Events
Area restaurants will face off at second annual Taste of Virginia at Innsbrook this Saturday
The day will include samples of local dishes, live music, beer and wine, and will conclude with a fireworks display Saturday evening.

Some of the best local chefs and restaurants will come together this weekend in Innsbrook as the Innsbrook Pavilion hosts the second annual Taste of Virginia.
Local restaurants will showcase their best dishes and compete for the honorary “Taste of Virginia” title. Judging will take place before the event. This year’s judges include Whole Foods Market Chef Adrian Chapman, Matt Simmons of Capital Ale House, Henry Salmo of the Hilton Garden Inn, and Nick Lattanzio, a local food blogger. The top prize is a $2,500 radio advertising package from Summit Media.
In addition to great local food, the festival will also feature 20 different craft beer selections and Virginia wines.
As a family-friendly event, there will be a Kid’s Zone with moon bounces, cornhole, and other fun activities.
Bands such as The Whiskey Rebellion, Soul Expressions, and The Silver Bullets will provide the soundtrack throughout the day. It all concludes with a fireworks show–the only one in Richmond that night.
Proceeds will benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
General admission is $10; VIP tickets including a private area with catered food and a cash bar are $70. Kids under 10 get in free.
It all takes place Saturday, July 1st from 3:30 – 9:30 PM. The Innsbrook Pavilion is located at 4901 Lake Brook Drive in Glen Allen.
Learn more and purchase your tickets online here.

Events
PlanRVA Day on June 1st offers host of free learning opportunities
The Richmond region’s planning district commission is opening its doors to community members and partners next month for a day of learning and networking.

PlanRVA will host PlanRVA Day on June 1 from 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m. at its new office at 424 Hull St. Rd. in the Manchester neighborhood. The event will focus on the topic of placemaking, the process of creating quality inclusive places where people want to live, work and play. Sessions will explore various aspects of inclusion and public engagement, with a focus on community connection through regional trails, public art and the environment.
The day will conclude with a film screening of the documentary “A River Called Home” with filmmaker Jess Wiegandt from 6-7:30 p.m. The film focuses on the journey of four women who launch at the headwaters of the James River and paddle to the Chesapeake Bay over three weeks, while conducting a water quality study.
“PlanRVA is where the region comes together to look ahead,” said Martha Shickle, PlanRVA’s Executive Director. “Regional collaboration and cooperation happens every day in Central Virginia. PlanRVA Day is an opportunity to celebrate the progress we’re making together to support quality of life and growth in the region. We hope you’ll join us for this exciting event.”
Attendees can tour PlanRVA’s office space and connect with staff and community partners throughout the day.
Sessions are free, but registration is required. People can sign up for single sessions or for the entire day.
Downtown
Island Shrimp Co. to hold rum seminar with acclaimed Brooklyn spirits author, educator
Shannon Mustipher is an acclaimed author and founder of the Women Who Tiki pop-up. She has received a number of accolades for her work in the bar industry, including the Tales of the Cocktail Pioneer Award and induction into the Dame Hall of Fame.

Island Shrimp Co. at Rockett’s Landing is set to host a rum tasting event on Saturday, May 27th at 2:30pm, featuring Brooklyn-based spirits author and educator Shannon Mustipher. The event will showcase a range of regional rum styles, with a welcome cocktail and eight sample selections for attendees to try. Tickets for the seminar are priced at $35 and can be purchased via Eventbrite.
Shannon Mustipher is an acclaimed author and founder of the Women Who Tiki pop-up. She has received a number of accolades for her work in the bar industry, including the Tales of the Cocktail Pioneer Award and induction into the Dame Hall of Fame. Most recently, she was named on the Bar World 100 list of the most influential people in the industry.
In addition to the rum tasting, Shannon will be signing copies of her book “Tiki: Modern Tropical Cocktails,” and will remain at the venue for a special happy hour from 4-6pm. The happy hour event is open to the public and will feature three cocktails from the book.