The city of Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities (PRCF) proudly presents “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” at Dogwood Dell. Opening night is Friday, July 27 with additional performances scheduled for Saturday, July 28; Sunday, July 29; Friday, August 3; and Saturday, August 4. All performances begin at 8:30 p.m.
“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” is a musical comedy based on the book by Rachel Sheinken and includes an engaging musical score by William Finn. The musical details an eclectic group of sixth graders who are eager to win the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee for a variety of different reasons.
Joseph Pabst will direct PRCF’s production along with musical director Ben Miller and choreographer Kate Belleman.
PRCF’s presents “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” as part of the 62nd Festival of heARTS, a summer long concert and event series. Guests are advised to arrive early to secure seats in the outdoor amphitheater. Picnics are encouraged; however, pets, alcohol or glass containers are not allowed. Dogwood Dell, 1301 Blanton Avenue, is located within Byrd Park.
For a complete listing of the 62nd Festival of heARTS lineup and for more information on this show, go to www.RichmondGov.com/parks and click on Cultural Arts or call the Dell Information Line at (804) 646-DELL.
Mayor Levar M. Stoney is pleased to announce that the Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities (PRCF) has expanded the operating hours of five city community centers.
The expanded operating hours for the five community centers are from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. This change in operational hours began on July 14. City community centers had been closed on weekends unless they were being used for special events. The five community centers affected by this change are:
- Bellemeade Community Center, 1800 Lynhaven Avenue
- Hotchkiss Community Center, 701 Brookland Park Boulevard
- Powhatan Community Center, 5051 Northampton Street
- Randolph Community Center, 1415 Grayland Avenue
- Southside Community Center, 6255 Old Warwick Road
As a result of this operational change, the indoor pool at Bellemeade Community Center is open to the public on Saturdays from noon to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
“Expanding the operating hours of city community centers will increase recreational and leisure activity within the community and support after school activities for youth,” said Mayor Stoney. “Giving kids and adults more opportunity and access to activities and support services that enrich their minds and improve their bodies is time and money well spent by the City of Richmond.”
With the weekend openings, the community will have access to a variety of athletic activities, to include basketball, volleyball, pickle ball, and fitness training. Other activities such as cultural arts, STEAM (fashion and design, wood working, digital photography etc.), multi-cultural programming and many other programming opportunities also become available to the community. PRCF will monitor facility usage and resident program request to adjust community center hours and programming as needed.
The Calhoun Community Center, 436 Calhoun Street, will open on weekends in the next few weeks, to bring the total number of city community centers with expanded hours to six. These six sites serve as a pilot for potentially expanding operational hours at additional city community centers in the future. Funding for this operational change was included in the city’s FY2019 budget, as presented by Mayor Stoney.
On Saturday, July 14, the Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site and the city of Richmond invite the public to celebrate the life and legacy of Maggie L. Walker and the Jackson Ward community in which she lived. In honor of the 154th anniversary of Mrs. Walker’s birthday, public events will be held at the historic site and in the area of the Maggie Walker statue. These events will feature a variety of activities to include a community engagement fair, open-house tours, special program, children’s activities, entertainment and refreshments.
The national historic site will host a special event on July 14 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The festivities begin at 11 a.m. with the site’s Common Good Fair, which features children’s activities and community engagement groups highlighting ways individuals can take action and make a difference in the community. A recognition ceremony honoring the Maggie L. Walker Summer Youth Leadership Institute Class of 2018 will be held at 11:30 a.m., followed by light refreshments and music. Open-house tours of the Maggie Walker home will be available before and after the ceremony. The event is free and open to the public.
The city of Richmond’s celebration event is from noon to 4 p.m. at the intersection of Broad Street and North Adams Street, site of the Maggie Walker statue. This event features remarks from public officials, Maggie Walker’s family and Maggie Walker school alumni at 1 p.m., entertainment by Glennroy Bailey, youth boxing exhibition, inflatables, refreshments and much more.
Event speakers include Faith Elizabeth Walker Mickens, Maggie Walker’s great-great granddaughter; Mayor Levar Stoney; David Ruth, superintendent National Park Service Maggie Walker Historic Site; Shirley Gault, president National Maggie L. Walker Alumni Association; and Melvin Jones, Maggie Walker High School alumni and project advocate.
Event speakers include Faith Elizabeth Walker Mickens, Maggie Walker’s great-great granddaughter; Mayor Levar Stoney; David Ruth, superintendent National Park Service Maggie Walker Historic Site; Shirley Gault, president National Maggie L. Walker Alumni Association; and Melvin Jones, Maggie Walker High School alumni and project advocate.
Both of the July 14 events are free to the public. A shuttle bus will be available for transportation between each event location.
The first African American woman to charter a bank and serve as its president, Mrs. Walker dedicated herself to a life of civic engagement, challenging racial discrimination and gender bias. Her story of leadership and self-determination continues to resonate with and inspire people around the world.
For more information about the Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site, please call the visitor center at (804) 771-2017 x 0, visit www.nps.gov/mawa or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MaggieL.WalkerNHS.
For more information on the city of Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities call (804) 646-5733 or visit Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
