Books, Bevvies, & Beats
What to do in Del Ray, VA this week: June 10-13, 2024.
Happy Monday, neighbor! I hope you had a fantastic weekend! The weather was so lovely—I enjoyed scooping up fresh strawberries and cherries at the Del Ray Farmers’ Market on Saturday and going for a long walk with my dog to the Old Town waterfront on Sunday.
What about you? What did you get up to?
If you missed last Friday’s newsletter, I missed you too! I had to take a quick moment to determine the best way forward to continue bringing you the very best of Del Ray every week.
I’m thrilled to share that the newsletter will remain free, always. I will be looking for sponsors to showcase local products and services you may be interested in. I promise to always tell you what is sponsored and to only partner with companies and brands I believe will bring you value.
You can also support Things to do Del Ray by buying us a coffee. There’s absolutely no pressure—I'm adding this option because some folks have asked how they can support the work it takes to put the newsletter together. #thisisdelray 🥹 Thank you. <3
Thank you for being here. Let’s dive into another exciting week!
📚 Book chats
🐉 DnD
🍻 Beer & wine tastings
🎶 Live music
And more!
Let’s get into it.
– Rachel Turula, lover of all things Del Ray
P.S. Scroll down for the last chance at the free cookie giveaway!🍪
Monday, June 10
Tabletop Games for Teens, 5pm-7pm at the James M. Duncan Branch Library.
Where teens can socialize, strategize and learn tabletop games. All materials will be provided. Ages 12-18. 👶🏼Book Chat, 6pm-8pm at The Company of Books.
A general get-together to talk about whatever books you’re currently reading, what books you’re looking forward to, or any other book-related topics that come up. Meet your neighbors and talk books!Friends of Duncan Library: Monthly Board Meeting, 7pm-8pm at the James M. Duncan Branch Library.
The Friends of Duncan Library host a monthly board meeting that is open to the public. If you are interested in joining the Friend's Board, volunteering with the Friends, or are just interested in learning more about what the Friends of Duncan do, feel free to join!
Tuesday, June 11
Mr. Gabe, 10:15am-11am or 11:15am-12pm at the James M. Duncan Branch Library.
Mr. Gabe has been delighting young audiences in the DC area for years with an interactive style of musical entertainment that inspires kids to move their bodies and use their brains. First come first served with open floor seating and limited chairs. Ages 0-8.👶🏼Duncan and Dragons, 5pm-7:30pm at the James M. Duncan Branch Library.
Introducing the community to D&D through introductory sessions, one-shots, and campaigns. Email Dungeon Master Josstin at jgogue@alexlibraryva.org if you're interested in joining. Ages 12-18. Registration required. 👶🏼Wines of Greece Wine Class, 6pm-7pm at Planet Wine Shop.
Wine Director Erin Dudley returns from a trip across Greece to share history, stories, and of course wine from great small-batch Greek producers. $39 tickets.Online Board of Directors Meeting, 7pm-9pm by Del Ray Artisans.
Active members are welcome to attend any Board meeting.
Giveaway time!
Melt-in-your-mouth chocolaty brownies, rainbow sugar cookies, oat monster Oreo cookies…
If you think these sound tasty, this week’s competition is for you!
I’m giving away a 6-pack of Fetching Goodies dessert bars (2 of each flavor). Even better? They’re all undetectably vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free, so you can enjoy them whether you are, or not.
To enter, simply refer a friend to The Things to Do Del Ray newsletter using the ‘Refer a friend’ button below. (It contains your personalized referral code.)
Once they’ve signed up, you’ll be entered. I’ll then pick a name at random and announce the winner in this Friday’s newsletter. Good luck! 🤞
Wednesday, June 12
Kids Storytime and Craft, 11:30am-12:30pm at The Company of Books.
Join local author Ganeya Gajaram for storytime! You’ll read a book or two for the first half hour, and then have a related craft afterward. 👶🏼Spitfire Book Club: Kindergarten - 3rd grade, 5pm-5:45pm at the James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library.
The Spitfire Club is an extracurricular book club built around a collection of children's literature featuring strong, diverse, female protagonists. Every week girls will get a reading log to take home and track the number of chapters they read, be sure to remind them to bring it back the next week! 👶🏼Rainbow Nation: South Africa Free Wine Tasting, 5pm-8pm | Planet Wine Shop
Referring to the multicultural project of South Africa, the “Rainbow Nation” also supports a wide spectrum of grapevines. Enjoy a relaxed and friendly atmosphere while you taste. Plus, take advantage of a 10% discount on any tasting bottles you’d love to take home.Hands-on Help: Instagram for Artists Follow-up (DRA Member Benefit), 6pm-9pm at Del Ray Artisans Gallery.
Following their May Members Benefit meeting which featured a tutorial on ‘Instagram for Artists’, DRA’s Technology Director, Dina Wise, will be holding ‘Instagram Office Hours’ for DRA members. Drop-in with specific questions about the app and/or to listen in on FAQs and walk-throughs!Dungeons & Dragons, 6:30pm-9pm at The Company of Books.
New players are welcome! Bring a character if you have one ready-made, or play one they’ve pre-created.Wednesday Trivia Night, 7pm-10pm at Hops N Shine.
Think you've got what it takes to be a trivia champion? Put your knowledge to the test at Wednesday Night Trivia! Swing by Hops N Shine for an evening filled with brain-teasing questions, friendly competition, and tons of fun!
Thursday, June 13
Toddler Rock N' Read, 10:15am-10:45am or 11:15am-11:45am at the James M. Duncan Branch Library.
Take a bite out of summer fun with Mr. Josstin at Toddler Rock N' Read. Great for toddlers and siblings. First come first served with open floor seating and limited chairs. Ages 0-5. 👶🏼Nerdy Knotters: Knitting and Crochet group, 6pm-7pm at the James M. Duncan Branch Library.
Both beginners and advanced fiber artists are welcome! Ages 12+. 👶🏼Duncan Literary Society, 7pm-9pm at Del Ray Boccato.
Join for an "anti-book club" where everyone will discuss what they’re currently reading while enjoying refreshments provided by Boccato. Just bring yourself, a book you've been reading, and prepare to discuss anything and everything literary! Register to save your seat and receive program updates.Great Lakes Free Beer Tasting, 6pm-8pm at Market 2 Market.
Enjoy samplings of free beer while browsing the collection of craft beers and homemade sandwiches for a casual, delicious Thursday night.Music on the Patio, 6pm-8pm at Rosemont Cellar.
A wonderful way to spend a summer evening. Join Rosemont Cellar every Thursday night for live music on the patio.Thursday Trivia Night, 7pm-10pm at Hops N Shine.
Test your trivia skills this Thursday at Hops N Shine. Gear up for an evening of brain-teasing questions, fantastic prizes, and lots of laughs.Inaugural Bluejacket Golf Pub Tour, Day 1, at Hi/Fi Tex-Mex BBQ (and other locations around the DMV).
Celebrate the 2024 U.S. Open Golf Championship and Father’s Day weekend with the inaugural Bluejacket Open pub golf tournament. Open to amateur and professional beer drinkers alike, this golf-themed craft beer tour will take place at 9 restaurants and bars across the DMV!
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Next up, the weekend
I’ll send you the full weekend roundup on Friday so you always know what’s happening.
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Weather
Monday
82 🌡️ 61 | 🌤️ | 3% | 💨 WNW 10 mph
Tuesday
78 🌡️ 60 | 🌤️ | 3% | 💨 NNW 7 mph
Wednesday
83 🌡️ 66 | 🌤️ | 4% | 💨 WSW 6 mph
Thursday
89 🌡️ 71 | ☀️ | 6% | 💨 SSW 8 mph
Temperature readings taken from Alexandria, VA on weather.com the night before publication.
THANK YOU!
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See you around the neighborhood,
We try to only include accurate information, but sometimes things can change. Everything included in the newsletter is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time the newsletter is sent out.