Festivals and Events
Downtown Events
Schedule of Events – June 2007
River District Canal Cruises
Spring season April 1 – June 10
Friday and Saturday noon–7 p.m., Sunday noon – 5 p.m.
Summer season June 13 - Aug. 31
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) 649-2800 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 regions farms right 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 lunchtime break. Line up for June includes: June 7: Dave Barton, June 14: Ban Caribe, June 21: Copper Ridge and June 28: The Taters. For more information call (804) 344-7278.
Friday Cheers
Through June 29
Brown’s Island, free admission, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Friday Cheers is a great Richmond tradition entering its 23 season! Every Friday in May and June thousands of people come to relax after the workweek on Brown’s Island to meet friends and hear some of the region’s top bands for free. Line up for June includes:
June 1: Soulive with Existor, June 8: Keller Williams with WMDS, June 15: AAE with Crucial Elements, June 22 Drive-By Truckers with Patty Hurst Shifter, and June 29: The Slip, with Bobby Bare Jr. For more information call (804) 788-6466.
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: June 1: Musiq Soulchild and Governor, June 8: Boney James, June 15: Ruben Studdard, June 22: Michael Franks, and June 29: Jean-Luc Ponty and His Band. For more information, 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 right 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 will be sold. 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 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.
CenterStage groundbreaking and First Fridays
Friday, June 1
Join Mayor Douglas Wilder, First Lady of Virginia Anne Holton and VAPAF Chairman Jim Ukrop for the official groundbreaking, with performances and entertainment for the whole family to enjoy.
5:30 p.m. - CenterStage Groundbreaking Celebration
6th Street, between Grace Street and Broad Street
Performers include: Richmond Boys Choir, Virginia Opera, Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra String Quartet, Theatre IV’s “Dorothy” from The Wizard of Oz, and Richmond Ballet’s Minds in Motion TEAM XXL
6:15 p.m. - Festive walk to First Fridays area
Follow the New Orleans-style No BS Brass Band and enjoy the artwork along the way as we move the party to First Fridays. Alternate transportation will be provided.
6:30-11 p.m. - First Fridays
On and off Broad Street between Belvidere Street and 1st Street
Enjoy the best of Richmond’s cultural community, including a diverse array of art galleries, street performers and restaurants, with a main stage featuring Bio Ritmo Salsa Machine, No BS Brass Band and the Richmond Symphony Brass Quintet.
Sponsored by the Virginia Performing Arts Foundation, city of Richmond, Curated Culture and Venture Richmond. For more information including parking and a list of local restaurants visit www.richmondcenterstage.com or www.firstfridaysrichmond.com.
Special events in June
Civil War Music Concert
Wednesday, June 6
American Civil War Center Courtyard, free admission, noon – 2 p.m.
Bring your lunch and listen to the stirring sounds of the Coronet Conspiracy Brass Band as they perform music from the Civil War on authentic 19th century instruments. For more information call (804) 780-1865 or visit www.tredegar.org.
Animalia
Saturday, June 9
17th Street Farmers’ Market, free admission, 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
This is a celebration in honor of pets and their human companions. Bring your pet (leashed or in carriers and with current shots) and join in the fun of this 8th Annual Pet Fete. Activities include the “Greyest Muzzle” contest for canines. And for those unusual, or super special pets we will host the “Niftiest Pet” contest. Reverend David Keill will lead a blessing of the animals on the market, followed by the traditional “Parade of Pets.” Enjoy a petting zoo and a themed Children’s Animal Art Activity. For more information call (804) 646-0310 or visit www.17thstreetfarmersmarket.com.
River City Beer and Seafood Festival
Saturday, June 9
Brown’s Island, free admission, 1 – 9 p.m.
Discover for yourself the difference between lager, ale and stout at the River City Beer and Seafood Festival. The event features micro, imported and craft brewed beer, great seafood and live music. Tasting mugs are available for purchase for those 21 years old and older. Mugs are $25 for unlimited 6-ounce tastings. For more information call (804) 788-6466 or visit www.venturerichmond.com.
James River Adventure Games
June 16-17
Brown’s Island, Tredegar Iron Works, Robious Landing and Rocketts Landing, fees for some events and others are free, all day events.
Get ready, get set for two days filled with fun and adventure on the James! The James River Adventure Games will feature athletes competing in seven different outdoor sports – and spectators will flock to catch the races and participate in activities. Live music, along with competitions to test your abilities, and a fireworks display on Saturday night. It’s the ultimate outdoor sports party in the heart of Richmond. For more information call (804) 285-9495 or visit www.sportsbackers.org.
The 4th Annual James River Sojourn “Rediscovering Conservation: Land use along the James, then and now”
June 16 – 23
Paddle on the James from the Rivanna, a headwaters tributary, all the way to the tidewater below Richmond while rediscovering the culture and heritage of the Middle James Watershed. Observe and learn about land use, water quality and conservation efforts to protect and restore the watershed. The lower Rivanna and the middle James above Richmond offer stretches of unparalleled beauty through a largely undeveloped section of Virginia. The journey through Richmond, which you will paddle and hike, takes you through the centuries of habitation and use of the dramatic fall line that separates the middle James from the tidewater below. Your last day will be spent exploring the fresh water tidal lagoons at Dutch Gap Conservation Area. Participants paddle by day and camp by the river at night. Meals are provided, as well as nightly entertainment and educational programs. A gear truck carries participants’ belongings, making the paddling easy and suitable for novices. Families and groups are welcome, as well as those who want to paddle as little as one day, for a few days, or for the whole journey. Registration forms and further information can be found at www.alliancechesbay.org or by calling (804) 775-0951. Registration closes on June 1.
From Ironfronts to the High Rise
Sunday, June 24
Meet your walking guide at the corner of Main and 14th Streets, $10 fee, $9 in advance, $5 for History Center members, 2 – 4 p.m.
Examine a variety of commercial and residential properties built during the past 200 years and enjoy the architectural treasures and engineering achievements of these beautiful buildings in Richmond’s financial district. Marvel at the restorations and renovations of many 19th century properties including Richmond’s Ironfronts. For more information call 649-0711, option 4.
Hiking through History - Interpretive Tour of Belle Isle
Saturday, June 30
Tredegar Street Parking Lot, $5, 9 – 11 a.m.
Rapids and racetracks, potholes and paw paws. A family examination of the natural and human history features often unknown to the casual visitor of this scenic river site. For more information call 646-8911 or visit www.jamesriverpark.org.
Night Walk on the Slave Trail
Saturday, June 30
Meet at Ancarrow’s Landing (end of Maury St.), $5, 8:30 – 11 p.m.
Follow in silent torchlight the path, through the forest, from the stone docks to the slave jails. It’s an emotional journey, two miles one way. (Buses will bring people back). Carry water, a small flashlight, and wear good walking shoes. For more information call 646-8911 or visit www.jamesriverpark.org.
* Schedule subject to change.