vol. 105 / Trask 🎨Artist Ed Trask provides his tips on how to enjoy this place we love to call home.
VOL. 105 / TRASK
It just doesn’t get much more Richmond than this week's guest editor, our friend Ed Trask. After growing up in Loudoun County, Ed moved to the River City and enrolled in VCU’s painting program. While in school, he spent every waking hour playing music in the mid-80’s punk scene and creating art. After many attempts to garner gallery attention, Ed decided to do it his own way and began turning the dilapidated buildings around RVA into his canvas. Long before mural artists were regularly celebrated in this town, Ed painted directly onto buildings, perhaps a bit illegally at times, until the city was covered. He continued this approach around the world as he played with popular bands like the Holy Rollers, Kepone, Corntooth, and AVAIL. Today, his work is found in many permanent collections including Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Gap, Capital One, and Fortune Magazine. He’s also the co-founder of RVA Street Art Festival and can regularly be spotted around Richmond supporting any good cause that pushes our community forward. With that in mind, we give you Ed’s tips for enjoying this place we call home…
Morning
Run
My addiction to morning running takes me on an ever-changing, ever-seeing circle around the James River Park System. The River City that I see on these runs resides deep inside of me. It inspires me, it inspires all of us. Running through Oregon Hill, I begin by waving to the ghosts in Hollywood Cemetery; cringe when I pass the spot where an old half-pipe used to sit (first ramp that I tried dropping in on); and reflect on some crazy times in the many Hill houses. Winding down the hill toward the footbridge to Belle Isle, I listen for the rhythm of a train to set my cadence and then start the trek over the river, stopping occasionally to see if I can spot any catfish or gar in the water below. Sixty steps on Belle Isle, I take the first right to circle the old quarry as the morning light shoots around the trees atop the quarry cliffs. Hollywood Rapids pound east to the right. The river smells, like stale PBR, and the island feels lush with winding trails of clay and exposed tree roots. It’s an island of past overwhelming suffering and lost industry, and now a place of respite and rejuvenation. Near the old hydroelectric power plant, I take in the Habitat Restoration Project, the bike pump track, and then head over the access bridge above the rocks toward the stairs that lead to the Buttermilk Trail. Sometimes, I’ll take the trail to Forest Hill park or follow the extension path that brings you to the Lee Bridge to see Joshua Wiener's metal circle sculptures. Within this section of Richmond’s Southside there are climbing walls, city overlooks, trails, stairs, and the beginning of the Floodwall path underneath art-like pylons holding up the Manchester Bridge. You’ll also spot the crew change on trains, monikers and graffiti on rail cars, and those simply taking in the sights and sounds from the T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge. No matter your reason for being there, listen to the roar of the water, breath in, breath out, and be humbled by the beauty of this city.
Some years back, I was in a frantic state. My first real solo show was opening in 10-minutes at Glave Kocen Gallery, and I was running on fumes. On top of it, I had a writer who was doing a piece on me and following me around asking questions. Months of pushing in the studio, not sleeping, and trying to empty everything I had inside onto the walls for the public to see, was pushing me to fits of crying or raging tantrums over nothing. As people started to fill the gallery, I panicked and ran out the door and into Heritage restaurant across the street. At the bar, Mattias Hagglund sat down a rye neat and gave me a calming smile. Seeing the state I was in, co-owners Joe and Emilia Sparatta brought out plates of food. I was home. I believe from that day on I realized that Heritage was much more than great food and cool bartenders. Joe and Emilia regularly invite Richmond to break bread with them and to understand that we are all human and need help from others. Today, Heritage still serves as an inclusive place where the food doesn’t just give you comfort, it gives you an opening—a portal—to attach your own personal storylines to the well-thought-out entrees and cocktails.
There are a handful of places I like to go to when I feel like I’m creatively shooting blanks and chasing my own tail. Beyond the James River, I like to park a couple of blocks from the VMFA so that I can walk into its grandeur. There, I tend to make my way to the second floor and spend some time with my friends. These aren't people—they’re paintings that never stop informing me. They talk to me, they challenge me. These paintings are like private, personal best friends that you can complain to. One of those paintings is by Edward Hopper. This painting has brought me to tears on many occasions. It’s rich and complex, and it can be reinvestigated over and over again. Please people, please—go see the beautifully curated Edward Hopper exhibit at the VMFA. After leaving the VMFA, I like to stop by Can Can for a chocolate croissant, hit Chop Suey Books and bbgb, and throw down an Ellwood Thompson salad before heading back to my studio. Whatever you decide to do, I recommend putting aside everything on your plate at the moment and head to VMFA right now. Seriously, right now.
Here Weekly and Grid Supply Co. have teamed up with artists like Emily Herr to create cocktail glasses that celebrate Emily's Girls! Girls! Girls! portrait series and Hamilton Glass to spotlight his famous #Whosham RVA logo. Both glasses are laser-etched by Richmond based Big Secret. We're now ready to make something special with Ed Trask. Do you have a favorite Trask creation that should find its way onto a cocktail glass or maybe something else? We want to hear your ideas for a chance to be featured.
Don’t go into hibernation just yet, this is no time for a long winter’s nap. Richmond is alive with golden colors and surprising adventures around every corner. Hop on a tuk-tuk this weekend and go explore this place that we’re lucky to call home.
RVA
TukTuk
There’s no better way to do Richmond than in a three-wheeled, 100% electric, open air-limo. They’re called tuk-tuks. And they’re this season’s favorite way to roll up to breweries, take in the tacky lights, and celebrate a special occasion. Launched this fall by David and Lyndsi Austin, RVATukTuk is on a mission to provide environmentally responsible transportation services with a side of fun. Each tuk-tuk can seat up to six passengers and a driver who navigates a hop-on, hop-off circuit using a hand throttle and a pedal break. These babies top out at 25 miles per hour and even come with speakers and heated seats. If you ask us, there’s no better way to take in the sights and sounds of Richmond than in a tuk-tuk during one of the best times of the year.
There are no race day marshals. No water stops. No support along the course. No race bibs. No awards. And no entry fee. Just bring a canned food item for donation and join this free, voluntary social run organized by Race Team RVA Running Club for the purpose of running Thanksgiving morning while giving back. All food will be donated to the Salvation Army after the run, which will take you over the pipeline and throughout downtown Richmond (total distance is about five miles). You can run, walk or both. The Race Team RVA Running Club is a Richmond based non-profit focused on building a healthier community.
If classic parlour games with a modern spin are your thing, you’ll want to head over to the newly opened Slingshot Social Game Club this weekend. We’re talking games that have served as fan-favorites for generations but are now amped up a bit. Think ultimate bocce (with automatic scoring and instant replay), Extreme Duckpin (faster lanes and no bowling shoes needed), and SuperSkee (with bigger balls and longer lanes to take the level of difficulty up a notch). While playing your game of choice with friend or foe, you can even pour yourself a libation or two thanks to a tap wall that sports 48 craft beers, ciders, and wines. Slingshot also offers a bar with a selection of signature cocktails as well as shareable plates, gourmet burgers, and flatbreads. Opened this month, Slingshot is 10,000 square feet of entertainment coming at you thanks to the owners of The Circuit Arcade Bar.
The Institute for Contemporary Art just announced that Church Hill’s Soul N’ Vinegar, run by chef Michelle Parrish, is now up and running inside the ICA’s Abby Moore Cafe. As part of the partnership, ICA graduate assistant Houria Boumzairig, a Fulbright Scholar from Morocco and student in VCU’s Interior Design Department, collaborated with Parrish to ensure the new Soul N’ Vinegar space is as welcoming and familiar as the original.
Calling all leaf peepers, road trippers, and outdoor enthusiasts. Now is your time. Get out there this weekend. The leaves of deciduous varieties are at their peak and there are options aplenty, here at home and just a short drive away, for enjoying one of the best times of the year. See ya out there ...
Carter
Mountain
It's hard to know where to start when talking about this beautiful mountain-top orchard, but something tells us that fresh, hot apple cider donuts are a good place to begin. That's right, come hungry when you come to the mountain...'cause these award-winning donuts are legendary. And they come with dramatic vistas and acres and acres of fruit trees. When you're finished with this fall treat at Carter Mountain Orchard, meander into the orchard to pick-your-own apples (or you can buy fresh-picked apples) as you take in the Virginia countryside. No trip to this family orchard is complete without also popping into the onsite Bold Rock Hard Cider tasting room where you can sip on a cider crafted in the Blue Ridge Mountains using local apples from Carter Mountain. If you make the quick, approximately 1-hour, trip from Richmond this Veteran's Day weekend, make sure to check out the Hometown Heroes celebration on Saturday honoring active and retired military and first responders!
As the temperatures cool, there's no better time to hit the trail, huddle around a fire, or even squeeze in one more camping trip just in time for spectacular displays of orange, yellow, and red during peak fall foliage. And the good news is that you don't have to travel very far. Just 20 miles from Richmond, Pocahontas State Park offers 64-plus miles of pristine trails (particularly popular among bicyclists), rotating nature and history programs, three lakes (including the 225-acre Swift Creek Lake), some of the best camping around, and a variety of cabins. And if yurts are more your style, Pocahontas State Park has you covered. Bundle up, make a fire, and soak in the beauty of our state parks!
Just outside of Richmond is Upper Shirley Vineyards, an estate/winery/restaurant that is perched above one of the most scenic bends on the James River that is stunning this time of year. Located at mile maker 30, we recommend hopping on a bike and taking the Capital Trail to this rural wonderland. The tasting room is open Wednesday to Monday from 11-5, with lunch from 11-3 and small plates from 11-4:30. On their fall menu, the crispy fried Virginia oysters (with Absinthe creamed spinach, smoky bacon, and Parmesan) are not to be missed. And if you want to make it easy on yourself, let the Cap Trail Bike Shuttle turn your outing into a one-way cycling trip by dropping you and your bike off at Upper Shirley or have them drive you back!
Join or watch the fifth annual ‘King of the James’ adventure triathlon on Sunday, November 10th. Individuals and teams will
battle it out as they run the Forest Hill Trail loop, mountain bike Buttermilk and North Bank Trails, and paddle the urban whitewater found deep in the heart of Richmond’s fall line!
Go
