New Public Art Coming to Wythe St. Plaza, Alexandria Winter Restaurant Week, & Old Town North on TV!
Brio Sculpture to be Installed in Wythe Street Plaza
Brio sculpture by Jimilu Mason (image courtesy of City of Alexandria)
On Tuesday, January 20th, the Alexandria Commission for the Arts approved the recommendation of the Office of the Arts to relocate Jimilu Mason’s Brio sculpture (pictured above) to Wythe Street Plaza in Old Town North. The recommendation of the Office of the Arts was supported by a letter from the Old Town North Alliance.
“Brio” is an Italian word that means vivacity or vigor in style or performance. The bronze sculpture depicts a male dancer who stands atop a limestone pedestal. 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.
The Old Town North Arts & Cultural District is a fitting new home for Brio given the proximity of Wythe Street Plaza to the future homes of Arts Anchors MetroStage (at Venue) and CityDance (at 425 Montgomery Street). Moreover, Wythe Street Plaza sits directly on the route of the Old Town North Alliance Art and Culture Walk and Brio will be a great new addition to the 2026 edition of the Art and Culture Walk brochure (to be released later this year).
The map portion of the 2025 OTNA Art and Culture Walk brochure.
Brio will be added in at number 11 on the map.
Presently, the Brio sculpture is in storage, but the Office of the Arts is planning for a spring installation in Wythe Street Plaza. Stay tuned for details.
Visit Alexandria Presents: Alexandria Winter Restaurant Week
Friday, January 23rd - Sunday, February 1st
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to sample special deals and prix-fixe menus at these neighborhood favorites!
St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub - Old Town North
529 Montgomery St.
$12.99 combo meal including a sandwich, chips, and a canned drink.
Royal Restaurant
730 N. Saint Asaph St.
$35 per person for starter, main, and dessert.
To make a reservation, visit:
https://royalrestaurantva.com/
a.lounge+bar
625 First St.
$55 per person for starter, main, and dessert.
To make a reservation, visit:
Hank’s Oyster Bar
818 N. Saint Asaph St.
$55 per person for a first course, main, and dessert.
To make a reservation, visit:
https://hanksoysterbar.com/old-town/reservations/
Jula’s on the Potomac
44 Canal Center Plaza, Suite 401
$55 per person for a first course, second course, and third course.
To make a reservation, visit:
Old Town North on TV!
Congratulations to Salon deZEN for appearing in the final season of Queer Eye which was just released on Netflix. Salon deZEN is featured as a host salon on Episode 3, “Coming in Hot.”
Salon deZEN owner Maria Elizabeth (second from left) and her staff pose with Queer Eye’s Jonathan Van Ness in front of Salon deZEN (533 Montgomery St.)