Today’s Forecast

49º | Sunny | 5% chance of rain
Sunrise 7:24 a.m. | Sunset 5:07 p.m.

RICtoday_SportableRimRiders_WheelchairBasketball

Athletes from all over the country competed at the River City Classic in early March. | Photo by Jessica Stone Hendricks

Henrico’s upcoming 115,000-sqft Sports & Event Center will see over 1,100 athletes completing for sports glory around this time next year. The National Wheelchair Basketball Championships will take place there in early April 2024.

Richmond Region Tourism, the Henrico Sports & Entertainment Authority, and local organization Sportable collaborated to bring the tournament to the River City. Games will take place for the adult and junior divisions of the league over the first two weekends of April.

The Sports & Event Center is set to open this September. According to county documents, it’ll have room for 12 basketball courts — or 24 volleyball courts — and an arena with stadium seating. The development is designed to support the growing market of sports tourism in the region.

RICtoday_HenricoSportsEventCenter_Rendering — The Henrico Sports & Event center should open this fall.
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Rendering via Henrico County

Wheelchair basketball became a sport thanks to World War II veterans, who started playing the game in VA hospitals. Since the 1940s, it has become one of the most popular sports for disabled athletes. The NWBA has over 200 teams and the national program competes at the Paralympic Games and World Championships.

Next year, all eyes will be on Richmond as 96 teams converge to play for each Adult and Junior Division title. The first weekend — April 5-7 — will the Varsity and Prep level competitions; the three Adult Division tournaments will take place the following weekend, April 12-14.

Eager to get involved? You can cheer on Richmond’s own Rim Riders wheelchair basketball team as they compete in this year’s tournament in Wichita, KS. The Division II team is currently ranked 14th in the country and has been balling since 1981.

Events

Friday, March 24

Prem Krishnamurthy: “Department of Transformation” | Friday, Mar. 24 | 6-9 p.m. | Institute for Contemporary Art, 601 W. Broad St., Richmond | Free | Learn about the artist-organized group that promotes individual, collective, and structural transformation.
The Anvil Brothers | Friday, Mar. 24 | 6:30-9 p.m. | Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, 2410 Ownby Ln., Richmond | Free | Enjoy music around the fire and a slice from the pizza kitchen.
“Alice in Wonderland” | Friday, Mar. 24-Saturday, Mar. 25 | Times vary | Dominion Energy Center Carpenter Theatre, 600 E. Grace St., Richmond | $29-$79 | Travel down the rabbit hole at this awe-inspiring performance by SOUL Aerial & Performing Arts Center.

Saturday, March 25

Plant Swap on the Patio | Saturday, Mar. 25 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Pamunkey Regional Library Atlee Branch, 9212 Rutlandshire Dr., Mechanicsville | Free | Bring extra cuttings or plant divisions and trade with local enthusiasts.
“Thelma & Louise” | Saturday, Mar. 25 | 7 p.m. | The Byrd Theatre, 2908 W. Cary St., Richmond | $8 | Hit the road with Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis in this 1991 classic.

Sunday, March 26

Hill Topper 5K | Sunday, Mar. 26 | 9-10 a.m. | Church Hill, 25th & Broad St., Richmond | $40-$60 | Register to run or walk the race to benefit Robinson Theater Community Arts Center and the Rotary Club of Church Hill.
RVA Yoga Hang | Sunday, Mar. 26 | 1 p.m. | Virago Spirits, 1727 Rhoadmiller St., Richmond | $20 | Participate in an all-levels yoga class and stay for a cocktail with your classmates.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

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Travel and Outdoors

Here’s why you should visit Mount Pleasant, SC 👀

A boat on the harbor during the Blessing of the Fleet & Seafood Festival.

These local festivals are a fun way to experience the joys of Mount Pleasant. | Photo provided by Town of Mount Pleasant

Think you can win a shrimp eating contest? Never heard of sweetgrass before? Well, pack your bags, Richmond — we’re making our way to Mount Pleasant, SC.

Here are some of our favorite can’t-miss local events coming up at Memorial Waterfront Park (99 Harry M. Hallman Jr. Blvd.):

Blessing of the Fleet & Seafood Festival | Sunday, April 30 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | This festival pays tribute to the local shrimping and fishing industry, featuring a boat parade, live music, food samplings, free activities, and more. Feeling competitive? Enter the Shag dance contest or a shrimp eating contest (or both). Enjoy all of this while having a view of the Charleston Harbor for a picturesque backdrop.
Sweetgrass Festival | Saturday, July 22 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Spend the day immersed in the Gullah Geechee people’s history, culture, traditions, and sweetgrass basket art form — which originated in Mount Pleasant. Enjoy free entertainment and activities, while having the opportunity to meet local basketmakers who carry their traditions for future generations.

Already excited? Start planning your spring and summer travels.*

Experience Mount Pleasant

News Notes

Weather

73º | Mostly cloudy | 19% chance of rain

Civic

Reminder: The special election for Virginia Senate District 9 is on Tuesday, March 28. Check what district you live in and find your polling place to vote.
Public Works crews will be in the Church Hill and Fulton neighborhoods tomorrow from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. as part of the Neighborhood Clean-Up Program. Have things to throw away? They’ll accept anything except electronics, construction debris, hazardous waste, and broken glass.

Opening

A fruit, juice, and smoothie shop is opening in Carytown near Lolita’s and Zorch Pizza. Stop by FruitBowl from 7 a.m.-3 p.m. on Monday, April 3 for the grand opening, pay-what-you-can day.

Closing

Max’s on Broad will close its doors after 10 years in the Arts District. Restaurant group RVA Hospitality — which owns Max’s as well as Tarrant’s and Bar Solita — will renovate the space and open a new concept in late summer. Let us know what you imagine for the area. (Richmond BizSense)

Arts

A new exhibit about Mending Walls — the public art project founded by local artist Hamilton Glass — opened yesterday at the Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen. The free exhibit will be on display in the Gumenick Family Gallery through Sunday, May 14.

Eat

Dive in to Odyssey, the new restaurant from Alewife owners Lee Gregory and Bobo Catoe Jr. The seafood-focused spot has a wood-fired oven courtesy of the former occupant of the Patterson Avenue space, Billy Pie. (Richmond Magazine)

Festival

Mark your calendar for the RVA Earth Day Festival on Saturday, April 22 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Bryan Park. Shop from vendors, participate in live demos and educational programming, and enjoy live music, food, and drink. Proceeds will go towards Studio Two Three’s move to Manchester.

Listen

Deep Groove Records is hosting an intimate listening party for the new boygenius project, “The Record.” The party starts at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, March 28 — get there starting at 3 p.m. to be one of 25 people to secure a wristband. They’ll also play the album on speakers outside the shop.

Edu

Two RPS principals have been honored as part of the R.E.B. Awards for Distinguished Educational Leadership. Ta’Neshia Ford, principal at Virgie Binford Education Center, received the award, and Shayla Holeman, principal at Overby-Sheppard Elementary, was a finalist.

Cause

Virginia Physicians for Women is partnering with Sylvia’s Sisters for a Period Supplies Drive benefiting students in need. The organizations are collecting new and open packs of tampons, pads, and panty-liners (must be individually wrapped). Donate at any VPFW location through Thursday, March 30 to help put an end to period poverty.*

Fun Fact

Did you know today is the last day to enter our Six & Main Spring Forward Contest? The winner + two of their friends will receive a prize from one of our coffee/tea brand partners. Spring on over to Instagram to learn more.

Number

$241. That’s the real price of a roundtrip ticket from Boston to Barcelona sold this year via Going — a travel membership that alerts you when flight prices drop. Sign up for a free membership or try an Elite membership for free if you’re interested in business and first class tickets, too.

Arts

🎶 Richmond history in symphony

A lithograph produced by Currier & Ives depicts the fall of Richmond in 1865. | Photo via Library of Congress

Richmond-based composer Curt Sydnor will premiere the chamber symphony “The Fall of Richmond” on Sunday, April 2 at 7 p.m. at Gallery 5. The immersive musical event, hosted by Classical Revolution RVA, is free to attend.

On April 2-4, 1865, Confederate troops set fire to Richmond as they abandoned the city. Sydnor’s piece is an ode to the US Colored Troops regiment which led the Union army’s march into Richmond.

You can be among the first to hear the new composition, which will be conducted by Naima Burrs and performed by a nine-piece ensemble. During the symphony, the walls and backdrop of the gallery will be illuminated with photographs of the ruins of Richmond.

RSVP on Facebook to attend.

Answered

On Wednesday, we asked what readers wanted to see in Chesterfield’s Springline development. Here’s what you said:

RICtoday_ — Renderings of the future Springline show a walkable retail destination.
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Rendering via Chesterfield County

76% of respondents said they’re most excited about the green space and trails promised in the new space. When asked for specific retail recommendations, a common ask was for a grocery store like Trader Joe’s or Aldi. Readers also showed a preference for new restaurants to be locally owned, healthy, and good for the lunch crowd.

The Wrap

Robin Schwartzkopf in a red button down shirt

Today’s Edition By:
Robin

From the Editor

If you frequent Cobra Cabana or the VCU Dunkin, good news. The cobblestone roller coaster that was Goshen Street has been paved. Smooth travels.

Missed our last newsletter? Get details on the Springline development coming to Midlothian.

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