Fall is here — and so are the events making the most of the season. No, we’re not talking pumpkin patches and hay rides, but rather trails, ales, good causes, and some local art thrown in there too. Here’s your trail guide for finding events worth hiking for this weekend.
Hammers
and Ales
The Richmond Community ToolBank, a nonprofit tool lending program that provides fellow not-for-profit organizations with year-round access to an inventory of tools for use in volunteer projects, is hosting a bash this Saturday with live music, local beer, and an impressive list of regional chefs slinging their best small plates. Partygoers can expect the likes of Ned Curry from Perch (and the acclaimed Gold Cart popup), Travis Milton from Nicewonder Farm & Vineyards, Brad Slemaker from River City Roll, and George Dolphin from Dank Eats. And there will be live music by The Green List and Väsen Brewing will be on tap. Best of all, this party gives you a chance to celebrate with—and thank—the many nonprofits around town doing good work.
We can't wait to hit the trails on Saturday for one of our favorite annual fundraisers to support the youth of Blue Sky Fund! Hike for Kids is a family-friendly event right in our own backyard that brings together over 400 hikers to enjoy the James River Park System while raising funds and awareness of outdoor education programs by the Blue Sky Fund. Hikers are invited to enjoy some of the best urban trails in the country with either a 3-, 8- or 14-mile loop - and then celebrate the journey at a post-hike party with food, beer, games and live music at the Virginia War Memorial.
The Current Art Fair flows again! Though it took a brief hiatus, Jennifer Glave and BJ Kocen, owners of Glave Kocen Gallery, are bringing back the big event as the new owners and operators of Current Art Fair. The only contemporary art fair of its kind in Virginia, Current will feature commercial galleries and internationally recognized artists alongside local nonprofits, 20+ exhibitors, and plenty of contemporary works by young, emerging and mid-career artists too. New to the fair this year, the VMFA Artmobile will make an appearance as well as S23 To-Go Print Truck, Art on Wheels, and Creation Stations designed for anyone to create artwork or watch a demo with Richmond artists. In addition, the Current Theatre will feature films curated by Enjoli Moon of Afrikana Independent Film Festival, a Matt Lively animation piece, a short documentary "The Builder" created by Shockoe Artspace, Noah Scalin and his "Creative Sprint," and a variety of panel discussions with your favorite artists. And don't miss the Sunday Morning Jazz Brunch!
Vitals:
Friday - Sunday / Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center / Current Art Fair
Bonus Tip:
MIGRATION FLOW, a 2-day celebration by Alfonso Prez Acosta, will take place this Saturday and Sunday marking the first public celebration of National Immigrants Day in Virginia. Alfonso, a Colombian visual artist and teacher, is the Art Program Director at Sacred Heart Center. He says the goal of the event is to provide an environment for participants to dwell in the unknown (of multicultural languages, dance, music, and food) and plunge into deeper connection with others from differing immigrant communities. On Saturday, audience members will have an opportunity to meet and connect with one another, create drawings as part of a live exhibition, and learn new and different dances through a workshop and a closing party. On Sunday, Alfonso and participating dancers will share their migration and dance stories in an intimate conversation with the audience. MIGRATION FLOW takes place at Canvas, 3108 Semmes Ave.
