It's festival season again in RVA. And as we all know, Richmond always throws a good party. Our best annual festivals are able to transform its participants by escaping the familiar while engaging all the senses. Despite the pandemic, the show will go on in 2020 in new and interesting ways. Sure, it won’t be the same, but that’s the thing – the power of art is more important than where or how we see it.
Afrikana Film Festival
In 2014, Enjoli Moon launched the Afrikana Independent Film Festival, a Richmond based film festival dedicated to showcasing the cinematic works of people of color from around the world. Dedicated to using film as a catalyst for conversation and authentic connection, she has created a space that celebrates and elevates Black stories, Black voices, and Black lives. Starting today, Enjoli will kick off this year's Afrikana Independent Film Festival in a virtual format with a variety of short films, roundtable discussions, engaging dialogue, a sneak peak at VPM’s new documentary, and an opportunity to meet emerging and established filmmakers throughout the African diaspora. Richmonders can purchase tickets, watch films from the on-demand catalog, and join special events online over the next four days at afrikanafilmfestival.org. This year’s festival will also offer free Afrikana Interludes streamed live from The Valentine’s garden featuring music by Mighty Joshua (Thursday), Radio B x Michael Millions x The Queen's Cipher (Friday), Afrobeta (Saturday), and Chet and Christine (Sunday).
The popular ¿Qué Pasa? Festival is back again, this time taking place online, but with all the same opportunities from previous years to celebrate the food, art, music, and dance of Virginia’s Latin American community. Designed as a fully-digital interactive experience honoring Hispanic Heritage Month, ¿Qué Pasa? Festival will recreate the feeling of a street festival and take place from September 15 – October 15. Festival goers can visit QuePasaFestival.com every day during this time to enjoy a vibrant virtual space for free performances, demonstrations, tours, and conversations. The month-long celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month will culminate with a Virtual Hispanic Gala honoring Hispanic Bridge Builder Award recipients making a difference and building bridges to better the community. ¿Qué Pasa? Festival is organized and hosted by the Virginia Hispanic Chamber, which has worked for twenty years to create economic development and cross-cultural commerce opportunities between the Hispanic community and the community-at-large throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. The chamber’s goal is to use this year’s festival to help Hispanic and Latino led businesses stay afloat during the pandemic.
You can’t say festival in this town without automatically thinking of one the largest around, the Richmond Folk Festival. Now in its 16th year, the Richmond Folk Festival will once again bring the community together during the weekend of October 9-11 for a virtual event hosted through a series of special television programs, radio broadcasts, and online streaming. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy the Folk Festival site and adjoining grounds. From now until October 13, you can participate in the Folk Festival Scavenger Hunt that covers the grounds of the Folk Festival between Dominion Energy and the Manchester Bridges. Visit richmondfolkfestival.org/scavhuntintro to get started exploring the hills, steps and hidden surprises that you've likely never noticed during previous festivals. Along the way, the Richmond Folk Festival will share a few songs to enjoy and after a successful hunt you will be entered into a drawing for Folk Fest merch rewards.
These one-of-a-kind journals, sporting the Richmond flag, are the same ones being used in our creative writing and journaling project in the Here Weekly/Richmond Grid mailbox hidden in a secret spot in the James River Park System. The Dear Richmond journal was created for you to write a love letter to the city, a call to action, the words you need to hear, or as a place to document your journey. We loved them so much, we're making them available for journaling at home too!
Here’s to getting outside, masking up, and finding your flow in the River City. Read on for three quick tips to explore and celebrate this place we love to call home. See you out there ...
SUP Sunset Flow
Paddle out to the middle of the river with Liz Bowden, a yoga instructor with a twist, for a little floating meditation and Savasana while the sun sets on our gorgeous city. All levels are welcome. Whether you’re some kind of paddling maestro or a newbie, we can all appreciate a new perspective on RVA by taking it in by way of stand-up paddleboard. Liz offers Sunset Flow in collaboration with Waterfront, an urban outfitter located on Brown’s Island that provides everything you’ll need – from boards to lifejackets to Instagram-ready backdrops. But don’t concentrate on your phone too much, paddleboard yoga forces you to enjoy the moment. If your mind is elsewhere, you’ll take a dip. Classes are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays and they fill up fast, so make sure to hop on the waiting list if you can’t snag a spot initially.
Here Perk: After the class, tag us on your stand-up paddleboard and we’ll drop the first Here member to participate in SUP Sunset Flow a free Here Weekly t-shirt.
On Tuesday, September 15, join the fine folks from 5th Wall Theatre for their first edition of "Porch Plays.” Bring a mask, a chair, and perhaps your favorite refreshment for a theatrical performance enjoyed from a sidewalk in the Fan District or across the street at Lombardy Park. The 5th Wall, a local nonprofit, is on a mission to break the traditional social and theatrical boundaries by creating a “5th wall,” or another dimension, to the theatre experience. Sunday’s porch play will feature scenes from original works, including "Akeldama, A Quarantine Play," and more from local writers. This unique event is free to attend, but consider a small donation to help the 5th Wall Theatre continue to grow and develop new works and talent through readings, workshops, and productions that are relevant to our times.
Here Perk: The first Here member to email us to let us know how much they enjoyed Porch Plays scores one of our “Dear Richmond” journals (faux leather and etched with the City of Richmond flag) for your creative writing adventures. Who knows, maybe you’ll be the one to pen the next scene for 5th Wall.
As you bounce around town supporting your favorite local businesses this weekend, make a pitstop at The Jasper for its sidewalk lemonade stand. You can roll right up to this neighborhood cocktail bar for curbside pickup to include fresh-squeezed lemonade, adult lemonade, and a variety of bottled deliciousness. The Jasper’s cocktail menu and bar snacks rotate regularly, with special appearances from favorite local chefs as part of the “Friends and Family” series. The Jasper crew is regularly pairing new dishes and libations for your popup pleasure.
Here Perk: The first Here member to post a photo enjoying a lemonade or other tasty beverage from The Jasper will score one of Richmond Grid’s RVA cocktail glass collaborations with artist Hamilton Glass.
There's still time this summer for a road trip, with a twist. Whether you're seeking mountains or sea, Richmond sits in close proximity to some the best day trips in all the land. We recommend picking a spot with Richmond roots. To get you started, we've rounded up three unique destinations just out of town that were inspired by fellow Richmonders.
Windswept Experience & Supply Co.
Many Richmonders know Craig Dodson, the former executive director of Richmond Cycling Corps, for operating the nation’s only competitive cycling program for youth living in public housing and his dedication to breaking young people free from the cycle of systematic poverty. Today, Craig can be found in Irvington where he has channeled his love for bikes, adventure, and community into Windswept Experience & Supply Co. He recently revamped an old garage into a one-of-kind space for curated apparel, bicycle sales and rentals, bike service, paddle-board sales and rentals, long board skate sales, vintage accessories, and more. We recommend making the short drive from Richmond to check out Craig’s new venture, rent a bike or paddle board, and explore the bay, river and creeks. Irvington has two nationally recognized inns, beautiful creekside rentals, gorgeous sunsets, and some of the best eats around at nearby Adrift.
In 2015, Richmonders Ted and Katie Ukrop opened Quirk Hotel, a 74-room boutique hotel (plus art gallery, restaurant, and rooftop bar), in downtown Richmond in an Italian Renaissance building that once was a department store. Today, they’ve expanded their concept to Charlottesville, just an hour drive from RVA, where Quirk occupies a space built around two historic homes on West Main St in the downtown area. Just like the Richmond flagship, Quirk Charlottesville is styled in minimalist contemporary design and art from local artists can be easily spotted around the hotel’s pristine grounds. And like its sister property, the Cville version of Quirk boast an impressive rooftop bar and lounge. Not to mention an expansive barrel aged spirits bar, Bobboo, featuring private reserve and locally distilled whiskeys and spirits. Schedule a stay, stroll the nearby Downtown Mall, rent a kayak from Rivanna River Company, and get inspired at Ix Art Park.
Skip the crowded beaches and head straight to charming Cape Charles on the Eastern Shore where Richmond’s very own local entrepreneur David Gammino, along with co-owner Kathryn Gammino, has lovingly renovated a historic building within walking distance of Cape Charles Beach into what is today known as Hotel Cape Charles. Chesapeake-facing Cape Charles is ideal for those seeking a relaxed pace, small-town vibes, and coastal beauty. We suggest booking a room facing the courtyard at Gammino’s boutique hotel and renting an electric golf cart form the front desk (the entire town is golf cart friendly) right away! Once you’ve settled in, consider an eco-tour to the wildlife refuge just a few minutes away, grab some freshly baked goods and sandwiches to-go from Coastal Baking Co, or take your cart for a spin to Cape Charles Brewing Company where you can sit outside sipping on local brew while enjoying live music.
Represent Richmond when you're on the road with our comfy cotton t-shirt emblazoned with a hand-drawn design. Yes, that's Richmond's airport code. We consider this tee perfect attire for traveling over the holiday weekend or enjoying a lazy day off. Trust us — it's so super soft, you'll be wearing it everywhere.
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