Erica "Ease" Claiborne, a Richmond, Virginia native, epitomizes creativity and resilience. She views creativity as a gateway to happiness and a form of therapy, evident in her diverse pursuits ranging from entrepreneurship to DJing, community advocacy, culinary arts, and agriculture. Despite the male-dominated nature of the industry, Ease became a self-taught DJ and sound engineer following her grandmother's passing in 2013. Starting with donated equipment and support from loved ones, she showcased her eclectic music taste at various events, including historical gigs like Wu Tang Clan's 36 Chambers: 25th Anniversary concert in Washington, DC, and Virginia Governor Northam's Pride Month proclamation at the Executive Mansion.
Ease's commitment extends beyond music; she founded Alleviative Productions in 2019, initially focusing on DJ services but later expanding to advocate for her community during tumultuous events like the pandemic and protests. Her dedication to cultural preservation led her to collaborate with organizations like For the Fem In You, where she now serves as production manager, creating safe spaces for Brown women in music and arts. Currently pursuing an associate's degree in Architectural Engineering and Technology, Ease aims to reclaim ancestral spaces and facilitate restoration projects while also indulging in personal passions like long-distance cycling, growing food and flowers, and visiting cemeteries.
Take it away, Ease...
Black AF: A Black Herstory Celebration
A celebration of Black love, joy, freedom, and culture. Black AF, aims to empower, uplift, and unite community with a day of honoring the past, present, and future. Expect to enjoy a day of local Black-Owned businesses, vegan soul food & treats, art, and live performances featuring local dancers, poets, singers, and DJ’s. This Black AF will feature a special production curated by Alleviative Productions entitled, “When Women Speak," a short film of clips documenting some of the most celebrated Black and Indigenous women within American advocacy and education. The film provides their perceptions & teachings regarding the origins surrounding the dehumanization of people of color throughout history & the diaspora. The 42 minute live screening will be looped during the event within the ICA’s auditorium. (Parental Advisory Suggested)
Soul N’ Vinegar opened June 2018 and this grab n’ go shop focuses on selling delicious, health conscious foods for everyone in the community. I'm a health conscious eater, 100% vegan, and I enjoy supporting local eateries within the community that take pride in offering yummy vegan options. Recently, I took an adventure to Soul N' Vinegar's new location on the corner of 30th and Q St. in historic Church Hill. The Chai Tea Latte with oat milk is perfectly crafted in house. The vegetable spring rolls were super fresh, paired with my favorite chili oil for dipping, and are vegan & gluten-free. Lastly, the falafel itself served inside of the falafel wrap is possibly the best I've ever had! The combination of crispy falafel and crunchy slaw was heavenly. The portion of their wrap is plenty, so one can save some for later to relive the whole experience of exciting those taste buds all over again.
For The Fem In You is a Richmond-based non-profit organization centered around creating safe spaces for the Women of Color and the LGBTQ+ community. Their programming aims to support women's wellness mentally, physically, and spiritually via interactive events, pop-up markets, community collaboration, festivals, and artist activations. Celebrating ordinary women doing extraordinary things. For The Fem In You seeks to obtain a permanent location for the expansion of its future programming.
In May 2019, Ease founded Alleviative Productions, initially focusing on DJ services but later expanding into mixed media offerings. The tumultuous events of 2020, including the pandemic and protests, spurred Ease to document and advocate for her community's rights. She organized grassroots efforts, providing free food, water, and first aid during the Monument Avenue protests. Alleviative Productions is a sound and visual media platform that specializes in sound curation, live production & management, and visual documentary.
Meet Kleigh Koupal, this week’s guest editor. Kleigh is the co-founder of "The Effect Run Club," a new run club launching in February that's built on community, not pace. An enthusiastic extrovert with a love for physical activity, Kleigh has a passion for combining running with exploring and celebrating Richmond with others. His athletic background spans from collegiate swimming to marathon running, emphasizing his deep-rooted joy for group exercise. And when he's not on the move, you can find him collaborating with local businesses as an employee benefits consultant where he generates innovative solutions for employee engagement and satisfaction. Today, Kleigh is here to provide Here readers with a handful of recommendations for the weekend ahead.
Take it away, Kleigh...
First Fridays in the Arts District
Since moving back to Richmond, I have always loved First Fridays. This Friday, February 2nd, First Fridays in the Richmond Arts District is back! Featuring Mylo's documentation of Broad Street Bullies and other artists at Gallery5, the grand opening of Jackson Ward's newest home and pantry shop Odd Bird, portraits at the Library of Virginia, studio art at Red Amp Audio, and more...this isn't one to miss! Keep an eye on social media for a round-up of all the First Fridays events. This is a celebration of culture, art, music, and community that everyone can get behind!
It's always a good time when Kendall Street Company rolls through Richmond. Make sure to catch them this Friday, February 2nd, for their highly anticipated show at The Broadberry. Kendall Street offers a blend of eclectic rock and will leave you laughing with comedic bits and fun stories throughout their set. Plus, the Broadberry is always an awesome venue, with an intimate vibe; a little known fact...they have the best chicken tenders in town!
On Tuesday, February 6th, join Paul Spicer and Erin Provencher at Common House in the Social Hall (4th Floor) for drinks and conversation after the work day. Grab a bite, a drink, and celebrate 200 volumes of Here.Weekly, Grid's online publication that has been a source of community-building and inspiration since 2017. The happy hour will feature former Guest Editors (a.k.a. local change-makers, friends, and partners of Grid), along with a powerful poetry reading from Richmond's Poet Laureate, Roscoe Burnems.
I always love to check out what the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) is putting on throughout the year. Join VMFA in a celebration of the Lunar New Year and ChinaFest: Year of the Metal Rat! Explore Chinese art and culture through art-making activities, demonstrations, and performances. Highlights include: creating a Tao Tie-inspired paper vessel, creating your own lion mask, watching the dynamic Lion Dance, beautiful performances by Yu Dance Arts, and more! Also this event is free and who doesn't love free things to do on a Saturday?
Kleigh, along with co-founders Christie and Grace, are excited to bring The Effect Run Club to Richmond on February 13th. The idea for The Effect Run Club was born simply because the founders saw a need for a run club centered around community rather than pace. The club aims to create an environment for meeting new people and to have fun while running with low stakes and low pressure; you can consider this a social run club. A variety of social elements will be incorporated into each weekly run to promote and foster community and socialization with club members. Some of those activities will include post run coffee, themed runs, Happy Hour runs, and more. The club is free and plans to meet every Tuesday.
Ashley Hall, the Executive Director for Communities In Schools of Chesterfield, has a career deeply ingrained in nonprofit management. Her extensive expertise, honed through exposure in early education advocacy, youth development and financial stability, enriches her role. She has previously held leadership positions at Capital Region Collaborative and United Way organizations, developing strategies and managing community initiatives. Beyond her professional life, Ashley serves on numerous boards in Richmond and actively volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters. Her love for travel takes her around the world, but she never gets tired of exploring her own city; the phrase "global mindset, local passion" reflects her approach. Guiding Communities In Schools of Chesterfield is her dream job, and she takes pride in their work, especially their upcoming 30th anniversary celebration. Ashley advocates for making the most of every weekend, and looks forward to sharing her favorite kid-friendly regional adventures!
Take it away, Ashley...
Catch a Flick at The Byrd Theatre
The Byrd Theatre is a true gem of Richmond. This Saturday, check out Monsters Inc - tickets are just 5 bucks and the popcorn is heavenly. While this is one of their sensory-friendly shows, other Saturday movies kick off with Bob Gulledge on the “Mighty Wurlitzer,” which is extra special. Post movie, you can pop into tons of family-friendly stores in Carytown, including my favorite bookshop,bbgb. Round your morning off with a snack at Sugar & Twine or lunch at a new favorite, Burtons Grill & Bar. They have a diverse kids’ menu, and the grown-up food and cocktails are delicious too!
Tucked back into Chester Village Green, the Perkinson Center is the region's first public performing and visual arts center to be built from the ground up in the last century. They have tons of great performances, art classes, and community events.
This Saturday is the gallery opening for Eugene Vango’s show “A Retrospective of the Last 25 Years.” His work is inspired by African culture, and is an easy (and beautiful) way to introduce your kids to the arts. Continue the conversation over a drink & snack at Three Leg Run, a locally-owned brewery/winery/meadery. They have a great selection, comfy chairs, and lots of board games.
On Tuesday, February 6th, join Paul Spicer and Erin Provencher at Common House in the Social Hall (4th Floor) for drinks and conversation after the work day. Grab a bite, a drink, and celebrate 200 volumes of Here.Weekly, Grid's online publication that has been a source of community-building and inspiration since 2017. The happy hour will feature former Guest Editors (a.k.a. local change-makers, friends, and partners of Grid), along with a powerful poetry reading from Richmond's Poet Laureate, Roscoe Burnems.
After weeks of frigid temperatures, this weekend looks perfect to get outside. And the timing is great because it’s the last weekend of half-priced admission at Lewis Ginter. You might not think about going to a botanical garden in January, but it’s the best time to see their 200+ orchids bloom and birdwatch. The newly-renovated children’s area is awesome (who knew a sandbox could entertain for so long?). Wrap up the day at a Northside fave, HobNob, and grab a seat on the patio if it’s warm enough.
Communities In Schools of Chesterfield, a nonprofit organization working directly in schools, ensures that every student, regardless of race, zip code, or socioeconomic background has what they need to succeed. Our mission is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. By helping our most vulnerable students stay in school, we are building stronger, healthier and more economically stable communities where every person is capable of reaching their greatest potential.
We are proud to implement our evidence-based model across 13 schools, serving 13,000 students and families - but we can’t stop there. As the number of students in Chesterfield living in poverty continues to grow, we are actively working to expand to meet the growing need. Learn how you can get involved here.
We’ve been doing this critical work for thirty years. To celebrate, we are throwing a big party! A Game Night Gala: Feel Like a Kid Again, an elevated version of game night, will be a dressy night of fun games, entertainment, delicious food & grown-up beverages, raffles, and surprises along the way. Join us to celebrate and learn more about how our students are learning, growing, and thriving with the support of Communities In Schools of Chesterfield. Tickets are available for purchase here- get yours today!
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