Festivals and Events
Downtown Events
Previous events
May 2008
River District Canal Cruises
Spring season through June 8
Canal Turning Basin - Dock and 14th Streets
Friday and Saturday noon–7 p.m., Sunday noon–5 p.m., $5 adults, $4 seniors and children (5 to 12), age 4 and under free.
Take a 40-minute historically narrated tour of the James River and Kanawha Canal along the River District’s Canal Walk. Tour begins every hour on the hour. Private charters also available. For more information call (804) 649-2800 or visit www.venturerichmond.com/experiences/canalcruises.html.
Thursday Fresh Market
17th Street Farmers’ Market, free admission, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
From farm to market – it’s that fresh! It’s locally grown organic and homegrown produce straight from the region’s farms to your home, along with the finest quality homemade and handcrafted items made by highly artistic Richmonders. Free parking. For more information call (804) 646-0477 or visit www.17thstreetfarmersmarket.com.
Friday Cheers
Fridays, May 9 - June 27
Brown’s Island, free admission, 6-9:30 p.m.
Venture Richmond’s free signature Friday night summer concert series is back on Brown’s Island for its 24th season and promises to feature some of the nation’s hottest touring acts, along with some regional favorites. Again this year Friday Cheers will offer eight concerts and is focused on a variety of performers that may only be in the region once this summer. Presented by Coors Light and Yuengling; sponsored by Mix 103.7, 96.5 The Planet, K95, Y101, Style Weekly, Plan 9 Music, BlackFinn, Pepsi, James River Cellars, Crowne Plaza; produced by Venture Richmond. For more information call (804) 788-6466 or visit www.venturerichmond.com.
Saturday Bohemian Market
17th Street Farmers’ Market, free admission, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
An eclectic mix of farm fresh, homegrown produce blended with the highest quality handmade and homemade products, accented with a few vintage classics for all free spirits doing some weekend wandering in Shockoe Bottom. Free parking. For more information call (804) 646-0477 or visit www.17thstreetfarmersmarket.com.
Sunday Vintage Market
17th Street Farmers’ Market, free admission, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
It’s not old, it’s retro! Sundays bring out the best mix of vendors in Shockoe Bottom: antiques, collectibles, jewelry and the finest arts and crafts made by local Richmonders. Free parking. For more information call (804) 646-0477 or visit www.17thstreetfarmersmarket.com.
Poe Goes Pop: Poe in Comics
The exhibit will run through October 31
Edgar Allan Poe Museum (1914 E. Main Street)
Museum admission is $6 for adults, $5 for students, seniors, AAA members and members of the armed forces. Explore Poe’s world as seen through the eyes of comic book artists. Includes rare early adaptations of Poe’s work through to contemporary interpretations. For more information visit www.poemuseum.org or call (804) 648-5523.
Special events in May
12th Annual Cinco de Mayo Fiesta
Saturday, May 3
Brown’s Island, $15 in advance and $20 admission fee at the gate, noon-7 p.m.
The 12th Annual Cinco de Mayo Fiesta is returning to beautiful Brown’s Island. The music line-up will surely get you in the mood to dance and party with your friends and family! This year’s celebration features rocker Joan Jett and The Blackhearts, Evans Blue, up and comers Red and some of Richmond’s hottest local bands. Tickets can be purchased at www.ticketstobuy.com and all area Plan 9 Music locations. Proceeds from this show will benefit the Greater Richmond SCAN. Rain or shine. For more information call (804) 363-7440 or visit www.cincorva.com.
Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure®
Saturday, May 10
Kanawha Plaza (9th and Canal Streets), fee for participants, free for spectators, 7:45-10 a.m.
Events such as the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure® allow the Richmond Affiliate to advance the Susan G. Komen for the Cure’s mission of eradicating breast cancer as a life threatening disease by advancing research, education, screening and treatment programs. This family fun day brings thousands of people to celebrate survivors and remember those who have lost the battle with breast cancer. For more information call (804) 796-RACE or visit www.komenrichmond.org.
GREAT STRIDES, Walk-a-thon for Cystic Fibrosis
Saturday, May 17
Canal Turning Basin - Dock and 14th Streets, fee for participants, free for spectators, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Benefits the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. For more information call (804) 527-1500 or visit www.cff.org/chapters/virginia/greatstrides.
Broad Appétit
Sunday, May 18
100-300 Blocks of West Broad Street, free admission, noon-5 p.m.
The first annual Broad Appétit Food Festival will feature Richmond’s favorite food purveyors, restaurants, chefs, cart vendors and artisans. The event is free to the public and is designed to feed one’s mind, soul and body with an eclectic mix of crafts and art, offerings from 25 of Richmond’s favorite chefs, and a huge kid’s area complete with original food-related entertainment and cool activities. A performing arts stage will host musical acts, unique food artists and special appearances. Our nation’s leading Bug Chefs, David George Gordon, Bug Chef from Seattle, Wash. and David Gracer, Bug Chef from Providence, R.I. will compete, thrill and mesmerize the crowds with their ability to make grasshoppers and snails into a meal. Renowned author and food revolution leader, Joel Salatin from Virginia’s own Polyface Farms, Inc. will be on hand to discuss the Polyface founding principle that the ultimate safe and secure food supply is the one growing in your own community. Broad Appétit is excited to launch the Annual “To Die For” Contest between 25 top Richmond chefs on the streets of downtown. The award will go to the chef who prepares the most delectable item on the event menu. A panel of judges, as well as general public will cast their vote for this soon to be highly coveted award. The WHODUNNIT? Secret Art Show is an invitational exhibition of work by 75 artists. All exhibited works will be originals in a 6’ x 9’ format and will sell for the fixed price of $50 (all work will to be signed on the back; anonymity is the key). The name of the artist from each work is kept secret during the exhibition, only to be revealed at the completion of the sale. The work will be on view, during a private reception, at Quirk Gallery on Saturday, May 17 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. On Sunday, May 18, the work will be sold at Quirk Gallery (noon – 5 p.m.) during Broad Appétit. Whether the piece is by a well-known or emerging artist is anyone’s guess. For more information visit the Web site at www.broadappetit.com.
* Schedule subject to change.