Ed 124: Richmond Restaurant Week, Burlesque Brunch, Beers & Brats
Image Source: @lookuprichmond
Hey there, Alicia here!
How crazy is it that we’re heading into October already?
It feels like just yesterday, it was St. Patrick’s Day weekend and we were all realizing that COVID-19 was going to be sticking around for a while… And yet suddenly, we’re in full-on fall mode!
Maybe it’s because we’re heading into the final three months of the year, but I’ve been thinking a lot more about ways that we can continue to give back to the Richmond community.
In case you weren’t aware, our official nonprofit partner at The Richmond Experience is the Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity, because we want everyone to be able to call Richmond home. Sam just participated in one of their Women Build days on September 12, and I’ll be participating in one on October 23.
We also donate a portion of every business partnership we work on to this organization. So, every time you see a “paid partnership” post, not only are we featuring a local business we believe in, we’re also supporting Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity.
But there are so many other ways that you can give back to the Richmond community, too — many of which we’ve outlined in this week’s edition of the Weekly Insider, including neighborhood clean-ups, restaurant fundraisers to feed those in hunger, walks and races supporting children in need and their families, and more.
We love focusing on all of the fun things going on and the cool new spots opening up in the city (and there’s plenty of that in this week’s newsletter, too!). But we hope that everyone realizes that supporting our community is also a major part of The Richmond Experience.
Cheers to working together to make Richmond the best it can be!
THE LATEST:
Image: @richmond_restaurant_week
Image: @hardywood
Image: @meggy_tron
Image: @stellasgrocery
SOCIAL NEWS
The show (or in this case, Richmond Restaurant Week) must go on. RRWeek Fall 2020 will look a bit different due to the pandemic, but it’s still happening! From October 12 - 25, it’s a “choose your own adventure”-style affair. You simply choose your preferred restaurant, choose your dining location, and choose your donation amount — and it’s an all around win for the Richmond community! You get the same exceptional local fare, our restaurants get support and promotion, and Feed More gets to provide more hunger relief to those in need.
More than two dozen restaurants are participating, and you’ll have the option to eat inside, dine al fresco, or opt for take out or delivery. When you make your order, don’t forget to add a donation to Feed More! Each participating restaurant will have $5 donations available on their online menu for the duration of RRWeek. (A $5 donation provides up to 20 meals for a neighbor in need!) More details here.
We’ve got some juicy news for Church Hill. They haven’t announced it yet, but North End Juice Co. will celebrate the official grand opening of its new location at 2400 Jefferson Ave next Tuesday, October 6 from 8:30 am - 4:30 pm — AND they will be soft opening at this new spot in Church Hill this week! Swing by to grab fresh pressed juices, smoothies, acai bowls, wellness shots, wraps, poke bowls, burritos, coffee, or whatever else you’re craving from their vibrant menu.
Hit the pavement (or the trails!) for a great cause this weekend. The “Four Miles For Kids” virtual race is happening this Saturday, October 3 to benefit children and families at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU. This year, due to the pandemic, participants are encouraged to bring their friends and family together and complete the four-mile walk/run in their own neighborhoods. There will even be special fundraising incentives for top fundraising teams, including a food truck, special swag bags, and more!
Grab your lederhosen and Alpine hats, because it’s Oktoberfest time. Hardywood West Creek is hosting an Oktoberfest Beer & Brats Pop-Up with Chef Joe Sparatta of Heritage and Southbound. For $14, you can pick up one Autumn Olive Farms Bratwurst with Hardywood Pils beer mustard, sauerkraut and caraway on a potato bun and a bag of Route 11 chips. Or for $20, you can get all of the above plus a 2020 Oktoberfest beer stein. Pick up for both options will be available on Saturday, October 3 and Sunday, October 4. Prost!
Art lovers, rejoice! Studio Two Three’s first virtual art auction kicks off this Friday, October 2 at 4 pm. The auction, called Artist PROOF, aims to affirm the power of artists to make both art and change — and our community’s presence, bids, and donations helps keep this group of 30+ local artists strong, sustainable, and responsive. You can register for a ticket to bid free of charge, or opt for one of the “party pack” registration options starting at $100, including items like print packs, bottles of wine, four-packs of beer, liters of moonshine, tote bags, woodwork, and more.
Show up for a pop-up clean up! (Was that enough “up”s for you?) Join the folks at Keep Virginia Cozy on Sundays at 11 am to pick up trash and recycling at different spots around the city as part of their Pop-Up Sunday Clean Up event series. Through these events, they’ve already removed more than 400 lbs. of trash and recycling from our parks, river, and neighborhoods!
You can take part in cleaning up our community with them on the following dates:
October 4 at the Manchester Climbing Wall
October 18 in Scott’s Addition
October 25 at Ancarrow’s Landing
November 1 at Byrd Park (Fountain Lake)
November 8 at Pump House Park
November 15 in the Museum District (VMFA)
HAPPENINGS
Reserve your table for Sunday brunch and a show at Shockoe Bottom’s finest speakeasy. Burlesque Brunch will finally return to Grandstaff & Stein this Sunday, October 4! The first Sunday of each month, some of the region’s best burlesque performers will take the stage for a show unlike any other. Expect feather boas, lacy undergarments, and a stellar performance.
Doors open at 11 am, and the show begins at 12 pm. Brunch is served until 3 pm. Make your reservations here.
Weekly Giveaway
Ironclad Coffee Roasters
You may know Ironclad Coffee Roasters for their craft-roasted specialty coffee beans, sold by the bag.
You may know them from their cafe, a bright and inviting 2,500 sq. ft. space with an ever-changing food and beverage menu.
Or you may know them from their mobile cafe, a 192 sq. ft. trailer staffed by the best baristas in the business, offering the same quality of drinks and treats available at their brick-and-mortar cafe on East Grace Street.
However you know Ironclad, chances are you love them as much as we do — which is why we’re giving away a $50 gift card to Ironclad Coffee Roasters to one lucky RVAx member!
To enter to win: Tell me your go-to coffee order! Mine is boring — drip coffee with a splash of half & half. Except during fall, when I sub in some pumpkin-flavored creamer!
Last week: Congratulations to Matthew C. for winning a $100 credit to The Neighborhood Harvest for local produce delivery!
Member Perks
RVA Brew Crew
You’ve probably seen Lola — the blue and yellow RVA Brew Crew bus — driving around the city from one stop to the next. But did you know you can rent her for yourself?
Lola is perfect for birthday parties, bachelorette/bachelor parties, team building/corporate events, or even just getting a big group of friends together!
Grab your quarantine #brewcrew and start planning your own private group tour aboard Lola, enjoying a festive ride to your choice of Richmond’s breweries, cideries, distilleries, and more. You’re welcome to bring snacks and beverages along for the ride as you enjoy your 3-, 4-, or 5-hour tour.
Members of The Richmond Experience can use code RVAxMEMBER for 10% off brewery tours with RVA Brew Crew. Book yours today!
new + trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey new members!
We'd like to welcome 28 new members this week: Harrison W., Katie B., Morgan M., Jessica V., Helen R., Lisa W., Stephanie M., Lorna T., Whitney R., Jenna M., Linda A., Htet W., Morgan P., Amanda W., Cory H., Melanie W., Will R., Nishi S., Emily M., Hannah H., Jillian R., Carly M., Bre E., Courtney S., Amy S., Arianna L., Abbie C., and Raleigh 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 124 of the Weekly Insider.
Stay well friends,
Alicia @ The Richmond Experience
Thank you to City Barre for powering this edition of the Weekly Insider from The Richmond Experience!
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