Meet Lance Lemon, this week’s guest editor. Lance is a Virginia native with an impressive background as an actor, co-founder of RichWine RVA, and co-owner of Penny’s Wine Shop in Jackson Ward. He double majored in Acting and Studio Art with a focus in cinematography at the University of Virginia. After college, Lance moved to New York to continue his acting career and work in hospitality at places like the eccentric Jean Georges ABC Cocina and Kitchen. He went on to curate, open, and manage two successful wine shops in Brooklyn, all while continuing his growth as an actor. The experience defined his two life passions: acting and wine. And, oh yeah he loves to play a little golf too.
This week, Lance serves up his recommendations for ways to explore and celebrate RVA! Take it away, Lance
ART OF NOISE
You will always catch me vibing out at Art of Noise. The energy is electric, and the stakes are always high with which performer the AON crew is going to bring out. It's a rush they finally do come out! The Labor Day AON always hits the hardest. Also helps that some of my closest family and friends are always in attendance. Major shot out to my brothers Lonnie B, Skillz, DJ Marc, and my literal Sister, the face of Richmond - Kelli Lemon!
Vitals:
Art of Noise / Brown's Island / Sunday, September 3rd
Birdhouse Farmers Market
Owning a restaurant and being a part of the hospitality scene in RVA, we're always doing our best to support local. Birdhouse Farmers Market is somewhere that my Chef, Chef Manny Baiden and I frequent often to peruse the new local produce, say hello to friends providing the amazing restaurants in RVA with that local good good and cop fresh seasonal produce to keep the at-home kitchen stocked for delicious family meals.
Speaking of restaurants, some of my go-to spots whenever I manage to find free time:
Common House is my go-to office away from home. I go here to focus; I have to lock myself in one of those little small rooms and trap my energy and focus to work. I also go to CH on the reg to get my social butterfly out and chill on the rooftop just to switch the scenery up to get some work done. Shout out to Erin Lunsford; not only is she an amazing talent, I went to school at UVA with her, and to see her grow as a musician has been a pleasure to watch!
Explore. Support. Find something new to do. And bring positive energy with you wherever you go. Richmonders ain't got time for that negative ish.
For me, it's simple - I usually look for Good People, Good Wine, Good Food; that usually guarantees a Good Time!
RVA (and VA as a whole, especially the surrounding areas, Henrico, Hanover, Ashland, Midlo, Charlottesville) has so much to offer and people are about to start “Putting some respect on our name!” - ha! < I say this with love.
But seriously, people are coming to Richmond in waves and it's our goodwill and responsibility to show them that we are a strong caring community to help continue to the growth of RVA.
There's no place like here. So let's plot some moves around the River City for the weekend ahead. We've lined up three quick tips to shop local art, to create a shared story together, and to take in the sights at favorite local parks. Get out there and celebrate this place we all love to call home. See you in the city!
Sophie Printmaking
Looking for the perfect RVA gift or something special (and local) to treat yourself? Sophie Smith, aka Sophie Printmaking, is a Richmond based linocut printmaker who is cranking out striking prints these days that depict our hometown at its finest. Many of her images initially started out as photographs that Sophie took herself and then carved into linoleum and printed. In their final iteration they are morphed into two-color screen printed posters. Many of her locations include some of her favorite spots on the river – like the CSX A-Line Bridge, the James River Park Pipeline Walkway next to Pipeline Rapids, and the City of Richmond skyline, just to name a few.
As many Here subscribers know, shortly before the Covid-19 pandemic began, our team quietly worked with the James River Park System to hide an old mailbox in a secret spot in the park as part of a journal writing experiment. The vintage mailbox became home to the “Dear Richmond” journal — a special place for the community to connect, to express our shared gratitude, our hopes, and our fears. Since that time, Richmonders have documented their thoughts about being in quarantine, the pandemic, and systemic racism. Others have used the journal as a place to leave words of encouragement for those feeling isolated, suggestions for working toward an inclusive community, and some simply recorded trail observations about their natural surroundings. And for others, the mailbox became a place to discuss loss, being alone, their fight to remain sober, and their search for love. Along the way, the Richmond community has responded with words of encouragement left for complete strangers, entries filled with inspiration, and even gifts. Recently, we teamed up with the James River Park System to find a new home for the community mailbox in the park. Now more centrally located near the park headquarters, the mailbox is again available for the community to find and to define what the journal will become page by page. Your job is to find it.
Have you checked out one of Richmond's newest murals yet? Head to Battery Park in the Northside for a mural celebrating Author Ashe that was painted entirely with tennis balls. The tribute to the legendary tennis star was created by JVY Creations in collaboration with RVA students and Mural MOBB, a creative outlet for teens, for the City of Richmond's Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities. While you're in the area, swing by Hotchkiss Park for another new mural, this one created by All City Art Club for RVA's new outdoor roller skating rink.
Vitals:
Battery Park is located 2803 Dupont Cir. /JVY Creations / Hotchkiss Park is located at 701 E. Brookland Park Blvd. / All City Art Club
Save the Date: 9.22.23
For 50 years, the James River Park System has inspired countless hikers, climbers, paddlers, and lovers of nature. It has also inspired many of the region's artists – especially Friends of the James River Park Board Member, author, and photographer Bill Draper. He's the author of “A Photographic Journey through the James River Park System" and his work has inspired others who have used his images to take pen to paper, and brush to canvas. The upcoming Camera to Canvas event will pair some of our region's best artists with their favorite Bill Draper images to create original works for a charity auction benefitting the James River Park. Richmonders will have the opportunity to bid on individual items, or paired sets of artwork. Make sure to save the date of September 22nd, from 6-9PM at The Boathouse at Rocketts Landing for an evening of cocktails, food, music, silent and live auctions, and plenty of beautiful art.
Meet this week's guest editor, Ant The Symbol, a Richmond-based music producer. Using a lifetime of musical enthusiasm and almost two decades of production experience, he brings together major players in the Richmond music scene to create an experience that bypasses genre constraints. In addition to music, Ant has a love for sneakers, film, and trying new Richmond restaurants; check out his favorites, Maya and M&F Jamaican Restaurant!
His newest album, I Know Who I Am, is an audacious labor of love that features many familiar faces in Richmond music such as Deau Eyes, Sam Reed, Erin Lunsford, Matthew E. White, and Michael Millions. It combines soul, hip-hop, and pop to make music that’s sure to have you singing along for extended periods of time. It's available via Shockoe Records digitally and physically. CDs are available now, and vinyl is available to pre-order for a fall release!
This week, Ant serves up his recommendations for ways to experience and support the vibrant music scene in RVA! Take it away, Ant ...
RVA Rapper's Delight
We’re closing out Richmond Music Week with a bang(er)! For those who don’t know, hip-hop was born on August 11, 1973, and it’s only right we bring the community together to celebrate. The event will feature DJ Hip-Hop Henry and performances by Reppa Ton, Cane, Radio B, Noah-O and, making his grand return, Nickelus F. The show will be hosted by the radio legend, Mike Street. Come by to experience the past, present, and future of Richmond hip-hop. Part of the proceeds will go to Contribution to the Culture Foundation, who are advocates for the artistic expression, cultural traditions, and creative opportunities within the black/brown community.
As a Here Weekly subscriber, you can receive $10 off per ticket with promo code: RAPRVA.
Finally! We all know that a lot of things changed (and maybe disappeared) when the pandemic hit, but worry no more, because everything is bouncing back. Every year, I wait in excitement for the Richmond Jazz and Music Festival lineup to be released. This year, some of my favorite local artists including Erin & The Wildfire, Zhe' Aqueen, and Weekend Plans will be sharing the stage with Wale, Robert Glasper, Chaka Khan(!!) and many more. The sun’ll be out, and you should be too!
The heat is on! Cool off with some refreshing watermelon at the Carytown Watermelon Festival! And if you don’t love watermelon (which unfortunately, I don’t), there’s still something out there for you whether it be live music, local beer, food or something that I anticipate each year, Plan 9 Music’s sidewalk sale. You never know what gold you’ll find in those crates! Grab a bottle of water (it’s gonna be a hot afternoon) and enjoy one of the city’s staple establishments.
Vitals: Carytown Watermelon Festival / From entrance of Carytown to Byrd Theatre / Sunday, August 13, 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
More About Ant.
Ant The Symbol skillfully uses his roots in hip-hop and eclectic musical tastes to create musical experiences that transcend genre boundaries. In his 17-year career, Ant has worked with many artists, including Chuck D of Public Enemy, DJ Harrison, and Nickelus F. He has also released many albums and scored two short films. His modus operandi is to curate artistic projects that will excite and affect everyone they reach for decades to come.
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