music | ALXnow

Alexandria Symphony Orchestra Conductor extends contract to 2027… and gets new job in Philadelphia

Published April 16, 2024 at 2:45PM

Jim Ross, conductor of the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra, at Alexandria's birthday celebration at Oronoco Bay Park, July 10, 2022. (staff photo by James Cullum)

For all intents and purposes, Alexandria Symphony Orchestra Music Director and Conductor James Ross isn’t going anywhere.

Actually, this fall Ross is starting work as the director of orchestral studies at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. He also just renewed his contract in Alexandria another three years. Ross says that his new contract in Philadelphia stipulates that he will be allowed to return to Alexandria the week before a symphonic performance in order to get the orchestra ready.

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What’s Up in Alexandria This Weekend: Del Ray Dog Fest, Spring Garden Market, Spring Oysterfest, and more!

By Ryan Belmore

Published April 11, 2024 at 2:30PM | Updated April 11, 2024 at 5:14PM

The Dogs Of Del Ray mural outside stomping ground is expected to be finished by mid-May. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

Here’s a roundup of all the events, live music, and entertainment happening around Alexandria this weekend; enjoy!

Are you organizing an event? Submit events to ALXnow.

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Irish folk music group playing at fundraiser in Old Town this weekend

By Vernon Miles

Published March 4, 2024 at 2:50PM

The Irish Breakfast Band (image via Art on the Avenue/Facebook)

Didn’t get enough Irish cultural celebration at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade this weekend? A group of musicians are celebrating Irish folk music at a concert in Alexandria this weekend.

The Irish Breakfast Band — a group consisting of around 15 musicians with a variety of fiddles, flutes, hammered dulcimers and more — is playing at the Lyceum (201 S. Washington Street) this Saturday (March 9) from 7-8:30 p.m.

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King Street Trolley becomes ‘Holiday Trolley’ this Friday with carolers

By Vernon Miles

Published December 20, 2023 at 9:55AM

The King Street Trolley (Staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

Grinches be warned, the King Street Trolley through Old Town will be more festive than usual this Friday.

DASH said this Friday, trolley 405 will feature musical performances by Alexandria City High School (ACHS) students.

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Former Bishop Ireton High School student performed on SNL this weekend

By Vernon Miles

Published October 30, 2023 at 1:30PM

Former Alexandria resident Dave Grohl (image via Foo Fighters/Facebook)

Former Bishop Ireton High School student Dave Grohl performed with other members of his band, Foo Fighters, this weekend on Saturday Night Live.

Grohl attended Bishop Ireton High School but eventually transferred to Annandale High School. Grohl later performed with a band called Nirvana before launching Foo Fighters in 1994.

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Old Town art gallery hosted live events since 2021, now wants city permission

By James Cullum

Published September 11, 2023 at 1:30PM

Galactic Panther Art Gallery at 1303 King Street (via City of Alexandria)

Galactic Panther Art Gallery has hosted live music and paid events since opening in 2021, and now its owners are asking the city for approval to host them.

Galactic Panther’s 1,900-square-foot art gallery has hosted comedy, improv, sound baths, yoga, open mic nights and live music for more than a year, and their proposal to continue with the events goes to the Planning Commission on October 3 and City Council on October 14.

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Symphony Orchestra of Northern Virginia looks to attract younger audiences with new conductor

By James Cullum

Published August 23, 2023 at 10:00AM | Updated August 23, 2023 at 2:43PM

Ethan Lolley conducting SONOVA in an outdoor concert at Leonadus K Plenty Amphitheater at Franconia Park on May 6, 2023 (photo courtesy of Ginger Werz-Petrika)

The Symphony Orchestra of Northern Virginia (SONOVA) just hired a new conductor and he wants to connect to younger audiences.

Ethan Lolley recently started work as SONOVA’s new conductor, and the upcoming season will focus on seasonal and holiday themes. The group of 60 musicians plays four seasonal concerts at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial (101 Callahan Drive) every year.

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What’s Up in Alexandria This Weekend: August 18-20

By Ryan Belmore

Published August 17, 2023 at 2:30PM | Updated August 17, 2023 at 6:35PM

Bucatini Carbonara at Thompson Italian (image via Thompson Italian/Facebook)

From the Alexandria Restaurant Week throughout Alexandria to the 3rd Annual Bands & Brews Bar Crawl throughout Del Ray, there’s something for everyone happening all over Alexandria this weekend.

Organizing an event? Submit events to ALXnow.

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Concert tomorrow at the library features ‘Songs and Stories of Mexilachia’

By Vernon Miles

Published August 10, 2023 at 9:45AM

The Appalachian Mountains never touch Mexico, but a concert tomorrow at Alexandria’s Beatley Central Library (5005 Duke Street) will manage the geographically impossible and bring them together.

The musical group Lua Project combines musical styles from Chattanooga to Veracruz, with a narrative storytelling approach similar to the Scotch-Irish style prevalent in Appalachian music but with instrumentation and musical traditions from Mexico.

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Bacon Brothers returning to The Birchmere but tickets are going fast

By Vernon Miles

Published August 8, 2023 at 1:15PM

Image via The Bacon Brothers/Facebook

Musical duo The Bacon Brothers, consisting of Michael and Kevin Bacon, are coming to the Birchmere Music Hall (3701 Mount Vernon Avenue) again this fall.

The two initial nights, Oct. 7 and 8, have already sold out. A third night on Monday, Oct. 9, was added and — as of 1 p.m. on Aug. 8 — tickets were still available.

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Notes: Enjoy ‘Beats, Bites and Brews’ at John Carlyle Square this weekend

By ALXnow.com

Published July 27, 2023 at 8:59AM

Good Thursday morning, Alexandria!

☀️ Today’s weather: Expect mostly sunny and hot weather today, with a high of 99°F and heat index values reaching 106°F. Showers and thunderstorms are likely after 5pm, accompanied by 10-14mph southwest winds and gusts up to 24mph. The chance of precipitation stands at 60% with rainfall amounts varying. For Thursday night, anticipate showers and thunderstorms before 2am, followed by a slight chance of showers, mostly cloudy skies, and a low around 76°F. The 60% chance of precipitation continues, with potential rainfall amounts between a quarter and half an inch.