Alexandria Memorial Gardens

With Memorial Day in the rear-view mirror, summer is coming in hot. Each year, summer in Alexandria brings a collection of fun events, from recurring annual hallmarks like America and Alexandria’s joint birthday celebration in July, to first-time events like the Carlyle Block Party.Get ready to mark your calendars, because whether you’re looking to soak up the sun, stay active or sample drinks throughout the city, Alexandria has you covered. Below are some can’t-miss summer spotlights, but there are numerous other one-time and ongoing events taking place throughout the summer, including outdoor movie screenings, First Thursdays in Del Ray and more. Keep up with our calendar each week for a list of upcoming events.Portside in Old TownCelebrate the newly opened Waterfront Park with the Portside in Old Town Summer Festival. Portside in Old Town is a free programming series that aims to draw people to the new park at the foot of King Street, according to Visit Alexandria. The series kicked off this past fall with the first Portside in Old Town Festival on the waterfront, but because of flooding along the waterfront, the event took place before the new park was completed.img class="wp-image-54075 size-medium" src="https://alextimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/xMirror_Mirror_396_CREDIT_Photography_by_Alan_Tansey_detail-300x200.jpg.pagespeed.ic.qzCm05-qKG.jpg" alt width="300" height="200" srcset="https://alextimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/xMirror_Mirror_396_CREDIT_Photography_by_Alan_Tansey_detail-300x200.jpg.pagespeed.ic.qzCm05-qKG.jpg 300w, https://alextimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/xMirror_Mirror_396...

Starting Memorial Day, the city plans to offer visitors special discounted hotel packages as a part of their, “Love your Summer in Alexandria” initiative, making it one of the most affordable places to visit this season. The Kimpton Lorien Hotel & Spa, for example, will have reasonably priced rooms featuring five-star service, great amenities, and the best location on King St. Only minutes away from Washington DC, this city boasts a historical past that dates as far back as the birth of America. With a thriving independent food scene, well-preserved historic architecture and charming coastline, Alexandria is the perfect choice for a weekend getaway this summer.Explore King StreetStroll down the main road, King St, where you’ll be greeted with charming cobblestone sidewalks lined with everything from historical row houses to local restaurants and plenty of unique boutiques. Amongst the many independently owned boutiques you’ll find affordable consignment shops such as Mint Condition, quirky stationary stores like the Penny Post and quaint coffee shops, where at Killer ESP you can find locals hanging on a Sunday. On weekends, you can find one of the oldest farmers markets in the nation at Market Square, in front of City Hall, where local vendors have everything from fresh fruits and produce to artisan pastries and, of course, fresh coffee. Even president Washington shopped and sold his produce here back in the day making it founding father approved.Visit The WaterfrontAfter walking down King Street, you’ll inevitably find yourself at Waterfront Park. From there, we suggest you head north and mosey on down the boardwalk where you can find great restaurants, river cruises, and the fun and eclectic local art studios at The Torpedo Factory Art Center. After meeting a few local artists, you can take a ferry to DC and soak in our nation’s greatest national monuments via boat. Past the boardwalk, you’ll find Founders Park, where you’ll encounter plenty of locals enjoying a mid-day stroll, scooters for rent, and beautiful running views up and down the Potoma...

Calendar/. The deadline is noon on Friday. Photos/artwork encouraged.OngoingBand Members Needed. Join the Mount Vernon Community Band, a group of players who enjoy playing many styles of band music in a relaxed atmosphere. Rehearsals are Tuesdays 7:30-9:30 p.m. in the Mount Vernon High School Band Room, 8515 Old Mount Vernon Road. No auditions. All instruments needed. Contact Eric Leighty directly 703-768-4172 or visit www.mvbands.com/join-us/.Riding the Rainbow. Through June 30, gallery hours at Scope Gallery at 105 North Union St., ground floor Studio 19 of the Torpedo Factory Art Center. Blinding color and vivid mixes are in the glaring spotlight for the “Taste the Rainbow” tribute to LGBTQ Pride Month at the Torpedo Art Center’s Scope Gallery. Hues are huge as Ceramic Guild artists play with clay with an eye for celebratory color. Call Scope Gallery at 703-548-6288 or visit www.scopegallery.org.Art Exhibit: Landscape X3. Through June 30, gallery hours at Gallery 311 at the Torpedo Factory, 105 N. Union St., Studio 311. In a new exhibit at the Torpedo Factory, painters Ellen Delaney and Gale Wallar and photographer Jo Ann Tooley take on the traditional subject of landscapes. Delaney’s paintings consist of larger-than-life abstracts while Wallar’s work emphasizes a majestic topography with defined shapes and edges. Tooley’s black & white photographs strip nature of its color. Visit torpedofactory.org/partners/gallery-311/.Art Exhibit: “Art in Meditation – the Chakras.” Through June 30, gallery hours at Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Ave. “Art in Meditation – the Chakras” features area artists interpreting the chakra energies. The exhibit, juried by contemporary artist Jeff Erickson, will have an associated Art-To-Go marketplace and Well Ray June 22. Summer solstice reception Friday, June 21, 7-9 pm. Visit DelRayArtisans.org/exhibits.Art Exhibit: Notes of Color. Through July 21, gallery hours at the Athenaeum, 201 Prince St. The Washington Sculpture Group presents Notes of Color. Visit nvfaa.org or call 703-548-0035.4Living Legends of...