Date Social at Velocity 5 Friday

Date Social is having their first group dating event this Friday, June 21 at Velocity 5. At their social events 20 guys and 20 girls are split into groups of four each, and talk for 12 minutes and then rotate groups. At the end of the night each person can pick up to 5 people to be re-introduced via email the next day. The event starts at 7pm and you can sign up on Eventbrite here for $6.

Del Ray Music Festival June 22

Don't miss the Del Ray Music Festival this Saturday June 22, as its a free event from noon until 9pm and showcases many local bands. This is the seventh year the event has graced Alexandria, VA with the goal to "highlight, support, and showcase the local musical talent through a community event for families and children." The headliner for the event is Catie Curtis, with other bands on two stages including:
The Walkaways
The Highballers
Orchard Wall
The Beanstalk Library
Tiffany Thompson
The Weathervanes
Kate Moran Band
Elroy Jenkins
Rock of Ages student performances

The event offers food from local Del Ray restaurants and is family friendly with a moon bounce and games for kids. They are also partnered with the non-profit all-volunteer Guitars not Guns, which aims to use music to inspire at-risk and underprivileged youth by providing music education and mentoring opportunities.

The list of musicians and events is too long for here, so check out their Facebook, website or Twitter for more event information. Thanks to Kate Moran for organizing this, and if you want to volunteer you can sign up here.

Beanstalk Library at Iota Saturday

DC native band Beanstalk Library will be releasing their second album The View From Here next week and is celebrating with a performance at Iota Saturday. On June 15 the rock band will be joined on stage by Normal Rockwell at  9pm, with the $12 cover getting you in for both bands. Beanstalk Library has played in Clarendon many times before, and also alongside other local talents like Andy Zipf and Molly Hagen

Justin Trawick at Iota June 28

Local musician Justin Trawick just released a new music video for his song "Starting Over". Justin is not only very talented, but he keeps incredibly busy by playing with his own band and organizing the  9 Songwriter Series and the 9 Comedy Series that plays in Clarendon regularly. If you like what you see here, Justin Trawick and his band will be playing at Iota on June 28 along with Mission South. But Justin is sure to lend his talents on stage at the next 9 Songwriter Series show also at Iota on Tuesday, June 25.

Mad Rose Bachelorette party and Crittenton Services fundraiser

Mad Rose is hosting a Bachelorette viewing party this Monday June 9 at 7:30pm. They will be watching someone named Brian Jarosinski try to win someone named Desiree's heart on The Bachelorette season 9 finalie, a show I obviously do not watch. But I will be attending because the $5 donation at the door gets you access to wine and beer specials and goes directly to The Crittenton Services of Greater Washington, a charity that encourages teen girls to stay in school, avoid pregnancy, and graduate from high school.

Also in attendance will be Chris Bukowski, who was on the Bachelorette show previously and is opening a new bar in Clarendon soon called Bracket Room. Thanks to Social DC PR and The Madison for promoting the event.

The WeatherVanes at Iota Saturday

Local American band The WeatherVanes are playing at Iota Saturday, June 8 to celebrate the pre-release of their new album Long Way Down. The $12 cover also includes performances by Dean Fields and Norman Rockwell.

DC Music Download recommended the upcoming show because "the WeatherVanes and Norman Rockwell is like a match made in Americana heaven; these are two of the strongest bands playing in this space at the moment."

Bike to the Beach Autism awareness fundraiser at O'Sullivans

O'Sullivan's Cycling Team is participating in the annual fundraising bike ride to raise money for Autism awareness and research called Bike to the Beach. This is a 100 mile, one day century ride from DC to Dewey. O'Sullivan's Irish Pub has graciously agreed to not only sponsor the team, but also donate 20% of their net profits between 6 and 9pm on Thursday, July 11, 2013. 

Margot MacDonald speaks at TEDx Rosslyn

Local muscian Margot MacDonald will be one of 19 presenters at this Sunday's TEDx event in Rosslyn. TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading, and TEDx are locally organized events in the spirit of TED's mission. The topic of Sunday's talks is "Imagining the Future". Tickets were $45 and they have sold out quickly, but you can still watch it on livestream here.

Cancer Prevention happy hour fundraiser at Wilson Tavern

This Thursday June 6 Wilson Tavern is hosting a happy hour for a great cause from 5pm to 9pm. That night 10% of their bar and 100% of registration proceeds will go to the Prevent Cancer Foundation's fundraising efforts for the 5k Walk/Run in September. The evening includes extended happy hour specials and a pair of sourviegner sunglasses. Tickets are $8 online or $10 at the door. You can check out the event on Facebook for more information or donate directy to them here.

Velocity 5 closeout 80s party and fundraiser June 12

Next week on Wednesday June 12, Velocity 5 in Courthouse is throwing their last big party. Before the location becomes the German themed Social Haus, an 80's themed dance party is happening with music by the Screaming Monkeys. This combo event goes from 5:30 to 8:30pm and is both a throwback dance party and a networking event, featuring some free appetizers, drinks and valet for those who get there early. The event is free, but you can RSVP here.

The night will raise money for a local nonprofit FACETS, which operates in Fairfax to "end the cycle of poverty through education and counseling", by giving 20% of the bar proceeds to the charity. This is also the last event organized by HD Happy Hour, as have been acquired by the Washington Business Journal.