What a Week in OTN! CHALK-A-BLOCK, Banner Design Project Artist Announced, & Launch Event at The Satire!

 

CHALK-A-BLOCK!

Chalk art by Nicole von Kuhl (image courtesy of OTNA)

Thank you to everyone who joined us for CHALK-A-BLOCK last Saturday, September 19th at CURRENT TideLock (1055 N. Fairfax St.). We promised a transformation of the interior drive at CURRENT, and this talented group of artists delivered! 

Chalk art by Katie Jones (image courtesy of OTNA)

The Okays set the perfect tone filling the air with live music, and with an array of treats ranging from homemade Twix bars from Royal to truffled deviled eggs from Jula’s to hush puppies from Hank’s to custom lattes from Dream Chaser’s Coffee, and a fragrant DIY pickle bar from The Spicy Grasshopper, it truly was a feast for the senses! 

CHALK-A-BLOCK attendees browse food and drink offerings (image courtesy of OTNA)

Special CHALK-A-BLOCK menu from Dream Chaser’s Coffee (image courtesy of OTNA)

 

Ceramic pumpkins and ghosts from Stephen Lally Pottery, special seasonings and spice blends from Apothecary Spices, custom handmade accessories from Divine Creations by Diany, and fun fidgets, keychains, and other collectibles from 3DPrintz4You rounded out the offerings on a beautiful day in Old Town North.

Eddie Gonzales of Apothecary Spices (image courtesy of OTNA)

OTNA Member Sue Walia (an OTN resident) joined us again this year and contributed a vibrant “Fire Horse” in recognition that 2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse in the Chinese Zodiac.

Chalk art by Sue Walia (image courtesy of OTNA)

Artist Tammy Barnes Selected for Banner Design Project

As we announced at CHALK-A-BLOCK, the results of the community vote for the Banner Design Project are in! Congratulations to artist Tammy Barnes, who has been selected to design banners for the Old Town North Arts & Cultural District. Thank you for your input! 

From Left to Right: The Art League’s Suzanne Bethel, OTNA President Ryan Whitaker, “Best in Show” winner Jacelyn Orellana, Mayor Alyia Gaskins and son, artist Tammy Barnes, “People’s Choice” winner Anila Angjeli, and “Youth Award” winner Nandini Kirwin (image courtesy of OTNA)

CHALK-A-BLOCK 2026 Awards

 

Thanks again to our judges’ panel: Mayor Alyia Gaskins, The Art League’s Suzanne Bethel, and OTNA President Ryan Whitaker. Congratulations to “Best in Show” winner, Jacelyn Orellana (selected by our judges’ panel); “People’s Choice Award” Winner, Anila Angjeli (selected by the community), and Youth Award winner Nandini Kirwin (selected by the judges’ panel). 

Chalk art by “Best in Show” winner Jacelyn Orellana (image courtesy of OTNA)

Chalk art by “People’s Choice” winner Anila Angjeli (image courtesy of OTNA)

Chalk art by “Youth Award” winner Nandini Kirwin (image courtesy of OTNA)

Thanks to everyone for making CHALK-A-BLOCK 2026 such a special event! You can see more scenes from CHALK-A-BLOCK on our instagram page, @otnalliance. We can’t wait for CHALK-A-BLOCK 2027…

Chalk art by Patrick Kirwin (image courtesy of OTNA)

Online "Old Town North Merch Shop" Now Open!

From left to right: OTNA Executive Director Sarah Almy, OTNA Secretary/Treasurer Beth Lawton of Made in ALX, OTNA Board Member Ania Zownir of The Satire, Beth’s daughter Annie, at Chalk-A-Block (image courtesy of OTNA)

f you stopped by to see us at CHALK-A-BLOCK or The Taste of Old Town North, you had a chance to preview samples of some of the items for sale in our new Old Town North Online Merch Shop. 

Check out the online shop here to pick up some gear and show off your neighborhood pride. Customize your look with a wide variety of colors to choose from for t-shirts, sweatshirts, and hats! Proceeds will support OTNA and our work in the neighborhood, including hosting great community events like Chalk-A-Block. Thank you for your support!

Official Launch of The Satire

A hostess wearing a skirt of champagne flutes greets guests at The Satire launch party (image courtesy of OTNA)

Last night, on a beautiful evening in Old Town North, The Satire (625 First St.), a Marriott Autograph Collection Hotel, held its official launch party. The elegant reception started in The Wise Fool (formerly a.lounge+bar) and moved up to the rooftop terrace where guests were greeted by a hostess wearing a skirt full of champagne flutes, cocktails and a delicious menu of small bites, live violin music, and even a poet writing live poems for guests on the spot. 

Live poetry writing at The Satire launch party (image courtesy of OTNA)

If you haven’t visited The Satire yet to see its chic interior, including the ethereal mamacloud light fixture designed by Frank Gehry that hovers over the bar in The Wise Fool (formerly a.lounge+bar), now is the perfect time. Visit The Wise Fool for cocktails or dinner, take a seat on the inviting patio on First St. on one of these beautiful fall evenings, or enjoy one of The Satire’s newly added weekday events: 

  • 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), and 

  • Whiskey Tasting Tuesdays (three-whiskey tasting flights for $25).

The Satire’s inviting patio outside of The Wise Fool (625 First St.)(image courtesy of OTNA)

Coming up in Old Town North…

 

Friday, September 25th

 

  • Oktoberfest - Kick the Keg! at St. Elmo’s Old Town North (529 Montgomery St.), 5pm-8pm. Decide which brewery gets a permanent draft line at St. Elmo’s: Right Proper, Great Lakes, or Silver Branch.  Free to attend, but reserve your spot here.

 

Saturday, September 26th

 

  • Oktoberfest at Royal Restaurant! (730 N. Saint Asaph St.), 3pm. Celebrate on the beautiful all-season patio with festive fun including a costume contest, a classic Stein Holding Contest, German beer, German fare, and live music! SOLD OUT.

  • Carmen & The Firebird from Alexandria Symphony Orchestra at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall & Arts Center at 7:30pm. Tickets still available, click here.

 

 

Sunday, September 27th

 

  • Old Town North Farmer’s Market in Montgomery Park (901 N. Royal St.), 9am-1pm.

  • Carmen & The Firebird from Alexandria Symphony Orchestra at the George Washington Masonic Memorial at 3pm. SOLD OUT.

 

Monday, September 28th

 

 

Tuesday, September 29th

 

 

Wednesday, September 30th

 

  • Special Trash Clean-Up in Old Town North with Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail and the Old Town North Run Club (Montgomery Park - 901 N. Royal St.), 6pm. Clean-Up from 6pm-6:45pm followed by a 3 mile run, walk, or scooter on the trail at 7pm. Kid-friendly event. Register here.

 

Have a wonderful weekend!

Chalk art by Munro Provine (image courtesy of OTNA)

Linda Vitello