Ed 195: Running Routes, Edgar Allan Poe’s Pocket Watch, Gourmet Graham Crackers
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Hi there; Kelsey writing to you! 👋
I’m the new managing editor for The Richmond Experience and am SO VERY EXCITED to pick up where Alicia left off. You’ll find me here, in your inbox, throughout our city guides, perhaps even in your DMs—all kinds of places—keeping you up to speed on what’s what in and around RVA. Feel free to wave back on Instagram or wherever you might spot me out and about, sipping an iced coffee from Riverbend Roastery or brainstorming how I can mesh a pop culture reference with just about any news you need to know.
Okay, NOW. Back to our regularly scheduled programming. 👇
It’s Pisces season, folks. That means a few things: Patio temps are on the way; empathic, intuitive, and spiritual energies will be firing on all cylinders; and we’ll be channeling the likes of Rihanna and Taylor Hanson until the first day of spring. I.e., bitch better have our MMMBop.
That said, s/o to the sun and her feelings. We’ve got a few bright spots of our own that’ll hit you right in the feels, too:
Richmonders continue to rally around William Fox Elementary School, doing whatever they can to help the staff and students recover from the devastating fire that rocked the community just a short while ago. Longoven, Sticky Rice, and many, many others are doing the most to donate to the cause, and we’ve got more on that as you scroll.
And speaking of noteworthy causes, nonprofit Girls For A Change is raising money to purchase the building in which it has, for five years, created a space for “Black girls to be seen, heard, and celebrated.” The organization’s CEO, Angela Patton, wants to “add her name to the list of Black women property owners in the Richmond region” and set an example for future generations of leaders to come. We’re here for it. If you can and want to champion this campaign, donate here.
Smiling already, huh? More mood-boosters ahead.
WEATHER
Wednesday: Rain in the morning; high of 73°, low of 41°
Thursday: Rainy all day; high of 43°, low of 38°
Friday: Rain in the morning again; high of 67°, low of 32°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 6 - 9 pm: Wine + Wood Wednesday
Thursday, 6 - 8 pm: February Winter Cookie Workshop
Friday, 7 am - 8 pm: Free Car Washes at the New Tommy’s Express Car Wash
CITY GUIDES
1. 6 BEAUTIFUL RUNNING ROUTES AROUND THE CITY
2. CHASING THE SUN IN THE CITY: GREAT SPOTS TO CATCH THE SUNRISE & SUNSET
3. RVA PARKS & REC: A GUIDE TO LOCAL PARKS, BOTH DOG & HUMAN
RICHMONDER TO KNOW
Demetrius Frazier: In an effort to connect Black men by way of literature and discuss issues facing their community, Demetrius and his founding partner, Lance Adams, established Black Men Read in 2018. The organization is “dedicated to igniting and empowering communities of color by inspiring literacy” and primarily collaborates with Henrico County schools and libraries on its mission. Learn more here, and follow @blackmenreadnow on Instagram.
Keep scrolling for RVA’s latest social news, including where to hear David Sedaris reading new essays live, when Shake Shack is coming to town, what artifacts The Poe Museum will add to its collection, and more.
THE LATEST:
ON THE BRAIN
You belong here: Institute for Contemporary Art at VCU debuted its newly commissioned exhibit, Gideon Appah: Forgotten, Nudes, Landscapes, which displays from now until the end(ish) of June. The featured paintings “merge the artist’s interests in Ghanaian popular culture with his own imagination, dreams, and fantasies” and take inspo from newspaper clippings, entertainment posters, and films spanning the ‘50s through the ‘80s. (Instagram)
Make plans to revisit this old haunt soon: The Poe Museum marks its hundredth anniversary this year, and they’re toasting to the milestone at their famously “miserable” (see: actually super festive and fun) Unhappy Hour on April 28. In honor of the celebration, they’ll unveil the 60 new artifacts they’ve recently added to the museum’s collection, including Edgar Allan Poe’s pocket watch, the engagement ring he gave his fiancée, and a piece of his coffin. (Instagram)
Me Talk [River City] One Day: Sardonically witty humor writer David Sedaris is taking the stage at the Dominion Energy Center this spring. On April 5, you can listen to him read new essays and answer audience questions, and he’ll be signing books at the show, too. So, bring your favorite Sedaris piece(s) and the tissues for this one—you’ll be laughing (maybe crying?) a lot. (Dominion Energy Center)
3, 2, 1, GO!: Pop-up bar Switch had the grand opening of its Super Mario theme earlier this month, and the Rainbow Road is still bustling. Enjoy happy hour specials, featured cocktails, and a little taste of your childhood. (Instagram)
NEW SPOTS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
This oughta jazz things up: Jackson Ward’s new premier jazz lounge, The Deuce, had its soft opening at the end of last week. The swanky spot offers indoor dining, (heated) patio seating, and of course, an unbeatable soundtrack to enjoy with your eats and drinks. (Instagram)
Alert your sweet tooth: The Linda Grams just opened an online bakery from which you can purchase their mouth-watering gourmet graham crackers. The delish dessert can be found in lots of local shops, but now they’re just one click away, too. Fixing a craving doesn’t get easier than that—marshmallows not included or necessary. (Instagram)
A fashionable place of business: You know when you’ve hit your limit for new apparel and accessories? Yeah, neither do we. Chic boutique Liznel just opened its doors, offering size-diverse threads and a variety of sparkly things to pair with them. But that’s not even the half of it. The spot doubles as a creative space for small businesses (particularly women-owned small businesses) to collaborate on and grow their ideas. (Instagram)
Shaking things up in the West End: We apologize in advance for your inevitable and incessant burger-fries-and-a-shake craving. But Shake Shack is coming to RVA. The news hit the press late last week, and we’ve been thinking about Shack sauce ever since. While the new location won’t be ready until 2023, it will have 3,200 square feet of dining space, an outdoor patio, and a drive-thru. (Richmond BizSense)
MORE LINKS YOU’LL WANT TO CLICK
🏫Longoven, Sticky Rice, and Artists for Hope are hosting events to raise money for Fox Elementary, and this Google Doc rounds up affected teachers’ wishlists.
👖Queer Clothing Swap is back this weekend.
🏆And Henry Rozycki, MD, Neonatologist and Vice Chair for Research at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU began appearing on Jeopardy! Monday night and is currently on a winning streak.
Weekly Giveaway
The Book Bar
The weather’s getting warmer, but there’s rain in the forecast. Either way, it’s a great time to read. (But isn’t it always?)
This week, we’re giving away a $25 gift card to The Book Bar, Richmond’s new Black-owned, woman-owned bookstore. And, you know, that just so happens to cover the cost of The Richmond Experience’s book club pick for March, Verity by Colleen Hoover (and then some). Just saying. And/or strongly hinting.
To enter to win: Tell us your favorite book-turned-movie!
Last week: Congratulations to last week’s winners, Ashley S. and Sara B., for winning our Salsa Connection giveaways!
Member Perks
Na Nin
We recently added Na Nin to our perk offerings, and we just had to let you know. They sell an in-house line of clothing, vintage pieces, and fragrances alongside a curated selection of items by independent designers.
Members of The Richmond Experience can use code RVAX20 for 20% off online orders or mention The Richmond Experience in-store and receive 20% off purchases PLUS a free travel-size candle when you spend more than $75.
New + Trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey, new members!
We'd like to welcome 26 new members this week: Linden W., Sean C., Maria P., Robert B., Allyson C., Natalie M., Meghan H., Lindsay S., Jordan S., Katie Z., Katherine D., Jayln S., Felecia C., Henree J., Rachel R., Gareth W., Taylor F., Elena B., Joanna D., Robyn W., Chelsea J., Taylor C., Beth M., Marina S., Kimberly J., and Grace D., 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 195 of The Weekly Insider.
Have a great week!
- The Richmond Experience
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