Ed 351: Cirrus Vodka Sneak Peek, History Makers, Fringe Festival
Powered by HOUSEpitality Family — Easter is Sunday, April 20. Make plans for brunch at The Boathouse here!
Hello, hello!
Yes, things are harking back to winter just a bit this week with that “freeze warning” and all, but over here, we’re just gonna straight-up ignore it and continue going full ~spring~ ahead: Here’s to our first member meet-up of the year 🥳
As you know, the team at Cirrus Vodka has been busy putting the finishing touches on the spot’s new tasting room in Scott’s Addition. In the meantime, they’re giving us a sneak peek at the vibe, menu, and then some, ahead of the grand opening happening later this spring. Come hang with us for a little happy hour sesh on Monday, April 21!
Space is limited, so this event is exclusive to RVAx members only, and we’re breaking things up into two slots:
Either way, your first drink is on us 🍸 See you there!
Keep scrolling for RVA’s latest social news, including where to get your next wings fix, a new place for community-building, an ownership change at Perly’s, and more.
PODCAST
WEATHER
Wednesday: Sunny; high of 55°, low of 32°
Thursday: Cloudy; high of 62°, low of 41°
Friday: Rain likely; high of 60°, low of 50°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 6 - 8:30 pm: LIVE MUSIC AT BRAMBLY PARK: JONATHAN BROWN JR.
Thursday, 6 - 8 pm: THE LGBTQ+ TRAVEL GUIDE AUTHOR TALK WITH ALICIA VALENSKI
Friday, 6 - 9 pm: THE BIG BLOOM
CITY GUIDES
1. TOP 5 TRAILS TO EXPLORE WITHIN RICHMOND CITY LIMITS
Image Source: The Valentine
RICHMONDER TO KNOW
Olivia Tyson: This year, The Valentine is celebrating its 20th anniversary of the Richmond History Makers program, which historically recognizes community leaders, advocates, and organizations across five unique categories. But receiving recognition for a sixth newly added category this year is Olivia Tyson, a senior at Douglas S. Freeman High School, who is the program’s first recipient of the Young Richmond History Maker award. The ceremony happens this Thursday, April 10. Read more about the event and program here.
THE LATEST:
Image Source: Cocky Rooster
Image Source: @studioonetwentyrva
Image Source: Richmond Fringe Festival
Image Source: Sports Backers
SOCIAL NEWS
ICYMI, on April 3, Richmond officials held a ceremonial groundbreaking for the Shockoe Institute, a 12,300-square-foot exhibition and educational facility dedicated to exploring the city's role in the American slave trade. The event coincided with the 160th anniversary of Richmond's Emancipation Day, marking the liberation of the city by Union troops and the freeing of its enslaved residents. The project aims to narrate America's broader story through the lens of the struggle to expand human freedom, and the institute is part of larger The Shockoe Project, a comprehensive plan unveiled at the beginning of last year, which includes nearly a dozen cultural sites across a 10-acre area in Shockoe Valley. The project's centerpiece will be the National Slavery Museum, a 62,000-square-foot facility dedicated to the American slave trade. (Style Weekly)
Don’t mind if we cock-a-doodle-do: The folks who brought us Cocky Rooster have launched a new Midlo-based sports bar, Game Plan Kitchen & Bar. The spot occupies the 3,400-square-foot space that was formerly home to Burger Bach and features a menu reminiscent of Cocky Rooster, including wings, fried chicken, and a variety of sauces. The sports bar also offers burgers, wraps, salads, and nine different types of sliders priced between $3 and $4, aiming to provide a wallet-friendly dining experience and encouraging frequent visits from patrons. Head to the new place when that buffalo craving strikes — and don’t forget about Cocky Rooster’s other soon-to-be locations in Charlottesville and Norfolk, just a little outside our neck of the woods. (Richmond BizSense)
In more Midlo news, Outpost Pizza Co. is opening in Westchester Commons later this month. Coming to us from the brains behind The Flyin’ Pig and Wood & Iron Gameday Restaurant & Bar, the new pizzeria will serve its crispy-crust pies — made with a sourdough pizza dough recipe La Bella Vita Bakery contributed to — in a 2,500-square-foot restaurant with seating for approximately 75 guests, a full bar, and a carry-out counter. In addition to pizza, Outpost’s menu will also feature popular items from Wood & Iron, such as smoked wings and cheesesteak egg rolls. (Richmond BizSense)
So much more [communities]: Beth Dixon (Salt and Acid) and Robin Gahan (Marble Moon Interiors) have joined forces to open Studio One Twenty, a multifunctional event space in Northside. The biz will take the place of Ruby Scoops’s former digs and is designed to host client meetings, community events, and pop-ups, reflecting the duo's commitment to collaborative entrepreneurship — Beth, with a rich background in the food and beverage industry sought a dedicated area to conduct cocktail workshops and store equipment; Robin, transitioning from social work and nonprofits to interior decorating, aimed for a venue to showcase her design expertise. Check things out at the grand opening this Thursday, April 10, from 4 to 7 pm. (Richmond magazine)
Expect biz as usual: Perly's has recently undergone a change in ownership. In March 2025, local entrepreneur Ramy Abraham purchased the building housing the Jewish deli and acquired a stake in the restaurant itself. According to Ramy, the beloved spot’s ops, will remain unchanged, with Kevin and Rachelle Roberts continuing their management roles, but the purchaser does plan to invest in infrastructure improvements, including upgrading the HVAC system and expanding storage space. (Richmond BizSense)
This is what democracy looks like: Over the weekend, thousands of Virginians participated in the Hands Off! rally in Richmond, protesting against the policies of President Donald Trump and Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). This event was part of a nationwide series of protests, with over 1,400 rallies across all 50 states, and pulled together by civil rights organizations, labor unions, veterans, LGBTQ groups, and election advocates. The protests followed the president's Liberation Day tariff announcement, which initiated a global trade war and led to a significant stock market decline. Folks voiced concerns over threats to Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, federal workers, immigrant rights, and publicly funded scientific research. (RVA Mag)
MORE LINKS YOU’LL WANT TO CLICK
💨Don’t forget! The Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k happens this Saturday, April 12, and you still have time to register to walk, jog, or run. Wave if you see us! (Sports Backers)
🎨Also happening this weekend: Richmond Fringe Festival! In its own perfectly accurate wording, “This culture and arts event is a boutique sized, multi-vector, curated, profit sharing festival aiming to cross pollinate people in Richmond, Virginia.” (Richmond Fringe Festival)
Image Source: Eventbrite
Weekly Giveaway
Richmond Fringe Festival
For EVEN MORE links you’ll want to click, we just chatted with Sarah Saturday (aka Gardening, Not Architecture) on our upcoming ep of The Chatter (dropping this Friday!), and she told us all about the live visual album she’ll be performing this weekend at Richmond Fringe Festival — and it sounds and looks like something you’ll def want to see and hear.
This week, we’re giving away two tickets to Voyage: A Live Visual Album by Sarah Saturday! Happening at Shafer Street Playhouse on Saturday at 1 pm and Sunday at 8 pm.
To enter, tell us: Which day do you want to take in the sights and sounds of Sarah Saturday’s performance?
Last week: Congratulations to last edition’s winner, Donald S., for winning the Friday Cheers giveaway!
Image Source: Pupatella
Member Perks
Pupatella
If you’re already feeling the springtime ramp-up like we are, you could probably use a night off from dinnertime decisions. Leave it to this neighborhood Neapolitan pizzeria.
As a member of The Richmond Experience, you get 10% off orders — all day, every day. Just tell them at checkout you’re a member!
New + Trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey, new members!
We’d like to welcome 13 new members this week: Vickie E., Andrew W., Devin G., Frankie R., Patsy K., Michelle L., Madison S., Danielle K., Bram L., Suzanne M., Daisy C., Shaimaa M., and David 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 351 of The Weekly Insider.
Later, skater!
- The Richmond Experience
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