Plus, this season's street sweeping schedule
 
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Today’s Forecast

49º | Sunny | 5% chance of rain
Sunrise 7:24 a.m. | Sunset 5:07 p.m.

 

Ready for the Folk Fest?

See who’s performing at this year’s Folk Festival

RICtoday_FolkFestival_2022
The Folk Fest returns in October. | Photo by RICtoday
The Richmond Folk Festival will return to the riverfront the weekend of Oct. 13-15 for its 19th year of music, food, crafts, and community. Organizers announced the second group of performers yesterday.

Here’s what artists you can expect to see at this year’s fest — from an Ozark old-time string band to traditional Tboli music and dance by way of Lake Sebu, Philippines.

RICtoday_FolkFestival_WideShot_Stage

The Folk Fest features dozens of acts across six stages.

|

Photo by Dave Parrish Photography

Click on each artist for a preview of what to expect.
  • Cheres | This New York band shares Ukrainian music and is named for a talisman of good fortune.
  • Chris Thomas & His Smoke Dancers | Experience the competitive dance of the Haudenosaunee Nation characterized by its light footwork and beautiful, fluid steps.
  • Lutchinha | African and Portuguese influences combine in Cabo Verdean music.
  • Stanley & the Ten Sleepless Knights | This 10-piece band out of St. Croix, US Virgin Islands shares quelbe music.
That’s just a sample of the groups who will be performing at the festival this year. Check out even more acts and look out for the full schedule in early September.

Want to help make the 19th festival the best one yet? Volunteer to join the bucket brigade, help backstage, or pour drinks.

There are also a few tickets remaining for the Folk Feast, an annual culinary event the Monday before the festival. Experience signature dishes from local restaurants, drinks, and a live performance by Corey Wells & Friends. Proceeds go to the festival.
 
Events
Wednesday, Aug. 16
  • Flying Squirrels vs. Harrisburg Senators | Wednesday, Aug. 16 | 6:35 p.m. | The Diamond, 3001 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd., Richmond | $10-$25 | School employees with valid ID can get a free ticket while supplies last for Back to Teaching Night.
  • “Persona” | Wednesday, Aug. 16 | 7 p.m. | The Byrd Theatre, 2908 W. Cary St., Richmond | $8 | Ingmar Bergman’s thrilling classic stars Liv Ullmann and Bibi Andersson.
Thursday, Aug. 17
  • “Modeling a Vision” Panel Discussion | Thursday, Aug. 17 | 6-7:30 p.m. | The Branch Museum of Architecture and Design, 2501 Monument Ave., Richmond | Free | Leading design professionals will talk about experiential learning, evolving technology, and future design practices at this dynamic discussion.
  • Classics in the Courtyard | Thursday, Aug. 17 | 8 p.m. | Richmond’s First Baptist Church, 2709 Monument Ave., Richmond | Free | Bring your lawn chairs or a blanket for a screening of “Back to the Future.”
Friday, Aug. 18
  • Big Pay Back Tribute to James Brown | Friday, Aug. 18 | 8 p.m. | Dogwood Dell, 600 S. Arthur Ashe Blvd., Richmond | Free | Be ready to get up and dance at this Festival of Arts concert.
Saturday, Aug. 19
  • Not Your Grandmother’s Geraniums... Or Are They? | Saturday, Aug. 19 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | Ashland Branch Library, 201 S. Railroad Ave., Ashland | Free | Learn about where to find geraniums, plus how to care for and propagate them, at this library talk.
  • 32nd Down Home Family Reunion | Saturday, Aug. 19 | 4-11 p.m. | Abner Clay Park, 200 W. Clay St., Richmond | Free | Celebrate African American folklife with the Elegba Folklore Society at this free family festival.
Make plans this month
Click here to have your event featured.
News Notes
Traffic
  • Citywide street sweeping has begun. Check the schedule for your neighborhood and watch out for no parking signs. Pro tip: Signs are posted at least 48 hours in advance of cleaning.
Coming Soon
  • Coffee pop-up Paix is moving into a Museum District storefront at 407 N. Cleveland St. on Friday, Sept. 1. The shop is sharing space with Rexco, a vintage shop that has hosted Paix pop-ups in the past.
Closed
  • The Pit and The Peel is no longer operating out of its Short Pump Town Center location. The juice bar had been in the space for a little over four years. It still has locations at Libbie and Patterson, near VCU, and downtown. (Richmond BizSense)
Festival
  • There are two weekends left in the Alvis Farms Sunflower Festival. The Goochland farm is open to the public Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. in August. Get tickets in advance or purchase at the patch.
Shop
  • Tomorrow is National Thrift Shop Day. Check out our guide to local thrift stores to see where to shop. Bonus: We heard Goodwill of Central & Coastal Virginia is giving out gift cards and discounts to shoppers.
Show
  • Comedian Nick Offerman, known for his roles on “Parks and Recreation” and “The Last of Us,” is bringing his live show to the Dominion Energy Center on Friday, Oct. 27. Tickets go on sale this Friday, Aug. 18 at 10 a.m.
Biz
  • Since it opened in July, new music venue Ember Music Hall has been making improvements to its visuals, sound, and lighting systems. Co-owner Kunal Shah gave Style Weekly insight on the first shows and plans for the future. (Style Weekly)
Family
  • Are you a mom considering breastfeeding, but a little overwhelmed by the decision? Virginia Physicians for Women’s Dr. Maggie S. Sager shares the benefits and challenges of breastfeeding — and answers frequently asked breastfeeding questions.*
Giveaway
 
Traffic

⚠️ Stay on top of traffic

When + where to expect traffic around university move-ins

VCU campus
The Rams return to Richmond in August. | Photo by RICtoday
Local university students will be returning to campuses across Richmond throughout August. Even if you’re not dropping off a student, college move-in processes will impact traffic during peak commuting hours.

We’ve outlined when and where certain neighborhoods could see some traffic.

Virginia Union University
  • Move-in days: Thursday, Aug. 14-Sunday, Aug. 17
  • Neighborhood: Northside
  • Traffic: I-64, North Lombardy Street, Brook Road
Virginia Commonwealth University
  • Move-in days: Friday, Aug. 15-Saturday, Aug. 16
  • Neighborhood: VCU, Fan
  • Traffic: I-64, streets between Grace and Cary from Harrison to Belvidere
University of Richmond
  • Move-in days: Sunday, Aug. 17 and Wednesday, Aug. 20
  • Neighborhood: Tuckahoe
  • Traffic: I-195, College Road, River Road, Grove Avenue, Libbie Avenue
Shop
Drink
  • Start your morning off right with Matcha Nude. This matcha powder is made with premium-grade organic, non-GMO ingredients, perfect for a tasty, energizing drink.
Travel
  • It’s Going’s biggest sale of the year. Buy an Elite membership and finally get notified when first + business class flights are 40-90% off. The sale ends Thursday, Aug. 31.
Read
  • The latest Kindle model — the Kindle Paperwhite — boasts a glare-free display, warm light options for night, and is waterproof from the beach to the bath.
Wellness
Answered

We asked about your pickleball habits.

New pickleball courts — plus, where to play around Richmond

RICtoday_PickleballCourts_BryanPark
Pickleball is popular at Bryan Park. | Photo by RICtoday
It seems to be a pretty popular sport for readers — 42% said they play and love it and 28% indicated an interest in giving it a try. 25% had never played and only 4% said they had played, but it wasn’t for them.

Good news for prospective pickleballers. With reader recommendations, we’ve added to our list of public places to play in Richmond and created a map to find the spot closest to you. Click the button below to explore.
Find a court
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The Wrap
 
Robin Schwartzkopf in a red button down shirt

Today’s edition by:
Robin

From the editor
Our pickleball map is still growing — feel free to tell us where you play and we’ll add it to the list.
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