Ed 172: Block Parties, Arts Festivals, Apple Picking Season
Hey, y’all! 👋
Don’t forget, we’ll be at Canon & Draw Brewing Company in The Fan today (Wednesday, September 8) from 5:30 - 7:30 pm for a member happy hour!
Come enjoy some craft beers, hard seltzers, and cheese and charcuterie boards as you meet and mingle with other members of The Richmond Experience as well as the RVAx team.
RSVP here if you haven’t already, and we’ll see you there!
WEATHER
Wednesday: Partly cloudy with afternoon thunderstorms; high of 87°, low of 68°
Thursday: Cloudy, slight chance of right; high of 79°, low of 59°
Friday: Mostly sunny; high of 80°, low of 56°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 6 pm: RIFF: Quirk Hotel Courtyard Singer/Songwriter Spotlight
Thursday, 7 - 11 pm: Salsa Dancing with RVA Bachata at The Lilly Pad
Friday, 9 - 11 pm: Brambly Park After Dark: Full Moon Fever
CITY GUIDES
1. The Trendspotter: September 2021
2. RVA Neighborhood Guide: What to Eat, Drink, See & Do in The Fan
3. Music Roundup: Concerts & Shows Happening in Richmond Now - October 4
RICHMONDER TO KNOW
Ashley Williams: Certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT) and founder of BareSOUL Yoga & Wellness. Ashley is also currently raising funds for a new project called The Well Collective, a community space for conscious well-being, intergenerational healing modalities, and apothecary needs — you can learn more and/or contribute here.
You can join BareSOUL Yoga & Wellness at the 17th Street Market for weekly outdoor yoga flows every Wednesday from 6 - 7 pm through the end of October — sign up for this pay-what-you-can class here.
Keep scrolling for RVA’s latest social news, including the return of two of Richmond’s most beloved arts festivals this week, two can’t-miss community block parties happening this weekend, the fall pop-up market we can’t wait to explore in Scott’s Addition, the kickoff of apple picking season (and how to reserve your tickets), and more!
THE LATEST:
THIS WEEK
Ready to RIFF. The Richmond International Film Festival (RIFF for short) is in full swing now through Sunday, September 12! As one of the largest international competitive film festivals in the Mid-Atlantic, RIFF brings 150+ cutting-edge film premiers to Richmond along with nightly music performances, panels, Q&As, red carpet awards, mixers, and more. You can check out the full schedule here, and snag your passes here.
One RIFF event we’re particularly looking forward to is the This Is Richmond Block Party event, “Breaking Bread,” happening this Saturday, September 11 featuring international soul food and drinks, mural art by Hamilton Glass, live music by Don Castor, a special Congolese Rumba set by Hotel X, and a virtual reality station by the Hidden in Plain Site project. This event is free and open to the public, but you can reserve a seat here.
Speaking of block parties… Soul Vegan Block Party will return to Chimborazo Park this Saturday, September 11 from 1 - 6 pm featuring food, speakers, cooking demos, music, and dancing! This is a free event to introduce and promote a healthy and ethically conscious plant-based lifestyle in a positive environment to all people regardless of race, gender, age, or sexual orientation — with a focus on uplifting communities of color.
Soul Vegan Block Party is focused on challenging the stigma that there's no “soul” in plant-based eating — veganism is so much more than just tofu, salads, and smoothies.
Come experience good eats without the meat from local businesses like Ruby Scoops, Soul n’ Vinegar, Rooted Delights, Favour Cookie Co., Cole’s Plants on Church Hill, and so many more.
Another arts festival is happening this weekend, too! The 30th annual 43rd Street Festival of the Arts is coming up this Saturday, September 11 from 10 am - 4 pm. This juried show of fine crafts and art by local and regional artisans in Forest Hill showcases a unique selection of contemporary art and food as a free neighborhood festival, totally open to the public, in an effort to raise funds for CARITAS.
It’s also James River Week! September 11 through September 18, like-minded groups in the Richmond area will come together to offer recreational, environmental, and educational activities in, on, and around the James River, including...
Saturday, September 11: James River Regional Cleanup
Sunday, September 12: Up the Creek with a Paddle Kayaking Event
Monday, September 13: Invasive Species Removal
…and many more, which you can see here. Plus, restaurants like The Boathouse, Alewife, The Lilly Pad, Shagbark, and more will donate 10% of proceeds from select oyster dishes this week to the James River Association to protect the 10,000 miles of the James River watershed!
Plus, your last chance to catch a ball game at The Diamond. The Richmond Flying Squirrels are closing out their 2021 season this week with RVA Night and Wine & K-9s on Wednesday, September 8; Pride Night & Fireworks on Thursday, September 9; Happy Hour Drink Specials on Friday, September 10; ASK Foundation Night & Fireworks on Saturday, September 11; and Fan Appreciation Night on Sunday, September 12.
COMING SOON
Apple picking season is upon us! Fan-favorite fall destination Carter Mountain Orchard in nearby Charlottesville just opened up tickets for Apple Season 2021, kicking off this Saturday, September 11 and running through Sunday, November 7.
Tickets are $8 and are required in an effort to manage crowd size and keep things fun and safe for all in attendance. Select your preferred date and time and get your tickets here. We can almost taste the apple cider donuts and hard cider slushies already!
Speaking of fall fun, don’t miss this market series. The PopUp Market at The Diamond is returning for its Fall Vendor Market season this Saturday, September 11 through the end of October!
As Richmond's newest (and largest) weekly vendor market, you can expect dozens of artisan, craft, and local business vendors as well as food trucks and wine, beer, and seltzer — AND live music performances from regional artists each week. You can check out the full line-up for all of the above here.
Weekly Giveaway
Sun Theory Co.
Fall Candle Bundle
Not gonna lie, we’ve already got fall-scented candles burning despite the still-warm temperatures outside — and they came from Sun Theory Co., handpoured right here in Richmond!
We’re giving away her Fall Candle Bundle to one lucky RVAx member, which features a selection 6 oz. amber jar candles with gold metal lids in scents in three autumn-inspired scents: Pumpkin Chai, Macintosh Apple, and Fireside.
To enter to win: Tell us one of your favorite things about fall in Richmond! We love watching the leaves change colors along Monument Avenue.
Last week: Congratulations to Kelley B. for winning our Canon & Draw giveaway last week!
Member Perks
Windsor Hill Picnics
This local, woman-owned business specializes in curating luxury picnics that dreams are made of — which are perfect for this beautiful early fall season, in particular.
In addition to offering pop-up picnics at various beautiful locales in Richmond and Williamsburg, Windsor Hill Picnics also sets up at an estate picnic venue conveniently located a short drive down scenic Route 60 on the sprawling grounds of (you guessed it!) Windsor Hill in historic New Kent.
Members of The Richmond Experience can take 10% off of any picnic experience — just mention The Richmond Experience in the comments when booking to take advantage of this discount! Learn more or book your luxury picnic here.
New + Trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey, new members!
We'd like to welcome 20 new members this week: David W., Melissa B., Shannon H., Daryl G., Cammie O., Ally M., Taikein C., Katherine E., Brinson R., Emma P., Laura F., Loren R., Natalie M., Hannah B., Mitchell T., Ethan M., Annie N., Colby B., Margaree B., and Drew C., 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 172 of The Weekly Insider.
Have an awesome week!
- The Richmond Experience
OUR LOCAL PARTNERS
