Good Wednesday morning, Alexandria!
⛈️ Today’s weather: A chance of showers before 2 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 5 p.m.. Patchy fog before 11 a.m. High near 77 degrees. Northeast wind is around 6 mph and becomes south in the afternoon. The chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, except higher amounts are possible in thunderstorms.
The Alexandria City Council has taken the first legislative step toward banning gas-powered leaf blowers, citing significant environmental and noise concerns. On Tuesday, the council voted 5-1 on the First Reading of an ordinance that would prohibit the use of gas-powered leaf blowers throughout the city.
The proposed ban includes an 18-month phase-out period for the community, while city government departments would transition away from gas-powered equipment within one year.
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 7: The JoGo Project (Jazz Meets Go-Go)
Art Activity: “Even Colors Dance (Synesthetic Watercolor)” | Led by David Ignacio, current Resident Artist at Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington’s main museum
May 21: Joe Brotherton (New Orleans)
Art Activity: “Paper Garden” | Led by Jaqui Falkenheim of Arlington Collage Collective
June 4: Eric 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 18: José 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.
Alexandria is bracing for possible coastal flooding, with water levels expected to rise up to one and a half feet above ground in some low-lying areas.
The National Weather Service in Baltimore, MD/Washington, DC has issued a Coastal Flood Advisory for the city. The advisory starts at 12:25 a.m. on Wednesday (May 14) and runs until 3 p.m. on the same day.
Alexandria City Council celebrated 30 graduates from its Spring 2025 City Academy program at its Legislative Meeting on Tuesday (May 13).
Councilor John Taylor Chapman presented a proclamation honoring the graduates who completed a seven-week course. The program gives participants hands-on experience with city services and staff.
Come celebrate the 250th anniversary of America’s War for Independence with renowned music historians David & Ginger Hildebrand for performances of special period music. The Hildebrands will don period attire to discuss and perform music associated with Alexandria’s sister cities: Caen, France; Dundee, Scotland; Helsingborg, Sweden; and Gyumri, Armenia. Scottish music was especially influential in the American colonies, and once the French joined the Revolutionary cause there were musical celebrations for Generals LaFayette, Rochambeau and other French leaders. This concert event is part of the “Alexandria commemorates America’s 250” campaign. David & Ginger specialize in researching, recording, and performing early American music. Since 1980 they have presented concerts and educational programs throughout the country and abroad at museums, historic sites, schools and universities. Mount Vernon, The National Gallery of Art, The National Archives, and Colonial Williamsburg are among their many past sponsors.
Tickets are $20.
Alexandria City Council honored its emergency medical services (EMS) providers at its Legislative Meeting on Tuesday (May 13) with a special proclamation for Emergency Medical Services Week, which runs from May 18 to 24, 2025.
During the meeting, Mayor Alyia Gaskins and the Alexandria City Council declared the week “Emergency Medical Services Week.”
Heads up, drivers – expect some overnight delays on the Woodrow Wilson Bridge this week.
The Virginia Department of Transportation says the bridge will have maintenance openings from 10 p.m. on Thursday (May 15) to 5 a.m. on Friday (May 16), weather permitting.
After three years of construction, Alexandria will officially unveil the Hooffs Run Interceptor and reopen African American Heritage Park next month.
The large project to reduce flooding from millions of gallons of sewage and transport it for processing by AlexRenew also meant a fully restored Hooffs Run. The interceptor went into service at the end of 2024.
The City of Alexandria has canceled Wednesday’s Community Cookout at The Acclaim due to inclement weather.
This event is part of the 18th Annual Community Cookout Series, which is run by the Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities. It was supposed to take place at 346 South Whiting St.
There’s a new option in Old Town for coffee and wine.
After years under construction, LaPluma Coffee & Wine opened today at 1000 Cameron Street. The two-story Latin American wine bar and café is owned by Iliana and Dany Lopez, who did a full renovation of the 140-year-old building that was previously home to Energesco Solutions LLC.
