Concert For Ukraine Planned By Classical Movements In Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, VA — In response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Alexandria-based Classical Movements decided to hold its spring season opening performance in solidarity with Ukraine and support relief efforts.

Classical Movements will bring back its concert series at the Rectory at 711 Princess Street this spring season. The spring season opener on March 22 will be the Concert for Ukraine with shows at 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Concert for Ukraine will feature musicians from the National Symphony and the Washington National Opera/Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra. Featured performers include Ukrainian violinist Zino Bogachek and violinist Natasha Bogachek, violist Eric DeWaardt, and cellist Loewi Lin. A portion of proceeds from ticket sales and additional donations will be provided to relief organizations helping people and refugees from Ukraine.

After the COVID-19 pandemic halted performances, Classical Movements first brought back classical music in June 2020 and held 40 concerts through the summer series "Sounds of Hope & Harmony" and the autumn and winter series "Sounds of Joy & Light." In 2021, the organization received approval from Alexandria City Council for a 40-concert series. Alexandria City Council gave renewed approval for a concert series in 2022 with conditions due to the proximity of performances to residential properties. Under the revised noise ordinance approved in December 2021, the maximum noise limit for Classical Movements would be 65 dB(a) at its property lines.

Classical Movements was previously limited to 50 outdoor seats, which led it to turn attendees away or give them only standing room during sold-out shows, according to a news release. With expanded audience capacity approved, Classical Movements plans to accommodate more attendees and expand its ticket donation programs for disabled veterans, families of fallen soldiers, first responders, and underprivileged children. In 2021, the concert series had offered discounted or free tickets to first responders, foster children, low-income residents and the families of deceased veterans.

City Council's approval limits Classical Movements' outdoor entertainment hours to 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Another condition calls for Classical Movements to submit a noise mitigation plan if a violation is found with the city's noise code. A noise mitigation plan was last submitted in November 2021.

The 30-concert Secret Garden Concerts series will run through June 23. For more information and tickets, visit www.classicalmovements.com/secretgardenconcerts.