VISUAL. INNOVATIVE. PROVOCATIVE.

VIP ALEXANDRIA MAGAZINE

VOLUME 5 • ISSUE 5

PUBLISHER | DESIGNER

KELLIE GUNDERMAN

EDITOR

CRYSTAL MOSSER ANDERSON

COPY EDITOR

ANDREW GATES

ACCOUNTS MANAGER

MEGAN CRESCIO

WRITERS

BRIAN ACTON • KATIE KISSAL

DAWN KLAVON • LIESEL SCHMIDT

VIP is not just an acronym anymore -- it has become our new mission statement. And you can expect us to start taking more risks with our content, using more resources to support local businesses and charities and taking our once small-scale publication to newer heights... and even deeper waters. So dive into the HOME + WATER issue, friends! Take a peek at what we've been working on and let us know what you'd like to see next. There's no wrong answer, no topic off limits or place we won't go to bring you the most exciting publication in Alexandria.

With love and excitement!

COVER PHOTOGRAPHER

JONATHAN THORPE

COVER MODEL

MESHELLE ARMSTRONG

EVENT PHOTOGRAPHER

LUCIA SMITH

DISTRIBUTION

TL DISTRIBUTIONS

Crystal Mosser Anderson Editor

Summer 2023

JUNE 15

The Chamber ALX's June After Hours

Frank Mann Field, 3700 Commonwealth Ave, 6pm

Join the Chamber ALX as they cheer on the Alexandria Aces, a collegiate summer leage baseball team entering 2023 as the reining Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League Champions. Register: www.thechamberalx.com

JUNE 15

Art Night in Old Town

Galactic Panther Art Gallery, 1303 King St., 5-8pm

Enjoy music by DJ Jah Messenger Sound during this unforgettable exhibit featuring "Benevolent Iron Thunder Mother." This exhibit represents a dozen local, national and interational contemporary visual artists.

JUNE 16-17

Portside Festival

Waterfront Park

This free festival features an array of live music, local craft beer from Port City Brewing Company and fun for the whole family on the Alexandria waterfront.

JUNE 17

Juneteenth Celebration

Carlyle House, 2-4pm

Discover the history of Juneteenth through hands-on activities, art, history, and poetry readings. Activities are part of the planned offerings for the day that marks the liberation of Black Americans on June 19, 1865. Register: www.thechamberalx.com

JUNE 18

Music Bingo @ Lost Boy Cider

Lost Boy Cider, 2-4pm

Who doesn’t love a good game of Bingo?! Grab some friends and play music bingo this month! Prizes include FREE cider or LBC schwag! Space is limited so please RSVP to let us know you’re coming.

RSVP: www.eventbrite.com

JUNE 19

Village Brauhaus Farewell Party

Village Brauhaus, 710 King St., 12pm

Village Brauhaus last day.. Farewell all day party. Specials all day. Village Brauhaus swag will be handed out. Plus enjoy gift cards and promos for the new Alexandria Bier Garden coming soon!

JUNE 21

Urbano Paint + Sip

Urbano, 116 King St., 6:30-8pm

A fun-filled evening of painting and sipping with a Mexican twist. Enjoy a complimentary margarita or cerveza, and a selection of delicious Mexicaninspired snacks. Artist will provide canvases, paint, brushes, and aprons. Register: www.eventbrite.com

JUNE 24

Kids Pizza Making Class

Lena's Wood-Fired Pizza & Tap, 10-11am

Let your child unleash their inner chef by creating their own personal pizza with Lena's Chef Kevin!

Register: www.eventbrite.com

JUNE 30 + JULY 1

Independence Fireworks Celebration at Mount Vernon

George Washington's Mount Vernon, 6-9:30pm

Relax and enjoy a patriotic evening that includes dazzling fireworks, musical performances, mansion tours, wreath layings, 18-century dancing & lawn games + more!

Tickets: www.mountvernon.org

JULY 4

An American Celebration at Mount Vernon

George Washington's Mount Vernon, 6-9:30PM

During this patriotic event you can meet George Washington, watch made-for-daytime fireworks, hear a musical perfroamnce by the National Concert Band, see 18-century magic + more!

Tickets: www.mountvernon.org

JULY 8

USA/Alexandria Birthday Celebration

100 Madison St., 6-9:45pm

The City of Alexandria will celebrate its 274th birthday while the United States celebrates its 247th birthday. Enjoy live music, local vendors, and a patriotic performance by the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra as you watch the grand finale fireworks display.

JULY 13

WEBA July Happy Hour

Bonefish Grill, 5920 Kingstowne Center, 5-7pm

Bring plenty of business cards! You will meet many new people and contacts during this Networking and Socializing opportunity. Enjoy two drink tickets, raffles and door prizes, reserved seating and free parking. Register: www.alexandriaweba.org

JULY 13

The Chamber ALX's Professional Women's Network July Coffee & Connections

The Landing, 8:30-9:30am

Enjoy morning networking and education that provides you with the opportunity to meet new people as well as receive a piece of professional development from an expert speaker.

Register: www.thechamberalx.com

JULY 15

Port City Old Town Pub Crawl

Various Locations, 1:30pm

The Port City Old Town Pub Crawl is back! The Pub Crawl is reverting to the original format; one day, one crawl, eight stops. Our team will be at local restaurants and bars, near the Alexandria waterfront, stamping pub crawl passes and handing out swag from 1:30-6:00pm. Register: www.portcitybrewing.com

JULY 20

The

Chamber ALX's

40 Under 40 Awards Celebration

American Physical Therapy Association, 3030 Potomac Ave., 6-8pm

The Alexandria Chamber of Commerce is excited to select its eight class of 40 Under 40 honorees. This event is a celebration of incredible individuals, their successes in various industries, and their impact on the thriving Alexandria community.

Register: www.thechamberalx.com

JULY 29

Beats, Bites and Brews

John Carlyle Square, 11am

A full day of outdoor entertainment, featuring food, music, cold beverages, shopping and more. Local bands, food vendors, wineries and breweries, as well as other local small businesses will be on site all for your enjoyment. Tasting will be provided by the wineries and breweries, and you can purchase the tickets on site from them directly. Admission is free, and this event is pet friendly and will occur rain or shine.

AUGUST 5-6

Tax Free Weekend

Various loations

AUGUST 12-13

Old Town Alexandria Sidewalk Sale

Various loations, 8am-5pm

SEPTEMBER 8-16

Old Town Cocktail Week

Various loations

OCTOBER 14-23

The 4th Annual Old Town Oyster Week

Various loations

George Washington's Mount Vernon recently hosted its most popular event of the year – The Spring Wine Festival & Sunset Tour. Guests were encouraged to bring blankets and relax on the east lawn, overlooking the Potomac River. Wines from Virginia wineries were available for sampling and live music by Bruce Ewan and the Solid Senders was performed.