Get the story on these strings 🎸

“Storied Strings” on display at VMFA

Curator Dr. Leo Mazow speaks to the press before the exhibit opening. | Photo by RICtoday

“Guitars are everywhere.”

Those were Dr. Leo Mazow’s words as he introduced the new VMFA exhibit, “Storied Strings: The Guitar in American Art.” He spoke in reference to American history + culture, but the sentiment applies to the exhibition itself.

“Storied Strings,” which opens tomorrow, is an expansive look at the guitar as an artistic subject, prop, instrument, and symbol. The exhibit features 100+ works — including 35 musical instruments — and covers three centuries worth of American art.

Instead of moving chronologically through guitar appearances in art, the exhibit is organized by different themes. Visitors can explore the instrument’s connections to gender, race, identity, aesthetics + performance.

The exhibit doesn’t end there. Built into the lower gallery is a fully-functioning recording studio. Throughout the exhibit’s stay, artists will appear for a series of studio recordings called Richmond Sessions '22-'23.

The interior of a recording studio with a couch, chairs, and microphones in the foreground. There are eight guitars hung on display on the wall. Text on the wall reads "Richmond Sessions" — The Richmond Sessions will bring guitarists inside the exhibit to record.

The Richmond Sessions will be put on in partnership with local production company In Your Ear Studios. The museum has released a list of musicians expected to appear.

There’s no schedule for when recordings will happen — so you could happen upon a live session while exploring the exhibit.

Look out for the video of the first recording featuring folk musician Lucy Kaplansky on Wed., Oct. 12. Sessions will be posted to the VMFA YouTube channel.

While you’re at it, you can cheers to the new exhibit with the special beer release VMFA + Starr Hill collaborated on.

Tickets to “Storied Strings” are $16 for adults, $12 for older adults (65+), $10 for youth and college students, and free for VMFA members.

Click here to have your event featured.

Today

Ami Dang | Fri., Oct. 7 | 8 p.m. | Institute for Contemporary Art, 601 W. Broad St., Richmond | Free | Enjoy a solo musical performance in the ICA Forum by the composer, vocalist, and sitarist.
Remi Wolf | Fri., Oct. 7 | 8 p.m. | The National, 708 E. Broad St., Richmond | $25.00 | See a can’t-miss concert from the up-and-coming psychedelic pop artist.

Saturday

Drag Bingo | Sat., Oct. 8 | 3 p.m. | Strangeways Brewing, 3110 W. Leigh St., Richmond | $5.00 | Bring your friends for local brews + performances by Cherry Poppins and Bebe Gunn.
Richmond Night Market | Sat., Oct. 8 | 5-9 p.m. | 17th Street Market, 100 N. 17th St., Richmond | Free | Head to Shockoe Bottom for local vendors, live music, art + community.

Sunday

R.E.S.P.E.C.T | Sun., Oct. 9 | 7 p.m. | Altria Theater, 6 N Laurel St, Richmond | $28.50 | Witness the ultimate tribute to the Queen of Soul.

Tuesday

Profs & Pints Richmond: Demons, Humors, and Medieval Minds | Tue., Oct. 11 | 6-8:30 p.m. | Triple Crossing Beer - Fulton, 5203 Hatcher St., Richmond | $13.00 | VCU professor + author Leigh Ann Craig will discuss the perception of mental illness in the European Middle Ages.

Wednesday

ChamberRVA Mix | Wed., Oct. 12 | 8:30-10 a.m. | Communities in Schools - Richmond, 100 Everett St., Richmond | $20.00 | Learn how to get the story of your business to others at this local meetup.

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Celebrate World Smile Day with a smile you’re proud of

You’ll receive regular virtual Smile Check-ins™ to touch base on your progress. | Photo by Smile Direct Club

Everyone should love their smile. Enter: SmileDirectClub, the easiest way to straighten your teeth in just 4-6 months — for 60% less than Invisalign or braces. 👀

Here’s how it works:

Scan your smile with either an at-home kit or an in-person visit
Receive a customized treatment plan from a state-licensed doctor
Start your journey with custom aligners (22-hour-wear or Nighttime Aligners™, depending on your needs)

Best of all, your results are guaranteed for life. 🦷 *

PUT A STRAIGHTER SMILE ON YOUR FACE

Weather

81º | Sunny | 7% chance of rain

Traffic

Watch out for Folk Fest-related road closures starting today at 4 p.m. and lasting through Sunday. RPD will close several streets around Brown’s Island, 2nd Street, and Byrd Street. 🚧 (ABC8 News)

Coming Soon

A new eatery is headed to Carytown to fill the former The Pit and The Peel spot. Dumping & Noodle Cart is scheduled to open at 3321 W. Cary St. in November. The cart got its start near VCU’s campus in 2018. 🥟 (Richmond BizSense)

Community

Tonight is the final edition of Manchester Manifest First Fridays for this year. The party goes from 5 p.m. until midnight on Hull Street between 12th and 14th Streets. Bonus: Volunteer to help at the community clean up before + after the event.
Public Works crews will be in Westover Hills, Forest Hill, and Woodland Heights neighborhoods tomorrow from 8 a.m. until noon as part of the Neighborhood Clean-Up Program. They’ll accept anything except electronics, construction debris, hazardous waste + broken glass. 🗑

Number

Over 1 million. That’s how many people biked, ran, scooted, or walked the Virginia Capital Trail last year. The trail turns seven this month and is celebrating with a number of special events. 🚲 (VPM)

Film

The Byrd Theatre is holding two spooky movie screenings on Sun., Oct. 23 to raise funds for the restoration + maintenance of the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ. See Bela Lugosi in “Dracula” at 2 p.m. or catch “House of Wax” at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15. 🎶

Holiday

The Dominion Energy Christmas Parade will be lots of FUNN this year thanks to its recently-announced Grand Marshals. Flying Squirrels mascots Nutzy + Nutasha will lead the march down Broad Street on Sat., Dec. 3. 🌲

Jobs

Amazon is in the midst of a holiday hiring push in Virginia. The company wants to bring on 1,400 new employees in the Richmond area. There are full-time, seasonal, and part-time jobs available. 📦 (NBC12)

Travel

Conde Nast recently listed Alexandria, VA as one of the top small cities in the US. We couldn’t agree more, and think that this historic town is the perfect place for a last-minute fall getaway. Be sure to stroll around Old Town, visit Gadsby’s Tavern, and stay in this luxuriously restored loft.*

Drink

Getting groceries delivered is great, but getting your favorite beer, wine, and liquor delivered is even better. With Drizly, you can order your go-to libations as well as mixers, party supplies, and snacks + they’ll be delivered to your door in under 60 minutes. Order now. 🥂*

Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

Next week is Restaurante Week 🍽

Celebrate Restaurante Week in Richmond, VA

A banner near the Canal Walk reads "Bienvenidos! Welcome!"

VAHCC also puts on the ¿Qué Pasa? Festival each year. | Photo by RICtoday

The Virginia Hispanic Chamber is hosting Restaurante Week next week, Oct. 10-16. The event is designed to celebrate the diverse world of Latin cuisine in VA.

Any Latino or Hispanic restaurant or food truck located in Virginia can participate for free.

Several restaurants around Richmond will be highlighted on the VAHCC website, in its newsletter, and on social media. Featured restaurants will offer a special drink or menu item throughout the week.

Know a place that should participate? Restaurants can still sign up by filling out this form.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Robin.

Editor’s pick: "Storied Strings” already had its first celebrity visitor. Legendary rocker Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top visited the exhibit when the band was in town to play the Altria Theater. 🎸

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Explore the Folk Fest by Enneagram.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Robin Schwartzkopf, Katie Potter, Sarah Leonhardt, Erin McPherson, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Rachel Sklenar | Advertise with us.

Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.

ADVERTISE | SHOP | CAREERS | ETHICS

Did a friend forward this free newsletter to you?