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.
Good morning, Alexandria!
🗓️ Today is Wednesday, July 23, the 204th day of 2025. There are 161 days left in the year.
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.
More than 140 National Science Foundation employees petitioned Congress Tuesday to investigate alleged politically motivated firings as the agency’s governing board prepared to meet Wednesday on staffing and relocation issues.
The letter to Rep. Zoe Lofgren, ranking member of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, details what employees call the systematic dismantling of the federal research agency under the Trump administration.
An Alexandria woman joined the cast of “Bachelor in Paradise” this week, marking the first time senior contestants have appeared on the reality dating show.
Nancy Hulkower, 62, a retired interior designer, arrived at the Costa Rica filming location during Monday’s episode. She previously competed on “The Golden Bachelor” in 2023, where she was eliminated in the fourth week.
High school students from across the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) region are invited to participate in Dialogue for Democracy at George Mason University!
Hosted by the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution, this event offers high school students an opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations about democracy, civic engagement, and the importance of understanding different perspectives.
A Manassas woman has been charged after allegedly using an expensive Airbnb in Old Town for prostitution.
The 35-year-old woman was identified after police searched the phone of a man who died in his car in the 500 block of N. West Street on Saturday, July 5. She was charged with keeping a bawdy place after police found text messages on the man’s phone and launched an investigation, according to a recently released search warrant affidavit.
Valvoline Instant Oil Change opened its newest location on Tuesday (July 22) at a longstanding Del Ray auto repair shop.
Staff from Valvoline Instant Oil Change and leadership from the Chamber ALX cut the ribbon at the business at 3405 Mount Vernon Avenue. That’s the former longtime home to Lube-It Pennzoil.
An Alexandria man is behind bars for allegedly abusing several dogs, leading to the death of one dog, at an award-winning boarding facility in Del Ray.
Kevin Malik Sanders, 29, was arrested on July 21, 2025, after the death of a two-year-old Golden Retriever named Abigail at Your Dog’s Best Friends (2000 Richmond Highway) on July 12, 2024. He was charged with four Class 1 misdemeanors and one count of felony animal abuse and is being held without bond.
An Alexandria man has been arrested for allegedly burglarizing a home in the city’s Arlandria neighborhood.
The 23-year-old suspect was arrested May 28 for burglary and released June 5 on an unsecured bond. He was rearrested on June 12 for violating his pretrial bail and released by court order on June 20, according to the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office.
Alexandria’s public transit system has named its new mascot “Dashy” following a community vote that drew more than 250 participants.
The Alexandria Transit Company (DASH) announced Tuesday that Dashy received 37% of the votes in an online contest that ran from July 3 to 18. The other options were Duke (29%), Dasher (19%), and Alex (16%).
