vol. 83 / have pride 🌈Celebrating a welcoming place for all.
VOL. 83 / HAVE PRIDE
Have pride, RVA! This week, Wyatt Gordon, a writer for RVA Magazine, is joining us as guest editor. His vision is to use community-driven placemaking to highlight what he calls "the charming queerness of the Commonwealth’s capital." Wyatt is an urban planner that volunteers with Diversity Richmond and Virginia Pride. Take it away, Wyatt ...
The lack of a “gayborhood” in Richmond doesn’t mean there aren’t cool things to do throughout June to show your pride. The rebellious, counter-culture spirit of any good Pride celebration is baked into Richmond’s DNA. Whether you’re LGBTQ+ yourself or just an ally, here are three great ways to show your pride!
Have a
Gay Old Time
For the first time in years Richmond is going to have its very own queer film fest! Starting June 3, come get a little gay every Monday during Pride Month and the first Monday of July when the Byrd Theatre is taken over by MonGays, a film series celebrating the LGBTQ+ community. All proceeds from the $4 suggested donation will benefit Diversity Richmond, Nationz Foundation, Side by Side, Health Brigade, and Black Pride RVA. I’m biased since I organized this one with Virginia Pride, but the lineup of critically acclaimed and audience adored movies will be sure to enlighten as well as entertain!
Vitals:
Every Monday in June and the first Monday of July
This Monday's feature is Rafiki (pictured)
7 pm at the Byrd Theatre
What's
the Tea?
Last month the Tottering Teacup celebrated two years since opening at the corner of Cary and Dooley in Carytown. What started out as an affordable specialty tea house serving homemade macarons, scones, and tea cookies has transformed into a hub for the community. Whether you’re looking to throw a birthday bash, play dress-up, or simply enjoy a high tea, owner Anatash Werne revels in her shop being a welcoming place for all.
Over the past couple years, Hard Candy has been bringing some of the drag world’s top queens to Fallout, Richmond’s premier goth / industrial / fetish nightclub. Stars like Brook Lynn Hytes, Jasmine Masters, and Scarlett Envy have all taken the stage in Shockoe Bottom. And on June 4, Ru Paul’s Drag Race Season 11 finalist Akeria C. Davenport will join their ranks! Additional performances by local queens Chiki Parm and Jasmen Clitopatra will round out the evening and guarantee a good time.
The first Here. member to give us a shout will receive two free tickets to Friday Cheers this week featuring Colter Wall with Thorp Jenson. Email us using the link below. Early bird gets the worm!
vol. 82 / bust a move 🕺Take more chances. Dance more dances.
VOL. 82 / BUST A MOVE
Let’s dance. This week Mandy Helmlinger, founder and artistic director of Richmond Urban Dance, is joining us as guest editor. Her vision is to bring the high quality hip hop dance scene typically found in LA and NYC to RVA. Mandy has over 35 years of dance training and experience in performing, teaching, choreographing, and directing. Bust a move, Mandy…
There's a vibrant and growing dance scene in Richmond, you just have to know where to look! There are studios for all styles, unique venues, and amazingly talented creatives that embrace the dancer life. Here are three favorites to start your search whether you've been here forever or are new to the area!
Richmond
Urban Dance
Sure, we're a bit biased here -- but we love our dancers! Check out a variety of Richmond Urban Dance classes, from pre-school to adult, that are open to all experience levels. PRO TIP: If you're nervous about trying a master class, consider the adult beginner or RUD Fit classes first. And don't miss the 3rd annual I AM HIP HOP show on June 7 and 8. This isn't your typical recital! There will be plenty of special guests, surprises, and we get HYPE! Best of all, proceeds from the show support the Richmond Urban Dance scholarship fund. Grab your tickets fast!
Perk: The first 10 Here. members to email us about "I AM HIP HOP" score free tickets to the Richmond Urban Dance performance of their choice in June.
Dogtown Dance Theatre is a beautifully renovated dance space located in Manchester on the south side of the James River. It's home to independent performing artists and studios looking for space to create and train. They offer a wide variety of classes from contemporary to pole. Their next main stage performance is by RVA Dance Collective “Four Seasons.” Grab your tickets for the shows on May 31 and June 1.
Perk: The first five Here. members to email us about "Four Seasons" will receive free tickets to the performance of their choice at Dogtown Dance Theatre.
Dancers of RVA is a collaborative project focused on capturing the passion of RVA dancers and showcasing the beautiful landscape of our city. The photography by Katrina Boone is stunning. And it’s a great way to learn the personal stories of the dancers in our area and perhaps even get featured! Give them a follow on Instagram @DancersofRVA and get inspired!
Not just any oyster knife, one made locally from oak bourbon barrel staves from Richmond based Reservoir Distillery! Made exclusively for Grid Supply Co. with a special promo code for Here. members. Use "HERE" for 10% off.
Let’s get down to business. You’re in for a real treat with this week’s guest editor – Jack Lauterback. You likely know Jack as the co-host of "Mornings with Melissa and Jack" on 103.7 Play, have read his “Punch Drunk” column in Style Weekly over the past 10 years, or follow his lively RVA commentary @Jackgoesforth. This week, we asked Jack to let us in on his top three ways to explore this place we call home. Take it away, Jack!
It's almost the weekend. Time to EAT, DRINK & MOVE! I'm a big fan of the work hard, play hard mantra. If you want to overindulge that's fine, but life is all about balance. You have to make up for all that playtime somehow. Here's how I attempt to do it.
Fuel
Up
Any proper workout requires fuel and while I'd gladly eat nothing but Tostitos and salsa for every meal, the value of putting the right nutrients in your body has finally been impressed upon me. Thanks Courtney! My favorite way to go about this - without upping the calorie count too much - is bowls. Proteins, veggies, fruits, quinoa or brown rice (sometimes.) It's relatively foolproof. Plus it makes up for the 8 1/2 I'm going to have Friday night. Mmmm, 8 1/2.
Chug water. All day, err day. Then you won't feel too bad meeting friends late on Saturday afternoon at Virago Spirits for some of their incredible in-house handcrafted cocktails. Check out that huge pot still in the middle of the room. And then check out what's coming out of that pot still. Also, take a Lyft.
Warning, the following recommendation is not for the weak-stomached. Occasionally on Sundays my fiancee and I want to have a few beers, but, we also feel like we should be working out. So we simply figured why not do both? Starting at our place in the Fan we can easily cover 7-8 miles and 4-5 breweries, stopping at each for a beer before continuing our run. Again, caution is advised -- especially after a couple of heavy IPAs. PS. Final Gravity Brewing in Lakeside actually has a running club, that yes, involves drinking beer.
Side tip: For every mile you run and beer you have -- donate $1 to Richmond Animal League or Richmond SPCA. You don't have to, but it sure does make you feel better about running tipsy down Monument Avenue.
Member Perk:Book a stay on Sharp's Island, located in the middle of the James in downtown Richmond, in May or June and score a hidden treasure (a bottle of Belle Isle Moonshine). Just let us know when you've booked a getaway and plan to paddle over.
Go
