Old Town | ALXnow

Published April 7, 2026 at 11:45AM

532 Yoga, Arts & Culture in Old Town North (via 532 Yoga/Facebook)

An early tenant of Old Town North’s emerging arts district is holding its official grand opening this Saturday (April 11).

After closing its longtime location at 532 N. Washington Street and working from a pop-up at Founders Hall, 532 Yoga, Arts & Culture will hold a grand opening at its new permanent home at 500 Montgomery Street. The free event will feature live violin music, a presentation by artists Xenia Gray and Cari Babitzke, and snacks and drinks. The event will be held from 5-7:30 p.m., and coincides with the studio’s 14th anniversary.

Around Town

Five Alexandria restaurants make appearance in regional RAMMY finalists

By Emily Leayman

Published April 7, 2026 at 9:15AM

Matt & Tony's at 1501 Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray (via Matt & Tony's/Instagram)

Five Alexandria eateries have advanced to finalist status in the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington’s annual restaurant awards.

Narrowed down from dozens of semifinalists who were publicly revealed last month for the first time, the list of finalists announced last night (Monday) at The Hamilton Live in D.C. by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington span regional chains, chef-driven favorites and independent restaurants. The 20 categories of the RAMMYs recognize the region’s chefs, restaurateurs and other industry professionals.

Around Town

Free timed tours of four tall ships lined up at Old Town’s Sails on the Potomac festival

By Emily Leayman

Published April 6, 2026 at 2:45PM

The Tall Ship Providence sails to its new home, The Senator John Warner Maritime Heritage Center at Waterfront Park (staff photo by James Cullum

Tickets are being released for timed tours of four tall ships at Sails on the Potomac, one of Alexandria’s events celebrating America250.

The festival will coincide with the ALX Jazz Fest from June 12-14 at Waterfront Park (1A Prince Street). The city is planning numerous events for America250, which commemorates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

Around Town

Old Town shop’s art show spotlights new program for people with disabilities

By Emily Leayman

Published April 2, 2026 at 2:45PM

Artwork created through ServiceSource's Arts & Abilities program in Alexandria (courtesy of ServiceSource)

A new program helping people with disabilities hone their art skills will be put on display at Old Town’s B.E.S.T. Gift Shop tomorrow (Friday).

The boutique, run by nonprofit ServiceSource at the B.E.S.T. Gift Shop (919 King Street), will hold an end-of-residency art show from 1-3 p.m. The exhibition showcases work by George Mason University graduate student Francesca “Franki” Campos and Arts & Abilities program participants.

News

The Old Town Festival of Speed & Style cruises back into Alexandria in May

By James Cullum

Published April 2, 2026 at 11:45AM

The Old Town Festival of Speed and Style, May 18, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Attention exotic car lovers: the seventh annual Old Town Festival of Speed & Style is right around the corner.

The festival returns from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 17, showcasing rare vehicles along the 400–600 blocks of King Street and the 100 blocks of North and South St. Asaph Street and North and South Pitt Street. Organizers expect attendance to top 40,000 people.

Around Town

Curtain call: How the Little Theatre of Alexandria flips the script between productions

By James Cullum

Published April 1, 2026 at 2:45PM

Eleanore Tapscott (Matilda “Tillie” Binks) and Justin Oratokhai (Dr. John Prentice) in Little Theatre of Alexandria's "Guess Who's Coming To Dinner," which runs until April 18, 2026 (via Little Theatre of Alexandria/Matt Liptak)

A lot happens between shows at the Little Theatre of Alexandria.

On a recent Saturday evening, a packed house at the LTA gave a standing ovation to the cast of “School of Rock.” Within hours of closing, the cast and crew were back at the theater at 600 Wolfe Street to help break down the set to make way for LTA’s next production, “Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner,” which opened on Saturday, March 28.

Around Town

Duke St. Ice House pub closing next week at Whole Foods in Alexandria

By Katie Taranto

Published April 1, 2026 at 11:45AM

Sign for the Duke St. Ice House at Whole Foods in Alexandria (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

An in-store pub and café at Alexandria’s Whole Foods Market is closing permanently this month.

The Duke St. Ice House’s last day of operations at 1700 Duke Street is this Monday, April 6, according to signs posted outside the café. The forthcoming closure has prompted some disappointment from local customers, some of whom have created an online forum and plan to write a letter to the supermarket’s management.

News

Alexandria clerk of court to officiate weddings aboard Tall Ship Providence

By James Cullum

Published March 30, 2026 at 1:45PM

The Senator John Warner Maritime Heritage Center at Waterfront Park is home to the Tall Ship Providence (staff photo by James Cullum

The Alexandria Clerk’s Office is expanding its wedding offerings yet again.

After a successful run last fall with its costumed “Halloweddings,” Clerk of Court Greg Parks will officiate 18 weddings aboard the Tall Ship Providence on Friday, May 15, at Waterfront Park in Old Town.

Around Town

New wine shop DCanter plans grand opening this weekend in Old Town

By Katie Taranto

Published March 30, 2026 at 10:30AM

Vacant retail bay at 1101 King Street where DCanter plans to open (staff photo by James Cullum)

A local wine shop is preparing to celebrate a new chapter in Alexandria this weekend.

D.C. wine boutique DCanter is hosting a grand opening for its second location, DCanter Alexandria, from 12-4 p.m. Saturday (April 4) at 1101 King Street, Suite 112. Led by couple Michelle Lim Warner and Michael Warner, the shop focuses on sustainably made and organic wines sourced from small, independent producers.

Around Town

Entrepreneur seeks to bring community center to Virginia Tech building in Old Town

By Katie Taranto

Published March 25, 2026 at 8:30AM

Ashley Wood (left) and daughter Lily at Soulo Studios (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

A three-story Virginia Tech building in Old Town may soon be repurposed into a community center through the work of a Del Ray entrepreneur and creative.

Ashley R. Wood, the founder and author behind the arts-focused workspace Soulo Studios at 2417 Mount Vernon Avenue, is working to bring her next endeavor to life: Lily’s Garden Creative and Cultural Community Center. The prospective center, named after Wood’s 4-year-old daughter, would open at 1021 Prince Street, which is currently part of Virginia Tech’s Washington-Alexandria Architecture Center.

News

Historic home sets Old Town record for residential sales with $7.1M deal

By Emily Leayman

Published March 23, 2026 at 3:45PM

The 510 Wolfe Street property (via Bob Narod)

The sale of a 19th-century home has set a record for the most expensive residential sale in Old Town, according to the real estate firm representing the seller.

The home at 510 Wolfe Street sold for $7.1 million after being put on the market for the first time in four decades. The seven-bedroom, eight-bathroom estate spans 14,000 square feet and dates back to 1854. Corcoran McEnearney real estate agents Babs Beckwith and Lauren Bishop were the seller’s agents.