Wilder Rodriguez, Contributing Writer
Virago Alley, the nonprofit responsible for Richmond’s first ever full-scale multicultural Renaissance faire, opened the doors to its first physical location on Sept. 4. The location is situated in Richmond’s arts district at 200 W. Marshall St. in Jackson Ward.
Regularly scheduled weekly classes offered include saber and longsword lessons on Saturdays and Renaissance Era fencing on Thursdays.
Beginning in October, Virago Alley will offer a wide variety of workshops including magic hat making on Oct. 18, book binding on Nov. 15 and Shaolin martial arts on Nov. 22.
Amanda Robinson, founder and artistic director of Virago Alley, said the original idea for a physical location came about to provide indoor space for historic martial arts groups, but quickly expanded into a broader celebration of pre-industrial society. She said the Renaissance faire acted as the main fundraising mechanism for the goals of the organization.
Robinson said that the organization’s top priority is representing lost mediums.
“Given this AI generated landscape, it’s very important to us to get back into working with our hands and remembering these tangible mediums,” Robinson said.
Robinson said that Virago Alley seeks to deconstruct the Eurocentric confines that many similar organizers of Renaissance faires and historic events often find themselves in.
“This is a silk road experience, highlighting so many traditions from across the globe,” Robinson said.
Ash Moore, Virago Alley’s managing director, said that in a world of mass production, having the ability to create personalized crafts adds a sense of sentimentality that is no longer very common.
Bizhan Khodabandeh, vice president of Virago Alley, said that they have faced challenges in representing a broad spectrum of cultures because many do not have much representation.
“There aren’t that many instructors locally who are going to be teaching those weapons systems,” Khodabandeh said.
There are also plans to create a process for open submissions of classes by the public, Khodabandeh said.
Robinson said that the classes and initial spaces are only a small glimpse into Virago Alley’s ultimate goals. The organization plans to find a larger space to accommodate archery, as well as a full forge for black smithing and glass blowing in the future.
More information can be found on Viragoalley.org website and on their Instagram @viragoalley.