- Creative Holidays in Richmond’s Historic Downtown Arts District
- The Holidays Begin on First Friday, December 5…
- World Music Concert at the Richmond Public Library
- FETCH a Cure’s Toys for Furry Tots Donation Dog House
- Terri’s Treats at Oneness Art Gallery
- Celebrate Illuminate!
- After First Fridays, We Invite You Back Downtown

Creative Holidays in Richmond’s Historic Downtown Arts District
First Fridays Art Walk venues begin a weeks-long holidays celebration with an array of activities on and off Historic Broad Street, beginning with First Fridays on Friday, December 5 and continuing until Court End Christmas on Sunday, December 14.

Visitors will find the most unique and creative gifts for every taste and pocketbook at the many diverse art galleries and creative businesses located along Historic Broad Street and in Historic Jackson and Monroe Wards. Handmade crafts, paintings, imports, wearable works of art, furniture, jewelry, and so much more awaits shoppers looking for something special, not to mention diverse and delicious dining options. Whether arts lovers and holiday shoppers are looking to support their local economy, find the most unique gifts, support the environment, or have a dining experience to remember, look no further than Richmond’s growing Historic Downtown Arts District!

Highlighting this year’s First Fridays is the opening of “The Fawn Shop”, located at 201 West Broad Street, featuring over 20 artists from the Richmond Craft Mafia and Etsy. This empty Broad Street storefront will be transformed into a thriving crafts market from December 5-13, thanks to the hard work of the participating artists, volunteers from Theatre IV, and the generosity of the Ukrop Family, owners of the building. Shop Monday-Friday 11am-7pm, Saturday 11am-5pm, and 11am-10pm on First Fridays. Visitors will find jewelry, housewares, paintings, ceramics, furniture, clothing, plush, soaps and scents, and so much more - a healthy mix of crafty goodies perfect for holiday giving. A portion of all purchases will benefit Theater IV’s Building Renovation Fund. And the band, Peppermint Twist, will be singing holiday classics to get everyone in the holiday spirit on First Fridays. There’s no need to go anywhere but Downtown for the Holidays!

The Holidays Begin on First Friday, December 5…
The streets will be alive with holiday cheer, twinkling lights, hot yummy beverages, buskers and live music, uncompromising art, and creative optimism. We look forward to seeing you soon and sharing the hope of the holidays.

World Music Concert at the Richmond Public Library, 7-9pm
An incredible evening of World Music awaits visitors to the Richmond Public Library (only a stones throw away from Broad Street) on First Fridays. Performers involved in the University of Richmond’s Music Department return for an incredible evening of African and Balinese music and such diverse performances are guaranteed to be loved by everyone, from curiosity seekers to die hard fans.

The event will feature performances by the University’s most unique Balinese Gamelan Raga Kusuma as well as Ghanaian Ewe and Dagomba African drumming featuring master drummer Abdallah Zakariah, students from the University of Richmond Global Music Ensemble, University Dancers and the Nggoma African Dance Ensemble. Mr. Zakariah is a lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah Institute for African Studies at the University of Ghana, and is currently a visiting artist-scholar at the University of Richmond.

This event is made possible through the generous support of the Modlin Center for the Arts at the University of Richmond and the University of Richmond’s Department of Music, and the Richmond Public Library!

Legendary Snowbear at Theatre IV’s Empire Theatre, 6:30pm
Theatre IV’s “Snowbear” returns to Richmond for a memorable holiday of days gone by. He’s firming up his holiday plans and making special appearances before performances of Theatre IV’s The Best Christmas Pageant Ever between December 5-21 at the historic Empire Theatre, 114 W. Broad Street. Snowbear will appear at 6:30pm on First Fridays - 30 minutes before the 7pm performance. Bring your camera and make memories!

Contact Theatre IV for tickets at www.TheatreIVRichmond.org. Snowbear will also appear at the Valentine Richmond History Center for Court End Christmas and around town for the Holidays.

FETCH a Cure’s Toys for Furry Tots Donation Dog House
We’re proud to have FETCH at First Fridays once again, this time helping bring some cheer to those pet companions without a home this holiday. “Toys for Furry Tots” is a collection campaign benefiting animals in need of holiday cheer. Look for a decorated doghouse at Adams & Broad Street at First Fridays to drop off pet toys and supplies. These gifts from the community will be delivered to area shelters and humane societies on Christmas Eve, helping to give homeless animals some happiness while in their shelter type environments.

If you miss FETCH at First Fridays, be sure to check their website for other opportunities to donate in the month of December. www.fetchacure.com

Terri’s Treats at Oneness Art Gallery
Starting on December 5, Oneness Art will be accepting donations for Terri's Treats. Terri's Treats is a program started in memory of Terri Massenburg who died at the age of 15 of a chronic heart condition. This program accepts donations and in turn delivers Terri's Treat Bags to children at MCV hospital who suffer from heart conditions.

The bags are distributed during the week of Christmas, and Oneness Art is looking to give no less then 15 bags with great Treat's inside, so please drop by and make a contribution today to make a child’s holiday incredibly special!

Celebrate Illuminate!
First Fridays isn’t the only great event bringing Downtown to life on December 5th. Make it a night on the town by starting your evening at 6pm at the long-awaited holiday tradition “Celebrate Illuminate!” featuring the Grand Illumination at the James Center, 17th Street Farmers Market Holiday Market, Open House at the Main Street Station, Capital Square Tree Lighting, Canal Boat and carriage rides, fun for all the family and much, much more!

It’s time to Celebrate Illuminate and Richmond’s River District has decked the halls with plenty of sparkle and shine! Celebrate the season at the city’s premier entertainment and cultural hotspot. Kickoff the festivities at Grand Illumination on Friday, December 5 with activities and events that showcase the spirit of the holidays in an unforgettable way. Keep the fun going throughout the weekend with a wide variety of festive holiday happenings. Not only are restaurants, shops, museums and attractions decorated and bursting with holiday cheer, there are free horse and carriage rides and more twinkling lights than ever before. River District Canal Cruises will be giving 25 minute canal tours right by Main Street Station, which is having their annual Open House complete with hot chocolate and cookies. And be sure to visit the 17th Street Farmers’ Market which has invited Tuba Christmas to perform amongst all of the great vendors! Bring your friends, family and out-of-town guests and see for yourself – the River District is shining for Celebrate Illuminate!

16 diverse buildings located in Downtown Richmond will be decorated for the holidays as part of Richmond’s “Love Lights” program and will illuminate our Downtown Skyline until February 14, 2009.

For more information on any of these activities, contact Venture Richmond at www.venturerichmond.com.

After First Fridays, We Invite You Back Downtown to Enjoy a Week’s Worth of Creative & Festive Events

Saturday, December 6…
The Fawn Shop, Dec 6-13
Located at 201 W. Broad St, over 20 artists from the Richmond Craft Mafia and Etsy transform this storefront into a festive crafts market from December 5-13, Shop Monday-Friday 11am-7pm and Saturday 11am-5pm for jewelry, housewares, paintings, ceramics, furniture, clothing, plush, soaps and scents, and so much more - a healthy mix of crafty goodies perfect for holiday giving. A portion of all purchases will benefit Theater IV’s Building Renovation Fund.

Black History Museum’s Annual Holiday Open House, 12-4pm
Please join the Museum from 12-4pm for an afternoon filled with children’s crafts, light refreshments, Heritage Gift Shop Holiday sale, and visit with Santa with soul!

Richmond’s Annual Christmas Parade, 10am
Celebrate History in the Making at the 25th Anniversary of the Christmas Parade, which will take place along Historic Broad Street beginning at 10am at the Science Museum of Virginia and leading to 7th Street. Come out and enjoy a true Richmond holiday tradition while visiting the many shops and restaurants in Downtown.

Monday, December 8…
The Fawn Shop, 11am-7pm
See Above.

Tuesday, December 9…
Ladies Night Shopping Event at Quirk, 4- 7pm
Stuff your stocking with lots of creative goodies at Quirk’s first Ladies Night Out Shopping Event.

Coffee with artist Terrie Powers at Visual Art Studio 6-8pm
Visual Art Studio kicks off a week of “meet the artists” series of fun events.Terrie Powers designs and paints sets for Theatre IV with 26 years in the biz. She is an invited artist in the current exhibition Artistic Gifts featuring Hang Ups. 

The Fawn Shop, 11am-7pm
See Above.

Wednesday, December 10…
Coffee Talk with artist Lois Shipley at Visual Art Studio, 7pm
Shipley paints outdoor scenes in oil on canvas. She is featured in the current holiday show Artistic Gifts featuring Hang Ups.

The Fawn Shop, 11am-7pm
See Above.

Thursday, December 11…
How to paint a Still Life with Cathyann L. Burgess at Visual Art Studio, 6-8pm
Burgess is a Fulton Hill studio artist with artwork in the collection of Media General and the Federal Reserve. This demonstration will be similar to her still life class set up. She has been painting small stilllifes as part of the "Daily Painting" blog phenomenon since 2006, in addition to her portrait and landscape painting.

The Fawn Shop, 11am-7pm
See Above.

Friday, December 12…
The Fawn Shop, 11am-7pm
See Above.

Downtown Arts District Progressive Shopping Night, 5-8pm
Enjoy another Friday night out in Downtown as numerous galleries and creative businesses extend their hours and offer special activities for easy holiday shopping and socializing.

A few of the venues scheduled to be open include:
1708 Gallery –
Catch the Not So Silent Night Annual Auction Exhibition

Art6 Gallery –
presents another opportunity for you to experience their first Arts in a Box exhibition featuring one-of-a-kind artist made boxes, just the right size and price for holiday giving.

Bistro 27 –
offering tempting creative fare in one of Richmond’s most lovely spots to see and be seen. Voted as one of Richmond’s best restaurants.

Ghostprint Gallery –
featuring new work from New York based painter and tattoo artist Amanda Wachob.

Henry –
From the hippest tshirts (such as those designed from the Valentine’s collection) to one-of-a-kind sneakers, Henry can outfit or accessorize your holiday.

Lift Coffee Shop –
offering tempting hot coffee and aromatic teas to take the chill off not to mention yummy bites to tag along.

Oneness Art -
presenting an array of artwork from local artists including Chiquita Burroughts and an opportunity to donate children’s gifts to Terri’s Treats.

Renovation Resources -
presents a new line of eco-friendly products, from bamboo pursues, that are to-die-for unique, to chemical free bath and body products for the home, you and your pet companion.

Tarrant’s Café -
offering a cozy spot to take a load off and affordable and delicious menu voted as one of Richmond’s best restaurants.

Theatre IV -
Visit with legendary Snowbear at 6:30pm before the 7pm performance of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.

Visual Art Studio -
presenting light refreshments, coffee with jewelry designer Denise Bell, and live music by My Son the Doctor, who will be presenting Yiddish, Gypsy and Klezmer style music

Saturday, December 13…
Richmond Boys Choir at the Richmond Public Library, 2pm
Richmond Public Library’s main branch hosts the 12th Annual Concert by the outstanding Richmond Boys Choir at 2pm as part of the Gellman Room Concert Series. Led by Director Billy Dye, the choir presents classical and traditional music as well as holiday favorites. Come early as seats fill up quick for this uplifting event. Free and open to the public. Also view the many exhibits at the Library including the cool, large-scale Festive Holiday Cards created by area local high school students.

Sidewalk Sale at Visual Art Studio, 12-4pm
Items include pottery by Cindy Walker, jewelry by Denise Bell and Katherine Benner, handmade scarfs and purses and, of course, lots of art work by local artists! Sale items throughout the day. New items become available as things sell in the ever-changing exhibition.

Christmas Browsing Brunch at Oneness Art Gallery, 11:30-2pm
Enjoy music, art and a light brunch at this cozy art gallery on Cary Street in Historic Monroe Ward. 

The Fawn Shop, 11am-5pm
Last Day! See Above.

Sunday, December 14…
22nd Annual Court End Christmas, 12-5pm
This free Richmond holiday tradition features First Fridays venue, the Valentine Richmond History Center, as well as the John Marshall House, Virginia State Capitol, the Museum and White House of the Confederacy, Monumental Church, the Egyptian Building, the Beers House, Hunton Student Center, and St. John’s Church.

The 22nd Annual Court End Christmas celebrates the season in 19th century style with reenactments, children’s activities, refreshments, carriage rides, music, special guest appearances, and free admission and tours of 9 historic downtown sites – all free and open to the public. This year, the event welcomes Klezm’Or’Ami’m, klezmer musicians from Congregation Or Ami, who will play live at the Valentine Richmond History Center at 1pm. Free shuttle service provided from 12:30pm-4:45pm (shuttle stops at each site every 15-20 minutes).

For more information call 804-649-0711 ext. 322 or visit www.richmondhistorycenter.com/courtendchristmas.htm