'Gee's Bend' Screening, Pumpkin Beer and Alex Vans

A look at the week ahead in and around Old Town:

Beautifying Alexandria — The city’s Beautification Commission hands out its annual awards recognizing residents, businesses and public-sector efforts to contribute to the beautification of their neighborhoods and public vistas with a ceremony at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 30 at the Little Theatre of Alexandria (600 Wolfe St.).

“The Quiltmakers of Gee's Bend”  — The Alexandria Black History Museum (902 Wythe St.) will host a free screening of “The Quiltmakers of Gee's Bend” at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 30 followed by a discussion with Metro Stage Producing Artist Director Carolyn Griffith and guests. The event is free and open to the public. The film runs 60 minutes. For more information, call 703-746-4356.

Autumn Fest — Pizzeria Paradiso will celebrate the season by filling all its draft lines with pumpkin beers, ciders and harvest ales at all three of its locations, including here in Old Town (124 King St.) beginning Tuesday, Oct. 1.

Alex Vans Duo — This two-piece takes the stage at The Light Horse (715 King St.) at 10 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 4. Check out some Alex Vans tunes on ReverbNation.

Planning Commission — Alexandria’s influential Planning Commission, which makes recommendations to City Council on special use permits, requests for vacations or encroachments of public right-of-ways, rezonings, master plan amendments and other requests, meets at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 2 at City Hall (301 King St.). The commission will consider applications to redevelop the Afghan Restaurant on Route 1 and the Travelodge on N. Washington Street as well as a request to add lights to the dog park at Simpson Stadium Park. Check out the meeting’s docket on the city’s website.