RVA Mag’s First Friday picks 10/7/16

by | Oct 7, 2016 | ART

It’s the first Friday of the month, and you know what that means. Yes, all our bills are due, but on the bright side, the monthly artwalk is happening in RVA!

It’s the first Friday of the month, and you know what that means. Yes, all our bills are due, but on the bright side, the monthly artwalk is happening in RVA!

There are plenty of happenings, music, artist showcases, exhibits and other events going on at tonight’s First Fridays Artwalk so get out there and find one or a few of the events listed below to check out.

Here are a few picks from this month’s roundup that RVA MAG liked:

Carnival of 5 Fires at Gallery5

Gallery5 is hosting the Party Liberation Front this Friday for the kickoff of the annual Carnival of 5 Fires. The event is now in its 10th year and you can expect fire spinning, burlesque, Poe tributes, DJs and more! You can read our write up on Carnival of 5 Fires here.

“STUMP” at Candela

As the General Election approaches, Candela Books + Gallery introduces “STUMP;” a group exhibition featuring photographic artists whose work is politically salient, couched in national issues, or generally steeped in concerns we are all facing.

With “STUMP,” the hope is to sponsor discussion around an array of issues at the forefront of national debates. The photographic works featured draw on our current culture and provide a lens through which to examine issues both locally and globally important.

“Wet Walls” at Endeavor

This First Fridays at Endeavor RVA, it’s their second mural show! Come through to see the results of the collaborative efforts on a brand new large scale mural. There will be limited edition merch for sale and hiphop and beats all night. Doors open at 6:30. Muralists:
Alex Beck, Ian Hess, Eli McMullen, Wingchow.

“Afraid of Everything” at ada gallery

Ada Gallery is pleased to present “Afraid of Everything,” four films by Sasha Waters Freyer, on view from now until Oct. 29. Freyer is a moving image artist trained in the photography and documentary tradition, fusing original and found footage in 16mm and digital media. Freyer’s works ask the question of how to be an artist and a parent; to make and to nurture; to revolt and sustain; the certainty of death; the project of reconciling the irreconcilable.

United for UNOS 8th annual soirée

United Network for Organ Sharing are having their annual soirée this Saturday. Dine on specialty dishes from Richmond’s favorite restaurants and caterers and meet the 2016 Faces of Transplantation – including organ recipients, living donors, donor families and transplant professionals. Event proceeds support United Network for Organ Sharing’s lifesaving work including organ matching and transplantation education programs. Tickets are $125 which you can get here.

“A Poem Is a Naked Person” at the Bijou Film Center

On Friday Oct. 7 (and Saturday Oct. 8): In its screening room at 304 E. Broad St. the Bijou Film Center will present a long-awaited film directed by the legendary Les Blank, plus a wee surprise.

Admission: $9. No advance tickets. Show times: 6:30 p.m. and 9:15 p.m.

First Fridays at Mama J’s

First Fridays at Mama J’s is back this week! Stop by the event space on the corner of 1st and Clay on Friday 10/7 from 6-9p to experience a great First Friday vibe! Local artwork, live music, happy hour drinks, free apps and check out the intimate event space. FREE! Music by RVA’s heavy hitter DJ Lonnie B. Visual art by Eddie Johnson!

“I Am Powerful” at ART 180

I Am Powerful” incorporates audio, visual, writing, photography, and conceptual art created by teens at Richmond’s detention center that highlights their experiences navigating the juvenile justice system and their visions for a more supportive community.

The “I Am Powerful” exhibition will be the first time the work will be fully displayed before it travels across Virginia and the country to advocate for juvenile justice reform. Pieces were previously used in August to train the Richmond Police Department and provide a backdrop for a community conversation with RPD about decreasing teen arrests.

“1776” at Virginia Rep

Playing this First Fridays (and much of the month besides,) “1776” is playing at the November Theatre at Virginia Repertory Theatre. A congress that gets things done….Revolutionary!

Starring Scott Wichmann as John Adams. Raucous, witty, and patriotic, this Tony Award-winning musical is a rousing celebration of American history. Led by the fiery and persuasive John Adams, the founding fathers incite the divided Continental Congress to vote for independence. You can read our review on it here.

“Pop Vulture” at the Visual Art Studio

“Pop Vulture” by Donnie Green opens this First Friday October 7 at anne’s Visual Art Studio, with an Artist’s Talk at 6:30PM followed by a reception from 7-10PM.

Since 1997, Donnie has created a body of work that is of jaw-dropping magnitude, combining influences of Celtic art, mystical symbolism, dream imagery, scenes from his own misunderstood life, chaos, rage, and more recently he’s delved into the triumph and tragedy of pop culture. His mysterious, boldly colorful and beautifully rendered oil paintings pull the viewer inside and drag them through an uncharted journey through the corridors of his intense, multidimensional human psyche.

Visit the First Fridays blog here to check out all of the events happening on and around Broad Street this weekend. RVA First Friday’s kicks off tonight from 5-9 pm.

Amy David

Amy David

Amy David was the Web Editor for RVAMag.com from May 2015 until September 2018. She covered craft beer, food, music, art and more. She's been a journalist since 2010 and attended Radford University. She enjoys dogs, beer, tacos, and Bob's Burgers references.




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