Arts & Cultural District Updates;July Events Round Up
Arts & Cultural District Updates
Installation of Brio Sculpture in Wythe St. Plaza
Brio by Jimilu Mason in Wythe St. Plaza (image courtesy of Old Town North Alliance)
After much anticipation, Brio has been installed in Wythe St. Plaza. The sculpture is still protected by gates so it may still be undergoing restoration/cleaning by the Office of the Arts.
As previously reported here, Brio, which depicts a male dancer, is the work of artist Jimilu Mason. “Brio” is an Italian word that means vivacity or vigor in style or performance. Presented as a gift to the City of Alexandria from the City’s first Poet Laureate Jean Elliott and her husband, Brio has been on display in Market Square since the 1980’s, but needed a new home due to the planned renovations to City Hall and Market Square.
Wythe St. Plaza is a fitting new home for Brio given its proximity to the future homes of Arts Anchors MetroStage (at Venue) and CityDance (at 425 Montgomery Street) and the location of Wythe St. Plaza directly on the route of the Old Town North Alliance Art and Culture Walk. Brio is a welcome addition to the growing collection of public art in the neighborhood and we thank the Office of the Arts for their efforts to relocate the sculpture to the Old Town North Arts & Cultural District.
Alexandria Birthday Celebration in Oronoco Bay Park this Saturday, July 11th
Free Alexandria Symphony Orchestra Concert
The Alexandria Symphony Orchestra Performs at the Alexandria Birthday Celebration (image courtesy of the City of Alexandria)
The Alexandria Symphony Orchestra, led by guest conductor Victoria Gau, will perform a free concert in Oronoco Bay Park this Saturday, July 11th at 8:30pm. The concert will include patriotic favorites, the Armed Forces Medley, and Opera and Broadway selections featuring vocalist Danielle Talamantes. The grand finale will feature a fireworks display accompanied by Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, complete with live cannons.
Stroll through Wythe Street Plaza as you enter or exit Oronoco Bay Park to see the newly installed Brio sculpture.
For more information about the Alexandria Birthday Celebration, click here.
The Art League’s “Bite Sized” Exhibit at Buzz Bakery on Slaters Lane
July 1st - September 30th
(Artwork courtesy of The Art League)
The Art League’s “Bite Sized” exhibit will be on display at Buzz Bakeshop on Slaters Lane (901 Slaters Lane) from July 1 - September 30. “Bite Sized” features small-scaled, food-themed artworks that explore the joys, memories, and cultural connections found in what we eat.
New Exhibit at 532Yoga, Arts, & Culture:
‘From Pain to Power’ Resilience. Memory. Hope.
July 10th - September 10th
Piece by artist Christian Sitili (image courtesy of 532 Yoga, Arts, & Culture)
Starting July 10th and running through September 10th, 532 Yoga, Arts, & Culture (500 Montgomery St., Suite 120) will present a contemporary art exhibition featuring the works of renowned Congolese artists Christian Sitili and Benjamin Mbenga.
This exhibition is presented by The Embassy of The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in partnership with Lipanda Foundation.
An opening reception will be held on July 30th from 6pm - 7:30pm. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the DRC, H.E. Yvette Kapinga Ngandu will deliver opening remarks and artist Christian Sitili will be in attendance.
The exhibit will be open to the public from 1pm - 1:30pm on Thursdays starting July 10th. You may also email Suzanne@532Yoga.com to set up a private tour.
To reserve a spot at the opening reception, email contact@lipandafoundation.org
Old Town North Arts & Cultural District Banner Design Opportunity:
July 15th Deadline
OTNA is in the process of gathering submissions from artists/graphic designers to create an artist-driven banner design concept for Old Town North Arts & Cultural District light pole banners. This initiative 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.
If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity, please contact director@otnalliance.org for more information.
Art in Every Space Initiative
Mayor Alyia Gaskins is launching a new initiative, “Art in Every Space,” that aims to connect local artists with local businesses and community spaces throughout Alexandria. For more information, RSVP to attend one of this week’s launch events or contact RobinJordanArt@gmail.com.
July Events Round Up
“Date Night on the Potomac” at Jula’s
44 Canal Center Plaza, Suite 401
Treat someone special to the new “Date Night on the Potomac” experience at Jula’s on the Potomac featuring a bottle of Westhoff Pioneers red blend, charcuterie service, and a reserved table on Jula’s waterfront balcony.
To purchase the “Date Night on the Potomac” experience, click here.
Saturday, July 11th, 11am - 1pm
Made in ALX presents: Faux-Stained Glass Crafternoon
(image courtesy of Made by ALX)
415 King St.
Join Cierra of Ambitiously You at Made in ALX (415 King St.) to learn how to create your own faux stained glass art using gallery glass paint.
To reserve your spot, click here.
Saturday, July 11th, 2pm -3pm
Lee-Fendall House presents:
Disguised and Determined - Women Who Fought in the Civil War
614 Oronoco St.
Join Tracey McIntire and Audrey Scanlan-Teller for this presentation of the fascinating stories of women who fought in the Civil War disguised as men.
To purchase tickets, click here.
Saturday, July 11th, 6pm - 9:45pm
277th Alexandria Birthday Celebration & America 250
Alexandria Birthday Celebration in Oronoco Bay Park (image courtesy of the City of Alexandria)
Oronoco Bay Park (100 Madison St.)
Enjoy a FREE concert from the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra at 8:30pm in Oronoco Bay Park in celebration of Alexandria’s 277th Birthday and America 250 along with a fireworks display at 9:30pm. The celebration also features free cupcakes and remarks from Mayor Alyia Gaskins.
For more information, click here.
Sunday, July 12th, 6:30pm-8:45pm
Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail presents:
Out There - A National Parks Story Documentary Film Screening
815 ½ King St.
Join Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail for this film screening of Out There - A National Parks Story at the Patagonia store in Old Town (815 ½ King St.). A Q&A session with director Brendan Hall will follow the film screening. Proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail.
To purchase your tickets, click here.
Monday, July 27th, 7pm
MetroStage at the Lyceum presents:
The House I Live In - An American Songbook for an American Birthday
SGM (Ret) Bob McDonald and special guest Susan Derr (image courtesy of MetroStage)
201 S. Washington St.
MetroStage celebrates America 250 with a special evening of song featuring SGM (Ret) Bob McDonald accompanied by SGM (Ret) Tony Nalker on the piano along with special guest Susan Derr. The performance will include favorites ranging from the golden age of Broadway to modern American classics.
Purchase your tickets here.
SAVE-THE-DATES
Alexandria Summer Restaurant Week
Friday, August 14th - Sunday, August 23rd
(details forthcoming)
For the first time Chalk-A-Block will feature a judging panel to select a “Best in Show” recipient and the community will have the opportunity to vote for a “People’s Choice” award. We are honored to have Mayor Alyia Gaskins and Art League Executive Director Suzanne Bethel on the inaugural judging panel.
Mark your calendars now for a full slate of September events in Old Town North:
Thursday, September 17th: Taste of Old Town North
Saturday, September 19th: 3rd Annual Chalk-A-Block
Saturday, September 19th: NOTICe Canal History Pub Crawl
Neighborhood Notes
Don’t miss the recent VOGUE article, “A Local’s Guide to Alexandria, VA,” which prominently features several OTNA Members including The Satire, Royal Restaurant, Jula’s on the Potomac, Made in ALX, and The Art League. The article was written by Lauren Sanchez, AEDP Communications Manager and Content Creator.
https://www.vogue.com/article/alexandria-virginia-travel-guide-where-to-stay-shop-eat-dc
Congratulations to Hank’s Oyster Bar whose flagship location in Dupont Circle was recognized in Michelin Guide’s list of the Best Seafood Shack Restaurants in the U.S.
Check out the new menu at Royal Restaurant (730 N. Saint Asaph St.) - they’ve kept all the classics you love, but added some new items too!
St. Elmo’s (529 Montgomery St.) is serving as a drop-off site for Volunteer Alexandria’s Food4ALX Food Drive. Drop off your non-perishable food items at any of the three St. Elmo’s locations now through August 14th.
United Way bornlearning STEAM Trail signs in Montgomery Park (image courtesy of OTNA)
Earlier this spring, the signs pictured above were installed in Montgomery Park by United Way in partnership with the City of Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities. The bornlearning STEAM Trail is an outdoor learning experience designed to help parents and caregivers turn everyday moments into learning adventures. The signs feature a range of topics including birds, trees, shapes, wind, and balance.
For more information about United Way’s bornlearning program, click here.
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 and summer trivia nights featuring pop culture (next up, Harry Potter on July 31st). 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.