Ed 347: St. Patrick’s Day, Member Forum, Hiking Opps
Hello!
To continue this year’s theme of adding more fun things for you, our members, to get out of this li’l community, we’re officially launching our Member Forum 🥳 Folks have often asked us to set up a space where subscribers can chit-chat with each other about upcoming events and happenings, make friendly connections with other Richmonders, and maybe even schedule a little rendezvous to hang IRL — so we’ve done just that!
No extra logins necessary, either; the situation is seamlessly powered by Circle on our site, so you just need to use your RVAx login to ~enter the chat~ and get to yappin’. But, like, save the JUICIEST hot goss for offline, you know? We’re still moderating here 😉
And if you’re looking for *even more opps* to hang with other peeps in the city, we’ve got you covered there, too. As always, we’ve got our monthly book club on the calendar (our next meeting happens March 27!), and we’ve planned four quarterly(ish) happy hours for this year! We’re still firming up a few details behind the scenes, but keep your eyes on the Member Home (under Member Meetups!) for the scoop. We’ve got an in-person sneak peek at a new spot, a community clean-up, a mixer on an iconic stage, and more all happening in the months ahead. Will spill more soon. Stay tuned 😇
Keep scrolling for RVA’s latest social news, including where to catch the lunar eclipse, must-visit restaurants, Ashland’s locomotive history, and more.
PODCAST
WEATHER
Wednesday: Sunny; high of 70°, low of 46°
Thursday: Cloudy; high of 69°, low of 44°
Friday: Cloudy; high of 66°, low of 45°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 6 - 8 pm: DOMINION ENERGY JAZZ CAFE
Thursday, 6 - 8 pm: PAINT YOUR DATE
Friday, 5 - 8 pm: SCIENCE AFTER DARK; EVERYTHING IS AWESOME
CITY GUIDES
1. YOUR GUIDE TO ST. PATRICK’S DAY 2025 IN RICHMOND
Image Source: Black Girls Hike RVA
RICHMONDER(S) TO KNOW
Nikki JB and Shara Tucker Cade: This dynamic pair of friends and educators founded Black Girls Hike RVA in 2020 after they noticed — while going on their own fun-filled hikes — the trails were lacking diversity, and they wanted to create a space for women of color to enjoy the outdoors. Check out their upcoming hikes here, and get out there with them for some fresh air!
THE LATEST:
Image Source: Slurp! Ramen
Image Source: Sub Rosa Bakery
Image Source: Bingo Beer Co
Image Source: Downtown Ashland Association
SOCIAL NEWS
Richmond Black Restaurant Experience is underway! The week-long celebration highlights Richmond’s growing black culinary industry and tourism scene, and this year, things kicked off over the weekend with the Mobile Soul Sunday and will wrap up with the Stick A Fork In It Block Party on Sunday, March 16. From now until then, reference the 2025 Passport to visit some of the best of the best restaurants in the River City. (Richmond Black Restaurant Experience)
Bingo Beer Co rolled out some new pizza updates this week. On Tuesday, March 11, the brewery launched Yours Truly, Pizza “is a classic pizzeria love letter/thank you card popped up inside of Bingo Beer Co that has been developed by Adam Stull and Jay Bayer serving Detroit-style pizzas and thin bar pies plus calzones, cheesesteaks, burgers, garlic knots, and more.” Follow along for updates at @yourstrulypizzarva on Instagram and peep the menu here. (Press Release)
While the pollen dusts up around town this time of year, Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) are encouraging folks to prep for another springtime occurrence. According to RHHD, March and April are the most active months for tornadoes in Virginia, and this week, March 10 through March 14, is Severe Weather Awareness Week, which aims to get folks in the know for what to know. Here are just some of the tips RHHD has to offer:
Locate safe shelters in the places you spend the most time. In each location, find a small room or hallway with no windows, in a basement or first floor. Once you’ve identified your shelter, make sure you communicate that plan with family members or coworkers, so everyone knows where to go when a tornado warning sounds.
Choose your reliable news source and stay up to date on the weather.
Consider participating in Virginia’s statewide tornado drill March 11 at 9:45 a.m. More details are available at the National Weather Service website.
Register for an in-person or online SKYWARN class to learn how to spot and report dangerous storm systems. (Virginia Department of Health)
In other nature news, a total lunar eclipse is expected this week — occurring from the night of Thursday, March 13, into the morning of Friday, March 14 — and Richmonders will be able to catch a glimpse. If you’re in the traveling mood, Natural Bridge State Park and Staunton River State Park are hosting viewing events. (WRIC)
This weekend kicks off festival season with St. Patrick’s Day goings-on happening Saturday and Sunday. Church Hill Irish Festival, Shamrock the Block, and Shamrock & Roll all kick off on March 15 and feature food, drinks, live music, and plenty of shenanigans to go around. (Church Hill Irish Festival, Shamrock the Block, and Shamrock & Roll)
Ashland Train Day is choo-chooing back to town next month. On April 26, from 11 am to 4 pm, the Center of the Universe will host its 21st celebration of locomotive history and the iron rails that built Ashland. Make plans to visit and enjoy the real and model trains, Firetruck Experience, Touch-a-Truck showcase, Kid Zone, Scavenger Hunt, live music, food trucks, and lots more. (Downtown Ashland Association)
MORE LINKS YOU’LL WANT TO CLICK
🍜Slurp! Ramen is closing its doors at the end of this month. Make sure you get over there ASAP to try the new menu items while they last. The last day of service is Sunday, March 30. (Instagram)
🎤TransPerfect is hosting an evening of cocktails and comedy at The Broadberry next Wednesday, March 14, to benefit The V Foundation. (Etix)
🥐ICYMI: Sub Rosa plans to reopen this fall. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
Image Source: The LGBTQ+ Travel Guide
Weekly Giveaway
The LGBTQ+ Travel Guide
Looking to stack your TBR *and* your list of travel destinations? Author Alicia Valenski — who formerly worked as RVAx managing editor and media director (!!) — penned The LGBTQ+ Travel Guide, a stunning collection of interviews, itineraries, and inspiration from queer insiders in 50+ Proud places. And she saved you a copy.
This week, we're teaming up with Alicia’s publisher, Lonely Planet, to give away that copy of The LGBTQ+ Travel Guide! Which, by the way, features an interview and tidbits from our very own Paige Poprocky, RVAx Owner and CMO. And FYI: The two will also be chatting about the book on Thursday, April 10, at Fountain Bookstore. Save the date!
To enter, tell us: Where are you traveling for spring break?
Last week: Congratulations to last edition’s winners, Cole K., Meghan H., and Jessie W., for winning the Do Portugal Circus and The National giveaways!
Image Source: Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids
Member Perks
Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids
Are the little ones in your fam due for a trim? Pop over to Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids for an entertaining ‘do appointment with warm, experienced stylists in a meticulously clean and sanitized place filled with fun not found in other kids salons — all haircuts come with a wash, cut, blow-dry, fun cars or gaming stations, choice of videos, mini-cures, lollipops, and a balloon.
As a member of The Richmond Experience, you get 20% off any service! Just use code The Richmond Experience when you book.
New + Trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey, new members!
We’d like to welcome 10 new members this week: Jessie W., Jacquelyn M., Taylor J., Abby P., Taylor N., Julia S., Dhruvi P., Stephen W., Kilexyus M., and Jen 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 347 of The Weekly Insider.
May you have no frost on your spuds!☘️
- The Richmond Experience
OUR LOCAL PARTNERS
