The RiffRaff Arts Collective

11/17/2024

🎶 Attention Friends! 🎶

Monday’s Open Stage Night is happening at The Dream Bean from 7-11 PM! 🎤 ☕

This week, we’re keeping it low-key and acoustic—no drum kit, but still plenty of space for you to share your music or kick back and soak it all in. ✨

There’s no entry fee. Come grab a delicious drink or snack from the coffeehouse menu and flow in music, poetry, creativity and community.🍪☕

See you Monday! 🎵

11/16/2024

We ❤️ our creative neighborhood and the driven entrepreneurs who make the Mercer Street Grassroots District a vibrant, colorful destination! Congratulations to our new neighbors at Bōc-Hord Brewery and Bakehouse on their Grand Opening today! 🥳

Support local, celebrate community, and watch us grow together. 🌱

11/08/2024

11/07/2024

🖤 Twelve years ago, when Mercer Street was a quiet shadow of its former self, a group of dedicated volunteers who LOVE Halloween created Mercer Monster Mash – events for the whole family to help bring it back from the grave! 🪦

And now, look at us. Mercer Street.... it's ALIIIIIIVE! 🧟‍♂️✨

🧛‍♂️ A huge thanks to everyone who went all out with your amazing costumes! To our sponsors, local businesses, artists, production team, and MCs – thank you for making this another spooktacular night to remember.

🎥Shout out to Eric Proffit for capturing the magic. ✨

11/06/2024

✨The mesmerizing Fluidity Performance Troupe has become a cherished fixture at our events, and we’re so grateful for their magical presence! Their next-level artistry and skill bring a sense of wonder and awe to our neighborhood. 📸And once again, Eric Proffit has beautifully captured the enchantment in these photos. Enjoy the magic!✨

10/31/2024

🎃As we gear up for a fantastic Halloween at Mercer Monster Mash, we want to give a huge shout of gratitude to our sponsors who are always there to collaborate and help bring our creative community vision to life!!

🦇 Thank you to our event sponsors--- City of Princeton, Public Works, Princeton PD and Fire Departments, Princeton Community Hospital/WVU Medicine, Conn-Weld Industries, and Martin Dental Associates, as well as Princeton Rescue Squad, and all the amazing businesses in the Mercer Street Grassroots District coming together to treat the kiddos and make an epic Mercer Street Halloween.

🧡 We’re grateful for such fantastic neighbors and everything you bring to our community!

Now... let’s do the Monster Mash! 🕺💀🎶

10/30/2024

🧟‍♀️ Mercer Monster Mash COSTUME CONTEST kicks off at 8 PM at Town Square in the heart of the Grassroots District tomorrow-- Halloween Night!

🧞‍♂️Prizes will be awarded for Adults and Kids categories, with the Top 3 in each category scoring big with gift cards and surprises from local favorites like 80's Toys of Princeton, Daydream Games, Hatter's Bookshop, Mercer Street Bicycle Co-Op and Mercantile, Jimmies Restaurant, Bōc-Hord Brewery and Bakehouse , RiffRaff Art Boutique, The Dream Bean and more!

🧙‍♂️PLUS, there are Top Ten Honorable Mention prizes to spread the love in both categories. ✨

🎃Just SHOW UP right after Trick or Treat on Mercer Street—no registration needed! ☠️So, what will YOU be? Drop your costume ideas in the comments below and come join the fun!

10/28/2024

🎙️ Open Stage Tonight! 7-11pm in The Room Upstairs. 🎶

Did you know our friends at Bōc-Hord Brewery and Bakehouse are now open on Mondays?! 🍻 Start your evening with a delicious dinner at Bōc-Hord, grab a coffee from The Dream Bean , and head our way for Open Stage!

No need to dread Mondays… let’s make them a deliciously creative evening on the town. 🎶

10/27/2024

🧟‍♀️The Mercer Monster Mash is BACK this Thursday--Halloween Night!

Get ready for a spooktacular happening on Mercer Street with Halloween thrills for all ages. Here’s what’s brewing:

~ 🍭 Trick or Treat on Mercer Street
~ 🧛‍♀️ Costume Contest hosted by Doc Atwell & EJ with prizes for Adults and Kids! Top 10 in each category win prizes, with the top 3 scoring something extra big!
~ 🎃 Performance Pumpkin Carving by Shannon Gerasimchik
~ 🔥 Fire Dancing with Fluidity Performance Troupe
~ 👻 Ghost Hunt at Princeton Public Library

PLUS 🎶— New River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship will host a Halloween Glow Party at The Monarch on Mercer (801 Mercer Street) with a LIVE DJ to keep the vibes spooky and fun! 🎧💀

🔮 For the Adults: The Gaia Den 🧙🏼 has you covered with:
~ 🕯️ Tarot & Pendulum Readings
~ 🕯️ “Make Your Own Treat Bags” with crystals and other goodies from the Den
~ 🕯️ A limited supply of pre-made Trick or Treat bags to grab and go!

🎤 Afterwards... head at Danny's Bar for Costume Karaoke! This is a seriously fun way to top off your night on the town!

🚧 The street will be closed from Bee Street to 7th for a safe trick-or-treating experience.

🦇Bring the whole family and let’s make this a Halloween night to remember in the Mercer Street Grassroots District! 🎃🍬🕸️

📸Photos by Eric Proffit and Robert Blankenship.

10/25/2024

🌈 We've loved sharing The Dream Bean Coffeehouse with you these past few months and truly appreciate all the love and support! We're just getting started, with more creative programming coming soon, and we want you to stay in the loop.
If you haven’t already, please follow here and on Instagram to catch everything we’ve got brewing! ☕

✨ https://www.facebook.com/dreambeancoffeehouse
✨ https://www.instagram.com/dreambeancoffeehouse

📸 Photos by Robert Blankenship, Eric Proffit and Indie Soul Photography

10/21/2024

Thank you so much to everyone in Princeton and beyond who has brought Buckets of Love and other essential supplies for our drive—you have all gone beyond expectations! 🙏✨ We have a whole U-Haul full of LOVE that we’re preparing to deliver this week directly to BeLoved Asheville, where it will reach the hearts and hands of those most in need. 💙

🎨🧸🖍️While we will continue to collect Buckets of Love, at this point in the recovery, the need on the ground has shifted. Rather than dropping off additional supplies, we are asking that you consider making cash donations directly to trusted organizations like BeLoved Asheville, an extraordinary mutual aid organization that has been serving the Western NC community for 15 years. They were perfectly positioned to step in during this crisis and are doing incredible work, addressing rapidly changing needs every single day. (Donation links in comments.)

We’d also like to share something personal, powerful, and close to our hearts. 💫 One of our own, a core member of our creative family, Kinney McKinney, has written a hauntingly beautiful song about Hurricane Helene. Every download of this song will go directly to support BeLoved Asheville’s efforts.

🚨Trigger Warning: This song is heartbreakingly real, and, as her mom Melissa said, “Listen carefully and only when you are ready for a deep cry.” 🎶 It captures the raw emotion of this devastating event, and through its beauty, we hope it helps to heal, support, and uplift the community.

https://mckinneymusic.bandcamp.com/track/riverside-drive

Please, if you’re able, consider downloading this song or donating directly to BeLoved Asheville. Let’s keep supporting our neighbors in Western NC as they navigate this long road to recovery.

We may be a small ripple in this vast sea of need, but the love we share can bring comfort and hope. 💛🌊 Let's keep the love flowing loving, folks.

track by McKinney

10/14/2024

💀Mercer Monster Mash is creeping up...we can’t wait to celebrate another happening Halloween on Mercer Street! 🧛‍♀️👀 Look back on these spooky memories and get ready to make new ones. Mercer Street...It's Aliiiiive! 🧟‍♀️

Here's what’s in store for this year’s family-friendly fright fest:

🍭 Trick or Treat on Mercer Street
🧛‍♀️ Costume Contest with Prizes for Kids and Adults!
🎃 Performance Pumpkin Carving by Shannon Gerasimchik
🔥 Fire Dancing with Fluidity Performance Troupe
👻 Ghost Hunt at the Princeton Public Library
🔮 ... and more spooky surprises to be announced!

🚧 Mercer Street will be closed from Bee Street to 7th for safe Trick or Treating. Make sure to mark your calendars and come out to celebrate spooky season with us!

10/08/2024

🎶 What a beautiful evening we shared last night! Thank you to everyone who came out to our special Open Stage Night and Buckets of Love Drive at The Dream Bean —and to those who were with us in spirit, your presence was felt.

The buckets and supplies you generously brought will go directly into the hands of the Earth Angel volunteers at BeLoved Asheville, supporting children and families deeply affected by the hurricane. 💙 We realize that some of you may not have been able to join us last night, and in retrospect, we didn’t make it clear that the drive is ongoing!

❤️We’ll continue collecting Buckets of Love for kids—art supplies, games, and other essentials—as well as any other needed items for the broader relief efforts. You can drop off your donations anytime during regular hours at The Dream Bean or The RiffRaff, and we’ll ensure regular deliveries to those working tirelessly on the ground. 🌿

Please take a look at the current needs list, link below, compliled by Kinney. It will be updated regularly to reflect the most pressing needs in Western NC. Every single contribution helps—whether it’s a full bucket, a few supplies, or simply sharing this message.

The beauty in how communities in Appalachian and beyond are coming together is truly remarkable. Let’s keep it going! 💪💛 Let’s continue lifting each other up and supporting our neighbors through these challenging times. Thank you again for your generosity and compassion! 💞🛤️

https://docs.google.com/document/d/130MdIUclxZltFxJPrlzBccLPlS9pv7hv9QUz7BKgNcc/edit?usp=sharing

10/06/2024

✨ Special Open Stage Night & Flood Relief Drive this Monday, 7-11pm at The Dream Bean ! 🎤 We’re grateful to welcome Asheville musicians Melissa McKinney and Kinney McKinney back to their hometown; they're here to rest and recharge before returning with vital supplies for their community.🌿 They’ve been working tirelessly alongside thousands of amazing volunteers with BeLoved Asheville, a mutual aid organization providing on-the-ground support.

Tomorrow night, we’re collecting Buckets of Love for Kids—art supplies, games, and essentials for those out of school indefinitely 🎨🧸. Your donations matter, and other supplies are welcome too. Check the comments for details on what’s needed! Can’t make it to the event? No worries! We’ll be collecting and delivering regularly, so drop it off at any time during regular hours at The Dream Bean. 💕

🎤 This is an acoustic open mic (no drum kit). Come share your music, poetry, or stories in an intimate setting, or just relax and enjoy performances by the talented Melissa & Kinney McKinney and others. Let’s keep coming together to uplift each other and support our neighbors however we can. 📢