Live Music | ALXnow

Published April 9, 2026 at 8:30AM

The Squirrel Nut Zippers perform at The Birchmere (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The Birchmere music hall, Alexandria’s most prominent musical venue, celebrated its 60th anniversary earlier this month.

The 500-seat music hall at 3701 Mount Vernon Avenue opened in 1966, and has featured notable musical artists and performers across various genres, including Ray Charles, Johnny Cash, Linda Ronstadt and Dave Matthews. Originally founded in Arlington’s Shirlington neighborhood, the venue moved to Alexandria’s Mount Vernon Avenue in 1981. It has been at the current 3701 Mount Vernon Avenue location since 1997.

Around Town

Alexandria’s MAYSUNS win Wammie Award for best rock band

By James Cullum

Published March 30, 2026 at 3:45PM

The MAYSUNS (Left to right - Gabriel Harr, Max Powell, Beck Moniz and Nathan Argust) relaxing at a mural of musical legends outside St. Elmo's Coffee Pub in Del Ray, July 9, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria rock band MAYSUNS took home a regional Wammie Award for best rock band Saturday night.

It’s the third Washington Area Music Award for the band, which won best rock album and best song in 2023. The award ceremony was held at Capital Turnaround in D.C.

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Group of Del Ray dads rock for more than a decade in local band, ‘The Derds’

By James Cullum

Published March 5, 2026 at 3:45PM | Updated March 5, 2026 at 7:08PM

The Derds (left to right) Alan Paez, Brian Siebenlist, James Crowe, Dan Wolfe and Greg Sullivan practicing at Crowe's home in Del Ray (staff photo by James Cullum)

Every Tuesday night for more than a decade, a group of Del Ray dads have gotten together in James Crowe’s basement to rock out.

Last Tuesday, the five-member band officially known as The Derds practiced the lineup for their upcoming annual St. Patrick’s Day show at Evening Star Cafe’s No. 9 Lounge in Del Ray at 2000 Mount Vernon Avenue. The show is from 7:30-10 p.m. Friday, March 13, featuring performers from the Del Ray Strings and the Boyle School of Irish Dance.

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Several Alexandria artists named finalists in regional Wammie Music Awards

By Katie Taranto

Published February 23, 2026 at 2:00PM | Updated February 23, 2026 at 5:16PM

Wammie Awards crowd (via The Wammie Awards/Facebook)

Eight Alexandria artists have advanced as finalists in the 37th annual Wammie Music Awards, as competition narrows down in the regional program.

Several musicians made the cut from Alexandria’s initial 14 nominees, receiving 12 finalist nominations for their work across multiple genres, including hip-hop, pop, funk and more. Winners will be announced during this year’s live awards show on Saturday, March 28, at D.C.’s Capital Turnaround.

News

Alexandria benefit concert will fundraise for child abuse intervention

By Katie Taranto

Published January 8, 2026 at 2:45PM

Banding Together Gala: Alexandria’s Benefit Concert to End Child Abuse in February 2025 (via The Center for Alexandria's Children, Inc./Facebook)

An Alexandria-based nonprofit is planning a concert to raise funds for local child abuse prevention programs.

The Center for Alexandria’s Children has announced its annual “Banding Together: A Benefit Concert to End Child Abuse,” which is planned from 7-10:30 p.m. on Feb. 21 at the Oswald Durant Center (1605 Cameron Street). This year’s lineup includes local performers from School of Rock Alexandria and Guilty Ghost, led by Commonwealth’s Attorney Bryan Porter.

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Annual New Year’s Eve music, fireworks and performances returning to Old Town

By Katie Taranto

Published December 23, 2025 at 3:45PM

First Night Alexandria fireworks (via First Night Alexandria/Facebook)

First Night Alexandria will bring hours of live music and performances, family-friendly fun and fireworks to Old Town and Carlyle for New Year’s Eve next week.

In its 31st year, the annual holiday festival includes a packed schedule of activities and arts, culminating in a countdown to midnight at the Old Town waterfront.

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In Alexandria this weekend: ‘The Nutcracker’, bar crawls, cookie decorating and more

By Katie Taranto

Published December 12, 2025 at 3:50PM

Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive at the Alexandria Christmas tree lighting at Market Square, Nov. 22, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

This December weekend in Alexandria brings a hefty helping of holiday cheer with festive concerts and markets, bar crawls and opportunities for holiday light viewing.

Locals can get into the spirit with the Alexandria Citizens Band’s holiday sing-along tonight, or try their hand at cookie decorating at the Made in VA store. Folk rock legend Don McLean will make a special appearance at The Birchmere on Sunday night, where he’ll perform a mix of classics and holiday tunes.

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Alexandria Weekend Guide: Tree Lighting, cat yoga and turkey trots

By Katie Taranto

Published November 21, 2025 at 11:45AM

Santa and Mrs. Claus dance at the Christmas Tree lighting in Alexandria's Market Square, Nov. 23, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

This November weekend in Alexandria will get into the holiday spirit with the city’s annual Tree Lighting on Saturday night, plus two pre-Thanksgiving “turkey trots.”

Alexandrians can also catch the Middle Eastern Arts Collective’s inaugural gallery tonight (Friday), knit a chunky pumpkin at AR Workshop or gain some peace of mind with the felines at Mount Purrnon. If you like cider, the city’s own Cider Festival is taking place from 1-5 p.m. tomorrow (Saturday) at Lloyd House.

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Alexandria Weekend Guide: Ice & Lights reopening, ‘Mega Trash Bash’ and more

By Katie Taranto

Published November 14, 2025 at 11:45AM

Ice & Lights: The Winter Village At Cameron Run in 2021 (staff photo by James Cullum)

This November weekend in Alexandria brings dozens of activities, from concerts and holiday-themed events to local tours and free movie screenings.

Returning on Saturday is the annual Ice & Lights village display at Cameron Run Regional Park, offering festive, seasonal scenery (the ice skating component, meanwhile, returns Nov. 28). If you’re feeling extra cheery, the Eisenhower Partnership is showing “Elf” for free on Saturday night.

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What’s happening this weekend in Alexandria: Annual film festival, wine class and more

By Katie Taranto

Published November 7, 2025 at 11:45AM

Fall Farmers Market. (Photo credit Cade Martin for Visit Alexandria)

From the annual Alexandria Film Festival to free crafting, author events and a sold-out Banned Book Speakeasy, this fall weekend in Alexandria is packed with plenty of interesting activities. Catch an independent film, try a candle-making workshop or attend Sunday morning jazz brunch.

Discover all that’s happening in your community this weekend (Nov. 7-9), from events and entertainment to live music and more.

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Alexandria Symphony Orchestra offers free tickets for federal workers

By Katie Taranto

Published November 4, 2025 at 9:45AM

The Alexandria Symphony Orchestra (photo via Alexandria Symphony Orchestra/Facebook)

The Alexandria Symphony Orchestra is providing free concert tickets to federal employees affected by the ongoing government shutdown.

The promotion extends to the orchestra’s “Mozart & Mendelssohn” concert at 7:30 p.m. this Saturday, as well as a seasonal “Holiday with a Twist” concert next month. The orchestra is offering the freebies at a time “when many may need the arts most,” Executive Director George Hanson said in a release.