, live music, entertainment, and happenings around Alexandria this weekend; enjoy!
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A new restaurant has been proposed at the former home of Kismet Modern Indian at 111 N. Pitt Street in Old Town.
Restaurant Finn and Fire is being proposed for the space, according to plans going before the city’s Board of Architectural Review next month. The property’s landlord confirmed to ALXnow that a lease has been signed, although the restaurant did not return calls for comment. The proposal goes before the BAR on Nov. 5.
Game, set, Gala! On Saturday, Nov. 14, the USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation’s annual Tennis Creates Gala, presented by QTS, comes to The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner, celebrating the transformative power of tennis.
The evening raises critical funds to make the sport accessible to all across Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia and eastern/southern West Virginia.
Every dollar goes back into local communities through programs like Girls Rule the Court™, which has served more than 2,000 girls, along with Junior Player Scholarships and Tennis in Schools. Gala funds also help restore public courts. Over the last three years, the Foundation has invested $505,000 across 17 public facilities.
Emceeing the evening is Emmy Award-winning ESPN journalist Malika Andrews, host of NBA Today and NBA Countdown, who joined ESPN’s tennis coverage this year for the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the US Open.
Andrews has pointed to the electric moment American tennis is having, with stars like the DMV’s own Frances Tiafoe reaching the 2026 US Open men’s semifinals, and says she’s grateful for the chance to support the sport at the local level.
Joining the celebration is new USTA CEO Craig Tiley, who took the helm of the national governing body in July after over 20 years at Tennis Australia. As he leads the USTA toward its goal of 35 million players by 2035, the USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation drives the grassroots work to grow the sport right here in the region.
The Foundation will present its Tennis Creates Impact Award to Vice Admiral Sean S. Buck, U.S. Navy (ret.), 63rd Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy, recognizing his leadership in fostering character, community, and well-being through tennis.
The heart of the night is the 2026 Tennis Creates Awards, honoring local changemakers. Alexandria’s Leigh Ann Jackson receives the Adult Leader Award for coaching Girls Rule the Court at Groveton Elementary, where she has served 130 students over five seasons and championed the program’s expansion to Hybla Valley.
Arlington’s Gabrielle Berg earns the Youth Leader Award for founding a Northern Virginia chapter of Tennis For Fun, which runs free year-round clinics for people with special needs in partnership with the Arlington YMCA. Burke’s Khoi Truong, head coach at Lake Braddock Secondary School, is the 2026 Coach of the Year.
They’ll be joined by fellow honorees Dr. Ellen Markowitz (Community Champion), James Skinner (Provider Champion), and Janelle Nichols (Tennis in the Classroom Awardee).
Tickets and tables are now available. Can’t make it? Make a gift to USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation or bid in the silent auction to help put a racquet in the hands of the next generation of players.
The Tennis Creates Gala takes place Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, from 6:00 – 11:00 p.m. at The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner, 1700 Tysons Blvd., McLean, VA 22102.
For more information, visit TennisCreatesGala.com.
A proposal to build 32 four-story townhouses in Old Town will head back to the Board of Architectural Review next month.
Alexandria land-use attorney Ken Wire is asking the city for approval to demolish the Essex Building, an office building at 333 N. Fairfax Street built in the 1970s, and replace it with townhomes. Renderings show rows of four-story townhouses with garages and second-floor balconies encompassing an entire square block, bordered by N. Lee Street, Queen Street, and Princess Street. The BAR will review the proposal on Wednesday, Nov. 5. It will be the second concept review for the project, and city staff are advising some minor modifications.
Eddie, a 10-month-old dog with a steel gray coat and white markings, is looking for his forever family through the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria.
The 44-pound pup came to the AWLA as a local stray and has since charmed volunteers with his friendly, affectionate personality and notably calm demeanor for such a young dog.
Go to Adoptable dog of the week: Meet Eddie, a 10-month-old pup ready for his forever home
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When there’s a chill in the air, nothing satisfies like a rich Cabernet, a velvety Merlot, a smoky Syrah, or a brambly Shiraz. So put down your garden rake (the leaves can wait) and head to Arrowine to sample 20 of the Best Bargains in Big, Bold Reds from California, Washington State, and beyond.
We have spent the last two months tasting well over 200 wines and selected the top 20 for you to enjoy during this event. All of these wines overperformed and have exceptional price-to-quality value ratios. We know you will be impressed with our selections.
Metropolitan School of the Arts has appointed Walter “Bobby” McCoy, a multiple Helen Hayes Award-winning music director, to its musical theatre faculty and private lesson staff.
McCoy, a Nicaraguan-American artist prominent in the D.C. regional theater scene, will teach private music lessons and serve as music director for the school’s musical theatre workshop class, according to an announcement on Wednesday.
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Alexandria Shooting Under Investigation — “Alexandria Police are investigating a shooting incident in the 300 block of N. West Street that occurred late Wednesday night. One man sustained a non-life-threatening injury in the incident. Police reported maintaining a presence in the area as of 10:40 p.m. as the investigation continued. No additional details have been released.” [APD on X]
Phil Vassar Brings Tour to Birchmere — “Country music star Phil Vassar returns to his Virginia roots this month, bringing his ’25 Years of Paradise’ tour to Alexandria’s Birchmere Music Hall on Oct. 26. For Vassar, who attended James Madison University before moving to Nashville in the 1980s, performing at the Birchmere holds special meaning. ‘I used to go there when I was starting out as a musician, and I went to James Madison,’ Vassar said in an interview with ALXnow on Wednesday. ‘It’s just such a historic venue, and I just love coming to rock.'” [ALXnow]
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RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Republican Winsome Earle-Sears and Democrat Abigail Spanberger are slated to debate their competing visions for Virginia on Thursday in the state’s gubernatorial race. And each woman arguably has the same goal: to blame her opponent for backing the chaos in Washington.
Virginia is one of two states choosing governors this November, and its election is often seen as a bellwether for the party in power across the Potomac River ahead of midterm elections next year.
The Ethiopian Community Support and Assistance Center will host its fifth annual Ethiopian Fall Festival on Sunday at Chinquapin Park, featuring live music, traditional dance and authentic cuisine.
The event runs from 1-7 p.m. at the park at 3210 King St. and is open to the public.
Good Wednesday evening, Alexandria. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.
The following articles were published earlier today — Oct 8, 2025.