UPDATE: SUNDAY MAY, 22  2016 – From the Desk of David Fisk

Good News: we had a great day of music and dance indoors Saturday and we’re back outside in Abner Clay Park under the Big Tent again Sunday! Come check it out from 1.00 to 7:00 pm for beer, wine, food and festivities!

Bad news: it’s slated to be 20 degrees cooler than usual again on Sunday, so bring a sweater. If the temperature does not get above 65 degrees, it’ll be too cold for the orchestra to perform (and dangerous for our musician’s instruments), and the Symphony’s concert at 6.00 pm will be replaced by the heroes of Virginia Repertory Theatre, Elegba Folklore Society and the Celebrate Jackson Ward Community Chorus in a shortened program to warm us up and send us all home singing. Current forecast is for a high of only 58 at 6.00 – we’re ready for either scenario so bring it on!

M E D I A  ALERT

May 19, 2016 – Richmond, Virginia: Due to inclement weather and unseasonably low temperatures expected throughout the day into the evening, the Saturday performances for Celebrate Jackson Ward: Past, Present, and Future will move inside to Richmond Alternative School located right next to Abner Clay Park at 119 W Leigh St, Richmond, VA 23220. All performances from 12:00 – 6:00pm on Saturday will take place in the school’s auditorium. The Richmond Symphony’s performance originally scheduled for Saturday, May 21 at 7:00pm has been rescheduled for Sunday, May 22 at 6:00pm under the Big Tent in Abner Clay Park. The Symphony will perform an eclectic program of music that reflects the communities of Jackson Ward with Virginia Repertory Theatre, Elegba Folklore Society, and Celebrate Jackson Ward Community Choir. The pre-show performance presented by Richmond Jazz Society of saxophonist JOHNNY HOUSTON & SWAGGER will begin at 5:00pm.

Friday night’s activities will proceed as planned at Abner Clay Park with Art 180’s Really Big Show kicking off the festival at 5:00pm. Sunday’s original line-up will also proceed as planned.

Additional Sunday, May 22 Updates: Beer and wine vendors have been rescheduled to Sunday, May 22 from 1 – 8pm.

See below for an updated list of weekend performances:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Community Celebration                                                                               4:30 – 4:50pm

Closing Remarks                                                                                         4:50 – 5:00pm

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

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

Celebrate Jackson Ward: Past, Present, and Future Festival Sponsors:
SunTrust
Genworth Financial
The City of Richmond
VCU Health
The E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation
The Richard and Caroline T. Gwathmey Memorial Trust
The Beirne Carter Foundation
Rotary Club of Richmond
Hardywood Park Craft Brewery
Virginia Biotechnology Research Park
Richmond Times-Dispatch
NBC12
The Virginia Commission for the Arts
The National Endowment for the Arts