Meet Justin Ferguson, this week's guest editor for Here.Weekly. By day, he advises clients on how to navigate the purchase or sale of their investment property. By night, he is a WSET Level 3 certified Sommelier and Wine Director at The Underground Kitchen! Justin is committed to bridging the gap between investments and cultural experiences, one client and one glass at a time. As the Multifamily Specialist at Marcus & Millichap's Southern Virginia Office, Justin has a knack for understanding clients personally, strategically transforming their aspirations into tangible results. But, his canvas extends beyond the boardroom. As the Wine Director at The Underground Kitchen in Richmond he doesn't just pour wine, he curates experiences and weaves in stories of culture and history into every glass. From tantalizing pairings to blind-tasting adventures, Justin's passion for wine transcends mere appreciation—it's a celebration of life itself. With Justin, the journey isn't just about achieving goals, it's about savoring every moment along the way.
Take it away, Justin...
Irish Festival at Center of the Universe Brewing Co.
This is a staple for me, with my Irish "Ferguson" heritage. The Irish festival offers a vibrant cultural experience, immersing you in the rich traditions of Ireland through music, dance, and cuisine. From lively performances of traditional Irish music to energetic displays of Irish dancing, the festival atmosphere is infectious and joyful. Plus, it's a fantastic opportunity to sample authentic Irish cuisine, indulge in hearty stews, savory pies, and perhaps even raise a pint of Guinness to celebrate Irish heritage.
Vitals:
Irish Festival / Saturday, March 16th, 1:00 - 8:00 pm, free / Center of the Universe Brewing Co.,11293 Air Park Road, Ashland
GalaxyCon Richmond
A not-to-be-missed event for any sci-fi lovers looking to reconnect with their favorite comics, tv shows, anime, and gaming. You'll experience impressive cosplay, where attendees dress up as their beloved characters, as well as a wide array of merchandise to peruse. GalaxyCon provides an immersive sci-fi experience, making it not just an event, but a community for enthusiasts.
One of my favorite writers and comedians, Wanda Sykes is coming to town! With her unique perspective and razor-sharp wit, Wanda brings a refreshing and hilarious take on life's absurdities. Seeing her perform live is not just entertainment—it's an unforgettable experience that has me laughing long after the show.
Vitals:
Wanda Sykes Presents: Please & Thank You / Saturday, March 16th, 5:00 pm & 7:30 pm, tix range from $39 - $79 / Carpenter Theatre at Dominion Energy Center, 600 E. Grace Street, Richmond
More From Justin…
My wife and I wrote a book called An Ordinary Day; a picture book about two boys who move through a typical day. It follows them at home, school, and through after-school activities. And it highlights how even in the mundane of experiences, Black children operate in a world that consciously and subconsciously promotes messaging about bias and inferiority. The book subtly and tactfully demonstrates experiences with microaggressions and systemic disadvantages. This children’s book is an innovative approach to broaching discussions about racism and structural differences with children – a process that should start for all children early in childhood.
I also just earned my WSET Level 3 certification in wine! This is pivotal for professionals seeking in-depth knowledge and credibility in the wine industry. It requires a rigorous understanding of grape varieties, regions, production methods, and tasting techniques, making it both intellectually demanding and rewarding.
Meet Caelan Nzamba, this week's guest editor for Here.Weekly. As the leader of Conscious Creations, he drives the sustainable fashion and art initiative, ReVitAlize (RVA), fostering a community for artistic minds striving for societal change. He's a unifying force, rallying diverse individuals and inspiring them to bring their visions to life. The Conscious Creations platform provides him an opportunity to blend various skills and experiences, such as integrating mental health themes into fashion shows, an approach influenced by his tenure at VCU Health System.
In addition to ReVitAlize, he also organizes social events and fundraisers in his role as a medical school class Vice President. His personal hobbies comprise professional piano playing, hip-hop dancing, and jogging around Richmond.
Take it away, Caelan...
Embrace Fashion Show
The Embrace Fashion Show is the first fashion show of ReVitAlize ‘24! With a runway of collections encouraging the audience to celebrate their perfect imperfections while not comparing themselves to others through sustainable designs and curation.
Vitals: Embrace Fashion Show / Friday, April 5th, 7:00 pm, tix range from $12 - $33 / 6 E Law Firm, 6 E Broad Street
An intimate market for local sustainable businesses with a portion of the day dedicated to a swap. The swap will incorporate clothes, shoes, art, and books. Bring your items and swap away!
Vitals:
Fashion & Art Swap / Saturday, April 6th, 12:00 - 5:00 pm, free / ART 180, 114 W Marshall Street
Pictured: Calm Jungle vending at last year’s Fashion & Art Swap co-hosted by SwapMeet
Photography: Saintlaurenttuan
Evolve Fashion Show
The second fashion show and last event of ReVitAlize ‘24 contains collections that remind us to enjoy the journey while not imposing impossible standards upon ourselves. One of the collections adds a creative twist through sustainable wearable art made by our sculpting team.
Vitals:
Evolve Fashion Show / Sunday, April 7th, 3:00 pm, tix range from $12 - $50 / Les Crepes Carytown, 3325 W Cary St
Pictured: Asja Querin & Jessica Baiza
Photography: Ayden Lawman
More From Conscious Creations…
Our first production last April, themed Unapologetic, revolved around being confident in your identity and ideas, especially if they better those around you. In a world where society challenges our authenticity and individuality, the inaugural season encouraged people to stand firm in who they are. Overall, it was the first step in empowering those involved to be the change they want to see regarding fast fashion, human rights, and other societal aspects.
As soon as the first production ended last year, our team worked diligently on this upcoming production to enrich the creative vision by theming this year’s production Embrace & Evolve. While Embrace & Evolve contain core events from last season, several new additions transform the traditional fashion and art landscape by reinventing spaces, collaborations, and the like.
Embrace is about accepting and celebrating our imperfections, conveying a sense of grace when we typically impart standards of perfection on ourselves, which hinder our growth. Similarly, Evolve emphasizes enjoying the process while not comparing ourselves to others.
Head over to our website or Instagram to discover more of what this season, April 5-7th, entails!
Meet Kristie Ciatteo, this week’s guest editor and owner of White Birch Home Staging. As a real estate home stager, Kristie helps sellers pave the way for success. With a passion for creating welcoming, approachable spaces, she works to ensure each property captivates potential buyers from the moment they step through the door.
In her downtime, you’ll more than likely catch Kristie enjoying auntie life, cuddling up with her beloved dog on the couch, trying a new local restaurant with her husband, or striving to finally hit 13mph on the Orange Theory treadmill.
Take it away, Kristie...
Richmond Home + Garden Show
For many of us, spring sparks home improvement plans. Whether you’re looking to renew an area to enjoy for years to come or making strategic updates to prepare your home for sale, you won’t want to miss the Richmond Home + Garden Show. The event offers a valuable array of 250+ exhibitors all in one location. It’s a great opportunity to browse the latest trends plus receive in person advice.
My business White Birch Home Staging is honored to be part of this year’s show. I invite you to grab a coffee and stop by Booth 1110 for a warm hello!
Vitals: Richmond Home + Garden Show / Friday, March 1 - Sunday, March 3, 10:00 am - 7:00 pm (5:00 pm on Sunday) / Richmond Raceway Complex, 600 E Laburnum Ave
Heart A Horse
If you’re not familiar with the impactful work Virginia Equine Welfare Society (VEWS) is doing for horses in need, allow me to welcome you into their rescue ring! VEWS is an all-volunteer nonprofit equine rescue in Hanover, VA. VEWS provides safe housing, medical and rehab services to abused, neglected and other at-risk horses and ultimately places them into loving forever homes. As a longtime volunteer and previous Board member, I find my time with these magnificent souls immensely rewarding.
Get to know the herd and learn more about the passionate dedication behind the organization by visiting their website.
One of my favorite annual traditions is attending Historic Garden Week with my mom. Presented by the Garden Club of Virginia, this beloved spring event offers inspiring and unique tours of private residences, gardens and historic sites throughout Virginia. Over 1,000 floral arrangements beautifully created by local garden club members are featured on the tours and are nothing short of spectacular. Event proceeds fund the restoration and preservation of Virginia’s historic public gardens and provide graduate level research fellowships.
Tickets are available online now. Hope to see you on a tour around RVA!
Kristie is the heart behind her small boutique business White Birch Home Staging. Rooted in a simple but effective philosophy of ‘elevating the everyday,’ Kristie partners with realtors and home sellers to successfully present their properties for sale. With a focus on intentional design and details, she works to bring out the best in every property, helping clients achieve their selling goals with finesse.
In her words: “There’s a valuable distinction between how we live in our home and how we strategically and sucessfully market our home for sale. Every home is unique, and presentation is key. A thoughtfully staged home can generate valuable connections with potential buyers and in turn help sellers earn higher quality offers.”
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