Arts & Cultural District Updates, Summer Restaurant Week, & August Events Round Up
Arts & Cultural District Updates
Old Town North Arts & Cultural District Banner Design Project
The OTNA Board of Directors is in the process of selecting 3-5 finalists for the Old Town North Arts & Cultural District Banner Design Project. The finalists will then be presented to the community for a vote to determine the artist/designer who will receive the commission for the project. Stay tuned for the announcement of the finalists and details on how to cast your vote in the coming weeks.
This exciting project for the Old Town North Arts & Cultural District will be funded through a combination of community sponsorships, a grant from the City of Alexandria through the Business and the Arts Collaborative Invitational Grant program, and financial support from OTNA.
Opening Reception for New Exhibit at 532Yoga, Arts, & Culture
Artist Christian Sitili (far right) converses with guests at the reception (image courtesy of Old Town North Alliance)
On Thursday, July 30th, 532Yoga, Arts, & Culture hosted an opening reception for its current art exhibition, ”‘From Pain to Power’ Resilience. Memory. Hope.,” featuring the works of Congolese artists Christian Sitili and Benjamin Mbenga. The exhibition is presented by The Embassy of The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in partnership with the Lipanda Foundation.
The reception included remarks from a representative from the Embassy of The DRC and a representative from the Lipanda Foundation. Artist Christian Sitili was in attendance and available to discuss his work.
Refined mocktails were served at the event courtesy of Dinoirpoetrybar (@di.noirpoetrybarllc).
The exhibit is open to the public from 1pm - 1:30pm on Thursdays through September 10th. You may also email Suzanne@532Yoga.com to set up a private tour. Stop by and take a moment to enjoy this captivating art.
Art in Every Space Initiative
Applications for Mayor Alyia Gaskins’s pilot initiative, “Art in Every Space,” which aims to connect local artists with local businesses and community spaces throughout Alexandria, closed on July 31st. The initiative is now focused on tracking the success of the project and promoting the artists and businesses currently enrolled.
In and around Old Town North, participating businesses include Crilley Warehouse Executive Offices (218 N. Lee St., 3rd Floor) and River Grove Therapy (107 & 109 Oronoco St.). One of the artists that will be featured at Crilley Warehouse Executive Offices is Anila Angjeli of Aline Architecture. Anila will be one of the chalk artists at this year’s Chalk-A-Block on September 19th at TideLock. Other artists featured at Crilley Warehouse include Eva Hartman, Saya Behnam, and Tamika Martin. River Grove Therapy will feature work from Tiara Safic-Martin, J. Pamela Stills, and Ariane D’Souza.
Although applications are now closed, you may still use this link to submit your information for consideration for future opportunities.
The Art League’s “Bite Sized” Exhibit at Buzz Bakery
Continues Through September 30th
(Artwork courtesy of The Art League)
The Art League’s “Bite Sized” exhibit continues at Buzz Bakeshop on Slaters Lane (901 Slaters Lane) through September 30. “Bite Sized” features small-scaled, food-themed artworks that explore the joys, memories, and cultural connections found in what we eat.
August Events Round Up
Alexandria Summer Restaurant Week Starts Today
Friday, August 14th - Sunday, August 23rd
Take advantage of Alexandria Summer Restaurant Week in Old Town North to enjoy a prix-fixe menu at an old favorite or try out a spot that is new to you. A range of offerings are available from three-course prix fixe dinner menus at $35, $45, or $55 per person to $10.99 lunch specials. See what OTNA Member Restaurants have to offer below, and make your reservations now so you don’t miss out!
THREE COURSES - $35/person
Hank’s Pasta Bar
(now accepting reservations - click here to reserve)
Jula’s on the Potomac
(to make a reservation, click here)
**Restaurant Week specials at Jula’s run through August 30th**
LUNCH SPECIAL - $10.99 Combo
St. Elmo’s
(no reservations)
Friday August 14th - Sunday, August 16th
Made in ALX presents:
A Weekend of Pop-Ups for Sidewalk Sale Weekend
415 King St.
This weekend Made in ALX will have artists popped up outside the store on Friday from 2pm-7pm, Saturday from 8am-5pm, and Sunday from 11am-5pm. Sunday will feature a special necklace and bracelet charm bar. Select items will be on sale inside and outside the store plus 2x stars for Made in ALXtra members.
Thursday, August 20th, 6:30pm-8:30pm
St. Elmo’s Old Town North Presents: Open Mic Night
529 Montgomery St.
Enjoy Open Mic Night at St. Elmo’s hosted by Sunflower Sep and featuring rapper/poet/comedian @skitzandgravy.
Admission is FREE. To reserve your spot, click here.
Friday, August 21st, 7pm-9pm
Lee-Fendall House presents: Pop Culture Trivia - Sitcom Edition
614 Oronoco St.
Test your pop culture knowledge at the final installment of Lee-Fendall House’s Summer Trivia Night series: Sitcoms.
To purchase tickets, click here.
Saturday, August 29th, 11am-7pm
Around the World Cultural Food Festival
Raqs El Hob performs at the Around the World Cultural Food Festival (image courtesy of the Around the World Cultural Food Festival)
Oronoco Bay Park (100 Madison St.)
Explore cultures around the world via food, music, dance, artisans/crafters, and more at the 10th Anniversary of the Around the World Cultural Food Festival. Over 45 countries will be represented at this family-friendly event that is free to attend.
For more information, click here.
Sunday, August 30th
Fill-the-Truck for ALIVE!
Montgomery Park (901 N. Royal St.)
Please help “Fill the Truck” again on Sunday, August 30th from 9am to 1pm at the Old Town North Farmers Market in Montgomery Park (901 N. Royal St.) Your non-perishable food contributions will be delivered to ALIVE!, an Alexandria organization that serves 20,000 individuals/month providing a wide range of services from food to transitional shelter to eviction prevention.
SAVE-THE-DATES
Thursday, September 17th: Taste of Old Town North, 4pm-8pm in Montgomery Park
Saturday, September 19th: Chalk-A-Block, 11am-2pm at TideLock
Mark your calendar to spend Saturday, September 19th at TideLock from 11am- 2pm to enjoy talented artists creating chalk art, live music from The Okays, a community art project led by art therapists from River Grove Therapy, and more!
This year’s Chalk-A-Block will feature food and drinks from some of your Old Town North favorites: Hank’s Oyster Bar, Hank’s Pasta Bar, Jula’s on the Potomac, and Royal Restaurant will all be on site with delicious food & drink for sale.
Stay up to date on the latest details for Chalk-A-Block at:
https://www.oldtownnorthalliance.com/chalkablock
Saturday, September 19th: NOTICe Canal History Pub Crawl, 12pm-4pm
MetroStage at the Lyceum Performances in September/October
Tuesday, September 22nd, 7pm
A Reading of Cousin Bella
A reading of Sherman Yellen’s memoir, Cousin Bella, featuring Adrienne Nelson and Michael Russotto.
To purchase tickets, click here.
Monday, October 26th, 7pm
David Cole and the Main Street Blues
Guitarist David Cole and his Main Street Blues band will perform classic blues, R&B, and jazz.
To purchase tickets, click here. Tickets go on sale September 1st.
Neighborhood Notes
Congratulations to Jula’s on the Potomac, which was named “Best Waterfront Dining” in DC Magazine’s Best of the City. This award, chosen by the magazine’s readers, celebrates Jula’s spectacular waterfront setting, chef-driven modern American cuisine, and warm hospitality.
VOTE by August 16th for the Mount Vernon Trail to be entered into the Rails to Trails Conservancy’s Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame recognizes the Mount Vernon Trail’s role as a community-supported trail providing transportation, recreation, and community connection. Cast your vote here. Voting is unlimited so vote as many times as you like through August 16th.
Don’t miss these regularly scheduled events in and around Old Town North!
Farmers Market on Sundays (9am-1pm) and Thursdays (3pm-7pm). Presented by Old Town North Community Partnership in Montgomery Park.
Free Yoga in the Fresh Air on Sundays (11am-12pm) in Montgomery Park. Sponsored by River’s Edge Yoga.
Made in ALX classes. To register, visit: https://www.madeinalx.com/shop/classes-events/68
Lee-Fendall House (614 Oronoco St.). Various history-themed events, summer trivia nights, and newly introduced Corks & Corridors series . For more information, visit: https://leefendallhouse.org/pages/events
“Life’s better up North!”
Show off your OTN Community Pride and Support OTNA!
A limited quantity of t-shirts are available for purchase in sizes XS, S, M, and L for $25 plus tax. You can purchase shirts at Made in ALX (415 King St.) or contact director@otnalliance.org for more information. OTN car magnets and stickers are also available. Proceeds will go to support OTNA.