Jeffrey Osborne keeps holding on, flying high

By Craig Belcher

Blessed with one of the most distinctive voices in modern R&B, it didn’t take Jeffrey Osborne long to establish a solo career after departing the funk band L.T.D. (Love, Togetherness and Devotion) in the early 1980s. After years of playing drums in the group known for the hits “Holding On (When Love Is Gone)” and “(Every Time I Turn Around) Back in Love

Again, he stepped out front with his self-titled debut in 1982, produced by George Duke.

“We got lucky with the first record,” Mr. Osborne recalls from his home in Los Angeles. “I had a couple of hits, ‘Really Don’t Need No Light,’ was the first thing and then ‘On The Wings of Love’ kind of took that over the top. I think it helped that I was a songwriter.”

The Rhode Island native and Grammy-nominated singer’s luck continued as he built a career that includes 12 albums, acting stints on

Whether it’s art and poetry or films and music, Richmond and surrounding communities offer a lot to everyone in the coming weeks.

Most programs and events are free.

So, get out your sunglasses, water bottles, favorite outfits and hit the streets to enjoy the following attractions.

RVA First Fridays

Organized by: The Downtown Neighborhood Association and Richmond Arts District.

Where it takes place: Roughly throughout Richmond’s Arts District, running west to east on Broad Street from Laurel Street to 7th, and south to north from Franklin Street to Clay Street.

When it takes place: Generally from 5 to 9 p.m. on the first Friday of each month.

Cost: Generally free, though certain vendors or participants may have their own prices for items.

More information: www. richmondartsdistrict.org/rva-firstfridays

First Fridays at the VMHC

Organized by: Virginia Museum of History and Culture.

Where it takes place: The Virginia Museum of History and Culture at 428 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd.

When it takes place: From 5 to 8 p.m. on the first Friday of each month.

Cost: Free after-hours admission to the museum, but separate pricing for drinks in the Museum Café and participating food vendors.

More information: secure. virginiahistory.org/1912/1913

Manchester Manifest First Fridays

Organized by: Manchester Manifest and Crenius LLC.

Where it takes place: 1309 Hull St.

When it takes place: From 5 p.m. to midnight on the first Friday of each month.

Cost: Free.

More information: www.instagram.com/manchestermanifest

The 23rd season of the Riverfront Canal Cruises

Organized by: Venture Richmond.

Where it takes place: The Turning Basin at 139 Virginia St.

When it takes place: The 23rd season runs Fridays and Saturdays from noon to 7 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. in April, then from noon to 7 p.m. Monday through soap operas and singing the national anthem at sporting events. Mr. Osborne, 75, talks about his times with L.T.D., where that voice comes from and his next projects.

Free Press: Is there anything you miss about the group dynamic?

Mr. Osborne: I miss a lot about the group. The group was a great group. It was one of the best entertaining live performing groups ever. I miss some of the relationships I had in the group and a great songwriting relationship with one person in particular. But you know, it was a grind with L.T.D. We were working sometimes for barely any money, you know, it was, it was tough back then. But … I didn’t leave the group because of that. I left the group because they didn’t provide any outlets for the individual to grow. It was just time for me to leave.

Free Press: Throughout your career, you’ve had songs with social commentary. Why do you think it’s important to sing about those issues?

Mr. Osborne: I just think it’s

Friday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays from May through September.

Cost: Tickets cost $12 for adults, $8 for children age 5 to 12 years old and seniors 65 years and older, children age 4 or younger can ride for free. Tickets are sold on a first come, first served basis in person and online.

More information: www. venturerichmond.com/our-services/ riverfront-canal-cruises

Richmond Poetry Fest

Organized by: The Visual Arts Center of Richmond and the Carole Weinstein Endowment for Creative Writing.

Where it takes place: The Visual Arts Center of Richmond.

When it takes place: Friday, April 14, from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, April 15, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Cost: Free

More information: www. visarts.org/rva-poetry-fest

RVA Adaptive Sports Festival

Organized by: Sportable.

Where it takes place: Glen Allen High School at 10700 Staples Mill Rd.

When it takes place: Saturday, April 15, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Cost: Free.

More information: www. sportable.org/rva-adaptive-sportsfestival/

Chesterfield County

Seeking Volunteers for Earth Day Cleanups

Organized by: Chesterfield County.

Where it takes place: County parks, including the Dutch Gap Conservation Area, Falling Creek Ironworks Park, Mid-Lothian Mines, River City Sportsplex and the Radcliffe Conservation Area

When it takes place: From Saturday, April 15-22

Cost: Free

More information: tuckeran@ chesterfield.gov or 804-768-7435

Climate Justice: Why It Matters & What You Can Do Virtual Session

Organized by: RVA Engage.

Where it takes place: Online, through Zoom.

When it takes place: Wednesday, April 19, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Cost: Free.

More information: www.bit. ly/411HKJV continues to attract new fans and audiences.

As a teenager, Jeffrey Osborne stopped listening to radio and records for a year to develop his own material and style.

PLACES TO GO, PEOPLE TO SEE

RPS Priority Schools Virtual Teacher Hiring Event

Organized by: Richmond Public Schools’ Talent Acquisition Department.

Where it takes place: Online.

When it takes place: Wednesday, April 19, and Thursday, April 20, from 4 to 8 p.m.

Cost: Free

More information: www. rvaschools.net/talent-office/talentacquisition

Leadership Metro Richmond’s Spring Alumni Luncheon

Organized by: Leadership Metro Richmond

Where it takes place: The John Marshall Ballrooms, 101 N. 5th St.

When it takes place: Thursday, April 20, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Cost: Tickets cost $70 for LMR alums or current class members and $80 for guests, who must be accompanied by an LMR alum.

More information: www. classy.org/event/lmr-2023-springalumni-luncheon/e461888

The 29th James River Film Festival

Organized by: James River Film Society.

Where it takes place: Various locations, including the Visual Arts Center, Richmond Public Library, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and the Byrd Theatre.

When it takes place: From Thursday, April 20, to Sunday, April 23.

“The Black Press: Soldiers without Swords,” is 1 p.m. April 23 at the VMFA. Directed by Stanley Nelson, the documentary chronicles the history of African-American newspapers nationwide.

Cost: Some screenings are currently listed at $8 to attend, while others are free.

More information: www. jamesriverfilm.org/

Paul Laurence Dunbar:

Beyond the Mask Documentary Screening & Discussion

Organized by: Events On Leigh.

Where it takes place: Events On Leigh at 122 W. Leigh St.

When it takes place: Saturday, April 22, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Cost: Free, but registration is required

More information: www. eventsonleigh.com/event/paulbeyondthemask

Dressed to the Nines Jazz Concert

Organized by: The Dr. Billy Taylor Jazz Studies Program at Virginia State University.

Where it takes place: The Anderson-Turner Auditorium of the VSU Virginia Hall.

When it takes place: Thursday, April 27, at 7 p.m.

Cost: Free.

2nd Annual RPS Youth Poetry Slam

Organized by: The Writer’s Den.

Where it takes place: The Visual Arts Center of Richmond at 1812 W. Main St.

When it takes place: Saturday, April 29, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Cost: The event is free, but donations are welcome through CashApp and Venmo.

More information: Contact @ thewritersdenrva on Instagram.

Pine Grove School Historical Highway Marker Ceremony

Organized by: AMMD Pine Grove Project.

Where it takes place: The site of Pine Grove School, 267 Pinegrove Road, Cumberland, Virginia, 23040.

When it takes place: Saturday, April 29, at 11 a.m.

Cost: Free.

More information: ammdpinegroveproject.com or (202) 643. AMMD (2663).

An Afternoon of History: Rosa Bowser, BHMVA & Richmond Public Library

Organized by: Richmond Public Library and the Black History Museum & Cultural Center.

Where it takes place: The Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia at 122 W. Leigh St.

When it takes place: Saturday, April 29, from noon to 4 p.m.

Cost: Free, but registration is required.

More information: rvalibrary. libcal.com/event/9745691

Friday Cheers’ 38th Concert Season important to be relevant. But for whatever you believe in, I think it’s important to sing about that so that people know that this is how you feel about what you believe in. It’s tough in this industry, because you can alienate yourself from a lot of people and that was back then!

Organized by: Friday Cheers.

Where it takes place: Brown’s Island.

Free Press: Can you talk about how you developed your distinctive vocal style? What influenced you?

Mr. Osborne: When I was a teenager … I tried to basically sound the way everybody did. When I got to L.T.D., I realized that I needed to have an identity. So, the one thing I did … which I think helped me more than anything, is … I basically stopped listening to radio and records for almost a year to develop my own stuff. I didn’t want to be influenced anymore. And I think that really helped me and that was hard to do.

Free Press: What are you working on currently?

Mr. Osborne: I’m just basically writing right now. I think I’m gonna just try to put a few songs together and, and do it the way the youths of today do it, you know, through social media. I don’t think I want to be affiliated with a record company anymore. So, I think that’s my new approach.

Jeffrey Osborne performs at the Greater Richmond Convention Center on Saturday, April 22, at 7 p.m. Alex Bungnon opens. Details: www. jsaffair.com

When it takes place: Every Friday in May and June, starting Friday, May 5, to Friday, June 30, from 6 to 9:30 p.m.

Cost: All tickets cost $10 in advance and $15 at the door, free for children under age 12.

More information: www. venturerichmond.com/our-events/ friday-cheers/

Henrico Junior 4-H

Summer Camp

Organized by: The Henrico County office of Virginia Cooperative Extension.

Where it takes place: The Jamestown 4-H Educational Center at 3751 4-H Club Road.

When it takes place: From Monday, Aug. 7, to Friday, Aug. 11.

Cost: $345, which covers five days and four nights of meals and lodging, alongside programs, materials and a T-shirt. Transportation is not provided this year.

More information: www. henrico.us/extension or 804501-5160. Parents interested in volunteering can contact Kendra Young at kkyoung@vt.edu or Carter Humphries at chumphries@ vt.edu

Compiled by George Copeland Jr.