What’s Booming RVA: VA Cocktail Class & Great Gardens

By Annie Tobey | April 18th, 2024

Boomer’s top 5 picks for the week ahead


Maymont, Richmond, representing the self-guided audio architecture tour. Image by Bill Draper. For What’s Booming RVA: VA Cocktail Class & Great Gardens

Savor Virginia-focused cocktails you can make at home, celebrate Earth Day and Virginia Historic Garden Week, and thrill to Broadway hits and Samurai suits. All in “What’s Booming RVA: VA Cocktail Class & Great Gardens.”


Andrew Lloyd Webber Symphonic Suites

April 20, 8 p.m., at Dominion Energy Center, Richmond

“The Phantom Of The Opera,” “Evita,” “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “Cats,” and more. Hear the greatest hits from this titan of Broadway in specially created symphonic suites. One thrilling evening of “The Music Of The Night” from the Richmond Symphony.

RichmondSymphony.com

Earth Day

Henrico Earth Day Festival. Activities and resources about the county’s environmental and sustainability initiatives, energy-saving tips for the home, kayaking with RVA Paddle Sports, live music, food trucks, and more. April 20, noon to 3 p.m., at Deep Run Park, Henrico.

Virginia State Parks Earth Day Activities. More than 50 events throughout Virginia will celebrate and nurture the natural wonders of the commonwealth. From educational programs to hands-on conservation efforts, the parks invite visitors of all ages to join in honoring our planet and taking action for a sustainable future. Events or programs near Richmond at Bear Creek Lake State Park (Cumberland), Pocahontas State Park (Chesterfield), and Powhatan State Park (Powhatan).

Historic Garden Week

April 20 to 27, throughout Virginia

The Garden Club of Virginia presents the annual statewide week of private landscapes, public gardens, and historic sites open for public tours. With more than 1,000 floral arrangements by Garden Club members. Richmond area gardens include Nottingham and Coventry in Windsor Farms, River Hill, Old Church in Ashland, and Poplar Lawn in Petersburg.

Garden Week at Maymont. An array of activities at one of Richmond’s most historic garden estates, from self-guided garden audio tours and new architecture audio tours to a luncheon, expert-led tours, and the annual Herbs Galore. At Maymont, Richmond.

  • New Historic Architecture Audio Tour. The self-paced audio narrative tells Maymont’s origin story and explains the design and context of the century-old buildings from the Hampton Street gates to the Maymont Mansion and the red-roofed gazebo overlooking the James River. There are 14 stops along the way. Suggested tour length is 45 minutes to an hour. Starting April 19 at Maymont, Richmond.
  • Historic Garden Week Luncheon. Wander among a variety of water-loving plants in Maymont’s large rain garden, where colorful spring blooms attract butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. Box lunches provided. April 24, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Guided Garden Tours. Learn about water-loving plants in Maymont’s large rain garden, where colorful spring blooms attract butterflies, bees and other pollinators. FREE, no registration required. April 24, 12:30, 1, 1:30, and 2 p.m.
  • Plants & Pints Walk & Talk, Hosted by Parallel Nursery. Explore Maymont’s Pollinator Garden and Rain Garden with Sean Proietti, Senior Manager of Horticulture & Grounds at Maymont, and learn about container gardening with native plants by Kaity from Parallel Nursery. Brews (for guests 21+ with ID) and food available for purchase. FREE, no registration required. April 25, 5 to 6:30 p.m.
  • Herbs Galore. Spice up your garden (and table) at this “perennial” favorite plant wale of herbs, annuals, perennials, vegetable, accessories, and more. April 27, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Samurai Armor

April 20 to Aug. 4 at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond

Featuring one of the world’s largest collections of Japanese samurai armor, providing a rare personal encounter with samurai artistry and tradition spanning more than 700 years of Japanese history. From the collection of Ann & Gabriel Barbier-Mueller.

VMFA.museum 

The Art of the Cocktail: Virginia Focused Tastings and Cocktail Demonstrations

The team at Richmond-based craft distillery Virago Spirits, presents four cocktails inspired by Virginia’s vibrant culture and local ingredients. Sample all four cocktails and see how they’re made (so you can DIY!). And hear from Annie Tobey, craft beer and spirits writer, board member at Richmond Beeristoric, Boomer magazine editor, and author of “100 Things to Do in Richmond Before You Die.” April 23, 6 p.m., at Virago Spirits, Richmond.

ViragoSpirits.com and Eventbrite.com

Check websites for more details, including prices and registration requirements.


More of What’s Booming in Richmond besides a VA cocktail class and great gardens

Food and more fun to fill your plate

Boomer’s featured flavor of the week:

Two local craft beverage trails

And lots more events to throw on your calendar:

April 18 to 25, 2024, coming soon + Down-the-Road events

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