Ed 221: Wine Event, Artist Showcase, Crabs & Beer by the James
Hi there, everyone!👋
Is it just us, or is this week moving in slow-mo? Maybe it’s the return of the hot af temps after last week’s mini reprieve, maybe it’s because pumpkin season is so close, yet so far — we don’t know. But we’ve basically been in a Thursday mindset since Monday.
That said, if you’re in the same boat, here are some fun things to get us over the hump:
Mayor Levar Stoney cut the ribbon on a new community space in the East End, complete with new playgrounds and new athletic fields. (We checked it out over the weekend, and it’s a must-visit if you’ve got kiddos to entertain.)
Blue Cow Ice Cream Co’s Richmond location is officially open!
There’s a new brewery coming to town.
Need some other fun things? We gotcha covered there, too. Keep scrolling for RVA’s latest social news, including oyster and cider plans, a new spot from Alewife, a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles showing, and more.
WEATHER
Wednesday: Partly cloudy; high of 89°, low of 69°
Thursday: Partly cloudy; high of 89°, low of 70°
Friday: Partly cloudy; high of 90°, low of 70°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 6:30 - 8:30 pm: Doormat Painting Workshop
Thursday, 7 - 9 pm: Geeks Who Drink Trivia Night
Friday, 7 - 9 pm: Karaoke Night at Starr Hill RVA
CITY GUIDES
1. THINGS TO DO IN RICHMOND WHEN IT'S HOT AF OUTSIDE
RICHMONDER TO KNOW
Taylor Scott: She’s the founder of RVA Community Fridges, which stocks outdoor fridges around the city with free food for people in need. Taylor and her team of volunteers have set up 10 refrigerators so far and plan to have a total of a dozen established by the end of this year. Learn how to get involved with her amazing project here.
THE LATEST:
FOR THIS WEEK
An open invitation: Laura Lee’s is hosting its first wine event of 2022, and everyone’s invited. On Wednesday, August 24, between 5 and 7 pm, head to the American fern bar and sip on $5 tastings and $6 pours from Native Selections and Plant Wines. They’re pairing the bevs with some delish apps, too, so come thirsty and hungry. (Instagram)
Class things up: Brun is beginning a monthly event series of artist showcases. For the first one, on Thursday, August 25, the Fan’s whisky-and-cigar spot is featuring art for sale by Ron Stokes, live music, wine flights, and of course, whisky and cigars, too. Brun commissioned Ron for the mural in its lounge, which will officially be unveiled on Thursday, as well. (Instagram)
Just a short drive out of the city: Ashland and Chesterfield are starting the last weekend of August with a bang. This Friday, ¡Viva Ashland! (part of Ashland Fourth Fridays) will feature a festival of live music, artists, food vendors, and dancers, including Panamanian folk group Tradiciones Panamenas. A little farther south, the Chesterfield County Fair Association is hosting the 11th annual Chesterfield County Fair, with ax throwing, an escape room, rides and games, and much more fair-going fun. (Richmond magazine, Chesterfield County Fair)
Better get crackin’ this weekend: Butterfly Visionaries and CNJ Entertainment are throwing a quintessential end-of-summer(ish) bash. This Saturday, August 27, meet other hungry and thirsty Richmonders on Brown's Island for all-you-can-eat crab, local brews, live entertainment, vendors, and more. It’s a family-friendly party, so bring the whole crew! (Instagram)
FOR FUTURE REF
Can’t wait to sea you there: Courthouse Creek Cider is gearing up to host a weekend-long oyster-and-cider event at its Maidens Rd location on September 10 and 11. Mark your calendars for two days of oysters from Big Island Aquaculture (both raw and featured in a spinachy, buttery Oysters Pablo dish), clam chowder, charcuterie, cider and cider cocktails, wine, beer, and live music. (Courthouse Creek Cider)
Feast and folk festivals: Not to be confused with the Richmond Folk Festival, the Richmond Feast Festival is coming to town on Monday, October 3. Pregame the Folk Festival a few days ahead on Brown's Island with wine from Tap26, beer from Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, and food from lots of local faves. Tickets are $125, and the event’s proceeds benefit the Folk Festival (which falls that weekend, on October 7 and 8). (Eventbrite)
Alewife does it again: Alewife's owner Lee Gregory and chef Bobo Catoe are teaming up for another delicious collab. They're taking over the former Billy Pie location to open something similar to their Hatch Local spot, Odyssey Fish, where they'll plan to serve "some raw stuff, some salads and pizza-type things." While the duo is still fleshing out some deets, they do know that their new restaurant will allow seating for about 40 guests. (Richmond BizSense)
It’s kismet: Kismet Modern Indian, an Old Town Alexandria favorite, is setting up another shop in RVA. The restaurant will call the recently-closed Perch location its new home and has plans for opening late this fall. As for what's on the menu, "Kismet will serve lunch and dinner, offering an elevated cocktail program and lengthy wine list, as well as a strict reliance on fresh ingredients with the addition of artful touches and Instagram-worthy plating." (Richmond magazine)
MORE LINKS YOU’LL WANT TO CLICK
🐢The Veil Brewing Co. is showing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles tonight. (Instagram)
🤫Safe Space RVA is hosting a speakeasy market on Monday, August 29. (Safe Space RVA)
Weekly Giveaway
Kathleen Reid
Yes, beach-read season may be coming to an end, but that just means cozy-read season is approaching, and we’ve got a couple titles you can add to your fall TBR pile. Richmonder Kathleen Reid is an award-winning author who has published four works of fiction: Paris Match, A Page Out of Life, Sunrise in Florence — which earned five indie awards in the Romance and Romantic Suspense genres — and most recently, Secrets in the Palazzo.
This week, we’re teaming up with Kathleen to give away THREE pair of her two latest novels — Sunrise in Florence and Secrets in the Palazzo.
To enter, tell us: What is the best book you’ve read (so far) this summer?
Last week: Congratulations to last week’s winner, Sara H., for winning our Sandy Feet Photography giveaway!
Member Perks
Hound Paint
We paid a visit to Hound Paint’s new shop last week, and it is be-a-u-tiful. One of our fave details? They feature an in-store sampling service, so you can enjoy a mess-free planning process as you map out whatever home project is on your docket next.
Members of The Richmond Experience can use code RVAx10 at checkout for 10% off purchases.
New + Trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey, new members!
We'd like to welcome 38 new members this week: Morganne K., Chris O., Mary K., Julie F., Kelly O., Ned P., Sarah P., Sean B., Dave T., Alexandra F., Alexis C., Alyssa H., Karli W., Kylie H., Diana S., Meagan C., Kathleen M., Bradley E., Abbi V., Kathryn G., Emily B., Emily C., Michelle L., Shawn S., Allison H., Jody S., Philip A., Sofia L., Kristen J., Justice E., Corey S., Molly N., Cecelia H., Lauren C., Rob S., Molly H., Jack Z., and Kate 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 221 of The Weekly Insider.
Have a great week!
- The Richmond Experience
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