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

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Friday, April 19

Things To Do

• 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.: Character Building Workshop at Military Children’s Six Foundation
• 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.: Fun Friday at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
• 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Degas Art Bingo at Nepenthe Gallery
• 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.: In My Cookie Era! Cookie Decorating at Lost Boy Cider
• 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Guided Meditation With Cats at Mount Purrnon Cate Cafe & Wine Bar

Live Music & Entertainment

• Alexandria Bier Garden: Hall Pass from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• Blackwall Hitch: Ryan Forrester from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m.
• Daniel O’Connell’s: Johnny Artis Band from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
• Fish Market: DJ at 9 p.m. 
• Galactic Panther: The Dead Queens W/ Folking Tunes and Tennessee Frisky from 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• Laporta’s Restaurant: The Satin Doll Trio from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• Lost Boy Cider: Game Night from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
• Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub: Poehemia & Pat Carroll at 9 p.m.
• O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: Crushing Diamonds from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m.
• Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
• The Light Horse: Broken Ground at 9:30 p.m.
• The Study at Morrison House: Live piano music from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Two Nineteen Restaurant: Rich Russman Band from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

City of Alexandria

• 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.: Parents Night Out at Mount Vernon Recreation Center

Saturday, April 20

Things To Do

• 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.: ALX Dog Walk at Oronoco Bay Park
• 7 a.m. to 12 p.m.: Old Town Farmers’ Market at Market Square Plaza
• 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.: Del Ray Farmers Market at Pat Miller Neighborhood Square
• 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Pop Up Spring Marketplace Boutique at the Athenaeum
• 10 a.m.  to 12 p.m.: Del Ray Kitchen Confidential Design Tour at Del Ray Design Tour
• 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.: Animal Family Day at Mount Vernon
• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Old Town Alexandria Historic Home and Garden Tour Kicks Off Spring Tradition in Old Town Alexandria
• 10:15 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.: Saturday Pop Up, Pop In Story Time at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
• 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Exploring Watercolor Takes Courage – A painting class by artists Teresa Brunson and Lynn Martin at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
• 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Garden Day Tours at Carlyle House Historic Park
• 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.: Board Game Cafe at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
• 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.: Embroidered Tapestry Workshop with Beta White at Fibre Space
• 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.: 10th Anniversary Party at Sweet Fire Donna’s
• 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.: ReFashion Show at The Garden ALX
• 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.: Brews & Booze Motor Cruise with Tall ship Providence Foundation
• 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.: Gadsby’s Tavern Museum Society Spring Fling at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum
• 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.: To The Sea | Pro Coro Alexandria Concert at Westminster Presbyterian Church

Live Music & Entertainment

• Alexandria Bier Garden: Small Town 7 from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• Blackwall Hitch: Larry Thomas Duo from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m.
• Daniel O’Connell’s: Practically Einstein from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
• Galactic Panther: RedHorizon, The Backbeat Collective & Zawadi Live Music @ Galactic Panther from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• Hops N Shine: Karaoke from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• Laporta’s Restaurant: Sharon Clark Trio from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub: Poehemia & Pat Carroll at 9 p.m.
• Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center: ASO Presents: On the Town & Shostakovich 5 – Shuffle and Deal at 7:30 p.m.
• Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
• The Birchmere Music Hall: Steep Canyon Rangers at 7:30 p.m.
• The Light Horse: Black Cactus Hotels at 9:30 p.m.
• The Study at Morrison House: Live piano music from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Two Nineteen Restaurant: Bill Pappas Project from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

City of Alexandria

• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Charles Houston Health & Fitness Expo at Charles Houston Recreation Center
• 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.: Annual Invitational Cheer Competition at Alexandria City High School Gymnasium

Sunday, April 21

Things To Do

• 8 a.m.: Dyke Marsh Sunday Morning Bird Walk at Dyke Marsh
• 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Four Mile Run Farmers & Artisans Market
• 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The Art of Manual Coffee Brewing at Galactic Panther
• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Old Town North Farmers Market 
• 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.: Animal Family Day at Mount Vernon
• 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.: Burpees and Brews at Port City Brewing Company
• 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Girl Scout Garden Day at Carlyle House
• 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.: Writers Group at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
• 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.: Kids Arts & Crafts at Hops N Shine
• 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.: Oddball Cinema – Barry Landon at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
• 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.: Jazz at Meade featuring the Vaughn Ambrose Quartet at Meade Memorial Episcopal Church

Live Music & Entertainment

• Blackwall Hitch: Jazz Brunch with Black Coffee from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Daniel O’Connell’s: Conor Malone from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Galactic Panther: ESP’s InterGalactic Open Mic from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
• Hops N Shine: The Office Trivia Night from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Laporta’s Restaurant: Steve Zubrick from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Walt Johnson Trio from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Meade Memorial Episcopal Church: Jazz at Meade featuring the Vaughn Ambrose Quartet from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub: Rook Richards at 8:30 p.m.
• Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center: ASO Presents: On the Town & Shostakovich 5 – Shuffle and Deal at 3 p.m.
• Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
• The Birchmere Music Hall: SGGL (Speidel, Goodrich, Goggin, & Lille) at 7:30 pm
• Two Nineteen Restaurant: Kev Powe Thang from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m.

City of Alexandria

• 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.: Ellen Pickering Environmental Excellence Award at Del Ray GardenFest

Image via Facebook

Ryan Belmore is an award-winning news publisher, editor, and journalist. Born and raised in Rhode Island, he now resides in Alexandria with his wife and two rescue dogs. He was recently appointed to the City of Alexandria’s Board of Zoning Appeals and previously served on the City’s Commission For The Arts. Email listings and events to Ryan at [email protected]. Follow Ryan on Instagram at whatsupalexandria.

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.

“I am going to be doing both,” Ross told ALXnow. “I will start at Curtis in the fall and I will continue with Alexandria, and I will just bounce pass back and forth as needed between between the two places.”

Ross is currently in his sixth season with the orchestra, and every show since January has been sold out. The next show will feature renditions of Leonard Bernstein’s dances in “On The Town” on April 20 at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Theater at Northern Virginia Community College.

Ross has been teaching at Curtis for the last two years. He credits Bernstein as one of his principal conducting teachers, as well as Kurt Masur, Otto-Werner Mueller and Seiji Ozawa. He is the founding orchestra director of the National Youth Orchestra of the USA, and also taught at the University of Maryland from 2001 to 2017.

“My whole reason for being and my approach to music has been about what concerts are going to look like 50 years from now,” Ross said. “Orchestras can play movie music, video game music, we can accompany jazz artists, in addition to work from old composers. So, it’s dependent on the orchestra nowadays to be flexible, and the flexible orchestras are the ones doing the best.”

ASO Executive Director George Hanson said that the organization has been infused with energy and creativity since Ross started in 2018. He was hired after a two-year search.

“We are thrilled that Jim is continuing his role as ASO’s music director and are very pleased with the opportunities that his role with the Curtis Institute of Music will bring to our orchestra,” Hanson said.

A new program is helping Alexandria Redevelopment & Housing Authority (ARHA) residents get access to college classes.

ARHA has a new partnership with the Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) and the Social Responsibility Group (SRG) that’s allowed a group of 15 ARHA residents to enroll in classes and start getting credits for an associate degree.

The first class is a six-week history course led by Elizabeth Clark-Lewis, a professor of history from Howard University.

Clark-Lewis said that, rather than sit in classes and lecture, she prefers to take students out to experience history.

“This group of students have been very curious and very interested in the contact with history,” Clark-Lewis said. “They’re interested in the context of history, not simply in facts and names. They understand where they’re standing is where this person stood.”

Clark-Lewis said the goal is to help the students connect with resources and opportunities around the region.

Cathy Driver, an ARHA resident and student, has a goal of opening her own business one day. She said she’s inspired by Frederick Douglass and, through the program, was able to see artifacts from Douglass’ life.

“I’m excited to learn about it all,” said Driver. “My parents came from the south when they were in 12th grade. For me and my sisters, they didn’t really know what to tell us. My mother’s side from North Carolina; my father’s side from Alabama… By taking these classes, I can tell my kids about Alexandria.”

While Driver has been researching the history of Black businesses in the region, ARHA resident and student Annette Santiago has been studying the history of Latin American immigration to the region and Alexandria in particular.

Through the program, Santiago was able to connect with a historian from Puerto Rico who helped link Santiago with other resources to use in her study. Santiago was particularly fascinated by the history of immigration to Arlandria and the formation of the Chirilagua neighborhood.

“I’m not from Alexandria and I didn’t know very much about Alexandria’s history,” Santiago said. “Now that I’m in this program, it pushed me to learn more about Alexandria… I was always wondering ‘What is Chirilagua’ and now I know.”

Driver and Santiago are both grandparents and said they were inspired by their families. Santiago said her husband is signing up for the class as well.

Beyond just learning about history, Clark-Lewis said the class helps students build a connection to their community. She particularly thanked Michael Johnson from the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities for helping to get the program together.

“Education frequently helps you develop a network for your own family and community,” said Clark-Lewis. “This wouldn’t have been possible without a connection… There is a reciprocal support network they create, not just for themselves, but for their families. This has a ripple effect, and that’s what you hope to see as a public historian. It’s not the same old boring history: it helps history come alive.”

The Alexandria Symphony Orchestra’s holiday program promises to bring an eclectic selection this weekend.

ASO will take the stage on Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center, followed by a 3 p.m. performance at the George Washington National Masonic Memorial.

The program includes selections from Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker,” Duke Ellington’s “The Nutcracker Suite” and Mariah Carey’s version of “All I Want for Christmas is You.”

“Our special guests include both BalletNova creating some Nutcracker magic on the lip of our stage on Saturday, and the fabulous non-binary soprano of Salvadoran heritage, Helena Colindres, a recent graduate of the Peabody Institute and a rising superstar,” said ASO Music Director James Ross.

Dancers with the BalletNOVA Center For Dance will perform pieces from The Nutcracker suit and soprano Helena Colindres will sing a Swedish carol, a selection from Handel’s Messiah and more.

“Helena can, does, and will sing anything! Beloved Lester Green will be our narrator for The Night Before Christmas in a new mashup with a theme from Harry Potter,” Ross said.

Tickets run $5 for kids 18 and under and up to $90 for adults.

The Northern Virginia Community College has canceled classes at its Alexandria campus after a bomb threat.

The campus was shut down at 8 a.m. this morning, and all classes were canceled by 11:30 a.m. with all campus facilities being closed.

The school advised students and locals to avoid the area.

So far, the Alexandria Police Department said the bomb threat has been unfounded, but that campus police are still working to secure the campus.

The threat came in as First Lady Jill Biden was preparing to depart for to teach a class at NOVA, but the Daily Beast reported that Biden was alerted to the threat before leaving the White House.

“The First Lady was informed about a bomb threat at Northern Virginia Community College prior to departing the White House for class this morning,” her press secretary said. “At no point was she in any danger.” https://t.co/elSmNYdD3l

— The Daily Beast (@thedailybeast) March 29, 2022

NOVA ALERT: UPDATE. All campuses are closed at 11:30AM. In-person classes are cancelled; remote classes continue as scheduled. pic.twitter.com/or3lgBNwpS

— NOVAcommcollege (@NOVAcommcollege) March 29, 2022

Photo via NOVA/Facebook

Northern Virginia Community College wants to close the achievement gap, and its new vice president of academic affairs and chief academic officer has a plan.

Eun-Woo Chang started work in July by visiting all six campuses and meeting with staff. His job is to take charge of NOVA’s academic initiatives, and says that the college’s ADVANCE program, which allows for a smooth transition to a four-year degree at George Mason University, will be expanded with advisors to help Hispanic students.

“This is going to be a model,” Chang told ALXnow in a recent interview. “If we are successful, we are going to implement this to the other ethnic groups, as time goes.”

Grant funding will help, Chang said, as NOVA has secured millions in grants for the project from the U.S. Department of Education and the Association of American Colleges and Universities. NOVA has also received $40 million from the Virginia legislature to expand its health and trades programs.

With 72,000 students spread across its campuses, NOVA was forced to up its online offerings during the pandemic. In-person classes resumed in August 2020, and a lesson learned from the experience, Chang said, was to increase availability for Zoom classes.

“Forty percent of our classes are in person, 40% of percent of our classes are in a Zoom environment, and virtual classes make up 20% right now,” he said. “We anticipate that virtual online format is going to grow even more.”

All of this is part of NOVA’s adherence to the Virginia Community College System’s Opportunity 2027 Strategic Plan. NOVA’s graduation rate last year was 29%, a 2.6% increase over year before. Approximately 64% of students in NOVA are minorities.

Chang, who was previously in academic leadership at Ashland University in Ohio and Mercer County Community College in New Jersey, moved to the area in 2008 when he was hired as a program director in the Division of Undergraduate Education at the National Science Foundation.

He also says that having First Lady Dr. Jill Biden teaching at NOVA helps the school’s profile.

“It’s an honor for us to have her as a faculty member here,” he said.

Chang says longevity is the key to his success.

“As long as they don’t kick me out, I’ll stay here,” he said. “The longest serving provost has been here more than 15 years. And then the shortest serving provost is five or six years. So, there is a longevity, and that’s why we are successful.”

Photo via NVCC

City phones undergoing maintenance this afternoon — “FYI: Most City government phone numbers will be unavailable 3-6pm on Wednesday, Sep 15 due to system maintenance. Emergency 9-1-1 and police non-emergency numbers will be unaffected. 311 and 703-746-4311 numbers will be unaffected.” [Twitter]

Police looking for man missing since August 28 — “Abdulkarim Godah, 36, was last seen at his home in the 300 block of Yoakum Parkway. He is described as 5 foot 10 and 150 pounds with brown eyes and brown hair.” [Patch]

Virginia Department of Health says measles cases came from Afghanistan — “Out of an abundance of caution, health districts in northern Virginia are informing people who were at various locations listed below during the specified time frames, that they may have been exposed to one of three people diagnosed with measles. These individuals recently traveled from Afghanistan as part of the United States government’s emergency evacuation efforts.” [VDH]

Today’s weather — “Partly cloudy skies (during the day). High around 90F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph… Overcast (in the evening) with a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly during the evening. Low around 70F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.” [Weather.com]

New job: Fitness center assistant at Northern Virginia Community College — “Under directions of the fitness center supervisor, this position will assist with the daily operations of the fitness center, provide answers to general questions, and explain policy and procedure to new/current members. Assist with opening and closing the fitness center. Check patron’s identification on daily basis. Monitor faculty, staff and students in usage of the equipment. Clean fitness center and equipment area on daily basis. Assist fitness center supervisor with intramural activities.” [Indeed]

Alexandria government drops mask requirement — “Starting on June 15, fully vaccinated visitors and employees who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 do not need to wear a mask or practice physical distancing in City of Alexandria government facilities. Individuals who wish to wear a mask or practice physical distancing may continue to do so. Those who have not been fully vaccinated should continue to wear a mask and maintain six feet of physical distancing in city government facilities.” [Patch]

Captain Gregory’s eyes expansion — “The popular spot is expanding, looking to add about a dozen more seats… They’ll make use of unused kitchen space and likely complete the additional space by the fall.” [Alexandria Living]

How NOVA’s esports program found unexpected success during the pandemic — “NOVA’s players come from throughout the region, but all 51 of them are united by their passion for and skill in video games.” [Alex Times]

Today’s weather — “Mostly sunny skies. High 88F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph… Partly cloudy in the evening with more clouds for later at night. Low 71F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.” [Weather.com]

New job: Child watch attendant — “The YMCA Alexandria invites you to apply for the Child Watch Attendant position. We are looking for a responsible and fun candidate to supervise the children and all activities by creating a fun, enriching, and safe environment for all children.” [Indeed]

Governor Ralph Northam was in Alexandria Monday to sign into law a $72.5 million initiative making tuition free for low and middle-income students who pursue high-demand jobs.

Northam was flanked by democratic legislators today when h announced at Northern Virginia Community College that funding for his “Get Skilled, Get a Job, Give Back” initiative (G3) has been approved. The legislation was initially announced in 2019 but funding was held up doe to the pandemic.

“It’s almost like if our children don’t go to a four year college or university they’re not going to be successful,” Northam said. “But I’m here to tell you today there are thousands of jobs out there and they don’t necessarily require a four year college education.”

The G3 program, which goes into effect on July 1, allows students who quality for full Pell Grants to get $1,000 grants per semester and $500 during the summer to receive a certificate for studying health care, information technology, manufacturing and skilled trades, early childhood education and public safety. Participants will be required to give back two hours of community service, public service, or work experience for each credit hour in which they are enrolled.

Virginia Secretary of Education Atif Qarni said that the initiative is important for vulnerable populations.

“This initiative of G3 is really important for the Commonwealth,” he said. “This is really transformative because it is addressing wraparound services for the most students who are most vulnerable and have high needs, and financial fragility issues.”

Chief Workforce Development Advisor Megan Healy said that the effort will help students compete in a changing marketplace.

“It’s really about making sure that we can fill our jobs, making sure that we can wrap our arms around the students and make sure they can complete,” she said.

Glenn Dubois, chancellor of the Virginia Community College System, said that the impact of the day could not be understated.

“This is a really big day,” Dubois said. “It’s the biggest day in my career. It’s probably the biggest day since we were established (more than 50 years ago).”

Video: Gov. Northam Announces “G3” (“Get Skilled, Get a Job, Give Back”) Program (Includes "$145 million over the biennium to make tuition-free community college available to low- and middle-income students who pursue jobs in high-demand fields") https://t.co/YAxDizME6y

— Blue Virginia (@bluevirginia) December 12, 2019

Thank you @GovernorVA for bringing educational dreams into reality for so many Virginia students. pic.twitter.com/GcH3R5C3YC

— NOVAcommcollege (@NOVAcommcollege) March 29, 2021

Earlier today, I visited @NOVAcommcollege to sign legislation creating the G3 program, which will provide tuition-free community college and wraparound support to an estimated 36,000 Virginians pursuing degrees in high-demand fields.

Learn more: https://t.co/fTHK40YgjU pic.twitter.com/mOhPvtvhu0

— Ralph Northam (@GovernorVA) March 29, 2021

Photo via Northern Virginia Community College/Twitter