Ed 370: Oyster Week, Baddie Walk Club, Oscar Mayer Wienermobile
Powered by Virginia Museum of Fine Arts — Frida: Beyond the Myth is only on display for a few more weeks, wrapping up on September 28! Make plans to take in the fascinating contributions of Frida Kahlo and her extraordinary works here.
Hello, hello!
Hello, hello! I hate to pass on such a bummer tidbit, but I saw by way of Instagram Reel this week that we’ve officially experienced the last 8 pm sunset until next May. Now, given the good-time nature of our here biz, I’ll balance that out with some fun things happening in the very near future, too:
You can catch the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden this Thursday, ahead of or during Fidos After 5.
Reels be damned, Church Hill Association still has two more shows left for its Sunset Garden Concert Series, one of which happens this Saturday.
Richmond Restaurant Week announced a timeline for the second annual Richmond Oyster Week.
And, ofc, everything else we’ll chit-chat about throughout this edition.
Keep scrolling for RVA’s latest social news, including a Babes of Carytown S/O, a pumpkin delivery and styling service, Scott’s Addition Night, and more.
PODCAST
WEATHER
Wednesday: Morning showers; high of 84°, low of 72°
Thursday: Mostly cloudy; high of 78°, low of 63°
Friday: Mostly sunny; high of 80°, low of 61°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 6 - 8:30 pm: PROFS & PINTS RICHMOND: HOW OUR BRAINS BLIND US
Thursday, 5 - 8 pm: FIDOS AFTER 5
Friday, 5 - 8 pm: ASHLAND FOURTH FRIDAYS
CITY GUIDES
1. A WEEKEND TRIP TO KINSALE: WHAT TO EAT, DRINK, SEE & DO
Image Source: @rvabaddieswalk
RICHMONDER(S) TO KNOW
RVA Baddie Walk Club: If you, a baddie, are looking for other baddies to meet, walk, and vibe with, there’s a new club made exactly for that. The first RVA Baddie Walk Club walk happens this Saturday, August 23, starting at 10 am on Brown’s Island. As they suggest, maybe make plans to grab coffee with your new bestie(s) afterward?
THE LATEST:
Image Source: Janet's Café & Bakery
Image Source: Babes of Carytown
Image Source: Patch to Porch
Image Source: Girls in Gear
SOCIAL NEWS
It’s a loaf story, baby, just say yeast… to stopping by Janet’s Café & Bakery, ASAP, that is. The spot officially opened last Thursday in Forest Hill, coming to us from longtime friends and bakers Will Darsie and Janey Gioiosa, who met a decade ago while working at Charlottesville’s MarieBette (another must-try spot, FWIW). The café blends diner and bakeshop vibes, sprinkled with personal touches like vintage cake stands, family photos, and wallpaper featuring the owners’ dogs. And then, of course, there are the menu items, including fresh breads, pastries, sandwiches, salads, coffee, and more. The duo hopes the bakery becomes a “morning watering hole” where people gather over quality bread and simple comforts. Easy sell, we’d say. (Richmond magazine)
RVA’s EVERYONE’S Bar+, Babes of Carytown, recently got a S/O on the Only In Virginia branch of online pub Only In Your State. As you may know, the beloved neighborhood bar was founded in 1979 and became a predominantly lesbian bar in the late ‘80s, and — despite the nationwide decline of lesbian bars (only 35 remain today) — Babes has thrived for 47 years by fostering inclusivity, authenticity, and community. It’s got a mix of Southern pub fare, creative cocktails, karaoke, drag shows, themed parties, and even beach volleyball. The owners and staff emphasize creating a safe, welcoming space for all, making Babes a cultural landmark in Richmond’s diverse, evolving social scene and a worthy subject for a write-up outside of the RIC bubble. Congrats, Babes! (Only In Your State)
Oh, I wish I were an Oscar Mayer Wiener, but we’ll take spotting one out and about as a close second. The iconic Oscar Mayer Wienermobile rolled into several Richmond-area spots earlier this month, including the RVA Big Market, the Stony Point Fashion Park Summer Sounds Series, a NASCAR RFK driver “meat up” in Mechanicsville, and a Richmond Flying Squirrels game. But if you missed one of those sightings, don’t fret; as we mentioned up top, you can ~ketchup~ with the hot dog on wheels at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden later this week. (WRIC)
A new cyclist nonprofit has rolled into town. Girls in Gear empowers girls through cycling, blending life lessons with biking to help them build confidence, resilience, and kindness. The org envisions a world where every girl can be her most brilliant, tenacious, and confident self, both on and off the bike. Using biking as a gateway for meaningful conversations and personal growth, Girls in Gear emphasizes core values such as sisterhood, diversity, mentorship, inclusion, compassion, wellness, and joy. Its programs include Pedal Power, an eight-week series combining riding skills with social-emotional learning; Glide-to-Ride, a learn-to-ride clinic for young beginners; Club GiG, a ride-intensive program for more experienced cyclists; and Camp GiG, a summer day camp full of biking adventures and team-building activities. (Ricmond magazine)
This *may* be your first river rodeo. RVA Paddlesports is hosting the Sun’s Down Surf’s Up Rodeo this Saturday, August 23, at the Pipeline, inviting freestyle kayakers of all styles to compete. The evening features kayak prelims, open surf, a raft dry flip competition, and kayak finals, with medals awarded to winners and a special Stoke Award for the most spirited competitor. Limited-edition t-shirts will be sold to benefit James River Outdoor Coalition’s efforts to save the Pipeline Trail, and spectators are encouraged to bring some energy, though access remains limited due to the trail’s closure, with entry available by (safely!) paddling in or wading across from Pipeline Overlook. (Richmond Grid)
Fall starts on September 22, but if you want to get a headstart on prepping, there’s a new service for that. Richmonder Rebecca Rabiger has partnered with her longtime friend Sara Lahmann to launch a locally sourced pumpkin delivery and styling service. Inspired by her own love of decorating porches for fall, Rebecca created Patch to Porch as a convenient option for folks who want seasonal displays without the hassle of gathering pumpkins themselves. The service offers four packages, ranging from $300 for a delivery-only bundle of 34 pumpkins and gourds to the $1,275 Autumn Estate, which includes nearly 100 pumpkins, jumbo varieties, mums, straw bales, full styling, and end-of-season removal. Safe to say we can’t wait to lurk for pics of these set-ups on social media this season. (Richmond BizSense)
MORE LINKS YOU’LL WANT TO CLICK
🌙Sun & Selene is partnering with the Richmond Flying Squirrels again, this time for Scott’s Addition Night! Now through game time on Tuesday, August 26, you can score two free tickets to the ball park with any in-store or local pick-up orders, or four free tickets with any in-store or local pick-up orders over $250. *Plus*, the studio is running a giveaway on Insta, through this Saturday, August 23, where followers can enter to win four game tickets, a $50 Sun & Selene gift card, and a $50 Pinky’s gift card. Peep the Summer Style Edit while you make plans. (Sun & Selene)
Image Source: REV36O
Weekly Giveaway
REV36O
Over the past decade, REV36O has built a community of riders, staff, and friends who’ve grown together, cheered each other on, and transformed not just their fitness, but their lives. The cycling studio offers fitness that’s smart, efficient, and supports real-life performance inside and outside the gym.
You don’t need to be ready; you just need a place to begin. And we've got a starting point for you👇
This week, we’re teaming up with REV36O to give away a free intro ride! Get ready to rock and ~roll~.
To enter: Use code RVAXFREE when you book here! (BTW: This is a one-time-use-only code for visitors new to the studio.)
Last week: Congratulations to last edition’s winner, Brianna M., for winning the Little Nomad giveaway!
Image Source: Capital City Painting & Powerwashing
Member Perks
Capital City Painting & Powerwashing
Before you swap the porch petunias for mums, give your home a little TLC, inside and out. Capital City Painting & Power Washing is a top-rated painting and exterior cleaning co, with more than 30 years of experience, serving Richmond and its surrounding communities. The biz specializes in both residential and commercial services, including power washing, house washing, residential and commercial painting, deck and fence cleaning/staining, roof cleaning, gutter cleaning and guard installation, window cleaning, concrete washing and sealing, and hardscape restoration.
As a member of The Richmond Experience, you get 10% off your first service for any job $500+! Just tell them when you book you’re an RVAx member.
Note: This perk cannot exceed a $50 discount.
New + Trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey, new members!
We’d like to welcome 8 new members this week: Alex G., Fabiana A., Kristen S., Lucy W., Kristen C., Silvia L., Christian O., and Pauline 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 370 of The Weekly Insider.
So long!
- The Richmond Experience
Thank you to Virginia Museum of Fine Arts for powering this edition of The Weekly Insider from The Richmond Experience!
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