3rd annual RVA Streets Alive, Saturday, June 20, 10am – 2pm, the event is about closing streets to cars and opening them to the public for one day, the mission is to create a new healthy, sustainable and vibrant city street experience. A 2-mile loop on streets in Bryan Park will be closed to automobile traffic and open to residents and visitors to use for running, walking, biking and many other physical activities. The event is free and open to the public, for more information visit http://www.sportsbackers.org/events/rva-streets-alive.
A favorite for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike, 13th annual Richmond Vegetarian Festival, is Saturday, June 20th from noon – 6pm in the Azalea Gardens at Bryan Park. Food, speakers, music, vendors from local area businesses. Dogs on leashed are welcome and there will be pet adoptions from the Richmond Animal League and learn about vegetarianism at the speaker’s tent from experts like Derek Tresize & Marcella Torres (Vegan Muscle and Fitness. Free admission, for more information visit http://www.veggiefest.org.
Elegba Folklore Society presents Juneteenth 2015, A Freedom Celebration June 19-21. The Society collaborates again, with Baltimore’s Ile Ise Ejiogbe Ifá Temple. A Symposium on Friday, June 19, 6:00–10:00pm, on the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University in the Academic Learning Commons, 1000 Floyd Avenue, Room 1107. Author and activist, Bobby Seale, is the keynote speaker. Saturday, June 20, 4:00-11:00pm on the docks of The historic Manchester Dock, 1308 Brander Street, the south bank of the James River, was an entry port for Africans being brought into the Americas to be sold into slavery, and it is the site for In Reflection, On Sunday, June 21, the Esu Festival happens at Richmond’s African Burial Ground, 16tth & Broad Streets, 4:00-7:00pm. This year’s theme is in keeping with the 2015 observance of the 150th year after the end of slavery in 1865 — and Self Determination. For tickets or more information visit http://www.efsinc.org, visit Elegba Folklore Society’s Cultural Center, 101 E. Broad Street in the downtown RVA Arts District or contact the Elegba Folklore Society at 804-644-3900.
Caribbean Heritage Festival, sponsored by the Virginia Caribbean Education Exchange Foundation and St. Stephens Episcopal Church, Saturday, June 20, 1pm – 5pm, 228 Halifax Street, Petersbrug, admission is free. For more information call 804-855-7006 or 804-733-6228.
Marine Corps Basketball Camp, Inaugural Leaders Of The Hardwood Skills Academy in Richmond Saturday, June 20, 9am – 3:45pm at U-turn Sports, 2013 Maywill Street. The free high school basketball camp features quality instruction from nationally and internationally recognized basketball coaches and former players. With basketball drills also come life lessons taught by the Marine Corps. The true intent of the programs is to teach the importance of leadership, both on and off the court. To register & get more details visit http://www.leadersofthehardwood.com; Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LeadersofTheHardwood or email Coach Luqman Jaaber at Mr.Ljaaber@gmail.com.
12th Annual Taste of India, Saturday & Sunday June 20 & 21 12:30 – 8:30pm at the Cultural Center of India, 6641 Iron Bridge Parkway, Chesterfield. The festival features Indian cuisine – chicken and lamb curry, kabab, varieties of bread, the South Indian pancake, the “Dosa” and from North India, “Samosa”, Indian handicraft, art, music and cultural dances For information visit http://www.cciva.org.
Willow Lawn presents Wine & Whiskers, Friday, June 19, 6-9pm on the Square at Willow Lawn, wine tasting & food sampling, dog friendly, live music, free giveaways and prizes, doggie bikini contest at 7:30pm, benefits for FETCH-A CURE, for more information visit http://www.willowlawn.com.
RTD Savor Virginia/Sweet Virginia, Saturday, June 20, Noon-8pm, on Brown’s Island, Richmond. Sip, sample and savor some of the best locally made foods, sauces, spices, mixes, specialty goodies, wines, craft beers, and more. Savor Virginia features more than 30 food-related exhibitors, seven wineries, six craft breweries, and live music. Sweet Virginia follows Savor Virginia from 6-8pm, you can sample the area’s best sweet treats paired with craft beer and wine. Only 300 tickets will be sold for Sweet Virginia after party.
http://www.richmond.com/events/savor-virginia/.
Barrels & Brews is a fun outdoor festival at James River Cellars Saturday, June 20th from 3:30pm – 7:30pm sponsored by Commonwealth Catholic Charities. The event features local beer and wine, live music and food trucks. Also, an opportunity to win a wheel barrel of spirits in raffle. Funds raised from Barrels & Brews will assist Commonwealth Catholic Charities with the services they provide such as counseling, foster care, emergency financial assistance, pregnancy counseling, refugee resettlement, and food and clothing assistance. For more information and to buy tickets visit http://cccofva.org/event/barrels-brews/.
RTD Savor Virginia & Sweet Virginia, Saturday, June 20, noon – 8pm on Brown’s Island. Sip, sample & savor locally made foods, sauces, spices, mixes, wines, craft beers, Tickets for each event are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. A combo ticket for both events can be purchased for $25 in advance and $30 at the door. For tickets visit https://www.timesdispatchshop.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=eventticketsavor.
59th Festival of Arts at Dogwood Dell, schedule – June, 19 David Esleck (jazz) – 8 pm; 20th KOS (swing,pop, rock) – 8 pm; 28th Plunky and Oneness (jazz fusion) – Dell Stage – 8 pm; July – 2nd My Uncle’s Old Army Buddies – 8 pm; July 4th event: Carillon Bell Concert – 6:00 pm, Declaration of Independence – 6:30 pm
Bellini Sisters – 7:00 pm, Richmond Concert Band – 7:30 pm, Fireworks, Rain Date July 5th, http://www.richmondgov.com/parks/programmingdogwooddell.aspx.
Zumbathon and 70’s Dance Party, Saturday, June 20th, 2-4pm Zumbathon; 4-6pm 70’s dance party, dress up at Mt. Pisgah United Methodist Church, 1100 MT. Pisgah Drive, Midlothian $10, benefits the Philippine Nurse Association of Richmond.
K95 CountryFest returns to The Meadow Event Park, Saturday, June 20, featuring the Charlie Daniels Band and others, gates open at noon, music starts at 3pm. http://www.k95countryfest.com/.
The City of Petersburg celebrates the 3rd annual Juneteenth Freedom Festival on Sunday, June 21, kicking off at 1:45 p.m. with the dedication ceremony of Pocahontas Island (119 Pocahontas Street) where the Department of Historical Resources will dedicate a historical marker to the City. Come enjoy! We look forward to seeing you on Sunday! Juneteenth FREEDOM Festival Program includes the Ezibu Muntu African Dance Company, international demonstrations, music, food, art, games, dance, Scavenger Hunt, Cora Harvey Armstrong, Petersburg Ballet, William Green & the Mosby Memorial Mass Choir, Blues Flash Band, James “Saxmo” Gates & Desiree Roots. For more information visit http://urbanviewsweekly.com/2015/06/16/celebrating-freedom-history-fathers/.
FUTURE Events: American Turkish Friendship Association series of Ramadan Dinner Programs to share the traditional break-fast meal with the community. Dinners are Wednesday, June 24, Thursday, June 25, Saturday, June 27 & Monday, June 29, Ramadan Facts & Trivia 7:30- 8pm, Q&A 8pm-8:15pm, Dinner 8:30pm-9pm, venue 8401 Three Chop Road, dinner will be free and served by a local Turkish restaurant. For more information visit http://www.atfa.us or Rumi Forum, http://rumiforum.org/ or email richmond@atfa.us.
Riverboat Cruises, departing from Rocketts Landing, (Annabell Lee Dock) 3101 Wharf Street, cruise the James for lunch, dinner/dancing & Sunday Brunch, featuring Steve Bassett, Friday, June 26, reservations 804-453-2628 or http://www.tangiercruise.com.com.
Arts & Culture Xpo, an explosion of the arts, history, science, performances education, hands-on-activities and family fun, Saturday, June 27, 10am- 4pm at the Science Museum of Virginia. Free admission.
