Ed 201: April Music Roundup, Silly Thoughts & Hot Dogs, Women Empowering Women
Hi there! 👋
Is it just us, or does Sunday’s heart-eye-popping, sunshiny, just-plain-delightful Jon Batiste Grammys performance of “Freedom” still have you dancing, too? We can’t get enough over here, and it’s got us ready for this new month and all the “summer is (almost) here” feelings that come with it.
Lots of our Richmond faves are making us want to dance recently, too. To name a few:
Another thing we’re celebrating? Our members! The Richmond Experience donates a portion of each annual membership purchased to rotating nonprofits every month. VCU Massey Cancer Center was on the calendar for our March donation, and because of you, we were able to support the organization’s mission to “make cutting-edge research and innovative treatments a possibility.” THANK YOU!
Now, get this bop boppin’ and read on. The party’s just getting started.
WEATHER
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy; high of 74°, low of 55°
Thursday: Thunderstorms likely; high of 66°, low of 47°
Friday: Morning showers; high of 64°, low of 41°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 7:30 - 10:30 pm: Fiddler on the Roof
Thursday, 6:30 - 9:30 pm: You Say Potato, I Say Patato (In-Person Class)
Friday, 8 am - 5 pm: The Bizarre Bazaar's 30th Spring Market!
CITY GUIDES
1. RICHMOND'S BEST COFFEE SHOPS, BY NEIGHBORHOOD
2. MUSIC ROUNDUP: CONCERTS & SHOWS HAPPENING IN RICHMOND NOW THROUGH APRIL 30
RICHMONDER(S) TO KNOW
ouRVA Collective: This group of Richmonders to know seeks to uplift the city’s next generation of change-makers “through education, volunteerism, community building, and collective giving.” Join the Collective, donate to their cause(s), or simply attend one of their events to learn more.
Keep scrolling for RVA’s latest social news, including where to order your next beer or marg, a fun way for you to float on the James with 27 other Richmonders, Maymont yoga, and more.
THE LATEST:
EAT, DRINK & BE MERRY
Wish you were beer: RVA’s brewery offerings are ever-growing, and the new(est)comer to the scene is Benchtop Brewing. The spot (its original location in Norfolk) tapped into Richmond’s Manchester neighborhood, launching a soft opening over the weekend and planning to celebrate its grand opening this Friday, April 8. The house kitchen, Silly Thoughts, will be slinging hot dogs, and drafts and cans will be crisp and delicious. (Richmond BizSense)
Sea you at lunch and dinner: The restaurateurs behind Maya and the former Pink Flamingo are opening a new spot later this month. Oceano, the European-influenced, New American eatery, will emphasize Italian menu items “with pastas and other Italian fare” and will also feature an abundance of seafood options, as did its new home’s former resident, Crab Louie. The food selections will pair well with the updated ambiance, as the owners plan to bring a modern and on-trend look to the building. (Richmond BizSense)
Don’t flake on this: There’s another sweet spot to know, love, and drool over in Richmond. Di Gennaro Bakery opened the doors to its new Bon Air shop at the end of last week, serving pastries and coffee galore. And from the looks of it, the place sells out early and often, so get your order(s) in ASAP to get a taste of the goods. (Instagram)
Another round for us: We mentioned this in Ed 193, but we’ve got marg info to add. Juan’s Rooftop & Cantina is coming to town this month, and Taylor Freezer Sales Company gave us a sneak peek of the spot’s delish and icy menu items we can look forward to, including frozen and soft-serve margaritas. (Instagram)
SPRINGTIME TO-DOS
Back to school: The VCU School of Arts will host Modern Richmond Week at the end of April. This free event celebrates the city’s architecture and interior design, featuring Libbie Mill Library, Mid-Century Morris, and Great Minds tours. Attendees will also be treated to a substantial list of speakers, from local professors to designers. (Modern Richmond)
A foundation of women empowerment: Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build project returns for its first spring build in two years. From April through June, the organization will be building houses in Church Hill, many of which will become homes to single mothers giving their children safe places to call their own. The organization is looking for sponsors and volunteers to make the builds successful, and while the project emphasizes empowering women to help build and change the lives of the many woman homebuyers, everyone is invited to join the mission. (Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity)
Cruising into spring and summer: Venture Richmond has welcomed the warm weather with the return of its family-friendly and fun-filled James River and Kanawha Canal cruises. Each adventure spans about 40 minutes and takes travelers, by way of “authentically styled, flat-bottomed boats,” along the downtown RVA waterfront. Take in the Triple Crossing railroad, tobacco-warehouses-turned-lofts, the Virginia Capital Trail, the Low Line gardens, and, of course, the sunshine. (Venture Richmond)
Make sure to fitness in your schedule: Community Yoga returns to Maymont at the end of this month and will run through September. Richmonder Michelle Lee Landon hosts, and as with past seasons, the event is “pay what/if you can.” And if you’re looking to stretch yourself a bit more, Project Yoga returns to the VMFA with its Saturday Salutations series this month, too. (Instagram, Instagram)
MORE LINKS YOU’LL WANT TO CLICK
🚓Henrico County Police Field Training Officer Greg Petrohovich and his partner were involved in a serious accident while on duty at the end of last month. Here’s how you can help. (GoFundMe)
🍳The Fan’s new cigar and whiskey lounge, Brun, is beginning its BRUNch on Sundays experience. (Instagram)
📚Black Men Read is hosting Books and Bars Week at the end of April. (Instagram)
Weekly Giveaway
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
We simply cannot get enough of the pretty petals spread across our beautiful city, and one of our favorite places to stop and smell the roses (and then some) is Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden.
This week, we’re giving away TWO pairs of tickets to A Million Blooms, the Garden’s celebration of spring with a parade of daffodils, tulips, peonies, roses, and many more.
To enter to win: In the Comments section on this edition, tell us your favorite reason to buy flowers! (And make sure you check back to see if you won! We’ll let you know down there, too.)
Last week: Congratulations to last week’s winner, Virginia R., for winning our Molly Reeder giveaway!
Member Perks
Alison Travis Photography
If you’re looking to give your headshots or your business photos a refresh (spring cleaning goes for everything, tbh), we’ve got the photog for you. Alison Travis specializes in portrait and commercial photography, and even a quick glance at her portfolio proves she knows what she’s doing behind the lens.
Members of The Richmond Experience get 10% off her photography services! Just let her know you’re an RVAx member when you book.
New + Trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey, new members!
We'd like to welcome 32 new members this week: Emily C., Brianna C., AnnMarie P., Rachel P., Hannah E., Christie C., Jenny J., Amanda S., Megan D., Genia R., Sheryll G., Emma C., Caroline F., Stephanie P., Maddie C., Jessica L., Jackson G., Sarah D., Aleena G., Morgan M., Hannah C., Madeline W., Sam K., Erin B., Jessie B., Roohi G., Maria G., Rebecc K., David A., Jessica L., Amanda R., and Ky A., 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 201 of The Weekly Insider.
Have a great week!
- The Richmond Experience
OUR LOCAL PARTNERS
