Ed 196: A Beignet Food Truck Sets Up Shop, A Kid-Friendly Concert, Richmond Black Restaurant Experience
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Hi, RVAx mems! 👋
Well, PHEW; it’s been a rough few days since we last caught up here. How’re you doing? How’s your week? Have you had a glass of water recently?
We at The Richmond Experience like to think of ourselves as that one upbeat friend who always has the inside scoop on what’s what in the River City — what’s happening, where to go, and when to get the best deals — but even that one upbeat friend has some days. Just like you, we’re scrolling away, and while that scrolling keeps us up to date on lots of fun things to tell you about, it keeps us up to date on lots of un-fun things, too. We’re thinking about the recent events in Texas and Ukraine, and our hearts are heavy.
But as that resident “Did you hear about this cool Richmond thing?” bud, we like to emphasize the bright spots when we can, so the cool Richmond things we want to start with this time around are just a few of the links we’ve found happy or helpful (or both) lately:
Church Hill favorite Luminary Hair Co. donated 10% of its Friday sales to the Transgender Education Network of Texas, and the salon also noted on Instagram more than a dozen other like organizations to support.
8News shared where Virginians should donate if they want to help Ukraine.
The Richmond Times-Dispatch updated readers with how Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has responded to the Ukraine crisis.
So.
Have that glass of water, get some fresh air, blast this certified bop we (me, Kelsey) only just discovered but quite literally cannot quit, and take a breath. It’s a new month (Women’s History Month, at that), and today’s another day.
See below for some local scuttlebutt to keep your spirits high. ⬇️
WEATHER
Wednesday: Mostly sunny; high of 70°, low of 52°
Thursday: Partly cloudy; high of 68°, low of 33°
Friday: Partly cloudy; high of 53°, low of 38°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 6 - 9 pm: Candle Workshop with Blue Bee Cider
Thursday, 7 - 9 pm: Geeks Who Drink Trivia Night
Friday, 11 am - 8 pm: Richmond Home + Garden Show (btw, code RVAX knocks 50% off your ticket)
CITY GUIDES
1. MUSIC ROUNDUP: CONCERTS & SHOWS HAPPENING IN RICHMOND THROUGH MARCH 31
RICHMONDER TO KNOW
Kelli Lemon: This Richmond businesswoman and consultant recently signed on with The Richmond Times-Dispatch to help grow the outlet’s digital audience, specifically through its new video initiative. Said Richmond Times-Dispatch President and Publisher Paul Farrell, “Video is such an important element to the storytelling we do every day in Richmond, and no one represents the energy, diversity, and possibility of our region better than Kelli Lemon.”
Keep scrolling for RVA’s latest social news, including where to get your cheese-and-wine fix, how to train your dog with a pint in hand, a deal on Friday Cheers season passes, and more.
THE LATEST:
Image: @cafebeignetrva
Image: @laurenserpaphotographs
Image: @luckiestcheesemonger
Image: @luckydogsrva
LUCKY FOR YOU
We’ve never beignet more excited: NOLA-inspired food truck Cafe Beignet RVA is “parking it” at a new Shockoe Bottom brick-and-mortar. Owner Brittany Williams introduced the treats on wheels to RVA in early 2021 and quickly ~made enough dough~ for a storefront. She plans to open the restaurant in April and expand the menu to include gumbo and red beans and rice. How’s that for a Mardi Gras kickoff? (Richmond BizSense)
The dog days of summer: Lucky Dogs Training & More just opened registration for its summertime Brewery Etiquette with Your Dog training class. Main Line Brewery will host the program, which runs from 6 to 7 pm every Tuesday evening in June. Educate your pup, and enjoy a pint while you’re at it. (Instagram)
Get a slice of this: Celladora Wines and Luckiest Cheesemonger are joining (pairing?) forces from 6:30 to 8:30 pm on Monday, March 7, for their first-ever Cheese & Wine class. The event will take place at Celladora’s new home in the Fan, and the duo will feature six different cheeses with six different wines. (Instagram)
Richmond gets another sweet spot: Claudia’s Bake Shop opens in Carytown this month. The confection creation is the fifth “baby” of the mom-of-four shop owner, who was always sure to have a treat at the ready when her kids returned home “from summer camp, college, or even just a weekend trip.” Now she’s excited to bring that taste of nostalgia to RVA. (Instagram)
MUSIC TO YOUR EARS
A concert for the kids: No BS! Brass, The Diggity Dudes, and a host of other musicians are getting together this Saturday, March 5, at The Broadberry to put on a benefit show for local schools. Tickets are $20 (but FREE for kids 12 and under), and all proceeds will go to the Richmond Public Schools Education Foundation to fund elementary school music programs. The show starts at 2:30 pm, so it’s kid-friendly in more ways than one. (Instagram)
What a wonderful phrase: Disney’s The Lion King premieres at Altria Theater on Wednesday, March 9, and showtimes run through Sunday, March 20. The Broadway production is a six-time Tony Award winner and features the musical classics straight from your childhood, originally written by Elton John and Tim Rice for the 1994 animated flick. (Altria Theater)
In the summertime, [before] the weather is hot: Venture Richmond is selling 2022 season passes to Friday Cheers for 50 bucks a pop through Friday, March 4, and then those prices take a hike. Passes give you easy access to all seven shows for the warm-weather event. The org also dropped the music line-up last week, and the summertime party looks as fun as ever, so act fast. The music starts on Friday, May 6. (Instagram)
Get a taste of Lebanon in the Southside: Natalie’s Taste of Lebanon is relocating from Innsbrook to the Stratford Hills Shopping Center — taking over former home to Max’s Positive Vibe Café. While the Lebanese restaurant is not officially associated with The Positive Vibe Foundation, the restaurant owners — two VCU Health doctors and parents to the inspiration for the spot’s namesake — “hope to keep the job training program going” and “employ some of the young adults they had working in the café.” (Richmond BizSense)
MORE LINKS YOU’LL WANT TO CLICK
💍City of Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney proposed to his GF at Libby Hill Park. (She said, “Yes!”)
🌙Richmond Night Market’s 2022 season kicks off in April — save the dates!
🍔Richmond Black Restaurant Experience starts Sunday, March 6. Read more in this month’s Trendspotter, dropping later this week.
Weekly Giveaway
The Jungle Room
We’re looking at primo spring-weather temps over these next few days, and that’s making us want to clink our glasses together. Like, now. So, get ready — this giveaway’s going to move quickly.
This week, we’re giving away TWO tickets (one for you and a guest) to Remarkable Cities with Maker’s Mark at The Jungle Room this Thursday, March 3. Think: handcrafted cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, prizes, live painting by local artist Hamilton Glass, music, and more.
To enter to win: Tell us what tune was nominated for Song of the Year at the 56th Annual GRAMMY Awards and features a jungle-y theme in its accompanying video!
Last week: Congratulations to last week’s winner, Erin B., for winning our The Book Bar giveaway! (And speaking of books, join the RVAx book club here.)
Member Perks
Windsor Hill Picnic
March can get a little boozy (looking at you, Mardi Gras and St. Patrick’s Day), so if you find yourself needing a break from the bubbles et al, we suggest getting some outdoor time on your calendar.
Members of The Richmond Experience get 10% off of any picnic experience — just mention The Richmond Experience in the comments when you book here.
New + Trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey, new members!
We'd like to welcome 28 new members this week: Danica T., Ari A., Moria B., Lily S., Jeff B., Sarah J., Kathleen S., Angelica R., William M., Kelli P., Alicia M., Michelle H., Johann I., Hannah D., Leah R., Mike G., Lyea D., Sarah K., Howard H., John R., M J., Judith B., Erin B., Alexis T., Harley E., Kristina W., Dustin P., and Amanda K., 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 196 of The Weekly Insider.
Have a great week!
- The Richmond Experience
Thank you to Fall Line Kitchen & Bar for powering this edition of The Weekly Insider from The Richmond Experience!
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