Happy Birthday week, America
What to do in Del Ray, VA this week: July 1-4, 2024.
Happy Monday, neighbor!
Can you believe it’s already July? We’re diving into the heart of summer, and there’s no better time to soak up all the amazing activities our vibrant community has to offer. From festive 4th of July celebrations to local events, there are plenty of fun things to do.
July 1st—today—marks the start of the second half of the year (H2!), and it’s a great time to set new goals, enjoy the warm weather, and make the most of these long summer days.
Here’s what we’ve got this week:
🧘♀️ Yoga & meditation
🧒 Kid-friendly activities
🍷 Wine & beer tastings
🇺🇸 4th of July festivities
And more!
Thank you for being here. Let’s dive into another exciting week!
– Rachel Turula, lover of all things Del Ray
P.S. If you enjoy this newsletter, may I ask you to share it with your neighbors? I’d love your help growing our community!
Monday, July 1
Baby time, 10:15am-10:45am and 11:15am-11:45am at the James M. Duncan Branch Library, 2501 Commonwealth Ave.
Wiggle, scoot and sing at Baby Time! Fingerplay and songs for kids ages 0-14 months. 👶🏼Secret Stash, 3pm-9:30pm at Hops N Shine, 3410 Mt Vernon Ave.
Join Hops N Shine every Monday for Secret Stash Mondays. They’ll be pulling a special bottle out of their “secret stash” and sharing it at a discounted rate. This week’s pour is Four Branches Bourbon. 1 pour per person, first come, first served!Tabletop Games for Teens, 5pm-7pm at the James M. Duncan Branch Library, 2501 Commonwealth Ave.
Where teens can socialize, strategize and learn tabletop games. All materials will be provided. Ages 12-18. 👶🏼
Tuesday, July 2
Stories & Songs, 10:15am-10:45am or 11:15am-11:45am at the James M. Duncan Branch Library, 2501 Commonwealth Ave.
Clap and cheer summer is here for Stories and Songs! Perfect for toddlers and siblings. Come enjoy the fingerplay, songs and story-telling with us. Ages 0-5. 👶🏼Wings & Whiskey, 3pm-9:30pm at Hops N Shine, 3410 Mt Vernon Ave.
Wings & Whiskey, what a great combination! Hops N Shine decided to celebrate both every Tuesday from 3pm-9:30pm. 16 Wings for $20! Top Shelf doubles $5 off! You cannot go wrong with that deal.Duncan and Dragons, 5pm-7:30pm at the James M. Duncan Branch Library, 2501 Commonwealth Ave.
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 South Africa, Seated Wine Class, 6pm-7pm at Planet Wine Shop, 2004 Mt Vernon Ave.
South Africa, the sixth-largest wine exporter globally, offers mineral-rich, elegant wines with a focus on sustainability. Join Planet Wine for a casual seated wine class with Wine Director Erin Dudley. Learn about the history, regions, and styles of South African wines while tasting six fine selections paired with artisanal cheese. Enjoy discounts on bottle purchases of the wines tasted. Tickets are $39. Buy yours here.Life Drawing Session – Gesture and Short Pose, 7pm-9pm at Del Ray Artisans, 2704 Mt Vernon Ave.
Drop in on two select Tuesday evenings each month at the gallery for life drawing. Bring your supplies to sketch or paint a nude model, with traditional media like pencils, charcoal, pastels, watercolor, and ink welcome. The session includes dynamic gesture poses and detailed 20-minute poses. Fees are $8 for Del Ray Artisans members and $10 for non-members; register ahead or pay at the gallery.
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Wednesday, July 3
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 Branch Library, 2501 Commonwealth Ave. 👶🏼
The Spitfire Club is an after-school book club celebrating diverse, strong female protagonists in children's literature. It enhances literacy and social-emotional skills, fostering a love for reading and self-confidence. Each week, girls track their reading progress with a log. For more info, contact Kayla at kpayne@alexlibraryva.org. No registration required.Greek Demokracy Wine Tasting, 5pm-8pm at Planet Wine Shop, 2004 Mt Vernon Ave.
A fourth of July nod to the Greek sippy states that first kindled the flame of precious democracy. 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.Game Night, 6pm-9pm at The Company of Books, 2200 Mt Vernon Ave.
Every other Wednesday is Games Night at The Company of Books. New players are always welcome. Bring your favorite game or play one of theirs—they’ve played classics like Scrabble and Clue, as well as newer, complex games like Wingspan and Betrayal at House on the Hill.Cool Yoga, 6:30pm-7:30pm in the Wellness Junction Del Ray parking lot, 1900 Mt. Vernon Avenue (Corner of E. Bellefonte).
Summer means free cool yoga time! Enjoy free outdoor yoga at the Wellness Junction Del Ray parking lot every Wednesday from June 19 to August 21. After class, cool off with treats at the Cool Yoga After Party. Grab your mat and join in! Free cool yoga is sponsored by Wellness Junction Del Ray and Yoga in Del Ray.Monthly Meditation, 7pm-8pm, online, through the Duncan Library
A free online meditation class open to all levels. Need some zen to help you wind down after a long day? Join in every first Wednesday of the month for a relaxing session led by David Kosar with Yoga in Daily Life. Follow this Zoom link to be let into the session.Wednesday Trivia Night, 7pm-10pm at Hops N Shine, 3410 Mt Vernon Ave.
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.Open Mic Night, 8:30pm-10pm at the No. 9 Lounge (upstairs at Evening Star), 2000 Mt Vernon Ave.
Join the No. 9 Lounge for Open Mic Night, hosted by The What-Have-You. This biweekly event is a casual, no-stress gathering for musicians, by musicians. The first Wednesday of the month features an open "sing-what-you-will" platform. For this week, no theme other than being the night before a holiday. Sign-ups start at 8:00pm, and admission is free. Come join the fun!
Thursday, July 4
Happy Independence Day! Here are a few ways to celebrate in and around Del Ray.
Pool time! Enjoy the day at one of Alexandria’s public pools. A couple options are the Warwick pool at 3301 Landover Street (open 10am-4:45pm today), Memorial pool at 901 Wythe Street (open 10am-4:45pm today), or even the Potomac Yard Interactive Fountain at 2501 Potomac Avenue (open 10am-9pm today). More Alexandria aquatics info.
An American Celebration, 9am-5pm at George Washington’s Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy.
Celebrate our nation's independence at the home of the father of our country.During this patriotic event, you’ll be able to watch made-for-daytime fireworks, and observe a moving ceremony in which people from across the world become U.S. citizens. See more info and buy tickets. Free admission for members.
National Independence Day Parade, 11:45am on Constitution Avenue from 7th to 17th Street in DC.
Historic Constitution Avenue and the Monuments in Washington, D.C. form the setting for America’s biggest and best Independence Day Parade. It kicks off on Constitution Avenue between 7th and 17th Streets. Can’t make it in person? You can also watch a full and uninterrupted recording of the parade on their YouTube channel. The recording will be available shortly after the completion of the parade.Free Beer Tasting, 6pm-8pm at Market 2 Market, 116 E Del Ray Ave.
Enjoy samplings of free beer while browsing the collection of craft beers and homemade sandwiches for a casual, delicious Thursday night.A Capitol Fourth Concert, 8pm-9:30pm at the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC.
This Independence Day concert, a tradition for decades, is broadcast live from the West Lawn of the United States Capitol. The lineup includes Smokey Robinson, Fantasia, Darren Criss, Alfonso Ribeiro, military bands, and more. It is free and open to the public. Gates will open at 3pm. You can also watch it on TV.Fireworks on the National Mall, 9:09pm on the National Mall in DC.
It’s the biggest holiday in the Nation’s Capital! The National Mall provides prime viewing for the annual fireworks display, which promises to be one of the most spectacular in recent memory.Open Mic Comedy Nights, 8:30pm-10:30pm at the No. 9 Lounge (upstairs at Evening Star), 2000 Mt Vernon Ave.
Calling all comedy lovers! Join the fun at open mic comedy nights in the No. 9 Lounge, where both novice and seasoned comedians are invited to perform their latest sets or workshop in front of a crowd. Save the date for the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month. Sign-ups start at 7:45pm, and there's no cover to perform or attend.
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Hosting an event or activity, or know someone who is? Submit it here.
Next up, the weekend
I’ll send you the full weekend roundup on Friday so you always know what’s happening.
Weather
Monday
82 🌡️ 63 | ☀️ | 2% | 💨 N 14 mph
Tuesday
86 🌡️ 65 | 🌤️ | 2% | 💨 E 8 mph
Wednesday
88 🌡️ 72 | 🌤️ | 6% | 💨 S 11 mph
Thursday
95 🌡️ 76 | 🌦️ | 76% | 💨 SSW 7 mph
Temperature readings taken from Alexandria, VA on weather.com the night before publication.
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