For the past two years, I have spent the beginning of my year organizing a fundraiser for WRIR Richmond Independent Radio. It is entitled WRIR and The Commonwealth of Notions Presents. The first year saw the event span two evenings at two separate non-profit venues. This past summer, I hosted the event at Gallery 5 with ten of Richmond’s finest participating in a day of celebration. Between these two events, I had an idea for another shindig altogether. A way to bring alumni together to see what they had been up to and throw yet another unique event in it’s wake. This became Previously on WRIR and The Commonwealth of Notions.
The first Previously On... gathering included Ben Shepherd (of The Veins), David Shultz and some of The Skyline (one-half of Ophelia), Big East (the new super-group featuring members of Amazing Ghost and Sports Bar), and Fist-A-Crotch (yet another super-group featuring members of The Trillions and Sports Bar). Last year's event was held at Cellar Door on the Friday before the second volume of the main course. I announced the lineup is by utilizing various local media. I had the privilege of getting Chris Bopst to unveil Big East via The Richmond Times Dispatch the last go-around. The remaining three performers were announced on WRIR’s Paul’s Boutique on the night before the event. The short notice was intended to build hype and supply mystery for the evening, as well as keeping the night low-key and helping to ensure the smaller-than-usual venue wouldn’t reach capacity too quickly. The show was free, and any donation taken at the door went to support WRIR. This year, I am doing it all over again on Friday December 21st, 2012 at The Nile, and I'll be announcing the first act through RVA Magazine right now!
Coming all the way from Nashville, Nick Woods of Orioles will be rolling through Richmond to participate in the second volume of Previously On... Woods has been hard at work on a proper release to showcase his most recent creative output. His time spent in Nashville has not been wasted, and it should be an absolute joy to have him back in the area. Orioles were the headliners of the first night of Volume One, at the Firehouse Theatre in 2011.
The remaining two bands will be announced on Paul’s Boutique on December 20th. The show airs from 9-11 PM, and I promise that the bands announced at that time will be an onslaught of awesome. The only clue I will give is this. I have picked one band from the first year and one from the second. And to give you a better idea, it could be anyone from The Milkstains to Nick Coward and The Last Battle to Swordplay to Canary Oh Canary to The Trillions to White Laces, and even more. Make sure to tune in on Thursday, and I hope to see you on Friday before the world ceases to exist.
WHAT:Previously on WRIR and The Commonwealth of Notions Presents: Volume Two
WHO:Nick Woods (of Orioles) + two more unannounced bands
WHERE:The Nile, 309 N. Laurel St.
WHEN: Friday, December 21, 10PM
ADMISSION: Free (donations accepted for WRIR Richmond Independent Radio); 21+