Ed 168: Richmond Staycation, Music Festivals, Drinks In The Garden
Hey, y’all! 👋
Don’t forget: The August edition of The Trendspotter dropped last week with he top five spots you NEED to check out this month, and you can read it here. Happy exploring!
WEATHER
Wednesday: Mostly sunny; high of 96°, low of 77°
Thursday: Partly cloudy; high of 97°, low of 77°
Friday: Partly cloudy; high of 95°, low of 76°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 6:30 pm: Drag Bingo at Kreggers At Hand
Thursday, 4 - 9 pm: Trivia, Craft Beer & Cheese Boards at Canon & Draw
Friday, 4:30 - 6 pm: Free Wine Tasting Friday at Richmond Wine Station
CITY GUIDES
1. Things To Do In Richmond When It's Hot AF Outside
2. Here's Your Richmond Staycation Itinerary
3. A Guide to Richmond's Live Music Venues
RICHMONDER TO KNOW
Keya Wingfield: Owner and creator at Candy Valley Cake Co. and winner of Food Network’s Spring Baking Championship, Season 7. Keya was born and raised in Bombay before receiving her culinary education here in Virginia, where she's now a chef, instructor, entrepreneur, and mom.
Keya is hosting a Bombay Tomato Sandwich pop-up this weekend before tomato season comes to a close — order here for pick-up this Saturday, August 14 from 12 - 3 pm at 3310 Rosedale Ave!
Keep scrolling for RVA’s latest social news, including two new restaurants that just opened in Southside this week, fresh concepts from two Northside restaurants that we can’t wait to check out, the can’t-miss community event happening this Saturday (that also happens to be totally free to attend), and more. Let’s go!
THE LATEST:
Image: @thecontinentalrichmond
Image: @stellasgrocery
Image: @richmondnightmarketva
Image: @brooklandparkmarketrva
THIS WEEK
First up, some Southside news. A flurry of new developments has been going on in the Manchester neighborhood lately, including the arrival of two new outposts for two different local businesses:
Stella’s Grocery - Officially opened last Thursday at 609 Hull St, this is the fifth Stella’s Grocery location which features an espresso bar, pressed paninis, fries and sides, desserts, pastries, prepared foods, sweets, treats, wine, beer, AND (exclusive to the Manchester location) a menu of four different French Dip sandwiches available at the hot counter.
The Continental - Just opened on Monday, this is actually connected to the spot mentioned above at 609 Hull St, as it is the sister restaurant to Stella’s Grocery! Expect the same American fare you love from the Westhampton location, along with cold beer and craft cocktails.
And now, a couple of Northside updates. Specifically, some new offerings from businesses along Brookland Park Boulevard:
Nomad Deli - This family-owned-and-operated deli and catering company recently gave its outdoor space a major makeover with a new mural, picnic tables, umbrellas, and a garden. Now, they’ve kicked off a weekly event series called Drinks in the Garden, inviting members of the community out to enjoy food, drinks, and games in this new outdoor space.
Brookland Park Market - Though it started out as a market when it originally opened, the still-fairly-new Brookland Park Market has pivoted to a sit-down restaurant concept as of this past weekend with a menu featuring small plates like gnocchi and pork belly, main dishes like rockfish and risotto, and desserts like cannoli and chess squares, to name a few.
Your Saturday night plans could pretty much go one of two ways. Well, that’s not true — our Event Calendar would certainly tell you otherwise — BUT here are two exciting events you may have some trouble deciding between this weekend:
Richmond Night Market - Taking place at 17th Street Market from 5 - 9 pm - An evening market and an experience for the entire Richmond community featuring:
An artisan village where you can shop and support independent artists and small business owners
The main stage, where you can dance to live music from Legacy Band (at 7 pm) and sets from DJ Mike Metic throughout the evening
A "Maker Space" aka an adult activated space to create, make, and have fun with friends
A "Creative Kids Hangout" where youth can explore a mix of guided and non-guided activities
…and more, which you can keep up with on their Instagram here.
Southern Soul Music Festival - Taking place at Altria Theater; Doors open at 7 pm, show starts at 8 pm - Richmond’s first Southern Soul Music Festival featuring music from Tucka (influenced by R&B and Soul greats and the sounds from his own southwest Louisiana roots), Pokey Bear (a bluesman boasting R&B-infused Bayou soul), Ronnie Bell (a church-reared independent R&B singer with deeply Southern soul-blues), Lebrado (slick and funky pop-soul music), and Omar Cunningham (blending soul and gospel with honest situations and playful lyrics).
Tickets start at $82.50 — you can get yours here.
COMING SOON
Carytown is getting more boba tea and icy desserts. Jack Jacobs at Richmond BizSense reported that Boba Tea and Snow Ice House has signed a lease at 3431 W Cary St (in Carytown near Garden Grove Brewing & Urban Winery).
The shop plans to open in early September (alternatively said, early next month — how is it almost September already?!) with a menu of bubble teas, smoothies, and "snow ice,” which is like a cross between ice cream and traditional shaved ice and typically topped with fruit, nuts, and other tasty additions.
Check out their menu here but be prepared for your mouth to start watering as you scroll through!
Don’t miss your chance to snag tickets! Three of the region’s finest bluegrass bands will come together for one night only next Saturday, August 21 at the Pocahontas Premieres: Bluegrass Festival at the Heritage Amphitheater at Pocahontas State Park, and you can get your tickets here.
The three bands (South Hill Banks, The High & Wides, and River City Band) pull from a wide range of influences such as classic rock, jam, blues, to traditional bluegrass to keep audiences entertained with a blend of sounds old and new. Get ready to settle in with a Stone Brewing beer or two and enjoy this outdoor concert in all of Pocahontas State Park’s natural beauty.
Weekly Giveaway
Charm School
Let’s cut to the chase here: It’s hot. You want ice cream. So, we’re giving you ice cream — in the form of a $10 gift card to Charm School. You can use this gift card at one of their two locations:
Charm School Social Club - Traditional “hard scoop” ice cream (both dairy and vegan) available in cups and pints to go at 311 W Broad St; Open Thursday - Saturday, 3 - 9 pm and Sunday, 3 - 7 pm
Charm School Study Hall - Soft serve ice cream (both dairy and vegan) available in cups or cones to go at 4930 Forest Hill Ave #D; Open Thursday - Saturday, 3 - 8 pm and Sunday 3 - 7 pm
Personally, we’d go about this by spending half of the gift card in one location and half at the other… but hey, it’s your ice cream journey.
To enter to win: Tell us your favorite flavor of ice cream!
Last week: Congratulations to Melanie W. for winning our mod&soul giveaway!
Member Perks
Basket & Bike
You’ve got a lot to choose from when it comes to sight-seeing options in Richmond, that’s for sure — and we love hopping on a tour with Basket & Bike to see as many of them as possible on two wheels. A few tour options to consider…
Downtown Bike Tours: A leisurely tour of downtown Richmond, with references to unsung heroes of the city’s historic sites, the origins of the region, amusing trivia, street art, and an appreciation of nature. Your tour ends with a voucher for a free glass of wine, beer, coffee, or cocoa from our neighbors at Urban Farmhouse and Cafe.
Signature Ride: Departing from Upper Shirley Vineyards, enjoy a leisurely 14-mile guided bicycle tour along the Virginia Capital Trail on comfortable, chic, Priority Bicycles fitted with Nantucket Bike Baskets. Stylish helmet, signature snack, bottle of water, and a glass of wine from Upper Shirley are all included.
…and more, found here!
Now through August 31, members of The Richmond Experience can take 20% off of all tours with Basket & Bike. Use code: SUMMER20 — book a tour here.
new + trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey, new members!
We'd like to welcome 34 new members this week: Jessica S., Heather M., Crystal W., Sudhakar A., England D., Paige G., Betsy S., Ashley L., Alysa B., Lauren P., Katie W., Camille H., Julie S., Jonni S., Kari S., Nana B., Summer V., Laura P., Mary-Lynn F., Mia H., Kathy S., Carrie T., Mike D., Sara H., Leyla E., Mary S., Jessica G., Peggy L., Mary S., Jessica A., Brittany W., Maranda R., Kelley A., and Rob L., 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 168 of The Weekly Insider.
Have an awesome week & weekend!
- The Richmond Experience
OUR LOCAL PARTNERS
