Craving something new this spring? How about a casual picnic filled with delicious and delectable bites – all for a heartwarming cause? Save the date for Saturday, May 18, from 6pm - 9pm, as the Positive Vibe Foundation unveils its second annual signature culinary extravaganza: Positively Delicious.

You're cordially invited to join us at the Faison Center's Guzman Community Center for an evening steeped in community spirit and elevated by culinary mastery. The list of wonderful restaurants representing Richmond and beyond has been handpicked by the visionary restaurateur and community advocate, Jason Alley, in collaboration with Positive Vibe's Executive Director Michele Jones, both esteemed figures from Richmond's beloved culinary scene at Comfort and Pasture.

Michele Jones is a former restauranteur and owner of Comfort, Pasture, and Bingo Beer. Her work in the nonprofit industry has previously been through her philanthropic efforts during her years dominating the Richmond restaurant scene. As recently profiled in Richmond magazine, Michele established an annual tradition of giving back to her community by collecting coats and suitcases for kids in foster care. She was named “World News Tonight with Diane Sawyer” Person of the Week for her efforts. In 2018, Comfort partnered with Feed More to donate 100% of its proceeds to fight food insecurity.

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While her history in the restaurant world might not seem to be the most logical choice to helm a nonprofit, she brings decades of experience in running large, complex, and successful public-facing organizations. Her enthusiasm and energy, along with potential new community partners, is destined to uplift Positive Vibe’s students and expand their opportunities for finding purpose, passion and possibilities.

Positive Vibe Foundation is wholeheartedly dedicated to providing transformative training and coaching talent help people with disabilities lead fulfilling and independent lives.

On today’s episode we have the pleasure of sitting down with Charlie (lead vocals) and Alex (bass) from Flight Club (NOT Fight Club); a four piece rock band hailing from our own RVA! We saw them play at River Rock last year after they were handing out free stickers to the crowd and we were blown away by their music. They played an amazing pop-punk cover of Unwritten by Natasha Bendingfield and we were instantly hooked! We also saw them more recently at the Broadberry when they opened for 408 and We The Kings. They sound right on par with those two big bands. Today you'll learn all about the band. Big Daddy will also drop it on us with some funny news about this year's Coachella and we'll discuss the pay gap between men and women's basketball. ENJOY!

Support Flight Club:

Instagram

Facebook

Other Links & Tour Dates

Band Of The Week: FLIGHT CLUB OF COURSE!

Big Daddy Topic: The disaster called Coachella (WOOHOO)

Restaurants Of The week:

En Su Boca

Open from 11am-2am every day. Happy hour from 3-6 mon-friday where house margs are 7.50, rails are 5.5, $1 off beer and wine. Happiest of all hours monday - thursday 5-6 where you can take an additional dollar off of all of those.

Drink: house marg

App: Boca trio - whopping pile of chips with different salsas, guac and queso

Entree: One of their burrito bowls. They’re all insanely delicious so it doesn’t matter which one you pick

The Answer / Mekong

Drink: Orange creamsicle beer

App: Salt and pepper calamari, shrimp chips

Entree: Bon Mi (hangover cure)

Dessert: Nightingale ice cream sandwich

Event of the week: Positively Delicious by Positive Vibes Foundation, May 18th. Raises money for disabled RVA locals to find employment and other opportunities. Unlimited gourmet food and drinks made by RVA chefs.

Shoutouts:

River Rock

The Broadberry

408

We The Kings

The National

The Canal Club

Brown's Island

Richmond Music Hall

The Camel

Sticky Rice

Black Lodge

Warped Tour

Richmond Spiders

Erin & The Wildfire

Mama J's

Jew Fro

Our Sponsor:

Maya's Belly Dancing 💃

On today's episode, we have Katherine - owner of The Verdant Lady; a one of a kind cocktail bar located in RVA's West End. The Lady offers up refreshingly unique cocktails, an enchanting and funky indoor space with an atmosphere that acts as a place for friends and wanderers to share a drink together as equals. With their carefully curated cocktail menu and food served up from Les Crepes nextdoor, you’re sure to be delighted the moment you walk in.

We also talk about the solar eclipse and if the end of the world is upon us.

Support The Verdant Lady & Les Crepes

https://www.theverdantlady.com/

The Verdant Lady Instagram

Facebook

https://www.lescrepesrva.com/

Les Crepes Instagram

Restaurants of the week:

The Verdant Lady & Les Crepes - we recommend the Love Island cocktail (Rose infused Vodka, Lillet Rosé, Lychee, Lemon, Sparkling Coconut Water). For an app get the fried goat cheese balls. For an entre get the Curry Lamb Crepe.

Uliveto - https://www.gersirestaurant.com/uliveto

Poloma or Agua De Valencia for a brunch cocktail. For an app: anchovies and citrus. Entre: eggs Sicilana.

Band of the week:

Gone Country - https://gonecountryrva.com/2024-schedule

“Where the line-dancing, Honky Tonk sound of Brooks & Dunn meets the smooth, timeless melodies of Alan Jackson.”

Make sure to get your tickets for Wear RVA's 5th annual charity fashion show. All proceeds go towards scholarships for local RVA high school girls.

Our Sponsor:

Maya's Belly Dancing

Our friend Rick Plautz, owner and operator of the Bell Garden, is back on the pod today! If you didn't catch his last episode, the Bell Garden is a wellness business and sound bath facilitator in RVA combining quartz crystal bowls, curated music, and vocal toning to create a profoundly relaxing meditative experience.

Today Rick comes to discuss an exciting new festival in RVA: Rest Fest on May 4th. The festival is a celebration of wellness, bringing Richmonders together for group classes, speakers, music, food and connection. We also talk about the MANDALA EFFECT with Big Daddy! ✨

Tickets to Rest Fest:

https://www.rvarestfest.com/

Support The Bell Garden:

TheBell.Garden

@thebell.garden

Tiktok

Restaurants of the week:

The Boathouse @ Rocketts Landing

Cocktail: dirty martini

App: Rockefeller oysters

Entree: crab cakes with asparagus and mashed potatoes. The crab cakes have a mustard glaze on top which is so delicious!

Hobnob

Cocktail: The Winter Solstice

Entree: Fried green tomato BLT or Strawberry Goat cheese salad with grilled chicken

Croaker's Spot -Southern soul food

Band of the week:

Cheapshot: a five piece rock band that plays 90s/2000s hits with their own hard rock flair on everything they play.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089847070248&mibextid=LQQJ4d

https://www.instagram.com/cheapshotva/?hl=en

Our Sponsor:

Maya's Bellydancing💃

Shoutouts:

Divine Spark

The Art Of Us Studio

Transitions Float Spa

RVA Rage Room

Maymont

Carytown Massage

Doswell Meadow Event Park

Welcome to O Lala! (In The Dungeon). We are two blondes (with our big daddy) who discuss all things RVA! We interview the most interesting people in the city and discuss current events and other happenings around Richmond. Tune in every other Monday for a new episode!

On today's episode we interview Carter Snipes, co-owner of the popular Hofheimer building. We also discuss popular restaurant trends around RVA, more news about the infamous Stanley Cup, our restaurants and band of the week, and more!

About our guest: Carter Snipes is an entrepreneur and a veteran real estate developer. As the owner of Snipes Properties, he has aided in the redevelopment of properties across Richmond, including of course the historic Hofheimer building, and Brambly Park Winery, a 2 acre park-like urban winery, restaurant, and music venue in the back of Scott's Addition. As an activist board member of the Scott's Addition Neighborhood Association, Carter has also been instrumental in securing city grants for Scott’s Addition greenspace, landscaping, and infrastructure. Snipes is a passionate, visionary entrepreneur set on elevating the neighborhood’s exposure on a national level.

Support Carter Snipes:

https://www.hofheimerbuilding.com/

https://www.facebook.com/hofheimerbuilding/

https://www.instagram.com/hofheimer_building

https://www.harrysrva.com/

https://www.instagram.com/harrysrva/

https://www.bramblypark.com/

https://www.instagram.com/bramblypark/

https://www.facebook.com/bramblypark

https://www.tiktok.com/@bramblypark

Our sponsor:

Maya's Belly Dancing💃

Band of the week:

The Atkinsons - Country, rock, Americana, and folk blend. This 7 piece band will blow you away.

Restaurants of the week:

Greek on Cary - 3107 w Cary St

Pho Thien Phat 2 - 9031 W Broad St

Today we are joined by Erin, the soulful and extremely talented vocalist from RVA’s Erin & The Wildfire. The band started out as four college friends in Charlottesville, VA making music just for the fun of it. Today they have grown into a flourishing decade long musical experience with an idie-pop flair with influences from Emily King, D’Angelo, YEBBA, Vulfpeck, and Donny Hathaway. The band also includes Ryan Lipps on guitar, Nick Quillen on drums, Matt Woods on bass and Stephen Roach on keys.

Erin & The Wildfire create their own music with deeply personal lyrics that mainly focus on Erin’s journey with struggles with body acceptance and self-love but also touch on climate change, fighting the patriarchy and more. The band strives to make their shows a safe space for all ages and kinds of people.

Their second full-length album, Touchy Feely was released April 1, 2022 and recorded in the Summer of 2021, after nearly a year and a half of virtual songwriting and collaboration during the global pandemic. The new release, named one of Style Weekly’s most-anticipated local albums of 2022, was produced by acclaimed songwriter and producer Matthew E. White (Natalie Prass). The meticulous production, impeccable songwriting, and sensual vocals are present as ever on an album that polishes the signature style introduced by their popular single “Shape” in 2020.

E&TW have also made appearances at some of the largest festivals on the East Coast including Suwannee Rising, LOCKN’, FloydFest, CMJ, RoosterWalk, and more.

Support Erin & The Wildfire:

https://www.erinandthewildfire.com/

https://www.instagram.com/erinandthewildfire/

https://www.facebook.com/ErinandtheWildfire/

https://twitter.com/ErinAndWildfire

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCA8j8JBYzPOKZrrB7xwweRQ

https://music.apple.com/us/artist/erin-the-wildfire/727140636

https://soundcloud.com/erinandthewildfire

https://www.tiktok.com/@erinandthewildfire

https://open.spotify.com/artist/03NHhY1mdWC3Hf9uJEnomj?si=W34dC8EkR0uy3YYgGx2z3Q

Our sponsor:

Maya's Belly Dancing💃

Restaurants of the week:

Metzger Bar & Butchery -801 N 23rd St.

Sabai RVA -2727 W Broad Street

On today’s episode, we interview Funmi Mohlie, tea sommelier and connoisseur, hailing from London, UK, who is bringing Afternoon Tea to RVA. She worked in the luxury industry for over 20 years, including Harrods, where she got to experience exquisite afternoon teas.

The whole concept started after Funmi, her husband and kids moved to Virginia in June of 2020. As they were getting settled and as a way to entertain people, Funmi started hosting British afternoon teas for her friends in their home called “Mummy And Me Teas”. More and more requests kept coming for larger events. Encouraged by her friends, she decided to start a quintessential British afternoon tea company with a twist: bringing the experience to your home or location of choice. Thus Funmi’s Royal Tea was born.

With the Deluxe experience, Funmi’s catering service includes everything from the place setting to the delicious items you’ll enjoy. She brings all of the necessary items to the location of your choice, so all you have to do is provide her with the table, the chairs and the guests.

Funmi’s menu has a variety of items to choose from, such as sandwiches, pastries and cakes, as well as a selection of loose-leaf teas. Scones, strawberry jam and clotted cream will always be available on the menu as this is a staple to the British afternoon tea experience.

Big Daddy drops it on us with some facts about tea totaling and the origins of dry January.

Support Funmi and do a British Tea Experience:

@caeruleum_llc

www.caeruleumllc.com

https://www.facebook.com/caeruleumllc

Restaurants of the week:

Osaka Sushi- 5023 Huguenot Rd

We recommend their Mt Fuji Shrimp appetizer and the Incredible Roll which is a spicy tuna roll with tempura crunch, filet mignon, red cavier and spicy mayo. Wash it down with their Manhattan cocktail.

Pinky’s -3015 Norfolk st. Scott’s addition

We recommend their brunch-both of their starters are amazing-the zeppole is like a little fried donut or pastry with powdered sugar and choice of topping or the Giardino board with fruit, cheese, crostini and fixings

For the main course we recommend the croque madame with prosciutto di parma, iberico ham, asiago-manchego cream, pancetta, sunny up eggs on grilled crostini with fresh fruit and a side of brunch potatoes, with the Le bolle their twist on an aperol spritz-so refreshing!

Band of the week:

Mashup & Cozy Condition

Hailing from Richmond Virginia, Mashup is an electrifying eight-piece ensemble that melds vintage funk, with with modern production techniques. They take popular songs, put their own spin on it and “mash it up” with another song in the same key.

Their next gig is on January 26th at 8 at JJ’s Bar and Grille on Staples Mill Road. They’re also playing at the Midlothian Great American Ranch on February 3rd at 9PM.

Our sponsor:

Maya's Belly Dancing

Other shoutouts:

Short Pump Pour House

Are You Randy, Baby?

Ember Music Hall

U of R Spiders Basketball

Toast

JJ’s Bar and Grill

Southern Railway Taphouse

Great American Ranch

Kindred Spirit

Today on our last episode of the year, we have Amanda Cook, a seasoned local makeup artist who has graced the beauty industry with her talent since 2013. She has worked with renowned brands such as Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Clinique, and Laura Mercier. Amanda’s artistic journey began in her youth, where a love for art and creativity transformed into a passion for makeup, inspired by the femininity she observed in her family. Infusing heart into her craft, Amanda ensures every client feels regal under her care. Beyond beautifying, she’s a fervent educator, sharing insights on skincare, artistry techniques, and the art of selecting the perfect tools. Known for her unmatched professionalism, Amanda resides in her hometown of Richmond, Virginia, with her fiancée Ricky and her feline companion, Gomez. Amanda previously worked for Walt Disney world as a character performer, went to VCU, and has been with Ricky 11 years in May!

Matt also quizzes us on his previous "Drop It On Us Big Daddy" segments. Who will win the prize?!?!

HAPPY HOlDAYS AND MERRY CHRISTMAS from us to you! We love you and will see ya in January for more amazing interviews! 💋

Support Amanda:

Facebook

Instagram

Our Sponsor:

Maya's Belly Dancing💃

Restaurants of the week:

Mayu Sushi

We recommend their sushi - so fresh. You can build your own rolls. The Curry Pot Stickers - steamed chicken and shrimp dumplings cooked in red curry sauce. The Sun-Dried Beef which is Thai beef jerky served with sriracha sauce. The Moss Head cocktail.

Toast

Great Happy Hour. We recommend the Pumpkin Espresso Martini without simple syrup. Hot Toddy's for $6. The Turkey Rachael sandwich - roasted turkey, Swiss cheese, thousand island dressing, apple slaw, on rye with shoestring fries!

Band of The Week:

The Dan Schutt Band - A local RVA funky blues-rock band that always gets the crowd dancing and the party started. The Dan Schutt Band performs a catalogue of high-energy and recognizable tunes, influenced by rock, blues, country, jazz, and reggae. AMAZING!

Shoutouts:

ZOSO - Led Zeppelin Tribute Band

The National

UR Football Team

UR Basketball Team

Lex’s gowns

Mamie's Apothecary

Helen’s

The Shoppes at 5807 on Patterson

Liberty Public House

Today's guest is Lisa Lish, the owner of RVA's Licious Boutique where you can be a hit in a Licious fit! She is also a recovering addict who is 12 years sober and a traveling feature entertainer. She loves dancing, traveling, her family, her dogs, but most importantly SEXY fun fashion. She always dreamt of opening up her own boutique with super stylish clothes and that dream came true in the past year when she opened up her shop. The boutique quickly was voted RVA’s best women’s clothing store. The store also offers lashes, permanent jewelry, private shopping experiences, and more. 💄💋👠

In this week's episode will take a deep dive into her life as a female business owner, her life travels, dancing for Ozzy Osbourne and Marilyn Manson, getting sober, fashion do's and don'ts, tons of laughs, and much more. Also tune in for Big Daddy's segment where he talks about famous RVA movies and TV shows!

Support Licious Boutique:

Lisa Lish Facebook

Lisa Lish Instagram

Licious Boutique Online Store

Licious Boutique Facebook

Licious Boutique Instagram

Licious Boutique TikTok

Licious Links Permanent Jewelry

Others:

The Little Lash Bar

Youthful Beginnings

Youthful Beginnings Facebook

Our Sponsor:

Maya's Belly Dancing💃

Restaurant of the Week:

Red Salt

We recommend their lobster mac and cheese, truffle fries, poinsettia roll, and their "When Doves Cry" cocktail.

Frontier

We recommend their bbq nachos, bbq Philly, the "Dirty Matilda" or Old Fashioned cocktail.

Local Band of the Week:

The Grace Street Seven - vintage jazz band who takes you back in time to the roaring 20s with their vintage instruments, costumes, and theatrics. SO GOOD! Be prepared to Swing Dance.

Other Shoutouts:

Bell Isle Moonshine

MPM Tiki Bar

Shawn Speake

Hardywood West Creek