05.09.2024

Today’s Forecast

81º | 73% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:05 a.m. | Sunset 8:07 p.m.

☀️ Start prepping for Riverrock

Get prepared for this year’s Dominion Energy Riverrock Festival

People trying kayaks on the James River.

Don’t be afraid to hit the water this year. | Photo via Riverrock

Dominion Energy Riverrock, a celebration of outdoor adventure, sports, and music, will return to the riverfront May 17-19. The festival has been running since 2009, but this year will feature a new layout for the weekend’s events.

👣 Riverrock’s new footprint

This year’s festival will expand from Brown’s Island to include Kanawha Plaza, just uphill from the Federal Reserve building. This space will be home to the Boulder Bash and Speed Comp climbing competitions, as well as the return of slackline pro squad Trickline Collective.

🛶 Get in on the action

If you’re participating in an event like the James River Scramble or the True North Downriver Paddle, be prepared to check in at one of the four Adventure Zones marked on the map. Heads up: There’s still time to register for several events.

A man rides a bike over a stream in a forest. — Cyclists can enjoy some off-road adventures together on River City trails.
|
Photo via @riverrockrva

🎶 Catch some tunes

This year’s music has a little something for everyone. Friday will feature Virginia folkies Palmyra and jamgrass fusion band Sam Grisman Project. Saturday’s stacked with jammy touring bands Cosmic Collective, EGGY, and Karl Densmore’s Tiny Universe, as well as local acts Rumbletrio, Space Koi, and Sam Reed.

Sunday will have more of an indie sensibility, featuring Night Idea and Tyler Meacham from the River City and the Stews from out of town.

In addition to the music and competitions, there are plenty of other activities to explore. Shop from 40+ vendors including Bold Rock, Teva, and Athletic Brewing. Try your hand at outdoor activities like kayaking, slacklining, and stand-up paddleboarding. You can even do some riverside yoga while a Kayak Polo cup match rages on the water.

See the full schedule of events below.

Start planning your weekend

Events

Thursday, May 9

Richmond Coin and Currency Show | Thursday, May 9-Saturday, May 11 | Times vary | ACCA Shrine Center, 1712 Bellevue Ave., Richmond | Free | Explore 55+ tables of dealers with US, foreign, and ancient coins and currency with raffle prizes all weekend.
Richmond Ballet Presents Studio Three | Thursday, May 9-Sunday, May 12 | Times vary | Richmond Ballet Studio Theatre, 407 E. Canal St., Richmond | $26-$51 | Experience “Mozartiana” and a world premiere by Ma Cong at this ballet showcase.
Candlelight Spring: A Tribute to Adele | Thursday, May 9 | 9-10:15 p.m. | Bolling Haxall House, 211 E. Franklin St., Richmond | $41-$59 | Rumor has it the Listeso String Quartet will cover a variety of the singer’s hits during this immersive show.

Friday, May 10

Wes Parker, Shormey, and Darling.jpg | Friday, May 10 | 8:30 p.m. | The Camel, 1621 W. Broad St., Richmond | $12 | Come to the Camel to see local act Wes Parker with all-Virginia openers.

Saturday, May 11

Genworth Lights Up! Youth Series Grand Finale! | Saturday, May 11 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Dominion Energy Center, 600 E. Grace St. Ste. 400, Richmond | Free | Enjoy over 20 free interactive workshops in theatre, dance, music, digital media, and visual arts, provided by local artists + arts organizations, along with performances for youth of all ages.*
Book Fair | Saturday, May 11 | 12-4 p.m. | Benchtop Brewing, 434 Hull St., Richmond | Free entry | Meet local authors, find your next read, and enjoy a beverage at this pup-friendly event.

Sunday, May 12

Big Gay Market | Sunday, May 12 | 12-4 p.m. | Diversity Richmond, 1407 Sherwood Ave., Richmond | Free entry | Get something for the mom figures in your life at the Mother’s Day edition of this indoor-outdoor market.
“Rear Window” | Sunday, May 12 | 2 p.m. | The Byrd Theatre, 2908 W. Cary St., Richmond | $9 | This iconic Hitchcock film stars James Stewart and Grace Kelly.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Civic

City Council has proposed a budget amendment to reallocate a portion of the funds set aside for demolishing the Coliseum, among other sources, towards RPS. Council’s amendments bring the city closer to passing a final budget, which must be done by the end of the month. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Biz

Healthcare supply company Owens & Minor, which until recently was based in Mechanicsville, has sold its headquarters to VDOT. The company has yet to share details on where it plans to move, but it will remain in the Richmond area. (Richmond BizSense)

Arts

The Spotlight Gallery at Pine Camp Community Center will feature new work by Helene Ruiz in collaboration with Orisegun Bennett-Olomidun for the month of May. “Artistic Narratives: A Fusion of Visual and Performance Art” opens with a reception tomorrow at 6 p.m. and runs until Friday, May 31.

Read

Shelf Life Books will host a Pride Book Fair the weekend of June 8-9. The Carytown bookseller will feature a market of local queer authors, artists, and makers. Vendors will be announced soon.

Featured

Livability.com has featured Richmond on its list of the 100 Best Places to Live in the US in 2024, citing our historic sites, museums, music scene, and relatively low cost of living as factors in our inclusion. Virginia Beach and Lynchburg also made the list.

Number

$2,500. That’s how much we’re looking to raise to support our staff and mission here at RICtoday — and our fundraising ends tomorrow. If you love the free community resource you’re reading right now (we sure do), support us today with a one-time donation. See how close we are to our goal.

Civic

🗳️ How to vote early this year

How to vote early for Virginia’s 2024 congressional primary

A hand holds a sticker that says "my vote counted" and an RICtoday sticker.

Check with the city’s Office of Elections to see your voting location. | Photo by RICtoday

Early voting has begun for Virginia’s 2024 congressional primaries, which will occur officially on June 18. The 45-day early voting window opened last Friday and will close on Saturday, June 15.

Residents can vote early in-person at their local registrar’s office. For Richmond, that’s 2134 W. Laburnum Ave.

Certain localities are also offering satellite voting locations. Richmonders can vote at City Hall or Hickory Hill Community Center (3000 E. Belt Blvd.) on June 8 and 15 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Henrico residents can vote at the Eastern Government Center (3820 Nine Mile Rd.) or the Varina Library, starting June 3. Both will be open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., plus 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on June 8 and 15.

Pro tip: Remember a valid ID. Stay up to date on need-to-know election info with our guide.

Read our guide

Quiz

What percentage of registered Virginians voted in 2023?

A. 40.96%
B. 28.72%
C. 61.02%
D. 12.88%

Cast your ballot

The Buy

LED signs. Are you looking for a fun way to brighten up your home? Category6 LED has iconic neon signs scaled down to a size perfect for your at-home bar or game room.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
David

From the editor

I’m a firmly mediocre rock climber and a decidedly slow trail runner, but Riverrock is still one of my favorite events of the year. Maybe this year they’ll let me try dock diving.

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