Gents, grab your fedoras and dapper attire and ladies throw on your best flapper dress and prepare your best “Ol’ Sport’ impression, because
Gents, grab your fedoras and dapper attire and ladies throw on your best flapper dress and prepare your best “Ol’ Sport’ impression, because Yelp is throwing a Speakeasy Soiree tonight at The Broadberry.
And it’s for a good cause. The local Yelp organization is throwing the party to benefit The Byrd Theatre Foundation. There will be food, acrobatics, burlesque, music, free swag and other festivities and with a $10 donation, you can get in on the action.
The proceeds from the event will go to preserving the Byrd. The Byrd Theatre Foundation is currently working to completely restore the theatre by 2017. That includes replacing the seats, new carpeting, installing a new roof, restroom updates, and interior restoration.
“The Foundation has been very busy over the last year, putting our HVAC system in order, acquiring a powerful new projector, and getting our strategic plan and fundraising strategy in place,” said Gibson Worsham president of The Byrd Foundation. “We think that patrons will begin to notice some positive changes over the coming months.”
The Foundation started planning the renovation project in 2014. Check out more on the plan here.
Worsham said this is the is the first time the foundation is working with Yelp and they couldn’t be happier.
“We are grateful for their support and the chance to further connect the Byrd Theatre Foundation with the Richmond community,” Worsham said. We could not be happier to make connections with more people in the community and let than know what wonderful things go on at the Byrd, not only our regular movies, but a wide variety of community events.”
Lauri Thompson is the Community Organizer for Richmond Yelp events and said she’s been planning this one since May.
“Part of my job is to throw monthly Elite Events for the most active and influential Yelp writers in Richmond,” she said. “In addition, one to two times a year I organize large-scale events for both the Yelp Elite and the not-yet Elite yelpers in our city.”
“Elite” Yelpers are those that write consistent, quality reviews on Yelp as well as vote on reviews. In exchange, they can get some free stuff and get into parties for free in the area.
Thompson said with most of the Yelp events, they partner up with an area non-profit to give back.
“I chose The Byrd Theatre Foundation as this year’s non-profit partner because I, like most people from Richmond, love The Byrd Theatre,” she said. “It is such an important part of Richmond’s culture and history.”
“It’s more than a $2 movie theatre,” she added. “It’s a place where families can go to spend time together, friends can reunite, people can get married, and local artists can share their craft with the Richmond community.”
Thompson said Yelp is hoping to raise at least $3,000 to put toward the renovation project for The Byrd Foundation.
As long as someone RSVPs with a Yelp profile for this event, they can attend for free. To date, about 300 attendees have signed up for Yelp’s Speakeasy Soiree.
The party is of course, 1920’s-themed, so attendees are encouraged to wear attire from that era. There will be an exclusive Elite hour from 7pm-8pm and admission to all other Yelpers from 8pm-10pm.
Food from 7 Stars Asian Cuisine and Lounge, Croaker’s Spot, 10 Italian Café, Red Eye Cookie Company, India K’Raja, and others will be there. Boom Boom Basics Burlesque and Performing Arts Studio and Host of Sparrows Aerial Dance and Circus Arts will perform at the event.
Yelp’s Speakeasy Soirée Yelper Party will be held tonight, Aug. 6 from 8 to 10 pm at The Broadberry.
