Meet this week's guest editor, Ricky Parker! An accomplished educator, creative professional, and social impact advocate, Ricky is the Vice President at JPMorgan Chase. He leads community engagement efforts to foster relationships with local leaders and drive positive change. A co-founder of Shockoe Wine, Ricky understands the challenges small business owners face and champions continuous education and innovation. With extensive experience across educational and professional settings, he brings a unique perspective on the value of embracing diverse ideas.
In addition to his professional achievements, Ricky is the Founding Director of the Hip Hop Studies Program at Virginia Union University. An avid collector of fine art and rare Hip Hop memorabilia, he also enjoys hiking in his free time.
Take it away, Ricky ...
Celebratory Bubbles for New Year's Tasting
Raise a glass to the New Year at Echelon Wine Bar’s exclusive sparkling wine and champagne tasting! Enjoy six effervescent selections perfect for your year-end celebration. Take advantage of special pricing to stock up for your party, and toast to 2025 in style.
Celebrate the holidays in style with the Richmond Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi at RVA’s premier holiday party. Kappa Khristmas Kocktails ‘24 will feature great music, festive vibes, and holiday cheer at the iconic Main Street Station. Don’t miss this unforgettable night!
Vitals:
Kappa Khristmas Kocktails / Saturday, December 21, 7:00 - 11:00 pm / $55 per person / Main Street Station, 1500 East Main Street
Holiday Toy Drive
Spread joy this holiday season with the Dreamers Academy Foundation! Drop off a toy at Red Hibachi or Pig & Brew to help brighten a child’s Christmas. Together, let’s make the season magical for local families in need.
Vitals:
Holiday Toy Drive / Monday, December 23, 12:00 - 5:00 pm / Toy Donations / Drop off at Red Hibachi (1011 Hull Street) or Pig & Brew (1313 Hull Street)
Last Minute Holiday Shopping?
Shop Local.
MADE HERE.
This holiday season, surprise your loved ones with something truly special. The True Places RVA fine art print series depicts Richmond’s hidden outdoor spaces—destinations not found on maps or along well-worn paths. Shop limited-edition works by Ed Trask, Austin Miles, Steve Hedberg, Laura Goodman, and Melissa Burgess. Each locally made 14”x18” print is the perfect ready-to-frame size and available for immediate purchase, making it an ideal gift for local art lovers and those who seek to explore Richmond beyond the boundaries of a traditional map. On sale now at www.trueplacesrva.com.
Ricky serves as the Advisor for 1223 Potomac Gallery, a cutting-edge contemporary art space located in the heart of Georgetown, DC. Under his guidance, the gallery has become a key player in the local art scene, fostering emerging talent and promoting artistic innovation. Currently, the gallery’s artist-in-residence is Corey Ramon Gibson, a celebrated visual artist who was recently honored during Miami Art Week for his outstanding contributions to the DC art movement. Gibson’s work, which explores the intersection of cultural identity and contemporary expression, continues to captivate audiences and elevate the gallery’s reputation as a hub for transformative art.
Through Ricky's leadership, 1223 Potomac Gallery remains at the forefront of showcasing exceptional talent and supporting the creative community.
Meet this week's guest editor, Rebecca Thomas! A former restaurateur, Rebecca empowers people to make real, nourishing food at home without recipes, gadgets, or complicated prep. As the founder of Not Another Diet, she works to end generational diet culture by promoting simple, sustainable approaches to healthy living. With over 30 years of home cooking and 15 years in the restaurant industry, Rebecca created COOK!, a course that teaches intuitive, real-food cooking.
Her philosophy is all about enjoying the process of sourcing, preparing, and sharing food as a cornerstone of a healthy, joyful life. Outside of teaching, Rebecca loves biking, fresh produce, good coffee, and ... our favorite ... an early bedtime!
Take it away, Rebecca ...
GET LOST Touring Presentation with Pat McAleer
Part of a healthy, connected life is getting outside and challenging yourself -- a little or a lot, it all counts. I love hearing stories and practical advice from people who did just that. Come listen to Pat McAleer, a self-proclaimed "average rider" as he shares the highs and lows of his 10-day tour from Asheville to D.C. along the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive! This is a great presentation for anyone interested in doing a fun and challenging ride just a few hours from RVA.
Vitals:
GET LOST Touring Presentation: "10 Pictures, A Few Stories and an F-bomb"/ Thursday, December 12, 6:00 pm / FREE / Journeyman's Adventure Co., 115 N 18th Street
Honey Tasting with Dr. Hollee Freeman
Dr. Hollee Freeman is a tireless advocate and educator about all things bees. These little creatures are so important to the health of our environment and the food it produces. The more I learn, the more I want to know! Join her this Saturday for a reading from her book about bees and a honey tasting.
This is my favorite market due to its smaller size and later start time. I love biking here from my home in Church Hill. I fill my bags with seasonal veggies, sourdough rye from Europa Crust, and killer feta from Caromont Farm. I suggest strolling with a coffee, munching on some berries from Agriberry, and go hike through Forest Hill, one of the loveliest city parks, when you're done shopping. A perfect day.
This holiday season, surprise your loved ones with something truly special. The True Places RVA fine art print series depicts Richmond’s hidden outdoor spaces—destinations not found on maps or along well-worn paths. Shop limited-edition works by Ed Trask, Austin Miles, Steve Hedberg, Laura Goodman, and Melissa Burgess. Each locally made 14”x18” print is the perfect ready-to-frame size and available for immediate purchase, making it an ideal gift for local art lovers and those who seek to explore Richmond beyond the boundaries of a traditional map. On sale now at www.trueplacesrva.com.
Meet this week's guest editor, Joy Rush! Joy, a Richmond native and certified kids' yoga instructor, is the founder of YOGA JOY, a play-based yoga platform promoting mindfulness, movement, and wellness for children ages 2-12. Her work, including her bestselling book Yoga Fun A-Z, highlights children from a wide range of ethnicities and backgrounds, fostering inclusivity and representation. Through YOGA JOY, Joy offers accessible and engaging yoga practices, inspiring lifelong wellness for children and families.
Outside of work, Joy loves practicing hot yoga at Humble Haven Yoga, salsa dancing, and traveling with her son to explore new places and cultures.
Take it away, Joy ...
Tacky Lights of Richmond
Last year, local mom Erin Rebmann created a popular Tacky Light Map, featuring both iconic and new holiday light displays all over Richmond. This self-guided tour is a new festive tradition for us; we bring our own hot cocoa and drive around taking in all of the magic! From inflatables to synchronized light shows, the Tacky Lights Tour offers a magical way to celebrate the season!
Get ready to dance the night away with a mix of Salsa, Bachata, Merengue, and Kizomba at Aloft Short Pump with RVA Dance. Kick off the evening with an introductory lesson from 8:30 to 9:00 pm, then enjoy a night of music, movement, and great holiday fun!
My son and I love to visit Dominion Energy Gardenfest of Lights at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden every year. We can't wait to explore this year’s theme: Homes & Habitats, A Celebration of Connection, featuring millions of lights showcasing wetlands, forests, deserts, and more!
Our newest YOGA JOY program is Yoga Play! A signature activity from YOGA JOY, Yoga Play combines playful team-building with the transformative benefits of yoga. Designed to awaken the inner child, this engaging experience uses fun, play-based activities and simple yoga techniques to foster connection, collaboration, and creativity. By blending movement, mindfulness, music, and laughter, Yoga Play promotes overall team development in an inspiring and energizing way.
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