Around Town

Halloween festivities are starting to ramp up in Alexandria as October continues on.

This weekend, the “Thriller” Zombie Flash Mob descends upon Old Town, retailers will host the new Sticker Treat sticker crawl, and the Spooky Mad Science Expo returns for an 11th year at Patrick Henry Recreation Center. The Ethiopian Fall Festival has also been rescheduled for this weekend.


Around Town

A professional choir and orchestra hopes to hit the right note as it debuts at an Alexandria venue this week.

The Thirteen will open its fifteenth season, titled “In Our Time,” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16 at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall (4915 E. Campus Drive). The same show will follow in D.C. and Bethesda, Md. on Saturday, Oct. 17 and Sunday, Oct. 18, respectively.


News

After living nearly 100 years in Alexandria, Pat McArtor celebrated her birthday by singing jazz hits in Del Ray on Thursday night (Oct. 8).

McArtor couldn’t miss her weekly Thursday night gig with the Not So Modern Jazz Quartet at St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub (2300 Mount Vernon Avenue). This week, the coffee pub was packed to celebrate the band’s oldest performer, and she sang “Baby Face,” “It Don’t Mean A Thing If You Ain’t Got That Swing” and more.


News

It’s going to be a long public hearing with the Alexandria City Council on Saturday, Sept. 19.

New construction in the Parker-Gray Historic District, adding outdoor entertainment to a Del Ray business and increasing fines for writing bad checks to the city are just a few of the items the Alexandria City Council will consider. This is City Council’s first public hearing since returning from summer recess.


News

The Alexandria Choral Society is returning for its 57th season next month, and offering a “pay-what-you-can” pricing model for its performances in the city.

ACS will return on Oct. 15 in a show partnering with the American Classical Contemporary Orchestra under conductor Jeffrey Dokken. The show, Dreamweaver, focuses on Ola Gjeilo’s choral work inspired by the medieval folk poem “Draumkvedet,” which tells the story of Olav Asteson, who tells the story of being asleep for 13 days. The show will be held at the Miracle Theatre (535 8th Street SE) in DC and ticket prices range from $15 to $47.


Around Town

An annual music festival is returning to Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood this month, and it’s all about the kids.

Wilderness Kids Alexandria is hosting its fourth annual community music festival from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 27, at Pat Miller Neighborhood Square (2311 Mount Vernon Avenue). The event is free to attend.


News

Alexandria’s Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center will be among the landing places for the National Symphony Orchestra amid the Kennedy Center’s planned shutdown for renovations.

Forced from the Kennedy Center following approval of a reconstruction project by allies of President Donald Trump, the NSO will split its 2026-27 season among six venues in Washington, D.C., and the capital’s suburbs.


Around Town

Thousands will flock to Del Ray this weekend for drinks and live music at the returning Bands & Brews Bar Crawl.

The sixth annual event will take place from 12:30-6 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 15. Hosted by the Del Ray Business Association, the event will provide a portion of proceeds to The Scholarship Fund of Alexandria, which provides scholarships and personalized college advising to students seeking college, career and technical education.


Around Town

The owner of the Del Ray Farmhouse Market and Garden (1913 Mount Vernon Avenue) is asking the city for permission to use a small entertainment stage for live music or a DJ.

Jay Portlance is asking the city for permission to use the small stage at the corner of Mount Vernon Avenue and E. Howell Avenue for groups of musicians no larger than two pieces.


News

The Hotel Heron in Old Town wants to add live DJ entertainment at its rooftop restaurant, according to a plan going before the Planning Commission next week.

The 134-room boutique hotel at 699 Prince Street, near the intersection with S. Washington Street, opened in 2024 and is owned by the Aparium Hotel Group. The hotel’s rooftop restaurant, Good Fortune, opened soon after, and now the hotel owners are asking the city to approve DJ and live music Thursday to Sunday nights.


Around Town

There are a variety of activities and events to take part in with loved ones this Mother’s Day weekend.

From themed bouquet making and painting to historical tours and live music, there’s something in store for all kinds of interests. Here’s the latest going on in the Port City from Friday, May 8, through Mother’s Day this Sunday, May 10.


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