Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Explore Your Creativity with an Art Class at Pine Camp

January 26, 2010
Our arts and crafts classes at Pine Camp allow adults and children plenty of opportunities to explore and develop their creativity. Our big, beautiful studios at Pine Camp provide an atmosphere that is relaxing and will inspire your creativity, while our our top-notch instructors are supportive and win praises from our students.
The wide variety of classes range from fiber arts to jewelry-making, photography, pottery, painting, drawing and many more unique arts and crafts. To see a complete list and schedule of upcoming classes consult our Program Guide at http://www.richmondgov.com/Parks/ActivityGuide.aspx.
For more information, call our Art Department at (804) 646-3674.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Guided Walks on Richmond's Slave Trail

January 21, 2010
Richmond's Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities will offer guided walks on Richmond's Slave Trail each Saturday during February in recognition of Black History Month.
These emotional walks, led by James River Park Manager Ralph White, will take you from the stone docks at Ancarrow's Landing through the forest and across the river to the site of the old slave jails.
The walks will be scheduled for 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. based on demand. There is a $5 per person fee.
Please register in advance by calling the James River Park System at 804-646-8911.

City Dance Theatre to Perform

January 21, 2010
The Department's national award-winning City Dance Theatre, composed of young dancers ranging in age from 9 to 17, will perform in the following upcoming programs.
On Saturday, Jan. 23, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Jan 24, at 3 p.m. they will perform in “Lights Up!,” a celebration of youth and the arts at Richmond CenterStage in the Carpenter Theatre. The concert will also feature performances by the Richmond Youth Symphony, the Virginia Youth Opera, the Richmond Ballet, SPARC and others.
On Saturday, Jan. 30, the young dancers will perform in the Virginia Dance Festival, which is hosted annually by the Jessica Morgan School of Dance at James River High School. The performances are at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased at the door.
City Dance Theatre will also be a part of the fifth annual youth Educoncert, Generation Dream 2010, honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Educoncert is presented by the Richmond Youth Peace Project, a joint project of the Richmond Peace Education Center and Drums No Guns. Performances are scheduled at the VCU Singleton Performing Arts Center on Thursday, Jan. 28, at 7 p.m., and at the Henrico Theater, 305 E. Nine Mile Road in Highland Springs, on Saturday, Jan. 30, at 7 p.m. A $5 per family donation to help defray expenses is requested for Thursday’s performance, and admission is free for Saturday’s show.
For more information on City Dance Theatre, call Annette Holt, manager of the department’s dance program, at 804-646-3673.

Have Fun and Help Save the Planet! - Plant Trees in Bryd Park

January 21, 2010
If you enjoy using the Vita Course in Byrd Park, consider giving back by volunteering to help plant new trees around the course.
Volunteers are wanted to gather at 9 a.m. on Jan. 23 to help plant 20 new trees around this popular exercise course in Byrd Park.
The trees are being provided by the Friends of William Byrd Park, a citizen’s group that helps care for the park. Volunteers will receive instruction on how to plant the trees correctly so that they will grow and thrive. The project is expected to be completed by noon or perhaps earlier.
The tree planting is a joint effort of the Friends of William Byrd Park, the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities, the Richmond Recreation and Parks Foundation, and the Department of Public Works. It is the first of a multi-year project planned by the Friends group to plant trees around the Vita Course to increase the shade canopy.
Anyone interested in giving a few hours of their time is encouraged to meet at the entrance to the course in Byrd Park on Trafford Road at 9 a.m. Bring work gloves, and if you have them, shovels, rakes and wire cutters.
For more information, call (804) 971-3646.
Have fun and help save the planet too!

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Warning: Park Lakes Currently Dangerous

January 12, 2010
Richmond's Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities is asking the public to stay off its frozen lakes.

The department has lakes at Byrd Park, Bryan Park and Forest Hill Park. “Although they may appear to be frozen, they are not safe,” said Department Director J. R. Pope.
“When the temperatures fluctuate above and below freezing as they have recently in Richmond, it causes a ‘honeycomb’ effect within the ice, which weakens it,” Pope explained. “While they may look inviting, they are dangerous.”
The department has posted “No Skating” signs around all park lakes. This includes the three lakes at Byrd Park, the Azalea Garden Pond and Young’s Pond at Bryan Park, and the lake at Forest Hill Park. The signs use a symbol of a man ice skating with the familiar circle and bar stamped across it.
Contacts: Tesha Davis – (804) 646-3998
Christy Everson – (804) 646-5944

Spotlight Gallery to Feature Local African-American Artists

January 6, 2010
The City of Richmond’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities will present “From Africa and Beyond,” an exhibit representing more than 20 local African-American artists, in its Spotlight Gallery in celebration of African-American History Month. This annual group exhibit will trace the imprint of African Americans from the rich influence of Africa to current trends in contemporary art and feature paintings, drawings, collage, quilts, ceramics and photographs.


The exhibit will open with a reception Friday, Jan. 15, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and continue through Feb. 19.
The Spotlight Gallery is located at the department’s Pine Camp Arts and Community Center at 4901 Old Brook Rd. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, call 646-3674.