O Lala! (In RVA)

BOO, B*TCHES! It's spooky season in RVA, and we're serving tricks, treats, and a little debauchery! 👻This week on O Lala! In RVA, Olivia, Liz, and Big Daddy Matt are getting into the Halloween spirit with a frightfully fabulous episode full of laughs, local legends, and questionable trivia skills!We're reminiscing about childhood Halloween disasters, uncovering the chilling legend of the Richmond Vampire, and dishing on the hottest Halloween happenings around town.Plus, we're talking about our very own It's DISCO, B*tch! Murder on the Dancefloor Halloween bash with DJ Kobe! 🪩🕸️ In This Episode:🧠 Halloween Trivia: Olivia vs. Big Daddy in a hilariously chaotic spooky showdown!🎃 Ghosts of Halloweens Past: Costume catastrophes, haunted houses, and childhood memories.🧛‍♂️ Dropping on Big Daddy: The deadly Church Hill Tunnel collapse and the mysterious Richmond Vampire.🪩 Murder on the Dancefloor: Everything you need to know about our Halloween disco party!🔥 RVA Halloween Happenings: Octoberween, Haunted at the Hof, Tobacco Company's Halloween parties, and Grayhaven Winery's Nefarious Haunt Experience.🍽️ Businesses of the Week: Tuk Tuk Philly Subs and Red Vein Haunted House.💋 RVA Shoutouts: The Roosevelt, Baltik's Bagels, and more!🪩 Come Party With Us, B*tches!It's DISCO, B*tch! — Murder on the Dancefloor📍 Harry's Library at the Hofheimer 📅 Halloween, October 31 | 1–4 PM 🎧 Music by DJ Kobe 🎟️ Tickets: $5Expect killer costumes, spooky cocktails, disco and house beats, fabulous raffle prizes, and complimentary sparkling wine for the first 20 ticketed guests!Can't make it? Catch our upcoming discos November 21 and December 19!📲 Instagram: @olala_rva

We came hungry this week. 🍗We’re hanging out with Richmond foodie, designer, and community advocate James Ford, the creative force behind @Just_Something_I_Ate and one of the people behind RVA Wing Wars.James takes us all the way back to learning how to cook with his grandmother, Sunday dinners that brought the whole family together, and how food became one of his favorite ways to show love. We get into his background in architecture, how studying and traveling through France, Spain, Mozambique and beyond shaped the way he sees food and design, and how @Just_Something_I_Ate grew out of a desire to support Richmond restaurants during COVID.Then, obviously, we talk WINGS. 🍗 James gives us the story behind RVA Wing Wars, what actually makes a great wing, what attendees can expect this year, and his Richmond picks for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We also talk about his work with Ronald McDonald House Charities, M4K and other local organizations — and why giving back is such an important part of what he does.And because this is O Lala, things eventually go completely off the rails.Big Daddy drops us into the increasingly weird world of AI: utopia, job loss, cyber warfare, super-intelligence, Neuralink and the minor question of whether humanity should be getting on a plane with a 20% chance of crashing. 🤖PLUS: Octoberween, VMFA’s Art of Wine, RVA Wing Wars, Antonelli’s Deli, the return of Bottoms Up Pizza, Richmond food recommendations, the “Dirty Daddy Wing,” and enough food talk to guarantee you’ll be starving by the end.Come hungry. Stay weird. And maybe be nice to the robots.

We’re turning up the volume this week with Richmond native and award-winning DJ Duffy! 🎧 We get into his unexpected journey from HVAC to becoming one of Virginia’s top DJs, the art of reading a dance floor, Richmond nightlife, mentoring the next generation of DJs, his friendship with DJ Kobe, wedding chaos, terrible song requests—and some truly WILD things he’s witnessed from behind the booth. 👀Then Big Daddy drops it on us with the unwritten rules of international travel: weird laws, cultural taboos and tourist mistakes you definitely don’t want to learn the hard way. Naturally, that sends us down a rabbit hole of our own travel mishaps and some of the drunkest stories we probably shouldn’t be admitting publicly. 😂✈️Plus, we’re getting hyped for IT’S DISCO, B*TCH! at Harry’s Library, sharing more events happening around RVA, spotlighting Pizzeria Dolores as our Business of the Week, teasing a Halloween collab with Aw Chucks, and ending on a heartfelt note as we say goodbye to our beloved Dungeon Dog, Boudreaux. ❤️Basically: DJs, disco, travel disasters, Richmond happenings, pizza and the usual O Lala! chaos. 🪩🍕🎙️

Things are getting scrumptious on O Lala! In RVA. 🫒This week, we’re joined by Robert Granados, founder of Richmond Olive Oil Co. and certified olive oil sommelier, to find out why the bottle of “extra virgin” olive oil sitting in your pantry might not be what you think it is.Robert takes us inside the surprisingly wild world of olive oil — from learning how to properly taste and test it to uncovering just how adulterated the industry can be. We talk harvest dates, polyphenols, cooking with olive oil, proper storage, flavored oils and balsamics, and what you should actually look for when you're standing in the grocery store aisle.Robert also shares the story behind Richmond Olive Oil Co.: discovering his passion for olive oil, starting small at local farmers markets, studying through the Olive Oil School of Tuscany, taking the leap into a brick-and-mortar Carytown shop, surviving the stress of opening day and building a loyal RVA following.Plus, we get into his boxing background, entrepreneurship, going viral by simply being himself on Instagram, olive oil tasting classes, ice cream + olive oil (trust us 👀), his favorite flavor combinations and what could be next for Richmond Olive Oil Co.Then, Big Daddy drops it on us with the surprisingly strict behind-the-scenes rules of Love Island. 🌴 From mock seasons and psychological testing to alcohol limits, banned naps, hidden condom supplies and the infamous “Voice of God,” apparently villa life is a LOT more regulated than it looks on TV.We’re also talking upcoming RVA events, including the Water Lantern Festival, Happily Natural Festival, Virginia PrideFest and St. Benedict Oktoberfest — plus our Show of the Week.🏆 Business of the Week: Richmond Olive Oil Co.📍 Richmond Olive Oil Co. 3545 W. Cary Street, Richmond, VA Instagram: @richmond_olive_oilFacebook: @richmondoliveoilAlso in this episode: shoutouts to Richmond Animal League and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Richmond. ❤️Pour yourself a glass of wine, grab some bread and maybe go check the harvest date on that olive oil in your cabinet.Listen now! 🎙️

🎈 This week on O LaLa (in RVA), we're joined by Izetta Hill, owner of Lexie's Loving Designs, to talk all things balloons, business, and bringing celebrations to life! Izetta shares how she went from decorating family parties to creating custom balloon installations for birthdays, weddings, corporate events, and more, all while balancing a career in social work. We chat about the creative process, funny behind-the-scenes moments, entrepreneurship, and the leap of faith that turned her passion into a growing RVA business.Plus, Big Daddy uncorks some exciting news as Virginia wines shock the world by beating top French wines in a prestigious Paris tasting. We also share our favorite local wineries, spotlight Holy Roller as our Band of the Week, highlight a few upcoming RVA events, and, of course, celebrate another amazing local business making Richmond a more colorful place.Grab your headphones and join us for another fun conversation celebrating the people, places, and stories that make RVA so special.

This episode is packed with Richmond music, hilarious band stories, internet absurdity, and everything we love about RVA.We sit down with our friends from Aw Chucks, to talk about how they came together, Craigslist bandmates, forgotten lyrics, winery gigs, original music, and why having fun is the secret to staying together as a band. If you saw them perform at our podcast party, you already know why we had to get them on the show.We also dive into one of the wildest internet trends we've ever covered: people completing outrageous stunts for cryptocurrency through online "bounties." Would you tattoo a website on your forehead? Climb Mount Everest? Flush your head in a toilet? Big Daddy brings another conversation guaranteed to make you question humanity.As always, we wrap things up with Richmond events, local businesses, and shout-outs to some amazing people making our city special.📍 Richmond EventsBlack Pride RVARichmond Shakespeare FestivalTonal Recall Music Festival🥐 Business of the WeekSub Rosa Bakery❤️ Community Shout-OutsShine4th Foster CareIT4CausesBryan ParkFalloutConex RVAUpcoming Aw Chucks Shows🎵 July 5 — Ashton Creek Vineyard (Acoustic)🎵 July 24 — Omega Bar & Grill (Full Band)Follow Aw Chucks for future show announcements and new music:https://www.facebook.com/awwwchucks7/https://www.youtube.com/@AwwwChucks/videoshttps://www.instagram.com/awwwchucks7And make sure to follow us too! 📸 Instagram: @olala_rvaHave someone we should interview? Own a local business? Know an artist making RVA more interesting?We'd love to hear from you.Thanks for listening, supporting local, and celebrating everything that makes Richmond weird, creative, and wonderful. We'll see you after our summer hiatus!

This week, we sit down with one of Richmond's most recognizable voices and DJs, DJ Kobe! 🎶🎤 From hosting a syndicated morning radio show heard across multiple cities to keeping Tobacco Club's dance floor packed every Saturday night, Kobe shares the incredible journey that took him from upstate New York radio intern to RVA nightlife staple.We first connected with Kobe through Instagram, but after seeing him absolutely crush it at Daft Disco at Ember Music Hall, we knew we had to get him on the show. The energy was electric, the dance floor was packed, and the vibes were unforgettable. ⚡🪩In This Episode:🎧 How Kobe got his start in radio and DJing📻 What it's really like hosting a syndicated morning radio show🕺 The magic behind Daft Disco and why that crowd left such a lasting impression🎵 Opening for artists like Mac Miller, Big Sean, Flo Rida, Tinashe, and more⭐ Meeting celebrities including Taylor Swift and Justin Timberlake🍻 How changing drinking habits are reshaping nightlife and club culture☕ The rise of coffee raves, wellness events, and sober social experiences🎚️ Why today's DJs rely on remixes, nostalgia, and crowd psychology🏙️ Richmond's evolving music scene and where Kobe thinks it's headed next🎤 Stories from Tobacco Club, New York Deli, The Park, and beyond😂 Plus: Wu-Tang Clan stories, gummy-fueled late-night DJ sessions, and the wild world of radio behind the scenesFollow DJ Kobe📸 Instagram: @kobeontheradio🎙️ Listen to Kobe weekdays on Classic Rock 96.5Big Daddy Drops It On UsThis week's segment dives into the world of "maxing" culture—from looksmaxing to biomaxing, self-improvement trends, optimization culture, and what it means to level up the parts of life people don't always see. 💪🧠📈If you enjoyed this episode: ⭐ Subscribe ⭐ Leave a review ⭐ Share with a friend ⭐ Tag us on Instagram @olala_rva

On this episode of O Lala! In RVA, we sit down with the incredibly talented Chelsea McCoy, better known around RVA as DJ Chuck T. By day, Chelsea is a District Behavioral Specialist with Richmond Public Schools, helping educators create positive learning environments and supporting students across the district. By night, she's behind the DJ booth, bringing energy, connection, and unforgettable vibes to events all over Richmond.Chelsea shares her journey from education to entertainment, how a lifelong love of music inspired her to become a DJ, and the story behind the nickname "Chuck T." We also dive into the mentorship that helped launch her career, including the impact of Richmond DJ legend DJ Duffy, who helped open doors and encouraged her to chase her passion.🎤 Big Daddy Drops It On UsThis week's "Drop It On Us, Big Daddy!" segment explores the bizarre and rapidly growing internet trend of Looksmaxxing—from skincare and fitness to the more extreme side of online beauty culture. The crew discusses social media, self-image, unrealistic standards, and why self-acceptance still matters most.🦇 Business/Event SpotlightOlivia shares her experience at Richmond's iconic goth destination, Fallout Nightclub, and the crew talks about local happenings, shout-outs, and all the usual O Lala chaos and fun.🎧 Follow DJ Chuck TInstagram: @dj.chuckt TikTok: @ladieslovechucktCatch Chelsea every Saturday at the wildly popular sing-along brunches at Harry's and keep an eye out for her at private events, school functions, community celebrations, and venues across Richmond.&& don't forget to follow us and rate us! <3 https://www.instagram.com/olala_rva/

Season 4 is officially underway, and we’re kicking things off with a guest who has poured her entire heart into Richmond’s brunch scene. This week, we sit down with the one and only Sarabeth — aka SB — the owner and creative force behind SB's Lakeside Loveshack. From unicorn pancakes and glitter-covered coffee drinks to handwritten menus, fairy hair nights, and a whole lot of community love, SB has built more than a restaurant — she’s built a true RVA institution.In this episode, SB opens up about growing up between New York and Virginia Beach, working since she was 11 years old, becoming a single mom, and teaching herself how to cook on a line while opening her dream restaurant with only $5K, food stamps, and pure determination. We talk about restaurant chaos, brunch culture, confidence, mental health, building community, and why “Love Shack” became the perfect name for the colorful little spot that now feels like home to so many Richmonders.We also dive into:The story behind SB’s iconic menu names inspired by the B-52sWhy brunch is an experience, not just a mealThe realities of surviving COVID as a restaurant ownerRichmond’s food scene and some of SB’s favorite local spotsFairy hair, drag bingo, Pride collabs, and Halloween in the HubRaising her son while building a business from the ground upWhy confidence and authenticity are true superpowersPlus:Big Daddy drops it on us with a deep dive into the raw milk trend and whether the “unpasteurized movement” is worth the riskUpcoming RVA events including Dominion Energy Riverrock, Hello Summer Festival, line dancing at River City Roll, and moreBusiness of the Week: K-Bop at Väsen Brewing CompanyLOTS of Richmond restaurant love and local shoutoutsThis episode is funny, heartfelt, chaotic in the best way, and full of reminders to lead with kindness, authenticity, and love. Grab a mimosa, order the Knock A Little Louder Sugar Buns, and come hang with us. 💖✨

This week’s episode is giving jazzy, dapper, and just a little unhinged (in the best way) 💅✨We’re joined by returning guest Jay Brown — bandleader, saxophonist, and the creative force behind Grace Street Seven and the Triple Crossing Jazz Project. If you’ve ever dreamed of stepping into a Gatsby party, a speakeasy, or a Sinatra-era lounge… this is your guy.From 1920s swing to 1960s crooner classics, Jay is keeping Richmond jazzy, classy, and very much alive 🎶📍 Upcoming Jay Brown Events (RUN don’t walk):Gatsby Gala @ The Hofheimer – May 30Estate at River Run 1920s soirée – June 26Military Aviation Museum Hangar Dance + Luau – July 11Glen Echo Ballroom Swing Dance – July 25Wilton House “Jazz on the James” – August 8💌 Pro tip: DM Jay for exclusive ticket links + details🍸 Local Spots + Music Mentions:Verdant Lady (monthly jazz + dress-up perks 👀)Goldwing (hidden speakeasy vibes)VMFA Jazz Nights (free + iconic)Révéler Experiences (live music hotspot)Tobacco Company (monthly shows)Big Daddy drops a very spicy topic 🌶️We dive into:Katy Perry controversy + allegationsCelebrity accountability + double standardsConsent, power dynamics, and public perception🎉 RVA Events to Check Out:Burlesque Bingo @ Blue Bee Cider – May 1Derby Day @ Bar West – May 2 (hats REQUIRED 👒)Ben Folds @ The Carpenter Theatre🥐 Business of the Week:Brunchella Café 📍 3445 W Cary St Mediterranean-inspired brunch with:Breakfast pizzas + tacosChurros, espresso, mocktailsCute vibes guaranteed💖 Shoutouts:Harry’s at the Hofheimer (party hosts!!)Melanie Eaton Photo 📸Amanda Cook MUA + Ashley Sanchez Beauty 💄Sports Backers (10K queens + kings 👟)