Strike Up the Band!
'Music Man' Dazzles at Arena Stage
Move over Robert Preston. There's a new band leader taking River City by storm in Meredith Willson's “The Music Man,” playing now at Arena Stage.
Gathering Highlights Waterfront
Annual Founders Park Community Association meeting attracts crowd.
Residents and concerned citizens gathered May 20 for the annual Founders Park Community association meeting to discuss issues affecting the park and the future of the Alexandria waterfront.
'Xanadu' Is Zany Spoof of the 1980s
Signature's production should not be missed.
Don't bother telling “Xanadu” that's it's based on one of the worst movies of all time. It's already in on the joke, reinventing itself as an outlandishly zany spoof of the 1980 movie about a muse descended on skates from Mount Olympus to inspire the creation of a roller disco in Venice, Calif.
LTA Cast Bids Adieu to “Witness for the Prosecution”
More than a few tears were shed as The Little Theatre of Alexandria continued its long tradition of hosting a closing night wrap party following the final performance of “Witness for the Prosecution.”
ACVA Hosts 3rd Annual Tourism and Marketing Summit
In celebration of National Travel and Tourism Week, the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association presented the third annual Alexandria Tourism Marketing Summit May 10 at the George Washington Masonic Memorial.
Designs Sought for Breast Cancer Walk T-Shirts
Calling all artists. The Alexandria Fire Department is seeking submissions for the logo for this year's pink breast cancer walk t-shirts which are worn by fire department personnel during October — the month of the City's Walk to Fight Breast Cancer.
All Aboard
Alexandria now home to historic Skipjack Minnie V.
The distinctive click of digital cameras filled the air as a crowd of onlookers gathered May 12 to capture the historic skipjack Minnie V. departing on its maiden voyage from the Alexandria City Dock.
'Cherish This Moment”
Tim Hightower returns to ASC awards dinner.
Redskins running back and 2004 Episcopal High School graduate Tim Hightower joined the Alexandria Sportsman's Club May 15 in honoring the city's top scholar athletes eight years after he himself was named athlete of the year by the club.
Don't Miss 'Lonely Planet' at MetroStage
Poignant AIDS play never mentions the word.
Like the American city where Steven Dietz's “Lonely Planet” takes place, the disease paralyzing the gay community with fear remains unnamed in the powerful and moving production of the award-winning work now playing at MetroStage in Alexandria.
Landmarks of Legacy
Walking tour celebrates women's history.
Ann McCarthy Ramsay. Hannah Jackson. Vola Lawson. Many women have left their mark on the City of Alexandria, some leaving the legacy of their stories to be remembered in the names of our streets or in our architecture.
Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive set for May 12.
The 20th annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive will take place Saturday, May 12, when postal workers in Alexandria will pick up donations of food items during the regular mail delivery schedule.
Spring2Action and They Did
5th annual initiative increases volunteerism, online giving to local nonprofits.
For four days, thousands of Alexandrians came together for the 5th Annual Spring for Alexandria, a citywide weekend of events that focuses on giving and service throughout the community.
Battle of the Bulge
Cook-Off weekend raises $130,000.
A sold out crowd of more than 500 descended on Alexandria's Birchmere Music Hall April 29 for the 10th anniversary of the 2012 Carpenter's Cook-Off, a friendly culinary competition to raise money for the programs of Carpenter's Shelter.
'Fair Winds and Following Seas'
ODBC holds 132nd flag raising.
The Old Dominion Boat Club welcomed members, guests and dignitaries to the foot of King Street May 6 for the 132nd annual flag raising ceremony, a yearly tradition of hoisting new flags to kick off the official start of a safe boating season.
Banana Tree 'Pops Up' in Del Ray
Former Old Town retailer joins online trend.
For 25 years, Monique Bergin ran the Banana Tree retail shop on King Street in Old Town. But last year, she closed the shop and converted to an online-only business.
2012 Athletes of the Year
Tim Hightower to keynote Sportsman's Club awards dinner May 15.
Washington Redskins running back Tim Hightower will be on hand as 25 of the city's best high school athletes are honored for their academic and athletic excellence at the 56th annual Alexandria Sportsman's Club Awards dinner May 15 at the Westin Carlyle Hotel.
Civil War Balloon Corps
Reenactors at Fort Ward Museum and Park portrayed the Union forces’ special military reconnaissance team, the Balloon Corps. The program on April 28 featured a reenactor portraying period aeronaut Thaddeus Lowe, and a partially inflated netted gas balloon.
Rebuilding Together Volunteers Help Homeowners in Need
The noise didn't seem to bother Rudy* as his Alexandria home of 30 years was overtaken by a team of volunteers who proceeded to plant, patch and paint their way through the Edison Street house as part of National Rebuilding Day April 28.
Recognizing Valor Award Winners
First responders from across the city were honored at the 26th annual Chamber of Commerce Public Safety Valor Awards ceremony at the Crown Plaza Hotel April 26.
Got Food?
Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive set for May 12.
The nation's largest single-day food drive will take place on Saturday, May 12, when postal workers in Alexandria will join others across the country in the 20th annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive.
Face of America Ride Honors Disabled Veterans
They came from across the country, gathering before dawn in the shadow of the Pentagon to begin a two-day journey to honor the sacrifices of America's wounded warriors and gain a better understanding of people with disabilities.
'Witness for the Prosecution' Opens at LTA
It's 1954 and Leonard Vole stands accused of the murder of a rich elderly woman whom he befriended. His wife's testimony could save him until she suddenly becomes a “Witness for the Prosecution” in the Agatha Christie thriller now playing at The Little Theatre of Alexandria.
Miracle Leagues Begins Second Season, Prepares for New Field
The Miracle League of Alexandria began its 2012 season April 22 with a ceremony at the Lee Center field that included the presentation of several checks that will help fund a new Miracle Field.
ACT To Kick Off Spring for Alexandria Events
Gala to honor Ticer, Ariail family.
John Porter thinks big. As this year's group of events collectively referred to as Spring for Alexandria draws near, Porter has set some lofty goals for the May 2 kick-off online giving event Spring2Action.
'God of Carnage' at Signature Theatre
It begins innocently enough: Two New York couples oozing affected politeness meet to discuss a playground scuffle between their sons. Painstakingly attentive to social niceties, they hope to talk things over in a calm, mature and rational way.
And Then there Was One
'Someone Who'll Watch Over Me' opens at Port City Playhouse.
It's been more than a quarter of a century since Irishman Brian Keenan, Englishman John McCarthy and American Terry Anderson were taken hostage in Beirut and held in a series of desolate cells throughout the city. Keenan was released after more than four years in captivity and went on to pen “An Evil Cradling,” a chilling account of his experience.
Applause in the Form of $1,500
First Night donates to school music programs.
First Night Alexandria's board of directors voted unanimously April 19 to make monetary contributions to the music programs at T.C. Williams High School and George Washington and Francis Hammond Middle Schools.
Chamber to Honor First Responders with Valor Awards April 26
There was no time for careful deliberation. The water was swiftly rising as an elderly driver was trapped inside a submerged vehicle at the intersection of Edsall Road and Winter View Drive during the flash flooding that devastated the region on Sept. 8, 2011. Unequipped for swift water rescue, Lt. Patrick Lyon and firefighters Michael Chandler, Louis Simpson and Joseph Porcelli from Ladder Truck 208 quickly assessed the situation.
Baseball Legend Frank Howard Visits Sportsman's Club
He took the field with the likes of Carl Furillo, Gil Hodges, Pee Wee Reese and Ray Campanella. But Frank Howard didn't just play with baseball's finest, he was one of them, winning National League Rookie of the Year honors in 1960 and appearing in four All Star games for the American League from 1968 to 1971. On April 17, the former Washington Senator and Los Angeles Dodger spoke at the Alexandria Sportsman's Club and recounted some of the most memorable moments of his career.
No Butts About It: Ramparts Shifts to “No Smoking” Policy
The gang of regulars at Ramparts had a friendly wager going: How long would it take Butch Shunk to return after his vow to never again set foot in the popular Alexandria watering hole after its sudden shift to a no smoking policy on Easter Sunday? Some said three months but in the end it only took three days for the loyal customer to be back in his customary place at the end of the bar.
“Be Careful! The Sharks Will Eat You”
A riveting saga of survival at MetroStage.
He was just 4 years old when his father hurriedly whisked him away one dark, moonless night into the unknown. For Jay Alvarez, the journey was profound and one he shares in a riveting performance of “Be Careful! The Sharks Will Eat You,” a one-man show written and performed by Alvarez chronicling his family's flight from Fidel Castro's Cuba in 1964.
City Wins Technology Solutions Award
PTI lauds email migration to cloud services.
The City of Alexandria, the first jurisdiction in the state to transition from on-premise enterprise messaging to cloud services, has been awarded the Technology Solutions Award for 2011-2012 by the Public Technology Institute.
Sportsman's Club to Host Frank Howard April 17
Washington baseball legend Frank Howard will be the guest speaker at the April 17 meeting of the Alexandria Sportsman's Club.
2012 Living Legends of Alexandria Honored
The 5th Annual Meet the Legends reception was held March 22 at the U.S. Patent and Trade Office where more than 300 people gathered to celebrate the 2012 Living Legends of Alexandria.
'The Rock Stars Of Alexandria'
Salute to Women Awards 2012.
The Alexandria Commission for Women held its 32nd annual Salute to Women Awards March 26 in a ceremony that honored 14 individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the community.
Spring Fever! in Alexandria
Record-breaking temperatures made it feel like Spring long before it became official March 21. And just as the blossoms all over town are breaking out of their winter hibernation, so are activities that make Alexandria come alive. From festivals to fairs, Little League games, theater classes and garden tours, Alexandria offers something for every form of Spring Fever.
Midori and Friends Visit T.C. Williams
It was the chance of a lifetime for members of the T.C. Williams High School youth orchestra as world-renown Midori spent March 27 coaching aspiring musicians as part the legendary violinist's week-long Orchestra Residencies Program.
Keepers of the Flame
SSA gala to honor family service legacies.
Pearl S. Buck once said that the test of a civilization is in the way that it cares for its helpless members. For Senior Services of Alexandria Executive Director Janet Barnett, the mission to help Alexandria care for some of the city's most vulnerable citizens is vital and will take center stage as the annual Generation to Generation Gala honors three families for their legacy of service.
'Brother Russia' Comes to Life at Signature Theater
Born in a remote Siberian village, he was raised impoverished and uneducated yet became powerful enough to infiltrate a Russian dynasty. Such was the journey of Grigori Rasputin, whose story is brought to life in the world premier musical of “Brother Russia,” now playing at Signature Theatre.
Rodriguez Wins 2011 Sullivan Award
Bishop Ireton grad named nation’s top amateur athlete
Army standout and 2008 Bishop Ireton graduate Andrew Rodriguez was named the winner of the 2011 James E. Sullivan Award in a ceremony held March 20 at the New York Athletic Club.
Rodriguez Wins 2011 Sullivan Award
Bishop Ireton grad named nation’s top amateur athlete.
Army standout and 2008 Bishop Ireton graduate Andrew Rodriguez was named the winner of the 2011 James E. Sullivan Award in a ceremony held March 20 at the New York Athletic Club.
'Hairspray' Leads LTA to 17 WATCH Awards
The Little Theatre of Alexandria was the big winner at this year's Washington Area Community Theatre Honors Awards (WATCH), taking home 17 trophies at the March 11 ceremony at The Birchmere Music Hall in Alexandria.
Salvation Army Wins 'Battle of the Bells'
Red Kettle volunteers win new van for local corps.
It was a hard fought fight but in the end, it was the Alexandria Corps of the Salvation Army that emerged triumphant in the “Battle of the Bells,” a competition among 11 Washington regional corps to log the most volunteer hours during the 2011 Red Kettle Campaign. The prize: A new van for the victor.
Deputy Retires from U.S. Army Reserve
William L. Morgan served for 31 years.
Alexandria Sheriff's Deputy William L. Morgan retired from the U.S. Army Reserve earlier this month following a 31-year career.
Fairfax Honors Del Ray Resident
Willie Bailey recognized for 1,000 volunteer hours.
It was supposed to be a one-time event, a toy drive to help 50 struggling families in the Gum Springs community along the Route 1 corridor. But that was 15 years ago. Today, Capt. Willie Bailey's Firefighters and Friends annual toy drive serves more than 4,000 children in need throughout Northern Virginia.
Young Addresses WEBA Gathering
Focus is on West End development, issues.
City Manager and now West End resident Rashad Young was the featured guest at the West End Business Association's monthly Business Over Breakfast meeting March 7 at the Washington Suites Hotel.
George Mason Wins Healthy School Award
Marines make presentation.
A contingent of Marines from Quantico visited George Mason Elementary School March 1 to present the student body with the Marine Corps Marathon Healthy School Award for their record participation in the 2011 Healthy Kids Fun Run.
Rotary Hosts Study Exchange Team
South Korean group visits Alexandria.
The Rotary Club of Alexandria welcomed a Group Study Exchange (GSE) Team from Gwanjiu City, South Korea, to Northern Virginia March 6 as it hosted the five-person delegation at the organization's weekly luncheon prior to a private reception and performance of “Heaven Can Wait” at The Little Theatre of Alexandria.
Purl Jam
“Krunch Bunch” seniors knit hats for preschoolers.
A kaleidoscope of colors filled the room as 36 preschoolers from the Child and Family Network Center tried on hats knitted especially for them by the “Krunch Bunch,” a group of seniors from the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority.
Spell Check
Navigating the ABC's of Alexandria.
The acronyms run from ACBA to WEBA and represent various business associations from the waterfront to the West End. Whether new to the city or a long-time resident, the following is a primer that explains the ABC's of Alexandria.