Ed 327: Graduate Giveaway, Black Cat Art, Spooky Airbnb
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Hi, hi, hi!
I don’t know if it’s the fact that I’m headed into the Mexico-honeymoon eps of Love is Blind DC or that it’s been five weeks since I hit the beach OR that I can already feel Mariah Carey creeping up behind me, but I’m in the mood to start planning my next li’l vacation.
The team here has plans to put a ~company retreat~ on the cal early next year (possible option, team?), but in the meantime, I could really go for a staycation. If you’re feeling the same way, lucky for you — Graduate Richmond is partnering with us this week to give away a one-night stay at the hotel *and* a $50 credit toward your tab at the spot’s rooftop bar, Byrdhouse! (Reminder: We hosted our podcast launch party there, and we can confirm the vibes are immaculate.)
Now, I’m not saying you HAVE to invite me as a plus one, but… like… you’ll at least send me a WiSh YoU wErE hErE postcard from the lobby, right? Right??
>> Enter here by this Sunday, October 13, and just think about the postcard thing, okay? <<
Keep scrolling for RVA’s latest social news, including an imaginative play place, a second location for a beloved Asian fusion spot, Virginia Wine Month celebrations, and more.
PODCAST
WEATHER
Wednesday: Sunny; high of 73°, low of 49°
Thursday: Sunny again; high of 66°, low of 48°
Friday: Sunny again and again; high of 68°, low of 44°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 7 - 9 pm: SPOOKY MOVIE NIGHT: THE THING
Thursday, 6 - 8 pm: TRANS KIDS, OUR KIDS
Friday, 7 - 8:30 pm: ADULT NIGHT HIKE
CITY GUIDES
1. WHERE TO GET YOUR SCARE ON THIS HALLOWEEN
2. 9 WAYS TO CELEBRATE HALLOWEEN IN RICHMOND (WITHOUT THE JUMP SCARE)
Image Source: The Valentine
RICHMONDER TO KNOW
Controversy/History Series: The Valentine is bringing back its Controversy/History series starting next week. In its twelfth year, the ongoing event features a panel of experts hosting five different convos, now through March, all aiming to answer one (main) question, as the museum puts it: Why is the cost of thriving in Richmond so damn high? Peep the full schedule here, and make plans to join in on the first discussion in the series — Rising Rents & Richmond’s Affordable Housing Crisis.
THE LATEST:
Image Source: Lucky AF
Image Source: Grace Statwick Studios
Image Source: The Black Pine
Image Source: Upper Shirley Vineyards
SOCIAL NEWS
Hot dog, hot dog, hot diggity dog!: Hots & Brats is now open for biz. The concept from Kyle Morse of The Mayor Meats and Kevin Liu of The Jasper is officially ready to serve its menu of small-batch sausages and more. Head to 3111 W Cary St ASAP for a different kind of brat szn. (Instagram)
On a busy street in a busy town, cars and trucks go zipping round: Busy Bee Play City hosts its grand opening this Saturday, October 12. The play space offers imaginative play options for kids ages 7 and under, encouraging critical thinking, learning how to follow directions, building expressive language, and then some, all against the backdrop of a kid-size city. Little visitors can enjoy “working” at a firehouse, schoolhouse, gas station, and other places of business. Snag a daily pass or membership, and head to Ashland. (Busy Bee Play City)
Did you know about The Yellow House?: The women-owned art gallery offers a cozy space for local artists, photogs, and other creators to showcase their work. Grace Statwick currently has her pieces displayed at the studio, and her array of landscape and sky scenes are stunning — but we *particularly* love her Black Cat Art series. Stop by the gallery and purchase some masterpieces to take home. (The Yellow House)
1 of 9 ways to celebrate Halloween in Richmond (without the jump scare): The Black Pine earned a spot in Airbnb’s top ten spookiest rental homes across the nation, says a spokesperson for the vacation home-stay site. The Monroe Ward digs feature haunting artwork and decor as well as luxe amenities. Book a stay to spook up your life, and if you need more inspo for how else to do that, we know just the things. (WRIC)
We’re lucky af to have another Lucky AF: Lucky AF is opening another location in the Forest Hill neighborhood next year. Eat Restaurant Partners, who own Boulevard Burger & Brew, Pizza & Beer of Richmond, and lots of other local faves, signed off on the plans just this week, and it looks like the sushi spot will move in next door to Janet’s Cafe & Bakery (also coming soon) in the retail space building at 4701 Forest Hill Ave. (Axios Richmond)
It’s time to wine things up: ICYMI, Virginia Wine Month kicked off at the beginning of October. Celebrate by attending some festive events throughout the next few weeks, like Early Mountain’s Spooky Pasta cooking class or Common Wealth Crush Co.’s release party for The Parallax Project (a collab with Penny’s Wine Shop owner Lance Lemon). Or DIY your party plans, and visit some of our even-more-nearby favorites, like James River Cellars Winery and Upper Shirley Vineyards. (Richmond magazine)
MORE LINKS YOU’LL WANT TO CLICK
👀The Giavos family — who blessed Richmond with Stella’s, ofc — has a new concept in the works for the Lafayette Pharmacy building. (Richmond BizSense)
💙Many Richmond businesses are collecting donations for victims of Hurricane Helene. (VPM News)
🗳Nominations are open for 2025 Richmond Top Workplaces. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
Image Source: bbgb tales for kids
Weekly Giveaway
bbgb tales for kids
bbgb tales for kids presents a fun-filled event with Emmy Award–winning actor Henry Winkler and children’s book author Lin Oliver! The two creators will be talking about the second book in their children’s series Detective Duck (illustrated by Caldecott Medal–winning author-illustrator Dan Santat) at 6:30 pm on Thursday, October 17, at the Louis F. Ryan Recital Hall & Arts Center at St. Christopher's School, *and* sticking around for signings and photo opps afterward. (Snag tix here!)
This week, we’re teaming up with bbgb to give away a copy of the new book AND a $20 gift card to the bookstore! Note: You must be able to snag your winnings in person at bbgb.
To enter, tell us: What year did Charles M. Schulz's classic Halloween TV special, “It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,” first air?
Last week: Congratulations to last edition’s winners, Sienna F. and Jacqueline M., for winning The National giveaway!
Image Source: Karin Slaughter
Member Perks
RVAx Book Club
Speaking of bookish things: This month, our members-only book club is (probs) losing lots of sleep over Pretty Girls. The scary-af thriller follows the disappearance of a teenage girl and the murder of a middle-aged man, almost a quarter-century apart — and what could connect them.
As a member of The Richmond Experience, you get the opp to join our book club and meet up with us at fun spots around the city to chit-chat lit! Check out the rest of the deets for our October meeting here, and come hang.
New + Trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey, new members!
We’d like to welcome 17 new members this week: RJ B., Rachel B., John L., Kendall D., Rachel Y., Andrew S., Lauryn K., Maddie C., Jodie V., Camilla R., Caroline F., Colin K., Shreya N., Andre F., Jessica D., Beloved M., and Lauren O., 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 327 of The Weekly Insider.
We hope this edition gave you ~pumpkin~ to talk about!
- The Richmond Experience
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