My name is Carlos Stewart. I am an aspiring journalist and I currently attend Virginia Commonwealth University's Mass Communications program. I hope to bring you the latest in local Richmond news. I am always available for discussion, so contact me if you have any questions. [email protected]
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Reporting for Print and Web
Web Story: Salsa Thursdays at Havana 59
Havana 59 has introduced many Richmond locals to the rhythmic world of salsa by hosting salsa parties on Thursday evenings.
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Slideshow: Salsa 4 Life Dance Lessons at The Dance Space
The Salsa 4 Life dance group teaches people from the Richmond area how to dance at The Dance Space studio.
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Podcast: Audio Report with Yamil Boo
Yamil Boo talks about his experiences with teaching salsa class at VCU's Cary Street gym.
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Beat Story: The Union Hill Project
VCU students build produce gardens throughout the Richmond area in order to make fruits and vegetables more accessible to its residents.
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Cultural Diversity
SALSA IN RICHMOND
Salsa Thursdays At Havana '59
By Carlos Stewart and Helina Fasil
Havana 59 throws salsa dance parties on Thursday evenings.
Richmond, Va. – Many people tie Salsa dancing primarily to the Hispanic culture, but the RVA Salsa Diversity group, Salsa4Life, proves otherwise.
The group consists of several people from different cultural backgrounds who all show their passion on the dance floor at Club Havana 59 located in Downtown Richmond on North 17th St. every Thursday night.
The founder and organizer of Salsa4Life, Clara Toro, moved to Richmond from New York City in 1998. Toro is of Puerto Rican descent and has had a growing passion for salsa since 1993. When she arrived in Richmond, there was little to no salsa among the Richmond community. Her love for salsa spread when she started teaching classes in local clubs and studios in 2006.
“In terms of diversity, Richmond is definitely coming around, which is nice,” said Toro, “through music and salsa, we are opening eyes.”
Salsa4Life caters towards diversity by participating in a variety of cultural events, such as the Indian and Philipino festivals, and hosting dinner meet-ups at various restaurants. The group also organizes fundraisers for causes such as breast cancer research and makes donations to the Children’s Hospital in Virginia Beach.
A member of Salsa4Life, Catherine Webb, has been attending classes and events for over two years. Webb said the group had a major impact on her life.
“I always wanted to take salsa lessons. I started out with my first four lessons with Clara and I was hooked ever since,” said Webb.
Webb also said salsa brought her out of her shell and allowed her to be more social and friendly with other people.
“I’m always dancing with someone different and always having to adjust to my partner,” said Webb, “it has taught me to be more flexible. No pressure, no drama, just open fun.”
According to Webb Salsa4Life has brought people from all walks of life to come out to have fun and socialize at events such as Salsa Thursdays at Havana 59. She stated that diversity is the key to the group.
“Salsa has helped break down barriers that people don’t even realize. You are learning from all types of people with different jobs and different cultural backgrounds,” said Webb, “sometimes even the Mayor of Richmond is here!”
Webb and other members of Salsa4Life enjoy bringing new people to lessons and events. For Gelila Zewdie, her first time at Salsa Thursdays was a great experience.
“I have never heard of Salsa Thursdays at Havana 59 until a friend mentioned it,” said Zewdie, “I love the atmosphere, the energy and the hospitality of the people. I’m going to come back, for sure.”
Salsa4Life is continuing to grow culturally. Through events and activities, more people are becoming drawn to the fun that salsa has to offer.
“I live for my Thursday nights at Havana 59!” said Catherine Webb.
The event is open to anyone who is interested in learning salsa and meeting new people from various cultural backgrounds. The event takes place Thursdays 9 p.m. till midnight. For more information go to www.salsa4life.com
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AUDIO SLIDESHOW
The Salsa 4 Life Dance Space
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PODCAST: Salsa Classes at VCU Cary Street Gym
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Related Links:
Salsa 4 Life Website
Havana '59 Website
Richmond Salsa Events
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VCU Green Initiatives
THE UNION HILL PROJECT: URBAN GARDENS
By Carlos Stewart
Masc. 303
The VCU community is well known for its green initiatives and sustainable projects, but what about the surrounding Richmond neighborhoods?
The Union Hill Garden Project has been ongoing since the summer with new people willing to help every month. Originally started by the organization, Green Unity 4 VCU, the main goals of the project are to provide a sustainable produce garden and environment for local Richmond residents, especially those living within low-income neighborhoods. Green Unity hopes to expand the project beyond Union Hill and bring fresh produce to the rest of the Richmond city area.
Rachel Elves, a representative of Green Unity 4 VCU and owner of Rachel’s Farm Stand, said that project has brought a lot of good things to the community, “We’ve planted fig trees, apple trees, blueberries… You name it.” Elves stated that this allows low-income residents to obtain vegetables and fruits at a very low cost. Elves referred to these gardens as “urban orchards.”
Elves also hopes to bring in a more diverse group of people to help with the project. “VCU students are a great help, but I would love to see a lot more people from the Richmond community get involved.”
Many VCU students showed interest in the project. “Me and my cultural group have been looking to get involved with something that helps the community,” said Sayem Choudhury, senior at VCU.
VCU Sophomore, Joanna De La Via, stated that she had been looking for something that involved the green community and where she could also learn how to garden. “Sounds like an awesome opportunity,” she said.
VCU Senior, Brady Rall has heard of the project and is aware of their efforts, “My sister was actually involved in that. I’ve been thinking about helping out when I find the time.”
With growing support from the VCU community, Green Unity can expect a positive impact on Richmond’s environment
Students participate at Union Hill every other weekend by planting fruit trees and other plants that provide food. If you would like to know more about the Union Hill Garden Project and are interested in participating, visit www.GreenUnityforVCU.com and take a look at their weekly schedule.
Related Links:
Green Unity For VCU Main Site
Union Hill Project Scheduling
Rachel's Farmstand Facebook Page
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VCU Green Initiatives
VCU: Black, Gold and GREEN
By Carlos Stewart
Masc. 303
Virginia Commonwealth University has been recognized for its progress in campus sustainability and its green community. Students, staff and Richmond residents have all contributed to a healthier and more stable environment for everyone in the area. As of this year, VCU has been ranked as the 21st school out of 96 participating schools in the Sierra Cool School Survey for transportation, water, waste management, and other aspects that improve the well-being of both the individual student and the entire community.
VCU has hosted several events that involved students in preparing a healthier and greener future for both the campus and Richmond area. Melissa Brush, an officer of Green Unity for VCU’s leadership team has helped plan and design several events from gardening workshops to farmers markets. “Our goals are more short term compared to VCU’s Office of Sustainability which focuses more on long term goals,” said Brush, “Our goal is to provide the community with the knowledge and capabilities of sustaining their environment with more immediate effects, such as gardening.” Brush talked about Green Unity’s most recent activity known as “The Union Hill Garden Project,” where VCU students participate in building gardens in low- income neighborhoods in order to encourage healthy eating among the residents. “We plant ‘urban orchards’ that include anything from fig trees to blueberry plants,” said Brush, “it offers healthier options to lower-income families for the cost of little to nothing and students love contributing to these kinds of projects.”
Brush also mentioned another active member in the green community, VCU alumni, Rachel Elves, who is well known for her homegrown farm stand where she sells produce and other plants at affordable prices.
Rachel’s Farmstand link: http://www.facebook.com/RachelsFarmstand
Humberto Moran, VCU alumni and employee of Ellwood Thompson in Carytown, said, “Organic food is great, but personally, I feel the prices are too high being that Kroger now has many of the same items we carry at a more reasonable price. I get an employee discount and still many of the products at kroger cost less. So if I was a college student and wanted to go organic, I’d go to Kroger or at least research where they obtain their products,” said Moran, “Farmers markets are also great, but they are limited to their local soil which can affect the quality of the food.”
Byrd House Market is one of many farmers markets in the area.
Younger students have complained about the high prices of Ellwood Thompson and Kroger’s organic selection, “I mostly eat at the commons. I don’t usually have money for grocery shopping, especially anything organic,” said Hana Jabessa, a sophomore at VCU. Another student said that she mainly brings food from her home in Northern Virginia, “My parents buy food at the Farmers Market in NOVA, but I usually don’t have time to do all that here,” she said.
Fresh cherry tomatoes growing in the Byrd House Garden.
Other VCU groups have also participated in green initiatives. Abigail Banks VCU Junior and her sorority, Zeta Tau Alpha (ZTA) have contributed through Paint the Town Green. “It is an event where everyone meets and cleans up the neighborhoods,” said Banks. The event is sponsored by the VCU Business School and Greek community “Many students come out, not just from the business school and Greek community,” she said.
Alternative transportation is also a huge part of VCU culture. Fixie bicycles along with other forms of transportation such as long boards have become popular among students. VCU alumni, David Roberts, locally renowned for his VCU theme song “VCU Swag,” has said that riding a bicycle was just more convenient in an urban area and helps the environment. “At VCU, riding a bike was a lot easier, quicker, cheaper, and more manageable,” said Roberts, “ I didn't have to waste money on gas, parking wasn't an issue, I had two different majors, so I was constantly going back and forth between buildings and riding a bicycle definitely beat walking and driving. On top of that, it’s good for Mother Earth,” he said.
Bicycles are a common form of transportation among VCU students
VCU students still remain a vocal in Richmond’s Green community and continue to expand their knowledge to everyone living in the area. Events are still taking place where people can buy locally grown produce, recycle their electronics, and learn how to garden themselves. If you want to learn more about GOING GREEN, visit Green Unity For Richmond’s website at http://www.greenunityforvcu.com/
Related Links:
http://www.greenunityforvcu.com/
http://www.vcugoesgreen.vcu.edu/
http://www.facebook.com/RachelsFarmstand
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