Ed 126: Fireworks, Focaccia Art, Food Festival
Image Source: @airva_drone
Hey there! Alicia here 👋
I always knew that Richmond was a resilient city — but seeing how retailers, restaurateurs, and more have adapted to accommodate ever-changing health and safety regulations as we navigate COVID-19 has been truly inspiring to behold.
Creative solutions like outdoor movie nights, virtual food festivals, and more have changed the way we gather together, that’s for certain, but they’ve also helped us stay connected with our community as we work through this pandemic together.
I’ve outlined a few of these innovative events here in the latest edition of the Weekly Insider, with options for those who still feel more comfortable participating from home and for those ready to venture out safely to experience the best Richmond has to offer.
Hopefully, you’re still finding ways to support the local spots you love to help them through these tough financial times. We’ve got a few suggestions for how to do that in our COVID-19 guide here, because the last thing we’d want is for the businesses we love not to make it to the other side of this when we’re all able to go out freely once again.
Consider this a loving reminder to eat, drink, and shop local when you can — we’re all in this together! Now, onto this week’s most exciting social news…
THE LATEST:
Image: @wildcraftfocaccia
Image: @fireflourfork
Image: @pineappletradeco
Image: @tpzm_beer
SOCIAL NEWS
Church Hill is getting its first brewery. Mike Platania at Richmond BizSense reported that the folks behind Petersburg brewery Trapezium Brewing plan to open a second location at 520 N 25th St, in the former Richmond Association of Masonic Lodges building. Owner Dave McCormack describes this coming-soon spot as a “blendery,” somewhere where his brewing team can explore more experimental beers — think fruited sours, aged brews, etc. — which they’ll serve alongside some of Trapezium’s more traditional flagship beers. McCormack is tentatively calling the project “93 by Trapezium,” a nod to the building’s 93 years of age.
Fear not: Fire, Flour & Fork is still on for 2020. The festival will return this fall for its seventh year with all-virtual programming in partnership with the Virginia Museum of History and Culture, and tickets are on sale now. This year’s program includes a total of six sessions (three virtual evening classes on Thursdays in October, as well as one half day of talks on Saturday, November 7). In addition to these classes, ticket holders will be able to purchase additional food and wine from local retailers to take their FFF experience to the next level.
A nostalgic, baseball-themed movie followed by fireworks over the Flying Squirrels stadium — what could be better? This Saturday, October 17, The Diamond’s “Movies In The Outfield” series continues with a showing of The Sandlot followed by a fireworks display. Gates open at 6:35 pm, the movie will begin at 7:35 pm, and the fireworks will kick off as soon as the movie ends. Admission is $12 per person (though children age 3 and under are permitted for free), and you can get your tickets here. Don’t forget to pre-order your food and beverages — we’re craving some Squirrelly Fries, aren’t you?
P.S. They’ll be showing Hocus Pocus next Saturday, October 24 at the same time if you’d prefer a more seasonal flick!
We see your quarantine bread baking and raise you bread art. Richmond BizSense’s Jack Jacobs reported that café and bakery Wildcraft Focaccia Co. will soon open in Manchester, serving up natural, garden-centric baked goods and decorative focaccia. Owner Tom Parfitt first started experimenting with focaccia art as a way of making vegetables more appealing to his daughter. Now after 25 years in the food industry (as sous chef at Zeus Gallery Cafe, owner at Seven Hills Market, and leader of the University of Richmond culinary program’s baking and pastry arts arm), he’s opening his own 2,000 sq. ft. garden-to-table bakery in the up-and-coming Southside neighborhood that is home to Dogtown Brewing, Brewer’s Cafe, Sweet Fix, and more.
If 2020 has made you want to break things, we’ve got good news. Gregory J. Gilligan at the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported that Rage RVA, the self-proclaimed “smash room” where guests can break dishes or beat cars to vent their frustrations, will be moving to a new location in The Fan. This new spot is almost three times larger than the original Rage RVA space on Hospital St — and this additional space will give them enough room to launch Splatter RVA, a new on-site offering where guests can put on protective ponchos, goggles, and footwear before being given glow-in-the-dark paint and an 8x10’ canvas, which they can take home with them at the end of their splatter session if they so choose. Adding this to our Richmond bucket list immediately!
Native Plate, a concept from the daughter of the Mom’s Siam owner, is expected to open downtown soon. Mike Platania at Richmond BizSense reported that after six years working at her mother Sunisa Polishuk’s restaurants (Mom’s Siam, Mom’s Siam 2, Pik Nik, and YaYa’s Cookbook), Lorna Bedford is starting her own venture downtown at 1203 E Main St in the space formerly occupied by Citizen. The menu at Native Plate will include some Thai and Vietnamese dishes, but is aimed more at representing at a global street food scene.
HAPPENINGS
Tiki cocktails and Pacific-inspired cuisine, coming soon to a pop-up near you. Pineapple Trade Co. and Virago Spirits are partnering up for a special event this Saturday, October 17. From the gorgeous Virago Spirits taproom in Scott’s Addition, they’ll be serving up festive libations that showcase Virago's expertly crafted spirits alongside Pineapple Trade Co.’s signature poke bowl selection.
$25 gets you the entree of your choice and a cocktail, and a portion of ticket sales will be donated to the Better Housing Coalition! You can add on two additional drink vouchers with your ticket purchase for $15, or you will also have the opportunity to buy single drink vouchers a la carte during the event for $10 each.
There will be three seatings (at 3 pm, 5 pm, and 7 pm), with a maximum party size of 6 to maintain safety guidelines. Masks will be required for entry. Get your tickets here before they’re gone!
Weekly Giveaway
RVA TukTuk
You’ve probably seen an RVA TukTuk or two around town and wondered, “What IS that cute little thing? And how do I ride one?” so let us answer your questions in order:
These TukTuks are basically 3-wheeled, 100% electric, open-air limos complete with a driver (who wears a mask at all times, follows social distancing requirements, and thoroughly disinfects the Tuk Tuk between tours, in case you were worried).
You ride one by booking a tour! As you might have guessed, there are a few tour options — but this week, we’re giving away an RVA TukTuk City Tour, a 1-hour private tour hitting all the RVA highlights like the Capital, Carytown, Hollywood Cemetery, Kehinde Wiley’s “Rumours of War,” Monument Avenue, St. John’s Church, and Scott’s Addition (valued at $95 - $125).
To enter to win: Tell me your favorite spot in the city! I know that’s a tough one, but think about it: Where’s that one spot you ALWAYS take visitors when they come to see you in Richmond?
Last week: Congratulations to Sierra D. for winning a Gratitude Gift Set from Maven Made!
Member Perks
Common House Richmond
We could not be more excited to celebrate the opening Common House Richmond at 303 W. Broad Street this Thursday, October 15!
What's Common House, you ask? It's a social club with all the amenities you'd want from a curated third space — a private restaurant and bar, rooftop pool and terrace, and co-working space with phone booths and a podcast room.
Their mission is to create connection through unique programming, thoughtful design, and intentionally-sourced food and beverage.
Ready to get social? Use referral code Sean Kanipe (one of our RVAx founders!) to receive a reduced monthly membership rate, from $150 to $99 per month.
Our team will be co-working out of this space and spending plenty of time socializing at after-hours programs with the rest of the Common House gang. We hope you’ll join us!
new + trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey new members!
We'd like to welcome 28 new members this week: Anita K., Ellie M., Kate M., Rosa H., Sophia O., Maggie K., Lisa A., Kayla W., Kate M., Shelley E., Brian Y., Dara S., Morgan O., Elizabeth K., Lindsey P., Kirsten C., Emily C., Charlotte H., Oliver C., Shante G., Jiji M., Sara S., Jennett P., Brendon J., Ashley D., Tara K., Anna M., and Kelly M., 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 126 of the Weekly Insider.
Stay well friends,
Alicia @ The Richmond Experience
Thank you to Courthouse Creek Cider for powering this edition of the Weekly Insider from The Richmond Experience!
OUR LOCAL PARTNERS
