Past, Present and Future
May 20-22, 2016
Abner Clay Park, Corner of Brook Rd & W. Clay St. Richmond, VA 23220

About

Celebrate Jackson Ward: Past Present and Future will showcase the unique history of Jackson Ward through the stories and performances from various individuals and organizations that continue to make a positive impact on the area. Proceeds from the festival will be used to benefit the Friends Association for Children, The Black History Museum and Cultural Arts Center of Virginia and G.W. Carver Elementary School. The Festival will feature three days of performances and activities. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy the music! Festival admittance is free and open to the public. Read the full press release.

Festival Schedule
Friday, May 20: 5:00 – 7:30pm (Abner Clay Park)
Art 180’s Really Big Show

Saturday, May 21: noon – 6:00pm (Richmond Alternative School)
12:00 – 1:00pm
The Chorus of Friends and Bells of Friends
Friends Association for Children
TheatreLAB – excerpts from “Lady Day” featuring Katrinah Lewis
City Dance Theatre
TRAIN EXPRESS – Virginia Repertory Theatre/Cadence Theatre

1:00 – 3:00pm
Drums No Guns
Life’s Dream Music and Production School

3:00 – 4:00pm
Daughters and Sons of Muntu
Richmond Youth Jazz Guild

4:15 – 6:00pm
Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site
One Voice Chorus Ensemble
Ezibu Muntu African Dance & Cultural Foundation

Sunday, May 22: noon – 8:00pm (Abner Clay Park)
1:30 –2:30pm
Charles Gilpin Theatre Group
Dance Candle Academy of Performing and Sacred Arts

2:30 – 4:20pm
Ebenezer Baptist Church Children’s Choir
Ebenezer Baptist Church – Praise/Liturgical Dance
St Paul’s Baptist Church Male Chorus

4:30 – 4:50pm
Community Celebration

4:50 – 5:00pm
Closing Remarks

5:00 – 5:30pm
Richmond Jazz Society Ensemble:JOHNNY HOUSTON & SWAGGER

6:00 – 8:00pm
Richmond Symphony Orchestra with Virginia Repertory Theatre, Elegba Folklore Society, and Celebrate Jackson Ward Community Choir

Thank you to those that have submitted their interest to perform – we are no longer able to accept performance requests.

Don’t miss other exciting festival events including:

Guided Tours by Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia
Hours: Saturday 10am – 6pm | Sunday 1 – 5:30pm

Walking Tours sponsored by Historic Jackson Ward Association Preview the sites you’ll visit on the tour!
Sunday Beer Garden
Local food trucks
Community and merchandise vendors

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers are a vital component to the success of the community festivals.  From set-up to tear-down and everything in between there is a volunteer opportunity to fit your skill set!  If interested, please complete the volunteer form through Hands On Greater Richmond.

Vendor Information

We are no longer able to accommodate additional vendors at this time.

Community Partners

To date partners include:

ART 180
Black History Museum and Cultural Arts Center of Virginia
Carver Area Civic Improvement League
Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities
Richmond Department of Planning and Development Review
Richmond Public Art Commission
Richmond Neighbor-to-Neighbor Program
Ebenezer Baptist Church
Elegba Folklore Society
Ezibu Muntu African Dance Company
Friends Association for Children
Historic Jackson Ward Association
J, Sargeant Reynolds Community College
Office of The Honorable Charles R. Samuels, Councilman, Richmond City Council, Richmond North Central 2nd Voter District
Richmond Jazz Society
Richmond Public Schools
Rotary Club of Richmond
Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church
TheatreLab
VCU Division of Community Engagement
Virginia BioTech Park
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Virginia Repertory Theatre
Virginia Union University

Sponsors

SunTrust
Genworth Financial
The City of Richmond
The E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation
The Richard and Caroline T. Gwathmey Memorial Trust
The Beirne Carter Foundation
VCU Health
Rotary Club of Richmond
Hardywood Park Craft Brewery
Virginia Biotechnology Research Park
Richmond Times-Dispatch
NBC12