Bill Text: VA HR110 | 2022 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending Flat Iron Crossroads.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2022-03-08 - Bill text as passed House (HR110ER) [HR110 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2022-HR110-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, Flat Iron Crossroads, a nonprofit organization that revitalized a historic meeting site into a modern performing arts center, has greatly enhanced the cultural offerings available to residents and visitors of Gloucester County; and
WHEREAS, with the intention to recreate the convivial spirit of crossroads from the days of yore, Flat Iron Crossroads founder Ray Friend and several volunteers transformed a century-old gas station at Flat Iron Road and Daffodil Lane in Gloucester County into a venue for the performing arts in 2018, establishing the organization as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit later that year; and
WHEREAS, Flat Iron Crossroads opened its performing arts center in October 2019, but was quickly confronted with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, which have proven particularly devastating to music venues and other sites where large groups of people typically gather; and
WHEREAS, in response to this unprecedented crisis, Flat Iron Crossroads mobilized a platform of innovative programming to enable it to fulfill its mission of bringing culture to Eastern Virginia through the performing arts; and
WHEREAS, Flat Iron Crossroads took performances to people's homes by archiving its past concerts on YouTube, airing the Flat Iron Crossroads Radio Hour online and on WXGM/Xtra 99.1 FM every Saturday in the summer of 2020, and live streaming its shows since March 2020; and
WHEREAS, with an eye toward restarting performances while ensuring public safety, Flat Iron Crossroads partnered with other local venues to host two outdoor events in the fall of 2020, while obtaining a conditional use permit and expanding its performance facilities to stage outdoor events on its property; and
WHEREAS, in a show of the community's support, volunteers organized two successful events in November 2020 on behalf of Flat Iron Crossroads, reinvigorating the board's desire to carry out its mission; and
WHEREAS, Flat Iron Crossroads opened its doors under strict protocols in the spring of 2021 and has since hosted more than 80 performances, including two large festivals, a two-day Juneteenth celebration, a drum and dance workshop for children, fundraisers for nonprofits, music performance competitions and recitals, and concerts by various local and international bands and artists; and
WHEREAS, through its diverse programming and commitment to excellence, Flat Iron Crossroads is quickly becoming a cultural hub that will provide immeasurable enjoyment to music lovers from all over the Commonwealth, while stimulating the local economy for the benefit of the residents and businesses of Gloucester County; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Flat Iron Crossroads hereby be commended for persevering through the COVID-19 pandemic to create quality cultural experiences that will enchant residents and visitors of Gloucester County for years to come; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Ray Friend, founder of Flat Iron Crossroads, as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for the organization's contributions to the Commonwealth.
