Join us at this year’s Richmond Folk Festival to explore life on, under, and along the James River and Virginia’s other mighty waterways! The Virginia Folklife Area features “Riverlore” and the Center for Cultural Vibrancy Stage.
“Riverlore” is inspired by the James, which runs through the festival site in downtown Richmond and offers the country’s only urban class IV rapids. Artists, historians, scientists, musicians, environmental leaders, boaters and other “riverlorians” will reveal different layers of significance to Virginia’s waterways. See historical watercraft of the James, including a batteau used to haul cargo before the railroad.
Learn about Virginia’s indigenous river traditions, listen to stories and music of river histories, explore fishing and harvesting methods, see a sturgeon, and discover ongoing efforts to restore migratory fish and healthy shorelines. Our local waterways are at once ancient and ever-changing, hyper-local and ultimately all interconnected. What can our rivers teach us?
“Riverlore” is presented by the Virginia Folklife Program of Virginia Humanities and the James River Association, with additional curatorial support from Justin Black (Headwaters Down).
Join us Thursday, October 9, for a “launch” party film screening at Richmond’s Starr Hill Brewery!
Participating Artists & Organizations
- Allyson Gray, pottery (Pamunkey)
- Arthur Leonard, decoy carving
- Autumn Morningstar Custalow Alfaro, pottery (Mattaponi)
- Brad Hatch, eel pots (Patawomeck)
- Clyde Jenkins, Appalachian baskets & heritage apples
- Dayne Shelor & Cassidy Shelor, old-time music
- Fairfield Foundation, water archaeology
- Horace J. Scruggs, III, African American river histories
- James Eskridge, Chesapeake Bay crabbing
- James River Association, environmental education
- James River Batteau Tours, historical batteau boat
- Elegba Folklore Society, “Honoring the African Spirit in the James River”
- Justin Black, filmmaker & “Riverlore” co-curator
- Malcolm Smith, scholar & musician
- Richmond Fly Women, fly fishing
- Seed Pocket Nursery, native plants
- Sheila Arnold, master storyteller
- Tom Hansell, Trevor McKenzie, Julie Shepherd-Powell, “Ancient New”
- Virginia Museum of History & Culture (VMHC), paintings of Virginia’s waterways
Stage & Demo Schedule
Unless otherwise noted all activities happen at the Riverlore Stage.
Saturday, October 11
12PM – 12:45PM | How Rivers Shaped the Land: Carving Out An Inclusive Narrative (Horace Scruggs)
1PM – 1:45PM | Indigenous River Stewardship (Panel)
2PM | *Poling a Batteau (along the Canal Walk)
2PM – 2:45PM | The Great Return: Atlantic Sturgeon & Migratory Fish (Panel)
3PM – 3:45PM | Indigenous Virginia Craft Revivals (Panel)
3PM | *African American Batteau History (along the Canal Walk)
4PM | *Poling a Batteau (along the Canal Walk)
4PM – 4:45PM | “Ancient New” Exploring the Oldest River in North America (Music, Dance, Spoken Word)
5PM – 5:45PM | Tales & Tunes of Virginia’s Rivers (Music & Storytelling)
6:30PM | Virginia Folklore Society Reunion / Interest Meetup (all are welcome)
Sunday, October 12
1PM – 1:45PM | Honoring the African Spirit in the James River (Omilade Janine Bell, Elegba Folklore Society)
2PM | *Poling a Batteau (along the Canal Walk)
2PM – 2:45PM | “Waterways to Freedom” (Storytelling by Sheila Arnold)
2:30PM | *Assembling an Eel Pot with Brad Hatch (Riverlore Tent)
3PM – 3:45PM | Building a River for All (Panel)
4PM | *Poling a Batteau (along the Canal Walk)
4PM – 4:45PM Riverlore Story Hour (Justin Black & Friends)
5PM – 5:45PM | Tales & Tunes of Virginia’s Rivers (Music & Storytelling)
2025 Richmond Folk Festival
Hours
Friday, October 10: 6:30PM – 10PM
Saturday, October 11: 12PM – 9:30PM
Sunday, October 12: 12PM – 6PM
