Ed 408: Drunk History, Big Dill Dog, Gas Prices
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Image Source: The Richmond Experience
Bless us all!
The Big Dill Dog is back 🥳 By now, you know catching a Squirrels game is one of our top summertime to-dos, and while we were psyched to enjoy the new ballpark this season, we were also bordering on clinical depression when we heard the Big Dill Dog wouldn’t be moving next door with Nutzy, Nutasha, and everything else that goes along with one of our favorite local teams.
But things have changed! Was it because Paige R told the Office Ladies and sparked a rallying cry from lots of deprived fans in the comments? We wouldn’t doubt it. And quite frankly, we don’t really need an explanation either. ALL HAIL GLIZZY GIRL SUMMER 🫡
Keep scrolling for RVA’s latest social news, including Pride happenings, refreshing beers, a soapbox derby car auction, and more.
PODCAST
WEATHER
Wednesday: Mostly sunny; high of 79°, low of 54°
Thursday: Mostly sunny; high of 84°, low of 60°
Friday: Mostly cloudy; high of 89°, low of 66°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 7:05 - 10 pm: BEST IN SHOW DOG DAYS
Thursday, 5 - 8 pm: MARKEL CORPORATE RUN
Friday, 5 - 8 pm: FIRST FRIDAYS WITH NASCAR & RICHMOND RACEWAY
CITY GUIDES
1. YOUR SUMMER 2026 BUCKET LIST
2. 10 PLACES IN RICHMOND TO GRAB A CUP OF TEA
3. 10 RICHMOND BAKERIES TO VISIT NEXT TIME YOU’RE CRAVING CARBS
Image Source: Marvel
RICHMONDER TO KNOW
Belle Isle Nature Exploration Area: ICYMI, a new Nature Exploration Area has opened on Belle Isle, creating a space where both kids and kids at heart can interact with natural materials and engage in unstructured outdoor play. The space features logs, rocks, and other nature-based elements designed to encourage exploration and creativity while helping folks connect with the environment. And not for nothin’, the weather this week looks great for outdoor exploration and creativity while connecting with the environment.
THE LATEST
Image Source: The National
Image Source: Ardent Craft Ales
Image Source: Cannon’s Online Auctions
Image Source: Diversity Richmond
SOCIAL NEWS
Happy Pride! Richmond officials, community leaders, and LGBTQ+ advocates gathered outside City Hall last week for a Pride flag-raising ceremony marking the start of Pride Month. The event included remarks from local leaders and representatives of LGBTQ+ organizations, a spoken-word performance, and the presentation of a Pride Month proclamation by city officials. Speakers emphasized visibility, inclusion, and support for the LGBTQ+ community. The ceremony also served as a kickoff to a month of Pride-related events and celebrations across Richmond. While you’re planning how to celebrate, peep our guide to all the best of the best here! (The Richmonder)
Turn it up. Richmond’s June 2026 concert calendar spans hardcore shows, indie rock tours, country, punk, and large outdoor festivals across the city’s clubs, theaters, and open-air venues. This month, you can catch a hardcore lineup at Bandito’s alongside shows at The National featuring Passion Pit, Cowboy Junkies, and Ryan Bingham, plus outdoor emo and punk with Hot Mulligan and Joyce Manor at Kanawha Plaza and metal at Cobra Cabana. Mid-June highlights include Everclear at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Zack Fox at The National, Lord Huron at Richmond Raceway, Subhumans at Richmond Music Hall, and The Breeders returning to The National. A two-night LOSO Weekend also brings DJs and electronic acts to LOSO on June 12 and 13. Then, the musical month closes with Dylan Marlowe at The Broadberry. (RVA Mag)
Be(er) right there. As Richmond’s hot-weather season gets underway, local brewers are highlighting lower-ABV, refreshing beers designed for outdoor drinking, including lagers, wheat ales, gose-style beers, and session brews. At Fine Creek Brewing, head brewer Brian Mandeville intentionally plans summer-friendly beers, noting that the brewery’s outdoor-focused setting and rural location make such cold ones especially appealing. Ardent Craft Ales head brewer Tasha Dixon similarly creates beers for warm-weather enjoyment, including the grapefruit-kissed Fresh Cut lager, Atlantico Mexican lager, and a key lime gose, emphasizing drinkability and careful lager production. At Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, brewmaster Brian Nelson points to River On!, a low-calorie session beer that supports the James River Association, as well as Hardywood Pils, Tropic Like It’s Hot, and Virginia Blackberry as ideal summer options. (Style Weekly)
But if that’s not your thing, former bartender and artist Liz Baranowicz dropped booze from her life and is now launching Soft Times Lounge, an alcohol-free nightlife pop-up at Studio One Twenty. The pop-up pops up on June 3, with the long-term goal of creating a permanent sober social hub in the city. Liz hopes to offer a welcoming space where people can enjoy nightlife, connection, craft zero-proof drinks and community without alcohol at the center. The inaugural ticketed event will feature unlimited nonalcoholic cocktails, beers, wines and sodas, including drinks she developed through her training with Sans Bar Academy. (Richmond magazine)
You can’t beat these car prices. Cannon’s Auctions is hosting an online auction of surplus items from the Children’s Museum of Richmond, with bidding ending June 4 at 7 pm. The sale includes equipment, exhibits, furnishings, and play structures that were moved into storage at the museum’s Chesterfield location after being removed from active use. Available items range from soapbox derby cars (want), amusement ride cars, and bounce houses, to playground equipment, interactive play displays, and a pirate ship-themed structure (also want). The auction also features unusual pieces like an animatronic book, a large animatronic tree, costume character heads, and holiday costumes, along with display cases, shelving, lighting, and event equipment. RVA Hub narrowed down a few top-tier pics — and we have to agree with the selection. (RVA Hub)
And in similar news, Virginia gas prices are finally showing signs of easing after months of increases. According to AAA, the statewide average for a gallon of regular gas was $4.16 on June 1, down from $4.25 just a few days earlier. Analysts say prices have started to fall as crude oil costs decline amid reports of potential peace talks in the Middle East, though ongoing geopolitical uncertainty could still cause prices to fluctuate throughout the summer. At the very least, Virginia's average remains below the national average of $4.32 per gallon, and we can (try to) be thankful for that. (WTVR)
MORE LINKS YOU’LL WANT TO CLICK
🍻 Drunk History, a new social club on the scene, has its first meeting this Friday, June 5, where folks can come together, have some drinks, and take turns sharing niche history stories, (Instagram)
🧗 Triangle Rock Club starts Summer Camp on June 15, welcoming young Richmonders to the gym, weekdays from 9 am to 4 pm, for rope climbing, bouldering, and learning about rock climbing. (Triangle Rock Club)
❤️ Sylvia’s Sisters recently received a donation from U by Kotex that marked the largest single product donation in the org’s history. (Instagram)
Image Source: Tri-City Chili Peppers
Weekly Giveaway
Tri-City ~Chilly~ Peppers vs Yorktown Coconuts
Yes, the latest Big Dill Dog news has us getting another Squirrels game on our calendars ASAP, but we’re equally excited about the Tri-City Chili Peppers game we’ve got on our calendars for this weekend already. The collegiate summer baseball team based in Colonial Heights plays in the Coastal Plain League, and in recent years, has gained national attention for its Cosmic Baseball, a glow-in-the-dark version of the sport played under black lights with illuminated uniforms, equipment, and field markings. *Those* special games are played by the Tri-City ~Chilly~ Peppers, the team's alternate identity — who you’d probably like to watch play, too, right?
This week, we’re giving away two tickets to the Tri-City Chilly Peppers game happening Friday, June 19! Bonus: It’s Toy Story Night. Yee-haw — giddy-up, partner!
To enter, tell us: What’s the best Toy Story movie (so far)?
Image Source: Mise En Place
Member Perks
Mise En Place
We’re looking at a little rain in the forecast this weekend (again 😭), but don’t fret: we’ve got a city guide for that. The Best Things To Do Indoors In Richmond When It Rains has all the wet-weather inspo you need, and it’s got some discount-friendly ideas sprinkled throughout, too — like putting in some QT at the premier destination for a unique, culinary experience.
As a member of The Richmond Experience, you get 10% off cooking classes at Mise En Place! Use code RVAX when you book.
What’s trending from RVAx
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SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey, new members!
We’d like to welcome 16 new members this week: Elizabeth C, Barbara F, Nan K, Jenna R, Kelly R, Louisa R, Liya Y, Lisa S, Jess W, Pamela W, Morgan W, Jessie B, Tyler S, Madison G, Max D, and Jennifer J, 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 408 of The Weekly Insider.
Happy Pride! 🏳️🌈
- The Richmond Experience
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