Festivals and Events
Downtown Events
Schedule of events – August 2007
River District Canal Cruises
Wednesday through Saturday noon – 7 p.m., Sunday noon – 5 p.m.
Canal Turning Basin - Dock and 14th Streets, $5 adults, $4 seniors and children (5 to12 years old), age 4 and under free with an adult. Thirty-five minute historically narrated tours of the James River and Kanawha Canal along the River District’s Canal Walk. Tour begins every hour on the hour. Private charters are also available. For more information call (804) 788-6466 or visit www.venturerichmond.com.
Thursday Growers’ Market (May 3 – Oct. 25)
17th Street Farmers’ Market, free admission, 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Produce is farm fresh and homegrown straight from the region’s farms to your home. Homemade and handcrafted right here by highly artistic Richmonders. For more information call (804) 646-0310 or visit www.17thstreetfarmersmarket.com.
Thursday James Center summer music series
James Center Plaza, 10th and Cary Streets, free admission, noon – 1 p.m.
Outdoor concert series during your lunch-time break. The line up for August includes: Aug. 2 Shoreleave, Aug. 9 Janet Martin, Aug. 16 NYCE, Aug. 23 Barbara Martin and Mac Walter, and Aug. 30 Copper Ridge. For more information call (804) 344-7278.
Fridays at Sunset®
Kanawha Plaza, 6 – 10 p.m.
Fridays at Sunset is pleased to bring to you high caliber performances that offer wonderful entertainment, good food, a patron-friendly atmosphere and an overall enjoyable experience. This month’s line up includes: Aug. 3 Boney James with DJ Williams Projekt, Aug. 10 Lyfe Jennings with Emily King, Aug. 17 Erykah Badu with Eric Roberson (concert on Brown’s Island). For more information, event prices or the schedule of performers visit www.fridaysatsunset.com.
Saturday Market (May 5 – Oct. 27)
17th Street Farmers’ Market, free admission, 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Produce is farm fresh and homegrown straight from the region’s farms to your home. Homemade and handcrafted right here by highly artistic Richmonders. For more information call (804) 646-0310 or visit www.17thstreetfarmersmarket.com.
Sunday Open Heirloom Market (May 6 – Oct. 28)
17th Street Farmers’ Market, free admission, 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Antiques, collectibles, jewelry, and fine arts and crafts. For more information call (804) 646-0310 or visit www.17thstreetfarmersmarket.com.
Sunday reenactments of Patrick Henry’s “Give me Liberty or Give me Death” speech (through Sept. 2)
St. John’s Church, Church Hill, free admission (donations accepted), 1 – 3 p.m.
Experience the spirited debate among 10 of our Founding Fathers that concluded with Patrick Henry’s declaration, “Give me liberty or give me death!” in the very place these immortal words were spoken. Share in the excitement and tension as Thomas Jefferson, George Washington and Edmund Pendleton, among others, prepare to battle England and resolve to form an armed militia. For more information call (804) 648-5015 or visit www.historicstjohnschurch.org.
Special events in August
The 80’s was the Greatest
Friday, Aug. 3
Brown’s Island, Tickets $25 in advance, $30 at the gate. Gates open at 4 p.m., Showtime starts at 6:30 p.m.
Performers include: Doug E. Fresh, Big Daddy Kane, Whodini, Slick Rick and Trouble Funk. To purchase tickets go to www.ticketmaster.com. For more information visit www.carleenpresents.com.
In the Cause of Liberty: a Curator’s Tour
Saturday, Aug. 18
American Civil War Center at Tredegar, $10 fee or free with museum admission, free for ACWC members, 2 p.m.
Join the American Civil War Center Curator for a guided tour of the Center’s flagship exhibit, In the Cause of Liberty. She will share her unique perspective on creating the nation’s first exhibit to explore the Civil War from three essential perspectives – Union, Confederate and African American. For more information call (804) 780-1865 ext. 10 or visit www.tredegar.org.
Third Annual Shockoe Craft Beer Festival
Friday-Saturday, Aug. 24-25
Kanawha Plaza (between 7th and 9th Streets on Canal St.), admission fee, Friday 5-10 p.m., Saturday noon – 7 p.m.
Taste some of the best our Mid-Atlantic Brewers has to offer with over 50 craft beers from over 20 different craft and microbreweries showcasing local and regional breweries and microbreweries. Delicious eats and treats, cool beer gadgets, educational seminars, and great music await you at this end-of-summer festival. In keeping with the tradition of great, homegrown music, the concert line up showcases tunes to get your feet tapping. Friday: Shockoe Bottom Boys, Billy Ray Hatley and The Showdogs and Jackass Flats. Saturday: ThermUs, The Taters, The Atkinsons, and Scott Miller and the Commonwealth. For more information call (804) 249-9123 or visit www.richbrau.com.
Canal Boats and Cobblestones walking tour
Sunday, Aug. 26
Meet your guide at the James Center Clock Tower at 10th and Cary Streets, $10 fee, $9 in advance, $5 for History Center members, 2 – 4 p.m.
This walking tour focuses on the history, architecture and preservation efforts of the canal area. Come explore the historic and architectural treasures of Shockoe Slip and see the work that is being done in the River District along the James River, the Great Basin and Richmond’s canals. For more information call (804) 649-0711, option 4.
* Schedule subject to change.