New Art Exhibits, Development Updates, & October Events Round Up

 

New Art Exhibits in Old Town North 

 

“Drawn” Exhibit at 532 Yoga, Arts, & Culture

Open Now through January 2027

“Drawn,” the new exhibit at 532Yoga, Arts, & Culture (500 Montgomery St.), features select works from artists Keeley Rae and Paul Glenshaw. Rae is a portrait and figurative artist and art teacher who works primarily in oil and charcoal. Glenshaw’s art is fueled by a goal of storytelling. “Drawn” features Glenshaw’s drawings of animals at the Smithsonian’s Museum of Natural History, where Glenshaw “find[s] visual poetry in the intricacies of the many animal skeletons on display.”

The exhibit is open to the public from 1pm - 1:30pm on Thursdays or you may email Suzanne@532Yoga.com to set up a private tour. 

 

“Cozy,” a New Art League Exhibit,

Coming to Buzz Bakeshop Next Month

Open November 18th - January 31, 2027

 

The Art League has announced plans for a new exhibit at Buzz Bakeshop (901 Slaters Lane), “Cozy.” This new exhibit will feature small artworks (no larger than 11 x 8 inches) with a “cozy” feeling. Submissions will be accepted through November 1st.

For more information, click here. 

 

Development Updates

 

Margot (425 Montgomery St.)

 

This month resurfacing of the streets around Margot (425 Montgomery St.) is scheduled to take place. Please be aware that streets will be closed as necessary to facilitate the resurfacing. Streets impacted include: N. Pitt, N. Royal, and Montgomery. The pedestrian walkway along N. Pitt St. will be closed during construction hours (7am-6pm, Monday-Friday and 9am-6pm, Saturdays). Site work will continue around all sides of the project this month as the team prepares for final inspections later this year.

 

1201 E. Abingdon Drive Project Tops Out 

(image courtesy of KGTY via ALX Now)

Last week the developers of 1201 E. Abingdon Drive announced the topping out of the redevelopment project. This business-to-residential conversion by The Pinkard Group will deliver 143 rental units ranging from junior one-bedrooms to two-bedrooms. The project is expected to be completed in December 2027. 

 

Special Offerings this Month in Old Town North

 

“Royally Spooked” Patio at Royal Restaurant 

730 N. Saint Asaph St.

Visit Royal’s patio now through October 31st to enjoy their “Royally Spooked” Halloween Pop-up. Get in the Halloween spirit with eerie decor, festive drinks like the Dead Man’s Colada and Creature from the Cove, and spooky bites like Swamp Eggs, Spider Dip, and Raspberry Brains. 

Reserve your spot on the "Royally Spooked" patio here and check out the spooky menu here.

 

New at The Satire: 

Mahjong Mondays, Whiskey Tasting Tuesdays, & Wellness Wednesdays

625 First St.

Visit The Wise Fool at The Satire for Mahjong Mondays (enjoy a cheese and charcuterie board and a bottle of wine for $64 while you play Mahjong plus food & beverage specials all night), or Whiskey Tasting Tuesdays (three-whiskey tasting flights for $25). 

Beginning October 14th, The Satire will host Wellness Wednesdays featuring a sound bath in the cinema with SuSoul Yoga accompanied by a wellness cocktail or mocktail followed by 20% off at The Wise Fool. Sessions offered at 5:45pm or 6:30pm. 

To register for a Wellness Wednesday session, click here.
 

October Events Round Up

Thursday, October 8th, 10:30am

Ceremony for the Induction of the Mount Vernon Trail into the 

Rails to Trails Hall of Fame

LBJ Memorial Grove

Join the Rails to Trails Conservancy and Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail to celebrate the induction of the Mount Vernon Trail into the Rails to Trails Hall of Fame. Arrive early for a pre-ceremony bike ride or walk along the trail. 

RSVP to attend here.

 

Thursday, October 8th, 6pm-8:30pm

The Art League presents: Art on the Rocks

The Alexandrian (480 King St.)

This unique fundraiser for The Art League invites chefs and mixologists from local restaurants, including Hank’s Oyster Bar, to develop cocktail/appetizer pairings inspired by artwork from Art League artists. Sample up to 10 pairings and vote for your favorite. 

Purchase your tickets here.

 

Thursday, October 8th, 6pm

Oak Steakhouse presents: 

Bourbon vs. Cognac - Old-Fashioned Dinner

901 N. Saint Asaph St.

Featuring guest speakers from Elijah Craig and Maison Ansac, enjoy a five-course dinner curated to complement special Bourbons from Elijah Craig and Maison Ansac with a surprise Cognac pairing for dessert.

To reserve your spot, call (703) 840-3395. 

 

Saturday, October 10th, 6pm

Alexandria Seaport Foundation presents:
Wine on the Water

United Way (701 N. Fairfax St.)

Support Alexandria Seaport Foundation’s important mission at their annual fundraising event, Wine on the Water. This year’s event will take place in Old Town North at the United Way headquarters (701 N. Fairfax St.) in the atrium and on the patio overlooking the Potomac River.

Purchase your tickets here.

 

Sunday, October 11th, 10am-4pm

Made in ALX & Elaine’s Literary Salon present: 

The Alexandria Book & Craft Festival

415 King St. 

Meet authors, browse locally made art and handmade goods, and enjoy food from Elaine’s restaurant at the 2nd Annual Book & Craft Festival, co-hosted by Made in ALX and Elaine’s Literary Salon. 

For more information, click here.

 

Sunday, October 11th, 11am-4pm

Paws in the Park

Oronoco Bay Park (100 Madison St.)

Join the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria for this free, family-friendly event featuring live music, activities, food & drink, vendors, animals up for adoption, and a Halloween Costume contest for pets (pre-registration recommended).

For more information, click here. 

 

Saturday, October 17th, 10am-12pm

Volunteer with Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail

Mega Trash Bash - Trail Clean-up Event Near Marina Towers

OTNA Executive Director Sarah Almy (with son Graham) and OTNA President Ryan Whitaker (with daughters Caroline & Charlotte) pose with Judd Isbell and Cameron Taylor of Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail at the November 2025 Mega Trash Bash (image courtesy of Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail) 

Let’s do our part to keep Old Town North’s section of the Mount Vernon Trail clean by registering for the Mega Trash Bash on Saturday, October 17th. 

At the Mega Trash Bash in November 2025, OTNA Members worked alongside over 100 volunteers to help pick up over 2,400 lbs. of trash. 

Hope to see you there! 

Register here. 

 

Saturday, October 17th, 11am-1pm

Hank’s Oysterfest 

818 N. Saint Asaph St. 

All-you-can-eat oysters on the half shell, bbq oysters, fried oysters, grilled chicken skewers, shrimp & veggie skewers, tastes from Hank’s Pasta Bar, old Bay french fries, coleslaw, and Hank’s Mac ‘n Cheesy. Plus all-you-can-drink local craft beers and Oysterfest punches, a DJ, and the chance to win awesome raffle prizes. Must be 21+ to attend.

Tickets are on sale now, click here to purchase. 

 

Friday, October 23rd, 6pm-9pm

St. Elmo’s Old Town North presents:
Carving & Cocktails

529 Montgomery St. 

Carve or paint a pumpkin while you enjoy cocktails or mocktails plus small bites and Piece Out Detroit-style pizza slices for sale. 

To purchase tickets, click here.

 

Monday, October 26th, 7pm

MetroStage at the Lyceum presents:
David Cole and the Main Street Blues

The Lyceum (201 S. Washington St.)

Guitarist David Cole and his Main Street Blues band, featuring vocalist Linda Harris, perform classic blues, R&B, and jazz. 

 

To purchase tickets, click here. 

 

Friday, October 30th, 7pm-11pm

St. Elmo’s presents: 2nd Annual Halloween Eve Bash

 

529 Montgomery St. 

Enjoy a night of ghoulish fun at St. Elmo’s with a costume contest, halloween treats, and DJ & dancing all night long! 

To purchase tickets, click here.

 

NOVEMBER SAVE-THE-DATES

 

Saturday, November 7th & Sunday, November 8th

Alexandria Symphony Orchestra presents: 

Pictures at an Exhibition

 

Led by guest conductor Chia-Hsuan Lin, and featuring pianist Dianara Klinton, the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra will perform Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition” along with pieces from Nazaykinskaya and Prokofiev. 

To purchase tickets, click here.

 

Reserve your table now for Thanksgiving on the Potomac at Jula’s on the Potomac!

Thursday, November 26th, 11:30am - 7pm

44 Canal Center Plaza, Suite 401

Reserve your spot now for this special Thanksgiving experience at Jula’s on the Potomac. Jula’s has every detail covered from a chilled seafood display, to a Chef’s Carving Hall to a grand holiday buffet full of seasonal favorites, and finishing it all off with an assortment of decadent desserts. The full menu can be found here.

A complimentary family photo is included.

Availability is limited. To make your reservation now, click here.

 

Neighborhood Notes

Amelia Alcivar Chassé, HRP Vice President of Communications & OTNA Board Member, addresses the audience at the AEDP Annual Impact Meeting on September 30th (image courtesy of The Alexandria Brief) 

HRP Vice President of Communications & OTNA Board Member Amelia Alcivar Chassé was one of the featured speakers at the AEDP Annual Impact Meeting on September 30th. Brittani Maggio of Dream Chaser’s Coffee, who served up lattes to Chalk-a-Block attendees and can be found on Sundays at the Old Town North Farmers Market, was also featured at the event as a recent graduate of AEDP’s Food & Beverage Business Readiness Program, co-hosted with MOVE Business Chamber.

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Don’t miss these regularly scheduled events in and around Old Town North!

Linda Vitello