Ed 245: KavaClub, Abstract Art, Wine Perk
What’s up, Y’all!👋
Happy Wednesday! We've featured 12 new and noteworthy spots that have opened since the start of the year in the January and February editions of THE TRENDSPOTTER. How many have you checked out so far? It's hard to keep up, so here's your reminder to adventure beyond your go-to spots and experience something new next time you dine out. And if you need a quick reference, THE ULTIMATE RVA RESTAURANT GUIDE is always super handy. Last note on dining — today is National Margarita Day, and margs are 50% off at all Casa Del Barco locations. Not a bad way to get through this cloudy day!
Speaking of the weather, tomorrow's forecast calls for a near-record high temp of 85 degrees — like WHAT! The wind will be 10 - 20 mph, which makes it a little awkward, but try to spend some time in the sunshine if you can. It's a little weird having such a limited winter, and it definitely makes me nervous about what summer will bring, but in RVA, you really never know. It could snow next week. Stay alert, folks!
Keep scrolling for RVA's latest social news, including the new Kava bar opening in the Fan, where to see two exciting exhibits this weekend, how to save on tickets to the Virginia Governor's Cup, and more.
WEATHER
Wednesday: Cloudy; high of 60°, low of 51°
Thursday: Partly cloudy; high of 85°, low of 57°
Friday: Mostly cloudy; high of 60°, low of 34°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 6 - 8 pm: RVAX MONTHLY BOOK CLUB - FEBRUARY
Thursday, 6 - 9 pm: VIRGINIA GOVERNOR'S CUP GALA
Friday, 8 - 11:30 pm: OOPS WE DID IT AGAIN: A BRITNEY SPEARS DANCE PARTY AT THE BROADBERRY
CITY GUIDES
1. THE TRENDSPOTTER: FEBRUARY 2023
2. YOUR GUIDE TO RVA HAPPY HOUR, EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK
3. 9 WEEKLY WORKSHOPS, CLASSES, AND LESSONS FOR YOUR BABY OR TODDLER
RICHMONDER TO KNOW
Ellwood: Meet Ellwood, Small & Associates’ steel dog mascot, raising awareness around pet cancer from local nonprofit FETCH A Cure. Through events, campaigns, and fundraisers, FETCH continually works to raise awareness and further education about pet cancer, early detection and treatment, and senior care and aging issues.
There are 20 steel dogs in FETCH a Cure’s 2022 litter 👀 When you see one around the city, let it be a reminder to check your pet for early warning signs of cancer and know that FETCH a Cure is a great resource if needed!
Small & Associates is a local boutique real estate firm serving RVA for over 40 years. They specialize in central Richmond, specifically the Fan, Museum District, Church Hill, Jackson Ward, Northside, and just south of the River in Westover Hills, Woodland Heights, and Forest Hill. Check out current listings here.
THE LATEST:
SOCIAL NEWS
Hear Harry live: Tickets go on sale this Friday at 10 am for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in Concert, the next Harry Potter Concert Series installment. (Check out this preview of what to expect!) On Saturday, June 10, John Jesensky will conduct The Richmond Symphony in performing the magical score live from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire while the entire film plays in high-definition on a 40-foot screen. Tickets start at $57.50 and can be purchased here!
St. Paddy’s prep: The next Profs and Pints talk on Tuesday, March 7, is all about the luck of the Irish! Go on a journey through time from the first settlement of Ireland, about 10,000 years ago, up until the present, with Dr. Audrey Horning. You'll end up with a much better understanding of Ireland and its history and a long list of sites you'll want to add to your must-see list. The talk will be held at Triple Crossing Fulton. Advance tickets are $13.50.
Comfort food: The team over at Richmond Mag rounded up a few “Happy Meals” around Richmond, aka feel-good spots serving comfort food, including chicken tenders and chocolate chip cookies, YUM! Check out their roundup here. (Richmond Mag)
What the F is Kava?: (Their words, not mine — but I was wondering the same thing!) A quick Google search reveals it’s an extract used as a relaxant made from the Piper shrub, a member of the pepper family. You’ll soon be able to sip it at KavaClub opening in the former Canon & Draw space in the Fan. Served in the form of cocktails, imbibers must be 18 years of age or older. Heads up, kava is considered a drug. (Richmond BizSense)
More drug news: In 2021, Virginia legalized marijuana for personal recreational use, but the retail market remains controversial. Basically, you can grow your own and be in possession of up to one ounce, but unless you hold a medical marijuana card, you cannot legally purchase cannabis in the state. RVA Mag has more insight on the hold-up and how this impacts the state. (RVA Mag)
A visual strategy: The new exhibit opening this Friday at the ICA features abstract art. The exhibition shows how abstraction can be a visual strategy, a way of revealing the aesthetic or political challenges of what is difficult or impossible to present. The art carries stories of incarceration, injustice, enslavement, the invisibility of migrants, environmental racism, and sonic warfare, among other themes. “So it appears” is organized by ICA Senior Curator and Director of Programs Sarah Rifky with ICA Curatorial Fellow Yomna Osman. Admission to the ICA is always free.
MORE LINKS YOU’LL WANT TO CLICK
📰: We recently featured two of the businesses on InUnion’s Five Black-Owned Businesses Carrying on Richmond’s Strong Legacy. Which one are you checking out next?
🪴: Bonsai Take Flight at Lewis Ginter closes this Sunday, so check it out before it’s gone!
👠: Save the date! The 4th Annual WEAR RVA Charity Fashion Show is happening Thursday, April 27, at the Science Museum of Virginia’s Dewey Gottwald Center.
Image: @thesmokymug
Weekly Giveaway
The Smoky Mug
Located in the Historic Brookland Park Blvd business corridor, The Smoky Mug is a coffee shop and cafe in Northside serving breakfast and lunch featuring craft BBQ and Tex-Mex favorites. What more could you want?! 😍
Grab coffee and breakfast 7 - 11 am during the week and starting at 8 am on the weekends. Their Texas craft barbecue and tacos are served Wednesday through Sunday, 11 am - 4 pm, with special pop-ups happening throughout the month. Keep an eye on their social for happenings. Plus, you can always find vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options on their menu!
This week, we’re giving away a $20 gift card!
To enter, tell us: What are you ordering next time you visit?
Last week: Congratulations to last edition’s winner, Alison G., for winning two VIP tickets to SMOKED! - A Whiskey, Wine & Global Smoked Cuisine Experience. Still want to go? Grab your ticket here.
Member Perks
Virginia Governor’s Cup Gala
Join us for the second annual public Virginia Governor’s Cup® Celebration on February 23, 2023 at Main Street Station in Richmond, VA. This one-of-a-kind event offers a unique chance to taste the top Virginia wines produced across the Commonwealth all in one evening.
Tickets are now on sale. Purchase your tickets today!
Members of The Richmond Experience get $25 off orders. Just use code RVAEXP25 at checkout!
New + Trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey, new members!
We’d like to welcome 24 new members this week: Julia C., Amy K., Morgan M., Victoria B., Sabrina M., Loretta V., Shelby C., Joanna S., Allison C., Stephen P., Madeline S., Melissa T., Angela S., Rhonda A., Kelsey G., Katie R., George H., Elizabeth R., Erica L., Jonathan B., Jesse G., Ryan C., Nick R., and Anne 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 245 of The Weekly Insider.
Have a great week!
- The Richmond Experience
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