Sit back, you're in for a treat as Erin Frye takes over the guest editor spot this week. Erin is a local musician, yoga teacher in-training, and the Director of Programs and Outreach with CultureWorks. She is motivated by elevating people and communities. Her travels as a volunteer musician have spanned from Africa to Europe, and across North America. She is an RVA-based singer-songwriter, the founder of Gals for a Cause, and was a Teaching Artist/Performer in SPARC’s inclusive LIVE ART program for six years. She is a recent Honoree in Gallery 5’s Movers and Shakers Exhibit, an Honoree in JMU’s 100 Years, 100 Days, 100 Dukes ‘One World’ Program and was inducted into the JMU Alumni: ‘Be The Change’ Hall of Fame.
Let's dig in!
Richmond
Folk Festival
It's the most wonderful time of the year…the Richmond Folk Fest! Usually during Folk Fest weekend you’ll find me on Brown’s Island hopping from tent to tent catching as many musical performances as possible ALL weekend long. This year will be different, as the Fest returns for its 16th year in a new, virtual format with just as much HEART as ever; continuing to celebrate the roots, richness and variety of American culture. There are three ways to dig in: through a special television program (Sat & Sun), radio broadcasts and online streaming (all weekend long). Our friends from Spacebomb Studios, Butcher Brown, Jared Pool (and many more!) will present new musical performances that are exclusive to this festival! I’ll “see” you all there folkin’ around. And make sure to check out this year's Folk Festival poster by the talented Shannon Wright (pictured) and available for purchase at Plan 9 Music.
Vitals:
October 9 to October 11 / Full schedule at richmondfolkfestival.org / Tag #rvafolkfest to share your experiences
Together
Apart
Kevin Orlosky of Art on Wheels has created “Together Apart,” a socially-distanced participatory, interactive, and immersive art installation on Brown’s Island. The installation commemorates the things we have lost because of COVID-19; it will be a labyrinth of rocks that will form a 100 x 70ft hand. To participate, paint a rock representing something you miss as a result of the pandemic and place it in the sculpture. I look forward to adding my rock to the collection and experiencing this opportunity to see our community come together to create, release and begin to heal.
Vitals:
On display until October 15 / Together Apart / Images of Together Apart progress shared on Kevin Orlosky’s Facebook and Instagram feeds
Love Letters
to America
Richmond-based artist Jordan Shanks will reveal his photo collection “Love Letters to America: Part II,” and his second film “Never Again” from 6-9 pm on Friday, October 16 at the Richmond Art Garage. The photography and film document social justice movements of recent years, and follows the call to remove confederate statues in the former capital of the confederacy. The exhibit runs from Oct. 16 - Nov. 1, 2020. There will be an artist talk at 2 pm on Saturday, Oct. 17 between Jordan Shanks and Heidi Abbott, whose works will also be on display in the gallery moderated by award-winning journalist and New York Times best-selling author, Kristen Green. There will also be a virtual component to the event, and safety & social distancing guidelines will be followed as the gallery will be operated at a limited capacity during your visit.
Happening now, artoberVA promotes events, pop-ups, exhibits, science, history, collaborations, and any arts or culture experience happening in the Richmond & Tri-Cities area every October. Presented by CultureWorks, artoberVA increases participation in arts and culture events and expands the exposure of organizations, venues, and artists shaping our vibrant and creative scene.
Meet this week's guest editor, Noah Scalin. As many Richmonders know, Noah is the creator of the award-winning project Skull-A-Day and the collaborative science fiction performance art project League of Space Pirates. Noah was the inaugural artist-in-residence at the VCU School of Business and his fine art has been exhibited internationally, including installations in Times Square, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Mütter Museum and multiple solo exhibitions in Krause Gallery in NYC. His work has been commissioned by Old Navy, Capital One, and Goodwill; and has been featured in dozens of publications including Fast Company, USA Today, The Telegraph, and the New York Times. Noah is a sought after public speaker on the topic of creativity and the author of six books — most recently Creative Sprint, which he co-wrote with his sister/business partner Mica. Together, Noah and Mica also founded an art and innovation consulting firm called Another Limited Rebellion.
Read on for Noah's top recommendations for ways to explore and celebrate this place we call home.
Chop Suey
Books
Browsing a bookstore is one of my favorite pastimes, but it’s something I haven’t been able to do since the start of this year, for obvious reasons. Luckily, Chop Suey Books has managed to recreate the experience on their Instagram page! Not only can I quickly discover new and used books in their stories, but I can keep up on the adventures of my favorite store cat Wonton. I love the fact that I can order any book I want (even one that’s not currently in the store) and it’ll be on my doorstep within the week (often hand delivered by owner Ward Tefft himself). Did I mention they also have a virtual book club, so you can connect with your fellow librophiles? And now more adventurous folks can even sign up for a solo browsing time inside the store during the month of October (though don’t wait, they’re selling out the time slots fast)!
Local entrepreneur extraordinaire Larkin Garbee wasted no time shifting her gears at the start of the pandemic to meet the needs of our healthcare community. She figured out a way to not only quickly make and distribute reusable face shields, but also how to support our essential healthcare workers even more by offering to give one shield away for every one purchased through the Good Work Society Store. I’m a particular fan of the Orchid Shield which has a beautiful design on it courtesy of my friend and fellow artist Hamilton Glass. Each of these shields has an additional benefit of also supporting the work of Girls For A Change, who receives a donation from each sale.
Speaking of Hamilton, now is a great time to get out and see the creative transformation that’s been happening in this city these past few months courtesy of his Mending Walls project. I was honored to be included in the roster of artists asked to collaborate on large scale visual conversations about race and social justice. Since it launched in June there have been ten new murals, addressing the most pressing issues of our current moment, added to our landscape and several more are currently in the works. Want a unique way to see some of the murals firsthand? Check out the upcoming Bike & Brunch Tours that feature the murals and conversations about our local Black culture and history.
Today marks the start of my company’s annual 30-day challenge: Creative Sprint®! It’s a free, fun way to get inspired and find new opportunities. And it’s not too late to join me and build your creative muscles alongside a supportive international community. Sign up now and look for us on Instagram.
Meet this week’s guest editor, Mike Ledesma, one of the hardest working local chefs in the business. Mike is the owner and executive chef at Perch, an award-winning Scott’s Addition restaurant that just celebrated its two-year anniversary this week. Long before Mike became known for blending Pacific-inspired flavors with the Virginia spirit at Perch he was making a name for himself around town at Richmond Restaurant Group, Max's on Broad, Kabana and Patina. And before that he logged in time at the iconic Greenbrier in West Virginia and a list of impressive restaurants in Hawaii. But Mike wasn’t always racking up “Best Chef” awards. He began his career as a financial advisor where he learned to hustle, pay attention to detail, and evaluate risks. He used these skills to make a career jump in 2002 when he enrolled in culinary school and channeled his energy into his passion for food, ingredients, and people. Mike believes that to feed people is to love them, and it shows. Take it away, Mike …
Owning a restaurant requires a lot of hours and a lot of hustle. But it’s a lot easier to hustle when there is a greater purpose. My goal is to cook really good food, then teach others to do the same. Along the way, it’s important to be passionate about many things – both in the kitchen and in the community. Here are three ways I like to show my love for this place we all love to call home.
Full
Kee
I’m always looking for those who cook with purpose. When I’m not tasting and testing everything at Perch, I like to explore and support other local restaurants that are equally passionate about every single plate. The rolling dim sum cart at Full Kee, a Richmond institution for decades at 6400 Horsepen Road, is always at the top of my list. I tend to lean toward the shu mai dumplings and the roasted whatever that is hanging in the display window! This is the real deal.
When it’s time to take a break from the kitchen, I grab a beer from my friends in the neighborhood at Bingo Beer Co., Väsen Brewing Company, and Ardent Craft Ales. At Bingo, now is the time to sip on their Oktoberfest amber lager and settle in with some favorite classic games. You can score all games at half price during Double Play Tuesday. Just around the corner at Väsen, you can find more than just adventurous beer – they’re now creating opportunities to get active outside too. On Wednesdays, Väsen Run Club kicks off at 6 pm, offering a 3-mile loop on different routes around RVA. And every second Sunday of the month you can join the Väsen crew for their Mountain Bike Club. And make sure to save time to swing by Ardent while exploring the neighborhood breweries in Scott’s Addition. Ardent’s outdoor beer garden is back in action, with tables spread at least 6 feet apart, with a full menu featuring their latest releases like Sweet Potato and Sage Saison farmhouse ale,salads and handhelds, cider, and wine. For a full list of local craft beer options in Scott’s Addition and beyond, check out Richmond Beer Trail.
The best part of Richmond is the community, reaching out and making a difference. Sure, dining and drinking your way through RVA is always a fun way to get to know the community, but nothing tops giving back to it. That’s truly the only way to be a part of a place you love. While this has been one of the most challenging years for all of us, it's inspiring to see so many Richmonders stepping up, lending a hand, using their talents, and actively giving during the pandemic. For me, Perch is the perfect platform to use what we do well to support what our local nonprofits do well. I recommend finding a cause that’s important to you and taps into your passion. Check out groups like Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation, Feed More, Building a Better RPS, and consider feeding frontline workers by adding a meal for first responders at checkout when ordering online at Perch. Give all of these groups a follow, roll up your sleeves, and proactively look for ways to use your hustle for good.
The first three Here members to tag us in a post supporting Perch or another favorite local restaurant this week scores a free Rep Richmond t-shirt sporting the RIC logo from Here Weekly. Snap a photo of your favorite local chef, a tasty dish, cocktail, or socially distanced seating.
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