Friends of Paradise Park is hosting a grand opening in celebration of the completion of the mural recently painted in the park. The opening is Saturday, August 8th, from 11:30 AM to 2 PM. The event will be highlighted by the No BS Brass leading a march through surrounding streets (Floyd, Grove, Allen, and Vine to be specific). There will be food, music, crafts, dancing, and creating.
Come check out the difference that a group of dedicated volunteers and neighbors have made in reviving one of the Fan’s pocket parks. And afterwards, head on up to Shields for the Jonny Z Festival.
Construction due to sewer main work will close lanes on Franklin at Boulevard Monday, from August 3rd at 9 AM into early August 4th.
The deets:
Beginning Monday, August 3 at 9 a.m. and continuing for approximately 18 hours into the early morning hours on Tuesday, August 4, 2009, the City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities will be lining a sewer main from the northeast corner of Franklin Street at Belvidere Street to the northwest corner of Franklin Street at Belvidere Street.
During this construction, the left curb lane of Franklin will be closed from approximately Pine Street to the parking entrance of the Apartment Tower located east of Belvidere St. leaving the center and right lanes available for traffic. The right southbound lane of Belvidere will be closed from Grace St. to beyond the intersection of Franklin with Belvidere streets. The right northbound lane of Belvidere will be closed from approximately Main St. to beyond the intersection of Franklin with Belvidere streets.
This Saturday the Virginia Center for Architecture Museum (Monument at Davis) is hosting a sale on the terrace from 9 AM-1PM.
In the spirit of a yard sale, the Museum Shop presents the Sale on the Terrace. Find books, toys and fine gifts discounted up to 50%. Enjoy refreshing lemonade and snacks as you shop, while kids of all ages create designs with sidewalk chalk. Rain or shine.
Photo: nathan_rustlethwaite
Art180 is holding its second annual Jonny Z Festival on Saturday, August 8th from 12-5 PM on Shields Ave. in front of Joe’s Inn (between Grove and Hanover Streets).
Families can also enjoy a variety of children’s activities, including hula-hooping, temporary tattoos, and a Spiderman moonbounce. The Bizarre Market vendors will showcase local arts and crafts, with 10% of all sales benefiting ART 180. Food will be available through Joe’s Inn, Shields Market, Crossroads Coffee & Ice Cream, and Nate’s Taco Truck. Music will be provided by our media sponsor, WRIR, and local musicians including Liza Kate, Josh Smalls, Branch Clarke, the Photosynthesizers, Chris Terry, and more.
About Johnny Z:
Jon Zanin, known to a countless list of adoring friends as Jonny Z, died in 2007 at the age of 26. Zanin is remembered as a creative and compassionate soul, a lover and maker of art and music, a friend to all and enemy to none, a champion for the underdog.
Sounds like a good time and a great cause. Hope to see you there.
The Oasis Cafe is now open at 1309 W. Broad Street–although it’s opening is obstructed a bit by construction scaffolding nearby. I haven’t been yet. Anyone got a review?
It neighbors Very Berry. I have been there: clean, modern, yogurt and toppings by the ounce. Can’t go wrong with that (assuming you can practice portion control).
Tip: Paul H.
There’s been activity at the former Chop Suey bookstore at W. Cary and Randolph Streets, inside and outside. This morning a fresh coat of white paint was applied over the Chop Suey signage. Not sure what the new space will be.
All Things Richmond has a charming post about the latest in the Little Mexico chain opened at 308 N. Laurel Street, within shouting distance of Chipotle. I admit that I’m beginning to wonder when we’ll reach the limit of the Mexican food glut in the Fan, but I realize that most people can’t get enough of them rice and beans.
From the post:
National chains are fine when you have no other choices, but some of my money is walking right past Chipotle to this local chain that could.
And I’m all for local food versus corporate chains. It’s what we need more of, especially with unsettling news about Ukrops’ future. Let’s hear it for taking on ‘the man’. Little Mexico is showing big balls (er, cojones), that’s for sure.
On Wednesday a group of volunteers starting painting a mural in Paradise Park. Here’s the progress so far:
And here’s a photo showing the old look for comparison:
Saturday morning (beginning at 8:30) is scheduled for more painting. Volunteers are encouraged if you have a desire to lend a hand.
West Franklin Street from Laurel to Belvidere will be limited to one lane (the center lane) beginning Thursday, June 23rd (through Friday, June 24th) as the City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities will be re-lining a sewer.
The right southbound lane of Belvidere will also be closed from Grace to beyond Franklin.
Proposed Design
Style Weekly reports about recent changes to VCU’s plans to build a student art gallery. A proposed site near the Jefferson Hotel was scuttled after opposition from the owners of the Jefferson (Booty Armstrong and William Goodwin Jr. ) who also just happened to donate the land (and who plan a future donation of adjacent land in 2011). Evidently and understandably they desire a more consistent (and perhaps less artsy) design plan for development near the Jefferson.
As for the gallery itself, Style offers this:
The desire for a new gallery is also driven, in part by the school’s rankings lust. The School of the Arts is the highest-ranking public art and design graduate program in the country and fourth overall behind Rhode Island School of Design, Yale University and the School Art Institute of Chicago, according to a 2008 ranking by U.S. News & World Report. In the past five years, those other programs have all built or renovated new galleries.
