Meet this week's guest editor, Mateo Smith! A graphic designer with a passion for art and storytelling, Mateo grew up bilingual and immersed in American and Colombian cultures. His multicultural upbringing inspires his belief in design as a universal language that tells stories and sparks meaningful connections.
Mateo thrives on projects that celebrate cultural heritage and bring ideas to life. One of his favorite projects was designing the logo for Memi’s, an Egyptian-themed restaurant where he blended tradition with bold, modern design. For him, graphic design is about more than visuals—it’s about creating experiences and leaving lasting impressions.
Inspired by creative visionaries like Steve Jobs and Leonardo da Vinci, Mateo strives to blend innovation with artistry in his work. A lifelong soccer fan, he admires Lionel Messi and still treasures the memory of the World Cup final. Driven by insatiable curiosity, he is constantly exploring new ideas about creativity, culture, and human connection.
Take it away, Mateo...
The Lab by Alchemy
After a holiday break, The Lab by Alchemy Coffee planned to re-open this week, but the current water issue throughout the City of Richmond is causing a delay. Once it's safe for them to open, they’ll feature a Maple Black Sesame Latte; a limited-time special crafted with their signature in-house syrups. Stay tuned to their socials for updates and start your year with a delicious and memorable cup of coffee; their unique flavors won’t be around forever!
Vitals:
The Lab by Alchemy / re-opening soon, date TBD / view menu / The Lab by Alchemy, 814 W Broad Street
Legend of the Poinsettia by the Latin Ballet of Virginia
As someone with Hispanic heritage, I deeply value events that celebrate Latin culture. Legend of the Poinsettia, performed by the Latin Ballet of Virginia and presented by Dominion Energy, is a heartwarming tale of love, hope, and the true spirit of giving. Inspired by a cherished Mexican legend, this vibrant production weaves together captivating dance, music, and storytelling to honor Latin American and Spanish holiday traditions.
Performance Dates:
Friday, January 10th at 7:30 pm
Saturday, January 11th at 3:00 pm and 7:30 pm
Sunday, January 12th at 3:00 pm
Looking to try something new? Memi’s, Richmond’s newest Egyptian-themed restaurant, is offering a free appetizer with the purchase of any two entrées! Located at 2229 West Main Street, Memi’s brings cultural heritage to life with its modern and flavorful take on Egyptian cuisine. Don’t miss this chance to enjoy a taste of something extraordinary.
Memi’s/ happy hour and dinner daily (hours listed above) / Memi's, 2229 West Main Street
More From Mateo.
One of my favorite projects is Hydrate Now, a Richmond-based company founded by my mentor and friend, Ash Malaisamy. By using innovative, eco-friendly aluminum water bottles, Hydrate Now turns everyday hydration into a powerful storytelling tool for businesses. I’ve had the privilege of designing key brand elements that align with their mission and bring their vision to life—a truly rewarding experience. Learn more at hydratenow.org.
Meet this week's guest editor, Andrew Cothern! Andrew is a music lover, radio DJ, and author, best known for his music writing as RVA Playlist, highlighting Richmond’s overlooked and underappreciated local music scene. He's written for the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Richmond.com, Style Weekly, and many other outlets and is the author of the award-winning book “RVA Playlist: Stories from the Richmond, Virginia Music Scene.” He's constantly telling people what bands to listen to, always making playlists, and will usually want to pet your dog.
Take it away, Andrew...
Local Music at The Camel
On most nights of the week, you can find me at The Camel catching some of Richmond’s best bands. Any night spent there is a good night and the new year is kicking off with some stellar nights of local music including:
Live Music at The Camel / most nights / ticket prices vary / The Camel,1621 West Broad Street
Trivia Nights
I always enjoy a good friendly competition over beers. Naturally, I try to dominate in the music round, but I’m useless with sports and world events questions. High Five Trivia provides a fun, entertaining, and relaxing environment where it really doesn’t matter if you don’t know the answers.
High Five Trivia/ most nights / prices vary / locations listed above
Film Clubs
When I’m not listening to music, I’m watching a ton of movies. I enjoy the high-brow films but also love the trashy stuff. I'm not apologizing for all the terrible movies I watch! A number of local film collectives like Richmond City Cinema Club, Good For Her Films, and Hard Light Cinema regularly host free movie screenings around town and I've been introduced to some incredible films I would have never known about otherwise surrounded by a community of movie lovers. These groups already have a number of screenings planned for this month.
Andrew recently released the deluxe edition of “RVA Playlist: Stories from the Richmond, Virginia Music Scene.”
This deluxe edition features 10 additional brand new stories from the Richmond music scene, an updated playlist of local bands, and author’s notes alongside the original book’s more than 30 different stories of his life covering Richmond’s vibrant music scene from 2006 to 2016. Highlights of the expanded edition include new stories on punk venue Alley Katz, house show experiences, a remembrance of the local artists the city lost too soon, and more in a collection that’s an even bigger love letter to the Richmond music scene.
RVA Playlist: Stories from the Richmond, Virginia Music Scene (The Deluxe Edition) is available exclusively at Shelf Life Books or through his website. Andrew will also be at the Community Authors Expo at the Fairfield Area Library on Saturday, Jan. 11.
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.
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