Folk Festival Performers Scheduled For October

Posted on March 15, 2011 by Scott

Today, a mere seven months out from the Richmond Folk Festival, we have the first round of performers for you to peruse. Behold! The first six performers, with genres ranging from Reggae to traditional Tsimshian song-and-dance.

Git-Hoan Dancers (Traditional Tsimshian dance and song)
Larry Chance & The Earls (Doo-wop)
Magic Slim & The Teardrops with Big Time Sarah (Chicago Blues)
Mary Jane Lamond Quartet ft. Wendy MacIsaac (Cape Breton)
Mighty Diamonds (Reggae)
Steve Riley & The Mamou Playboys (Cajun)
As we get more information about all the various folky aspects of the Festival we’ll be updating things left and right. You can always check rvanews.com/folk for the latest information. Oh, it’s October 14 – 16, if you’re trying to mark your calendars.

Ramones in Richmond

Posted on March 11, 2011 by Scott

The VCU newspaper The Commonwealth Times is featuring archival articles on their back cover page. The March 10th edition features a story called “Punks from New York to Rock in Old Gym”, by Bruce Terrell (a member of many local bands- Boys From Skateland with Bryan Harvey for one).

Having seen the Ramones myself (R.I.P, Joey) quite a few times, my curiosity was piqued. The article says they were to play at the VCU old gym on October 22, 1976 (for $2 admission), but Wikipedia does not have details, saying they were around D.C. at the time (which might, of course, include Richmond, I suppose).

I have no doubt that the Ramones played Richmond many times post-’76 in many different local venues. I guess what I am wondering is if the old VCU gym that is referred to in the article the Franklin street one or the City Auditorium/Cary St. + Cherry St. one that is now the new VCU student recreational center.

Local designer/soccer fan Doug Dobey remembers a Richmond Ramones show in 1978. One local band that was linked to the Ramones in Richmond is Single Bullet Theory. I am sure the members of this Facebook group could add a lot of details.

816 Riverside

Posted on March 10, 2011 by Scott

City workers were at 816 Riverside yesterday afternoon, putting some fresh plywood boards up and trying to stabilize the structure. No word yet on what exactly the City plans to do with the property, though some speculate it will be sold in an upcoming auction. Regardless, many in the neighborhood hope preservation and renovation are somewhere in its future.

This Week: VCU Southern Film Festival 2011: Screening Southern Literature

Posted on February 21, 2011 by Scott

From the website:

Lovers of great works of Southern literature and classic films are in for a treat. Starting Friday, February 25 the Second Annual VCU Southern Film Festival Presents “Screening Southern Literature” at the Grace Street Theater in Richmond. Established to explore how the distinctiveness of the South has been depicted on screen, the Festival features a diverse lineup of films based on classic works by Southern writers. Ranging from quirky and melodramatic to serious and exploitative, the films offer something for everyone.

Schedule
All films will be screened at the Grace Street Theater at 934 West Grace Street in the heart of VCU. All events are free and open to the public.

Thursday, February 24
6pm: Book Reading and Signing with Charles Shields
Fountain Book Store, 1312 East Cary Street, Historic Shockoe Slip

Friday, February 25
4 pm: Wise Blood (1979)
7 pm: In This Our Life (1942)

Saturday, February 26
10 am: The Story of Temple Drake (1933)
1 pm: The Color Purple (1985)
4 pm: A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)

4:30-5:30 pm: Book Signing by Charles Shields
VCU Barnes and Noble, 1111 West Broad Street

7 pm: To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)

Rex Anderson & Winter Apocalypse

Posted on February 16, 2011 by Scott

Trumpeter Rex Richardson is playing this Friday at VCU’s SIngleton Center. I second RVAnews Jazz’s recommendation.

Also journalist Anderson Cooper is at the Landmark Theater for two (!) nights this weekend. Sadly, breaking news makes his beating in Cairo even more relevant.

Don’t forget Mind(ful) Liberation Project on Feb. 19th.

But hey, there’s also the Winter Apocalypse at Strange Matter–

Spaghetti All Around!

Posted on February 14, 2011 by Scott

A lot of people come to Oregon Hill’s Mamma Zu for its Italian cuisine, but this week there are a couple of benefit dinners elsewhere to enjoy also.

One is the previously mentioned William Byrd Community House spaghetti dinner at Perly’s on Thursday, Feb. 17.

Another is one for the All The Saints Theater Company this coming Friday. For more info, click here. Remember, All The Saints are the folks who help organize the annual Halloween parade that goes through Oregon Hill.
Continue reading →

Museum Has African Art

Posted on February 11, 2011 by Scott

Forgive the simplistic headline, but I did want to add a corollary or two to the earlier post about the 2BNB bus.
Yesterday morning I attended a media preview for an upcoming new exhibit at the Virginia Museum of FIne Arts on African art. While the Times Dispatch did a good preview of this new exhibit, I am looking forward to seeing what Harry writes about it.

Also coming up is the Picasso exhibit. I hope the new free bus service can be utilized by residents and students to visit these and other museum features.

I will dedicate this post to Professor H. McKim Steele.

Dr. Seuss In Richmond

Posted on February 9, 2011 by Scott

First of all, you can go see the cartoon of the Lorax at the Byrd Theater this Saturday (for free), then you can check out “Green Eggs & Ham Week” at the Main St. Richmond Public Library.

Cary Street flyer

Posted on February 8, 2011 by Scott

Laura Bush at the Landmark Tomorrow Night

Posted on January 14, 2011 by Scott

The Richmond Forum is presenting Laura Bush at the Landmark Theater tomorrow night.