By Kathy Chouteau
What do El Garage restaurant, a Prince tribute band and $500 in cash have in common? That would be Richmond Main Street Initiative’s (RMSI) “13th Annual Sprit & Soul Festival,” set for Sat., Sept. 18 in downtown Richmond.
Per the nonprofit, this year there will be two options for enjoying the festivities: A “Free Virtual Broadcast” on TV and social media or an in-person VIP Watch Party downtown at El Garage, 1428 Macdonald Ave. in Richmond.
Community members can tune into the live Free Virtual Broadcast that Saturday from 2-3 p.m. on KOFY TV20-cable 13, Facebook Live, YouTube Live and Instagram Live and view “phenomenal performances by Top Shelf, Los Cenzontles w/ Los Originarios and rising Richmond artist Wanda Gonzalez,” per RMSI.
For its part, the VIP Watch Party will be held in-person at El Garage from 2-4 p.m. and will feature food and libations, prizes and music, all while the festivities are broadcast virtually. El Garage will offer a prix fixe plate, chips, guacamole and a salsa bar, while Main Street margaritas, East Brother Beer Company and aguas frescas will be among the beverage options.
The VIP Watch Party will also include prizes like gift baskets, art, wine, experiences and the aforementioned $500 cash, per the nonprofit, while an “After Party” from 3-4 p.m. will feature the sounds of Prince tribute band 1st Avenue Revue. The band will bring “that ‘Minneapolis Sound’ to downtown Richmond in what is guaranteed to be an amazing performance you don’t want to miss,” stated RMSI.
Tickets to the VIP Watch Party are $50 per person and can be purchased here. Those wanting to “enhance their VIP status,” per RMSI, can become an executive producer of the event by donating their desired amount. The donor will then appear on the event’s digital executive producer wall and on the festival’s credit roll.
RMSI looks to revitalize historic downtown Richmond as a pedestrian-friendly urban village, offering products, services, art and entertainment that reflect the community’s rich and diverse heritage, per its website. Learn more here.
