First Fridays in black & white

Marc Cheatham — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 10:00:34 +0000

I’m Marc Cheatham. I run The Cheats Movement Blog. I started The Cheats Movement in late January to highlight all the diverse and wonderful things happening in the City of Richmond. Richmond is an amazing place to be right now; the art, comedy, music, festivals, you name it – RVA is moving in the right direction. One of the staples of Richmond resurgence is the First Fridays Art Walk.

The Art Walk on Broad Street has helped to spotlight amazing talent in RVA. Retail business, non-profits, and a growing culinary scene have all benefited from the monthly event. In addition, the First Fridays Art Walk has helped to change the public image of a once dangerous and economically dying part of the capital city.

In the face of recent criticism and complaints that First Fridays has “gotten out of control,” I would like to share my photos showing a far different, more positive, aspect of First Fridays. A First Fridays that is as diverse and happening as Richmond itself. I do this not to ignore specific problems; things like fights and vandalism are wrong and against the law. Knuckleheads should be held accountable. But First Fridays is an event that we, as a RVA community, should be discussing how to expand; not reduce. This is the time for RVA to move forward and spotlight the wonderful parts of this great city!

Visit the Cheats Movement Blog at: www.thecheatsmovement.com and on Facebook.

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