vol. 265 / ParkerExploring and celebrating the place we all love to call home.
VOL. 265 / GALORE
This week's guest editor is a driving force behind Richmond’s creative community. Meet Parker Galore—a Richmonder so deeply embedded in the arts that he hardly needs an introduction. But in case you haven’t had the pleasure yet, Parker serves on the board of directors for both the Richmond Arts District and Gallery5.
With too many ongoing projects to name, Parker’s commitment to cultivating meaningful, artistic experiences that are open and welcoming to all is unmatched. Parker's work is driven by a passion for creating immersive, interactive spaces that showcase the incredible range of local visual artists, performers, and musicians who shape Richmond’s vibrant creative scene.
You can always find Parker working to build safer, more inclusive environments where people can gather, connect, and feel inspired. And this week, we’re lucky enough to have him slow down just long enough to share a few tips for exploring and celebrating the city we all love to call home.
Take it away, Parker …
Stay Gold: Closing Reception & Happy Hour
Stay Gold. RVA Mag & Gallery5 20 Year Anniversary Exhibit Closing Reception and Happy Hour is tonight. This 20-Year Retrospective Exhibition traces the story of RVA Mag and Gallery5 through zines, street art, punk shows, porch hangs, protests, murals, bike parties, hip-hop showcases, food, beer, and the people who kept showing up. It’s a visual history of how two scrappy platforms helped push Richmond’s creative underground into public view.
Vitals:
Stay Gold. RVA Mag & Gallery5 20 Year Anniversary Exhibit Closing Reception and Happy Hour / Friday, April 25th / 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM / FREE / Gallery5, 200 W. Marshall St.
Richmond Restaurant Week in the Arts District
Richmond Restaurant Week is upon us and we have some great local establishments here in the Arts District that are participating. Each restaurant offers a three course prix fixe menu meal for $35.25 with $5.25 donated per meal to Feed More. Head to each restaurant's socials or websites to check out their menu. Participating Restaurants in the Arts District include And Dim Sum, Bar Solita, Birdies, Common House, Julep's, Tarrants Downtown, and The Lobby Bar at Quirk Hotel
Rest Fest is a celebration of wellness, bringing Richmonders together for group classes, speakers, music, food, vendors, and connection. Rest Fest is a platform to showcase the incredible local wellness talent available in and around Richmond. Group classes include breathwork, yoga, ecstatic dance, sound baths, and more. Presentations include an exploration of the Divine Feminine and Masculine energies inherent in all of us, contrast therapy (alternating saunas + cold plunges), a plant medicine discussion panel, authentic interdependence in spiritual community, and more. Live music kicks off the first night with Holy River and Big Fancy as well!
Vitals:
Rest Fest / April 26th - 27th / 10:00 am - 7:00 pm / The Cardinal, 17301 Memorial Tournament Dr.
More About Parker.
A big part of Parker's work includes helping shape and evolve RVA First Fridays, one of the city’s longest-running monthly community events. Parker is focused on strengthening collaboration between organizations, activating underused spaces, and bringing art into the streets—whether through pop-ups, maker markets, mural spots, or public performances.
Parker deeply believes that art belongs everywhere and loves encouraging all kinds of spaces to become homes for expression—barbershops, boutiques, nonprofits, restaurants—wherever there’s room for creativity to show up and thrive.
“Healthier cities are the ones where governments recognize the vital role artists and creative spaces play in shaping culture, fostering belonging, and driving evolution. That means more than just supportive words—it means enacting policies and putting real funding toward the artists, organizations, and community hubs that give Richmond its soul,” shares Parker. “I feel incredibly fortunate to have friends and be part of communities who share these values—and I’ll keep pushing for a Richmond where art isn’t an afterthought, but a priority.”
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.
Go
