WELCOME TO BLOOMING URBANISTA!!!

This is my monthly guide to some of the fun events taking place in my hometown, The River City...Richmond, Virginia.

I love attending the festivals, fairs, farmer's markets and some of the other fun events RVA has to offer.  I enjoy myself so much at these events, I wanted to share my experiences so you can see "Whatcha Missed", as well as let you know about some of the upcoming happenings so you can get a head's up on "Whatcha Wont Miss".

What makes me a Blooming Urbanista?

Well...

          I was born in Richmond and have live here my entire life

      

          I am still discovering the awesomeness of this city

  

         I look forward to embarking on future RVA festivities!

Blooming Urbanista!

RICHMOND JEWISH FOOD FESTIVAL

WHATCHA MISSED
     EVENT:                     Richmond Jewish Food Festival
     DATE:                        Sunday, January 15 - Monday, January 16, 2017
     TIME:                        11:30 am - 7:30 pm
     LOCATION:             Weinstein Jewish Community Center, 5403 Monument Avenue
     WEB ADDRESS:    richmondjewishfoodfestival.com

It's wonderful when you have the opportunity to explore the different cultures our beautiful city has to offer.  So, I was so happy to have the opportunity to attend the Richmond Jewish Food Festival.

This two day festival offered Jewish and Isreali groceries, music, vendors and , of course food. This event  was held at the Weinstein Jewish Community Center.

My family and I had a wonderful time as we purchased items from vendors and, of course, enjoyed various foods from the Jewish culture.

Shawarma Wrap

Seasoned lamb and turnkey serviced in a wrap

Beef Brisket with  Tzimmes and Potato Latke

Tzimmes is a sweet stew often combined with root vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes or yams as well dried fruits such as prunes or raisins. 

Brocolli Kugel

Similar to brocolli casserol

Egyptian Musk Oil

My daughter purchased this oil from  Bahashem, a local vendor we also met at the Kwanzaa Festival.

Juices
by 

Ginger Juice Company

 

Wands sold by  local artist and vendor

Groceries

Performance Stage
Sorry, we missed the musical acts

WHATCHA WONT MISS

EVENT	DATE	TIME	LOCATION	SUMMARY
Black History Month Celebration	January 7 - February 24	Monday - Friday 5:30 - 7:30 pm	Pine Camp Arts and Community Center 4901 Old Brook Road	Displays of art by local African American artists
Richmond Winter Farmer's Market	Saturdays	9 am - Noon	St. Stephen's Episcopal Church 6000 Grove Avenue	Year round farmer's  market ststephensrva.org/community/farmers-market
Open Mic (Poetry)	Saturdays	8 pm	Artspace Gallery 00 E 4th Street	Poets and other artists are invited to participate in this open mic.  Poetry Slam may follow. artspacegallery.org/performans.shtml
First Friday Art Walk	February 3	5 pm - 9 pm	Downtown Richmond Along the Art District	Monthly art walk that includes events from shops and galleries. rvafirstfridays.com
View From The Backstairs	February 4 - 5	12 Noon - 5 pm	Maymont Park 1700 Hampton Street	Tour the working and living quarters of African Americans who served as employees at the Dooley home during the years of 1893 - 1925. $7 per person $4 for members maymont.org/events/view-from-the-backstairs-5/
Jazz Cafe: Jazz Around the Museum	February 9	6 pm - 9 pm	Virginia Museum of Fine Arts 200 North Boulevard	Performance by Lady Blues Synsation Band https://wmfa.museum/calendar/events/jazz-cafe/
ChinaFest!	Saturday, February 11	10 am - 5 pm	Virginia Museum of Fine Arts 200 North Boulevard	Celebration of the Lunar New Year and the Chinese New of the Fire Rooster. https://vmfa.museum/calendar/events/chinafest-year-fire-rooster/
African American Read In	February 23	5 pm - 7 pm	Virginia Museum of Fine Arts 200 North Boulevard	Community leaders and museum staff share literature related to works by African American artist in permanent collection in the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts https://vmfa.museum/calendar/events/african-american-read/

Please let me know what you think of this post in the comments section below.

Thanks, 

Blooming Urbanista

OLD FASIONED CHRISTMAS & KWANZAA FESTIVAL

WHATCHA MISSED

          EVENT:                    Old Fashion Christmas at Maymont

          DATE:                       Sunday, December 7, 2016

          TIME:                       12 Noon - 5 P.M.

          LOCATION:            Maymont Park @ 1700 Hamilton Street

          WEB ADDRESS:   HTTPS://MAYMONT.ORG/EXPERIENCES/ANNUAL- EVENTS/VICTORIAN-HOLIDAYS

My daughters and I visited Maymont for their Old Fashion Christmas last month.

Even though our visit was for only one day, this was a six week celebration that allows you to take a peek into the lives of wealthy Richmonders, James and Sallie Dooley as they celebrate Christmas during the late 1800's.

We arrived a little late (at almost 4:30) and was unable to visit the Dooley's mansion or participate in a lot of the activities such as the horse draw carriage ride, but we were able to enjoy some of the other sights, sounds and tastes this event had to offer.

CAROLERS WITH VICTORIAN ONLOOKERS

DOOLEY MANSION

CREPES FROM MONIQUE'S 

ANACHRONISM (KINDA)

DEFINED: CHRONOLOGICAL MISPLACING OF PERSONS, EVENTS, OBJECTS  OR CUSTOMS IN REGARD TO EACH OTHER

HORSE DRAWN CARRIAGE

VICTORIAN SANTA

CARRIAGE HOUSE

WHAT ELSE YA MISSED:

          EVENT:                Capital City Kwanzaa Festival

          DATE:                   Friday, December 30, 2016

          TIME:                   12 Noon - 5 P.M.

          LOCATION:       Altria Theatre @ 6 N. Laurel Street

          WEB ADDRESS:HTTP://EFSINC.ORG/EVENTS/FESTIVALS/KWANZAA-FESTIVAL

I also attended the Capital Kwanzaa Festival for the very first time. This fun festival celebrates  the year end, seven day holiday in which the  principals of African culture are observed. Those principles include:

UMOJA - Unity

KUJICHAGULIA - Self Determination

UJIMA - Working Together

UJAMAA - Supporting Each Other

NIA - Purpose

KUUMBA - Creativity

IMANI - Faith

This annual event is presented by Elegba Folklore Society and offered delicious food, fun for kids, market vendors, music and so much more.  

WATOTO KWANZAA

TRANSLATION: CHILDREN IN SWAHILI

ART BY ORISEGUN BENNETT-OLOMIDUN

 STILT WALKER

AFRICAN DANCERS

AFRICAN DRUMMERS

SOUL FOOD

AFRICAN STATUE AND DRUM

VENDOR'S MERCHANDISE

WHATCHA WONT MISS:

Richmond Winter Farmer's Market	Saturdays	9 a.m. - noon	St. Steven's Episcopal Church 6000 Grove Avenue	Year round farmers market ststephensrva.org/community/farmers-market/
Open Mic (Poetry)	Saturdays	8 p.m.	Artspace Gallery 00 E 4th St	Poets and other artists are invited to participate in this open mic. Poetry Slam may follow. artspacegallery.org/performs.shtml
First Friday  Art Walk	Friday, January 6, 2017	5 p.m.   – 9 p.m.	Downtown Richmond Along the Art's District	Monthly art walk that includes events from shops & galleries. rvafirstfridays.com
Richmond Jewish Food Festival	Sunday, January 15 – Monday, January 16, 2017	11:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m	Weinstein Jewish Community Center 5403 Monument Avenue	Festival includes Jewish and Isreali dishes as well as Isreali groceries. Other activities include live music. Richmondjewishfoodfestival.com
Poetry Night at Café Zata	Friday, January 27, 2017 (fourth Friday of each month)	7 p.m. - 9 p.m.	5047 Forest Hill Avenue	Poets are invited to read or recite their poems.  Cafezata.com
Shiver In The River	Saturday, January 28, 2017	10 a.m. – 4 p.m.	Historic Tredegar  500 Tredegar Street	Winter festival which includes  community cleanups, 5k walk/run, James River Jump and Winter Festival with food, drinks, music and other fun events. Shiverintheriver.com

Please let me know what you think in the comments section below.

Thanks,

Blooming Ubanista