Meet this week's guest editor, Dr. Anjali Ferguson! Anjali is a clinical psychologist, TEDx speaker, and children’s book author dedicated to creating inclusive, equitable communities. As the founder of Parenting Culture and the executive director of the Virginia Association for Infant Mental Health (VAIMH), she is committed to expanding access to mental health care for minoritized communities through culturally responsive care. Recognized by Style Weekly as a Top 40 Under 40 honoree and awarded by the American Psychological Association for distinguished community service, Dr. Ferguson frequently shares her expertise in national publications as a media psychologist. She is also a devoted mom to two young children, a passionate foodie, an arts and culture enthusiast, and an avid traveler who embraces the joy of discovering new places and experiences.
Take it away, Anjali ...
First Fridays at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture!
Every first Friday of the month, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm, the museum opens its doors for free after-hours admission. It’s a wonderful way to explore Virginia’s rich history with family and friends in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.
Enjoy live music, tasty bites from food trucks, and family-friendly activities perfect for all ages. Adults can take advantage of $2 off wine and beer in the Museum Café, while kids and adults alike can try specialty mocktails. Each month brings different themed activities, so there’s always something new to discover!
The Virginia Museum of History & Culture, established in 1831, is the oldest museum in Virginia and among the oldest in the U.S. With over nine million items, the VMHC offers a fascinating glimpse into the history of the Commonwealth. It’s a place where stories of the past come alive, and the whole family can learn and explore together.
The "Two Up, Wine Down" event on November 2, 2024, at the Jefferson School City Center in Charlottesville, VA, is a short drive from Richmond, making it a great outing for wine enthusiasts. Featuring curated tastings, music, and a vibrant community atmosphere, this family-friendly festival is ideal for exploring the diversity of Virginia wines. VIP tickets offer exclusive early access and additional tastings, with more events on Friday, November 1, to make a full weekend of it.
Día de los Muertos celebration at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is a fantastic cultural experience and family-friendly event, taking place in the beautiful garden setting. This festival is a meaningful way to celebrate Mexican heritage and tradition by honoring loved ones who have passed.
Families can bring their own personal offerings to add to the community altar, a central part of Día de los Muertos that symbolizes remembrance. Kids and adults alike will enjoy hands-on activities, including traditional “papel picado” (colorful paper cuttings) demonstrations by artist David Amoroso and sugar skull face-painting by artist Vanessa Hoggins. The event also offers an array of crafts and activities to explore this beautiful celebration of life.
And for those who get hungry while enjoying the festivities, there’s a taco bar offering delicious food options. This vibrant event is a chance for everyone, especially children, to learn more about Día de los Muertos and its deep cultural significance in a joyful, welcoming environment.
Dr. Anjali Ferguson is making significant strides in promoting equity and addressing racial bias through her acclaimed children’s book, An Ordinary Day. Recognized nationally as a must-read, the book highlights microaggressions while providing families with a guide on how to have meaningful discussions about these topics with their children. Parenting Culture plans to host "Parents' Night Out" events where families can gather, enjoy time together, and obtain free resources. Additionally, Dr. Ferguson is in the process of writing a second children's book inspired by the birth of her daughter, so stay tuned for more information on its content!
Meet this week's guest editor, Nick Serfass! Got an idea? Give it to Nick - he’ll put it down, flip it, and reverse it over and over again until it becomes a hit. Nick is a creative problem-solver who thrives in association life, blending entrepreneurial spirit with event production, media storytelling, and community impact. Formerly an architect with Baskervill, he shifted careers to work in regulatory agencies and student organizations, ultimately landing at rvatech/. There, Nick has positioned Richmond as a potential AI and machine learning tech hub and helped launch a brand platform to attract and retain tech talent in "Tech’s Most Creative City." A proud Midlothian resident since 1988, he’s also a dedicated ultramarathon runner, avid reader, and local coffee, golf, and speakeasy connoisseur.
Take it away, Nick ...
Halloween UnHappy Hour at Poe Museum
Presented by Triple Crossing, come along on Thursday, October 24th, from 6-9 PM for the Poe Museum’s Creature Feature Halloween UnHappy Hour! Don’t miss the most beloved — and spookiest — UnHappy Hour of the year. For this special Creature Feature theme, the Poe Museum will be joined once again by Richmond surf rock legends The Embalmers. As always, there will be a contest for the best costumes, scary-good refreshments, beer from Triple Crossing, and an assortment of wines. Plus, TBT El Gallo will be for sale in the parking lot with elevated Mexican street food for any hungry beasts or ghoulies! Hope to see you there, for a miserable time from six to nine.
Vitals:
Halloween UnHappy Hour / Thursday, October 24, 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm / tickets, $12 at the door / Poe Museum, 1914 E Main Street
Richmond Restaurant Week
Since 2001, Richmond Restaurant Week has showcased the city's diverse food scene while supporting Feed More, a Richmond-based nonprofit that collects, prepares and distributes food to our neighbors in need. For two weeks each year, diners can enjoy a three-course meal at top locally-owned restaurants for just over $35. Make a reservation, try something new, and help the community by simply savoring a great meal. Contribute to the local economy and help eliminate hunger just by enjoying a great meal.
Central Virginia's premier fall technology conference, rvatech/'s Women in Tech Conference is curated by Richmond's women in tech community but is designed and built for all audiences including technologists, business leaders, community builders, educators, and students. Aimed at bringing together professionals on a wide range of relevant topics to learn, engage, and collaborate, this event will feature a robust slate of keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities. Held at the Science Museum of Virginia, the Women in Tech Conference features tracks on technology, innovation, and leadership. Come one, come all to rvatech/'s largest conference of the year.
The Richmond Technology Council recently developed a new brand platform for the city of Richmond and its tech ecosystem: Richmond, VA - Tech's Most Creative City. The brand platform was the result of over two years of research, collaboration, and strategy aimed at positioning Richmond as a higher profile tech town on the national stage. The initiative is aimed at continuing to build and grow the already prominent and world-class tech workforce that exists in the city today. The hopeful result of its implementation will be enhanced recognition, awareness, and perception of the city among the technology workforce nationally.
The Tech's Most Creative City brand platform was developed after careful competitive analysis, persona development, strategy research, and creative design conducted by local ad agency Two Tango. The effort included collaboration among the organization's largest members, including Capital One, CarMax, Altria, Meta, Google, and Amazon Web Services, in addition to input from collateral organizations including local economic development authorities, educational institutions, and partner nonprofits. The first phase of implementation is the launch of https://techsmostcreative.city/, a parallel website focused on telling stories about the creative technology work being conducted by local Richmond companies and practitioners.
Meet this week's guest editor, Jesse Smith! When it comes to art and Richmond, Jesse is often found at the center of the conversation. From his beginnings at VCU as an art student to leading the36th Annual Richmond Tattoo & Arts Convention, he’s been an advocate for creatives in the River City and across the globe. In Carytown, his tattoo studio, Loose Screw Tattoo, is home to 12 diverse tattoo artists and host to a rotating list of international celebrity artists. From his iconic mural outside of Taboo to one of his freshest pieces in Carytown in partnership with All City Art Club, his murals are part of the city’s colorful character. Jesse is also an international mural artist, appeared on seasons two and seven of Ink Master. Jesse has a formidable following, two decades of tattoo industry expertise, and is a relentless innovator in the art world.
Take it away, Jesse ...
Richmond Tattoo & Arts Convention
You can find me at the Richmond Tattoo & Arts Convention October 18-20. The 3-day event brings together world renowned artists from a variety of disciplines for a weekend of connection, creation, and community. Family-friendly fun is infused with Live Art for Charity, interactive comedy shows, Ink Master celebrity experiences, local food, after parties, and more.
My family loves Maymont’s Garden Glow. The annual creative adventure runs from October 16 to November 10, with new light sculptures along the expanded Kinsale Glow Path and the Japanese Garden! It’s a great chance to enjoy the great outdoors with friends and family.
The Live Art for Charity event during the Richmond Tattoo & Arts Convention features 15 global artists! Supply RVA will provide materials and set up 3-by-3-foot canvases on Friday for the artists to begin mapping out their masterpieces.
By Sunday, each canvas will be filled with a truly one-of-a-kind piece that event attendees can bid on to support Hope vs. Cancer. The nonprofit marries art with mission in its pursuit to spread awareness of childhood cancer, raise funds for research and clinical trials, and most importantly, lift children’s spirits as they are undergoing treatment. The paintings will be available for auction online after the convention ends on Sunday, October 20.
Through a stroke of luck and RVA charm, Jesse and Carbon Leaf's bassist Jon Markel have become close friends and collaborators. In fact, the tattoos adorning Jon's arms were all created by Jesse!
Carbon Leaf, the Virginia-based indie-rock band known for their fusion of folk and rock, just released its first full-length album in a decade, “Time Is The Playground.” Jon recently enlisted Jesse to design a custom pickguard for his new Lakeland bass, which he’s taking on tour to promote the new album.
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