Ed 267: 804 Day Giveaway, World Cup Watch Party, Things We're Way Loving
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Hello, hello!
This time next week we’ll be in August! Which means:
We’re rounding out another month with a few of our favorite things from July (below!) and
804 Day is just around the corner!
So, let’s get this party started right damn NOW. To kick Insider things off up top here, we’re teaming up with Shockoe Records to give away a prize package in celebration of 804 Day: Richmond’s Biggest Block Party! The *free* event happens next Friday, August 4, from 4 to 9 pm, in Shockoe Bottom and features 17 performers across multiple stages in and around 17th Street Market.
In other words, think: Some of Richmond's most diverse indie talents paired with the food, drinks, art, culture, nonprofits, and community energy that makes the 804 thrive.
And ~speaking of~ great tunes, this prize package includes four VIP tickets to a performance of your choice at Shockoe Sessions Live — an intimate, weekly music series at In Your Ear Studios. You’ll also get a Shockoe Records T-shirt and sticker, and a CD of your choice from a Shockoe Records musician — Ms. Jaylin Brown, Saint Samuel, W. Weldon Hill, Ant The Symbol, Elizabeth Wise, Holy River, or Rodney Stith. Anddd you’ll get to introduce one of the bands on stage at the 804 Day festival!
We know: 😱 To enter, send us a 🎉 here!
Keep scrolling for RVA’s latest social news, including dim sum in Jackson Ward, a new music venue, a librarian job opening, and more.
THINGS WE’RE *WAY* LOVING THIS MONTH
Paige:
Tomato EVERYTHING:
Summer Supper Somm: This seven-week dinner series features Village Garden tomatoes and Virginia wine from Barboursville Vineyards. There are still a few dinners left if you want to splurge.
DUKE'S HOT TOMATO SUMMER, BABY: Duke's Mayo is partnering with Richmond restaurants for a weeklong event celebrating tomato season, featuring unique seasonal pairings of tomatoes and mayo. The event will run through this Sunday, July 30, with lots of specials from local restaurants.
Country Greek Salads from Joe's Inn: This seasonal summer salad bursts with ripe local Hanover tomatoes, cucumber, crisp green pepper, white onion, Romano, and feta cheese. Tossed in EVOO, red wine vinegar, and the Joe’s Inn top-secret seasoning blend, and topped with briny kalamata olives, there's no tomato salad like it.
Kelsey:
Gallmeyer Farms: I can’t compete with that 👆 tomato-y goodness Paige has for us, but I can tell you that if you’re in search of another bright something this summer season offers, Gallmeyer Farms has a *gorgeous* Sunflower Stroll blooming right now. Pop by to take pics, and snag some fresh produce while you’re at it.
Short Pump Park: Plan for a quick drive and pack the kids in the car to visit Short Pump Park this week. There’s a splash pad, a spacious playground, a covered picnic area, and a dog park — so pack the pup(s) in the car, too!
WEATHER
Wednesday: Sunny; high of 92°, low of 74°
Thursday: Mostly sunny; high of 96°, low of 78°
Friday: Mostly sunny (again!); high of 98°, low of 77°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 7 - 11 pm: WOMEN’S WORLD CUP WATCH PARTY AT CITY STADIUM
Thursday, 12 - 1 pm: THE OASIS: A HIGH NOON SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
Friday, 6 - 8 pm: 4TH FRIDAY ART SHOWS
CITY GUIDES
1. COOL OFF WITH THESE 6 CRISP & REFRESHING SALADS IN RVA
Image: @theliznel
RICHMONDER TO KNOW
Chanel Green Nelson: If you need a pop of color *in addition* to Greta Gerwig’s Barbie, head to The Liznel. Shop owner Chanel has the downtown spot bursting with hues galore (these two-piece suits?!), and we quite literally can’t get enough. The biz “focuses on elevating xtraordinary women's wardrobes” and exists as an expression space and collaboration space for other small, woman-owned businesses.
THE LATEST:
SOCIAL NEWS
Small biz, big deal: Nationally renowned Lighthouse Labs, a startup accelerator based out of Shockoe Bottom, has selected two local orgs to back for its 11-week program — Sherah and Keya & Co. Said Art Espey, executive director for Lighthouse Labs, “[E]ach of these companies — and founder — rose to the top, representing the best of entrepreneurship across Virginia and beyond.” Agreed; Sherah is a personal assistant service for busy parents and Keya & Co works with food brands to create a different consumer experience and expand audience reach. As part of the Lighthouse Labs accelerator program, these local businesses receive mentorship, office space, resources, and guidance. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
Some high notes: A new music venue opened in downtown Richmond last week. Ember Music Hall — situated on Broad St., across(ish) from Urban Hang Suite and ML Steak House — holds about 400 concert-goers and houses two bars. Get tix to an upcoming show here! And while we’re on the topic of new spots around town, Yellow Umbrella Provisions and Cirrus Vodka are moving into Scott’s Addition! (Axios Richmond, Instagram, Instagram)
Add this to the menu: There’s a new dim sum restaurant coming to town! RVA Hospitality — which owns Tarrant’s, Tarrant’s West, and Bar Solita — is bringing And Dim Sum to the former Max’s on Broad location (a spot RVA Hospitality owned before its eventual closure, as well). An official concept for the restaurant is still in the works, but RVA Hospitality is working on getting Commision of Architectural Review approval on plans for a new outside look to the space, since it’s located in historic Jackson Ward. (Richmond BizSense)
Check this out: The Library of Virginia has plans to launch a nationwide search for its tenth librarian. Dr. Sandra Gioia Treadway currently holds the position, but after supporting the org for 45 years in various roles, she now looks forward to retiring at the end of 2023. In her time with the Library, Dr. Treadway has served as an associate editor of publications, deputy librarian, and other positions before taking on the role of State Librarian more than a decade ago. She’s helped the Library grow the digitization and accessibility of its records, “opening new windows to the past for diverse audiences through projects like Virginia Untold: The African American Narrative and Making History with LVA, a volunteer transcription program.” (RVAHub)
Seven — heaven!: Richmond ranked seventh on FinanceBuzz’s list of the 15 most competitive housing markets. The pub used a score scale of 1 to 100 and referenced data from Redfin to account for each ranking’s number of competing offers, waived contingencies, sale-to-list ratio, and number of days on market. Richmond scored an 86, and according to FinanceBuzz, here’s the scuttlebutt about us: “The capital of Virginia has seen an increase in residents after a significant dip beginning in the 1970s. That may be one factor for its high compete score. Richmond also has homes on the market for an average of only around eight days, and more than 70% of homes are being sold over the asking price. However, that percentage is down from where it was earlier this year.” (FinanceBuzz)
MORE LINKS YOU’LL WANT TO CLICK
🍷Afterglow Coffee Cooperative starts evening hours this week, and Zorch Pizza is mixing up a new drink menu. (Instagram, Instagram)
🎩There’s a case for beating the heat at Révéler Experiences. (RVA Mag)
🪣ICYMI: Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden opened its new splash pad last week. (Instagram)
Weekly Giveaway
Reserve Pass
From the founders of VinoWine and the Virginia Wine Pass comes the Reserve Pass: the best way to explore wineries and access tasting room deals. The Reserve Pass is the only all-digital, nationwide wine pass and winery finder, and with deals at nearly 250 wineries across the country (including over 170 in Virginia and many Richmond-area favorites!), you can make back the cost of your membership in as little as one or two weekends!
This week, we’re teaming up with the folks at VinoWine and the Virginia Wine Pass to give away one (yearlong) Reserve Pass! Good for you and a guest, the Reserve Pass can be used at the same winery, as often as you like. Deals include free/BOGO tastings/flights, discounts on bottle purchases, and more! Perks vary by location. Learn more here.
To enter, tell us: How many grapes does it take to make a standard bottle of wine?
Last week: Congratulations to last edition’s winner, Emily P., for winning the Starr Hill Beer Hall & Rooftop giveaway!
Image: Reserve Pass
Member Perks
Reserve Pass
Don’t want to wait for the giveaway winner reveal? We’ve got a (new 🥳️) perk for that!
Members of The Richmond Experience get 40% off a Reserve Pass with code rvax40!
New + Trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey, new members!
We’d like to welcome 27 new members this week: Maddie N., Milena S., Aditi P., Pamela B., Haley L., Cory S., Ryan G., John C., Nathaniel J., Brett H., Sean M., Chaelin M., Tylerson T., Caleb C., Roberto V., Franklin M., Melanie S., Leanna T., Margaret R., Jenny F., Brandon H., T. V., Sophia W., Dq B., Ellie R., Greg S., and David C., 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 267 of The Weekly Insider.
Byeee!
- The Richmond Experience
Thank you to Dr. Whyte Smile for powering this edition of The Weekly Insider from The Richmond Experience!
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