"Rainbow Over Richmond," Virginia's PrideFest, to Star Martha Wash

Richmond, Virginia - Local businesses in Richmond launched "Rainbow Over Richmond," a series of events taking place through October 2011, exploring and celebrating LGBTQ and LGBTQ-friendly culture and community. The campaign highlights events taking place throughout the fall including art exhibitions and the VA PrideFest celebration.

"We're excited to showcase Richmond's Southern hospitality and give visitors a taste of our vibrant LGBTQ community," said Kevin Clay, editor at GayRVA.com, Richmond's premiere LGBTQ news resource and sponsor the Rainbow Over Richmond website. "With attractions, hotels and restaurants embracing the diversity of our community, we are a welcoming destination.� As Virginia PrideFest and festival season takes full charge in September, the fall is a perfect time to visit."

The Tennessee Williams Festival presents Cat On A Hot Tin Roof at the Firehouse Theatre Project , running Sept. 15 to Oct. 9.

Virginia's annual Pride festival, PrideFest , will be on Sept. 24 from 6-10 p.m. at Kanawha Plaza. The event features performances by DC-singer Tom Goss and the celebrated Martha Wash of "It's Raining Men" fame. Attendees can take advantage of Pride festivities with PrideBus, a free shuttle service running from Shockoe Bottom to Carytown, with a special LGBTQ-themed club route until 2 a.m. PrideBus is presented by GayRVA.com.�

Sponsored by Venture Richmond, the 2nd Street Festival on Oct. 1-2 will explore the heart and soul of Richmond's African-American community with live music, food, shopping and children's activities. Also on Oct. 1, Virginia Folks/Acoustic "Artist of the Year" Julie Clark will perform a concert at the Gay Community Center of Richmond .

Two weeks later on Oct. 14-16, travelers can look forward to a new and growing Richmond tradition, the Richmond Folk Festival . The event brings nearly 200,000 people to Richmond's riverfront each year to celebrate the roots, richness and variety of American culture through music, dance traditional crafts, storytelling and food.

Art enthusiasts will enjoy the Virginia Museum of Fine Art's Faberg� exhibit open until Oct. 2, featuring a variety of rock crystal vases, ruby encrusted brooches and hardstone animals and flowers, many of which were first displayed at Faberg�'s stores in St. Petersburg, Moscow and London.

Until the end of October, the Linden Row Inn will also showcase the 1708 Gallery's latest satellite, Pushing Boundaries: Art as Metaphor in Love and War , with all proceeds from art sales benefitting a homeless service agency.

History buffs can check out the Virginia Historical Society's An American Turning Point: The Civil War in Virginia which explores the personal experiences of the free and enslaved men, women and children of wartime Virginia.

Travelers can choose from a variety of TAG Approved hotels including Maury Place, The Linden Row Inn and the Crowne Plaza Downtown. Amtrak, a Rainbow Over Richmond sponsor, also provides convenient travel options to LGBTQ travelers via its website www.amtrakridewithpride.com .

More information about Rainbow Over Richmond, including an events calendar and additional LGBTQ-friendly accommodations, is available at www.rainbowoverrichmond.com . Visitors to the site can enter for a chance to win a two-night stay at the Linden Row Inn, dinner for two at the brand new 2113 and tickets to a Richmond Triangle Players performance.

Events and tips are also shared on the Rainbow Over Richmond Facebook page and Twitter handle, twitter.com/RainbowOverRVA

Also, take a look at www.visitrichmondva.com/rainbow or call 1-888-RICHMOND for more information on gay travel in the Richmond region.