Photo: Pete Olson

The week in brief

Hey there, faithful Wrap readers. Depending on when you read this, it might be snowing outside. Or it might be sunny. Just give it five minutes and it’ll be one or the other. What a wacky weather week it’s been. Let’s just get on with spring already. The cherry blossoms are blooming–it’s time! I’m just thankful we had warm weather for last weekend’s (not so) RVA Polar Plunge. Here are some photos of the event, including yours truly acting a fool on the platform, because of course I was.

With spring on the brain, it’s no coincidence that the 2017 lineup for Friday Cheers was announced by Venture Richmond this week! It’s a great lineup of talent, as always. Conor Oberst is who I’m most looking forward to seeing, but the entire season is jam-packed with talent, both established and up-and-coming. Music contributor Scott Castro put together a crazy-in-depth guide to this year’s artists and has some required reading in advance of your trip(s) to Brown’s Island, a selected track or two from each artist, and info on how you can get tickets or season passes. Seriously, it’s fantastic. Get caught up here. By the way, we’ll have tickets to give away to each show, so stay tuned and keep reading The Wrap to win! It’s also the subject of our RVA News In Brick headline this week.

In other springtime news, The Richmond Flying Squirrels begin selling tickets to individual games tomorrow at Nutzy’s Block Party at The Diamond. This year’s promotional schedule is kind of crazy–crazy packed! Check it out here. The season opener is April 6th, when three-time MLB all-star David Justice will throw out the first pitch.

Speaking of baseball, five unnamed University of Richmond baseball players were suspended by the NCAA for doing something perfectly legal under Virginia law–playing online fantasy sports. Why? Because the NCAA is kind of ridiculous and considers it a form of gambling. ¯_(ツ)_/¯

Richmond Black Restaurant Week kicks off on Monday, March 6th, and there are so many delicious places to check out: Family Secrets, Croaker’s Spot, Mama J’s, Southern Kitchen, Nomad’s Deli, Brewers, Chef Mamusu’s Africanne Restaurant, Sugar’s Crab Shack, Loft Seventeen, The Speakeasy, Ma Michele’s Café, Cary 100, Charles Kitchen, Sweet Teas Cuisine, Ms. Girlee’s, Spoonbread Bistro, Traditionz, Inner City Blue’s, The DM Restaurant & Lounge and Big Herm’s Kitchen. Two-course lunches are $15; three course dinners are $25. Get all the details here!

Our Weekly Food News has all the other delicious details concerning the world of #rvadine this week, including Mean Bird’s move to The Fan, Union Table & Tap closing up shop, and more.

In our RVA Beer Explorer, Richard Hayes has the dirt (literally) on what’s holding up Hardywood’s new Goochland County facility and some other sudsy news you can drink.

I was sad to learn this morning that the planned Commonwealth Cycling Championship, a UCI-sanctioned bike race that was scheduled for this August, has been cancelled. Organizers say the timing just wasn’t right. You can read more about it here.

Two of the pioneers that inspired Hidden Figures spoke at an event next door to the Black History and Cultural Museum of Virginia this past week. These two inspiring women talked about how they broke down barriers at the moderated discussion, and our reporter Amelia Heymann was there to cover it all.

The General Assembly has wrapped up its 2017 session, and we’ve got a wrap-up of what passed, what didn’t, and what’s to be amended. 880 of 1,889 (!) bills were brought before representatives this session. Check out this cool interactive infographic outlining each lawmaker’s “batting average” to drill down and see who (probably) made the most impact on your life.

The Richmond International Film Festival–which entails 150 film screenings and musical performances at venues around town–continues through Sunday. You can’t possibly watch 150 films (someone prove me wrong!), but luckily we’ve got a guide to some of the best performances and screenings to see around town.

Other than that, Chris Rock and Ryan Adams are in town for two performances each (no, not together, but that’d be interesting), the Richmond Home & Garden Show is going on, a new exhibit opens at the Science Museum of Virginia, and more. Find something fun to do with our Weekend Event Picks!

Oh, and if you need some cheap electronics or household appliaces, all Richmond area hhgregg stores are liquidating–here’s what you need to know about the going-out-of-business sale.

Five things to know

1. You don’t have to wear a cape to be a James River hero, and it’s not hard, either.
2. A West End car dealership is helping Make-A-Wish Foundation grant a bunch of wishes for kids with life-threatening illnesses.
3. New modern row houses are coming to the Museum District this year.
4. Your art could be featured in front of the Hull Street Library, but only if you apply here.
5. A slew of westerns and off-beat St. Paddy’s screenings are coming to The Byrd Theatre this month.

Until next time,

Trevor Dickerson
Editor, RVAHub