Dinner Club
Who's in? Plus lots of fun things to do in Del Ray, Alexandria this week
Hi friend,
Happy Monday, welcome to August!
Last week, we chatted about events. I asked:
“In terms of Del Ray’s events scene, are there any types of events you’d be interested in seeing more of?”
Here’s what you said:
24% — Family-friendly events
31% — Adults-only events
25% — Activities — pickleball, walk, run
14% — Crafting + DIY
6% — Outings, winery/brewery, golf, hike
I am on it, my friends. And with that, I have an idea and a follow-up question:
There’s a neighborhood dinner movement I’ve been seeing in other local communities, and I think would be a total blast here.
We’d call it Alexandria Dinner Club: A dinner party for friends who haven’t met yet. You take a personality quiz and get matched with 5 compatible people to have dinner with. We handle the logistics, book the restaurant, and reveal it the morning of. Then you enjoy a great meal and meaningful conversation with new friends. You in?
Let me know your thoughts — if this gets approved, I’ll make it happen.
Email me if you have any further thoughts or want to get involved.
On that note, let’s dive into this week’s events and activities. Choose a couple that catch your eye. Try something new. Support a business you haven’t been to before. And have a wonderful week, my friends!
– Rachel Turula
Publisher, Things to do: Del Ray, VA
Monday, August 3
Monday Morning Coffee, 9am-11am at Rosemont Cellar, 2 E Walnut St.
Enjoy a slow, cozy start to the week with coffee and community at Rosemont Cellar. Each Monday includes a complimentary small cookie from Common Hearth Bakery with any coffee purchase.Baby Time, 10:15am-10:45am and 11:15am-11:45am at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library, 2501 Commonwealth Ave.
Wiggle, scoot and sing during finger-play and songs for babies ages 0-14 months. Two sessions are offered with separate start times.Sensory Story Time, 4pm-5pm at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library, 2501 Commonwealth Ave.
An interactive story time for ages 2-8, designed for children of all abilities including those with sensory needs. Songs, movement, and storytelling are included.Pour House Trivia, 7pm-9pm at Del Ray Public House, 2218 Mt Vernon Ave.
Enjoy a fun night of Pour House Trivia at Del Ray Public House every Monday. Test your knowledge and compete for prizes in this lively weekly event.Graham Nash, 7:30pm at The Birchmere, 3701 Mt Vernon Ave.
Legendary singer-songwriter Graham Nash performs at the Birchmere, drawing on his catalog from the Hollies, CSNY, and his solo career.
Tuesday, August 4
Duncan and Dragons, 5pm-7pm at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library, 2501 Commonwealth Ave.
Teen Dungeons & Dragons sessions at the Duncan Branch Library, open to ages 13-18. All materials are provided.National Night Out, 5pm-8pm at Pat Miller Square, Mt Vernon Ave & E Howell Ave.
Join neighbors for Del Ray’s annual National Night Out featuring free frozen custard from Dairy Godmother, free bike helmets for kids, a community dog walk, and local organizations.Kids Only D&D, 5:30pm-8:30pm at The Company of Books, 2200 Mt Vernon Ave.
Every other Tuesday, kids gather for Dungeons & Dragons at The Company of Books. New players are welcome with pre-made characters available, and one adult is required for every four kids under 12.Outdoor Live Music: Melissa Quinn Fox, 6pm-9pm at Lena’s Wood-Fired Pizza & Tap, 401 E Braddock Rd.
Enjoy live music on Tuesdays at Lena’s Beer Garden. The dog-friendly outdoor space features fans and umbrellas for summer comfort.Trivia Night, 7pm at Dive Bar Del Ray, 2312 Mt Vernon Ave.
Put your knowledge to the test during weekly trivia night with Geeks Who Drink. Expect wild questions, cold drinks, and plenty of neighborhood bragging rights.Tuesday Night Trivia, 7pm-9pm at Atlas Alexandria, 2429 Mandeville Ln.
Join Capital City Showcase for weekly trivia night with prizes and drink specials.Trivia Night, 7pm-9pm at The Garden, 1503 Mt Vernon Ave.
Gather your team and test your knowledge across a range of categories each week at The Garden.Graham Nash, 7:30pm at The Birchmere, 3701 Mt Vernon Ave.
Graham Nash returns for a second night at the Birchmere. His catalog spans decades of music from the Hollies, CSNY, and his solo recordings.
We <3 this community! Who’s not in here yet?
Help us spread the Del Ray love! Let’s get all our people in here. If this newsletter has helped you discover local events or feel more connected to Del Ray, could you please share it with a friend? That way, they can enjoy all the magic that Del Ray has to offer, too.
Wednesday, August 5
Kids Storytime & Craft, 11:30am-12:30pm at The Company of Books, 2200 Mt Vernon Ave.
Stop by for a book or two and a related craft. Ages 0-6, though all are welcome.Planet Wine Free Tasting, 5pm-8pm at Planet Wine, 2004 Mt Vernon Ave.
Enjoy tasting hand-picked wines in a fun and friendly atmosphere. Plus save 10% on bottles of the tasting wines to take home.Dungeons & Dragons, 6pm-9pm at The Company of Books, 2200 Mt Vernon Ave.
Join Dungeons & Dragons at The Company of Books every other Wednesday. New players are welcome, and if you don’t have a character ready, they have pre-made ones available.Line Dancing, 6:30pm-9:30pm at Lost Boy Cider, 317 Hooffs Run Dr.
Join this twice-monthly country line dancing night led by Lisa of Good Times Line Dancing, welcoming all skill levels for an energetic evening of boots, cider, and good vibes.Trivia Night, 6:30pm-8:30pm at Hops N Shine, 3410 Mt Vernon Ave.
Gather your team for an evening of trivia at Hops N Shine. Patio seating is available on weeknights.Bingo Night, 7pm-9pm at Atlas Alexandria, 2429 Mandeville Ln.
Join Capital City Showcase for a night of bingo with prizes every round, including an Atlas gift card for the final game. Grab a draft, order pizza from Andy’s, and settle in early since seating is first come, first served.Three Dog Night, 7:30pm at The Birchmere, 3701 Mt Vernon Ave.
Classic rock group Three Dog Night, known for “Joy to the World,” “Mama Told Me Not to Come,” and “Black and White,” performs at the Birchmere.
Advertise with us
Want to spread the word about your business to the Alexandria community? Reach out. We have a few advertising opportunities coming up and are happy to support our local businesses however we can.
Thursday, August 6
Stories and Songs, 10:15am-10:45am and 11:15am-11:45am at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library, 2501 Commonwealth Ave.
Stories and songs for ages 0-5, with open floor seating and limited chairs.Thursday Afternoon Book Discussion: Ghosts of Hiroshima, 1:30pm-2:30pm at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library, 2501 Commonwealth Ave.
Join fellow readers for coffee and conversation while discussing “Ghosts of Hiroshima” by Charles Pellegrino. A drop-in afternoon discussion at the Duncan Branch Library.Free Beer Tasting, 5pm-7pm at Market 2 Market, 116 E Del Ray Ave.
Enjoy beer tastings and browse craft beers and homemade sandwiches at this neighborhood bottle shop and deli.Live Music at Havana 151: Gigi MacLaughlin, 6pm-9pm at Lena’s Wood-Fired Pizza & Tap, 401 E Braddock Rd.
Gigi MacLaughlin brings her love of Brazilian and Pan-Latin music to the stage upstairs at Havana 151. Reservations are recommended.Trivia Night, 6:30pm-8:30pm at Hops N Shine, 3410 Mt Vernon Ave.
Join the neighborhood trivia night hosted by Pour House Trivia. Teams compete for prizes including gift cards and merch.Trivia Night, 7pm-9pm at Lost Boy Cider, 317 Hooffs Run Dr.
Test your knowledge during weekly trivia with prizes for top teams and plenty of cider on tap.Dave Hollister, 7:30pm at The Birchmere, 3701 Mt Vernon Ave.
R&B and gospel singer Dave Hollister, known for his work both solo and with Blackstreet, performs at the Birchmere. His catalog blends devotional gospel with smooth R&B.
Upcoming event: Bands & Brews
I’m thrilled to share that we, Things to do: Del Ray, VA, are the official media partner for this year’s Bands & Brews Bar Crawl! As a foodie and a live music lover, it’s one of my personal favorite events in Del Ray.
This year's fundraiser will benefit The Scholarship Fund of Alexandria, a local non-profit that assists students and their families by providing college and career advising and scholarship opportunities to more than 400 Alexandria City High School graduates each year.
Tickets are live now. Go ahead, grab yours, and look forward to a social, delicious Saturday in the neighborhood.
Some extra magic
I picked up fresh rhubarb at the grocery store the other day! Meaning, there’s still time to make this soft and tender Crumb-Topped Rhubarb Coffee Cake recipe.
Get organized for the fall with this weekly calendar pad that keeps everything visible at a glance. I like it for managing events, appointments, plans, and general to-dos. And there’s nothing like a physical planner.
I’m kind of in my button-down shirt era for both casual and work ‘fits. Loving this one with stripes, lots of color options.
Preparing for fall by pulling out these striped oversized sweaters. I have it in army green and apricot black already. Debating a third color…
Thinking about this new quarter zip sweater for Cole (husband) (currently 46% off).
For those who have a summer vacation coming up, a few items you may want for your packing list:
Mineral sunscreen. I’ve been buying kids sunscreen because it often has fewer chemicals in it, which is good for us all. And if you have kids, win-win to only buy one kind.
Beach visor and/or beach hat. To shade your beautiful face.
Shady Rays sunglasses. My husband introduced me to these. If you, like me, don’t want to worry about losing or breaking your sunglasses, I recommend these because they’ll replace them if you do.
Recent binge read: The Fine Art of Lying by Alexandra Andrews. Love, lust, art, passion, murder, mystery — what’s not to like! Next up: Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez. A lovely emotional rom-com.
Things that are free
If you liked this week’s newsletter, help spread the local love by liking it ❤️, restacking it, and sharing it. I appreciate you, thank you!
Weather
Monday
87 🌡️ 70 | ⛈️ | 54%
Tuesday
86 🌡️ 72 | ⛅ | 9%
Wednesday
89 🌡️ 75 | 🌧️ | 45%
Thursday
94 🌡️ 76 | ⛈️ | 36%
Temperatures sourced from weather.com, updated the night before publication.
THANK YOU!
Thank you for being part of the Things to do Del Ray, VA community! Share this with a neighbor who can talk to anyone!
See you around the neighborhood,
