According to Sister Cities International, “A sister city is a broad-based, long-term partnership between two communities in two countries, officially recognized after the highest elected/appointed officials sign off to become sister cities.” The idea is to cultivate international relationships, explore other cultures, and stimulate economic development.

Ségou is our newest Sister City relationship. The partnership began in July 2009 + was finalized when a visiting delegation of dignitaries came to Richmond in October of that year.

Stop us if you’ve heard this before — this sister city is a history-rich, mid-size capital located on a river. We have so much in common already.

Located on the Niger River, Ségou is the fifth-largest city in the Republic of Mali. Fun fact: Richmond is the fifth-largest city in VA.

Ségou is known for its active waterfront as well as its prominence in the arts, specifically handcrafts. The city is the epicenter of Malian pottery. It is also home to the Institute Kôrè of Arts and Metiers, a resource center for promoting arts, culture, and entrepreneurship in the region.

If you’re keen to know more on the architectural highlights of Ségou, Architecture Richmond wrote a blog post on our similarities — including our shared responsibility of historic preservation.

Ségou is connected to us artistically + diplomatically. But we actually have more than one sister city. We already learned about Saitama City, Japan and Richmond Upon Thames, England in previous conversations. Look out for our future exploration of Zhengzhou, China.

Use the buttons below to share this story with your sisters, brothers, friends, and followers.

EVENTS

Today

Different Paths to Freedom: Slavery and the American Revolution | Tues., Jan. 11 | 10 a.m. | Virtual | Free, RSVP | This VMHC webinar is recommended for upper elementary kids and up.

Wednesday

Open Mic Night | Wed., Jan. 12 | 6-10 p.m. | Main Line Brewery, 1603 Ownby Ln. | Free | Beginners + seasoned musicians can step up to the mic. 🎶
Literary Virginia Book Group | Wed., Jan. 12 | 6 p.m. | Library of Virginia, 800 E. Broad St. | Free | Discuss “9 Shiny Objects” by Brian Castleberry in-person or online via Zoom. 📕
Restorative Yoga | Wed., Jan. 12 | 6:30 p.m. | Align Yoga, Rocks, and Reiki, 2509 E. Broad St. | Pay-what-you-can | Practice deep rest yoga at this hour-long class.

Thursday

Social Media Marketing 101 | Thurs., Jan. 13 | 1:30 p.m. | Virtual | Free, RSVP | Learn the basics from the Capital Region Small Business Development Center. 📱

Friday

RIKKI RAKKI with OOPF, Ghost to Ghost | Fri., Jan. 14 | 7 p.m. | Castleburg Brewery and Taproom, 1626 Ownby Ln. | Free entry | Enjoy a drink + a night of local tunes. 🎶
Dwight Yoakam | Fri., Jan. 14 | 7:30 p.m. | The National | $45+ | A night with the multiple GRAMMY award winner. 🎻

Saturday

Gellman Room Concert: Naho Bessho | Sat. Jan., 15 | 2 p.m. | RPL Main Library, 101 E. Franklin St. | Free | Check out this classical piano concert with work from six composers.

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

EXPLORE JANUARY IN RICHMOND

Note: COVID-19 protocols are changing rapidly to curb the spread of the Omicron variant in Richmond. Please make sure to check event listing pages + venue websites for the most up-to-date information.

NEWS NOTES

Weather

32º | Sunny | 1% chance of rain

Community

Interested in seeing some winter flora? It’s free admission week at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens until Sun., Jan. 16. The garden will operate at normal hours this week, although the Garden Café + Robins Tea House are both closed until further notice. 🌸

Open

Eggmania has opened in Henrico at 2610 Tuckernuck Dr. The Indian street food chain is known for their eggcellent dinner trays + Bombay-style grilled sandwiches. Pick up a quick dinner or drop in for a taste — they’re open seven days a week. 🍳 (RVAHub)

State

Capitol Square is closed to the public this week due to the upcoming Inauguration of Governor-elect Glenn Youngkin. It will reopen at 6 a.m. on Sun., Jan. 16. The Inauguration will take place this Sat., Jan. 15. (ABC 8 News)

Arts

1708 Gallery is now the owner of the Arts District building it has occupied for over two decades. The gallery plans on shifting the top two floors to residency spaces for artists to live + work on a short-term basis. Read more on the nonprofit’s plans for the new year. 🎨 (Richmond BizSense)
Northside craft gallery Alma’s RVA will open a new exhibition on Thurs., Jan. 13. “Woman Made” displays pieces for the home from artists Christina Boy, Alicia Dietz, Annie Evelyn, and Aspen Golann. The show will remain at the gallery until March 9. 🪑

Sports

The 9-4 VCU Men’s Basketball team returns to the Siegel Center tonight for a game versus George Washington (4-9). The Rams will tip off at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $25 — or watch on MASN2, stream on ESPN+, or tune in to 910 The Fan. 🏀

Film

The RVA Environmental Film Festival has unveiled their lineup of films for the event, which will take place Fri., Feb. 18-Fri., March 4. Check out the list and register for individual films to receive more information. The festival is free + seating will be first-come, first-served. 🎥

Health

Dr. Danny Avula has stepped down as state vaccination coordinator. Avula is returning to his position as director of the Richmond City and Henrico County health districts of his own accord. Christy Gray will now oversee vaccinations as VDH’s Director of the Division of Immunization. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Question

Have a sweet tooth? Reader Eric L. wants to know if Richmond — or VA — has a signature dessert or confection. We couldn’t find anything official on the books, but historians do trace chess pie to Martha Washington’s Booke of Cookery. Let us know what sweet you’d consider our signature. 🍰

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📸 @theveilbrewing

The masterminds at The Veil Brewing Co. dropped five new drinks today. We’re eager to try the Cherry-Mang Tastee, but we're also fans of the Supernatural Creature can design plus its honeysuckle + clementine notes. 🐸

We want to know — what’s your go-to brewery for funky flavors?

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THE WRAP

Editor's Pick: Tune in to the Cooking Channel tonight at 9 p.m. to see Proper Pie, Station 2 + Perly's on Man v. Food. Richmond represent. 🥧

Missed yesterday's newsletter? We went to Williamsburg.