The Kentucky Derby, a horse race that lasts a mere two minutes or so, and yet inspires dedicated partying, will be celebrated at Isley Brewing Co. on Saturday, May 7, from 4-7 p.m. Put on a fancy hat and enjoy beer, food trucks and live music by Chris Buerkley at 6:30 p.m. Isley Brewing Co., 1715 Summit Ave. isleybrewingcompany.com.
There’s a lot that goes on with beer-making, and the Science Museum of Virginia plans to celebrate that with Science on Tap, Saturday, May 7, from 2-6 p.m. With the Emerging Leaders Council, the museum will serve beverages from Ardent Craft Ale, Bold Rock Hard Cider, Legend Brewing and Midnight Brewery. You can check out vendors, live music and grab a bite at one of the food trucks. Ten dollars includes a signature pint glass. Full pours cost $6, and tastings $3. Science Museum of Virginia, 2500 W. Broad St. support.smv.org/scienceontap.
It’s the Artisan Pickle Club’s first annual Pickled and Fermented Festival, taking place Saturday, May 14, at Center of the Universe Brewing Co. You can try a pickle-themed beer, a plethora of pickled and fermented goods and enjoy live music from Buckeville Hootenany. The area’s very first pickle competition, including the best home pickler and Richmond’s best #RVAdine restaurant pickle, will cap off the event, and your dear food editor will be there as one of the judges. artisanpickles.com.
Isley Brewing Co. welcomes the change of the seasons May 14 from 2-9 p.m. with its Spring Festival. The Return of the Mac and Intergalactic Tacos food trucks will provide the eats and four bands including Jowala Collective and Barstool Heroes will rock the night away while you sip from a choice of 11 brews. isleybrewingcompany.com.
Richmond Brunch Weekend is almost here starting Saturday, May 14, at 10 a.m. to Sunday, May 15, at 3 p.m. As Told Over Brunch and the Massey Alliance have teamed with such local restaurants as the Boathouse, Maple & Pine, Kanoa Latin Cuisine and Joe’s Inn in the Fan to create special menu items for $10 or less. Two dollars of each plate will go to the Massey Cancer Center. astoldoverbrunch.com.
Have you ever been to Virginia Commonwealth University’s Rice Rivers Center? You can get a gander at the idyllic scenery at Slow Food RVA’s Graze event Sunday, May 15, from noon-4. Travis Milton of Family Meal and Rappahannock Oyster Co.’s Patrick Oliver will be on hand, along with Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, wine, and music by Amy Henderson. $60/$100 per couple. VCU Rice Rivers Center, 3701 John Tyler Memorial Highway, Charles City County. slowfoodrva.org.
Chrysalis Institute will welcome Kristin Kimball, author of “The Dirty Life,” on Friday, May 20, 7-9 p.m. Kimball started Essex Farm with her husband on 500 acres in upstate New York. The two will share stories of how they manage a draft-horse-powered farm while trying to balance economic, social and environmental factors. $25 members, $35 nonmembers. St. Stephens Episcopal Church, 6000 Grove Ave. chrysalisinstitute.org.
On Saturday, May 21, from 11 a.m.-6 p.m., you can enjoy your two favorite things at the Strawberry and Wine Festival, as well as live music, vendors, wine, food, a bouncy house and a country dance starting at 5 p.m. Five dollars to purchase a wine glass at the gate. $5 for the country dance. Hanover Vegetable Garden at 13580 Ashland Road. hanovervegetablefarm.com.
Triple Crossing Brewing will raise money for the Alzheimer’s Association Longest Day during Pints for Purple on Saturday, May 21, from noon-10 p.m. The name of the event, the Longest Day, was chosen by the Alzheimer’s Association to describe what it’s like to live with the disease for sufferers and their caregivers. triplecrossingbeer.com and thelongestday.alz.org.
Dinner in the Field will be on the move this year. In addition to dates for summer events in the Virginia countryside, it’s also collaborating with the folks at Sorted Food, a website dedicated to those who love to cook, for a dinner in Great Britain. And in September, founders Paige Healy and Gregorio Spinzo will travel to Italy with a group to visit the Italian Culinary Institute. Your first chance to drink wine under the stars will be Saturday, June 4, at Lickinghole Creek Craft Brewery in Goochland County. You can sign up for Dinner in the Field’s email list to purchase tickets starting at $150. dinnerinthefield.com.
