Richmond Folk Festival Gearing Up

July 2, 2009 (Richmond, VA) – The Richmond Folk Festival is pleased to announce the first eight performers for the second annual festival that will take place October 9-11, 2009 in downtown Richmond along its historic riverfront. More than 25 groups will be scheduled to perform on the festival’s six stages...

“The festival will be an even greater gift in these challenging economic times,” said Festival Programming Committee Chairman, Jim Wark. “It’s an amazing event and it's as free as air. The artistry of our 2009 line-up will match, if not exceed, that of the last four years, and just watch what happens when Swamp Dogg takes the stage!”

1. Tidewater native and rhythm & blues legend Swamp Dogg returns to the Old Dominion from Los Angeles to serve up a musical “Total Destruction to Your Mind.”
   
2. Nashville-based Jerry Douglas is an innovator and a traditionalist and perhaps the finest player of the Dobro who has ever lived. Along with his group, The Jerry Douglas Band, the music of this resophonic guitar wizard transcends categorization.
   
3. One of Washington, DC’s most influential go-go bands, Trouble Funk will rock the Festival dance stage with the percussion-heavy funk groove that has been driving crowds crazy for three decades.
   
4. Heir to a family musical legacy, zydeco accordionist Jeffrey Broussard leads Jeffery Broussard & The Creole Cowboys, one of Southwest Louisiana’s hottest new dance bands.
   
5. Samba Mapangala & Orchestre Virunga brings African dance rhythms to this year’s line-up. Now making his home in the U.S., this dynamic singer’s unique blend of Congolese rumba infused with the flavors of Kenya has made him an undisputed star of East African music.
   
6. From New York City, led by the brilliant, National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) National Heritage Fellow, Sue Yeon Park, Sounds of Korea is recognized as the foremost traditional Korean dance group in the United States.
   
7. Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill have created one of the most memorable musical partnerships of our era. Based in West Hartford, Connecticut and Chicago, Illinois, this spellbinding Irish fiddle and guitar duo weaves music that slowly smolders before exploding with exhilarating energy.
   
8. Rounding out this first group of performers for the 2009 Richmond Folk Festival is a real working cowboy from Dusty, Washington. Yodeler extraordinaire Wylie Gustafson and his group Wylie & The Wild West will delight festival-goers with their classic country, western swing and cowboy songs.

The Richmond Folk Festival is one of Virginia’s largest events, drawing visitors from all over the country to downtown Richmond’s historic riverfront. The Festival is a FREE three-day event that got its start as the National Folk Festival held in Richmond from 2005-2007. In the tradition of the National, the Richmond Folk Festival features more than 25 performers, on 6 stages with continuous music and dance performances, along with a Virginia Folklife Area, an interactive Family Area produced by the Children’s Museum of Richmond, a folk art marketplace, regional and ethnic foods, festival merchandise and more. More information is available at www.richmondfolkfestival.com.

The Festival is produced by Venture Richmond, in a continuing partnership with the National Council for the Traditional Arts (NCTA), the City of Richmond, Virginia Foundation for the Humanities, the National Park Service, the Library of Virginia and the Children’s Museum of Richmond. . For more information visit www.venturerichmond.com.

Fledging Out

Three out of four eggs have hatched and the chicks are doing well. One egg remains unhatched.

From the DGIF website.

We have been closely monitoring the 4th egg, hoping to see some indication of a pip. Today marks the 37th day for this egg. While peregrine falcon eggs generally hatch at between 33-35 days of incubation, 37 days is not unknown. We are drawing towards the end of the window where we can reasonably hope that this egg remains viable.

The three chicks that have hatched are doing quite well - and being fed often by the adults. In the short time since they've hatched the chicks have grown noticeably.

The falcon cam is a great way to pass time at work or just destress in general. Knowing that this wild piece of nature is taking place on a manmade cliff above the river is heartening. We've got weeks of feeding and fledging to go. Something to look forward to.

Who We Are

Many of you may be first time visitors to this site. There are thousands of sites you could be visiting or things you should be doing. The fact that you stopped here, even briefly, is greatly appreciated.

Who are we? Well we are NOT a news site, though you might find a bit of news here occasionally. Sometimes we even break news, Falcon Chicks Are Hatching!, but that is not our mission. It is our pleasure share news, good news, about Richmond. Reading the daily or weekly paper it is possible to lose track of what a great place we live in. We share problems with the whole world, but nowhere else can you find the combination of art, history and natural beauty that you find here in Richmond. So whether you live here or not, we hope you we find something new about Richmond or always knew. Almost 1/3 of our readers are from out of state, some are out of the United States. Drop me a line if you are planning a visit.

We are also about what is happening now. Our calendar features daily events in and around the city center. We are not limited by the city limits though. Richmond is a community and an idea founded four centuries ago and the best in Richmond can be found anywhere, sometimes a long way from home.

You will find local artists, local musicians, local culture and business. The idea is to create a place where you can get to know the community that you live in. In a community like this, it is a never ending process.

You can be a part of All Things Richmond by sharing your ideas, comments and events. We want to be a showcase of the best in Richmond. It is a task we look forward to. Help us share the city that we love with a new generation. Look around, kick the tires and come back often. We try to have something new for you each time.

Big Band Dancing At The 17th Street Farmer's Market

Submitted by a reader:

Come down to the 17th Street Farmer's Market for the Big Band sounds of Joe Enroughty And His Royal Virginians. Vocals will be provided by Cathy Saydlowski. This FREE concert/dance will feature some of your favorite Big Band tunes such as "Sing, Sing, Sing," "In The Mood," "Little Brown Jug," and many more. There will be plenty of seating and the city plans to set up a dance floor in front of the bandstand. Date: Friday, July 10th, 2009

Date: Friday, July 10th, 2009

Time: 5:30pm - 8:30pm

Location: 100 17th Street - Richmond, Virginia 23298

Admission: FREE

Telephone: (804)-646-0477
(For More Information)

This sounds like just the thing that Richmond needs.

Thanks for the submission. Send your events with details to ATR Events

Blue Sky Dreams

76 Trombones

Richmond's very own community marching band is having it's debut performance today (Saturday) at 6:00 PM. This is a band that has been whipped together out of former majorettes, drum majors, kazoo players, baton twirlers and over the hill hornblowers.

From the Richmond Marching Band Facebook site.

Our first march is occurring July 4th, 6:00 PM, Quirk Gallery Parking Lot, 311 West Broad St.... with an after party following.

This project is the fruition of a talented and growing music community here in Richmond. It is spearheaded by the nimble minds of Reggie Pace and Matt White -

If you want to know more, turn out for today's parade and/or join the their Facebook group.

One Fine Summer Evening

From One Fine Summer Evening

Toubab Krewe jammed the night away while unusual cross section of Richmonders turned out for the last Friday Cheers of the season. It was one of those perfect nights that Richmond has so many of. There's no place quite so fine as Brown's Island on Friday night, with the band playing, the sun setting and the trains rolling by.

From One Fine Summer Evening

Falcon Chicks Are Hatching!

From the DGIF website.

July 1st

Hatched!
The first of the Richmond peregrine falcon chicks has hatched. At 2:30pm the young falcon chick (also called an eyas) finally emerged! We'll continue to monitor the progress of the other three eggs.

Second Chick in Richmond
It certainly has been busy at the Richmond nest box today! The second chick hatched at about.... The first chick has dried out and its fluffy white natal down is obvious now. The second chick has successully hatched (although the adult rolled it out of sight before it completely escaped the remnant of its egg).

Thursday, July 2, 2009
3rd Has Hatched!
At approximately 3:20 this afternoon the 3rd chick hatched. What appeared to be a pip was noted this morning but it was difficult to confirm, as the attentive parents kept the egg well hidden today.

The two chicks that hatched yesterday appear quite vigorous and have been fed several times. Impressively, the youngest chick- not to be outdone by its older siblings - lifted its head and got in on a 4:45pm feeding. This is less then 1 1/2 hours after hatching! By all indications these three chicks are healthy and doing well.

Now we'll keep our eyes open for the 4th egg to hatch.

ATR Holiday Calendar 07-03-2009

Fri Jul 3

• Virginia Historical Society - Free Admission - 428 N. Boulevard
• River District Canal Cruises - Canal Turning Basin 14th and Dock St
• 10am – 11:30am "Highlights of Hollywood Cemetery” Daily Walking Tours - Valentine
• Richmond History Center,
• 5pm – 7pm Target $1 Family Night - Childrens Museum of Richmond 2626 Broad St
• 6pm – 10pm First Friday - On and Off Broad Street - Downtown Richmond
• 6:30pm – 10pm Fridays At Sunset - Kanawa Plaza

Sat Jul 4

• Virginia Historical Society - Free Admission - 428 N. Boulevard
• River District Canal Cruises - Canal Turning Basin 14th and Dock St
• Butterflies Are Free - Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden - Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
• Art Exhibits - Main Library 2nd & Franklin 23219
• 9:30am – 5pm Free Admission at CMoR for Bank of America Cardholders - 2626 West
• Broad 5pm – 10pm 4th of July Spectacular - Dogwood Dell - Maymont Park
• 8pm – 10pm "Driving Miss Daisy" @ Barksdale Theatre - 1601 Willow Lawn Dr.,

Sun Jul 5

• Free Admission at CMoR for Bank of America Cardholders - 2626 West Broad Street
• Virginia Historical Society - Free Admission - 428 N. Boulevard
• River District Canal Cruises - Canal Turning Basin 14th and Dock St
• 1pm – 3pm 2009 Summer Reenactment Series - St John's Episcopal Church
• 2pm – 4pm Ginter Park - Brook Road and Westwood Avenue
• 6:30pm – 9:30pm Whiskey Rebellion @ Legend - 321 W. 7th St.,
• 8pm – 10pm Richmond Shakespeare Festival: A Midsummer Night's Dream - 4305 Sulgrave Rd
• 8pm – 10pm "Driving Miss Daisy" @ Barksdale Theatre - 1601 Willow Lawn Dr.,
  

See entire calendar at the bottom of the page.

First Friday Tonight

Friday, July 3, 2009
Eighth Season Participating Galleries
GALLERIES 1708 Gallery art6 Gallery Forinstance Gallery Gallery 5 Ghostprint Gallery Henry Street Gallery ISHQ Fine Arts Gallery & Textile Studio Metro Space Gallery Oneness Art Quirk Gallery Studio 418 Studio/Gallery 6 Visual Art Studio	CULTURAL VENUES Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia Centenary United Methodist Church Curated Culture Elegba Folklore Society Richmond Public Library Theatre IV Valentine Richmond History Center RESTAURANTS Bistro Twenty Seven Chez Foushee Lift Coffee Shop Tarrant's Café	SHOPS Corporate & Museum Frame Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Metro Sound & Music Renovation Resources Turnstyle ACCOMODATIONS Linden Row Inn
Curated Culture – Creating a Community of Culture First Fridays is held on the first Friday of each month, rain or shine, generally between 6:00 – 10:00 pm. This unique cultural event showcases Richmond's thriving arts community, focusing on the diverse arts and cultural venues located along the Historic Broad Street Corridor. First Fridays Map of Downtown Galleries Download the Map of Downtown

Beynac by Jennifer Young - History on Canvas

Part of an occasional series. From Jennifer Young.

As a full-time artist whose primary focus is painting the landscape, I work both on location ("en plein air") and in my studio. These two working methods differ in a lot of ways, but like my passions for art and travel, plein air painting and studio painting complement each other. Painting on location helps me to capture the fleeting light and beautiful color that can only be experienced in nature; and my studio work enables me to work larger, and to further explore and expand on my ideas. While I do quite a bit of painting on location around Richmond, my most popular paintings tend to be the work I have done from my travels abroad. It could be said I travel to paint and paint to travel.

Last year headed down the south of France, I decided to take a western trek to the beautiful valleys of the Lot and the Dordogne. This is land of the Aquitaine, nestled between the Loire valley and the Pyrenees mountains. It is also the land of prehistoric caves, medieval castles and villages

The cliffside village of Beynac was a highlight of my trip. Sitting at the north edge of the Dordogne river, Beynac is storybook pretty, but it is also the home of a 13th century castle where Richard the Lionheart met his death! This painting shows my view of the village prior to making the hike upwards to tour the château at its summit where one one can see out over the beautiful Dordogne valley in all directions.

"Beynac" Oil on Canvas,
36x48"
Contact the artist for more information.

Jennifer Young Studio

PO Box 6792
Richmond, VA 23230
1-877-DIAL-ART (804-677-6559 in Virginia)

Vibrant Landscapes Paintings and Prints:
www.jenniferyoung.com

The Boatman of Brown's Island

The Garden Spot of Richmond

Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens

From Lewis Ginter

Tucked away on Lakeside Drive is one of Richmond's hidden, but not so secret gems. Thanks to Jonah Holland, I got the cooks tour of the garden. Since my only previous visit was during the Garden Fest of Lights, I really had no idea of the full extent of the garden, which should be seen in daylight hours to appreciate. If Disney World had a garden, this would be it. We spent 90 minutes roaming from corner to corner. If I had the time, I would have taken all day.

From Lewis Ginter

Our first stop was the Community Kitchen Garden, a new feature at Lewis Ginter and part of Barack Obama's United We Serve program. The CKG provides fresh vegetables and produce to the Central Virginia Food Bank and Meals on wheels. It covers 1/5 of an acre and is staffed by volunteers. Volunteers work Mondays and Saturdays from 9:00 AM to Noon. New volunteers can show up at the Visitors Center if they wish to help. The peppers and squash were just coming in and the first harvest was on Monday. For more on the CKG go here.

From Lewis Ginter

The best event right now is the Butterflies Live exhibit. This is going on daily through October 11th. There were so many cool butterflies. My favorites were the Blue Morphos and the Postman, though the Postman never stopped long enough for me to photograph. I could have spent a day just watching them flutter and land. Kids and adults will love this. I loved it.

From Lewis Ginter

The list of gardens and features is too long to mention. You need to go see for yourself and there is plenty of opportunity to do so. Lewis Ginter features plenty of options for working adults and their kids.

• Families After Five on Tuesdays


• Flowers After Five on Thursdays


• Fidos After Five
  Second Thursday of July, August and September; 5:00 - 9:00 p.m.
  Bring your dog to the Garden.

And best of all, Lewis Ginter is open and free to the public all day July the 4th. This would be a wonderful way to spend the holiday before heading off to see the fireworks at Dogwood Dell.

Lewis Ginter has family memberships available for $85.00 that allow 2 adults and 6 children to enjoy the garden all year long. This kids area is something to behold with a water feature that them can play and cool off in. Be prepared for some wet kids when they are through. I guarantee you will have a great time at the garden. Had I known it was this good I would have been there a long time ago. Here are some links to find out more about garden events. Come, enjoy and stop and smell the roses.

The Garden Blog

• Garden History
• Symposia
• The Fourth of July - Butterflies Are Free
• Lewis Ginter Website

1800 Lakeside Ave
Richmond, VA 23228-4700
(804) 262-9887
Open Daily 9am-5pm