Richmond’s own independent radio station, 97.3 WRIR LP-FM, has two upcoming events: The 9th annual Party for the Rest of Us at the Renaissance Ballroom and their 8th annual Black Valentine’s Day Party, free at Gallery 5.
Richmond’s own independent radio station, 97.3 WRIR LP-FM, has two upcoming events: The 9th annual Party for the Rest of Us at the Renaissance Ballroom and their 8th annual Black Valentine’s Day Party, free at Gallery 5.
Party for the Rest of Us takes place on february 7th and coincides with First Friday Art Walk. This event is essentially WRIR’s anniversary party where they showcase local bands and various musical acts they think deserve exposure. WRIR’s event coordinator, Lindsey Spurrier, explained, “The goal of this event… is always for someone to hear something new or to be turned on to something they’ve never heard before”
Spurrier went on to explain the party’s mission is bring Richmonders together as only WRIR can. “We call it the Party for the Rest of Us because WRIR is radio for the rest of us; our mission is airing under represented music, news and talk,” said Spurrier.
WRIR really values their listeners and wants to offer listeners something they can’t get from other media outlets. Spurrier went on to talk about how WRIR’s audience is so diverse and that it’s important that they have a lineup of artists reflecting this diversity.
Entry to Party for the rest of us is a 10$ donation to WRIR and the mainstage will include artists like The Arkaics, Fun Size, Hypercolor and Herro Sugar. The venue will also have a side room with more eclectic acts ranging from Taiko drumming to a Modern Beat hip-hop showcase. Party for the Rest of Us is WRIR’s largest event of the year and aims to be as eclectic as the station’s broadcast.
Although this is the 9th Party for the Rest of Us, it will be the first time that the event will include space for non-profit organizations. Spurrier said “throughout the year we’re involved with nonprofits at their events….. I’m excited that we’re opening up a space in the main ballroom for non-profits that we’re partner with or think are doing really great things.”
Party for the Rest of Us is looking to have a little something for everyone to enjoy. More information about the event is available on the WRIR website and tickets are available here.
WRIR next event isn’t for the Valentines Day traditionalists. This is the first time this event will be held at Gallery 5, but admission is still free. Black Valentine’s Day was originally created to celebrate the darker and sadder side of the holiday. The event lineup includes Clayton England, The Cales and Lightfields playing covers and original songs about heartbreak and love gone wrong. WRIR’s own DJ Charlie from The Creepy Side of Love will also be spinning tracks about bad love and relationships gone sour.
However, Black Valentine’s Day isn’t all doom and gloom. Spurrier says the event is “very tongue-in-cheek” and that there’s an element of humor involved. One attraction to this event might be the Live Bachelor Auction. The audience is able to bid on a Bachelor; the highest bidder gets a date with the Bachelor and a gift card to a restaurant in Richmond.
If you plan on attending Black Valentines Day, expect the unexpected. Spurrier continued to say, “in the past we’ve had bands do all sorts of things, they get as obscure as they want.” Past performances have ranged from Christina Aguilera covers on a ukulele to a full My Bloody Valentine set by Richmond band Snowy Owls.
Black Valentine’s Day is free at Gallery 5 on February 14th. For more info, visit the WRIR website.
