event | ALXnow

Aslin Beer Co. to celebrate 10th anniversary with party at its West End tap room

Published August 18, 2025 at 10:30AM

Asline Beer Co. is celebrating its 10th anniversary at its tap room (847 South Pickett Street) on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025 (via Eventbrite)

Aslin Beer Company (847 S. Pickett Street) is celebrating its 10th anniversary on Saturday, Sept. 27, with live music, comedians, food, and beer.

“It’s been 10 weird, wild, and unforgettable years, and we’re throwing a proper party to celebrate,” Aslin Beer Co. said in its event listing. “You already know we’re brewing up something special for the occasion. Come thirsty. Come hungry. Bring the fam. Stay for the chaos. Thanks for being part of the ride. Let’s celebrate ten years the only way we know how.”

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Free music festival in Del Ray to benefit youth outdoor programs

By James Cullum

Published August 17, 2025 at 12:00PM

ScreeWilderness Kids Alexandria Music Festival is on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, at Pat Miller Neighborhood Square in Del Ray (via Eventbrite)

Get ready to dance, because the third annual Wilderness Kids Alexandria Music Festival is around the corner.

The free family-friendly event will be held Sunday, Sept. 28, from 12 to 5 p.m., at Pat Miller Neighborhood Square (2311 Mount Vernon Avenue). Local bands the MAYSUNS, the Derds (Del Ray Dads), Beachface, and Czars of Leisure will perform, and the fundraising event includes raffles, craft-making, and lawn games.

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Skill games crackdown, dating fraud death lead week’s top Alexandria stories

By James Cullum

Published August 15, 2025 at 3:30PM

Skill games at Tiger Mart & Bakery, 3903 Mount Vernon Avenue in the city's Arlandria neighborhood (staff photo by James Cullum)

Welcome to Friday, Alexandria! Here’s our recap of the most-read stories.

Our top story this week is on two Alexandria business owners charged with possession of an illegal gambling device for operating skill games. The news marks the first indictments against Alexandria business owners for the devices. Dozens of skill game machines operate at multiple convenience and grocery stores in the West End and Arlandria neighborhoods, despite police hand-delivering warning letters to more than a dozen offending businesses. Skill games were outlawed as illegal gaming by the Virginia legislature in 2020, and Commonwealth’s Attorney Bryan Porter told ALXnow that his office is assessing “all potential investigative leads.”

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Made in ALX Fall Maker’s Market returns Sept. 6 to Port City Brewing

By James Cullum

Published August 14, 2025 at 5:15PM

Made in ALX is hosting its Fall Maker's Market at Port City Brewing on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025 (via Made in Alx)

Get ready to create, because Made in ALX‘s third annual Fall Maker’s Market is returning to Port City Brewing Company (3950 Wheeler Avenue).

The free family-and-pet-friendly event will feature more than 20 Alexandria makers/artists, and multiple make-and-take stations. The event is from 12 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 6.

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Mayor Gaskins to keynote Diversity in Business Expo Saturday

By James Cullum

Published August 14, 2025 at 2:30PM

Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins speaks after taking the oath of office, Jan. 2, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Mayor Alyia Gaskins will give the keynote address at this Saturday’s Alexandria Diversity in Business Expo.

The free event is designed to foster connections and exchange ideas between local entrepreneurs and will take place from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at My Father’s House Christian Church, located at 4746 Eisenhower Avenue. City Council Member John Taylor Chapman, a small business owner, will discuss how local policies can impact the bottom line.

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Alexandria entrepreneur creates SnapSpaces app to collect wedding photos from guests

By James Cullum

Published August 12, 2025 at 6:30PM

Photo via SnapSpaces/Instagram

After a wedding, graduation, or significant event, wouldn’t it be nice if folks could upload their phone pictures and videos to a single gallery?

Alexandria-based entrepreneur Elizabeth Kukla did just that. In the spring of 2021, Kukla’s cousin was getting married. As a gift to the happy couple, Kukla designed a card based on the wedding invitations and printed out cards with QR codes to be placed on the guest tables for the reception. Guests who scanned the code uploaded their favorite pictures to one place, and a week later, the bride’s younger sister reached out and asked for the same services at her own nuptials that summer. With that, SnapSpaces was born.

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Alexandria seeks resident input on Housing 2040 plan at Monday open house

By James Cullum

Published August 12, 2025 at 1:45PM | Updated August 12, 2025 at 4:50PM

The Alexandria skyline (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Alexandria is seeking feedback on its 15-year plan to address affordable housing issues. Once approved, the Housing 2040 Master Plan will provide City Council and staff with clear goals, strategies, and direction on the city’s housing plans. The city is hosting an open house this Monday (Sept. 8) to get feedback on Housing 2040 draft recommendations for landlord-tenant rights and resources, and homeownership programs in the city. The event will be held at the Minnie Howard Campus of Alexandria City High School (3775 W. Braddock Road) from 6 to 7 p.m., and registration is encouraged.

The current master plan is set to expire in 2025. The new plan will require a 2024 housing needs assessment from the city, and input from residents to “establish new housing affordability goals and examine housing policies, programs, and tools to support all Alexandria residents and workers,” according to the city.

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Washington Wizards to ‘tip-off’ 2025-2026 school year with backpack giveaway at William Ramsay Elementary School

By James Cullum

Published August 6, 2025 at 3:30PM

ACPS Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt with G-Wiz, the Washington Wizards mascot, at Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School, Aug. 23, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Washington Wizards will tip off the 2025-2026 school year at William Ramsay Elementary School next Friday (Aug. 15).

Even though school officially starts on Monday, Aug. 18, Washington Wizards rookies Tre Johnson, Will Riley, and Jamir Watkins are joining mascot G-Wiz and the Wizards Dancers in handing out free Wizards backpacks filled with school supplies, water bottles, and more. The event will be held at the school, located at 5700 Sanger Avenue, from 12:00 to 3:30 p.m.

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Alexandria-Caen Sister City Committee announces Beaujolais tasting in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published July 25, 2025 at 3:00PM

Wine (image via Hermes Rivera/Unsplash)

How do you like your Beaujolais?

The Alexandria-Caen Sister City Committee just announced that it will host a food and wine tasting that will “delight your taste buds and transport you to the heart of France,” according to the city. The event is being held the week before Thanksgiving at Lloyd House (220 N. Washington Street) on Nov. 20 (Thursday), from 7 to 9 p.m.

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‘Colored Rosemont’ neighborhood to be recognized with Virginia State historic marker

By James Cullum

Published July 25, 2025 at 11:30AM

A historic marker will be placed at the corner of Wythe and N. West Streets recognizing the "Colored Rosemont" neighborhood of Alexandria (via Google Maps)

Alexandria’s “Colored Rosemont” neighborhood will be recognized in September with the dedication of a Virginia State historic marker. The neighborhood was home to the first Black homeowners in the city in the early to mid-20th century.

The marker is a reminder of racial segregation in Alexandria. It will be dedicated at 3 p.m. near the corner of Wythe and N. West Streets — across from the Braddock Road Metro station — on Sept. 13 (Saturday). Mayor Alyia Gaskins, representatives of the Office of Historic Alexandria (OHA) and former and current residents of the neighborhood will attend the ceremony. The event is free and open to the public.

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Hundreds march in ‘Good Trouble Lives On’ rally in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published July 18, 2025 at 9:30AM | Updated July 18, 2025 at 3:44PM

Hundreds marched in the Good Trouble Lives On protest in Old Town, July 17, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Hundreds rallied and marched against the Trump administration in Old Town on Thursday night (July 17).

The event at Judy Guse-Noritake Park (600 N. Henry Street) joined hundreds of Good Trouble Lives On rallies across the country, commemorating the fifth anniversary of the death of Congressman John Lewis (D-GA), with participants holding signs and speaking against the Trump administration. The civil rights icon was renowned for his legacy of nonviolent action in defense of democracy.