Two Richmond faves up for Pepsi Refresh Project grants

The Byrd Theatre and WRIR are up for $250k and $50k grants (respectively) from the Pepsi Refresh Project. Be sure to offer your support for these wonderful fixtures on the Richmond scene!

September 3, 2010; 7:46 AM • by Valerie Catrow

After successful fundraising efforts on the homefront, the Byrd Theatre is now in the running for a $250k grant from Pepsi. The Byrd hopes to use the grant money to:

Replace the heavily worn seats & improve handicap accessibility
Refurbish the Mighty Wurlitzer theatre organ
Repair and clean the extensive plaster damage
Establish a sustainable fundraising campaign

To support the Byrd’s efforts, stop by their listing on the Pepsi Refresh Project website, check out more info, watch their promo video, and vote. At press time, they were already at number 43 — the top two projects will receive funding. You can also vote from your phone by texting 102639 to Pepsi (73774).

Meanwhile, WRIR has also been busy putting together a push to receive funding from this same project, but they’re going after the $50k prize. They plan to use that funding to:

Renovate a 1920’s brownstone into a modern recording studio
Use the new studio to produce radio programs of independent views
Train volunteers in radio production and news gathering
Equip a studio for broadcasting 24/7

The top 10 projects in the $50k category will receive funding. WRIR is currently at number 209, so be sure to go offer your support or vote by texting 102304 to Pepsi (73774).

Voting closes September 30.

Best of luck to both — such wonderful and important fixtures on the Richmond scene.