After years in development, The Art League will celebrate the opening of two new locations for art classes in Old Town North with a block party.
The free, family-friendly event will be held at the new Slaters Lane Annex (800 Slaters Lane) at 5 p.m. on Saturday, September 6, featuring art demonstrations, food, and ice cream bowls created by local artists, among other activities.
An upcoming pub crawl in Old Town North will teach participants a little bit of Alexandria history.
On Saturday, Sept. 13, the North Old Town Independent Citizens Association (NOTICe) is hosting Canal Watering Holes: Alexandria Canal History and Pub Crawl. Tickets for the event, which runs from 1 to 4 p.m., cost $35 for individuals and $60 for couples.
Where does all that water go after it rains, or after you take a shower?
AlexRenew is hosting free open house tours of its wastewater facility at 1800 Limerick Street in Alexandria’s Carlyle neighborhood. The tours last approximately 45 minutes and will be held on September 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Children aged 14-17 must be accompanied by a guardian, and all visitors are required to wear closed-toe shoes and pants. They will also be provided with a hard hat, safety vest, and toe covers.
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.”
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
