Ed 208: MDW Plans, Elevated and Funky Diner, Pride Celebrations
Hey, RVAx community! 👋
Halfway to a long holiday weekend, and it’s gonna be a good one. That said, we have to start with a very big-and-loud THANK YOU to all the service-members who keep us safely doing our thing(s) year round.
And speaking of "thing(s)," we've got another monthly roundup of our favorites for May. But before we get into what we're digging these days, we want to know what you're digging. Here at The Richmond Experience, we like to make sure we're getting you the best of the best RVA has to offer, and to do that, we want your input! So, if you have two minutes to take this quick survey, we'd love to hear what you're thinkin'. And by the by, doing so enters you into this edition's Weekly Giveaway — a $100 gift card to Island Shrimp Co. Can you taste paradise already? (We're certainly drooling over here.)
THINGS WE’RE *WAY* LOVING THIS MONTH
Sam:
The Astro Edit from Sun & Selene: Hello, Gemini szn! My daughter, Sloan, is turning two next week, and she is such a Gemini, which is why I'm crushing on the Astro Edit by local jewelry maker Sun & Selene. Created in partnership with The Lotus Vibration, the Astro Edit provides custom astrological insight along with one-of-a-kind pieces inspired by the zodiac sign and accompanying birthstone. While I'm personally a Leo, I think I'll be picking up a Gemini piece to wear until I can pass it down to Sloan.
Paige:
Belle Isle Moonshine's newest collab with the Richmond Flying Squirrels, Cherry Lime Drive: It tastes like cherry limeade! Stay tuned for when you can get a sip yourself.
Westray's Finest Hot Honey'd Cornbread ice cream: AR's Hot Southern Honey heats up Westray's delicious cornbread ice cream.
Kelsey:
Stone Michelada Mix: In my extensive michelada-tasting experience, I've confirmed you can find the all-time michelada at Petco Park in San Diego. But since we're just a couple (thousand) miles away from my go-to spot, Stone's michelada mix (combined with the Stone Buenaveza Salt and Lime Lager, of course) has been more than fixing my craving.
A new-old Dan-Ellen dress I picked up at Tiny Space: It's vintage, colorful, summery, and one of a kind. May or may not need to go back for this kitty cookie jar soon.
WEATHER
Wednesday: Cloudy; high of 66°, low of 59°
Thursday: Cloudy; high of 80°, low of 68°
Friday: Thunderstorms; high of 80°, low of 63°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 6 - 8 pm: Ice Cream Cookie Decorating Workshop
Thursday, 4 - 7 pm: Happy Meow-er Kitten Kuddle
Friday, 6 - 9:30 pm: Friday Cheers — RVA Music Night with Matthew E. White, Benét, and The Last Real Circus
CITY GUIDES
1. YOUR GUIDE TO MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND IN RICHMOND
2. EVERYTHING WE KNOW ABOUT ISLAND SHRIMP CO. AT ROCKETTS LANDING
RICHMONDER TO KNOW
Leah Branch: She's the new head chef at Church Hill neighborhood fave The Roosevelt, but by no means is she new to whipping up deliciousness. For a time, Leah worked as the executive chef at Moonrakers in Beaufort, North Carolina, and she's also been featured on the Today Show and in VICE Magazine.
Keep scrolling for RVA’s latest social news, including where to enjoy brunch and “… Baby One More Time,” who’s taking over the Dairy Bar in Scott’s Addition, where to sip wine and listen to poetry, and more.
THE LATEST:
THE MONTHS AHEAD ARE LOOKIN’ HOT AF
Yellow, red, and orange, and green, and at least a million others: Virginia Pride is kicking off Pride Month with the Endless Summer of Pride next Wednesday, June 1. The org has plans to host a series of more than 20 events, starting in June and running through the end of September. Think: happy hour, drag brunch, dog-friendly fun, and way more. (Instagram)
Brunch and ‘90s bops: Cirrus Vodka and 1115 Kitchen are teaming up to host you and the crew for a ‘90s-themed brunch next Saturday, June 4. Brunch Club tickets are $39 each and include a Monte Crispo (fried chicken/vegan chicken topped with blueberry peach compote with banana slices in between two pieces of French toast), two drinks (Bloody Mary, Tropical Crush, Espresso Tini, and Hit Me Baby… One More Cirrus), and one Tito’s, As If! shooter (Cirrus vodka, pineapple, house-made banana liqueur, maple syrup). (Instagram)
It’s gonna be clay: The RVACLAY Tour is back after a two-year hiatus. Spend the first weekend in June (Saturday, June 4, and Sunday, June 5) on a self-guided tour of the 27 clay studios opening their doors to the public and displaying nearly 100 artisans’ work. Grab a map here and start making your perusing plans. (Instagram)
Sips and stanzas: The Book Bar is kicking off a new series next month — First Sunday’s Sips and Stanzas. Starting Sunday, June 5, the bookstore-wine-shop will host an open-to-all mic session on the first Sunday of every month. And, of course, attendees can also sip some of the spot’s Black-owned wines while listening to local poets do their things. (Instagram)
Tang & Biscuit(s & Gravy): SA’s beloved shuffleboard club is opening a breakfast and lunch spot. Tang & Biscuit recently announced its plans to take over Dairy Bar, bringing an “elevated menu while maintaining that funky diner feel” of the neighborhood’s former longtime staple restaurant. And it sounds like we won’t have to wait long, either — one of the restaurant’s owners says they hope to have things up and running in the next few weeks. (Richmond BizSense)
Good, green fun: The 19th annual Happily Natural Festival + Garden Expo is bringing the party to RVA again on Saturday, August 27. Celebrate the “Afrikan summer festival dedicated to holistic health, cultural awareness, and social change,” with unique vendors, artists and performances, educational experiences, and more. (Instagram)
MORE LINKS YOU’LL WANT TO CLICK
Mending Walls: The Documentary earned some Emmy noms. (Instagram)
BRUN Experience is hosting a cigars educational series. (Instagram)
You can quench your thirst with Starr Hill Beer Hall & Rooftop's Say It Ain't Sour variety pack dropping this week. (Instagram)
This year's Richmond Folk Festival dates have been announced. (Instagram)
Tinker's has closed its doors. (Richmond magazine)
Weekly Giveaway
Island Shrimp Co.
We can’t get enough of the new Island Shrimp Co. location at Rocketts Landing. That VIEW, the drinks, the food — it really is a taste of paradise right here in RVA.
This week, we're giving away a $100 gift card to the tropical spot — good at both the Chesterfield and Rocketts Landing locations.
To enter to win: Complete our RVAx Member Survey!
Last week: Congratulations to last week’s winner, Elizabeth H., for winning our Richmond Flying Squirrels giveaway!
Member Perks
Elsie Frieda
Summertime is the season for pops — plural — of color, and Elsie Frieda is stocked with everything you need to brighten up your collection of jewels and accessories.
Now through Wednesday, June 15, members of The Richmond Experience get 20% off their purchases at Elsie Frieda. Use code RVA20 when you shop for your next piece(s)!
New + Trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey, new members!
We'd like to welcome 36 new members this week: Ashley B., Katie M., Kaye J., Katie N., Kira W., Jen Z., Sean K., Vanessa G., Karina P., Toby V., Sam K., John M., Emily W., Satier T., John F., Katie M., Maggie L., Jonathan A., Kayla H., Julia H., Laurel V., Miram T., Nick M., Anna B., Dafne L., Giovanni G., Ashley S., Jennifer P., Megan H., Debra M., AJ M., Krista S., Morgan V., Molly B., Rosa C., and Tiffanie S., 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 208 of The Weekly Insider.
Have a great week!
- The Richmond Experience
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