First Fridays In Richmond
Just set bailouts and baloney aside, and experience art




The above image was taken, and not by me, at an exhibition opening several years ago at the vanished Three Miles Gallery and this space, and the adjacent one, is today busy Tarrant's Café.

The billion-eyed audience by now knows this story, but if you're just joining us, this pair of Richmond lovelies are displaying the classic duality of Greek tragedy/comedy, the duality of existence, and how in general conditions are one or the other, depending who you are and your perspective on the matters at hand.

It's been a crazy couple of weeks, I think you'd agree.

But the ladies pictured here represent for the Blue Raccoon the energy and verve of the First Friday High Art Hike here in Richmond, Va; otherwise known as First Fridays: On and Off Broad, and brought to you by Curated Culture, and you can see it explained here.

One of the big events tonight is the inauguration of Gallery5's momentous annual "Carnival of 5 Fires," with its cornucopia of art, music and performance, burlesque -- and fire jugglers. The whole thing culminates in a huge spaghetti dinner on Sunday. Take a gander here.

A number of galleries still have up the shows that inaugurated "Inlight Richmond" this past month, and the constellation-in-the-sidewalk in front of the 1708 Gallery is a reminder that, yes, even Broad Street can shine.


And if you get to 1708, you got to dance in front of the musical mirror that compliments you as you do so.

Speaking of illumination, over at 309 N. Adams there's the "Church of the Chrystal Light" which explains itself thus: "The Church of Crystal Light is an artist-run space dedicated to experimental visual art/music/performance/video and outsider community activity. Our goal is to offer communal artists – young artists that may have limited opportunities for expression – a venue for solo shows."

Andrew Jeffrey Wright is featured, and you can see some of the fun he has in store for you, here.

At the Ghost Print Gallery, self-taught painter Chris Milk, straight out of Oregon Hill, has an exhibit of his work. Below, is his "Moon," acrylic and metal leaf on wood.

So we'll see you on the art walk, and maybe having a tipple or two at one of the fine establishments designed for imbibing and carousing, thank goodness, and if anybody brings up anything political, I'm just going to stare into my glass as though seeing into a vortex of time and space, and wishing to be in another place with an entirely different set of problems. Speaking of which, if you get your fill of the art thing, at 10 p.m. at the New York Deli in Carytown there's an elaborate indie fashion show, "Pins + Needles" which you can read about here. Pictures at left, via Scott Elmquist at Style Weekly, "Local indie fashion designers Ono Mangano, left, and Erin Taylor, with two of their models wearing a refashioned jacket, left, and a high-waisted velveteen skirt, will present their version of makeshift chic at the New York Deli Oct. 3. " Back away from the television, get out of the house, and be fabulous to each other. Tonight is also the first of three for the annual "Two Street Festival" in Jackson Ward. This event celebrates the rich cultural heritage of the Ward which by the 1920s was considered "The Harlem of the South." This was before a highway was allowed to be plowed through its midsection and poorly planned public housing built. But, anyway, the reason to go is music, food, Croaker's Spot (good luck getting in -- the place is packed for good reason) and general street merriment. Friday, Oct. 3 Waverly R. Crawley Main Stage (2nd and Marshall streets) 6-9 p.m. - Friday Night Kickoff Dance Party featuring Johnny Houston & The Legends Metropolitan Business League (115 E. Marshall Street) 6-9 p.m. – 2008 Second Street Poster Unveiling featuring Larry “Poncho” Brown Saturday, Oct. 4 Waverly R. Crawley Main Stage (2nd and Marshall streets) Noon-1 p.m. – Johnny Peyton Renaissance Big Band 1:30-2:30p.m. – NYCE 3-3:30 p.m. – Grace & Company Fashion Show 4-5 p.m. – The Big Payback 5:30-6 p.m. – Radio One 6:20-7:30 p.m. – Horizon 8:15-9:50 p.m. – PIECES OF A DREAM Joe Kennedy Jr. Stage (3rd and Clay streets) 12:15-1:05 p.m. – Kip Williams Quartet 1:25-2:15 p.m. – QuintEssential Jazz 2:35-3:25 p.m. – SoulArmy 3:45-4:35 p.m. – Carlton Ayles and Legacy 4:55-5:45 p.m. – Jim Branch Quartet 6:05-6:55 p.m. – “Against All Odds” (from Hampton Roads, Va.) 7:15-8:05 p.m. – “Son Sabroso” (Latin Jazz) 8:25-9:25 p.m. – James “Saxsmo” Gates Quartet Bistro Stage (1st and Clay streets) Noon-12:45 p.m. – Ban Caribe 1-1:45 p.m. – String Improv N Me 2-2:45 p.m. – Rumba Drummers 3-3:30 p.m. – Spoken Word featuring Deidre Holland and Friends 4-4:45 p.m. – DJ Williams 5-6 p.m. – Skyline Band Community Stage (2nd and Leigh streets) 12:30-1 p.m. – Richmond Boys Choir 1:30-2 p.m. – One Voice Choir 2:30-3 p.m. – Milestone Dancers 3:30-4 p.m. – African American Repertory Company 4:30-5 p.m. – City Dance Theatre 5:30-6:15 p.m. – Sisterly Grace Fashion Show and Ministries Sunday, Oct. 5 Waverly R. Crawley Main Stage (2nd and Marshall streets) 1-1:30 p.m. – M’Renee 2-2:30 p.m. – Lee Walker and Spirit 3-3:40 p.m. – Glorious 4-4:40 p.m. – Bloodline 5-6 p.m. – Black Awakening Gospel Choir at VCU Joe Kennedy Jr. Stage (3rd and Clay streets) 1-1:50 p.m. – Jason Jenkins Quartet 2:10-3 p.m. – Saxophonist Richard D’Abreu “Jazz In The Spirit” 3:20-4:10 p.m. – Dave Hoggard Quartet 4:30-5:30 p.m. – Debo Dabney and The Happy Band Bistro Stage (1st and Clay streets) 2-2:30 p.m. – F.L.T.I. Steel Pan Orchestra 2:45-3:15 p.m. – Ephesus Drumline 3:30-3:45 p.m. – Sharon Baptist Church Praise Dancers 4-5 p.m. – Grace and Company Fashion Show Community Stage (2nd and Leigh streets) 1:30-2 p.m. – Voices of Virginia 2:30-3 p.m. – Sharon Baptist Church Choir 3:30-4 p.m. – Sixth Mt. Zion Church Mime Ministry 4:30-5 p.m. – First African Baptist Church Orchestra Artist’s Row (2nd and Clay streets) Larry “Poncho” Brown – Featured guest artist Purchase the limited edition 2nd Street posted created and designed by this nationally renowned artist. Brown’s tent is located on the corner of 2nd and Clay streets. Other invited artists: Randy Walters, James E. Murphy Jr., Greg Paige, Kelvin Henderson Capital One Kidz Zone (Jackson Center Lot on 2nd Street between Clay and Leigh streets)