Our guest editor this week is Rana Hamadani, the owner and founder of Sage & Vine Aesthetics, a Medspa and Lash Lounge. Rana has been a Richmond resident for 17 years, and has a passion for mentoring and elevating women in her field. She grew up in Los Angeles, went to college in San Diego, moved to Richmond for a relationship, and never left! She loves Richmond's perfect blend of big city and small town living. Plus, with the mountains, beach, and DC all just a couple hours away, there's always something new to do.
This year, Rana transformed her beauty business from “Lash Out Beauty Bar” into an entirely new concept for the area – Sage & Vine, a one-stop-shop for beauty and skincare. Rana is also an expert aesthetician, ensuring that her growing staff offers the highest quality skincare and beauty services. In addition, her Lash Tech Certification courses reach women exploring a career in the rapidly growing industry every day. As this week's guest editor, Rana shares her top tips for holiday fun!
Take it away, Rana ...
The Nutcracker at Richmond Ballet
This ultimate holiday classic, The Nutcracker, is not to be missed! December marks the first revival of Artistic Director Stoner Winslett’s brand-new, much-loved production of The Nutcracker, with 17 breathtaking performances at the Carpenter Theatre. Whether you're a lifelong fan or experiencing The Nutcracker for the first time, there's something magical waiting for you.
Vitals:
The Nutcracker / through December 24th, times & prices vary / Carpenter Theatre, Dominion Energy Center for the Arts, 600 E Grace St.
Shop & Support Local
Looking for ideas to spark joy during this season? My family takes a trip right after the holidays to keep the magic alive, and to create an experience they’ll always remember. Many locally-owned spots offer experiences.
As we all search for those last minute holiday gifts, consider shopping local! In Richmond, we're surrounded by local makers and local business-owners to support. You'll discover fantastic gift ideas at For Posh Sake in Mechanicsville, offering a unique selection of boutique gifts, clothing, and jewelry, or check out Bonded, where you'll find customized bracelets with rave reviews. For those seeking relaxation and self-care, Proactive Massage and Body Works in Hanover and even our own Sage & Vine offers giftable self-care experiences, beauty bundles, memberships, and gift cards. Lastly, barReVA and BOHO Studios in the heart of Richmond are local, women-owned businesses that are changing the health and wellness game.
Each one of these establishments are worthy of your patronage!
Get Lucky!
If you're looking for some amazing local food spots, I've got you covered! Whenever I need to catch up with my girls, we head out to explore some of the best dinner spots in town.
A few of my favorites: Lucky AF: The sushi is absolutely delicious, and the atmosphere is so lively and fun. Yaya’s Cookbook: Again, I’m a sucker for sushi with personality and their cocktails are to die for! Charred in Mechanicsville: It's right next to our shop, and the food and drinks are always amazing. Plus, the owner is so helpful and accommodating -- he's even let me set up team meetings in his large space!
Hope you get to try out these spots and enjoy them as much as I do! The food scene in Richmond doesn't disappoint.
The Gift of Local Art for the Holidays
Discover the beauty of Richmond's hidden outdoor gems with True Places. Our experiential art initiative features local artists who have captured the essence of their true place in stunning prints. These unique destinations, off the beaten path, are brought to life in a series of fine art prints that inspire exploration and celebration of our community's most authentic outdoor spaces. Own a piece of art that honors these special places and showcase your love for adventure, or give True Places as a gift for the holidays! All True Places fine art prints featuring local artists are half off during the holidays at True Places and Richmond Grid's maker shop.
Meet Jen Maddux, this week's guest editor (pronouns she/her)! Jen kicked off her journey in the arts with a degree in Music Education/Voice from Shenandoah University and graduate studies in Educational Leadership at VCU. She started her career as a middle school chorus teacher, tech guru, and even donned the hat of a school administrator in Henrico County Public Schools. The National School Boards Association dubbed her a “20 to Watch” educator during her admin days! Fast forward to 2018, she decided to switch gears and dive into the nonprofit scene. Now, she's the Director of Education and Community Engagement at Richmond Performing Arts Alliance (RPAA), where she's the brains and heart behind all BrightLights Education Initiatives, from orchestrating Greater Richmond Wolf Trap to lighting up the stage with the Genworth Lights Up! Youth Series and RPAA Night on Broadway. In fact, Jen was nicknamed, “The Lights Up! Lady” by the kids who attend her education events And it might be her favorite nickname ever!
Oh, and she was part of the most recent class of the Emerging Nonprofit Leaders Program by the Community Foundation for a greater Richmond! Jen's all about making waves in the world of education and the arts, and we're stoked to have her steering the ship as our guest editor this week. In her downtime, you can catch Jen enjoying a good dance party, diving into the Richmond arts scene and probably humming a tune or two at the grocery store (the Publix playlist is her favorite)!
Take it away, Jen...
RPAA Night on Broadway
RPAA Night on Broadway is a new partnership with Broadway in Richmond this season! For each production, RPAA is sponsoring a limited number of tickets available to individuals from designated communities. Attendees have access to a pre-show event complementing the show’s theme. So far this year, we have hosted a resource fair and a chat-back with members of the cast and crew! Ticket request forms go live on our website a month prior to each event. In fact, the form to request tickets for ANNIE is live now!
Vitals:
RPAA Night on Broadway / Free tickets throughout the 2023-24 Season of Broadway in Richmond / Altria Theater: 6 N. Laurel St.
#ArtsHuntRVA
During the pandemic, RPAA developed #ArtsHuntRVA as a way for the community to continue engaging with arts organizations safely. Now that experience is streamlined in our new RPAA app! #ArtsHuntRVA is an interactive experience that invites users to embark on a virtual scavenger hunt of over 40 organizations throughout the region. Unlock exclusive video content curated just for you and discover secret locations to win prizes! The RPAA app is available now through Google Play and the iOS App Store.
The Genworth Lights Up! Youth Series offers youth ages 3-18 the opportunity to participate in workshops and performances by local arts groups. Lights Up! hits the road each year to visit community centers and schools across the region. The series is held every other month on a Saturday morning and is FREE to attend! The next event is in January at Perkinson Center for the Arts and Education followed by Pine Camp Cultural Arts Center in March. Grab your kids and join the fun!
Richmond Performing Arts Alliance (RPAA) advances the performing arts in the Richmond region through programs and resources that SUPPORT the artists of today, NURTURE the artists of tomorrow, and provide spaces for the arts to THRIVE. Its family of venues include Altria Theatre and Dominion Energy Center, home to the historic Carpenter Theatre, Libby S. Gottwald Playhouse, Bob & Sally Mooney Hall, and the Genworth BrightLights Education Center. RPAA’s BrightLights Education Initiatives provide accessible arts education to youth in the public school system, at community centers, and in the venues.
Meet Michelle Mercurio, our guest editor this week! Michelle is passionate about helping people be more of who they really are and less of who the world conditions them to be. She helps her clients evolve their identities so they can create aligned and successful businesses and lives. She is also the Host of CreativeMornings/Richmond, a monthly free breakfast lecture series highlighting local creatives and fostering community, that takes place on the third Friday of every month. She loves spending time in the community working on social justice and creative causes, evolving her boxing and fitness pursuits, and connecting with her family and friends in Church Hill and around Richmond.
Take it away, Michelle...
CreativeMornings/Richmond
Everyone is creative, and everyone is welcome! Yes, especially YOU! CreativeMornings/Richmond is a monthly free breakfast lecture series highlighting local creatives and fostering community. This month we are celebrating our 8th birthday on Friday morning, November 17th at the Brandcenter! Come find your “Rhythm” with us – that’s the theme this month – and hear Rachel Everett’s take on how she harnesses the power of creativity to do good work and to do good in the world.
Vitals:
CreativeMornings/Richmond / Friday, November 17th, 8:30 AM / Brandcenter: 103 S Jefferson St. Richmond, VA
Big Brothers Big Sisters Big Night Out in Wonderland Gala
Come have a creative night out for a great cause! Big Brothers Big Sisters serving Central and Eastern Virginia is the oldest one-on-one mentoring agency in Virginia, and mentorship makes a difference. Last year, BBBS served 282 youth in our community with mentor matches that increased academic achievements, fostered connectivity while reducing risky behaviors, and improved socio-emotional competencies for kids in our region. Join the Big Night Out Gala to raise money and awareness to support local youth and make a big impact in a child’s life.
Check out the incredible community work of our sponsored partner, The Read Center.
Craft + Design Show
Some of my favorite local artists, as well as national ones, can be discovered this month at the Craft + Design Show produced by the Visual Arts Center of Richmond. Held in the historic Main Street Station’s train shed and drawing more than 10,000 people to shop the work of over 150 artists from all over the country, Craft + Design is the unofficial kickoff event for holiday art shopping here locally. (Insider tip: Attendees of this month’s CreativeMornings/Richmond *may* be getting a surprise from VisArts related to this show)!
Vitals:
Craft + Design Show / November 17 - 19th / Main Street Station: 1500 E Main St, Richmond, VA
More about Michelle...
In her words, "The longest relationship we’ll have in this lifetime is the one we have with ourselves, and it impacts our day-to-day work, our relationships, and humanity as a whole. And while I know that undoing our own conditioning is the most important work we'll do, I also know that we can't do it alone if we want to make societal progress."
Whether it’s with brand and marketing storytelling work, or through one of her mindfully focused retreats, Michelle helps humans gain clarity to understand themselves and amplify the words and strategy to voice their visions to make the impact their work deserves.
Find details about her brand & business work at michellemercurio.com and connect directly with Michelle on IG @michmerc.
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