Gallery 5 – Why Haven’t You Been There Yet?
August 1, 2009 by Elizabeth
Filed under Featured, Totally Richmond
In Richmond’s historic Jackson Ward neighborhood, Gallery 5 sits and waits to host their next phase of artistic and social revolution – in a good way, of course.
Home to such events as Disrobed, an art exhibition wherein nude bodies are the pieces of art, and The Carnival of 5 Fires, a sensual and sensory-overloading true Carnival-type experience, you might not know what Gallery 5 is really all about. Sure, they’re about fire-breathing, tattooed performers and funky local music, but they are also serving a much higher calling in the world of art and social consciousness in Richmond.
First off, they saved Steamer Company No. 5 from demolition. A gorgeous building in one of Richmond’s oldest neighborhoods, Gallery 5 saved this landmark and as they put it, “an important piece of our city’s history.” And that was just the beginning. Gallery 5 is trying to change Richmond in ways that challenge complacency toward social injustice and promote creativity in every form.
Take, for instance, Repressed. An exhibit featuring both local artists and not-so local artists, Repressed exhibits artwork with a socially conscious message. Not for the squeamish or faint of heart, but an absolute must-see for both the quality of the art and the intensity and clarity of the message.
Also consider the existence of the Lucent Phoenix Resource Center – Gallery 5’s open “forum for social change and awareness”. This center exists to promote and encourage the non-profit community by providing a space and resources for concerned citizens and non-profit workers and supporters to work, learn, and host events related to their cause.
Few, if any, Richmond organizations can compare with Gallery 5 in regards to social awareness, commitment to the community and to social change, and to emerging and established artists of all types. Gallery 5 is not only set to change Richmond, they’re set to change the world.
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The National – A New Richmond Landmark
The National - Photo Credit Richmond Times Dispatch
Richmond has seen several music venues come and go. The Flood Zone closed years ago, it’s historic space still occupied by the popular dance club and hook-up spot Have A Nice Day Café. Toad’s Place, which opened in late 2007, closed in March of this year. Lucky for Richmond music lovers and visitors to the area, The National is still going strong.
The National offers a little something for everyone. It books all the same bands that travel through The Norva in Norfolk, VA, so it gets all sorts of national acts and draws in travelers from many neighboring cities. In July of 2009 alone, The National will present such acts as Hank Williams III, The Avett Brothers, Sonic Youth, Cake, Queensryche, and a “British Invasion” concert that will be recorded for a PBS special.
In the past, the cozy 1500-person capacity venue has hosted acts like Weird Al Yankovic, YES, Ben Folds, and many, many more. In a city that has hungered for a music venue that would bring in great national acts, The National has been a God-send.
Plus, it’s pretty. It is a beautiful building, inside and out, with a rich Richmond history to boot. The National opened for the first time in 1923 and was the place to go for silent movies, vaudeville acts, and musical acts. The venue stayed open until 1983, when the last film shown was Hercules, starring Lou Ferrigno. A cult classic now? Of course. Then? A far cry from Orson Welles and Basil Rathbone. There was talk of demolishing the site, when in 1986 Richmond’s historical organization saved The National from becoming no more.
Now The National is open, and careful renovation has restored the original friezes of capering nymphs, and even an uncovered nursery mural – used in the original building’s nursery – a service provided in the 1920’s to patrons. There are cushy balcony seats (with cup holders!), and nice VIP boxes off to the side (but those are reserved for VIP sponsors of the club). The first floor is all open standing area, although certain acts ask that seating be provided there as well. In that case, the management sets up folding chairs, but you can still stand off to the side or in the mezzanine area.
There are three downstairs bar, one upstairs bar (not including the VIP bar), and The National serves food…mainly because it has to. Luckily, Gibson’s Grill has opened up next door, so if you want some decent nosh instead of regular bar food, we suggest you go to Gibson’s first to get your grub on.
Drink prices at The National are par for the course for a music venue in Richmond – a draft beer is going to run you $5-$7, and highballs will run you $6-$10 depending on the quality of liquor. The beer offerings are not the best – but you can certainly order a Yuengling or a Magic Hat. The National is a non-smoking building, but there is an open-air smoking section next to the open floor…and the bar has a window to service their tobacco-loving patrons as well.
If you’re new to the area, just passing through, or a Richmonder who has not yet checked out Richmond’s great rock hope, get thee to The National.
The National – 708 East Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23219
Richmond Blog
Tags: Music Venues, Historical Landmarks, Entertainment
The National – 708 East Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23219
Richmond has seen several music venues come and go. The Flood Zone closed years ago, it’s historic space still occupied by the popular dance club and hook-up spot Have A Nice Day Café. Toad’s Place, which opened in late 2007, closed in March of this year. Lucky for Richmond music lovers and visitors to the area, The National is still going strong.
The National offers a little something for everyone. It books all the same bands that travel through The Norva in Norfolk, VA, so it gets all sorts of national acts and draws in travelers from many neighboring cities. In July of 2009 alone, The National will present such acts as Hank Williams III, The Avett Brothers, Sonic Youth, Cake, Queensryche, and a “British Invasion” concert that will be recorded for a PBS special.
In the past, the cozy 1500-person capacity venue has hosted acts like Weird Al Yankovic, YES, Ben Folds, and many, many more. In a city that has hungered for a music venue that would bring in great national acts, The National has been a God-send.
Plus, it’s pretty. It is a beautiful building, inside and out, with a rich Richmond history to boot. The National opened for the first time in 1923 and was the place to go for silent movies, vaudeville acts, and musical acts. The venue stayed open until 1983, when the last film shown was Hercules, starring Lou Ferrigno. A cult classic now? Of course. Then? A far cry from Orson Welles and Basil Rathbone. There was talk of demolishing the site, when in 1986 Richmond’s historical organization saved The National from becoming no more.
Now The National is open, and careful renovation has restored the original friezes of capering nymphs, and even an uncovered nursery mural – used in the original building’s nursery – a service provided in the 1920’s to patrons. There are cushy balcony seats (with cup holders!), and nice VIP boxes off to the side (but those are reserved for VIP sponsors of the club). The first floor is all open standing area, although certain acts ask that seating be provided there as well. In that case, the management sets up folding chairs, but you can still stand off to the side or in the mezzanine area.
There are three downstairs bar, one upstairs bar (not including the VIP bar), and The National serves food…mainly because it has to. Luckily, Gibson’s Grill has opened up next door, so if you want some decent nosh instead of regular bar food, we suggest you go to Gibson’s first to get your grub on.
Drink prices at The National are par for the course for a music venue in Richmond – a draft beer is going to run you $5-$7, and highballs will run you $6-$10 depending on the quality of liquor. The beer offerings are not the best – but you can certainly order a Yuengling or a Magic Hat. The National is a non-smoking building, but there is an open-air smoking section next to the open floor…and the bar has a window to service their tobacco-loving patrons as well.
If you’re new to the area, just passing through, or a Richmonder who has not yet checked out Richmond’s great rock hope, get thee to The National.
Get your Richmond business or service reviewed on RichmondVAPresents.com. Email us at marketing (at) richmondvapresents dot com
–
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