FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Come Dance to Prince with 1st Avenue Revue on Main Street at the 9th annual Spirit & Soul Festival
Richmond, CA— The Richmond Main Street Initiative (RMSI) is set to celebrate another exciting and successful end to summer events at the 9th annual Spirit & Soul Festival on Saturday, September 16, from 1pm to 5pm, Macdonald Avenue, between Harbour Way and 13th Street. Downtown will be transformed into an outdoor bazaar featuring phenomenal entertainment on two stages, food and artisan vendors, a beverage pavilion, and youth zone.
Following the recent announcement from Hollywood actor Wendell Pierce about investing in Downtown development projects, Richmond Main Street is preparing for significant changes that will transform Downtown into a thriving commercial district envisioned by its residents, property owners, and other stakeholders. The Spirit & Soul Festival will once again prominently put on display Downtown’s often overlooked assets and opportunities.
Longtime friend and community advocate, Gerry Dove (102.9 KBLX, Promotions Director), will serve as the MC for the Main Stage, whose line-up includes electric performances by 1st Avenue Revue, the Bay Area’s #1 Prince tribute band; sassy Jazz, Blues, and Soul by Richmond’s own Rhonda Benin; and classic American Rock & Roll by PUSH featuring Dan Ashley.
The 12th Street Stage, presented by the RYSE Center will feature performances by local singers and songwriters SHARI and Ronnie Mills, plus phenomenal artistry from the ROOTS Dance Team, The Sistaaz, and Rhythm & Poetry spoken word collective.
In between the two stages, guests can enjoy the festival’s outdoor marketplace featuring local food and artisan vendors offering an eclectic array of delicious food and unique items, and the beverage pavilion which will be pouring refreshing Main Street Margaritas, wine courtesy of R&B Cellars, and beer by East Brother Beer Company and Benoit Casper Brewing Co. A limited number of VIP Experience tickets are available for guests interested in enjoying the festivities in a reserved area with seating and shade available, and primo views of main stage. Tickets may be purchased online at Eventbrite.com.
Also available and enjoyable to attendees of all ages is the Youth Zone area, featuring information booths, make and take activities, East Bay MUD’s Quench Buggy (offering free delicious tap water), the RMap, a free book faire, lawn chess, and a mobile art gallery courtesy of ArtIsMobileUS. Attendees can also enter for a chance to win drawing prizes, including a Marin Bikes mountain bike.
RMSI will also honor several individuals who have been instrumental in giving of their time, resources, and expertise to support the revitalization efforts as Downtown Champions.
Admission is free in order to provide guests more opportunities to dance, celebrate, and support local artisans, food vendors, and Downtown merchants. Proceeds from beverage sales, drawings, and vendors booths, will benefit the organization’s mission to revitalize historic Downtown Richmond.
The Spirit & Soul Festival is sponsored by Mechanics Bank, Kaiser Permanente, Rolling Hills Memorial Park, Sims Metal Management, Republic Services, City of Richmond, Overaa Construction, East Bay Municipal Utility District, and KBLX. With additional generous support from RYSE Center, SparkPoint Contra Costa, Marin Bikes, Benoit Casper, East Brother Brewing Company, Riggers Loft Wine Company, and Rich City Rides.
What: 9th annual Spirit & Soul Festival
When: Saturday, September 16, 2017
Time: 1pm – 5pm
Where: Macdonald Avenue (Harbour Way – 13th Street), Downtown Richmond, CA
About Richmond Main Street Initiative
Richmond Main Street Initiative is a community based non-profit dedicated to revitalizing historic downtown Richmond. RMSI partners with the City of Richmond, merchants, and residents to develop and improve downtown Richmond as a pedestrian-friendly urban village that offers products, services, arts and entertainment that reflect the community’s rich and diverse heritage. The DRPBID district encompasses the core of the Historic Downtown area along the Macdonald Avenue corridor bounded approximately by 6th Street, Barrett Avenue, Bissell Avenue, and 16th Street. For more information and to read about the RMSI’s events and programs, please visit www.richmondmainstreet.org and www.facebook.com/richmondmainstreet.
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