Ed 111: Phase 3, Firework Updates, Ghost Kitchen
Image Source: @cpjleica
Hey there, Alicia here.
Between the pandemic and the continued peaceful protests happening in support of racial justice, it doesn’t feel quite like we’re headed into Fourth of July weekend. And yet, here we are!
The photo above was taken on Juneteenth, when members of the Richmond community gathered on Monument Ave. in commemoration of this holiday that celebrates the end of slavery in the US — and in recognition of how far we still have to go in order to truly achieve liberty and justice for all.
You see that red, white, and blue projection on the (hopefully soon to be removed) Robert E. Lee statue? The Richmond Times-Dispatch published a piece last week about how the “projections at the Lee Monument have offered peace in times of violence — [like] a glimpse into what the [city’s] monuments could be.” Hopefully, that idea will stay top of mind this weekend as we celebrate the current climate in our city and our country.
However you spend your holiday, please be aware of the upcoming change in COVID-19 reopening phases! More on that and the latest Richmond social news below.
THE LATEST:
Image Credit: @thenightowl
Image Source: @sportsbackers
Image Source: @gardenpartyrva
Image Source: @rvapaddlesports
SOCIAL NEWS
Richmond will enter Phase 3 of the commonwealth’s gradual reopening process today. Find out what that means for you in our updated COVID-19 guide, including new guidelines around restaurant and beverage service capacities, limits on in-person gatherings, face covering requirements, and more.
Local artists updated an Insta-famous downtown mural to support the Black Lives Matter movement. Ross Trimmer of @surehandsigns and Mickael Broth of @thenightowl originally painted the “Greetings from Richmond” mural outside of Charm School in 2016, but this weekend they refilled the letters in “Richmond” to reflect the reality of what has been happening in our community since the death of George Floyd, a work of art chronicling our city’s history as it continues to unfold.
Two well-known local chefs just opened Richmond’s first ghost kitchen. Don’t get spooked — RVA Hub reported that a ghost kitchen is “a delivery-only restaurant that allows the parent business to operate multiple concepts from one commercial kitchen.” Chefs Jon Martin (former chef at Julep’s and Pasture) and Liz Clifford (formerly of Comfort) started their ghost kitchen, Dunharrow Concepts, out of Hatch Kitchen RVA in Manchester. Their first concept, Garden Party, launched this past Thursday June 25 with a vegan and vegetarian menu with options like the Bangin’ Grilled Cheese Sandwich, Greek Islander Salad, BBQ Tofu Bahn Mi, and more, available for delivery through UberEats.
Cultural and historical spots are reopening all around Richmond. The Valentine reopened to the public yesterday. July 1 will mark the public reopening date for both the Virginia Museum of History & Culture and the Wilton House Museum. The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts reopens to the public on July 4, followed by the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden on July 16, then the Branch Museum of Architecture & Design on July 17.
Red, white, and run. Though Independence Day is this weekend, you can technically participate in the Virtual Firecracker 4-Miler anytime before July 31. Participants can register to get a patriotic tank top or t-shirt as well as a koozie and a finisher medal that doubles as a bottle opener — so you could say that runners are encouraged to cool down with a cold one once they log their miles.
This is one summer concert series you don’t want to miss. The Richmond Symphony is bringing live concerts straight to your home, in celebration of Beethoven’s 250th birthday. The weekly summer concert series will be livestreamed on Thursdays at 6:30 pm from July 9 - August 13, featuring six casual, one-hour concerts that will each spotlight a single instrument with piano. Since the Symphony isn’t able to host in-person events this summer, this is a great way to support them from the safety of your own home — and how fitting, with the Beethoven-inspired team of “Comfort & Joy!”
HAPPENINGS
Fireworks updates for the Fourth of July: While 10 of our area’s usual fireworks displays & July 4 events (like Dogwood Dell and Rocketts Red Glare) are canceled this year, you’ve still got three major options to choose from in and around Richmond!
1. Flying Squirrels: While on-site viewing is prohibited at The Diamond this year, you can still tune in to watch the city’s Independence Day fireworks show on CBS6 on Saturday at 9:30 pm.
2. Chesterfield: Though the Chesterfield County Fairgrounds will be closed, the free fireworks display will still go on at 9:15 pm on Saturday. Residents who can view the show from their homes are encouraged to do so, and social distancing guidelines should be followed at all times.
3. Powhatan: This “drive-in celebration” will begin at 6 p.m. with a free outdoor children’s movie on an inflatable big screen. The free fireworks show will start at 9:15 pm on Saturday. Attendees may sit in or around their vehicles but are being asked to socially distance from other parties on site.
Weekly Giveaway
Scorpio Rising Nail Studio
We’ve been in quarantine for nearly four months — you can’t tell me you aren’t desperate to get your nails done by now!
This non-toxic nail salon in the heart of Church Hill offers next-level manicures and pedicures, and the talented staff members are known for offering nail art ranging from mod to minimalist and beyond.
This week, we’re giving away a $50 Scorpio Rising gift card so you can treat yourself to a relaxing salon experience.
TO ENTER: Tell me your favorite color! (I mostly mean in terms of nail polish, but hey, whatever floats your boat.)
Last week: Congratulations to Sara S. for being our giveaway winner of the week! We hope you love your treats at the Nutty Buttery.
Member Perks
L&M Company
Truthfully, we’ve been living in L&M Company leggings since way before this pandemic hit. Sold by two Richmond sisters, Lucy and Michele, these premium leggings transition easily from work to working out to going out without missing a beat.
But now that a) we’re all home all the time, and b) it’s hot AF outside, we’ve got our eyes on their new Staple Bike Short and Comfort Bike Short to keep us cool and comfortable all summer long.
Members can use code RVAX to get 20% off their entire order — shop now.
new + trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey new members!
We'd like to welcome 85 new members this week: Jenna C., Yashnoor S., Shirley C., Amanda K., Heather T., Kevin R., Alex C., Merisa H., Joshua W., Dena W., Kathryn M., Gaelyn A., Mariah G., Karina F., Carrie E., Elka C., Rebecca Z., Kayley G., Jessi R., Ria D., Madeline S., Chloe M., Michael A., Caitlin W., Victoria C., Lindsay C., Matthew B., Abby H., Rachel C., Emily M., Frances B., Sara de C., Danni R., Laura W., Amy H., Mary Stuart S., Ryan H., Ashley O., Kimmy V., Andrea H., Rudy A., Riley S., Jay C., Brittany M., Kayta G., Mary M., Samantha H., Brittany Y., Pedro J., Allie D., Ashley E., John R., Kelsey S., Haley F., Hayley N., Helen R., Jacob R., Morgan G., Meg W., Amishi A., Jessica B., Erin D., Persia M., Chelsea S., Katie C., Taylor S., Meg P., Ariana B., Alexa N., Caitlin A., Bilma C., Carolyn D., Cara L., Vishayla S., Erin B., Cory N., Jacklyn S., Caroline V., Paige P., Quinci P., Matt E., Gina D., Elaf A., Kenya S., and Sarah W., 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 111 of the Weekly Insider.
Stay well friends,
Alicia @ The Richmond Experience
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