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Poe Museum hosts 12-hour Birthday Bash in Richmond

A 12-hour celebration? That's my kind of party!

On January 17, 2015 from noon until midnight, the Edgar Allan Poe Museum in Richmond, Virginia will celebrate the 206th birthday of Edgar Allan Poe with the world’s largest Poe Birthday Bash.

Photo courtesy: Poe Museum

The event will feature hours of performances, music, tours, activities, and exhibit openings culminating with a midnight toast to Poe in the Poe Museum’s Poe Shrine. Among the walking tours to be offered are a tour retracing the steps of Poe’s last night in Richmond and a tour led by Poe’s last fiancée Elmira Shelton (as portrayed by Debbie Phillips) telling the story of Poe’s two failed engagements to Elmira. Live music will be provided by Margot MacDonald, The Embalmers, and Fool’s Errand. Performances include Poe’s works “The Raven,” “Tell-Tale Heart,” and “The Cask of Amontillado.”

The price of admission for the entire day is just $5. Overflow parking will be available at the Virginia Holocaust Museum's Lower Lot at 21st and Canal Street.

Click here for more information.

 

Copyright 2014 WWBT NBC12. All rights reserved

Church Hill Association in Richmond presents annual Holiday Festival

Church Hill, one of the nation’s most historically significant neighborhoods, will host its 50th Anniversary Holiday Festival on December 12, 13 and 14, 2014. Participants will be able to celebrate history while creating new holiday memories with family and friends. Designed by Major William Mayo in 1737, historic Church Hill is Richmond’s oldest intact neighborhood and contains the most antebellum structures in the city.

During our festival visitors can also enjoy a journey back in time as they stroll through St. John’s Historic District in Church Hill. A tour of St. John’s Episcopal Church, the site of Patrick’s Henry’s famous “Give me liberty or give me death” speech and a visit to the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in historic Libby Hill Park, overlooking the James River are musts . It is from the Libby Hill Park vantage point that William Byrd named Richmond as the breathtaking View of the James River reminded him of Richmond-on-Thames in England.

This anniversary year of 2014, the association is planning three major events to celebrate.

Friday, December 12th, 7 pm- The Candlelight Walk and Caroling. The candlelight stroll down our historic streets will be hosted by CHA on Friday evening. At 7 pm vespers begin at St. John’s Church at 2401 East Broad Street (all are welcome). Simultaneously the candlelight walk begins at Jefferson Park (Union Hill) at 7:15 pm with bagpipes and drummers leading the way. It proceeds to St. John’s Church where, following vespers, the congregation joins in the walk at approximately 7:35 pm. As the crowd grows continuing down our streets lit by gaslights, neighborhood parties empty out into the streets and the crowd continues to swell. We gather on historic Libby Hill with the 180 degree View overlooking the James River and our city gloriously lit up for the holidays as the backdrop. The crowd then joins for holiday caroling and a visit from Santa. All are welcome to become part of a living fairy tale scene that will be long remembered. Free to all

Saturday December 13th, 6 pm to 11:00 pm - The 50th Anniversary Holiday Ball. Good food, music, fellowship and holiday merriment always make this a memorable holiday event. This year we will “Party In the View” at the Conch Republic on the James River at Rockett’s Landing to celebrate our 50 years as an Association. The “Parade o f Lights” (22nd annual parade of decorated and colorfully lit boats on the James) is scheduled to cruise by our perfect viewing site between 6 and 7 pm. The party will have live music and great food. This is a holiday event open to everyone with a ticket. Holiday attire $45 per ticket.

Sunday December 14th, 12 noon to 5 pm- The 50th Anniversary House Tour. For the climax of our festivities, CHA is proud to present our 50th Anniversary Holiday House Tour. Our neighborhood showcases the homes where Richmond began. We’re the oldest community in historic Richmond and have homes that were built as far back as the 1700s. The neighborhood is an elegant mix of Federal, Greek revival and Victorian homes alongside innovative condominiums within historic structures and a growing number of thriving new restaurants and businesses. Nine neighbors will open their treasured homes for you to experience the sights, smells and sounds of holidays past. Trolley service is offered between homes beginning at St. John’s Church. Transportation will also be available between St. John’s Church and The Court End Holiday activities on this day (richmondhistorycenter.com). $20 per ticket in advance on our website and local businesses/$25 the day of the House Tour and Will Call at St. John’s Church Parish Hall (noon to 4 pm).

Click here for more information.

 

Copyright 2014 WWBT NBC12. All rights reserved

Holiday Boat Parade set to cruise James River on Saturday

Courtesy: James River Advisory Council

The regional James River Advisory Council will hold its 22nd Annual James River Parade of Lights for Saturday, December 13.

Boats decorated with thousands of lights will cruise the James between Richmond, Henrico, and Chesterfield counties. Multiple viewing sites, several of which provide additional entertainment, will make it easy for people throughout the region to view this spectacular holiday tradition on the James. Admission is free to all sites.

Richmond

-Libby Hill Park, corner of 28th and East Franklin streets. Entertainment begins at 4:30 pm. Parade viewing at 6 pm.
-Intermediate Terminal Dock, Dock and Water streets. Parade viewing at 6 pm.

Henrico County

-Osborne Park and Boat Landing, 9530 Osborne Turnpike. Entertainment begins at 4 pm. Parade viewing 7-7:30 pm.

Chesterfield County

-Dutch Gap Boat Landing, 441 Coxendale Road, parade viewing 7:30-7:45 pm.
-Henricus Historical Park, 251 Henricus Park Road. Entertainment begins at 6 p.m. Parade viewing 7:45-8 pm.

Parking is first come, first serve.

 

Copyright 2014 WWBT NBC12. All rights reserved

5 Things To Do: Weekend of November 28-30

RVA on Ice
Friday, November 28 - Sunday, January 4
East Broad Street between 6th and 7th Street
Website

Skating at RVA On Ice has become a downtown holiday tradition with participants skating under the sun, stars and the beautiful Richmond skyline. New and classic holiday music fills the atmosphere and skaters can warm up at the fire pit while sipping hot chocolate and enjoying S’mores and other concessions provided by area food trucks this year which will rotate weeks of service. These food trucks include BOARDWALK, BODILLAZ, OPA and CARYTOWN BURGERS & FRIES with SOUL ICE providing the hot chocolate and S’mores. On Friday evenings several food trucks will be on site offering a wide variety of foods, flavors and fare.

37th annual Model Railroad Show
Friday, November 28 - Sunday, November 30
Science Museum of Virginia, 2500 West Broad Street, Richmond
Website

Dust off your conductor’s hat this Thanksgiving weekend and get ready for the 37th Annual
Model Railroad Show at the Science Museum of Virginia. Weekend activities include live science demonstrations, performances by the Carpenter Science Theatre Company and a chance to sample seasonal and healthy snacks inside of the Boost! gallery. Take a trip to the tracks for exclusive tours of the luxurious Car ONE and self-guided tours of several other historic train cars. While outside guests can watch a blacksmith in action, or enjoy visiting a pair of Clydesdale horses on Saturday and Sunday only. Friday guests can climb aboard a trackless train for rides around the Museum and be the first to experience this special opportunity.

Dominion Gardenfest of Lights
Friday, November 28 - Monday, January 12
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, 1800 Lakeside Avenue, Henrico
Website

A holiday tradition featuring more than half-a-million twinkling lights, hand-crafted botanical
decorations, model trains, holiday dinners, firepit with s'mores and hot chocolate (for purchase);
nightly family activities & more. The region's ultimate holiday extravaganza! Tickets are on sale now at the Garden: $12 adults $11 seniors (age 55+) $8 children (ages 3 - 12) Free for children under age 3 $7: Garden members $5: Child on Garden Membership (ages 3 - 18)

Think. Shop. Buy. Local Saturday
Saturday, November 29
Website

The Retail Merchants Association will celebrate local businesses for its fourth annual Think. Shop. Buy. Local® Saturday in Richmond on November 29. Launched in 2010 by the Retail Merchants Association (RMA), Think. Shop. Buy. Local Saturday is designed to encourage consumers to support local retailers by making plans to shop in their stores on November 29.

Carytown Santa Photo and Book Drive for Children's Home Society
Saturdays, November 29 - December 20
Website

Santa arrives in Carytown by carriage at 12 noon on Saturday, November 29. He will be escorted by the U.S. Marines and members of the Greater Richmond Pipes & Drums at noon.Santa will also be accompanied by Richmond’s famous Snow Queen, Donna Deacons and travel through Carytown by carriage before arriving at his home for the holidays at W. Hirsch Oriental Rugs. Santa will be available for photos on November 29, December 6, December 13 and December 20 from noon to 2:30 p.m.

 

Copyright 2014 WWBT NBC12. All rights reserved

5 Things To Do: Weekend of November 21-23

Maymont Mansion Holiday Tours
Tuesdays-Sundays, November 21-January 4, 12-5pm
(Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day)
Website

Celebrate the season and revel in Victorian holiday splendor! Beautiful trimmings on the 12-foot Christmas tree, the opulent dining room set for a feast, evergreen decorations and lavish gifts welcome the season in grand Victorian style. In the below-stairs area, preparations are underway to make the Dooleys' first Christmas in their new home special for their family and friends. $5 suggested admission. For information, call 804-358-7166, ext. 329.

Midlothian Mines Park Tour
Saturday, November 22, 10:00 -11:00 am
Midlothian Mines Park, 13286 North Woolridge Road, Midlothian

Take a guided tour through the park and learn more about the pioneer coal industry in Midlothian, one of the first commercial coal-mine operations in North America. Learn about one of the earliest railroads, the need for transportation improvements and the impact that coal mining had on our region. Fee:$8

 

4th Annual Dunkin’ Donuts Munchkins Run
Saturday, November 22, 11:00 am
Clover Hill High School, 13301 Kelly Green Lane Midlothian
Website

Dunkin’ Donuts, partners with local Clover Hill High School student, Bryce Badura, for the 4th Annual Dunkin’ Donuts Munchkins Run to raise funds for the ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation. ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to make life better for children with cancer. ASK provides financial, spiritual, social and emotional support directly to children with cancer and their families. Race day registration is available for $40.

 

“Thanksgiving in the Trenches”
Saturday, November 22
Tour times are 5:30 pm, 6:45 pm, and 8:00 pm

Visit Petersburg National Battlefield to witness how soldiers, Union and Confederate, observed the Thanksgiving season. Guided lantern tours will take place at tour stop #3 of the Eastern Front Unit. Each tour will consist of five stops where different scenes will play out depicting moments of peace to moments of violence. The event is free of charge. Reservations are required to participate in this tour. To make a reservation, please call (804) 732-3531 ext. 205. Reservations can also be requested by e-mailing the event coordinator at Randolph_Watkins@nps.gov. Please make sure to leave your name, telephone number, and/or e-mail address as confirmation will be made by phone or e-mail. Register early as there is a limit of 30 people per tour.

 

Come & Play 2014
Sunday, November 23, 6:00pm
Verizon Wireless Arena, Stuart C. Siegel Center, Virginia Commonwealth University
Website

We invite you to join us at the Stuart C. Siegel Center, VCU on Sunday, November 23 at 6pm for the 8th annual Come & Play concert. Come & Play creates the largest orchestra in the Commonwealth, attracting musicians from across Virginia and beyond. This year will be the largest concert ever with over 700 musicians attending. Please note that Come & Play has reached capacity and registration to play is now closed. However, the concert is free and open to the public.

 

Copyright 2014 WWBT NBC12. All rights reserved

"Finding Fela" premieres in Richmond on Sunday

Independent films are just as action-packed and exciting as major studio films.

Don't believe me?

Check out the Noir Film Series, sponsored each month by the Afrikana Independent Film Festival (AIFF). The organization showcases indie film by and about people of color across the globe.

AIFF hosts a variety of film-based events at different art galleries throughout the city and state designed to engage the community, and introduce Black indie film to the Richmond art scene.

The next Noir event is Thursday, November 20 at 7pm at Candela Books and Art Gallery on Broad Street.The feature film will be "Contamination", a short film by Petersburg High School graduate and New York-based filmmaker, R. Shanea Williams.

On Sunday, November 23 at 7:30, catch the Richmond premiere of "Finding Fela" at the Byrd Theatre. The film gives audiences an intimate look at the famed Nigerian musician and freedom fighter, Fela Kuti. It also takes you behind the curtain of the hit Broadway Musical, Fela!

Click here of more information on AIFF and its upcoming events.

 

Copyright 2014 WWBT NBC12. All rights reserved