New OTNA Board Member; New Public Art at TideLock, Croatian National Team Arrives; and June Events Round Up
Meet Mackenzie Hampson - New OTNA Board Member
Please welcome Mackenzie Hampson, the newest Member of the OTNA Board of Directors. Mackenzie is the general manager of Royal Restaurant and has worked with Alexandria Restaurant Partners for the past five years. Prior to that Mackenzie spent two years serving with AmeriCorps and Habitat for Humanity. In her role at Royal, Mackenzie has especially enjoyed connecting with the Old Town North neighborhood community, participating in local events such as Chalk-A-Block and Taste of Old Town North, and building relationships through her involvement with OTNA. Mackenzie looks forward to bringing her hospitality and community-focused perspective to the Board.
Arts and Cultural District Updates
Beacon III Sculpture Installed at TideLock
Beacon III by artist Christian Benefiel at TideLock (image courtesy of Christian Benefiel)
Last week at the TideLock project, a sculpture, Beacon III, was installed on the property. Artist Christian Benefiel was commissioned to create the piece as an interpretation of the area’s transportation history including its canal and rail history as well as its position under the flight path, installations marking a historic City Annexation Line and memorializing the residents of the former Cross Canal neighborhood, as well as a forthcoming mural. Benefiel’s “favorite aspect of the project is imagining the view of the work from airplanes flying into Reagan National.” Benefiel views Beacon III as “anchor[ing] the space from the ground and water” as well as serving as “a welcoming beacon to the DMV from the air.”
Additional features of the TideLock project include historic interpretation installations marking a historic City Annexation Line and memorializing the residents of the former Cross Canal neighborhood, as well as a forthcoming mural.
2026 Old Town North Alliance Art and Culture Walk Brochure
Beacon III is one of the new additions to the 2026 Old Town North Alliance Art and Culture Walk brochure which can be viewed here. Physical copies of the brochure are available at the Alexandria Visitor Center (221 King St.).
Installation of the Brio Sculpture in Wythe St. Plaza
The Office of the Arts is still working on arrangements for the installation of the Brio sculpture in Wythe St. Plaza. The hope is to have the sculpture installed in time for the Alexandria Birthday Celebration on Saturday, July 11th. Stay tuned for updates.
June 15th Deadline for Submissions for The Art League’s “Bite Sized” Exhibit at Buzz Bakery on Slaters Lane
Artwork by Christine Dixon (courtesy of The Art League)
The Art League is currently accepting submissions for its “Bite Sized” exhibit at Buzz Bakeshop on Slaters Lane (901 Slaters Lane). “Bite Sized” will feature small food-themed artwork. Artwork must not exceed 11 inches by 8 inches.
“Bite Sized” will be on display at Buzz Bakery from July 1- September 30th.
Submit your work by midnight, June 15th! For more information click here.
Subscriptions for the 2026-27 Alexandria Symphony Orchestra Season
The Alexandria Symphony Orchestra has published the performance schedule for their 2026-27 season and subscriptions are now on sale. The 2026-27 season will feature an array of talented guest conductors including Louis Lohraseb, Chia Hsuan-Lin, Andrew Crust, and James Blachly.
For more information and to purchase a subscription, click here.
Development Updates
HRP Group Redevelopment of the PRGS Site
June 13th City Council Meeting
HRP Group presented their Development Supplemental Use Permit applications for Block B, Block C, the waterfront open space, and the rail corridor open space for the PRGS site to the Planning Commission on June 2nd. The Planning Commission voted to approve the DSUPs and the requested modifications. The permit applications will be presented to City Council on Saturday, June 13th at 9:30am. City Council will also vote on the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Proposal at the June 13th meeting.
The City Council meeting will take place at the Del Pepper Community Resource Center (4850 Mark Center Drive).
To attend the June 13th City Council Meeting via zoom, click here.
For a recording of the May 26th Virtual Community Meeting as well as other community meeting recordings and presentation materials, visit:
425 Montgomery St.
Carr Properties has provided the following information regarding the June work schedule at 425 Montgomery St, which does include some traffic impacts:
Roofing work continues this month with the approved Saturday noise variance permit. As a reminder, the permit allows for work from 7am to 6pm on Saturdays.
The construction drive on Montgomery St. will remain in use for material deliveries throughout June. The pedestrian walkway along N. Pitt St. will be closed during construction hours (7am - 6pm, Monday through Saturday). The walkway will reopen outside of those hours.
Due to work with Dominion Energy and connection of gas service to the building, there will be some traffic impacts:
Starting this week, there will be an extension to the existing left lane closure on the southern lane of Montgomery St. (east of N. Royal St.) that is expected to last approximately two weeks.
Dominion Energy is applying for a partial lane closure for southbound traffic on N. Royal St. (between First St. & Montgomery St.) to install transformers and primary power cable. That work is expected to take one week and should take place sometime in June.
Installation of the building’s main gas line may impact traffic along N. Pitt St. while gas service is connected to the building.
Croatian National Team Arrives at Hotel AKA Alexandria this Month
As we have previously reported, the Croatian Men’s National Team will be arriving this month and staying in Old Town North at Hotel AKA Alexandria. The team will train at Episcopal High School during their stay (training sessions will not be open to the public). Check out the June Events Round Up below for a special event this weekend highlighting Croatian food, music, and culture.
Croatia plays England on Wednesday, June 17th at 4pm, Panama on Tuesday, June 23rd at 7pm, and Ghana on Saturday, June 27th at 5pm.
Please join us in extending a warm Old Town North welcome to the Croatian National Team!
June Events Round Up
Jula’s on the Potomac presents: Clicquot Golden Hour
Tuesdays-Fridays, 3pm-6pm
44 Canal Center Plaza, Suite 401
Jula’s has reimagined happy hour with this champagne-forward social experience - now available throughout the Grand Bar, Veuve Lounge, and Wine Room. Tuesdays-Fridays from 3pm-6pm, enjoy Veuve Clicquot, refined cocktails, chef-driven snacks, and Jula’s amazing waterfront views.
To explore the Clicquot Golden Hour menu, click here.
Saturday, June 6th, 5pm-8pm
Flavors and Sounds of Croatia in Alexandria
Waterfront Park (1 Prince St.)
In honor of the Croatian National Team selecting Alexandria for its team base camp during this year’s World Cup, the City of Alexandria and Visit Alexandria are hosting this special event celebrating the flavors and sounds of Croatia. Come learn more about the music, food, and culture of the team who will be our “neighbors for the summer” while they stay at Hotel AKA Alexandria.
For more information, click here.
Sunday, June 7th, 1:30pm-2:30pm
532Yoga, Arts & Culture presents: Kitten Yoga
500 Montgomery St.
Join 532Yoga, Arts, & Culture and the Brandywine Valley SPCA - DC for this all-levels yoga class with special kitten companions. All kittens are available for adoption. A portion of proceeds will go to the Brandywine Valley SPCA - DC.
To reserve your spot, click here (select June 7th on the calendar).
Saturday June 12 - Sunday, June 14th
Celebrate America 250 with Sails on the Potomac & ALX JazzFest in Waterfront Park
Waterfront Park and Potomac waterfront (1 Prince St.)
Alexandria celebrates America 250 with this engaging weekend festival highlighting Alexandria’s role in building the foundation for a revolution. In addition to offering the opportunity for tours of four tall ships, the festival will also feature a 250th History Village and Outpost, lawn games, and a full schedule of live music in Waterfront Park with ALX JazzFest.
Tickets are required to tour the tall ships. Ticket times are available from noon to 6pm each day as well as for special evening receptions. Tickets for daytime tours appear to be SOLD OUT, but evening reception tickets are still available.
ALX JazzFest is free and no tickets are required - enjoy performances on Friday, June 12th from 1pm-6pm, Saturday, June 13th from noon-9pm, and Sunday, June 14th from noon-6pm.
For more information about Sails on the Potomac and to reserve your tickets, click here.
For more information about ALX JazzFest and the schedule of performers, click here.
Sunday, June 14th, 4pm-5:30pm
Royal Restaurant and Wild Petal Society present:
Sip & Stem - Flower Crown Workshop
Flower crown (image courtesy of Wild Petal Society)
Flower crown (image courtesy of Wild Petal Society)
730 N. Saint Asaph St.
Design and build your own flower crown with the talented florists from Wild Petal Society while you enjoy a glass of wine or a handcrafted mocktail and a trio of small bites from Royal Restaurant.
Click here to reserve your spot.
Saturday, June 20th, 8:45am-11:45am
Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail presents:
America 250 Bike Ride on the Mount Vernon Trail
Image courtesy of Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail
Join Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail for a bike ride along the Mount Vernon Trail in celebration of America 250 led by a George Washington Memorial Parkway National Park Service Ranger.
For more information, click here.
Saturday, June 20th, 6pm-10pm
St. Elmo’s Old Town North, Salon deZEN, & CatRad Creative present:
Old Town North Pride Party
529 Montgomery St.
Pride Dance Party at St. Elmo’s with DJ Thunderbunny and Zen Lounge at Salon deZEN featuring free glitter roots, temporary tattoos, and coloring with Queer Crayon Club.
For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.
Sunday, June 21st, 5:30am
Office of the Arts presents: Summer Solstice Sunrise at Now or Never
Now or Never installation in Waterfront Park (image courtesy of the Old Town North Alliance)
Waterfront Park (1 Prince St.)
Join the Office of the Arts and artist Alicia Eggert on Sunday, June 21st to watch the sun rise directly within the narrow gap between the Now and Never signs in the Now or Never installation in Waterfront Park. The piece is positioned twenty-two degrees north of true east to capture this unique view of the summer solstice sunrise. Arrive by 5:30am - the sun will rise at 5:43am.
For more information, click here or follow the Office of the Arts on instagram (@alexartsoffice).
Thursday, June 25th, 7pm-9pm
Lee-Fendall House presents: Pop Culture Trivia
614 Oronoco St.
Test your pop culture knowledge at Lee-Fendall House’s Summer Trivia Night series: Bravo Edition (June 25th), Harry Potter (July 31st), and Sitcoms (August 14th).
To purchase tickets for the June 25th Trivia Night, click here.
Sunday, June 28th, 10am-4pm
Made in ALX and Volunteer Alexandria Arts & Crafts Fair
Tavern Square, 415 King St.
Join Made in ALX and Volunteer Alexandria for this Arts & Craft Fair in Tavern Square featuring jewelry, pottery, soaps, home decor, and more.
Save-the-Dates
Saturday, July 11th
277th Alexandria Birthday Celebration
Enjoy fireworks and a free performance from the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra in Oronoco Bay Park (100 Madison St.) in celebration of Alexandria’s 277th Birthday and America 250.
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
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.
Thursday, September 17th, 4pm-8pm
Taste of Old Town North
This beloved neighborhood event takes place in Montgomery Park and features the opportunity to sample small bites from many of the wonderful restaurants in Old Town North, live music, and more.
Saturday, September 19th
Chalk-A-Block
Don’t miss OTNA’s signature event, Chalk-A-Block, on Saturday, September 19th (rain date - Sunday, September 20th). Chalk art, live music, and fun for the whole family!
Neighborhood Notes
Memorial in Rivergate City Park
Earlier this week, the City of Alexandria unveiled a memorial in Rivergate City Park dedicated to the memory of the 67 lives lost in the tragic midair collision of American Airlines Flight 5342 and U.S. Army Black Hawk PAT 25 over the Potomac River on January 29, 2025. The memorial was designed in partnership with the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives and is intended to create a place for “reflection, remembrance, and reflection.”
Don’t miss your chance to vote for Alexandria and Hotel AKA Alexandria in Conde Nast Traveler’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards. Voting is open through June 30th.
To vote for Alexandria in the “Cities” category or Hotel AKA in the “Hotels” category, click here.
OTNA Business Members, be sure to take advantage of the free resources provided by the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership.
For more information about upcoming workshop and training opportunities offered by AEDP, visit:
https://alexandriaecon.org/small-business/small-business-programs/
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. 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.