River City Roller Derby joined the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association in 2009. | Photo by Joseph S.Ring | Joseph S.Ring
River City Roller Derby (RCRD) skated into their 2025 season last weekend, and there’s plenty more on the flat-track ahead.
Roller Derby 101
Flat Track Roller Derby is a full-contact sport that involves four “Blockers” and one “Jammer” per team. (The Jammer wears a helmet with a star.) The goal is for each team’s Jammer to lap the pack of Blockers. Each full lap is a point + the team with the most points at the end wins. Learn more.
Fun fact: Players pick roller derby alter-egos. A few RCRD shout-outs: Lizness Casual, Pixel Whip, Lin Diesel, and Grim Possible.
River City Roller Derby is made up of four teams: Riots, River Rats, Poe’s Punishers, and Hollywood Undertakers. | Photo by Joe Rone
Hardywood Book Swap | 5-8 p.m. | Hardywood Park Craft Brewery | Free | Bring your pre-loved books (five options recommended) and pass them on to a new home at this book exchange, conveniently scheduled during Hardywood’s happy hour.
Thursday, May 1
Mother’s Day Tea Experience | Thursday, May 1-Saturday, May 17 | Times vary | The Queen’s Library Tea Room | $55+ | Sip on tea, delight in delectable treats, and adore the antiquated atmosphere at this library + tea room.
Friday, May 2
Third Annual Mad Hatter Art & Design Auction | 6-10:30 p.m. | Branch Museum of Design | $175+ | Join this annual fundraiser and art + design auction — wearing your most fanciful hat — to help support future exhibitions, programs, and educational opportunities at the Branch.
Saturday, May 3
Strawberry Street Festival | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Clark Springs | Free | Play carnival games, catch live performances, shop bake sale sweets, and more at this family-friendly festival benefiting Fox Elementary.
Get Good At Junk Journaling w/ Destiny | 6-7:30 p.m. | Quarry | $15+ | Turn your scraps, saved concert tickets, crumpled grocery receipts, and old photos into memorialized art at this creative workshop.
Confidence-building summer camps for budding athletes
Presented by University of Richmond Athletics
Richmond Spiders Camps provide players with a fun, competitive environment to improve their skills. | Photo provided by University of Richmond Athletics
Open to kids of all ages and skill levels, these camps offer top-notch facilities where players can develop skills like teamwork, leadership, and discipline — all while having a blast.
MasterChef All Stars Live is coming to Richmond — Dominion Energy Center’s Carpenter Theatre on Sept. 24, to be exact. We know it’s still months away, but you can chef up your spot in the audience as early as Friday, May 2, starting at 10:00 a.m.
Announced
The Richmond Forum announced its 2025-2026 speaker lineup — Tracee Ellis Ross, John Green, Sanna Marin, Ted Koppel, and more. The season begins in November, but see how you can join the audience now. Keep in mind: All proceeds support the expansion of speech and debate teams in local high schools.
Closed
The Fan’s Kokonut Grill closed earlier this spring, and a new restaurant is on the horizon. Brothers Min Ho Im and Min Hyeok Im plan to open a new location for Akoya Japanese Kitchen with an anticipated opening later this spring. (Richmond BizSense)
Concert
Chaparelle with Jack Wharff and the Tobacco Flatts kick offFriday Cheers’ 40th season this weekend on May 2. Grab your tickets in advance for $10, and see what other outdoor concerts are coming up next.
Edu
It’s time to recognize teachers — aka, the heart of Virginia K-12 public education — through the Virginia Lottery’s Thank a Teacher campaign. Encourage the students in your life to send a digital or physical thank-you note to their favorite teachers now through Friday, May 9. Learn more.*
Fun Fact
Did you know? From service requests to utility and tax payments, the City of Richmond’s online platform has all of the resources you need. Skip a phone call and address your needs the quicker and more convenient way. Save this site for later.*
Pro Tip
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Biz
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I spent my lunch break yesterday in line for the Sub Rosa Bakery pop-up at Secret Flowers. Well worth the wait. Can’t say I’ve ever tried an Earl Grey candied orange pastry before — upon careful review, I would order it a million times again.
