Meet this week's guest editor, Tim Barry! A Richmond native and self-taught musician, Tim is a pioneer of "Folk Rock," celebrated for his authentic and raw sound. Deeply connected to the city's community and natural landscapes, Tim draws inspiration from Richmond’s James River, which he considers an anchor in his life. Whether paddling, fishing, running, or exploring with his family, the river and its surrounding parks continually fuel his creativity and provide a sense of joy and respite.
Surprising to some, Tim is also an avid runner who finds peace and purpose in the rhythm of the trail. Despite his musical success, he cannot read sheet music—a detail that underscores the raw, unfiltered passion behind his craft.
For Tim, Richmond is more than just a home—it’s a close-knit community and a wellspring of inspiration, anchored by the enduring presence of the James River.
Take it away, Tim ...
November Fest: Concerts & Charity Drive at The Camel
November Fest concert tickets have already sold out, but there are other meaningful ways to get involved in the action! All weekend long at The Camel, we will be collecting food donations for Feed More and diaper donations for Little Hands Virginia. You'll find details about both charities in the "More About" section further down in this volume.
Vitals:
November Fest Charity Drive at The Camel / Friday, November 22 - Sunday, November 24 / Bring Donations / The Camel, 1621 West Broad Street
November Fest: James River Park Trail Work
I'm partnering with Keep Virginia Cozy, Friends of James River Park, and James River Park System staff to lead two days of cleanups and trail work during November Fest weekend. Join us in rebuilding a section of trail washed out by erosion. We'll be hauling rocks and filling dirt, so wear sturdy shoes, bring work gloves, and pack water! If you have a bucket or milk crate for carrying rocks, please bring it!
While registration is NOT mandatory, it will help gauge the supplies we will need to provide. Please register here to help us prepare!
Vitals:
James River Park Trail Work / Saturday, November 23, 10:00 am / FREE / W. 22nd St Parking lot of the James River Park System (W. 22nd & Riverside)
November Fest: James River Park River Cleanup
I’m hosting a river clean up on Sunday, November 24 with the same collaborators as Saturday's event; in fact, Keep Virginia Cozy could achieve a mind blowing 1 million pounds of litter removed from our public spaces if we collect enough trash Sunday. So let’s go big! Plus, Hike Hopped Seltzer will be on site providing some cold beverages!
Please visit this link for details, and hit “yes” on the sign up if you are coming. Let’s get off the apps and get outside together!
Vitals:
James River Park - River Clean Up / Sunday, November 24, 11:00 am / FREE / W. 22nd St Parking lot of the James River Park System (W. 22nd & Riverside)
More About the
November Fest Charities
If you are attending any of Tim's Richmond shows this weekend at The Camel, or want to drop by the venue to help out, they'll be collecting food donations for Feed More and diaper donations for Little Hands Virginia. Donations can be dropped off at the door!
Feed More, based in Richmond, is a cornerstone organization in the fight against hunger, providing meals to individuals and families across Central Virginia through its comprehensive network of food banks, kitchens, and delivery programs.
Little Hands Virginia supports children in crisis by providing essential items such as diapers, clothing, and hygiene products.
These organizations create a safety net for vulnerable populations, ensuring children and families in Richmond have access to both nourishment and the essentials needed to thrive.
Meet this week's guest editor, Helen Rai! Helen’s story is one of resilience and community. Born in Nepal, she moved to Richmond, Virginia, in 2005, where her family found strength within the local community. Now, as Program Director at Circles RVA and Director of Client Engagement at ReEstablish Richmond, Helen works to foster shared responsibility and well-being throughout the community.
Passionate about her heritage, she serves on the boards of the Asian American Society of Central Virginia, the Nepali Community of Greater Richmond Virginia, and Kasama Collective, amplifying Asian American and Nepali voices.
Outside of work, Helen and her husband stay busy raising two toddlers and preparing for a month-long journey to Nepal next year.
Take it away, Helen ...
Circles RVA Homecoming & Family Reunion
Join us in celebrating a milestone! This month marks 7 years of Circles RVA, and we’re thrilled to invite you to our Homecoming event on November 16th. Together, we’ll reflect on the incredible work we’ve done, honor the inspiring achievements of our Leaders, and dream of a future where everyone in Richmond has enough money, meaning, and friends to thrive. This is a celebration of our past and a vision for the future, and we’d love for you to be part of it.
Uniting to Amplify Love: A Collective Meditation at The Well Collective
What if, for one hour, tens of thousands of people came together to create an unstoppable wave of love and healing? With special guest Marianne Williamson, hosted by Candace Blair and The Love Tower at Ashah, this isn’t just a meditation—it’s a global gathering, amplifying our collective intention. While this will be a live streamed event accessible around the world, Marianne Williamson and Candace Blair will be with us LIVE and in person at The Well Collective with a limited number of seats available to join!
Join wildlife specialists from the Alliance of Wild Animal Rehabilitators and Educators (AWARE) as they discuss their mission of rehabilitating, providing sanctuary and individualized care for Virginia's native wildlife with the intent to release. They will provide tips on what to do if you find wildlife in need of help.
Vitals:
Wildlife Rescue with AWARE / Saturday, November 16, 11:00 - 12:00 pm / FREE / Libbie Mill, 2100 Libbie Lake E St, Richmond
More About Circles RVA
In a time marked by division, Circles RVA brings people from diverse backgrounds and experiences together to tackle the complex issue of poverty. We believe in the transformative power of social capital—recognizing that who you know is as crucial as what you know in achieving economic stability and success.
Our approach centers around building social networks that empower individuals to not just survive but truly thrive. At the core of our organization is the "Circle Leader": a person striving to move from survival to stability. Each Circle Leader determines their own unique path, setting goals in areas like employment, asset building, debt reduction, credit improvement, homeownership, or entrepreneurship.
Through Circles RVA, we offer a structured foundation backed by proven research highlighting social capital as a key factor in reducing poverty. We are committed to creating opportunities and networks that foster growth, resilience, and long-term economic stability.
Meet this week's guest editor, Ellyn Parker! An artist, writer, and community connector, Ellyn champions the power of nature, creativity, and the arts to foster healing, connection, and community vitality. Growing up outside Lynchburg, in a log cabin by a lake with parents who were public school teachers, Ellyn developed a lifelong love for the Blue Ridge Mountains and for learning. She recently pursued advanced research in Arts in Health through the University of Florida’s Arts in Medicine program, delving into social prescribing—the idea that access to arts, nature, and social connection is essential to wellbeing.
After spending over two decades in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she raised her daughter, owned an art gallery, and became involved in community activism, Ellyn found herself working in government as a community development specialist. For nine years, she led programs that boosted economic development in the nightlife and maker industries, using arts as a bridge to bring people together. Since returning to Virginia in 2015, Ellyn served as the Public Art Coordinator for the City of Richmond and curated exhibits for Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. Now, as a public art and creative economy consultant, she is passionate about helping others bring creative visions to life.
Take it away, Ellyn ...
InLight 2024: Grounds for Clearing
Experience the healing power of community, nature, and the arts under the stars. InLight is 1708 Gallery’s annual public exhibition of multimedia works, sculptures, installations, performances, community-based works, and virtual projects that utilize light-based platforms experienced at night.
Quarry RVA & Art Grove Newsletter Artist Connector
Join Art Grove Newsletterand Quarry RVA for an afternoon of building connections with local Richmond artists of any medium and skill level. Discuss the creative process and share hopes for the Richmond artist community. This is a free event featuring tea and cookies.
Nature is the best teacher, companion, healer, and therapist sometimes. You just gotta get up and connect to your breath while watching the sun come up over the water. Yep, that is the good stuff. Watch the day begin (or end, if mornings aren’t your thing) over the beautiful James River which connects our community. Take a breath and let things flow before your day starts. The rest of your day will thank you. Need to cry it out? The river will take your tears and wash them along. Here are a few of my favorite sunrise spots:
Sunrise at the River / Nov 7-13, 6:41 am / FREE / locations linked above
More About the Artists
Beth Anne Booth and Ellyn Parker began working together professionally in 2019 as art administrators, curating exhibits and community programming within the Richmond, Virginia region. Inspired by recent and significant pivots in their respective personal journeys, Beth Anne and Ellyn organically forged a renewed partnership as collaborating artists. Coupled with their combined expertise in Exhibition Design, Public Art, and Design, they create healing, transformative art experiences that amplify humankind’s sacred connection to the natural world.
In their words – "Our installation for InLight is the visual culmination of our discussions on healing, breathing, the arts, and the natural world. We encourage you to meditate in the spaces between the audible inhales and exhales, honoring the shared human experiences that connect us in grief, gratitude, and presence."
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