Department Extends Free Movies in the Park Series

Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities has added another free movie to its series of family films shown in parks around the city. “Cats and Dogs: Revenge of Kitty Galore” will be shown at 8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 26, in Jefferson Park at 21^st and East Marshall streets.  

     In the animated family comedy, cats and dogs join forces for the first time in history to take down Kitty Galore, a former agent for the spy organization MEOWS, who has hatched a diabolical plan to make the world her own scratching post. The film features the voices of Chris O’Donnell and Jack McBrayer in the starring roles.
    This movie concludes the department’s series of free family Movies in the Parks, co-sponsored by 106.5 the Beat. The series kicked off on July 15 in Byrd Park and has featured a PG-rated film every Friday night in a variety of parks around the city.
     Families are encouraged to bring their blankets, popcorn and drinks to enjoy the movie.

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.

 

City to Kickoff 55th Annual Festival of the Arts June 10

Mayor Dwight C. Jones and the City of Richmond will kick off the 55th annual Festival of the Arts on Friday, June 10, at 8 p.m. on the Dogwood Dell stage with the Upper East Side Big Band. The festival features 30 evenings of outdoor family entertainment at Dogwood Dell throughout out the summer that are free to attend.
Highlighting the annual festival will be the city’s Fourth of July Celebration at the Dell. This year, beginning at 4 p.m., it will feature local hip hop group Kids in Da Biz, jazz by Sharon North, a concert on the Carillon bells, and rousing patriotic music by the Richmond Concert Band concluding with a fireworks extravaganza.
Other highlights of the annual summer festival include a Gospel Music Fest on Sunday, July 10, from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., a Latin Jazz and Salsa Festival on Saturday, July 23, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., and a special tribute to local musician Page Wilson on Sunday, July 17, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. that will feature Terry Garland and Lil’ Ronnie, Wilson’s band Reckless Abandon, and the Janet Martin Band performing rock, blues and Americana music.
In addition to the wide variety of musical entertainment, the festival brings dance, movies, and theater to the Dell, as well as an entire lineup of morning and afternoon entertainment especially for young audiences on the Ha’Penny Stage, which is adjacent to the Dell.
Families are encouraged to bring picnics and blankets to performances, however no alcohol or pets are allowed. The outdoor amphitheatre is located in Byrd Park at 1300 Blanton Avenue, just north of the Boulevard Bridge.
The Festival of the Arts is produced by the Cultural Arts Division of Richmond’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities. The complete schedule of programs can be downloaded from the main page of the city’s website at www.richmondgov.com.

City's Free 'Eggstravaganza' Happening Saturday

The department will host the City's annual free spring “Eggstravaganza” on Saturday, April 30, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Pine Camp Arts and Community Center, located at 4901 Old Brook Road. The event was originally postponed due to rain.
The annual free event includes a total of 20,000 candy and prize-filled eggs to be found in three separate egg hunts for children of different ages between 4 and 12. In addition, there will be a “Bunny Town” for children 3 years old and younger.
This free family event promises to be fun for all and will feature music by DJ Mili, hula hoop demonstrations, balloon artists, a caricature artist, arts and crafts, face painters, child fingerprinting, basketball, and the opportunity for children to have their picture taken with Mr. Bunny. Food vendors also will be on hand throughout the day.
Children who want to participate in the egg hunts need to bring their own basket and register for a color-coded wrist band that will allow them to participate in the hunt for their age group.
In addition to finding the prize eggs, games and activities with prizes will go on throughout the day.
The event is co-sponsored by the City and Radio One, and free parking will be available at John Marshall High School and Henderson Middle School.

Volunteers Needed to Help 'Tree the Track'

Do you enjoy Byrd Park? Have you ever used the Byrd Park vita course? Are you looking for a way to help make our city a better place to live? Then join the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities and the Friends of Byrd Park on Saturday, January 22, from 9 a.m. to noon, in a Neighbor-to-Neighbor project that will help beautify the park.
Volunteers are needed to help plant 30 new trees around the Byrd Park vita course. The holes will be dug in advance, and volunteers are needed to mulch, water and shovel dirt around the new plantings. This project is a great activity for families to enjoy together, and all ages can help.
Neighbor-to-Neighbor is an initiative of Mayor Dwight C. Jones to encourage the residents of Richmond to get involved and become active architects in “Building a Better Richmond.”
For more information and to volunteer to help Tree the Track, call 355-2639 or 342-9005 or visit www.Richmondgov.com/Mayor and click on the Neighbor-to-Neighbor link.

Holiday Events

Ongoing through Dec. 11 – Holiday Craftsman Sale, Pine Camp Arts & Community Center, 4901 Old Brook Rd. – This sale features gift items made by some of the area’s best artists and crafters, and a portion of every sale goes toward funding art classes for city youth. It goes on Tuesdays – Fridays 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. – 7 p.m., and Saturdays 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Pine Camp, and in the lobby of City Hall at 900 E. Broad St. on Friday, Dec. 10 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, call (804) 646-3674.

Dec. 5, 4 p.m. - “Amahl and the Night Visitors,” Landmark Theater, 6 N. Laurel St. – The department’s ‘Holiday Gift to the City,’ this heartwarming musical about a young shepherd boy and his mother is FREE to attend. Seating is general admission. For more information, call (804) 646-1031.

Dec. 7 – Dec. 16, noon – Caroling at City Hall – Stop by the lobby of City Hall, 900 E. Broad St., Tuesday, Dec. 7 through Friday, Dec. 10 and Monday, Dec. 13 through Thursday, Dec. 16 for a FREE holiday concert. Each day a different school choir will perform "sounds of the season" that are guaranteed to put you in a festive mood! Co-sponsored by Richmond Public Schools, call (804) 646-5733 or see the calendar at RichmondGov.com for information on which school is performing.

Dec. 11, 4:30 p.m. – 18th Annual James River Parade of Lights – Richmond families are invited to view this annual twinkling flotilla of holiday-decorated boats on the James River. Entertainment will begin at 4:30 p.m. in Libby Hill Park, located at 2801 E. Franklin St. Parade viewing will begin at 6 p.m. at the Intermediate Terminal at Dock and Water streets. This FREE event is a partnership program of the James River Advisory Council.

Dec. 18, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. – Breakfast with Santa, Hickory Hill Community Center, 3000 E. Belt Blvd. - The entire family will enjoy dining with Santa when he stops by to visit at Hickory Hill! It’s FREE, but reservations by Monday, Dec. 14 are required. Please call (804) 646-7934.

Dec. 28, 7 p.m. – Kwanzaa Celebration, Hickory Hill Community Center, 3000 E. Belt Blvd. - Bring the entire family and celebrate Kwanzaa with music, food and fun. This FREE celebration is co-sponsored by Deep Water Productions. For more information, call (804) 646-7934.

Special movie night set for Oct. 29

Families are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes to the final film in the department’s fall series of free outdoor movies, which will be shown at Dogwood Dell in Byrd Park on Friday, October 29.
The department will show Disney’s “Alice in Wonderland” from 7 to 9 p.m.
“Our movies in the parks have been a huge success," said J.R. Pope, director of the department. "Families from all over the city have really enjoyed them. They’re a great way for families and neighbors to get outdoors and have some fun, and it's all free.”
The department chose to offer its free movie series to provide families with an affordable recreation option in the current economic environment. All the movies have been free to attend, and free popcorn is handed out for as long as it lasts.
Audiences should bring chairs or blankets and can also bring their own sodas and snacks. Food and drinks can also be purchased from the concession stand at Dogwood Dell.
As a reminder, no glass containers or pets are allowed at Dogwood Dell.

Historical Reenactment Commissioned

Richmond, VA – In honor of the Joseph Bryan Park 100th anniversary, the Friends of Bryan Park has commissioned local playwright and founder of Richmond’s African-American Repertory Theater Derome Scott-Smith to write and produce an historical reenactment about Gabriel, the slave whose life and death are forever entwined with the park’s history. The play, a one-man show, will be performed for free in the park on Friday, Sept. 17, at 7 p.m. and on October 1, 8, and 15, at 6:30 p.m. Local actor, Timothy L. Harris, who is an imposing 6 feet 6 inches tall, will portray Gabriel.

Gabriel planned a slave uprising in 1800, now known as Gabriel’s Rebellion, which was probably the largest conceived in the history of the South. During that summer, the insurrection's leaders met at Young's Spring, beside the creek that runs through Bryan Park. Saturday, Aug. 30, of that year was the night chosen for the uprising, but in a twist of fate, the plans were foiled by a rainstorm that caused flash flooding. The delay ultimately led to the capture and execution of 26 slaves, including Gabriel and his brother.

In the monologue, Harris will portray Gabriel while he was imprisoned awaiting his execution, speculating on his desire for the freedom of all men, his indignation at the injustice of slavery, the planning of his bold rebellion, and his thoughts while facing his own death.

The performances will take place outdoors beside the tennis courts near Picnic Shelter #1. Those planning to attend should bring a blanket or chair for seating. Signs will be posted to direct visitors to the parking area and performance site. In case of inclement weather, performances will be postponed.

The Friends of Bryan Park is a non-profit resident group founded in 1994 to protect and improve the park. The group works closely with Richmond’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities and has organized the park’s centennial celebration, which will take place on Saturday, Sept. 25, from noon to 6 p.m. For more information, call 804-646-5733.