From Nansemond Street to the Boulevard, West Cary Street in Carytown will be bustling with watermelon, musicians, vendors and people on Sunday August 7 2011 to take part in the 28th Annual Carytown Watermelon festival. The festival is expected to attract at least 115,000 visitors and here are a few tips to make your participation a fun event for the entire family.

1. Admission is free but you’ll need to bring cash to take advantage of street vendor specials and those tasty juicy cups of watermelon.

2. Pack and bring plenty of water for you and your children.

3. Your dog is welcome; but remember to bring your popper-scooper or disposable plastic doggie bag.

4. Protect yourself from the sun! Sunscreen, sunglasses and hats are de rigeur! And, test out the misting tents for a cool down!

5. Save gas and eliminate your parking hassles by carpooling, walking, or biking.

6. Save your feet! Wear walking shoes so you can enjoy the entire mile-of-style.

7. Bring your appetite! Your favorite Carytown restaurants will be open and over twenty different vendors will offer mouth-watering treats!

8. While alcohol is not sold at the festival, hit any Carytown hotspot for a cold beer or a watermelon inspired cocktail.

Carytown Watermelon festival More Information! MAP! This is undoubtedly one one Richmond’s favorite events! Don’t miss it!

August 1 through 6, 2011, prepare to entice your taste buds with amazing Carytown dining during “Taste of Carytown” Restaurant Week.

Taste of Carytown Supports Richmond Public Schools Foundation

The week before the Watermelon Festival, participating Carytown restaurants are offering special pricing and menus to showcase their most popular dishes and raise funds for the Richmond Public Schools Education Foundation, to assist the organization in its goal to support the school system by seeking monetary donations and other resources that will enrich the learning experience of public school students by establishing an environment that prepares them for jobs that aren’t available yet, using technologies that haven’t been invented, in order to solve problems that we don’t event know exist.

During “Taste of Carytown” Restaurant Week, the neighborhood’s fine dining establishments will feature a one-time-only, $25 three-course prix fixe, while it’s more casual compatriots will offer special bargain menus of their own.  Some menus will include servings of watermelon gazpacho, a salad featuring watermelon,  or fried green tomatoes with watermelon! Each participating restaurant will donate 10% of the proceeds to the efforts of the Richmond Public Schools Education Foundation.  More Info and Sample menus.  This event is going to be a big draw, so make your reservations today!

To take your donations to the next level, there are two drop off points designated in Carytown for school supply collection. You can drop off  school supplies (pencils, notebooks, backpacks, rulers, etc.) at Pink or All Fired Up!

What does a Francophile or a group of Francophiles do to celebrate Bastille Day in Richmond, Virginia? How about dinner at a French restaurant, perhaps Can Can Brasserie located in Carytown? Kick off the meal with a Kir Royale, shared appetizers of mussels, pate, and other delectable munchies. Switch beverages to rose (a summertime favorite) or to red wine and dinner of choice off the menu. Followed by sharing scrumptious desserts.

Dancing the can can at Can Can Brasserie on Bastille Day

At eight o’clock these delightful young women appear and  - it’s the can can danced on the bar!

Check out the video –  Viva La France!

March 24 – 27, 2011 finds French films at the Byrd Theater in Richmond’s Carytown.

French Film Festival in Richmond VA March 24 - 27

A festival pass is the only way to guarantee you don’t miss anything! Co-Academic sponsors of this festival are the University of Richmond and Virginia Commonwealth University designed to promote French language cinema and culture in the US, to bring international attention to Richmond by hosting an internationally recognized French cultural event, and to encourage the study of the French language.

The festival has, over the years, been the medium for numerous North American premiere screenings and even a growing number of world premieres.  The festival showcases a diverse collection of France’s newest films by established, award-winning directors — with the addition of short films by France’s next generation.  The films are followed by a question-and-answer session with those directors and actors present for the screening. For wannabee Francophiles, all films are provided with English subtitles.  It’s a great way to increase your French vocabulary. Here’s the SCHEDULE.

Play your cards right and you can meet French celebrities at the official reception, at the fabulous Scott House on Virginia Commonwealth University’s Monroe Park campus for only $25.  Pass/Ticket.

Films are shown at the historic Byrd Theatre , built in 1928, in Carytown. It is one of the nation’s Grand Movie Palaces and is both a State and National Historic Landmark with 1,300 seats.  Unlike many other opulent theaters built in the 20′s and 30′s, the Byrd Theatre is largely unaltered in appearance and function, operating as a movie theatre since 1928!  It is one of Richmond’s best-kept-secrets and a place not-to-miss!

If you want to be in the middle of it all, Richmond’s premier Fan District Bed and Breakfast is the place to stay! Add a day to your stay and catch the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts special exhibition “Picasso: Masterpieces from the Musee National Picasso, Paris” to complete your journey into French culture.  Tickets and reservations are recommended for the exhibition; it’s bound to be popular with French Film Festival attendees.

The Official Richmond Region 2011 Visitors Guide is Here!

Hot off the press, the Richmond Region 2011 Visitors Guide has locals dishing about their favorite Richmond spots and instant access to bonus materials with smart phone tags throughout.

Be sure to turn to page 20 and find out why a trip to the Richmond Region is must in 2011.

The Official Richmond Region 2011 Visitor Guide

History. It All Starts Here.

Your Guide to Richmond Travel and Tourism

Discover history, adventure and an easily accessible location in the Historic Richmond Region. Here, more than 400 years of American history live on through magnificent architecture, monument-lined cobblestone streets, and world-class museums – for an experience that’s anything but textbook.

But the area makes history in other ways, too. Brave the gorgeous yet intense James River, which distinguishes the Richmond Region as the only urban setting with Class IV rapids. It’s just one form of outdoor recreation for thrill seekers. Event planners will love the Greater Richmond Convention Center, a prime destination for meetings and groups. See how the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is expanding its world-class offerings. And with more than 900 restaurants, diverse shopping and enticing events, the Region is ideal for weekend getaways and vacations.

Carytown’s mile of style is preparing for Small Business Saturday. Carytown’s merchants are stocking their shelves, posting discounts, and preparing for shoppers looking for a lot less stress while they shop for unique gifts.

As the Carytown Merchants Association says:

“Anyway, as with most everything else, Carytown does holiday shopping differently. Everyone’s heard of “Black Friday”… waking up at 4am to shop with lots of others who haven’t had their coffee yet. It’s quite an experience.  The merchants in Carytown have adopted an new philosophy. “Black Saturday”… Still the same great deals and deeper discounts, just a lot less stress! and no getting up at 4am! Carytown’s “Black Saturday…Because Black Friday was sooooooo yesterday!”

Join in the fun in Carytown on Saturday, you’ll find carriage rides starting at 10 AM!

Carytown is just a mile away from Richmond’s premier bed and breakfast – right in the middle of all Richmond has to offer from sightseeing, shopping, and dining. Richmond is a wonderful place to live and a great place to visit!

There is no better way to beat the heat than with ice cold watermelon! Now in its 27th year, the Carytown Watermelon festival attracts over 100,000 folks to the “Mile of Style” as the Carytown shopping and dining district of Richmond is known to residents and visitors alike.  Between 10 Am and 6 PM, over 80 musicians will appear on 8 stages scattered through Carytown, along with over 100 exhibitors, and food vendors making the Carytown Watermelon Festival Virginia’s largest one day festival! MAP And you won’t be able to miss the thousands of watermelons! There will be lots of family fun, with a kids’ zone to keep the kids entertained. But seriously, when you come – be prepared for the heat and protected from the sun. Frequently asked questions.

Carytown’s Mile of Style is just a mile from our Fan District bed and breakfast, make sure you include Carytown in your Richmond visit!  With its special events, shopping in unique boutiques, and dining options, Carytown just can’t be beat!

Less than a mile east of our Richmond lodging in its top floor studio, The Richmond Ballet will give locals the opportunity to enjoy the two three-ballet programs the company will perform at the Joyce Theater  in New York City April 6th through the 11th. The preview runs at 407 East Canal Street, Richmond, Virginia beginning March 23 and extends to March 28th.  Tickets are only $40. Here’s what Zachary Reid, a Richmond Times-Dispatch staff writer, wrote in Sunday’s newspaper.

One mile west of our Fan District bed and breakfast, at the Byrd Theatre, 2908 West Cary Street, the French Film Festival  opens Thursday March 25 and continues through Sunday March 28.  This popular event offers French films presented by their actors and directors at various times.  The films will be shown with English subtitles and click on the link for  the schedule for the festival. Ticket prices are $12 per feature; but a festival pass is only $65 – $115.  Top off a French excursion with dinner or lunch at Richmond’s own French brasserie, Can Can, also in Carytown. Reservations are a must during this francophile attracting event.

Upcoming concerts at the National present Amos Lee (Tuesday), Spoon (Wednesday), Pat McGee Band (Friday), The National Country Showcase (Saturday March 27), Wilco (Monday, March 29), Pretty Lights (Thursday April 1), Tea Leaf Green (Friday April 9), SOJA (Saturday April 10), and Third Eye Blind (Sunday April 11).  The National is located in downtown Richmond at Broad and 7th.  The schedule at the Hat Factory, just off Canalwalk, includes Sister Hazel (Tuesday), EOTO (Saturday March 27), and Uncle Kracker with Rehab (April 6th).  Leon Russell will appear on April 17th.

The Carpenter Theatre at CenterStage has scheduled Lisa Lampanelli, comedy’s Queen of Mean, for Saturday March 27th.

The Virginia Opera has announced its plans for the 2010-11 season.  Performances will include Verdi’s “Rigoletto,” Mozart’s “Cosi Fan Tutte,” Wagner’s “The Valkyrie,” and Puccini’s “Madame Butterfly.”  Subscriptions at this season’s prices are now on sale. Click here for more details. Generally, each opera is offered on Friday evening and then again at a Sunday matinee; both performances will take place in the Carpenter Theater at Richmond’s CcnterStage.

Coming into Richmond for a performance? Pick your room from one of ours at our Richmond inn and stay in the middle of it all!

Carytown is just a mile away from the William Miller House, Richmond’s finest  Bed and Breakfast, and the big event this Sunday, August 9th, is The Carytown Watermelon Festival. From one end of Carytown’s Mile of Style to the other, about 10 blocks from the Boulevard west almost to the Powhite Parkway, Cary Street will be blocked off and pedestrian only. Tents will be set up, vendors will be selling watermelon, about 2,500 watermelons will be consumed! Proceeds from the watermelon sales (from Jeff and Angie Sears’ Hanover Plant and Vegetable Farm) will benefit the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital.

Stores will dress their window displays in cheery watermelon decor. There will also be arts and crafts vendors and many homemade items, bands (80 of them are scheduled on nine stages), 100 exhibitors will set up on the sidewalk and many of the regular merchants will be offering special sales and incentives. The parking lot at the Cary Court Shopping Center will feature family and children oriented activities like rides, slides, and other fun things.

All in all, it promises to be a great street festival!