Live music in Alexandria, VA

At The Birchmere, Sierra Hull, a seven-time IBMA Mandolin Player of the Year and six-time Grammy nominee, takes the stage with the mastery that has made her a leading voice in bluegrass and Americana. Her latest release, A Tip Toe High Wire, is her first independent album and showcases her songwriting and instrumental finesse, with appearances by Béla Fleck, Tim O’Brien, and Aoife O’Donovan. The album has received four GRAMMY nominations and blends time-honored roots with fresh, inventive ideas. Hull has performed on NPR’s Tiny Desk and The Kelly Clarkson Show, shared stages with Alison Krauss, Eric Clapton, Sturgill Simpson, Slash, and Robert Randolph, and holds distinctions as the first female artist with a Gibson signature mandolin and as a Tennessee Governor’s Distinguished Arts Award recipient.

At The Birchmere, the Italian guitar quartet 40 Fingers showcases four guitars in tight interplay for a crossover program built on fingerstyle finesse, original arrangements, and vivid visual storytelling. Formed in 2017, the ensemble of Matteo Brenci, Emanuele Grafitti, Enrico Maria Milanesi, and Andrea Vittori has attracted a global audience with hundreds of millions of online views, including more than 120 million on YouTube. Their interpretation of Bohemian Rhapsody earned official praise and a share from Queen, boosting their worldwide profile. Collaborations have included Andrea Bocelli, Matteo Bocelli, Tory Kelly, and Andy Summers of The Police, with a fresh take on Bring On The Night among their notable projects.

Robin Trower performs at The Birchmere, drawing on a remarkable journey that spans more than six decades. After shaping the sound of Procol Harum in the 1960s, he became a solo force with 1974’s Bridge of Sighs and has explored wide-ranging collaborations, including time in supergroup projects. With No More Worlds To Conquer, he reflects on a lifetime of achievement while still reaching for new ideas in his playing and songwriting.

Country Dance Night at Ballston Quarter features a beginner-friendly lesson to start, followed by open social dancing. The lesson focuses on Country Swing or Two Step, and the social portion includes Country Swing, Two Step, El Paso, and line dances. No partner or prior dance experience is needed. A $15 cover includes both the lesson and the social dance. Parking options include an on-site paid garage and metered street parking. Proceeds support Inspira Dance and its work bringing high-quality dance programs to Title 1 public schools.

4th Street Underground returns to Westover Market Beer Garden with a varied mix of rock, rhythm, and blues. The Arlington band describes itself as upstart and rebellious. The performance runs for three hours, and there is no cover charge.

Eric Darius brings his high-energy, genre-blending contemporary jazz to The Birchmere, showcasing the virtuosity and stage presence that have made his shows known around the world. The American saxophonist, songwriter, producer, educator and performer fuses jazz with R&B, hip hop, funk and pop, highlighted by his Billboard Smooth Jazz chart-topping single Too Good 2 Let Go from a forthcoming album. With eight acclaimed albums, seven No. 1 singles and 20 Top 10 entries on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz chart, he continues to push the music forward. His credits include performances alongside Prince, Mary J. Blige, Jamie Foxx, David Foster, George Benson, Bob James, Wyclef Jean, Marcus Miller and Lalah Hathaway, television appearances on The X Factor and Mob City, leadership of his SagiDarius Music label, and hosting roles at major smooth jazz festivals. Honors from SESAC, the Citril Starz Awards, the Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival and Smooth Jazz Network reflect his impact across the genre.

Zouk and Lambada take the spotlight in the DC Metro area with a new monthly social from the team behind the Zouk Heat Festival. This multi-energy gathering blends high-octane and relaxed vibes in one space, inspired by the festival’s Fire Room and Chill Room concept. Each edition starts with a class led by a featured instructor, followed by a social set to dynamic music and a strongly connected dance floor that carries the signature Zouk Heat atmosphere. The event takes place at Inspira Dance inside Ballston Quarter. The setting is Metro accessible through a covered tunnel and is roughly 20 minutes from DC, with plenty of nearby restaurants and bars for easy pre-social meetups. Parking is straightforward. Street parking is available at no cost in the surrounding area, and the Ballston garage offers convenient access on level G3 with payment due upon arrival. Posted rates include 1 dollar for the first three hours, 3 dollars for four hours, and 5 dollars for five hours. This series runs monthly, sometimes once and sometimes twice. Ticket information will be released soon.

FFab & The Skulls brings an all-original rock show powered by bold guitar work, propulsive rhythms, and an onstage intensity tailored for a live crowd. The performance highlights the band’s own songs alongside reworked covers, celebrating the raw spirit of heavy rock. Expect a charged atmosphere where skilled live playing takes center stage. Admission is free.

Eric Roberson, a GRAMMY-nominated singer, songwriter, producer and Howard University alum, brings his trailblazing independent R&B and soul artistry to the stage. Celebrated by peers like DJ Jazzy Jeff as one of the standout talents of his era, he has written and produced for artists including Jill Scott, Musiq Soulchild, Dwele and Vivian Green, while leading sold-out tours of his own. With more than two decades of self-directed releases since 2001, he has built a 13-album catalog and often invites listeners into his creative world through The Process. The 2020 project Hear from Here was crafted in four weeks and offered messages of hope with tracks like Road to Recovery and Shining with Brian Courtney Wilson, while songs such as Omaha showcased his range. In 2021 he released the single Lessons, drawing on his marriage and the belief that patience through setbacks can shape the journey. His path also includes teaching at Berklee College of Music and earning honors that span two GRAMMY nominations, BETJ’s Underground Artist of the Year with Rahsaan Patterson, and a milestone BET Award nomination as an independent artist.

Capital Chill is back at The Renegade for a late-night performance packed with rock, alternative, and fan favorites that will keep the dance floor moving. A $5 cover applies.

Friday and Saturday feature weekly karaoke at Cuates Grill Alexandria in Old Town Alexandria. Admission is free and the event is family friendly. Choose from thousands of songs in English, Spanish, and other languages, with late night food and drinks available.

Eric Roberson performs at The Birchmere. The GRAMMY-nominated singer, songwriter and producer, and a Howard University alum, has been a leading voice for independent R&B and soul for more than two decades, writing and producing for artists including Jill Scott, Musiq Soulchild, Dwele and Vivian Green, and guiding nationwide tours that regularly sell out. His body of work continues to evolve, from a hopeful ten song project created in four weeks during 2020 to a reflective single released in 2021. He welcomes listeners into the creative process through a forum that lets fans hear and comment on songs as they take shape. Career highlights include multiple GRAMMY nominations, recognition from BET and a teaching role at Berklee College of Music. DJ Jazzy Jeff has praised him as one of the standout contemporary singer songwriters.