The 2nd Street Festival returns this fall, Saturday-Sunday, October 4-5, marking its 37th anniversary. The FREE annual festival celebrates the rich culture of Downtown Richmond’s historic Jackson Ward neighborhood and is produced by Venture Richmond Events.
Over the years, it has grown to be one of the Mid-Atlantic’s largest street festivals. Each year thousands visit historic Jackson Ward to reminisce about the days when 2nd Street was the heart and soul of Richmond’s African American community and was known as “the Harlem of the South.” Today, Jackson Ward continues to be a thriving neighborhood and community.
The 2nd Street Festival is an annual celebration over two days that features three stages of live music and entertainment along with a Kidz Zone, popular food vendors, a marketplace and Artists Row to shop, and the Richmond Metropolitan Antique Car Club.
“It’s time to bring Go-Go energy back to Downtown Richmond,” said Sharon Bassard, Events and Booking Manager at Venture Richmond. “Welcoming The Chuck Brown Band to the 2nd Street Festival is a powerful full circle moment for us. Chuck Brown, the Godfather of Go-Go, graced us with his talent at our 10th anniversary festival, and now we get to celebrate the legendary music with his son at our 37th festival this year!”
This year’s festival features headliner The Chuck Brown Band on Saturday, October 4, DJ Drake and MC Choco on Sunday, October 5 and many other talented artists showcased over the two-day event.
Saturday’s Headliner, The Chuck Brown Band
The Chuck Brown Band is the official band of the late Chuck Brown, “The Godfather of Go-Go,” and the founder and creator Go-Go music, a hypnotically danceable genre deeply rooted in funk and soul that Brown developed in the early 1970’s in the District of Columbia.
Today, Chuck Brown’s son Wiley Brown (Wiley B), who has been around music since the age of four with his father, is the lead singer of the band. He started rapping as a youth but after Chuck’s passing, joined the Chuck Brown Band. Wiley B’s lead vocals and looks on the 2021 single and video “Summertime” by the Chuck Brown Band sparked even more comparisons amongst Go-Go fans to his father. Out now is their 2024 single, “Loose Control,” featuring Treasure Joy.
Sunday’s Closing Performance, DJ Drake and MC Choco
Since 2020, DJ Drake and MC Choco have maintained a collaborative partnership that started in DJ Drake’s living room during the Covid-19 pandemic. Their Facebook “Live” shows entertained thousands of viewers from the across the country, giving audiences a real time ability to connect with the artists and other fans during a time of isolation.
With over three decades of DJing experience, DJ Drake currently works as a mix show DJ for 105.7 KISS FM in Richmond. MC Choco has an equally extensive background, having worked in local clubs and restaurants for over three decades.
More information on the 2nd Street Festival and additional artists performing will follow later this summer. For up-to-date information about the 2nd Street Festival, please visit:
https://venturerichmond.com/our-events/2nd-street-festival
Venture Richmond Events, LLC is a subsidiary of Venture Richmond, Inc.