Rumors Boutique and Kulture are throwing down this weekend at Hadad’s Lake to celebrate their collective anniversaries. Rumors is celebrating six years in business, while Kulture celebrates 14 years in their original location.
The beginnings of Kulture centered around the late 90s East Coast rave scene. Starting out as an outlet for clothing and music popular within the rave scene, the store shifted its focus after local rave clubs shut down in the early 2000s, turning glass pipes from a small sideline into the store's main focus. Today, with the store's original Shockoe Bottom location still going strong, and additional locations in Midlothian and Charlottesville, Kulture is one of the state’s top destinations for high quality glass.
Marshe Wyche and Casey Longyear opened Rumors Boutique in 2007, saving money in their early days by sleeping on the store’s floor and taking showers at the gym. They've come a long way since those humble beginnings, though, and the duo now regularly travels around the country and beyond, scouting out new looks to feature in their store.
“We try to go to a different state every month,” said Longyear. “The purpose is to bring a style to the city that otherwise people wouldn’t find.” By featuring items from local designers as well as thrift shop finds from around the country, Rumors is often the first place to look for unique outfit ideas.
After more than five years at the Harrison St location, Rumors recently upgraded to a larger space at 723 W. Broad Street. “[Six years with Rumors] has taught me how much I love Richmond,” said Longyear. The Rumors ladies stay active within the Richmond community by raising money for local causes and throwing dance parties at various venues. And in fact, they will be starting the anniversary party early by throwing a preliminary dance party Friday night at Empire (727 W. Broad St) with Brooklyn, NY artist DJ Dirtyfinger.
The main event takes place Sunday from noon until 6pm at Hadad’s Lake, the notorious manmade lake that has previously played host to Best Friends Day and the GWAR-B-Q. In true Rumors fashion, the day's performances mix dance music with punk rock. Featuring an encore set by DJ Dirtyfinger, the day's lineup will also include a set by local favorite DJ Long Jawns of Audio Ammo and Mad Decent recording artists Gent & Jawns. RVA's own epic metallic hardcore legends The Catalyst are on the bill as well. Also performing will be Jah Jah of Brooklyn hip hop/skate-punk hybrid Ninjasonik, and, rounding out a trio of New York-based acts, Queens dance-punkers Unstoppable Death Machines. The day's events will also feature food, kegs and giveaways. “This will be a thank you for all the support,” said Longyear.
Tickets are $18 and must be purchased from Rumors before June 1st. Free bus rides provided by To the Bottom to Back Bus are included with the ticket price. Buses leave from Rumors' Broad St location at 11 AM on Sunday. Rumors Television will be filming, so bring a swimsuit and look fly. For more information, check out the facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/577581335597893