Ed 379: Most Booked Restaurants, Halloween Party, Retro Online Game
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You know we LOVE local artists, so when George Arturo of @visiblyhidden_ reached out with pics of his latest contribution to Rick’s Garden (another thing we LOVE), we were all, “I choose you!” when it came to picking this week’s featured image. @visualtoheart captured the new piece, and George made sure to note that the photog works extremely hard and took the above snap with lighting in mind, specifically to bring out the mural’s best features. Mission accomplished, we’d say.
As for George, he’s a Latin American multidisciplinary artist from Brooklyn, NY, now based in Richmond, VA, who is passionate about history, sacrifice, and the resilience of the human spirit. Here’s some of what he told us about the Bulbasaur cutie:
“The mural is about appreciating plant life such as vegetables, growth, and nature. At its center is a Bulbasaur in slumber, representing a coexistence of life and plant appreciation. Though fictional, Bulbasaur is a unique symbol: a living creature that is also a plant. It reflects how we value and connect with living beings, whether a dog, a cat, or in this case, an imagined plant-animal hybrid.
The mural invites viewers to see plants not just as static greenery, but as vibrant, living presences that share space with us. It's about perspective. Finding appreciation in life forms that grow, breathe, and coexist alongside us.”
Make sure you check it out the next time you’re strolling in the Fan.
Keep scrolling for RVA’s latest social news, including another book club to join, a fall cocktail pop-up, free tix to The National, and more.
PODCAST
WEATHER
Wednesday: Sunny; high of 68°, low of 44°
Thursday: Mostly sunny; high of 67°, low of 44°
Friday: Mostly sunny; high of 64°, low of 39°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 6 - 8:30 pm: PROFS & PINTS: HOW WE SCARE EACH OTHER
Thursday, 5 - 7 pm: GROWN-UP FIELD TRIP
Friday, 7 - 10 pm: MOVIES IN THE OUTFIELD: HOCUS POCUS
CITY GUIDES
1. 12 OLD FASHIONEDS TO TRY IN RICHMOND
2. 11 LOCAL DATE SPECIALS TO ENJOY WITH YOUR SOMEONE SPECIAL
Image Source: Hollywood Cemetery
RICHMONDER TO KNOW
The Iron Dog: Here’s our seasonal reminder to get yourself out for a walk through Hollywood Cemetery and look for this cast-iron statue that guards the grave of a little girl who died in 1862. There’s lots of lore around how the dog found its way to the iconic resting place, but the most popular theory is that it was moved there to avoid being melted into bullets during the Civil War.
THE LATEST:
Image Source: Can Can Brasserie
Image Source: Portico
Image Source: Agecroft Hall & Gardens
Image Source: The Bunny Hive
SOCIAL NEWS
Time for you to go out to the places you will be from. Heritage, known for its seasonal, locally-sourced New American cuisine, has closed its doors after serving the River City for 13 stellar years. The owners, Joe and Emilia Sparatta, recently announced the closure and thanked the community for its support, reflecting on how meaningful the restaurant has been to many people’s lives. They said they will “never forget these years.” The feeling is mutual for Richmonders, with many responding to the announcement with fond memories and well-wishes, treating the restaurant and its staff as a second family. (WTVR)
We’ve got some ideas for your next round of meal planning. OpenTable just published its Diners’ Choice: Most Booked Restaurants in Virginia article, which analyzes nearly half a million new global diner reviews each month and sorts restaurants by location to highlight those with the highest booking volume in Virginia, giving readers another way to discover top-booked dining spots across the state. Many Richmond faves made the cut, so if you’re due for a visit to say, Can Can or Portico, it looks like most foodies would say you should get on that. (OpenTable)
Calling all fun-loving fans: Agecroft Hall & Gardens hosts a quarterly themed book club called Agatha Christie Book, Bingo, and Trivia Night. Attendees get together at the historic manor starting at 6 pm on the given day and enjoy guided museum tours focused on the selected Christie novel, engage in bingo and trivia games, mingle and discuss the book, and sip Christie-inspired mocktails such as “Sparkling Cyanide” and “Corpse Reviver.” The event was created by tour services manager Katie Reynolds and business manager Emily Cunningham after director Anne Kenny-Urban’s lecture on Christie and English country houses, reflecting Agecroft’s historical setting and linking to Christie’s background, including planting a poison-plant garden inspired by her pharmaceutical work. FYI, it’s a hot ticket as all past events have sold out and attendance is capped at 35 for the next one (scheduled for next Tuesday, October 28). (Richmond magazine)
Richmond designer‐developer Joseph "Tripp" Cannella spent five years creating a free online game called Small Town RVA, which renders the city in nostalgic 32-bit, Game Boy-style graphics, having players wander a digital version of Richmond complete with trails, rivers, roads, and even real landmarks like the Church Hill tunnel and James Monroe’s grave. The game also incorporates lost or vanished sites (such as Pratt’s Castle in Oregon Hill) and local folklore including the Richmond Vampire. If players want to match the in-game map to their real-world location or see other players, chat, and upload photos, there are features for that, too; Small Town RVA has GPS social functions, which support Joseph’s hope that the project makes people more engaged with Richmond’s history and architecture, especially for spooky season. (WTVR)
How to score delish fall cocktails: Crescent Simples and Cirrus Vodka are teaming up for a three-day shindig this week at the Ballast tasting room, happening October 23, 25, and 26. The event highlights Cirrus’s new fall cocktail menu — which features handcrafted syrups from Crescent Simples — including happy-hour prices. Stop by for the Golden Orchard with the Apple Spice syrup and Ride the Vibes with the Cranberry Ginger syrup, among other year-round staples from the dynamic duo. The first 50 attendees will get mini bottles of Apple Spice and Cranberry Ginger syrups. (Press Release)
Last weekend, thousands of protesters gathered at the Virginia State Capitol, then marched to Monroe Park, to voice opposition to Donald Trump’s administration and perceived authoritarian drift. The crowd carried signs, dressed in symbolic threads (including references to fiction like Game of Thrones), and filled the area with messages opposing concentration of power and demanding accountability. The demonstration was part of another nationwide day of protests dubbed “No Kings,” organized to challenge what activists describe as anti-democratic tendencies in government. According to some accounts, the Richmond event alone drew roughly 14,000 folks — double the size of an earlier protest in June — but, despite the large turnout and this year’s intense feelings of What the Actual F***? (editor’s note), the gathering remained peaceful with no major incidents reported. (VPM)
MORE LINKS YOU’LL WANT TO CLICK
🎤The National is welcoming Chris Distefano to the stage this Friday, October 24, and RVAx members get ~free~ seats to see the funny man perform. (Tickets)
🎃The Bunny Hive is hosting a Halloween party this Saturday, October 25. Think: treats, costumes, crafts, and more. One ticket covers the whole fam. (Instagram)
🧢Caps for Cancer is collecting new or handmade hats and greeting cards until October 31 to deliver to local cancer patients. (Instagram)
🇮🇹The Jasper is launching Mi Scuzi on November 4, featuring a hospitaliano vibe and menu with apertivi, sandwiches, and all-around coziness. (Instagram)
Image Source: Little Ghost Co
Weekly Giveaway
Little Ghost Co
Local artist Katie Gast illustrates vintage Halloween girlies and more. And by “and more,” we really do mean and more — she has festive pieces for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and everything in between and outside. We scooped up her Four Halloween Gals piece at a night market *years* ago, and our eyes are STILL little cartoon hearts every time we look at it. Now we want to treat you to one for your home office/bedroom/foyer/wherever, too.
This week, we’re giving away an 8.5” x 11” copy of the Four Halloween Gals print! It's just a bunch of hocus pocus (in the best way).
To enter, tell us: Would you rather only be able to whisper or only be able to shout?
Last week: Congratulations to last edition’s winner, Carrie B., for winning the KD’s Lense giveaway!
Image Source: Nouveau Provisions
Member Perks
Nouveau Provisions
Nouveau Provisions has one job: to leave you feeling relaxed and connected. Their key formula is a chill, vibey space filled with undeniable ambiance that feels lowkey yet special. Located in the heart of Carytown. With amazingly good wine and shareable, super-tasty food that always hits just right. Because they believe when you give people the space to connect, they will.
As a member of The Richmond Experience, you get 10% off your bill! Just tell them at checkout you’re a member.
BTW: This perk does not apply to happy hour pricing.
New + Trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey, new members!
We’d like to welcome 11 new members this week: Ben C., Caci M., Paola V., Karie O., Tanasia M., Hannah V., David S., Temple M., Jasmine B., Allison F., and Aleena G., 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 379 of The Weekly Insider.
Have a gourd week ahead!
- The Richmond Experience
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