Live Music | ALXnow

Alexandria Choral Society returns with ‘pay-what-you-can’ pricing for 57th season

Published September 4, 2026 at 2:45PM

The Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic and the Alexandria Choral Society perform their holiday concert at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial, Dec. 8, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

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.

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Kid-focused nonprofit hosting music fundraiser in Del Ray

By James Cullum

Published September 1, 2026 at 3:45PM

A recent trip in the Shenandoah Valley (via Wilderness Kids of Alexandria/Facebook)

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.

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National Symphony Orchestra to utilize Alexandria venue amid Kennedy Center shutdown plans

By Emily Leayman and The Associated Press

Published August 18, 2026 at 1:45PM

Music Director of the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) Gianandrea Noseda conducts the orchestra during a rehearsal at Milan’s La Scala theatre, Italy, on Feb. 26, 2024. (via Antonio Calanni/Associated Press file)

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.

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Bands & Brews returns to Del Ray with live music and specials at 20+ restaurants

By Emily Leayman

Published August 12, 2026 at 9:15AM | Updated August 12, 2026 at 3:23PM

Bands & Brews art at St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub (via Del Ray Business Association/Facebook)

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.

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Del Ray Farmhouse Market and Garden seeks city permit for small live music stage

By James Cullum

Published August 5, 2026 at 2:45PM

A new stage at the Del Ray Farmhouse Market and Garden at 1913 Mount Vernon Avenue (via City of Alexandria)

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.

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Hotel Heron in Old Town wants live DJ music at its rooftop restaurant

By James Cullum

Published May 29, 2026 at 2:45PM

The proposed area for live entertainment at the Hotel Heron’s rooftop restaurant at 699 Prince Street in Old Town (via City of Alexandria)

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.

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Activities in Alexandria this Mother’s Day weekend include bouquet making, painting

By James Cullum

Published May 6, 2026 at 3:45PM

The completed kayak launch at Four Mile Run Park (staff photo by James Cullum)

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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The Birchmere Music Hall turns 60, several shows canceled in April lineup

By James Cullum

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.

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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.