Sit back, you're in for a treat as Erin Frye takes over the guest editor spot this week. Erin is a local musician, yoga teacher in-training, and the Director of Programs and Outreach with CultureWorks. She is motivated by elevating people and communities. Her travels as a volunteer musician have spanned from Africa to Europe, and across North America. She is an RVA-based singer-songwriter, the founder of Gals for a Cause, and was a Teaching Artist/Performer in SPARC’s inclusive LIVE ART program for six years. She is a recent Honoree in Gallery 5’s Movers and Shakers Exhibit, an Honoree in JMU’s 100 Years, 100 Days, 100 Dukes ‘One World’ Program and was inducted into the JMU Alumni: ‘Be The Change’ Hall of Fame.
Let's dig in!
Richmond
Folk Festival
It's the most wonderful time of the year…the Richmond Folk Fest! Usually during Folk Fest weekend you’ll find me on Brown’s Island hopping from tent to tent catching as many musical performances as possible ALL weekend long. This year will be different, as the Fest returns for its 16th year in a new, virtual format with just as much HEART as ever; continuing to celebrate the roots, richness and variety of American culture. There are three ways to dig in: through a special television program (Sat & Sun), radio broadcasts and online streaming (all weekend long). Our friends from Spacebomb Studios, Butcher Brown, Jared Pool (and many more!) will present new musical performances that are exclusive to this festival! I’ll “see” you all there folkin’ around. And make sure to check out this year's Folk Festival poster by the talented Shannon Wright (pictured) and available for purchase at Plan 9 Music.
Vitals:
October 9 to October 11 / Full schedule at richmondfolkfestival.org / Tag #rvafolkfest to share your experiences
Together
Apart
Kevin Orlosky of Art on Wheels has created “Together Apart,” a socially-distanced participatory, interactive, and immersive art installation on Brown’s Island. The installation commemorates the things we have lost because of COVID-19; it will be a labyrinth of rocks that will form a 100 x 70ft hand. To participate, paint a rock representing something you miss as a result of the pandemic and place it in the sculpture. I look forward to adding my rock to the collection and experiencing this opportunity to see our community come together to create, release and begin to heal.
Vitals:
On display until October 15 / Together Apart / Images of Together Apart progress shared on Kevin Orlosky’s Facebook and Instagram feeds
Love Letters
to America
Richmond-based artist Jordan Shanks will reveal his photo collection “Love Letters to America: Part II,” and his second film “Never Again” from 6-9 pm on Friday, October 16 at the Richmond Art Garage. The photography and film document social justice movements of recent years, and follows the call to remove confederate statues in the former capital of the confederacy. The exhibit runs from Oct. 16 - Nov. 1, 2020. There will be an artist talk at 2 pm on Saturday, Oct. 17 between Jordan Shanks and Heidi Abbott, whose works will also be on display in the gallery moderated by award-winning journalist and New York Times best-selling author, Kristen Green. There will also be a virtual component to the event, and safety & social distancing guidelines will be followed as the gallery will be operated at a limited capacity during your visit.
Happening now, artoberVA promotes events, pop-ups, exhibits, science, history, collaborations, and any arts or culture experience happening in the Richmond & Tri-Cities area every October. Presented by CultureWorks, artoberVA increases participation in arts and culture events and expands the exposure of organizations, venues, and artists shaping our vibrant and creative scene.
