RICHMOND, Va. – Richmond’s riverfront folk festival returns and takes place over three days.
There will be performances from Oct. 9 thru Oct. 11, with more than 30 different music and dance performers, on seven stages.
The event typically attracts upwards of 100,000 people to the riverfront to enjoy the cultural showcase of crafts, food, dance, and of course music.
The festival is completely free and got its start as the National Folk Festival, which ran from 2005 -2007.
This guide will help you plan your weekend — scroll below for event, parking, shuttle, food and performer information.
EVENT HOURS AND SCHEDULE
Friday, Oct. 9, 6- 10 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 10, Noon – 9:30 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 11, Noon – 6 p.m.
Music goes on rain or shine. There are four concert tents at the festival if you wind up seeking shelter. The Dominion Dance Pavilion, the WestRock Foundation Stage (both on Brown’s Island), the Community Foundation Stage, the CarMax Family Stage and the Union First Market Bank/University of Richmond Virginia Folk Life Area & Stage.
Artist bios, lineups and schedule can be found at www.richmondfolkfestival.org.
Download a printable schedule
Download the pocket guide
Download a map
The #rva fave Richmond Folk Festival starts tonight! Street closures thru Sunday. #RVAFolkFest pic.twitter.com/Pw0RLV06ON
— Richmond Police (@RichmondPolice) October 9, 2015
FILM FESTIVAL
Yes, there is also cinema! All films are screened at Historic Tredegar Iron Works. Click here for schedule.
HERE IS WHERE TO PARK, OR SHUTTLE
Free parking and free shuttles are available from the City Stadium at 3201 Maplewood Avenue. All shuttles will stop at two festival locations: one at 2nd Street and one at 5th Street and leave regularly throughout the day.
Shuttle hours:
Friday – 5:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Saturday – 11:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Sunday – 11:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Shuttle hotline: 804-358-4782
Parking at the festival is easy. Multiple parking lots are available downtown.
The bike valet will be located near the Gary Gerloff trail, just north of the Genworth Financial Family Area. The valet will be open during festival hours.
Central Parking
$5.00
Shockoe Bottom, 100 Virginia St.
Crowne Plaza, 555 E. Canal St.
$6.00
801 E. Cary Street (Lot between 8th & 9th on Cary)
1200 E. Byrd St.(along the flood wall)
CityParking
$5.00
Main & Foushee
1st & Canal
3rd & Cary
4th & Canal
5th & Canal, 5th & Cary
6th & Canal
8th & Cary
Standard Parking
$5.00
410 E. Franklin Street
Lanier Parking
$5.00
Riverside on the James, 1001 Haxall Point
Riverfront Plaza, 901 E. Byrd St.
Mayo Island
$3.00
501 S. 14th St.
Monument City Parking
13 N. 5th St.
YOU CAN NOT BRING:
Items that are not permitted include, but are not limited to:
Pets (service animals are permitted)
Coolers, Large Backpacks
Alcohol
Bottles/glass containers
Contraband (drugs and weapons)
Laser pointers
Bikes, skateboards, inline skates
Flying objects (kites, Frisbees, footballs, etc.)
2015 Food Vendors
Browns island
Caribbean Pot
Curry chicken, jerk chicken, oxtails, curry goat, conch, red beans and rice, cabbage
Boka Truck
Asian-mexican-american fusion tacos
Nadar’s Bistro
Gyros, beef/chicken kabobs, veggie pita, hummus, rice pilaf
Ginger Thai Taste
Pad thai chicken, bangkok chicken, satay chicken, dumplings
Africanne on Main
Chicken, fish, veggies, rice, plantains, corn bread and ginger tea
Cherry Hill Ice Cream
Ice Cream
Strawberry Street Event Concessions
Pit beef/ham, bbq, burgers, hot dogs, chicken tenders, tater tots
Croaker’s Spot
Fish, fries, salmon fritters, jerk chicken, reds and rice, grilled oysters
Amira Enterprises
Italian/kelbasa sausage, philly steak, chicken philly steak, funnel cakes, butterfly chips
Aloha Café
Spam Musubi, Shoyu baked chicken wings, kalua pork, Hawaiian Macaroni salad, Namasu
Crescent Foods
Vegetarian Burritos and Quesadillas
Jadeans Smokin Six O
Pulled Pork BBQ, Texas Style Beef Brisket, Smoked chicken. Ribs, Sausage, hand cut seasoned fries
India K’ Raja
Chicken tikka masala, samosa, lamb curry, chicken kabab rolls
Community Foundation Stage
Cool Concessions Kettle Corn
Kettle Corn
Leisure Time
Funnel Cakes, lemonade,soft serve ice cream
MacBrand Foods
Sausage, cheesesteaks, hamburgers, hot dogs, corn dogs, onion rings
Goatocado
Vegan Sandwiches and sides
Altria Stage Food Court
Food Corner & Grill
Chicken Terriyaki on a stick, veggie fried rice, veggie lo mein, pad thai
La Milpa
Quesadillas, burritos, mexican tacos, soft tacos
Soul-Ice
Frozen non dairy dessert
Mark’s Airborne Kettle Corn
Kettle Corn
Grapevine Restaurant
Veggie wrap w/hummus, lamb/chicken gyro wrap, greek burger with feta, tabouli, falafel
Gregory’s Grill
Crab cakes, fish tacos, fried oysters, NC bbq, crab soup
Al’s Coffee
Coffee
Tredegar Food Court
Espresso A Go Go
Coffee, espressos, teas
International Grill
Gyros, steak & cheese, greek salad, veggie gyros
Cool Concessions
Oyster, Shrimp, Alligator Po Boys, Crabcake Sandwhich, fried Oreos ,
Sherri’s Crabcakes
Crabcake sandwhich, blue crab fritter, grilled and buffalo shrimp, cream of crab soup, hush puppies
Gelati Celesti
Heavenly handmade ice creams
Carytown Burgers and Fries
Hamburgers, cheeseburgers, veggies burgers, speciality burgers
Island Noodles
Hawaiian Style Soba Noodles prepared vegan, with protein, or vegatables
Return of the Mac
Gourmet Mac & Cheese
FRIDAY, OCT. 9
Altria Stage
6:30-7:30
The Alt (Irish)
7:45-8:30
Bruce Daigrepont Cajun Band(Cajun)
8:45-9:45
Shemekia Copeland (blues)
WestRock Foundation Stage
7:30-8:30
Cambodian American Heritage Dance Troupe (Khmer classical dance)
8:45-9:45
Riyaaz Qawwali (qawwali)
The Community Foundation Stage
8:00-9:15
The Campbell Brothers (sacred steel guitar)
Dominion Dance Pavilion
7:30-8:30
Sleepy LaBeef(rockabilly)
8:30-9:00
cumbia dance lesson with Eileen Torres
9:00-10:00
Grupo Rebolú (Colombian)
SATURDAY, OCT. 10
Altria Stage
12:00-12:45
The Harris Brothers (Appalachian songsters)
1:00-1:45
Amargue Bachata Quintet with Andre Veloz (Dominican)
2:00-2:45
Danny Paisley & the Southen Grass (bluegrass)
3:00-3:45
Brooklyn Klezmer Orchestra (klezmer)
4:00-5:00
The Campbell Brothers (sacred steel guitar)
5:15-6:00
Feedel Band (Ethiojazz)
6:15-7:00
Shemekia Copeland (blues)
Departs at 6:30
Bolivian Dance parade
7:15-8:15
Deacon John’s Jump Blues (New Orleans)
8:30-9:30
Grupo Rebolú (Colombian)
WestRock Foundation Stage
12:15-1:15
Cambodian American Heritage Dance Troupe (Khmer classical dance)
1:30-2:15
The Harris Brothers (Appalachian songsters)
2:30-3:30
Masters of Rhythm – Morris Cañate (Grupo Rebolú); Leonardo Sandoval; Ensemble Shanbehzadeh; Ernesto Maldonado, Joel Guzmán (Amargue Bachata)
3:45-4:30
Zedashe (Republic of Georgia)
4:45-5:30
Riyaaz Qawwali (qawwali)
5:45-6:30
The Alt (Irish)
6:45-7:30
The Virginia Luthiers (Appalachian)
7:45-8:30
Leonardo Sandoval (tap)
8:45-9:30
Ensemble Shanbehzadeh (Persian Gulf)
The Community Foundation Stage
12:00-12:45
Brooklyn Klezmer Orchestra (klezmer)
1:00-1:45
Divine Communion: Music of Devotion, Worship & Praise – The Campbell Brothers, Riyaaz Qawwali, Zedashe
2:00-2:45
Reverend John Wilkins (blues & gospel)
3:00-3:45
Bruce DaigrepontCajun Band (Cajun)
4:00-4:45
Everyday I Have the Blues: Blues Masters – Shemekia Copeland, Reverend John Wilkins, Deacon John Moore
5:00-5:45
Deacon John’s Jump Blues (New Orleans)
6:00-7:00
Cambodian American Heritage Dance Troupe (Khmer classical dance)
7:15-8:00
The Campbell Brothers (sacred steel guitar)
8:30-9:30
Sun Ra Arkestra (big band free jazz)
Dominion Dance Pavilion
12:00-1:00
Dudley Laufman & His Barn Dance Band (New England barn & contra dances)
1:15-2:00
Grupo Rebolú (Colombian)
2:15-3:15
Shemekia Copeland (blues)
3:30-4:15
Sleepy LaBeef (rockabilly)
4:30-5:15
Amargue Bachata Quintet with Andre Veloz (Dominican)
5:15-5:45
Cajun dance lesson with Talia Moser
5:45-6:45
Bruce Daigrepont Cajun Band (Cajun)
7:00-8:00
Feedel Band (Ethiojazz)
8:15-9:30
DJ Grandmaster Flash (hip hop)
VCU Health Stage
12:00-12:45
Ensemble Shanbehzadeh (Persian Gulf)
1:00-1:30
Leonardo Sandoval (tap)
1:45-2:15
Ongwehonwe Singers & Dancers (Haudenosaunee)
2:30-3:15
Riyaaz Qawwali (qawwali)
3:30-4:15
The Alt (Irish)
4:30-5:15
Appalachian Musical Trails: North Carolina to Pennsylvania – Danny Paisley & the Southern Grass, The Virginia Luthiers, The Harris Brothers
5:30-6:15
Danny Paisley & the Southern Grass (bluegrass)
CarMax Family Stage
12:15-1:00
The Articles (presented by JAMinc)
1:00-1:30
Masaji Candyman (Japanese candy art) – Family Area grounds
1:30-2:15
The Church Sisters (bluegrass/gospel)
2:15-2:45
Masaji Candyman (Japanese candy art) – Family Area grounds
2:45-3:30
Andrew Alli Harmonica Workshop (presented by JAMinc)
3:30-4:00
Masaji Candyman (Japanese candy art) – Family Area grounds
4:00-4:45
Ongwehonwe Singers & Dancers (Haudenosaunee)
Union Bank & Trust/University of Richmond
Virginia Folklife Stage
12:00-12:05
Reverend Frank Newsome (opening Old Regular Baptist hymn)
12:05-12:45
The Church Sisters (bluegrass/gospel)
1:00-1:45
Washington Balalaika Society Orchestra with Andrei Saveliev & Aaron Mott (Russian folk music)
2:00-2:45
Ash Breeze (contemporary bluegrass)
3:00-3:45
Hot Pickers Guitar Workshop – Wayne Henderson, Danny Knicely, Presley Barker, Reggie Harris, Josh Pickett
4:00-4:45
Bud’s Collective with Danny Knicely (bluegrass)
4:45-5:00
Kitty Amaral & Presley Barker (bluegrass fiddle and guitar)
5:15-6:00
Anhayla (Richmond R&B)
6:15-6:30
Pro Bolivia Comite (Bolivian dance)
6:30 (departs)
Bolivian dance parade
Virginia Folklife Craft Area – Focused Demonstration Schedule:
12:30
Salt Making
1:30
Mongolian Mask Making and Dance
2:30
Traditional Photographic Methods – Tintypes
3:30
Moonshine Making
4:30
Bolivian Mesa Ceremony
Richmond Times-Dispatch Public Square Tent
1:00 – 1:20
Danny Paisley & the Southern Grass
2:15 – 2:35
The Alt
3:00 – 3:20
The Campbell Brothers
4:15 – 4:35
Bruce Daigrepont
5:00 – 5:20
Grupo Rebolú
6:00 – 6:20
Andre Veloz
Documentary Film Series
National Park Service Civil War Visitors Center
10:30 a.m.
Dance of Tears (90 min.)
12:00 p.m.
Hamper McBee: Raw Mash (29 min.)
12:30 p.m.
All the Past We Leave Behind (22 min.)
1:00 p.m.
Biker’s Preacher (14 min.)
1:15 p.m.
Spend It All (43 min.)
2:00 p.m.
Industrial Heart of the Confederacy: Tredegar Iron Works (12 min.)
2:15 p.m.
Sacred Steel: The Steel Guitar Tradition of the House of God Churches (55 min.)
3:15 p.m.
Counting Oysters (10 min.)
3:30 p.m.
No Maps on My Taps: The Art of Jazz Tap Dancing (58 min.)
4:30 p.m.
All the Past We Leave Behind (22 min.)
4:55 p.m.
Mask Tradition Reborn (8 min.)
5:05 p.m.
From Mambo to Hip Hop: A South Bronx Tale (56 min.)
Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015
Altria Stage
12:00-12:45
The Virginia Luthiers (Appalachian)
1:00-1:45
Grupo Rebolú (Colombian)
2:00-2:45
Reverend John Wilkins (blues & gospel)
3:00-3:45
Ahava Raba (klezmer & cantorial)
4:00-5:00
Deacon John’s Jump Blues (New Orleans)
5:15-6:00
Sleepy LaBeef (rockabilly)
WestRock Foundation Stage
12:00-12:45
Riyaaz Qawwali (qawwali)
1:00-2:00
Cambodian American Heritage Dance Troupe (Khmer classical dance)
2:15-2:45
Ongwehonwe Singers & Dancers(Haudenosaunee)
3:00-4:00
Global Voices – The Alt; Andre Veloz (Amargue Bachata); Johanna Castañeda, Ronald Polo (Group Rebolú); Sleepy LaBeef; Bruce Daigrepont
4:15-5:00
Ensemble Shanbehzadeh (Persian Gulf)
5:15-6:00
Amargue Bachata Quintet with Andre Veloz (Dominican)
The Community Foundation Stage
12:00-12:45
Getting into the Reeds: Bagpipes, Woodwinds & Accordions – Ensemble Shanbehzadeh; Michael Winograd, Patrick Farrell (Ahava Raba); Alexander Matiashvili, VanoChincharuli (Zedashe); Moges Habte, Feleke Hailu, Araya Woldemichael (Feedel)
1:00-1:45
Ahava Raba (klezmer & cantorial)
2:00-3:00
Sun Ra Arkestra (big band free jazz)
3:15-4:00
The Harris Brothers (Appalachian songsters)
4:15-5:00
Danny Paisley & the Southern Grass (bluegrass)
5:15-6:00
The Alt (Irish)
Dominion Dance Pavilion
12:00-12:45
Dudley Laufman & His Barn Dance Band (New England barn & contra dances)
1:00-1:45
Sleepy LaBeef (rockabilly)
2:00-3:00
DJ Grandmaster Flash (hip hop)
3:15-4:00
Feedel Band (Ethiojazz)
4:15-5:00
Reverend John Wilkins (blues & gospel)
5:15-6:00
Bruce Daigrepont Cajun Band (Cajun)
VCU Health Stage
12:00-12:30
Ongwehonwe Singers & Dancers(Haudenosaunee)
12:45-1:30
The Harris Brothers (Appalachian songsters)
1:45-2:30
Fiddle Traditions from Around the World – Gina Forsyth (Bruce Daigrepont); Setegn Atenaw, Minale Bezu (Feedel); Jimmy Edmonds (Virginia Luthiers); TJ Lundy (Danny Paisley); Caitlin Warbelow (The Alt)
2:45-3:30
Zedashe (Republic of Georgia)
3:45-4:30
Leonardo Sandoval (tap)
4:45-5:30
The Church Sisters (bluegrass/gospel)
CarMax Family Stage
12:15-1:00
Leonardo Sandoval (tap dance workshop)
1:00-1:30
Masaji Candyman (Japanese candy art) – Family Area grounds
1:30-2:15
Richmanian Ramblers (presented by JAMinc)
2:15-2:45
Masaji Candyman (Japanese candy art) – Family Area grounds
2:45-3:30
Thomas Wakefield & Gypsy Roots (presented by JAMinc)
3:30-4:00
Masaji Candyman (Japanese candy art) – Family Area grounds
4:00-4:45
Zedashe (Republic of Georgia)
Union Bank & Trust/University of Richmond Virginia Folklife Stage
12:00-12:05
Reverend Frank Newsome (opening Old Regular Baptist hymn)
12:05-12:45
Close Kin (Galax/Round Peak youth old-time/bluegrass project)
1:00-1:45
Ladies Vocal Workshop – The Church Sisters, Anhayla, The Ingramettes, Jeanette Williams
2:00-2:15
Kitty Amaral & Presley Barker (bluegrass fiddle and guitar)
2:15-3:00
Johnny & Jeanette Williams with Sammy Shelor & Randy Cook (bluegrass)
3:15-4:00
Banjo contest with Sammy Shelor in memory of W. Scott Street III
4:15-5:00
Zion’s Voice with The Ingramettes (Richmond gospel)
Virginia Folklife Craft Area – Focused Demonstration Schedule:
12:30
Chair Making
1:00
Moonshine Making
1:30
Traditional Photographic Methods –Direct Positive Printing
2:30
Guitar Building
3:30
Oyster Shucking Contest
4:30
Bolivian Mesa Closing Ceremony
Richmond Times-Dispatch Public Square Tent
1:15 – 1:35
Deacon John Moore
2:15 – 2:35
Ensemble Shanbehzadeh
3:15 – 3:35
The Church Sisters
4:15 – 4:35
Ahava Raba
5:00 – 5:20
Leonardo Sandoval
Documentary Film Series
National Park Service Civil War Visitors Center
10:20 a.m.
The Other Way Back: Dancing with Dudley (99 min.)
12:05 p.m.
Mask Tradition Reborn (8 min.)
12:15 p.m.
Sacred Steel: The Steel Guitar Tradition of the House of God Churches (55 min.)
1:15 p.m.
All the Past We Leave Behind (22 min.)
1:40 p.m.
Hamper McBee: Raw Mash (29 min.)
2:10 p.m.
Industrial Heart of the Confederacy: Tredegar Iron Works (12 min.)
2:25 p.m.
Spend It All (43 min.)
3:10 p.m.
Biker’s Preacher (14 min.)
3:25 p.m.
From Mambo to Hip Hop: A South Bronx Tale (56 min.)
4:25 p.m.
All the Past We Leave Behind (22 min.)
4:50 p.m.
No Maps on My Taps: The Art of Jazz Tap Dancing (58 min.)