James River Week starts this Sat., Sept. 11 + continues until Sept. 18. Throughout the week, the James River Association and the James River Advisory Council will host a variety of events dedicated to the enjoyment and conservation of the James River.

We’ve got the lowdown on how you can get involved, whether you revel in the rapids or if you prefer to stay on dry land.

🌊 Join a cleanup event

The week kicks off with the 22nd annual James River Regional Cleanup on the morning of Sept. 11. The cooperative, regional event spans more than 75 miles of the river. Volunteers should register in advance + come dressed appropriately — that means closed toe shoes, gloves, and masks.

There are also several other volunteer opportunities throughout the week, including an invasive species removal event + an effort to water recently-planted trees on Chapel Island.

🌊 Tour the waters

Register for a tour to see bald eagles, spot the return of the Atlantic sturgeon, or travel on a period-accurate batteau, originally designed in 1775. Or, hop in a kayak for a guided exploration of the Kanawha Canal.

🌊 Dine on oysters

10% of the proceeds from select oyster dishes at several local favorite eateries will be donated to JRA as part of Oysters for the James. Head to Alewife, The Boathouse, The Lilly Pad, Shagbark, or Southbound restaurants to support efforts to protect the James River watershed. Be sure to check which dishes are included before placing your order.

🌊 See some art

James River Renderings is an exhibit at Art Works, which is only 2 blocks from the James. It features a collection of photography of the river and is on display in the Centre Gallery. Art Works is free and open to the public at 320 Hull St. from Tuesdays-Sundays, 12 p.m.-5 p.m.

🌊 Take the kids

Little ones will love Toddler Time at Maymont, appropriate for ages 18 months to 4 years old. There are also library events in Henrico + Chesterfield counties. You can also join a rain barrel workshop to teach firsthand about conservation at home.

Check out the full schedule here + let us know your favorite way to experience the James below.

#MUSTDO

Today

Andrew Kasab | Thurs., Sept. 9 | 6 p.m. | 17th St. Market | Free | Explore the market with the sounds of singer-songwriter Andrew Kasab. 🎶
Flowers After 5 | Thurs., Sept. 9 | 5 p.m. | Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden | $14, members free | Enjoy a funky evening with Dance Candy + bring your dog — it’s Fidos Night. 🐶

Friday

Sustaining Encounters Opening | Fri., Sept. 10 | 5-7 p.m. | Reynolds Gallery, 1514 W. Main St. | Free | See the new exhibit from Nancy Blum + Joseph Scheer at the opening reception.
Blood Orange Hibiscus Launch | Fri., Sept. 10 | 12-10 p.m. | Bryants Cider RVA, 2114 E. Main St. | Cost of purchase | Try the newest creation at the cidery. 🍊

Saturday

Deep Sixx | Sat., Sept. 11 | 6:30 p.m. | Isley Brewing Company, 1715 Summit Ave. | Free | Enjoy a brew + rock out with this quintet.
43rd St. Festival of the Arts | Sat., Sept. 11 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | 43rd St. Gallery, 1412 W. 43rd St. | Free | 60 artisans will show + sell their wares in this fundraiser for CARITAS.
In the Beginning … Virginia, Along the Trail of Enslaved Africans | Sat., Sept. 11 | 12-4 p.m. | Elegba Folklore Society, | $15 | Wear comfortable shoes + bring a bottle of water for this impactful cultural history tour.

Sunday

America Part Two with Gnawing and Blunt | Sun., Sept. 12 | 8 p.m. | Richmond Music Hall, 623 E. Main St. | $15 | Pro Tip: proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test within 72 hours required for entry. 🎶

Tuesday

Dawes | Tues., Sept. 14 | 7:30 p.m. | The National | $23+ | With Erin Rae + presented by WNRN.
The Humane Gardener: The Shrub Layer | Tues., Sept. 14 | 6:30 p.m. | Virtual, RSVP | $10 | Part of the Grow Native Series by Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. Pro Tip: $10 covers all programs in the fall series. 🌿

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.

PLAN YOUR SEPTEMBER

NEWS NOTES

Weather

75º | Showers | 66% chance of rain

Coming Soon

The pop-up restaurant JewFro, which combines Jewish + African cuisines, will open a permanent location in Shockoe Bottom in the next few weeks. The new JewFro will be at 1719-1721 E. Franklin St. and will seat about 65 people. The owners plan to hire 25-30 employees at the new location. (Richmond BizSense)

Community

Experiencing driver + worker shortages, Central Virginia Waste Management Authority has delayed some recycling pickups in Richmond and surrounding counties. CVWMA recommends that residents leave their recycling out until it is picked up or take it to a drop off location. ♻️

Festival

The 3rd Annual Afro Fest will take place Sat., Sept. 18 at Dogwood Dell. Presented by the African Community Network and RVA Parks and Recreation, the event will celebrate African culture + feature a fashion show, local eats, and free health screenings.

Arts

The Bellevue Civic Association will host a mural kick-off event this Saturday to celebrate a new piece of art planned for the wall facing Brook Rd. at Bellevue Ave. Ed Trask, the mural artist, will be present at the event, which will feature a ribbon cutting, a ceremonial first brush stroke + live music. 🎨

Biz

Style Weekly, an alternative weekly news source for Richmond, has ceased publishing. The outlet was founded in 1982 + bought by Tribune Publishing Co. in 2018. The Editor-in-Chief, Brent Baldwin, posted the closing announcement on the Style Weekly Facebook page on Tuesday, Sept. 7. 📰
Universal Corp., a Richmond-based tobacco leaf processing company, will acquire Shank’s Extracts Inc. in another move to diversify its business. Shank’s, which is based in Pennsylvania, specializes in flavoring and extracts. Universal bought Silva International — a vegetable, fruit + herb processing company — last year. 💸 (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Edu

Richmond Public Schools began the academic year yesterday. In order to maintain safety protocols, family members of students will have to schedule an appointment in order to enter RPS offices or school buildings. Appointments can be made by calling the particular school’s office. 🍎

History

A time capsule to be opened in 130 years will be placed inside the pedestal of the former Robert E. Lee monument. 39 objects were chosen to tell the story of 2020. It will replace an 1887 capsule, which will be removed today and given to the Department of Historic Resources. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Announced

Calling all creatives: Enter your Richmond-focused designs into our Rep Your City Design Contest for the chance for your design to be featured on the next products sold in The RICtoday Shop (and get paid up to $1,500). See details + enter. ✍️

A screenshot of an Instagram post. The video is a behind the scenes look at a wood cut print of a woman with glasses standing in front of a building. The caption explains that the woman is Lillie Ann Estes, who is being honored by the JXN Project.

📸 @barryokeefe

Artist Barry O’Keefe shared a video of his woodcutting technique for a portrait of Lillie Ann Estes. Lillie was a leading voice for fair housing practices and founded the Charles S. Gilpin Community Farm, the Community Justice Film Series, and Residents of Public Housing Against Mass Eviction.

O’Keefe’s work is in collaboration with The JXN Project, which is dedicated to exploring + telling the history of Jackson Ward. The project is in the process of virtually unveiling the Black Richmonders who will be honored with street signs on Oct. 2 — you’ll be able to find Lillie Estes Ln. at the intersection of St. James and Charity Streets.

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THE WRAP

Answered: We gave information on fall sports registrations — for kids and adults both — in yesterday’s newsletter, and a few readers reached out with more information.

David and Mary Alice B. shouted out basketball coach Matt Murrer at RockIt Sports + David T. told us about Junior Team Tennis at VCU. Liz H also shared details about the YMCA Miracle League baseball registration, which is now open for 3-21 year-old people who identify as having a physical or mental disability. ⚾️

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