Old Town | ALXnow

Concert Tour Company Asking City to Allow Outdoor Performances at Old Town Venue

Published January 5, 2021 at 3:30PM

A concert tour company that started giving live classical music performances last spring wants official city approval to keep the music playing.

Representatives from Classical Movements asked the city for approval last April and May to allow musicians to perform at The Rectory at 711 Princess Street in Old Town. After not hearing back, they decided to start putting on shows anyway at the property’s secret garden with small live concerts. The Sounds of Hope and Harmony performances have been held with socially distant crowds, and have featured musicians from the National Symphony Orchestra, the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra and the Eclipse Chamber Orchestra.

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Wilkes Street Tunnel Added to Online ‘Atlas Obscura’

By Vernon Miles

Published January 4, 2021 at 1:45PM

Any Alexandrian who has gone up and down the waterfront has passed, or even walked through, the Wilkes Street Tunnel.

The tunnel’s ties to the area’s industrial history were recently documented in the online local history repository Atlas Obscura.

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Shots Fired in Old Town North on Monday Night

By James Cullum

Published December 30, 2020 at 10:30AM | Updated December 30, 2020 at 3:43PM

Alexandria Police lights (staff photo by James Cullum)

No injuries have been reported after another shooting in Old Town North, this time on Monday night (Dec. 28) near the intersection of North Henry and Montgomery Streets.

“There were multiple shell casings recovered,” Alexandria Police spokesperson Amanda Paga told ALXnow. “A building was hit, but no injuries were reported. It is an ongoing investigation at this time.”

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Virtual Fireworks: What’s Happening This New Year’s Eve in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published December 29, 2020 at 2:30PM | Updated December 29, 2020 at 3:11PM

What a year, right?

Even though the fireworks, scavenger hunt and live musical performances have been called off, there are still opportunities to get a taste of Alexandria this New Year’s Eve.

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Old Town Books Moving to New Location This Spring

By James Cullum

Published December 23, 2020 at 1:30PM

Bestsellers at Old Town Books. (Photo via Old Town Books/Facebook)

Old Town Books has found a new home.

The lease for the shop, which started as a pop-up at 104 S. Union Street in September 2018, expires at that location next March.

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Police: No Injuries or Arrests After Shots Fired in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published December 21, 2020 at 2:30PM

An Alexandria police cruiser (Staff photo by James Cullum)

There were no injuries or arrests after another incident of gunfire in Old Town.

Alexandria police reported a call for shots fired early Sunday evening in the area of North Patrick and Montgomery Streets in Old Town.

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Here’s Why Folks are Taking Ice Baths in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published December 18, 2020 at 1:30PM | Updated December 18, 2020 at 5:17PM

How calmly can you sit in a tub of ice water for three minutes?

Bob Soulliere’s goal is to make you cold, wet and happy. During the winter, most folks like to layer up and get cozy next to the fire with a hot cup of cocoa, but every Saturday you’ll find Soulliere and his clients at The Loop in Old Town doing breathing exercises, taking ice baths and meditating.

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New Report Highlights History of Clashes Between Civil Rights and Historic Preservation in Alexandria

By Vernon Miles

Published December 18, 2020 at 11:45AM | Updated December 18, 2020 at 12:12PM

In a Board of Architectural Review meeting earlier this week, local historic preservation consultant John Sprinkle shared some research from an upcoming book about the intersection — and sometimes fiery conflict — between the city’s efforts at historic preservation and the Civil Rights movement.

“From Historic Preservation to Neighborhood Conservation: Displacement, Urban Violence, and Architectural Survey in Alexandria, Virginia” details how, over the last fifty years, the city’s efforts at historic preservation have sometimes been at odds with efforts at preserving affordable housing in and around Black neighborhoods.

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Morning Notes

By Vernon Miles

Published December 18, 2020 at 9:30AM

Old Town Lamp Posts Decorated with Holiday Art — “Dec. 5 marked the official kick-off of the first Old Town Holiday Lamp Post Art Walk sponsored by the Old Town Business Association in partnership with The Art League and the The Torpedo Factory Office Building.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]

Del Ray Farmers’ Market Helps Raise $1,000 for ALIVE! — “Shlagel Farms, a longtime vendor at the Del Ray Farmers’ Market, celebrated the Giving Season last week by offering customers a Giving Box. Chock full of fresh produce, each box cost $50, of which the farm donated $10 to local nonprofit ALIVE!” [Zebra]

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As The Table Turns: New Hobbyists Boost Sales for Old Town Record Shop

By James Cullum

Published December 16, 2020 at 11:30AM | Updated December 17, 2020 at 10:38AM

Crooked Beat Records is now closed at 802 N. Fairfax Street in Old Town. (Photo via Crooked Beat Records/Facebook)

Nat King Cole, Bing Crosby, Annie Lennox… It’s been sounding a lot like Christmas inside Crooked Beat Records for the last month. Even though the record shop missed a few beats when it closed in April and May, sales have increased due to a new generation of hobbyists.

The hobbyists have turned sales back on the right track, according to Crooked Beats’ Paloma Alcala.

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Giant Menorah Lighting at Hanukkah Celebration in Old Town Tonight

By Vernon Miles

Published December 15, 2020 at 1:30PM

Latkes, hot cocoa, donuts are more are planned for a Hanukkah ceremony in Alexandria tonight (Tuesday) scheduled to culminate with lighting candles on six-foot-tall menorah outside the Lyceum (201 S. Washington Street).

“Experience the festival of lights,” said host Chabad Lubavitch of Alexandria-Arlington on Facebook. “Come and share in the spirit and Joy of Chanukah at The Grand Chanukah Menorah Lighting in Old Town Alexandria at The Lyceum.”