Davana Robedee's artwork "Revival." 2014. Photo provided by Meg Einhorn.
Katherine Graves, Assistant Editor~
This month’s First Fridays events on Sept. 1 will include multiple art exhibitions, a salsa party and book signings with live music in and around downtown Lynchburg.
First Fridays is a monthly assembly of events that are organized to encourage the public to spend their evening around the city, enjoying the local culture.
“First Fridays’ primary purpose is to highlight the organizations and spaces that are bringing local, regional and even national art to the Lynchburg community,” said Ashley Kershner, the executive director of the Downtown Lynchburg Association. “We also hope to introduce people to what is new and exciting about downtown.”
At Riverviews Artspace on Jefferson Street, the opening exhibition for Davana Robedee’s work “The Instability of Nothing” will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. with no cost for admission, according to the event’s Facebook page.
“‘The Instability of Nothing’ is an installation by Davana Robedee that will fill our gallery with inflatable breathing sculptures, delicate hanging pieces and several 2D works,” said Meg Einhorn, RA’s exhibitions and programs manager.
In Riverviews Artspace, the Lynchburg Diversity Center will have their Annual Cash and Carry Art Sale from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Attendees can purchase work by local artists for $50 and under, with all of the proceeds going to the Diversity Center, according to the event’s Facebook page.
The Yoga Goodness Studio in Riverviews Artspace will have “Yoga for Life” demonstrations from 6 to 8 p.m., with each session beginning every half hour, according to the Lynchburg First Fridays website.
At The Glass House on Jefferson Street, the “Sit and Sip with Storytellers” event will have live music and book signings from local authors Sam Campbell (“Doll House”), Sara Ernst (“Dragons Really Do Love Tea”), Brianna Merritt (“Unsanctioned Eyes”), and Ronald “B.B.” Shavers (“A Story of Redemption”) for free from 5 to 8 p.m.
From 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. at The Glass House, Lynchburg Salsa will host their End of Summer Salsa Party with DJ Stephen Greene. A beginner salsa lesson will be offered from 8 to 9 p.m., and social dancing will take place from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tickets are $15 at the door.
On Commerce Street, the Renaissance Theatre will have ink and watercolor artist Victoria Town’s exhibition “Victoria Towns: Human by Day, Artist by Night” from 6 to 8 p.m. with no cost for admission, according to the event’s Facebook page.
On Main Street, the Academy Center of the Arts will have their Annual National Juried Photography Exhibition in the Ann White Academy Gallery and Upfront Gallery, as well as a photography exhibition by RJ Goodwin in the Arts & Education Lobby from 5 to 8 p.m.
RA Bistro on Main Street will offer First Fridays drink and appetizer specials that will include $2 Tapout Specials and $5 glasses of wine.
On Court Street, the First Unitarian Church will host a Veggie Vittles event to educate attendees about vegan and vegetarian cooking from 5 to 8 p.m.; free tastings will be available.
The Lynchburg Museum on Court Street will have a Thornhill Wagon Company Exhibit, showcasing historic documents and a miniature wagon from Lynchburg’s Thornhill Wagon Company, the largest independent U.S. wagon manufacturer, from 5 to 8 p.m. with no cost of admission.
On Fifth Street, Vector Space will have a Repair Cafe, where people can bring in broken appliances and have a Vector Space employee teach them how to fix it for free from 5 to 8 p.m., according to the Lynchburg First Fridays website.
Near downtown Lynchburg on Rivermont Avenue, the Lynchburg Art Club will have an opening exhibition for watercolorist Priscilla Bettis and artist Karen Bowden from 5 to 8 p.m.
During First Fridays, the downtown Lynchburg trolley will be operating between 5 and 8 p.m. for free, stated Kershner. A map of the trolley’s route through downtown can be viewed on the Lynchburg First Fridays website.
For more information about First Fridays, you can visit the Lynchburg First Fridays website or the Facebook event pages for the individual events.
