Pink, Purpose, and New Friends: Women’s Crawl Comes to Old Town Saturday

ALEXANDRIA, VA—Your Saturday plans could involve a pink wig, a new friend, a little dancing, and possibly the chance to let out a very satisfying scream.

The Old Town Alexandria Women’s Crawl + Dance Party arrives Saturday, October 24, bringing women together for an afternoon that combines neighborhood restaurant hopping with a meaningful cause: helping people access breast cancer screening, diagnosis, and follow-up care.

Hosted by local psychologists Dr. Lauren Fisher and Dr. Eleni Boosalis of Del Ray Psych & Wellness and their Shrinks on Tap podcast, the event begins at 1 p.m. and moves through five Old Town restaurants before a closing dance party at Cooper Mill.

In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, 20 percent of ticket sales and all raffle sales will benefit Alexandria-based Breast Cancer Collective.

And if your friends are busy? The organizers are encouraging women to come on their own, too.

An Afternoon With Room to Let Loose

The crawl gives participants several ways to break the ice, from friendship bracelets and photo opportunities to activities built around reflection, connection, and a little silliness.

Vola’s Dockside Grill & Hi-Tide Lounge will host an intention-setting station and a welcome toast at 1:30 p.m. Daniel O’Connell’s Irish Restaurant & Bar will offer a release station—a symbolic opportunity to let go of something participants no longer want to carry.

Fish Market Restaurant, Urbano 116, and Chadwicks round out the restaurant stops, with food and drink specials available along the way.

There will also be a Power Pose photo station, an interactive art experience for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, giveaways, and a fundraising raffle.

Then comes one of the afternoon’s more unusual activities: a collective primal scream, scheduled for 5 p.m. Think of it as a guided, let-it-all-out group moment. Organizers pair it with a mind-body activity as part of the day’s wellness programming.

Pink clothing and accessories are encouraged. A pink wig or tutu would fit right in, but the invitation is ultimately about showing up and connecting.

Dancing for a Cause

Beginning at 5:30 p.m., the celebration moves to Cooper Mill, where DJ Thunder Bunny will provide the music for the After Glow Dance Party.

Admission to the dance party is included with a full crawl ticket, and a separate dance-only ticket is also advertised.

The fundraiser supports work that extends well beyond Saturday’s festivities. Through its Collective Care Program, Breast Cancer Collective helps uninsured and underinsured people obtain breast cancer screening and diagnostic services when cost or logistics stand in the way.

That work includes connecting people with imaging providers, coordinating appointments, supporting diagnostic testing, and helping patients navigate the next steps.

For participants, the afternoon offers a chance to spend time with friends and meet someone new. For the nonprofit, it is an opportunity to build support for neighbors who need help getting care.

From Del Ray to Old Town

Saturday’s event follows Women’s Crawls in Del Ray and Falls Church earlier this year.

Zebra readers may remember the March 7 Del Ray crawl, which supported the Alexandria Domestic Violence Safe House and introduced the mix of restaurant specials, wellness experiences, and shared celebration.

Fisher also brings years of experience organizing charitable community gatherings. Zebra has chronicled her work with Del Ray’s Candy Cane Bar Crawl and Bands & Brews, events that bring local restaurants, neighbors, and nonprofit organizations together.

The Old Town edition carries that spirit into a different neighborhood, with women’s health at the center of the day.

Whether you arrive with a group of longtime friends or decide to take a chance on an afternoon by yourself, Saturday offers a reason to put something enjoyable on the calendar—and help someone else in the process.