2nd Street Festival aka Two Street

October 2, 2007; 5:36 PM • by Near West End News

I mentioned earlier that I always go to the Indian Festival because I love it so much. We’ll I also always go to the 2nd Street Festival too. This year, (this weekend, in fact) they’ve managed to hold them on the same weekend, only one block apart! Granted, parking is going to suck, but I love the community. I love the atmosphere, I adore the music and I never seem to mind reminding myself or my kids what it is like to be in a minority for a change.
The festival, in case you haven’t been, takes place all up and down 2nd Street from Jackson to Broad Street. The area once known as the Black Wall Street of America, or the Harlem of the South. The highlight of course is the jazz, but also, there is great gospel, step dancing, street vendors selling goods, children’s activities, and well once again, the music.
Not sure why the hosts, Venture Richmond (formerly known as City Celebrations and Downtown Presents) put the schedule in PDF, so no one could post it on thier blog, but here are is the link. The festival is totally free.
Highlights include:
Reggae legends A.A.E at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday
SPBC Imani Female Step Team at 3 p.m. on Sunday
and my personal favorite, The James Gates Quartet at 4:40 p.m. on Sunday.

Richmond Symphony Petting Zoo and the Sixth Mount Zion Mime Minestry get my “most curious” votes. I want to go find out what a symphony petting zoo and a mime minestry are….or maybe I don’t.