Meet James Millner, this week's guest editor! As the director of Virginia Pride, James works tirelessly to make the Richmond based nonprofit a vehicle for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender awareness, networking and education throughout Virginia. James and the Virginia Pride crew are known for creating unique events designed to instill pride, celebrate unity and embrace diversity in the Commonwealth. He seeks to improve the lives of LGBTQ Virginians by creating visibility and promoting full human and civil rights through education, networking and celebrations that advocate equality.
Take it away James …
June is National LGBTQ Pride Month, when we reflect on, celebrate and recommit to the fight for LGBTQ equality. June is also the month in which LGBTQ people have historically been granted rights by the United States Supreme Court, including the right to marry and the right to work without fear of being denied a job or fired because of our sexual orientation or gender identity. Here are just a few of the many ways you can celebrate Pride Month here in the River City!
Pride
at The Market
Join us this Saturday, June 26, at 17th Street Market as VA Pride presents “Pride at the Market” in partnership with the Richmond Department of Recreation and Parks and the Shockoe Bottom Neighborhood Association. We’ll host a fabulous DJ Dance Party and Drag show featuring some of Richmond’s biggest divas! You can purchase food and drinks, including adult beverages, from restaurants along the Market and consume them outside!
VA Pride is teaming up with Common House in Richmond to host a happy hour on Wednesday, June 30 from 6-8 pm to support VA Pride, Stonewall Sports—Richmond, and Black Pride RVA! A portion of all beverage proceeds will be donated to supporting Virginia Pride’s mission of building LGBTQ awareness and education opportunities in the broader Commonwealth region. Join us as we honor all the community organizers, activists, advocates, and allies who continue to do the work for a more loving and a more equal future. Bring your friends, grab a pride-themed drink, and enjoy.
Be sure to check out how the City of Richmond is celebrating Pride Month! There’s a pride flag flying over City Hall for the first time ever recognizing the LGBTQ community. Nearby you’ll find Main Street Station illuminated in rainbow colors and Dominion Energy is displaying a special pride-themed light show every night. Never before has so much been done to commemorate LGBTQ Pride Month in RVA!
Richmond-based alternative rock singer-songwriter, Rachel Leyco, is performing at Starr Hill Richmond Beer Hall & Rooftop tonight, Thursday, June 24, for a special PRIDE month show as part of the brewery's Sunset Solo Series. Make sure to order a Love Wheat Beer and Starr Hill will donate $1 to VA Pride from every one sold during the month of June.
Meet Elle Correll, this week’s guest editor. She’s the co-owner of Buskey Cider, Scott’s Addition’s original cidery and one of the most innovative cideries in the region. When she isn’t designing the next cider label or working a beer festival she’s planning her next travel adventure, rooting for the St. Louis Cardinals, looking for chances to speak Spanish, or melting over an adorable Boston Terrier. Take it away Elle ...
Sugar's
Crab Shack
I always love shrimp and one of the city’s gems is Sugar’s Crab Shack. Located in Northside, this black-owned restaurant serves up some of the best shrimp I’ve ever had, and it’s obvious from the lines of enthusiastic hungry people at all times of day that a lot of Richmonders agree! My top choice is always the fried shrimp, but snag a Sugar’s Sampler to try a generous portion sized variety of fried trout, crab, and oysters! I love having Sugar’s takeout for a picnic at nearby Battery Park.
As a tea drinker, I was thrilled to hear that a tea shop was opening in Scott’s Addition close to work! T.Caf Salon de Thé is located on the corner of Marshall and Altamont, and has an incredible selection of teas (working on trying them all!) and premium bites in one of the most unique, comfortable, and elegant spaces in town. I really love the canapes, which are small slices of French bread with deluxe ingredients on top, and my favorite is the canape roquefort poire (roquefort cheese and pear).
Richmond is full of great outdoor options, but the addition of Cutshaw Park next to Broad Street in Scott’s Addition added some really nice green space for the neighborhood. Grab a to-go coffee from Blanchard's Coffee Roasting Co. next door, and enjoy working remotely from one of the picnic tables under the large trees.
Vitals:
Cutshaw Pocket Park / Cutshaw Ave. and Broad St.
Here Perk.
Buskey is giving Here. readers free delivery on their next $30+ cider order delivered right to your door by Team Buskey. Just use the promo code HERE at checkout! Deliveries are made to Richmond and surrounding area, Hampton Roads, and NOVA. And be sure to check out Buskey's newest release, Piña Colada Cider. Crafted with pineapples, premium coconut, blue agave, and rested on rum chips. A new cider is released every two weeks, so follow @buskeycider on Instagram or on Facebook to always be up to date with the latest.
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.
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