Black IrisFOUNDATION

Black Iris · Richmond, Virginia · November 11, 2026

Help a Richmond legend's story travel further.

We are gathering remarkable gifts, experiences, artwork, and services for a benefit auction supporting Cosmic Echo, the feature documentary about Richmond-born jazz pioneer Lonnie Liston Smith.

Offer an auction item ↘Give directly through Belltower ↗
Date
Wednesday, November 11, 2026
Doors
5:30 p.m.
Place
Black Iris · 321 W. Broad St., Richmond
Cosmic Echo documentary portrait artwork of Lonnie Liston Smith
Official Cosmic Echo artwork · supplied by the filmmakers

JAZZ · SOUL · FUNK · HIP-HOP · RICHMOND · FILM · LIVING LEGACY ·

Cosmic Echo portrait of Lonnie Liston Smith from the film partnership deck

The film

A search for truth in music.

Cosmic Echo is a feature-length documentary in production about the life, legacy, and spiritual journey of Lonnie Liston Smith—the Richmond musician whose cosmic jazz helped shape generations of jazz, soul, funk, hip-hop, and club culture.

The film is a Richmond collaboration involving RVA Magazine, The Sunroom, Shockoe Records, Black Iris, and Grammy winner Michael Millions. Belltower Pictures serves as the project's nonprofit fiscal sponsor.

Richmond storyGlobal influenceFilm in production

From the journey

The echo is still expanding.

Follow the filmmakers as they trace Lonnie's influence from Richmond to listeners, musicians, and cultural communities around the world.

More from @cosmicechodoc ↗
Gilles Peterson in front of his record collection in a Cosmic Echo interview clipWatch the official clip on Instagram ↗

Auction contribution ideas

Give something people will talk about.

Big or small, the best contribution is specific, easy to understand, and true to your business or art.

01

Dining + hospitality

Restaurant gift cards, tastings, stays, private dinners, and memorable local experiences.

02

Music + entertainment

Records, instruments, tickets, studio time, lessons, signed pieces, and venue experiences.

03

Art + design

Original work, prints, commissions, framing, studio visits, and creative services.

04

Goods + services

Retail packages, memberships, wellness services, workshops, and distinctly Richmond offerings.

Offer an item

Tell us what you would like to contribute.

Submit the item, its donor-supplied fair-market value, and the best contact for fulfillment. The event team will review the offer and follow up about acceptance, delivery, and auction details.

  1. 1Describe the item, experience, or service.
  2. 2Tell us its fair-market value and any restrictions.
  3. 3We will confirm acceptance and arrange delivery.
AUCTION / RAFFLE

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THE CONTRIBUTION

Submission and privacy notes

An item submission is an offer, not an automatic acceptance or transfer. Any charitable acknowledgment is issued by Belltower Pictures if applicable; donors should not rely on this page as tax advice. Donors are responsible for the good-faith fair-market value they provide. Contact and item details are stored privately for event administration and are not posted publicly without permission. Do not include payment information, government identifiers, or other sensitive personal data.