Home is more than four walls and roof. Home is a door opening to you, your family, your pets, your lifestyle, your neighborhood, your community, your city. It’s all encompassing on so many levels.

Our RVA, blog Jo Ann L. Breaux Our RVA, blog Jo Ann L. Breaux

Richmond Holiday Gift Guide

Richmond has no shortage of thoughtful, locally made gifts. This holiday gift guide highlights some of my favorite RVA artisans, shops, and experiences to help you give with intention and support the our lovely city.

Here we are, the time of year when I overthink my gift giving. I mean how many socks, ties, and guitar parts can I get for one person! If you are anything like me, the gift giving involves creative thought, fun ideas, and the support of local vendors. We are fortunate that we have so many talented artists in the area and stellar shopping options. I decided to be a good little elf this year and provide you with some ideas of my own!

World of Mirth Blind Boxes

Local toy shop, World of Mirth never disappoints in the gift giving area and these cool mystery boxes are sure to be a hit.

shop now

Make a Gift, Give a Gift with Clayground

Whether you are the creative gift giver or giving to a creative recipient, Clayground has unique and affordable workshops for all!

Book NOw

The Gift of History and Art

A membership to any of our fine museums is a great gift with many perks!

Give not thy love in words alone, but in wrapped delights.

We have some very talented thespians out there and what better gift to give than that of the theater. This isn’t your high school teacher’s Shakespeare.

Shoppith

All That Shines

I love getting jewelry for Christmas. Doesn’t have to be fancy, but does have to have some character. Check out these loves local to RVA.

  • MuseGlass: Hayley Douglass is a true artist and makes the most divine pieces

  • Sarah Tector: LOVE her creations

  • Sun & Selene: The jeweleresses create the most stunning pieces

  • Almas RVA: She carries some of the best local artisans in town!

Art from Local Artists

Frame one of these statement pieces and call it a holi..day.

Cooking with Chef Tammy

Chef Tammy Brawley of The Green Kitchen teaches a variety of classes and is a gift that keeps giving, especially when you are invited to the table.

Get Cookin'

A Very Knife Gift

Join or Die Knives are some seriously pretty knives and make for a cool gift for any kitchen or utility use, they have other wares as well.

Cut It

Other Suggestions

Have a merry holiday and hope you find the perfect gift for them!

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Hometown Chronicles, blog Jo Ann L. Breaux Hometown Chronicles, blog Jo Ann L. Breaux

Sashay RVA

National Square Dance Month has us swinging out partners…

Image Source: Ozark County Times

Do you remember those awkward moments in PE class when you had to learn to do si do and sashay? I grew up in a place where dancing was essential to your being, and whether you grabbed your grandma or your wife, you can be sure you’d be on the dance floor before the night is over. From what I know now, these days, Square Dancing is no longer taught in PE and I wondered how alive this tradition is these days. It seems like the tradition of people dancing together has become obsolete, unless you’re donning leather over at Fallout or waltzing the night away at some cotillion, the act of dancing cheek to cheek or hand to hand is hard to find.

So what is square dancing? Square dancing is a traditional American folk dance with European roots brought over by the settlers and then modified over time with the intermingling of different cultures. It consists of four couples fitting into the corners of a square. Usually square dancing is associated with country folk, but these traditional dances primary stem from Scottish/Irish, French and English origins. There are many types of square dances depending on what region you live in and in Virginia, Square Dance was designated as the official folk dance in 1991.

Square Dancing is made up of different “calls” from “callers”. Callers shout or sing out the instructions to the dancers to follow and often entertain the crowd. Here are a few calls you may or may not have heard of, but are most common:

  • Circle Left: All eight dancers join hands and walk in a left circle

  • Allemande Left: Everyone face their corner, take a left forearm with their corner and circles around until they are facing their partners again, Drop arms.

  • Do Si Do: Face your partner, step past each other passing right shoulders and without turning around step back to back then back up passing left shoulders until you are in front of your partner again.

  • Promenade: Couples in a skater's position, men on the ladies left side, and slightly behind her, take hands and walk together in a counterclockwise circle until you reach your home position. (Starting Position)

  • Swing: Couples in a ballroom dance position, circling in a clockwise direction a full 360 degrees or until facing the line of dance. Man twirls the lady under his arm to finish the swing.

  • Weave the Ring: Everyone face their partner and walk forward in a circle formation passing each other with alternating shoulders, starting with the right. Stop when you get to your partner.

Here’s a little video presentation from RVA Squares featuring Grant Hunnicut as the Caller.

I was actually surprised to find some Square Dance clubs here in RVA and now my interest is peaked. It may not be 7th grade PE, but looks and sounds like a good time. If you are interested in promenading into one of these groups, here are a few suggestions around town.

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