Spring Member Happy Hour, 2025 Art and Culture Walk Brochure, & May Events Round Up
OTNA Spring Member Happy Hour and Release of 2025 OTNA Art and Culture Walk Brochure
OTNA President Ryan Whitaker addresses Members at the Spring Member Happy Hour at Jula’s on the Potomac (image courtesy of Samantha Delman)
On Wednesday, April 30th, Old Town Alliance Members gathered at Jula’s on the Potomac for our first Spring Member Happy Hour. It was a great opportunity for the Alliance to share what we have been working on, for Members to connect with one another, and for everyone to share ideas about the future of Old Town North.
At the Happy Hour, President Ryan Whitaker announced the publication of the 2025 Old Town North Alliance Art and Culture Walk Brochure. (Click on the underlined text to download your copy of the new brochure). The concept for the OTNA Art and Culture Walk was developed in partnership with Winstanley Architects. OTNA continues to advocate for public and private participation in developing and enhancing the Walk with new art and cultural offerings that can be enjoyed by the public. The brochure has been updated. OTNA continues to advocate for public and private participation in developing and enhancing the Walk with new art and cultural offerings that can be enjoyed by the public. The 2025 brochure has been updated with new art and cultural elements in the neighborhood including the Art League space at Muse, the Arizona Needle sculpture at The Oronoco, the Gallery @ Canal Center, the Efflorescence mural at the Torpedo Factory, and the new temporary art installation Break Water at Waterfront Park.
Thank you to our longtime Member, Jula’s on the Potomac, for hosting us for a lovely evening!
DEVELOPMENT UPDATES
May Meetings on HRP Group’s Potomac River Generating Station (PRGS) Redevelopment
HRP Group has announced May dates for a series of meetings regarding a “refresh” of their PRGS redevelopment in advance of submitting their next Development Special Use Permit (DSUP) submissions. These presentations will be focused on the residential buildings in Block B & C and on the publicly accessible open space. Follow-up meetings will be scheduled for June along with a virtual community meeting (dates TBD). The May meeting dates are as follows:
Urban Design Advisory Committee Serving Old Town North (UDAC)
Wednesday, May 7th
9am
Alexandria Park & Recreation Commission
Thursday, May 15th
7pm
https://www.alexandriava.gov/rpca/alexandria-park-and-recreation-commission
Alexandria Waterfront Commission
Tuesday, May 20th
7:30am
https://www.alexandriava.gov/rpca/alexandria-waterfront-commission
For more information about the PRGS redevelopment, visit:
May/June Meetings Set for Robinson Terminal North Redevelopment
Robinson Terminal North, a two-phase mixed-use project in Old Town North, is scheduled for a virtual community meeting on May 19th at 7pm. To join the hearing, visit: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89639053753 or join by phone at 301-715-8592.
The Webinar ID is 896 3905 3753. The Robinson Terminal North project is also scheduled for hearings before the Planning Commission on June 4th and before City Council on June 14th.
UPCOMING EVENTS IN AND AROUND OLD TOWN NORTH
Thursday, May 8th
Alexandria Economic Summit
The Westin Alexandria (400 Courthouse Square)
3pm - 7pm
Don’t miss this “important community conversation about Alexandria’s economic health and outlook” organized by the City of Alexandria and AEDP.
For more information and to register, visit:
https://www.alexandriava.gov/EconomicSummit
Sunday, May 11th
Mother’s Day Brunch in Old Town North
Hotel AKA’s a.lounge+bar
Image courtesy of Hotel AKA Alexandria
625 First St.
Celebrate Mother’s Day at Hotel AKA’s a.lounge+bar with a special Jazz Brunch featuring a seasonal menu including red velvet waffles, French crèpes, goat cheese salad, Edwards Ham Benedict, an indulgent oyster bar, and more. All diners will receive a complimentary amuse bouche and all mothers will receive a complimentary tulip.
To reserve a table, visit:
Royal Restaurant
Image courtesy of Royal Restaurant
730 N. St. Asaph St.
What better place to get Mother’s Day brunch than this Old Town North classic that serves all-day brunch? Treat Mom to Royal’s delicious brunch menu featuring favorites like thick-cut French Toast, oatmeal pancakes, chicken and waffles, and avocado toast. Top it all off with a special brunch cocktail or gather with your favorite moms and grandmothers and share an Aperol Spritz Punch Bowl!
To reserve a table, visit:
https://royalrestaurantva.com/
Jula’s on the Potomac
Short Rib Eggs Benedict at Jula’s on the Potomac (image courtesy of Jula’s on the Potomac)
44 Canal Center Plaza, Suite 401
If Mom prefers her brunch with waterfront views, reserve a table at Jula’s on the Potomac. Enjoy Jula’s wide-ranging menu featuring housemade biscuits, Short Rib Eggs Benedict, a lobster omelet, French Toast Bread Pudding, shrimp and grits, a crab cake sandwich, and much more.
To make a reservation, visit:
Sunday, May 11th
Bath Bombs with Mom! at Made in ALX
415 King St.
2pm
After brunch, do some crafting with Mom (or for Mom!) at Made in ALX or stop by the shop over the weekend to pick up a thoughtful Mother’s Day gift!
To register for the bath bomb workshop, visit:
Monday, May 12th and Tuesday, May 13th
MetroStage at the Lyceum Presents: A Roberta Flack Tribute Concert: Simply Roberta
Performers for Simply Roberta (image courtesy of MetroStage)
The Lyceum (201 S. Washington St.)
7pm
Join MetroStage for this tribute concert to the legendary Roberta Flack. Featuring Linda Harris with David Cole, Pete Frassrand, Emory Diggs, Manny Kellough (May 12th), Greg Holloway (May 13th), and special guest Steve Novosel. The May 12th show is sold out, but limited tickets are still available for May 13th.
To purchase tickets for May 13th, visit:
Saturday, May 17th
Made in ALX and Kismet Modern Indian Present:
Tavern Square Art Fair
Courtyard behind Made in ALX and Kismet Modern Indian
10am - 2pm
Enjoy live music and interactive activations with over a dozen artists including live portraits, face painting, cookie decorating, origami, a charm bar, and more! Participate in a community art project and enjoy pop-up activities organized by the Office of Historic Alexandria, Volunteer Alexandria, and Area 2 Farms.
For more information, visit:
https://www.madeinalx.com/s/stories/tavern-square-art-fair-may-17
Sunday, May 18th
6th Annual Old Town Festival of Speed & Style
One of the classic cars on display accompanied by models in the fashion show (image courtesy of the Old Town Festival of Speed & Style)
200 - 500 King St.
10am - 3pm
Explore a wide array of classic cars on the streets of Old Town. Enjoy live music and a special fashion show with outfits designed to complement the “elegance and character” of the vehicles.
Funds raised by the Festival are donated to Alexandria charities. This year’s event will benefit ALIVE!, Community Lodgings, and the National Breast Center Foundation.
Hotel AKA Alexandria is one of the Festival sponsors.
For more information, visit:
https://festivalofspeedandstyle.com/
Saturday, May 24th
Hotel AKA presents A Drag Brunch to Celebrate WorldPride
625 First St.
12pm - 3pm
Celebrate WorldPride in style at Hotel AKA Alexandria with a drag brunch fit for a queen! Hosted by Cake Pop!, with special guests Natalie Cole, Aquarius Moon, and Alexa Shontelle. Enjoy high-energy performances from showstopping queens, a brunch buffet featuring crispy chicken and waffle bits, shrimp frittata, pancake stacks, and more, plus special Pride-inspired cocktails and mimosas.
To purchase tickets, visit:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hotel-aka-alexandria-drag-brunch-tickets-1345497231439?aff=website
Wednesday, May 28th
Old Town North Alliance Night at Royal Restaurant (Open to All)
730 N. St. Asaph St.
4pm-10pm (dine anytime during these hours)
Dine at Royal Restaurant on Wednesday, May 28th anytime from 4pm - 10pm and support the Old Town North Alliance. Mention the Alliance to your server and 20% of your bill will be donated to the Alliance. Enjoy a delicious meal and connect with other Members and prospective Members who are invested in the implementation of the Arts & Cultural District and the future of Old Town North!
To make a reservation, visit:
https://royalrestaurantva.com/
NEIGHBORHOOD NOTES
From left to right: Cameron Taylor, Judd Isbell, Anna Cooper, and Austin Pursley of Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail (image courtesy of Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail)
Congratulations to Judd Isbell, Cameron Taylor, Anna Cooper, Austin Pursley, Maddy Sleeter, and Matt Gluth of Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail for receiving Presidential Service Awards at Volunteer Alexandria’s Volunteers are the Heart of Alexandria event last month. A special congratulations to Cameron Taylor for being recognized as Volunteer Coordinator of the Year.
Congratulations to Snaidero DC Metro for being named Best Kitchen Design Resource in Modern Luxury Interiors Best of Design Issue.
Check out the new Date Night on the Potomac offering at Jula’s on the Potomac. Enjoy a VIP table for two with a breathtaking view of the Potomac and a six-course tasting menu.
To reserve your spot, visit:
Congratulations to Hotel AKA Alexandria for earning a spot on the ballot for Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards!
To vote for Hotel AKA Alexandria, visit:
https://www.cntraveler.com/story/vote-readers-choice-awards
The City of Alexandria’s Beautification Commission is now accepting nominations for the Alexandria Beautification Awards. Nominations are due by June 15th. In 2024, Canal Center won a Community Beautification Award for their unique artwork and weekly community events. Consider nominating another Old Town North venue for 2025. Categories include: Residential, Excellence in Architecture, Community, and Commercial.
For more information and to make a nomination, visit:
https://survey.alexandriava.gov/s3/2025-Beautification-Award-Nominations
Don’t miss these regularly scheduled events in and around Old Town North!
Wine Wednesdays at St. Elmo’s Old Town North. The first Wednesday of every month from 5pm - 7pm. Sample a flight of wines from a different region each month. Follow their instagram (@stelmosoldtownnorth) for details.
Lalita Method Pilates Mat Classes on the Hotel AKA Terrace. Enjoy pilates outdoors on Saturday mornings and Monday evenings through June at Hotel AKA Alexandria (625 First St.). To reserve your spot, visit: https://lalitamethod.com/pages/reformer-pilates
Farmers Market on Thursdays (3pm -7pm) and Sundays (9am - 1pm). Presented by Old Town North Community Partnership in Montgomery Park.
Made in ALX classes. To register, visit: https://www.madeinalx.com/shop/classes-events/68