Gallery block party raises funds for independent radio

Julie DiNisio

Staff Writer

On Saturday afternoon and evening, Richmond art gallery Quirk hosted Birthday on Broad, a celebration of the expanding city. Quirk, located on 311 W. Broad Street, hosted the event in their parking lot, though it spanned much of the block.

The crisp autumn air provided the perfect atmosphere for the celebration as pumpkins and colorful banners and balloons decorated the scene. All proceeds from the event, made from the sale of pumpkins and food and beverages, were donated to 97.3 WRIR, Richmond’s independent radio station. Relying solely on donations and volunteers, WRIR is known for playing all types of music, including international, and hosting a variety of talk shows.

Being a family-friendly event, Birthday on Broad featured a variety of children’s activities. 1708 Gallery, just a few doors down from Quirk, held a lantern-making workshop to promote InLight, an art exhibition happening the evening of October 22. InLight will display almost 40 art installations, all incorporating and inspired by light.

Birthday on Broad was specifically celebrating Quirk’s and Lift Coffee Shop’s fifth birthdays. In the recent months, several shops have opened in that block including Spaghetti Project, a boutique that specializes in collectible vinyl toys. Also new to W. Broad Street is Steady Sounds, a music store which sells all types of records, old and new. Katie Ukrop, Director of Quirk, said, “Our neighborhood is growing slowly but surely. It has a wonderful history, such as Nick’s International Produce, one of the founding fathers of Broad Street.”

Ukrop represents one of the many business owners encouraged by the recent growth on Broad Street. As she said, “We are very thankful that Richmonders have embraced and supported our neighborhood. We love being where we are and hope the neighborhood continues to grow.”