Ed 348: Spring Cleaning, Rams News, Film Festival
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Oh, hi!
Yes, Forever 21 is going out of business, but all is not lost this week. Spring is starting this Thursday, March 20, and the weather’s looking very spring-y in the coming days.
We recently published a few warm-weather city guides for your pleasure, so figure out where you’re going to get your next dose of vitamin D and fondly think back on that silver-sequin, short-sleeve shrug you’d wear all around town at a celebratory time like this. Good things are ahead.
Keep scrolling for RVA’s latest social news, including Ruff Canine Club changes, a new concept from the Giavos family, a dating app, and more.
PODCAST
WEATHER
Wednesday: Mostly sunny; high of 77°, low of 50°
Thursday: Rain in the aft; high of 75°, low of 39°
Friday: Sunny; high of 60°, low of 39°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 7 - 9 pm: TRIVIA AT PARLAY BAR & LOUNGE
Thursday, 5:30 - 8 pm: DAUGHTERS IMPACT SCREENING & DISCUSSION
Friday, 3 - 6 pm: RESCUE ROUNDUP
CITY GUIDES
1. TOP WALKING & RUNNING ROUTES TO TRY IN RVA
2. 6 RICHMOND BUSINESSES TO HIRE FOR A NEXT-LEVEL SPRING CLEAN
3. 9 MUST-VISIT GRASSY SPOTS FOR THE ULTIMATE PICNIC EXPERIENCE
Image Source: Daughters Documentary
RICHMONDER(S) TO KNOW
Angela Patton and Adrienne Cole Johnson: They’re the hosts of this week’s film discussion following an impact screening of Daughters, happening Thursday, March 20, at Orchard House Middle School, an independent school for girls in the heart of Richmond. Angela — the CEO of Girls For A Change, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth development organization to prepare Black girls for the world and the world for Black girls — co-directed the award-winning doc, and Adrienne is the Chief of Family and Community Engagement for Henrico County Public Schools, co-founder of Richmond Night Market, and a celebrated recipient of Style Weekly’s Top 40 Under 40 Award.
THE LATEST:
Image Source: Rams House
Image Source: Ruff Canine Club
Image Source: Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
Image Source: @vcuathletics
SOCIAL NEWS
Go Rams!: Ram Nation is on fire. After a successful Selection Sunday to start this week, the VCU men's basketball team is heading into March Madness as the No. 11 seed. They face off against the No. 6 seed, the BYU Cougars, in Denver this Thursday, March 20, and the game starts at 4:05 pm (eastern) and airs on TNT. (WTVR)
And speaking of exciting Rams news, Rams House Bar + Kitchen, the VCU-themed sports bar originally established by Lindsey Food Group, is under new management. Javier and Nathalie Cordero, the dynamic duo behind The Penalty Box Group eateries at local hockey rinks, are now leading the team at 2035 W Broad St. After a few weeks of getting their ducks in a row, they’re planning to reopen the spot by the end of this month, spicing up the menu with some South American twists on bites like burgers and tacos. (Richmond BizSense)
Ruff Canine Club is also making ownership changes. After years of hard work, challenges, and plenty of tail wags, Natalie Moore, owner of the beloved dog-park-and-bar, has decided to sell, with the help of Filament Business Advisors, to someone who shares the same love, values, and vision that have made Ruff such a special place over the years. (FYI: If you’re part of the Ruff community, you could be that perfect fit.) As this transition unfolds, operations will continue to run smoothly, so keep bringing your pup around — it’s one of our top pet-friendly recs in the city. (Press Release)
ICYMI, the Giavos family, who brought Richmond all things Stella’s and much more, has a new supper-clubish concept in the works. Lafayette Tavern, located at 1011 Lafayette St (in the former Lafayette Pharmacy building), is headed toward a fall opening and will draw inspo from classic American chophouses, blending vintage Chicago and New York dining vibes with a modern twist. Creative director Constantine Giavos envisions versatility for the spot, where patrons can enjoy a casual burger and fries by day and savor a refined, classically prepared fish dinner — paired with expertly crafted cocktails — by night. (Richmond magazine)
Attn, all cinema lovers: The 31st James River Film Festival is back this week, starting today, March 19, and running through Saturday, March 23, and happening around town at various venues, including RPL locations, The Byrd Theatre, and more. This year's lineup includes a documentary on artist Georgia O'Keeffe, the indie film The Love Witch, a tribute to Edgar Allan Poe, and a showcase of animated commercials curated by animator Janet Scagnelli. Plus, Justin Black's short film All Forward! explores the training of James River guides. (Richmond magazine)
There’s an app for that: Rob Long, the brains behind River City Roll, Bar West, and Vita Pure IV, is making waves in the dating scene with his latest venture, Surf Dating. He took the helm as CEO late last year and is currently seeking a $2 mil investment to boost the app's growth. Surf Dating sets itself apart from traditional swipe-based platforms by offering a grid layout, allowing users to view multiple potential matches simultaneously. This design, reminiscent of browsing real estate listings, has Long describing it as the “Zillow for dating.” Users can filter matches based on shared interests, and a unique verification process ensures authenticity by highlighting mutual phone contacts, reinforcing the app's tagline, “A friend of a friend of a friend.” The app offers both free access and a premium subscription at $4.99 per week, unlocking additional features like its connectivity function and expanded grid options. (Richmond BizSense)
MORE LINKS YOU’LL WANT TO CLICK
⚽️The Richmond Kickers home opener happens this Saturday, March 22, at 6 pm, and will feature the debut of the club’s primary kit, The Bridge Kit, featuring matching red shorts and socks the team will wear at home all season long. (Richmond Kickers)
⛲️Tickets to the Groovin’ in the Garden concert series are on sale now. (Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden)
Image Source: EFM Waxing
Weekly Giveaway
EFM Waxing
Whether you’re on spring break or gearing up for spring break (or already went on spring break but want to feel like you’re gearing up to go on spring break again), we’re here to help get a spa treatment on your calendar ASAP. EFM Waxing provides a clean, comfortable environment for your wax sesh, whether you’re in need of a Brazilian wax, facial wax, bikini wax, or all that and more.
This week, we’re teaming up with EFM Waxing to give away a free wax of your choice! (Note: This excludes a full leg wax.)
To enter, tell us: What’s your fave springtime flower?
Last week: Congratulations to last edition’s winner, Meredith D., for winning The LGBTQ+ Travel Guide giveaway!
Image Source: EFM Waxing
Member Perks
EFM Waxing
Too excited to wait for the giveaway winner reveal? We’ve got a perk for that 🎉
As a member of The Richmond Experience, you get 50% off your first wax (excluding a full leg wax) when you mention The Richmond Experience at booking!
New + Trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey, new members!
We’d like to welcome 15 new members this week: Michelle Q., Rachel M., Sydney L., Ashleigh S., Laura G., Haleigh W., Lee H., Keli R., Zhala H., Keya W., Brittany H., Macki W., Justine S., Maria D., and Claire 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 348 of The Weekly Insider.
Chat again soon!
- The Richmond Experience
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