The RiffRaff Arts Collective

07/14/2025

What a beautiful evening we shared the other night—celebrating local artists and writers, and welcoming the captivating music of Through the Trees to The Dream Bean. ✨

We’re so fortunate to be surrounded by such an incredible community of creative souls.

One of the artists behind the project, our dear friend Douglas John Imbrogno, is not only a soulful musician but also an extraordinary writer and storyteller. He captured the spirit of the evening in this beautiful essay:
👉 The Art of Dreaming: https://throughthetreesgroup.com/p/the-art-of-dreaming

Take a moment to read it. He describes the back room of the Dream Bean as "that nirvana sought by all serious musicians who play nuanced live music, from quiet to rocking. A listening room."

These photos by Eric Proffit capture the warmth, connection, and magic that filled the room.

💚

07/09/2025

☁️ It’s a beautiful day for dreaming.
The sky is painting poetry above Mercer Street,
the coffee is warm, and the whole street is blooming with light and possibility.

And speaking of blooming… 🌸
Join us this Friday, July 11 from 6–9PM for 🌸 BLOOMING: An Evening of Local Art & Live Music 🌿, celebrating a new group art show exploring growth, becoming, and renewal.
Featuring works by over a dozen local artists, poetry by members of the ✍️ Writers Circle, and live music by Through the Trees, it’s an evening of art, connection, and summer inspiration in the back room of The Dream Bean.

🎟️ Free admission
🎨 Art • Music • Community
📍The Dream Bean Coffeehouse

Today, we’re soaking in the soft light and letting the day unfold one peaceful sip at a time.
Come dream with us. 🌤️☕

07/03/2025

This Friday, we gather—not just for the sparklers, but for the music, the art, the laughter, the neighbors, the joy. 💛
Plan to catch some summer magic—live music in the air, kids getting crafty, familiar faces and fresh watermelon.

🕖 July 4 • 6–9PM
📍 Dick Copeland Town Square, Downtown Princeton
🎸 Live music by the 🎆 Andrew Scotchie Band (rock/soul/blues from Asheville!)
🎨 Free kids crafts with Rainbow Art Farms
🍉 Hot dogs, watermelon & drinks by The Dream Bean
🛍️ Local vendors & artists, including Leah Towler & Lulu creations
✨ Sparklers for a little twinkle before the city’s big fireworks show later on

Presented by RiffRaff Arts Collective, with support from Princeton Community Hospital and Optimum.

Bring a chair, bring a friend, and come soak up the goodness.
We’ll be dancing into the evening—then enjoy the City of Princeton’s spectacular fireworks display to close out the night! 🎆
See you on the square!

Fantastic photos by Eric Proffit

06/30/2025

🎆 First Friday: 4th of July Edition 🎸
Celebrate Independence Day in the Grassroots District with live music from Asheville’s own Andrew Scotchie Band—bringing high-energy rock, soul, and blues to the square for a night of connection, creativity, and sparkle.

🕖 Friday, July 4 • 6–9PM
📍 Dick Copeland Town Square, Downtown Princeton

✨ Free & open to the public
🎨 Free kids crafts by Rainbow Art Farms
🍿 Concessions by The Dream Bean (think hot dogs, watermelon, and all the summer vibes)
🛍️ Vending by local gems like The Gaia Den, Buffett's Bakery & Treats, WildKat’s Herbal Oasis and The RiffRaff
🎨 Featured artists: Art by Leah Towler & Lulu creations
🪑 Bring lawn chairs & picnic blankets
🎆 And yes—we’ll have sparklers to light up the night!

🔥 About the Band:
Known for his signature blend of gritty rock, blues, and soul, Andrew Scotchie is a rising force from Asheville, NC. His live shows are immersive, electric, and full of heart—bringing fierce guitar work and socially-conscious lyrics that connect deeply with audiences. His latest album, Love Is Enough, is a raw, reflective journey through sound and story.

🎧 More at andrewscotchiemusic.com

Presented by RiffRaff Arts Collective with support from Princeton Community Hospital and Optimum.

Let’s light up the square, celebrate community, and dance into summer. 🌟

06/29/2025

🌸 BLOOMING: An Evening of Local Art & Live Music 🌿
Come celebrate creativity in full bloom Friday, July 11 at The Dream Bean —an evening of new art, live music, and summer inspiration, exploring themes of growth, becoming, and renewal.

🖼️ Featuring new works by 12 local artists—paintings, photography, and mixed media:
Eric Thomson · Eric G. LaPrice· Lee Rainboth · Richard Shrewsbury · Rita J. Montrosse · Steve Jessee · Allison Banks · Joseph Sarao · Kym Hepworth · Dave Glenn Alley · Eric Proffit· Robert Blankenship · Lee Kuiper · Emlee 100 · Luanna Harrison · Leah Towler · Promise Sloan
🎨 Cover art by Lee Rainboth

🎶 Live music by Through the Trees
A luminous folk-chamber trio with lap dulcimer, viola, violin, guitar & vocals
🌿 throughthetreesgroup.com

📍 Back Room of The Dream Bean, 860 Mercer Street
📅 Friday, July 11 | 🕕 6–9PM
🎟️ Free Admission

Sip something delicious, take in the creativity, and celebrate what it means to bloom. 🌼

🎆 PS: The week before—is 🎆 First Friday: Andrew Scotchie Band(July 4)—this band brings the fire. Back-to-back weekends of creative magic in the Grassroots District! Don’t miss either one. ✨

06/23/2025

As we roll into the heat of summer and the heart of event season, we’re looking back with gratitude on a day that reminded us why we do what we do.

🎡Celebrate Princeton Street Fair brought the streets to life—full of color, creativity, and community. Sunshine, a little rain, packed sidewalks, full hearts.

Thank you to the City of Princeton, our generous sponsors, incredible artists and vendors, hardworking staff and volunteers, local businesses, and every single attendee who helped bring this day to life. We created something special—together.

Big thanks to Eric Proffit for capturing the spirit so beautifully.
Here’s to many more moments like this. 💛

🎶 Up next: 🎆 First Friday: with Andrew Scotchie Band July 4!
🎥 Watch the video, tag your crew, and keep the good energy flowing.

06/20/2025

It’s been nearly a week since we filled Mercer Street with music, color, and community for the 🎡Celebrate Princeton Street Fair—and what a day it was. 💛

We’re always grateful to Eric Proffit for capturing the spirit of the moment so beautifully. Flip through, relive the day, and tag yourself or your friends!

On this WV Day, we’re feeling thankful to live and create in these West Virginia hills we call home. 💚

06/20/2025

06/19/2025

📝 WRITERS' CIRCLE | 5–7PM TONIGHT
At The Dream Bean

Dreaming things we’ve yet to see,
calling in community.
Calling in creative flow—
planting seeds, we'll watch them grow.

Gather 'round the table where ideas stir like cream in coffee—slowly, warmly, beautifully.

Whether you’re bringing a notebook full of thoughts or just your listening ears and open heart, you’re welcome here. Writers’ Circle meets tonight and every Thursday from 5–7pm in the cozy glow of The Dream Bean.

🎤 Share a poem.
📖 Read a story.
☕ Sip something soul-soothing while you do.

The espresso’s flowing, the art’s on the walls, and there’s magic in the margins—come be part of it. 🌱🖋️✨

Gorgeous captures by Indie Soul Photography 📸💫

06/18/2025

💔 Our hearts are with everyone affected by the catastrophic flooding in Northern and North Central West Virginia. It’s gut-wrenching to see this happen again—to witness another community facing such unthinkable loss and devastation.

In moments like this, we look for the helpers—and they are everywhere. Communities are rising, neighbors are showing up, and love is moving through the heartbreak in powerful ways.

If you’re looking for ways to help, our friends at Tamarack Foundation for the Arts have compiled this thoughtful list of resources and organizations that are actively supporting those impacted.
👉 https://mailchi.mp/tamarackfoundation/floodresourcesandrelieffornwv?e=86f0b4e897

Please give if you’re able—and keep these communities close in your heart.💧

We are holding our neighbors in North Central and Northern West Virginia close in our hearts. We extend our deepest condolences to those who have lost loved ones and our unwavering support to all whose homes, livelihoods, and communities have been shaken by the recent flooding.  If you're looking ...

06/16/2025

We’ve been bee-yond grateful to share a street with the incredible Blue Ridge Bee Company. 🐝💛

From the moment they opened their doors, they brought a beautiful vision—and a whole lot of buzz—to the Grassroots District. Their presence helped Mercer Street bloom, and their lovingly restored building became a cornerstone of the creative energy here.

We’re so thankful to Will, Emily, and their family for being such kind, thoughtful, and inspiring neighbors. Their dream uplifted the whole block, and their legacy will continue to ripple outward. 🌊

06/13/2025

💛 🎡Celebrate Princeton Street Fair is tomorrow—and it wouldn’t be possible without an incredible wave of support from this community.

This event is presented with generous support from:

🌟 City of Princeton, WV
🌟 Princeton Community Hospital
🌟 Optimum
🌟 Princeton Rescue Squad,
🌟 Southern Highlands Community Mental Health Center
🌟 USA Martial Arts,

And thanks to Xfinity and The City of Princeton, the ferris wheel is FREE to ride all day long! 🎡✨

We send our deepest gratitude to the Public Works Department, Princeton Police & Fire Departments, the Princeton Public Library, and our downtown businesses for their partnership, flexibility, and support as we prepare to welcome thousands to our streets.

💪 To the volunteers, the city crews, and the local businesses who have shown up with open hearts and helping hands—thank you. This event takes a village, and we’re honored to be in this one.

📍See you on Mercer Street!