Department Stages Production for Acts of Faith Festival

The department has partnered with the Friends of Dogwood Dell and the African-American Repertory Theatre Company to present “Ecce” as part of Richmond’s Acts of Faith Festival. The Acts of Faith Festival, a collaboration of the faith community and professional theatre companies, is the largest faith inspired theatre event in the country.

      The premise of “Ecce,” by Washington-area playwright AP Carroll, is that the Roman occupation of Israel, the appearance of Jesus Christ, and the rise of Christianity takes place in the present day. “Ecce” is not biblical however; rather it is an age-old tale told in a modern voice that is political, personal and paradoxical.

      The production will be staged at the Pine Camp Arts and Community Center, located at 4901 Old Brook Road, February 28 – March 3 and March 7 – March 10. Thursday, Friday and Saturday performances are at 8 p.m., and Sunday performances are at 4 p.m.

     Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for students, seniors and groups of 10 or more. For reservations or more information, call (804) 646-1031. Please note that Ecce contains strong language and is not suitable for children.

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Tuesdays, Thursdays are Line Dancing Nights

Come out and have a good time line dancing every Tuesday and Thursday night from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities’ Blackwell Community Center, located at 300 East 15^th Street.

    This fun group is lead by Yolanda Wilcox, who welcomes everyone from beginners to those who know the steps and just love to dance.

    There is a participation fee of $25 a month or $16 for four weeks, which can be paid by credit card, check or money order. No advance registration is required, so drop in and start dancing anytime, or call (804) 646-8630 for more information.

Department to Hold Mardi Gras Party for Seniors

The department will hold a Mardi Gras party for senior citizens at its Ann Hardy Plaza Community Center on February 26 from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. The program will feature music, karaoke, games, door prizes, other fun activities and food.

     The program is free to attend, and there is no need to pre-register.

      The Ann Hardy Plaza Community Center is located at 3300 First Avenue. For more information, call (804) 646-4824.

NYC Fitness Gurus Offer Free Workout in Byrd Park

Join New York fitness gurus Lisa and Priest Priestly of WholeLifeStyles Inc. for a free workout in Byrd Park beside Fountain Lake on Saturday, Aug. 4, at 9 a.m.  The city’s Healthy Richmond Campaign and the Metropolitan Junior Baseball League are partnering to host this event for fans and the public during the Inner City Classic youth baseball tournament, July 31 through August 5.

     Lisa Priestly and Roderick “Priest” Priestly, two of New York City’s top fitness trainers and co-owners of WholeLifeStyles Inc., will lead the workout that is designed for all fitness levels. After the workout, pick up some personal tips and take advantage of the free health and fitness information.

     “We are pleased to have these two fitness ‘stars’ in Richmond to lead this free workout,” said Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities Director Dr. Norman Merrifield. “Both the Classic youth baseball tournament and this workout opportunity complement the Mayor’s Healthy Richmond Campaign in promoting healthy lifestyle choices that have a physical and economic impact on the well-being of the entire community.”

     Lisa and Priest take a holistic approach to fitness that incorporates physical fitness, nutritional awareness and mental focus to achieve optimal health. Their integrated approach comes from Lisa’s experiences in personal communications work, Yoga, holistic lifestyle coaching, and Ayurveda along with multiple fitness certifications, and Priest’s focus and discipline gained through martial arts and results-oriented fitness goals.

     For more information on the Inner City Classic, visit www. mjbl.org.

                                                                   

Staged Reading Scheduled at Hickory Hill Community Center

The department, in partnership with My Creative Spirit, a new Northern Virginia theater company, will present a staged reading of “That ColorBlind Kind Of Love” at the Hickory Hill Community Center on Nov. 18 at 6:30 p.m.

     The play, written by English teacher Rebekah Peirce, premiered at the Kennedy Center’s Page-to-Stage Festival in September. The drama tells the story of Sampson and his slave Twyla, kindred spirits who have loved and searched for one another for more than a century. The story tells of a forbidden love between master and slave, which they have been forced to abandon over the course of 150 years. By the end of the play, their souls are finally reconnected in the present. This drama asks if love is truly colorblind in this “so-called” post-race era.

     The reading is free to attend and a small reception will be held afterward.

     Hickory Hill Community Center is located at 3000 Belt Boulevard. For more information, call 646-7934.

‘Let’s Pink’ Breast Cancer Event Set for Nov. 4

The department will hold a breast cancer awareness event and fundraiser called “Let’s Pink” at its Hickory Hill Community Center on Nov. 4 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.  The event will include raffles, visual arts, vendors, food, music, entertainment and much more.

     The mission of Let’s Pink is to merge the vibrancy and artistic minds of Richmond’s youth and young adults with the knowledge and life experience of Richmond’s seasoned generation while raising awareness for breast cancer.

     Local artists and photographers will display interpretive works related to breast cancer at the event and have other works from their collections on sale as well. In addition, Lauren Parker from SLAM, Richmond’s youth poet team, will present pieces created especially for the event, and two guest speakers will discuss their personal journeys with breast cancer and how it has affected them.

     An information table will provide brochures and pamphlets to take home, and a variety of vendors representing health, fitness, beauty and fashion will also participate.

     Donations of $5 are encouraged to attend the event, and all proceeds will go to the Central Virginia Affiliates of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

     Although no registration is required, you can learn more about the event and sign up to attend, as well as donate, online by visiting LetsPink.EventBrite.com. You can also call 646-8874 or 245-6637 for more information.

      The Hickory Hill Community Center is located at 3000 E. Belt Boulevard. This program is in line with Mayor Dwight C. Jones’ Healthy Richmond Campaign to promote healthy lifestyles for all residents in the city of Richmond.

Boot Camp for New Mothers to start Nov. 2

The department will offer six weeks of fitness training for new mothers and their babies that will help the moms lose weight, get back into shape, and regain their confidence, while they bond with their babies. It’s called “Mom and Me Boot Camp.”
     Classes will start on Nov. 2 and run through Dec. 14 and will be held at the department’s Humphrey Calder Community Center at 414 N. Thompson St. on Mondays and Wednesdays from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
     The instructor, Myra Robinson, is a personal trainer certified by the American Council on Exercise and a fitness instructor certified by the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America. As the owner of Mombshellfitness, she specializes in cardio and strength training for new mothers. “We turn new moms into bombshells!” she says.
     During the classes, moms work on high intensity cardio drills and strength training, often using their babies’ strollers, while the babies are entertained by the high energy music and constant movement. In addition, the class, which fosters new friendships, can help combat postpartum depression and the stress of caring for a baby.
     The cost of the boot camp is $120 for the entire six-week session, which amounts to just $5 per class, and there is no extra cost for a second child!

     The program is in line with Mayor Dwight C. Jones’ Healthy Richmond Campaign set to kick off in the spring to help promote healthy lifestyles in the city of Richmond.

     To register for the boot camp or for more information, call the community center at (804) 646-1780 or e-mail the instructor at myra@mombshellfitness.com. For more information on the Mayor’s Healthy Richmond Campaign, call 646-5823.

James River Park Programs Scheduled

The department has scheduled three programs to be held in its James River Park System.       
     On Friday, July 29, children and their families are invited to come to the park’s headquarters at Reedy Creek, 4001 Riverside Drive, for a program called “Insects at Night.” This program offers a hands-on investigation of insects caught in light traps and is co-sponsored by the James River Park System and VCU. No fee or advance registration is required for the program, which will take place from 9 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

     On Saturday, July 30, back by popular demand, the department will offer a guided Torch-Lit Walk on the Slave Trail. The walk, which will cost $5 per person, will start at 8:30 p.m. from Ancarrow’s Landing, located at 1308 Bander St. No advance registration is required, and return transportation to the parking lot following the walk will be provided.

     On Friday, Aug. 12, the department will offer a “Moonlight Paddle and Picnic for Wounded Warriors.” This free program is co-sponsored by the James River Park System, the James River Outdoor Coalition and McGuire Veterans Hospital, and all veterans, “wounded warriors,” handicapped individuals, and the general public are invited to participate. The event will take place from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Huguenot Flatwater, located at 8200 Riverside Drive. Advance registration by Wednesday, Aug. 10, is required by calling (804) 646-8911. There is no fee to participate.

 

View the Night Sky in Bryan Park

The department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities, the Friends of Bryan Park and the Richmond Astronomical Society present a night of gazing at the stars in Bryan Park tonight, Thursday, April 14, at 8 p.m. This is a free family event, featuring an expert who will be on hand to explain the view. High-powered telescopes will be set up, and Virgo, Ursa Major, the double stars in Leo, and the big cluster in Cancer, recognized in ancient times and known today as the Beehive or M44, should be visible. In addition, the moon, Saturn and the Big Dipper should be visible to the naked eye. This is a weather permitting event. No pets are allowed due to the delicate nature of the equipment used. Follow the sings to Shelter #3 for parking. The viewing will be acroos the street on the soccer field.

These Seniors Really Got Talent!

Eighty-eight-year-old Pauline Wheeler charmed the judges at the department's Seniors Got Talent Showcase held at the Westover Community Center in March. She earned the first place prize in the Spoken Word category for her recitation of the poem, “Heaven’s Grocery Store.” The poem was relevant to her own life story, since she and her husband, Sgt. Shelvie Wheeler, owned and operated a community grocery store for approximately 30 years. Other winners in the competition were Cornelia Walker and Sara Archer, who took second and third place respectively in the Spoken Word category. Michael Brown won first place in the Vocal/Musical category for his rendition of a gospel piece, while Marjorie Wharton and Rufus Bowman took second and third place respectively in the Vocal/Musical category. The showcase, which was organized by Lynette Wilkins, the department’s supervisor at Westover, was judged by Linda Tunes of the Cooperative Extension Service; Loretta Anderson, a Department of Social Services retiree; Lashaun Casselle, a department recreation instructor; and Martha Jones-Carter, a department recreation program specialist.

April 16 Arbor Day Festival Offers Fun for the Entire Family

Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities will co-sponsor Stay Co2ol With Trees, Richmond’s third annual Arbor Day celebration with fun and information for everyone in the family. Come out and enjoy the activities at the Carillon in Byrd Park on Saturday, April 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It's free to attend and will be held rain or shine. At the event, children can climb trees, hunt “treasure,” create art or make a pinecone bird feeder. They will meet PBS KIDS’ Clifford the Big Red Dog and Nutzy, the Richmond Flying Squirrels’ mascot, as well as members of the Richmond Police Department’s Mounted Patrol and the Richmond Fire Department. The Sharon Rae North Trio, a jazz combo, will entertain; tree care professionals will be on hand to offer expert advice; and woodcarvers will demonstrate their skill. Plants, landscaping services, pruning tools and more will be exhibited and on sale, and a “Wow! Tree Walk” will be held throughout the event. What's a “Wow! Tree Walk?” It’s “Wow! I didn’t know bad mulching could kill a tree! Wow! I didn't know that trees can reduce street maintenance costs . . . raise property values . . . reduce summer and winter energy costs!” Wow, it's free park walks led by experts who will answer all your questions about trees. Also on the program, from 11 a.m. to noon, Lou Verner, wildlife-mapping coordinator of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, will explain “Why We Won’t Save Wildlife Without Native Plant Landscapes.” In addition, gardening expert Richard Nunnally will be on hand to talk with fans and help solve plant problems. The festival will conclude with a ceremonial tree planting presented by the American Legion Post 84 with their Color Guard and Memorial Rifles. Arbor Day sponsors include the Richmond Tree Stewards, Richmond’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities, and Richmond’s Urban Forestry Division of the Department of Public Works. Gold corporate sponsors include Dominion, the Richmond Times-Dispatch and Community Idea Stations Public Broadcasting. Silver Sponsors include Cisneros Roofing, Colesville Nursery, Davey Tree Expert Co., Glen Allen Nursery, Riverside Outfitters and Virginia Department of Forestry. Bronze Sponsors include Arborscapes LLC, Circle Safety & Health Consultants LLC, Ginter Park Residents Association, Hudgins Landscaping, James River Grounds Management, Richmond Flying Squirrels, Richmond International Raceway, Truetimber Tree Service Inc., Vermeer Mid Atlantic, and Westover Hills Neighborhood Association. The Richmond Tree Stewards are trained volunteers who help the arborists of Urban Forestry care for trees along city streets and in parks. In 2010, they volunteered more than 1,500 hours of service to the city. You too can be a Tree Steward. Learn more at http://richmondtreestewards.wordpress.com or visit with them at the festival.

Seniors Got Talent?

Are you a senior citizen with talent? If so, then join the Senior Talent Showcase sponsored by the department at its Westover Community Center on March 25. The center is located at 1301 Jahnke Rd., and the fun will begin at 11 a.m.
You must have talent and be at least 55 years old to compete in the Showcase competition. Prizes will be awarded along with the opportunity to add “Talent Star” to your resume.
For more information, call (804) 646-8995.

Brain Games Coming Soon

The department will offer two days of brain aerobics for adults 55 and older who want to keep their minds young and fit.
The fun games and mental exercises designed especially for adults will begin at 11 a.m. on Jan. 14 and Jan. 28 at the department’s Westover Community Center, located at 1301 Jahnke Rd. It’s free to participate.
For more information, call 646-8995.