Meet Cynthia Hutcherson, this week's guest editor. Cynthia is the Director of Communications & Marketing at Rise Academy in Richmond, where she channels her storytelling skills and passion for education into purpose-driven work. She began her career at Red Light Management in Charlottesville, later taking on roles at UVA’s Darden School of Business and Woodberry Forest School before joining Rise.
The youngest of seven siblings, Cynthia cherishes time with her ten nieces and nephews, hunts for treasures while thrifting and antiquing, and keeps her music industry roots alive by attending local shows and curating the perfect playlist for every occasion.
Take it away, Cynthia…
Tropical Thursday at Havana 59
This spring and summer I'm challenging myself to try new things, so I'm grateful for Havana 59's Tropical Thursday Latin Party! Perfect for beginners and experienced dancers alike, this weekly event features a free salsa and bachata class followed by open dancing. While newcomers learn the basics, you can also simply enjoy watching the pros show off their moves while sipping tropical drinks and savoring Cuban cuisine in this lively atmosphere.
Catch a free screening of Finding Edna Lewis, a VPM documentary exploring the legacy of the trailblazing Virginia chef who revolutionized Southern cooking and inspired countless female chefs—including Richmond's own Leah Branch, executive chef at my favorite restaurant in town, The Roosevelt. The screening will be followed by an enlightening panel discussion about Lewis's enduring impact on culinary traditions.
Explore The Branch Museum of Design during its Easter Open House! This is your chance to discover this architectural gem while enjoying complimentary refreshments and taking in the Monument Avenue Easter Parade. If you've never visited The Branch Museum, you're in for a treat—this historic mansion houses fascinating exhibitions in a stunning setting.
Rise Academy (formerly Church Hill Activities & Tutoring) is a tuition-free independent high school in Richmond's East End that is dedicated to fostering authentic educational experiences that expand students' horizons through holistic care and robust academic preparation. Their after-school program ensures the community's youngest learners have safe, creative, and enriching out-of-school adventures.
Rise Academy invites you to the East End Block Party Saturday, May 24th from 12:00 - 4:00 PM! This completely free celebration brings together neighbors, families, and community partners. Expect great local music, mouthwatering food vendors, special remarks from Mayor Danny Avula, and activities for all ages in a festive atmosphere that showcases the best of Richmond's East End spirit.
Meet Sofia McDaniel, this week's guest editor. Sofia, who grew up in Prince William County, is the oldest of five and has two siblings with autism. Today, she holds a Juris Doctorate from Ohio Northern University and works for the Commonwealth of Virginia, where she plays a key role in shaping policies that drive forward-thinking solutions in education. She collaborates with leaders across government, higher education, and the K–12 sector.
She is also a Fellow with the Education Reformers Academy, where she joins a national cohort of policy leaders who are passionate about ensuring all children experience the life-changing power of a great education. In addition, Sofia has done extensive work in domestic violence prevention and helped launch Florida’s first-ever faith-based initiative to address domestic violence.
And did we mention she's also Miss Central Virginia USA?
Beyond her professional impact, Sofia is deeply committed to mentoring and empowering young women and children. She is known for using her Miss Central Virginia USA platform to advocate for stronger educational outcomes for all children. Sofia is actively involved with Best Buddies International, where she serves as Chair of the Richmond Friendship Walk. She also supports Girls on the Run Richmond, where she is a member of the Impact Advisory Team and coaches an after-school program for elementary-aged girls.
Take it away, Sofia ...
RVA Best Buddies Friendship Walk
Join us for the second-ever Best Buddies Friendship Walk in Richmond, hosted at City Stadium! Every step we take makes a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals in our community. This special day is all about unity and support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The event celebrates inclusion, fosters genuine friendships, and raises vital funds for Best Buddies programs in Virginia and Washington, D.C. Lace up your shoes, bring your friends and family, and help us grow the reach and impact of Best Buddies in our region! The walk is free to register and attend and is open to individuals of all ages and abilities.
Join us for Speed Scouting Sunday—a networking mixer for models, actors, photographers, videographers, designers, content creators, artists, and more. Come out to support a local business and make meaningful connections.
Vitals:
Follow Speed Scouting for event and location details / Sunday, April 13 / 4 PM – 6 PM
Tutus & Ties Downtown
Movement and play are good for children’s bodies and brains. In fact, movement can help increase memory, perception, language comprehension, attention, emotional understanding, and decision making! Join the Children's Museum of Richmond from 2:00 to 2:30 PM in the Downtown Playhouse for Tutus and Ties Tuesdays, where we’ll dress up and move, move, move!
This event is free with museum admission.
Vitals:
Tutus & Ties Downtown / Tuesday, April 15 / 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM / Children's Museum of Richmond, 2626 West Broad St.
More About Best Buddies.
Sofia is a dedicated volunteer for Best Buddies International, where she serves as Chair of the Richmond Friendship Walk. Best Buddies International is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, inclusive living, and family support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Best Buddies is the largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people worldwide with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Its programs help form meaningful friendships with their peers, secure jobs, improve communication and advocacy skills, and live independently, while also offering support for their families.
Meet this week's guest editor, Amanda Robinson! For over 20 years, Amanda has been a driving force in Richmond’s artistic community. She is the founder and former Executive & Artistic Director of Gallery5, a nonprofit visual and performing arts center in Richmond, where she curated hundreds of notable exhibitions between 2005 and 2012, earning numerous awards and recognitions. In 2008, she received the Theresa Pollak Award for “Art Innovator of the Year,” and in 2006, was the youngest recipient of Style Weekly’s “Top 40 Under 40.” Under her leadership, Gallery5 was consistently recognized by readers of Style Weekly and Richmond Magazine as “Best Art Gallery” and “Best Independent Art Gallery.”
Amanda returned to Gallery5 in 2023 to serve on the Executive Board and as its volunteer Creative Director. Since her return, she has launched new programs, collaborations, and exhibitions with fresh energy and vision. During her 10-year hiatus from Gallery5, Amanda founded—and continues to own and operate—Sweet Fix, a custom cake studio in Richmond. Her incredible cake creations have been featured on Food Network, Martha Stewart, Southern Living, and more.
Take it away, Amanda …
Stay Gold
On First Friday, April 4, Gallery5 and RVA Magazine will once again join forces to commemorate their joint 20-year anniversaries with a special Birthday Celebration and Block Party. The Stay Gold: 20 Years of RVA Magazine and Gallery5 event will transform the block around Gallery5 into a vibrant night market and festival of fire—curated by RVA Moon Market and the Party Liberation Foundation. It will also feature a full lineup of live musical performances and a collaborative 20-year retrospective exhibition and slideshow reflecting on two decades of Richmond’s artistic, cultural, and political movements, while highlighting both organizations’ origins and their shared commitment to enriching the city’s creative community. Featuring live performances by No BS! Brass Band, Sweet Potatoes, Gull and WRIR 97.3!
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts will celebrate artist Frida Kahlo and her Mexican heritage with a free, fun-filled community event, ¡FridaFest! People of all ages are invited to enjoy live music, food and beverages, artist demonstrations, a photo booth, and more. The festivities will take place outdoors in the museum’s Robins Sculpture Garden and indoors in VMFA’s Cochrane Atrium. April 5 is also the opening day of the museum’s highly anticipated exhibition Frida: Beyond the Myth, on display through September 28. Featuring live performances by: Bio Ritmo, Mariachi America RVA, Mexican Folk Jerocho, Miramar, and DJ Ray-Ray.
Vitals:
Frida: Beyond the Myth / Saturday, April 5 / 1 PM-7 PM / Free ($10-$20 for Exhibition Tickets) / VMFA, 200 N. Arthur Ashe Boulevard
Jonathan Brown Jr. Sings
Join Brambly Park for a memorable night with Jonathan Brown Jr., a talented artist known for his heartfelt, soulful performances. With a style that blends powerful vocals and compelling rhythms, Jonathan’s music connects deeply with his audience. His dynamic stage presence and unique sound promise an unforgettable evening.
Virago Alley is Amanda’s newest nonprofit, currently fundraising to renovate a brick-and-mortar space that will house traditional archery and fencing practice areas, along with workshop and limited studio space for historic artisans.
Its flagship initiative, the Richmond Renaissance Faire, launched on March 7 with a grassroots First Fridays fundraiser that drew over 5,000 attendees to the three blocks surrounding Gallery5. Amanda saw the local launch as an opportunity to build authentic partnerships and ensure that the community of artists and organizations has a voice in shaping the Faire’s foundation year.
The Richmond Renaissance Faire celebrates underrepresented historical art forms and global artisanship. Designed as a multicultural experience unlike any other Ren Faire in the U.S., it blends live demonstrations, performances, and merchant showcases from East Asian, Middle Eastern, Indigenous American, African, and European communities—all presented through the lens of 13th–17th century craftsmanship, with a distinct Richmond flair. Events will continue throughout 2025 in preparation for a full multi-day festival in 2026.
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