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25 Restaurants Will Participate in VisArts’ Chili Throwdown Oct. 7
The Visual Arts Center of Richmond hosts its third annual chili event, the Art Junction Chili Throwdown, on Fri., Oct. 7 from 5 to 8 p.m. This year’s event will feature the chili of 25 area restaurants and bluegrass music by South Hill Banks.
Last year, more than 500 people attended the Art Junction Chili Throwdown, which raises money for VisArts’ clay studio. Tickets to the indoor/outdoor event are $20 for VisArts members and $25 for the general public. Kids under age 12 eat for $5 and kids under age 3 eat free. Adult admission includes a handmade ceramic bowl and a drink ticket. Tickets are available online at visarts.org or at the door. Additional ceramic bowls will be available for purchase.
Twenty-five restaurants have signed on to participate this year. They include: 821 Café, Alamo BBQ, Amuse, Blue Goat, Bombolini Pasta, Citizen RVA, Curbside, Everyday Gourmet, Fresca, Garnish Catering, Goatocado, Hometeam Grill, Joe’s Inn, Kitchen 64, Kitchenette, Libbie Market, Maple and Pine, Mean Bird, Mosaic Catering, Mosaic Restaurant, Postbellum, Savvy and Well, Sidewalk Café, The Mill and Union Market. Ardent Brewery is the event’s beer sponsor.
Restaurants contribute their best chili, which is taste-tested by both a blind jury and the event’s attendees. VisArts names an overall winner and a people’s choice winner.
Proceeds from the Art Junction Chili Throwdown will purchase a Skutt 1027 kiln and support VisArts’ artist-in-residence program.
The Art Junction Chili Throwdown falls on a First Friday, so in addition to enjoying chili and live music, guests can register for VisArts’ First Friday Art Samplers—short one-hour art classes designed to introduce people of all ages to new artistic media. Classes cost between $5 and $20, depending on materials. In-person registration opens at 5 p.m. on Friday, with classes beginning at 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
The Art Junction Chili Throwdown is hosted by VisArts’ young professionals group, the Visual Arts Creative Ambassadors. Sponsors include several dozen individuals, Richmond Magazine, Joyner Fine Properties, Montana Gold Bread Co. and James River Air Conditioning Co.