The Richmond Folk Festival was canceled due to the pandemic, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t going to keep things hopping with a few special events to bring the community together and keep the momentum for Richmond’s largest free music festival.
Organizers announced in a press release that they plan to celebrate the 16th anniversary on the weekend of Oct. 9 – 11 with a
“virtual event that will bring together the community through a special television program, radio broadcasts and online streaming.”
Here’s more from the release:
Venture Richmond Events, in partnership with the National Council for the Traditional Arts (NCTA), the Virginia Folklife Program and the Children’s Museum will present new musical performances that are exclusive to this festival, highlights of favorite artists from past festivals, cooking demonstrations, a riverfront art installation, fun family activities, and so much more! The show will go on—a virtual event celebrating the roots, richness, and variety of American culture.
“We certainly share in the disappointment so many are feeling that we won’t be celebrating in person along our downtown Riverfront this October,” said Lisa Sims, CEO of Venture Richmond. “But we are grateful for our sponsors and partners who are helping us bring our community together for a culturally-rich, engaging and memorable weekend.
“We’re particularly excited to work with long-time sponsors VPM to broadcast a special television program featuring Virginia artists, and we hope everyone will stay tuned for more announcements about our official festival beer, t-shirt and poster. We’re doing everything we can to make the second weekend in October a true Folk Festival weekend.”
There will be an art installation by Kevin Orlosky on Brown’s Island (a sculpture project involving social distancing) and an interactive scavenger hunt on the riverfront.
Here are the featured musical artists involved:
Aurelio (Garifuna) from Plaplaya, Honduras, and New York, New York.
Los Texmaniacs (conjunto tejano) San Antonio Texas
The Quebe Sisters (Texas fiddling and western swing) Dallas, Texas
Rahim AlHaj (Iraqi oud) Albuquerque, New Mexico
Vishtèn (Acadian) Prince Edward Island and Magdalen Islands, Québec
Walter “Wolfman” Washington & the Roadmasters (funk and R&B) New Orleans, Louisiana
And here’s how to watch:
Friday, Oct. 9 from 6:00-10:00 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 10 from 12:00-8:00 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 11 from 12:00-8:00 p.m.
Visit RichmondFolkFesitval.org, the Richmond Folk Festival’s Facebook page, and the Richmond Folk Festival on YouTube to livestream the event.
Watch “All Together Now,” a special television program celebrating Virginia artists, to be aired on VPM PBS Plus Channel 57.1 WCVW digital HD transmitters for festival coverage on Saturday, Oct. 10 and Sunday, Oct. 11.
And listen to Richmond public radio stations, VPM News (88.9 FM) and VPM Music (107.3 FM & 93.1 FM), for festival coverage on Friday, Oct. 9, Saturday, Oct. 10, and Sunday, Oct. 11.
