Ed 108: Night Market, Community Clean-Up, Pride Beer
Image Source: @racheladawson
Hey there, Alicia here.
Our team at The Richmond Experience continues to stand in solidarity with our Black community. We hope you do, too.
Thank you to everyone who has contacted us with more businesses and resources to add to our free guide to actionable ways to support our Black community, from petitions to sign to places to donate to black-owned businesses to patronize and beyond. Please keep sending updates and additions our way — together, we can ensure that this is the most valuable resource possible for Richmond as a whole.
And of course, we are still facing a pandemic. While we are seeing downward trends in COVID-19 cases and positive tests in Virginia, it is possible that both entering Phase I of opening the state as well as these demonstrations for justice could lead to a second spike. So, please continue to follow all city, state, and federal guidelines surrounding social distancing and use of face coverings. See our free guide to navigating COVID-19 in Richmond for more information to aide you through this time.
We’re still going to share this week’s social news below, but the two links above are definitely the most important things that we’re sending out this week!
Stay safe, Richmond. We love you.
P.S. A huge congratulations to The Richmond Experience founders, Sam and Sean, for bringing their beautiful baby girl Sloan into the world last Wednesday! Wishing the warmest welcome to this sweet little Richmonder.
THE LATEST:
Image Credit: @richmondnightmarketva
Image Source: @vapride
Image Source: @rivercityfoodtours
Image Source: @illuminecollect
SOCIAL NEWS
The Robert E. Lee statue on Monument Ave. will soon be removed — hopefully. Governor Northam announced last Thursday his plans to direct the Department of General Services to remove this confederate statue. However on Monday, Judge Bradley B. Cavedo of Richmond Circuit issued a temporary injunction blocking removal of the statue until a lawsuit seeking to halt the removal can be heard. After the judge issued this injunction, spokeswoman Alena Yarmosky told NPR, “Governor Northam remains committed to removing this divisive symbol from Virginia's capital city, and we're confident in his authority to do so.”
The annual Broad Appétit event may have been canceled, but the food festival’s organizers have a new plan in mind for this summer. They are now raising funds for Feed More, the Holli Fund, and to support clean-up and rebuilding efforts in the Arts District on Broad Street. In an effort to match generous donations from their sponsors, Kroger ($31,000) and Performance Food Group ($10,000), they hope that the folks who would usually attend Broad Appétit will help them meet their $41,000 fundraising goal so they’ll have a total of $82,000 to contribute to the three community causes above.
Speaking of clean-up efforts, there’s an easy opportunity to join in to help this week! Keep Virginia Cozy has organized a post-protest clean-up this Thursday, June 11 at 6 pm. Be sure to wear a mask or face covering and to keep a friendly 6 ft. of distance between yourself and the other volunteers!
If you’re starting to go out on the James River again, remember to follow safety guidelines! This article from Richard Hayes outlines key tips for using the river safely, from knowing the water levels and temperature before you go to carrying the proper safety gear and more. We’ve seen some tragic casualties at the river already this season, so please, do your part to keep yourself and others safe.
Good news: You can now enjoy your tacos with a rooftop view. The team at Soul Taco will be taking over the kitchen at Kabana Rooftop this summer! Stop by (with your mask on!) Wednesday - Sunday from 4 - 10 pm for skyline views, handcrafted cocktails, and an elevated new Soul Taco menu including empanadas, fish tacos, crab cake flautas, and more.
Richmond’s annual Pride-inspired beer is back. Hardywood Park Craft Brewery and Virginia Pride came together to brew collaboration beer Tropic Like It’s Hot, a sour ale with dragon fruit, blueberries, passionfruit, and pineapple. Butterfly pea flowers give the brew its vibrant purple hue — which you’ll see if you opt to enjoy it in a glass rather than in its rainbow-adorned can.
You may soon be able to order spirits straight to your doorstep from more than just local distilleries. For the first time in more than 85 years, the Virginia ABC is working on a plan to roll out liquor delivery. As of right now, they have curbside pickup in place at most locations throughout the state. But they’re hoping to do a soft launch of a next-day delivery plan in coming weeks due to the pandemic.
HAPPENINGS
The virtual Richmond Night Market will return this weekend on even more platforms. Shop local and support independent artists at this online market hosted by co-founders Adrienne and Melody, two black Richmond women who are passionate about “ensuring the arts and culture scene of the city speaks to the diversity of talent and art that it hosts.”
This virtual experience will also include a creative kids hangout, a main stage featuring sounds provided by local emcee DJ Mel, a maker space (aka an adult activated space to create), and more!
Join on Saturday, June 13 from 5 - 10 pm through their website here, on YouTube here, or via Facebook here.
THE RICHMOND COMMUNITY
Weekly Giveaway
RVA Happy Hours
If you’re not familiar (and you don’t already follow them on Instagram), RVA Happy Hours a comprehensive guide to local food and drink specials here in Richmond. But since we’re still in the midst of a pandemic, they’re bringing the fun to you with their new RVA Happy Hours At Home Kit in partnership with Cirrus Vodka.
And we’re giving away one of these kits, which includes a bottle of shrub from MOTHER shrub, two bottles of Navy Hill soda water, a bag of Feridies 5 O'Clock Crunch, and a limited edition “I Survived Quarantine with RVA Happy Hours” shot glass.
TO ENTER: Tell us your go-to drink order!
Last week: Congratulations to Hilary K. for being our giveaway winner of the week! We have no doubt you will enjoy your goodies from Soul Taco.
Member Perks
Madam J Beauty + Jewelry
Shop handmade jewelry, cosmetics, body care, skin care, and fragrances by local artisan Jessika Carter-Ross, also known as Madam J.
This local black woman-owned company dedicated to designing eye-catching statement jewelry and sustainable, clean beauty products that enhance the beauty already within women, making them feel more confident in themselves.
You can order online or find Madam J products in stores at Quirk Gallery, Scout & Molly’s Boutique, Ashby, Lovely’s Hair, Divine Beauty, and Ma Michele’s.
Members can use code RVAX15 to get 15% off!
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey new members!
We'd like to welcome 16 new members: Madison S., Loretta T., Henry S., Ryan C., Laura B., Esra C., Charlotte P., Grace P., Emily K., Mobeen R., Meg D., Amanda W., Samantha G., Lia K., Jenny G., and Elizabeth H., we're so glad you're here!
It takes a village so let us know if you have any questions, thoughts, feedback, tips, or recs! Thanks for reading edition 108 of the Weekly Insider.
Stay well friends,
Alicia @ The Richmond Experience
new + trending from RVAx
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