On a recent Sunday at Flora, a Mexican restaurant in Richmond, Virginia, patrons “nibbled on chicharrones (fried pork skins) and tamales in banana leaves and sipped velvety smooth drinks from colorful vessels. As they did, members of Classical Revolution RVA got to work,” writes Holly Prestidge in Saturday’s (5/20) Richmond Times-Dispatch. “In small groups, these classically trained musicians from all walks of life assembled toward the back of the small restaurant and began to play…. Classical Revolution RVA is one of more than 30 chapters around the country under the umbrella of San Francisco-based Classical Revolution, a grassroots organization that aims to push classical music into … places such as bars and restaurants and cafes…. Richmond’s group started in 2012…. ‘There’s a market for classical music in Richmond that’s not being reached to its fullest potential,’ said Ellen Cockerham Riccio, Classical Revolution founder and violinist for the Richmond Symphony.” In April, more than 150 Classical Revolution RVA musicians “performed everything from Mozart’s operas and symphonies to chamber music throughout [Richmond’s] Jackson Ward—in places like Max’s on Broad, Atlas Gallery, Gallery5, Candela Gallery, Charm School Social Club, 1708 Gallery and more.” Says Riccio, “We get people who are already fans and then we get a lot of people who didn’t give classical music a shot.”
Posted May 24, 2017
Pictured: Ellen Cockerham Riccio, principal second violin of the Richmond Symphony
