Pine Camp Community Center’s got a lot more inside than the colorful, one-story building might suggest. | Photo by RICtoday
Nestled away in Northside, east of Bryan Park, the Pine Camp Cultural Arts Center packs a lot of programs into a relatively small space.
The community center is surrounded by playgrounds, athletic fields, and green space. There are native plant gardens and three basketball courts, as well as a mile-long nature trail and a senior fitness trail.
Much of what Pine Camp offers, however, lies within the colorful, one-story building in the middle of the complex. The center offers facilities including dance studios, a theater, and weaving, art, and pottery studios. It also has extensive programming like youth theater productions and short film contests.
Though its art programs are what set Pine Camp apart, it somehow sneaks even more to do into its one-building campus. The space features a game room, a computer lab and a multi-purpose room for community use. Throughout the year, Pine Camp offers sports and outdoor programs, opportunities for senior citizens, and an after-school “Fun Klub.” In the summertime, it hosts art camps, workshops, and plenty of other community-oriented activities.
Next time you’re on the north side of town and looking for a trail to wander or a place to see some local art, Pine Camp Community Center is just around the corner. Keep up with its full docket of programming on the center’s Facebook page.
This article is part of our “Know Your City” series, where we take a closer look at a hidden gem in Richmond. We’re always looking for more suggestions for hidden gems across the Richmond area.
Disney’s “Frozen” | Thursday, Oct. 12-Sunday, Oct. 22 | Times vary | Altria Theater, 6 N. Laurel St., Richmond | $29-$159 | The production that’s thawing hearts from coast to coast comes to the River City via Broadway in Richmond.
Apples & Ales | Thursday, Oct. 12 | 4-7 p.m. | Agecroft Hall & Gardens, 4305 Sulgrave Rd., Richmond | $20 | Enjoy a picnic with Garden Grove Brewing and Urban Winery, Street Side Kitchen, and Dlites Desserts.
Friday, Oct. 13
Richmond Folk Festival | Friday, Oct. 13-Sunday, Oct. 15 | Times vary | Brown’s Island, Tredegar St., Richmond | Free | Enjoy performances on six stages, a crafts marketplace, street performances, and food and drinks at this classic Richmond fest.
Dogs in a Pile | Friday, Oct. 13 | 7 p.m. | The Broadberry, 2729 W. Broad St., Richmond | $15 | The psychedelic jazz-funk fusion band will play with Threesound.
“Friday the 13th” | Friday, Oct. 13 | 7 p.m. | The Byrd Theatre, 2908 W. Cary St., Richmond | $8 | This 1980 slasher follows a group of counselors being hunted by an unknown killer at an abandoned summer camp.
Saturday, Oct. 14
PopUp RVA | Saturday, Oct. 14 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | The Diamond, 3001 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd., Richmond | Free entry | Shop from 50+ vendors, enjoy local live music, and grab a food truck treat at this pet-friendly market.
Cinema Saturdays: “Hotel Transylvania” | Saturday, Oct. 14 | 1-3 p.m. | RPL Ginter Park Branch, 1200 Westbrook Ave., Richmond | Free | Bring the family for this free movie screening at the library.
Water Lantern Festival | Saturday, Oct. 14 | 4-8 p.m. | Crump Park, 3400 Mountain Rd., Glen Allen | $26-$56 | Launch floating lanterns on the water at this unique traveling festival.
Sunday, Oct. 15
Artisan Market | Sunday, Oct. 15 | 1-5 p.m. | Main Line Brewery, 1603 Ownby Ln., Richmond | Free entry | Feel free to bring Fido to this open-air market in Scott’s Addition.
Have a howling good time at this annual, family-friendly Halloween event full of sweet treats and fall activities. | Photo by the North Carolina Zoo
Fall is the perfect time travel — and the North Carolina Zoo is giving you two great reasons to bring the family to one of the world’s largest natural habitat zoos.
Virginia’s General Assembly building is finally set to open at the end of October. The new building was supposed to open in June 2022 but faced a series of delays. (VPM)
Biz
Shift Technologies, a used car vendor which merged with CarLotz last December, has filed for bankruptcy. CarLotz was founded in Richmond in 2010 and, at its peak, had 22 locations. (Richmond BizSense)
Shop
CobbleStore Vintage is hosting a pop-up shopping event this Saturday, Oct. 14 from 12 to 6 p.m. The Micro-Market will include stands by No Dice Vintage and Silly Cowgirl Vintage as well as coffee from the Bean Wagon.
Outdoors
The James River Association has announced another rain barrel workshop in the Richmond area. Register online, then head to the Plant Native! Festival at Crump Park on Saturday, Oct. 21, at either 11:00 am, 12:00 pm or 1:00 pm.
Weather
Though there’s a chance clouds may block the action, Saturday’s partial solar eclipse will be visible in Richmond at 1:20 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 14. About 33% of the sun will be obscured. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
Arts
Local artists — got a flair for the spooky? Art Works is still accepting submissions for their next exhibit until Oct. 16. The theme is “Dark Arts,” and prizes are offered for the top 3 submissions.
Richmonder
And the best neighbor award goes to… you, for directly supporting RICtoday with the gift of your membership. Not only will you join our super cool membership club (and get perks including birthday shoutouts), but you’ll keep this newsletter free for the entire neighborhood. Way to go, neighbor.
Health
Need a mammogram but don’t have insurance? Virginia Physicians for Women is offering free mammograms for uninsured women for Breast Cancer Awareness Month through the end of October. Spots are limited, so call 804-492-0847 to schedule.*
Fit4Kids aims to teach children healthy habits through gardening and physical activity. | Photo via Greater Richmond Fit4Kids
A local nonprofit received a $75,000 grant from the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation for Anthem’s Learning Gardens program. Greater Richmond Fit4Kids, which aims to educate local children about physical activity and healthy eating, was awarded the funds as part of its Food as Medicine initiative.
At 24 school gardens across Richmond, Chesterfield, Henrico, and Hopewell, Fit4Kids educates students on gardening and introduces them to homegrown veggies many students may have never tried before. The group also offers cooking classes and sends students home with meal kits.
Money from the grant will go towards the foundation’s operations and towards its greenhouse programs. Anthem’s relationship with Fit4Kids goes back to 2012, and in that time their Learning Gardens program has expanded from six sites to 24.
My phone was abuzz on Tuesday after the Kickers announced their new Rainbow Cookie-print training tops. I’m in no position to be spending $78 on a shirt, but I’m keeping one in my cart — just in case.
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