Meet Brandon Day, this week’s guest editor! A former amateur astrologist and current Topo Chico addict, Brandon is the Director of Marketing at Belle Isle Moonshine, the makers of Richmond’s fave line of premium moonshine and canned cocktails. When he’s not hand-modeling to show off Belle Isle’s latest seasonal release, you can find him out and about celebrating all of the fantastic creators, entrepreneurs, and entertainers that make our city so special. Take it away, Brandon ...
Funky
Finds
On Fridays, I like to cut out a little early (don’t tell my boss, lol) and swing by my favorite vintage store, Boho To Go. Jen, the owner and curator of this awesome collection of vintage furniture and cool finds, is one of the coolest folks in the game. They work super-hard to find unique pieces from all over, then price them reasonably so they can find a loving, new home. It is physically impossible for me to go and not leave with something new for my ever-growing gallery wall.
It’s officially Pride Month, and I can’t think of a better way to kick it off than by brunching with your besties and showing love to your local queens. There’s nothing quite like slamming back a Bloody Mary while someone simultaneously drops into the splits in front of you. I’ll be popping by Drag Brunch at The Camel on Saturday, hosted by the stunning and hysterical Chicki Parm. If you can’t make it this time, fret not! You can catch this show every first Saturday of the month at The Camel. Just don’t forget to bring cash for the queens! JK - they take Venmo too.
There’s a lot of tasty slices around the city, but none of them hit the spot quite like Zorch Pizza. I’m an absolute sucker for the “Upside Down” specialty pie, but you can’t go wrong with a slice of their classic New York-style pepperoni. I’m so stoked for the opening of their highly-anticipated Carytown brick-and-mortar, but this weekend you’ll find me grabbing a slice from their truck at The Veil on Sunday.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that this weekend also marks the celebration of National Moonshine Day! To celebrate, we’re giving Here. readers free delivery/shipping on their next order of Belle Isle Moonshine. Just use the promo code “HERE” at checkout!
And make sure to check out our new LEMON LAVENDER. We combined our award-winning premium moonshine with real lemon and fresh lavender to create a bright, botanical infusion that’s perfect for a cheeky cocktail on the front porch. It's absolutely delicious in your favorite gin cocktail, with a splash of lemonade, or just with seltzer and tonic on top.
Meet this week’s guest editor, Ali Greenberg! As the Outreach Manager for Lighthouse Labs, she has helped make the Richmond-based startup accelerator the most founder-friendly on the East Coast. Ali moved to RVA from NYC in 2017 after visiting the area and falling in love with the city. Just six months later, Ali founded The Broad, which served as a workspace and social club for women and gender minorities until it closed due to the pandemic. As a longtime startup mentor and supporter, it didn’t take long for Ali to join forces with Lighthouse Labs to help the growing organization invest further in the lives of founders. She’s also a passionate supporter of reproductive justice, a longtime in-clinic volunteer with Planned Parenthood, and monthly supporter of the Richmond Reproductive Freedom Project. When Ali isn’t working to make Richmond a better place, you’ll find her eating her way around the world with 25 countries behind her and the rest to go. Check out Ali’s quick tips for exploring and celebrating this place we love to call home. Take it away, Ali …
Abuelita's
Homemade Mexican Food
Get yourself an EZPass and make your way across the James to tuck into the top notch cooking at Abuelita's. I love any restaurant that focuses on a few dishes and does them right, and Abuelita's does just that with a rotating menu of guisos that will warm your soul. From chile rellenos to tamales to nopales - a plate of grandma's cooking and an agua fresca is the only thing I want after a day at Pony Pasture.
The little shop that could, Tokyo Market has been in Carytown for decades and recently expanded their space to stock even more delicious treats. The owner, Chong, is one of my favorite people in Richmond and has been kind enough to give me feedback on my kimchi jjigae. From imported candies to domestic rarities (it's the only place in the area that stocks Sun Noodles - a must for homemade ramen), Tokyo Market is the best place to shop globally, locally.
The grand finale of the startup accelerator's program, Demo Day is a chance for the early-stage founders to take the (virtual) stage and share their innovative ideas with the community. Lighthouse is celebrating our 10th cohort - our largest and most diverse yet - on Thursday June 3rd and each team has the chance to win $5,000 in additional funding based on an audience vote. Grab your free ticket to cheer on one of our hometown heroes - EDai, Grantable, lokii, and Team Excel - to help a Richmond team take home the win! Plus, apply for our Fall 2021 program if you have a startup idea that needs funding and support.
Founder-focused, time-tested, and ready to roll. Twice a year Lighthouse Labs invests $20,000 equity-free in 6-10 early-stage startups. Over 3-months, they receive tailored mentorship, extensive education in scaling a startup, and a cohort community to grow alongside for the long-haul. You should definitely apply by June 6th!
Here's to making waves in the River City this weekend. We’ve rounded up a handful of recommendations for people, places, and causes to celebrate.
See you in the city!
AlterNatives
Bluegrass & Brews
AlterNatives Boutique, Richmond's first fair trade store, is hosting Bluegrass & Brews on Saturday at 3320 W. Cary St. in Carytown. If you haven't checked out AlterNatives yet, they offer a variety of products from fair trade craftspeople and companies that offer livable wages and safe working conditions. The shop also operates a nonprofit called Highland Support Project (HSP), which works to empower communities in the Guatemalan Highlands. Thanks to the local nonprofit, volunteer teams here in Richmond make annual trips to the Guatemalan Highlands to help build stoves for families and communities that would normally cook food over an open-pit fire inside of their homes. These stoves prevent illnesses and deaths from smoke inhalation, reduce deforestation because they use less wood, and they help provide women more time to pursue other educational opportunities and trainings within and outside of their rural communities. This weekend's event in Richmond will benefit these efforts. Bands will kick off at 1 pm in Carytown, beer will be provided by Legend Brewing, homemade Guatemalan food served, and there will be plenty of opportunities to learn more about the work of HSP and participate in an online auction with an impressive collection of local goods up for grabs.
Own your freakdom this weekend. Freak Flags, a female-owned and operated flag and pennant shop based in RVA, has the River City abuzz with its latest creations. Freak Flags designs fun and funky flags that celebrate everything there is to love about Richmond. Make sure to follow Freak Flags on Instagram to track their latest pop ups and new offerings, as they sell out fast. Recent flags have included shoutouts to favorite spots around town (check out their Scuffletown flag) and pennants with playful sayings like, "I Love You More Than Springtime in Richmond." Local pickups are available at Tiny Space in Church Hill. Let your freak flag fly!
Vitals:
Shop Freak Flags here / Follow for upcoming flags here
Høly River
at the Pump House
Take a virtual trip to the Pump House on Sunday for a multimedia collaboration of dance, music and film to raise funds to help spruce up this historic and architectural treasure. Located on the North Bank of the James River, the Pump House once served as a public-use pumping station downstairs and a venue for lavish events and dances upstairs until the mid-1920’s. Through donations and volunteer efforts, the Richmond community is revitalizing the Pump House and surrounding park to its former glory. This Sunday’s online event will mark a collaboration between Høly River, The Concert Ballet of Virginia, Starr Foster Dance, and Hourglass Sessions to raise money to replace some of the windows at the Pump House. As many Richmonders know, Høly River is an experimental folk duo by Jameson Price and Laney Sullivan with water protection, environmental activism, and community at its core. You can tune into a live performance by the band at the Pump House on Sunday that will premier on the Friends of Pump House YouTube page. The duo will perform from the top floor of the Pump House filled with dancers from the Concert Ballet of Virginia and Starr Foster Dance.
Spread positives message to friends, neighbors, and strangers this weekend at Carytown Chalk Up The Town. Local non-profits, schools, artists, and community members will be creating positive messages and art with chalk up and down Carytown's sidewalks. Participating blocks, chalk pick-up locations, and sidewalk decorators can be found here.
Go
