Ed 155: Festival Weekend, National Mimosa Day, Best of Richmond
Hey there! Alicia here 👋
Thank you so much to everyone who offered kind words and condolences in response to Sam’s announcement last week about the passing of our sweet pup, Luna. We are still incredibly heartbroken, but the support of the Richmond community is deeply meaningful during this difficult time — Andrew and I so appreciate it.
We are working on a collaboration beer in Luna’s honor at a local brewery where she spent a lot of time (and ate a lot of treats) over the years, which will raise funds for pups in need. We’ll have more info about that soon and would love to invite y’all out to raise a glass with us to her memory, so stay tuned.
Also, how about a round of applause for Sam? Her first edition of The Weekly Insider since I joined the team last May and she’s still got it! I’m beyond grateful to her for stepping in and being flexible during my time out of office last week — AND still offering me time off this week for my birthday on May 13! Move over, Michael Scott, there’s a new World’s Best Boss in town.
Okay, enough chit-chat. There’s all kinds of need-to-know news and happenings going on in Richmond this week, including…
The just-opened Scott’s Addition spot now serving pizza, salads, and — yes, this is true — PIZZA SALADS
A special collaboration beer release happening today (Wednesday, May 12) brewed entirely by women in Richmond’s craft beer industry
Literally every single thing you need to know about getting involved in this weekend’s Dominion Energy Riverrock outdoor sports and music festival
The top 10 mimosas you can find in the city to celebrate National Mimosa Day this Sunday, May 16
…and more. Let’s dish!
THE LATEST:
SOCIAL NEWS
Scott’s Addition has a new pizza joint. It’s called Red Goat Pizza (from the same folks behind Goatocado), and you can find it behind Three Notched at 2930 C West Broad St serving up pizza, salads, and what they call “Pizzanella,” which is basically a hybrid between the two. Yes, we’re describing a pizza salad, and yes, it’s a dream come true.
Be sure to follow them on Instagram to keep up with daily specials — they’re open IRL for you to stop in and order a slice from their kiosk, or you can order takeout or delivery on their website.
Not in the mood for pizza? Have a cheesesteak! The highly anticipated return of Str8 Out Of Philly has officially arrived, and with it, a whopping 13 (!) different types of cheesesteaks, from the classic Cheeseteak Hoagie to chicken, turkey, salmon, and vegan options — plus way more in terms of toppings, cheese options, sides, and drinks.
Find them in Jackson Ward at 405 N 1st St for lunch and dinner, Tuesday - Sunday (closed Mondays).
If you needed an excuse to drink beer this week, we gotchu. It's American Craft Beer Week® (May 10 - 16, 2021), an annual springtime celebration of local breweries. The Independent Craft Brewers Association invites us all to toast the local breweries that endured the hardships of a global pandemic to keep beers in our hands.
One suggestion for those looking to celebrate: Head to Starr Hill Beer Hall & Rooftop today (Wednesday, May 12) anytime after 4 pm for the Pink Boots Society of Richmond's 2021 collaboration beer release, the “Pinky McBooterson” Hibiscus IPA.
Brewed entirely by women in the RVA beer industry, this IPA was dry-hopped with the 2021 Pink Boots Society hop blend featuring Cashmere, Ahtanum, Citra, Loral, and Sabro hops and finished it off with some hibiscus for a lightly floral note and a soft pink hue. Plus, for every pint sold, Starr Hill will donate $1 to Pink Boots Society to support women in beer!
Big farmers market news, y’all. You know how the Saturday morning South of the James Farmers Market moved to Bryan Park at the start of the pandemic in 2020? And how they recently announced that they’d be returning to their original Forest Hill location on Thursdays as well?
It turns out that the market at Bryan Park is no longer the SOJ. It will now be known as RVA BIG Market, which will take place weekly on Saturdays from 8 am - 12 pm year-round.
Meanwhile, the only South of the James Farmers Market will take place at Forest Hill Park on Thursdays from 4 - 7 pm, May through October.
If you’re looking for more details about these and other opportunities to shop local for food (and other items), each week, check out FARMERS MARKET ROUNDUP: A GUIDE TO MARKETS ACROSS THE CITY.
Take your river floats up a notch this year. By which we mean, take an overnight float trip! The James River Association put together this guide to all the awesome spots where you can camp along the James River, ranging all the way from Bolar Mountain Recreation Area (Warm Springs, VA) in the west to The Colonies RV Travel Park (Hampton, VA) in the east, with hundreds of miles of options in between. Doesn't falling asleep to the sounds of the river seem like it would be so soothing?
Don’t forget to cast your votes! Style Weekly just opened up voting for their annual Best of Richmond readers' choice awards for 2021. You have until June 15 to submit your top picks for categories ranging from people and places to dining and more. We’d be honored if you’d vote for us for Best Local Instagram — and we hope you’ll take some time to vote for the rest of your local favorites, too!
PSA: This Sunday is National Mimosa Day. Here are 10 of the best mimosa options in the city for you to celebrate with.
HAPPENINGS
Weather is looking perfect for Dominion Energy Riverrock this weekend! That's right, the nation's premier outdoor sports and music festival is back for 2021 beginning this Friday, May 14 through Sunday, May 16.
From yoga classes to trail runs, group art installations to bike exhibitions, sustainability projects to music, scavenger hunts, and more, this year’s Dominion Energy RiverRock theme is #RockTheOutdoors.
Click here for absolutely everything you need to know about this year’s outdoor, socially distanced festival — from pop-up events to impromptu musical performances and beyond.
Weekly Giveaway
Blanchard’s Coffee
Temperatures in Richmond are pretty much perfect right now, but we know they’re still on the rise — so we want to help you cool off with some cold caffeinated bevs!
In case you didn’t know, Blanchard’s Coffee offers 64 oz. bags of each Cold Coffee, Single Origin Cold Coffee, Cold Latte, Cold Vanilla Latte, Cold Mocha, and Cold Dirty Chai (all made with oat milk, not dairy) so you can stash ‘em in your fridge and pour over ice at your leisure for a coffee shop-level experience anytime.
This week, we’re giving away one of these 64 oz. bags containing the beverage of your choice from the list above!
To enter to win: Tell us which of these options you’d pick! While I love iced coffee year-round, I have to admit: If cost weren’t a factor, I’d be sipping iced dirty chais all day, every day.
Last week: Congratulations to Samuel S. for winning our “Vacation Vibes” giveaway from Island Shrimp Co. and Casa Del Barco! Don’t miss this summer rooftop DJ series on Fridays and Saturdays from 9 pm - midnight.
Member Perks
Crosswind Paddle Co.
River days are a-comin’ — which makes now the perfect time to get your own stand-up paddleboard to make the most of warm days on the water!
Local business Crosswind Paddle Co. supplies premium paddleboards of all variety and styles, guides Stand Up Paddleboard 'Adventure Tours,' and showcases an annual benefit race event called the 'Richmond Paddle Cup' on the James River. They strive to provide a memorable and quality paddling experience for all, whether you’re purchasing your dream board or learning how to paddle for the first time.
RVAx members can use code CROSSWIND50 for $50 off of any paddleboard purchase! Shop online here.
new + trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey, new members!
We'd like to welcome 50 new members this week: Ashlee S., Michael S., Lucy R., Nora H., Kate H., Kelly R., Maria Z., Julia R., Sarah W., Kyle H., Ann N., Kimberly J., Georgia A., Ingrid B., Shelby B., Pamela J., Jessika C., Erica C., Rachel C., Marina P., Andrea D., Ashley O., Gabriella C., Casey C., Emma B., Lena C., Lacey M., Guerline P., Kala P., Paige W., Nadia Z., Gianna F., Lauren S., Arlene M., Thomas B., Dodie T., Keith H., Laura C., Kate M., Christie D., Marie L., Jennifer S., Heather D., Miriam M., Brittany S., Sara V., Allison L., Chris H., Rebecca P., and Jalen B., 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 155 of The Weekly Insider.
TTYL,
Alicia @ The Richmond Experience
OUR LOCAL PARTNERS
