2nd Street Festival

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Venture Richmond Events has made the incredibly difficult decision to cancel the 2nd Street Festival, scheduled for this weekend, Oct. 1-2.

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Like many, the Venture Richmond Events team has watched Ian for days, hoping that it would not be the massive and potentially deadly weather event that it clearly is. While we are extremely lucky to be a few states away from the serious issues Florida is facing, we also know that this weekend promises uncertain amounts of rainfall and potential wind gusts for our area. After consulting meteorologists, vendors, contractors, security, and other event planners, and after considering the Governor’s State of Emergency, we concluded to the best of our ability, that the event, if held, would not be safe. We must put the safety of our patrons, artists, vendors, contractors, and staff foremost.

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There is good news though – a portion of the party will go on indoors! Our festival headliner, Grandmaster Flash will perform indoors at The Hippodrome theater on 2nd Street in Jackson Ward on Saturday evening. This performance will be FREE and open to the public, but capacity is limited and based upon availability.

A special performance by Grandmaster Flash

with an opening band

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Saturday, October 1

5:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Hippodrome Theater, 528 N. 2nd Street

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Doors 4:30 p.m.

Free and open to the public with limited capacity and based upon availability.

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The career of Grandmaster Flash began in the Bronx with neighborhood block parties that were the start of what would become a global phenomenon — the dawn of a musical genre. He was the first DJ to physically lay his hands on the vinyl and manipulate it in a backward, forward or counterclockwise motion. He laid the groundwork for everything a DJ can do with a record today. In 1978, he started his own group, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. They went Platinum with their single, “The Message,” and their single, “The Adventures of Grandmaster Flash on the Wheels of Steel,” introduced DJing to a larger listening audience than it had ever known before. The group’s fame continued to grow with “Superappin,” “Freedom,” “Larry’s Dance Theme,” and “You Know What Time It Is.” In 2007, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five became the first hip hop group ever inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 2021, the Smithsonian Museum of American History in honor of Black History Month opened its exhibit RECOGNIZE! Hip Hop and Contemporary Portraiture that Grandmaster Flash along with other hip hop artists such as LL Cool J, Erykah Badu and Common are featured. And in 2022, Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five were awarded the Music Educator Award, presented by the Recording Academy and GRAMMY Museum.

The 2022 official poster was commissioned to Jowarnise, a figurative artist based in Richmond.

“Drawing inspiration from African textile design, contemporary fashions, and urban culture, Jowarnise developed a late interest in portraiture, mainly in the mediums of painting and drawing, after earning her Bachelor of Fine Art from Virginia State University. She blends classical painting with her years of graphic design experience. Most of her works combine a wide range of references from classical painting, pop culture, and her personal experience. Jowarnise, visual artist and designer, explores the human condition with them related to race, social class, and culture through her art. Best known for her naturalistic portraits of women in eloquent poses, she often focuses on the female African American experience.” - Mending Walls RVA

2022 posters and tshirts will be available for sale at the Hippodrome event on Saturday and after the festival at Plan 9 in Carytown.

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Urban League Greater Richmond Young Professionals

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Concerned Black Men of Richmond VA, Inc.

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Jack and Jill of America, Richmond Chapter

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Central Virginia Chapter A Philip Randolph Institute

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YWCA of Richmond

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Epic Health Partners

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Due to the growth of businesses and residents within the footprint of the 2nd Street Festival, we will not be able to host Community Row this year. However, the 2nd Street Festival prides itself on supporting the Jackson Ward neighborhood, and so if your non-profit is in the footprint of the neighborhood or participated in the past, please provide your company name and website address and we can add a link here.