It's gonna be MAY
Welcome to a new week, and even a new month! Lots of fun things to do this week in Del Ray, VA, April 29-May 2, 2024.
Happy Monday! Welcome to a new week, and even a new month!
MAY is (almost) here! That means 1/3 of 2024 is in the books (does anyone else look at months as quarters or thirds of the year?).
And it looks like we’re jumping straight into 90-degree weather, apparently!😆
Who says weekdays can’t be fun? There's lots of good stuff to partake in this week.
Baby time
Wine tastings
Free meditation
First Thursday
more!
Let’s get to it.
– Rachel Turula, lover of all things Del Ray
Monday, April 29
Baby Time, Tabletops and Teens, and PAWS to Read
See below for detailed times | James M. Duncan Branch Library, 2501 Commonwealth Ave | 👶🏼 Kid-friendly
Baby Time | 10:15am-10:45am or 11:15am-11:45am
Crawl, scoot and wiggle to Baby Time! Fingerplay and songs for Ages 0-14 Months.
Tabletops and Teens | 5:00-7:00pm
Socialize and strategize with tabletop games. All materials provided. Ages 12-18.
PAWS to Read | 5:30-6:30pm (15 minute slots)
Have your 1st-6th grader practice reading with a friendly dog. Call the Children's Desk at (703)-746-1783 to register.
More
The Garden is open, 3pm-10pm at 1503 Mt Vernon Ave | 👶🏼🐶
Classics Book Club, discussing Middlemarch by George Eliot (first session, discussing the first half of the novel), 6-8pm at The Company of Books. More info.
Tuesday, April 30
Planet Wine Class — Aromatic White Grapes
6pm-7pm | Planet Wine, 2004 Mount Vernon Ave
Join Wine Director Erin Dudley for a seated wine tasting featuring six expressive aromatic white wines. Discover your next summer favorite! Tickets required.
More
Stories and Songs, 10:15-10:45am or 11:15-11:45am at the James M. Duncan Branch Library. Ages 0-5.👶🏼
Pre-K Story Time Courage Series - All Alexandria Reads: Lions, 4-4:30pm at the James M. Duncan Branch Library. Ages 3+ with a caregiver. More info. 👶🏼
Duncan and Dragons, 5-7:30pm at the James M. Duncan Branch Library. Ages 12-18. Registration required. More info.👶🏼
YA Book Club, All Alexandria Reads: Rust in the Root, 6-7pm at the James M. Duncan Branch Library. Ages 13+. More info.
Wednesday, May 1
Stracci Meet the Winemaker – Wine Tasting
5-7pm | Stracci, 106 Hume Ave
Pop by Stracci for their meet the Winemaker event with Francesco Bordini of Villa Papiano in Romagna, Italy.
Villa Papiano is a gorgeous and breathtaking place nestled amid the densely forested hills at the juncture of Romagna and Tuscany, but it's a little too far to travel on a Wednesday evening! Stracci is bringing a taste of Villa Papiano to you instead.
They’ll be offering a curated selection of Villa Papiano wines to taste as well as wine flights and wines by the glass to pair with Chef's appetizer and pizza specials for the week. Plus, you'll be able to purchase bottles of your favorites to take home.
No ticket required, just swing on by.
More
Monthly meditation: A free meditation class open to all levels, 7-8pm, online. More info + Zoom link.
Dungeons & Dragons night, 6:30-9pm at The Company of Books. Free. More info.
Registration deadline: Block Printing 2.0 Workshop: Beyond the Basics at Del Ray Artisans (May 4). More info.
Thursday, May 2
First Thursday! Dog Days
6pm to dusk | Along Mount Vernon Ave + Pat Miller Square
👶🏼 Kid-friendly | 🐶 Dog-friendly
It’s time for First Thursday – this month’s theme is Dog Days.
Bring your best four-legged friend out to the Avenue for a variety of canine-themed activities for dogs (and their humans!). The event is free and open to all.
Donations for the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria’s Pet Pantry are welcome and will be collected at the Pat Miller Neighborhood Square.
More
Toddler Rock N' Read, 10:15-10:45am or 11:15-11:45am at the James M. Duncan Branch Library. Ages 0-5. 👶🏼
Book discussion: The Honey Bus by Meredith May, 1:30-2:30pm at the James M. Duncan Branch Library. More info.
Nailed IT! Social group that focuses on nail painting and designs for members of the community, 4:30-5:30pm at the James M. Duncan Branch Library. More info.
The Inklings, Library Writing Group, 6-7pm at the James M. Duncan Branch Library. More info.
Nerdy Knotters: Knitting and crochet group 6-7pm at the James M. Duncan Branch Library. Ages 12+. More info.
Vasen Brewing Company, 6-8pm at Market 2 Market. Free. More info.
Not So Modern Jazz Quartet Plus, 6:30-8pm at St. Elmos. Free. More info.
Del Ray Artisans First Thursday Activity, 6:30-8pm (Gallery Open 12-9pm). More info.
AL STEWART with The Empty Pockets, 7:30pm at The Birchmere Music Hall, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave. More info.
Have an upcoming event to submit?
Hosting an event or activity, or know someone who is? Submit it here.
Weekend preview
Friday, May 3: “The Art of Tea” Exhibit Opening Reception, 7-9pm at the Del Ray Artisans Gallery. Free, donations appreciated. More info.
Saturday, May 4: Mother’s Day Popup by the Del Ray Business Association, 2-6pm at Pat Miller Square. More info. 👶🏼🐶
Saturday, May 4: Block Printing 2.0 Workshop: Beyond the Basics at Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 9am-noon. More info.
Saturday, May 4: Local Makers' and Artisans Market, noon-5pm at Port City Brewing. More info. 👶🏼🐶
Saturday, May 4: Music in the Garden w/ Alexandria's only public high school orchestra, 4pm at 65 Dale Street. More info.👶🏼
and lots more!
Spread joy
Do you know someone who'd love to discover fun things in Del Ray? Share this newsletter with them to spread the joy.
Weather
Monday
90 🌡️ 66 | 🌤️ | 6% | 💨 SSW 8 mph
Tuesday
88 🌡️ 67 | ⛅ | 21% | 💨 SW 12 mph
Wednesday
80 🌡️ 60 | 🌤️ | 24% | 💨 NNW 9 mph
Thursday
85 🌡️ 60 | 🌤️ | 6% | 💨 ESE 7 mph
Temperature readings taken from Alexandria, VA on weather.com the night before publication.
Community activities
We plan on organizing regular community meetups, book clubs, coffee gatherings, and more—perfect for getting to know your neighbors and making friends.
THANK YOU!
Thanks for reading Things to do, Del Ray! If you found something useful, please share it with your neighbor.
See you around the neighborhood,
Photo sources
Duncan Library website; Planet Wine eventbrite page; Stracci Instagram; Del Ray Business Association website