Ed 180: Member Meet-Up, Dog Social Club, Tacky Lights Tours
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Hey, y’all! Alicia here 👋
Did you know The Richmond Experience donates a portion of each annual membership purchased to rotating nonprofits each month?
So, a huge THANK YOU to all RVAx members who joined and/or renewed their memberships last month — because of your annual membership purchase in October, we were able to make a $75 donation to the James River Association, a nonprofit that provides a voice for the river and takes action to promote conservation and responsible stewardship of its natural resources.
Heads up, a portion of all memberships purchased in November will be donated to YMCA of Greater Richmond. You can check out our About page to learn more!
WEATHER
Wednesday: Partly cloudy; high of 54°, low of 37°
Thursday: Partly cloudy; high of 54°, low of 32°
Friday: Mostly sunny; high of 55°, low of 35°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 6 pm: Väsen Run Club
Thursday, 7 pm: Trivia Knight at Castleburg Brewery and Taproom
Friday, 5 - 11 pm: RVA First Fridays
CITY GUIDES
1. The Trendspotter: November 2021
2. Music Roundup: Concerts & Shows Happening in Richmond Now - December 5
3. A Guide to Richmond's Covered, Heated Patios By Neighborhood
RICHMONDER(S) TO KNOW
Lyndsi & David Austin: Owners at RVATukTuk, aka the duo behind all the Tuk Tuks — best described as three-wheeled, 100% electric, open air-limos — that you’ve been seeing stopping at breweries, wineries, historical sites, and more all around Richmond. They offer all sorts of tour options, from #ArtsHuntRVA to City Lights to Bar Hops and more.
RVATukTuk is offering two types of tacky lights tours this holiday season: the Traditional Tacky Lights Tour and the Holiday Cheers Tour. Both are booking fast, so make your reservation ASAP!
Keep scrolling for RVA’s latest social news, including the new spot in the Arts District opening this Thursday that’s part oyster bar, part coffee shop, part wine bar, and all fun; the highly anticipated holiday gift box releases only available for purchase for the next eight days; the ice cream parlor we’ve all been waiting for, officially set to open in Richmond’s East End; and more!
THE LATEST:
THIS WEEK
Oh, shuck yeah. Birdie’s — the part oyster bar, part cafe, part wine bar from the folks at Common House — officially celebrates its grand opening this Thursday, November 4!
This unique new concept does not offer reservations (walk-ins only), and you can check out their oyster bar menu here, cafe menu here, and wine list here before you go. I’m not drooling, you’re drooling.
The East End ice cream parlor we’ve all been waiting for. Spotty Dog Ice Cream just announced that after almost four years of pop-up style delivery-only service, they're officially opening an ince cream parlor where they can sling their locally beloved New England-style ice cream.
They’re planning to open the 1,336 sq. ft. space on Jefferson Ave (near Sub Rosa, The Roosevelt, Pizza Bones, and more) with cozy booths, an ice cream bar, and a walk-up window — but they need our help to do it! They’re currently running a Kickstarter campaign to raise the funds they need to open the parlor doors in Spring 2022; you can learn more and contribute here.
You have eight days! Discover Richmond’s highly anticipated Holiday Gift Boxes just dropped for 2021, but you only have a little over a week to place your order. All boxes must be purchased by no later than November 11!
Each gift box will include seasonal favorites from local Richmond producers like Bombolini Pasta, Crescent Simples, Gearhart's Fine Chocolates, Lammar Marie's Gourmet Popcorn, Roots Holistic Tea, Rostov's Coffee, and more. Order yours for the Richmond-lovers on your list ASAP here.
Do it for the doggos. You have not one, but two opportunities to support pets in need this weekend in Richmond:
13th Annual Pets on Parade Benefit & Auction - Friday, November 5 at Main Street Station - Delicious local cuisine from some of Richmond’s best restaurants, signature cocktails, a varied silent auction with something for everyone, and a spirited live auction at FETCH a Cure’s biggest fundraiser of the year.
23rd Annual Richmond SPCA Fur Ball Dinner - Saturday, November 6 at The Jefferson Hotel - Enjoy an evening of delicious food (in-person or at home) prepared by the talented chefs at The Jefferson Hotel, all in support of the Richmond SPCA.
Talk about a Sunday Funday: Fire, Flour, & Fork's Drag Brunch returns this Sunday, November 7 at Dogtown Dance Theatre, benefiting the Holli Fund!
Darienne Lake from the Top 4 of season 6 of RuPaul's Drag Race will be headlining the show, along with performances by local queens Sweet Pickles and Jasmen C. Clitopatra and host Chicki Parm.
Prepare yourself for an incredible brunch buffet featuring a spinach, tomato, & cheddar egg bake; Darienne's own cinnamon maple brioche bread pudding; sausage and gravy served with buttermilk biscuits; breakfast potatoes with peppers and onions; and turkey sausage links — as well as mimosas and Cirrus Vodka craft cocktails.
Snag your tickets here (and maybe even opt for VIP if you want to meet Darienne and the local queens)!
COMING SOON
Don’t forget to snag your spot: We are hosting another RVAx Member Meet-up on November 29 at 6 pm to explore the Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden together!
This holiday tradition features thousands and thousands of lights and light displays, seasonal decorations, model trains, holiday dinners and hot chocolate for purchase, and more.
We’ll be able to host a maximum of 50 members, so follow these steps to reserve your tickets ASAP at a discounted rate. (A $10 savings and a chance for you to meet some rad RVAx members? Talk about a win-win.)
We’ll stick around after we wander through this winter wonderland to sip hot cocoa together and hang out. We hope to see you there!
A tacky lights tour, but make it active. Local biz Basket & Bike will soon be offering Holiday Biking Tours of downtown Richmond, which you’ll be able to book online here from the end of November through the end of December!
On this afternoon/early evening bike tour, riders will take to the avenues and bike lanes for a seasonal ride along the riverfront. As dusk approaches, you’ll pass through the holiday lights as youreturn to Shockoe Slip, where your tour includes one beverage of your choice (wine, beer, hot cocoa, coffee) at locally owned neighboring cafe, Urban Farmhouse.
You’ll have the option to choose a BASKET & BIKE Priority classic bike or a Pedego e-bike to cover more ground and see more of the hills and views of Richmond. Plus, a special holiday ornament is included as our gift to you. Keep an eye out for the booking link to be announced here.
Image: @logan.dgolden
Weekly Giveaway
Ruff Canine Club
Did you hear? Richmond’s first-ever combination dog park/bar has officially opened near Scott’s Addition!
Ruff Canine Club is a members-only pup social club — each dog gets their own membership via an online portal where owners can upload their immunization forms and answer some key questions to keep all four-legged friends safe during their visits.
Once you create a profile for your pet(s), you can either purchase individual day passes to visit with your dog ($10/each), monthly subscriptions for unlimited visits each month ($30/each), or an annual package for unlimited visits each year ($275/each) — with discounts for multiple dog households.
We’re giving away two day passes to one lucky RVAx member (a $20 value) to check out Ruff Canine Club firsthand!
To enter to win: Tell us your dog’s name and something you love about them! Our pup’s name is Stella, and we love the freckles that dot her nose and paws like little constellations.
Last week: Congratulations to last week’s winner, Srija K., for winning a free gift card to Buskey Cider!
Member Perks
RVA Brew Crew: Richmond Tacky Lights Tours
I know, Halloween just ended, and we still need to make it through Thanksgiving before we dive headfirst into the holiday season — but RVA Brew Crew’s Richmond Tacky Lights Tours are already booking up fast for December, so we have no time to waste here!
Celebrate one of Richmond’s favorite traditions with a private tacky light tour for you and your group (up to 14 passengers) aboard a refurbished school bus named Lola.
RVA Brew Crew will work with you to customize your trip to include snack/brewery/bar/bathroom break(s) and will have a route mapped out — so, all you have to do is show up and take in the views of thousands of twinkling lights and stunning holiday displays.
Lola will pick up/drop off your group at the location of your choice, so pack your coolers with your favorite beverages and come ready to get festive.
Members of The Richmond Experience can use code RVAxMEMBER for 10% off of RVA Brew Crew tours — book here!
New + Trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey, new members!
We'd like to welcome 56 new members this week: Anna L., Lindsay R., Bernadette W., James J., Kristen K., Heather F., Taylre L., Justin B., Cindy C., Liz R., Camden J., Julian G., Heather G., Kathy N., Matt L., Chris S., Maya N., Kaitlyn S., Blondine D., Sean P., Manny M., Sandy D., Max R., Eleanor C., Guarav M., Danielle A., Hope K., Russ A., Jalynn T., Cole S., Elie T., Thomas C., Emily M., Mark H., Hannah G., Denise A., Katlyn M., Joshua L., Pamela H., Angi P., Liz B., Jordan J., Haley R., Melissa M., Erin R., Frances E., Kate K., Kate B., Diana P., Jill D., Jess N., Maya P., Ashley T., Carissa G., Juliann R., and Carly W., 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 180 of The Weekly Insider.
Enjoy your week!
- Alicia @ The Richmond Experience
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