Culture Encounters

CultureFest Fridays at the Children’s Museum of Richmond
2026-01-02 15:30 - 16:30 UTC, 2026-02-06 15:30 - 16:30 (America/New_York), 2026-03-06 15:30 - 16:30 (America/New_York) | Children’s Museum of Richmond Downtown, 2626 West Broad St., Richmond, VA, 23220, United States
Discover the richness of global cultures with CultureFest Fridays, a signature initiative in partnership with the Children’s Museum of Richmond! Each month showcases a new culture, providing a fun and family-friendly way to expand kids’ horizons and connect with the world.
Happening on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of every month, this fun and educational experience is designed for families and children to explore the world through performance and interactive activities.
✨ What to Expect:

Live Cultural Performances: Enjoy engaging performances that showcase the music, dance, and traditions of the featured culture.
Interactive Sessions: Dive deeper into each culture through hands-on, interactive experiences that bring global traditions to life.

📅 When & Where:

1st Fridays, 3:30-4:30 pm: Children’s Museum of Richmond – Downtown Location
3rd Fridays, 3:30-4:30 pm: Children’s Museum of Richmond – Chesterfield Location

Check out upcoming performers:
https://www.childrensmuseumofrichmond.org/events/

After School Program - Eat.Talk.Write
2026-01-05 - 2026-03-15 | VA
Bridging Cultures Through Food and Writing
Eat.Talk.Write. is our flagship summer program for youth aged 10 to 15, designed to connect kids from diverse backgrounds through the shared experience of food, conversation, and creative writing. This immersive program explores cultural diversity in a fun and interactive way, helping young participants build communication skills, empathy, and a sense of belonging.
Participants meet local chefs from Richmond and surrounding areas, discovering the cultural stories behind their cuisines. Through sensory exploration, they engage with flavors, textures, and fragrances from around the world. In culinary writing workshops, kids express their experiences through creative food reviews, blending taste with storytelling.
By bridging cultural divides and fostering cross-cultural understanding, Eat.Talk.Write offers a unique, hands-on journey that encourages youth to appreciate the richness of diversity through the universal language of food.
Interested in this experience? Join us over the summer for an unforgettable adventure in culture, food, and writing!

CultureFest Fridays at the Children’s Museum of Richmond
2026-01-16 15:30 - 16:30 UTC, 2026-02-20 15:30 - 16:30 (America/New_York) | Children’s Museum of Richmond Chesterfield, 6629 Lake Harbour Dr., Midlothian, VA, 23112, United States

Eat. Talk. Connect. Bosnia Experience
2026-01-29 18:30 - 20:30 UTC | Bosna Restaurant, 8030 W Broad St. Suite F, Henrico, VA, United States
Join us for an immersive experience that delves deep into the heart of Bosnian culture through food, conversations, and performances. Our event, Eat.Talk.Connect., offers a unique opportunity to savor authentic Bosnian cuisine, hear the inspiring story behind Bosna Restaurant, and engage with Bosnia’s rich cultural heritage.
FREE for Dinner Club Members!
What to Expect:– Authentic Bosnian Cuisine: Delight your taste buds with traditional dishes prepared by skilled chefs. Each bite will transport you to the vibrant streets of Sarajevo.
– Inspiring Story: Listen to the owner share the journey and passion that brought Bosna Restaurant to life, offering a personal touch to your culinary adventure.
– Cultural Insights: Learn about Bosnia’s history, traditions, and customs through engaging conversations and presentations that bring the country’s vibrant culture to life.
– Interactive Pop Quiz: Test your knowledge with a fun and interactive pop quiz about Bosnia; it’s a great way to learn and engage with others.
Save a Seat

Eat. Talk. Connect. The Patio Thai Experience
2026-02-26 18:00 - 20:00 UTC | Patio Thai, 103 East Cary Street, Richmond, VA, 23219, United States
Join us for an immersive experience that delves deep into the heart of Thai culture through food, and conversations
This is your chance to savor authentic Thai cuisine, hear the inspiring story behind our featured Thai restaurant, and connect with Thailand’s rich cultural heritage.
What to Expect:
🍴 Authentic Thai Cuisine – Enjoy traditional dishes prepared with bold flavors, fresh ingredients, and time-honored techniques. Taste dishes commonly made by Thai street-food vendors and bring them into the restaurant in new and exciting ways.
📖 Inspiring Story – Hear the owners share their passion, roots, and journey behind their Thai kitchen for a truly personal dining experience.
🌍 Cultural Insights – Discover Thailand’s history, traditions, and customs through engaging conversations and presentations.
Eat.Talk.Connect. Come hungry, curious, and ready to connect 🤍
🎉 FREE for Dinner Club Members!
Save a Seat

CultureFest Fridays at the Children’s Museum of Richmond
2026-03-20 15:30 - 16:30, 2026-04-17 15:30 - 16:30, 2026-05-15 15:30 - 16:30, 2026-06-19 15:30 - 16:30 (America/New_York) | Children’s Museum of Richmond Chesterfield, 6629 Lake Harbour Dr., Midlothian, VA, 23112, United States
Discover the richness of global cultures with CultureFest Fridays, a signature initiative in partnership with the Children’s Museum of Richmond! Each month showcases a new culture, providing a fun and family-friendly way to expand kids’ horizons and connect with the world.
Happening on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of every month, this fun and educational experience is designed for families and children to explore the world through performance and interactive activities.
✨ What to Expect:

Live Cultural Performances: Enjoy engaging performances that showcase the music, dance, and traditions of the featured culture.
Interactive Sessions: Dive deeper into each culture through hands-on, interactive experiences that bring global traditions to life.

📅 When & Where:

1st Fridays, 3:30-4:30 pm: Children’s Museum of Richmond – Downtown Location
3rd Fridays, 3:30-4:30 pm: Children’s Museum of Richmond – Chesterfield Location

Check out upcoming performers: https://www.childrensmuseumofrichmond.org/events

Bridge Builders Networking Social
2026-03-23 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Halifax) | Fayad Law, 8501 Mayland Dr Suite 101, Richmond, VA, 23294, United States
Join us for Bridge Builders, a fun and welcoming networking social hosted by Culture Encounters and Fayaw Law.
📅 Monday, March 23
⏰ 6:00–8:00 PM
📍 Hosted at 8501 Mayland Dr Suite 101, Richmond, VA 23294
Come mix and mingle while discovering how you can be part of a great mission.
💬 Great conversations
🤝 New connections
🌍 A shared commitment to bringing cultures together
Bring a friend and come ready to connect.
RSVP

Nonprofit Open House
2026-03-25 18:00 - 19:30 (America/Halifax) | atlantic outreach Group, 4411 Jacque Street, Richmond, 23230, United States
Spring is in the air and there’s no better time to grow something meaningful. As April’s Global Volunteer Month approaches, our region’s small and mid-sized nonprofits are coming together to help you discover how you can make a difference in RVA in 2026.

Join us for the Nonprofit Open House and explore hands-on ways to uplift local youth, combat food insecurity, promote financial literacy, expand green spaces, spread joy through arts and culture, and so much more. Whether you have a few hours a month or want to dive in more deeply, there’s a place for you to plug in and make an impact.

Come meet passionate nonprofit leaders, learn about upcoming opportunities, and find the cause that sparks you. New season. New connections. New ways to serve.

Event is FREE but please register in advance:
Register

Eat. Talk. Connect. - A Taste of Indian Cuisine
2026-03-26 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Halifax) | The Biryani Corner, 4821 Old Main St., Henrico, VA, 23231, United States
Eat. Talk. Connect. – A Taste of Indian Cuisine 🍽️
Join us for an immersive evening that celebrates the vibrant culture of India through food, storytelling, and meaningful connection ✨
This special gathering features The Biryani Corner in Richmond, VA, where authentic Indian flavors meet rich cultural tradition.
🎉 FREE for Dinner Club Members!
👉 Check the link in our bio and the comments to join!
What to Expect:
🍛 Authentic Indian Cuisine
Enjoy bold and aromatic dishes rooted in Indian culinary traditions. Experience the layered spices, fragrant basmati rice, and slow-cooked techniques that make dishes like biryani a beloved staple across India.
📖 Inspiring Story
Hear from the owners of The Biryani Corner as they share the journey behind their restaurant, their cultural roots, and the passion that drives their kitchen.
🌏 Cultural Insights
Explore India’s rich traditions, history, and culinary heritage through engaging conversations and shared dining experiences.
Eat. Talk. Connect.
Come hungry, curious, and ready to connect 🤍
Save a Seat

CultureFest Fridays at the Children’s Museum of Richmond
2026-04-03 15:30 - 16:30, 2026-05-01 15:30 - 16:30 (America/New_York) | Children’s Museum of Richmond Downtown, 2626 West Broad St., Richmond, VA, 23220, United States

Conversations That Connect: Parenting in a Different Culture
2026-04-03 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Halifax) | Deep Run Park & Recreational Center, 9900 Ridgefield Parkway, Richmond,, VA, 23233, United States
Join us for an evening of meaningful conversation, community connection, and shared experiences as our panel explores what it means to raise children while navigating different cultural worlds. Hear personal stories, gain insights, and engage in an open dialogue with community members who understand the journey.
📅 Friday, April 3, 2026⏰ 6:00 to 8:00 PM📍 Deep Run Recreation Center

Bridge Builders’ Networking Event
2026-05-12 18:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Chesapeake Bank, 5501 Patterson Ave, Richmond, VA, 23226, United States
Join us for the Bridge Builders’ Networking Event, where community, culture, and conversation come together in one space. Whether you are looking to grow your network or support a meaningful mission, this is the place to be. Proudly hosted by Chesapeake Bank in support of Culture Encounters. Tuesday, May 12, 2026 6:00 to 8:00 PM Chesapeake Bank | 5501 Patterson Avenue, Richmond, VABring a friend, meet new faces, and be part of a community that builds bridges
RSVP HERE

Week 1 | Re-imagining Culture and Cultural Engagement Webinar Series
2026-05-27 15:30 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | VA
Culture Encounters® invites you to join us for Re-imagining Culture and Cultural Engagement, a four-week webinar series designed for organizations and leaders working across cultures.
This series will explore how we understand culture, how we build cultural curiosity, and how cultural intelligence can be applied in real community settings. Together, we will examine culture not as something static or distant, but as something lived, learned, shared, and practiced in our daily work.
Series Dates:
Wednesday, May 27, 2026
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Time:
3:00 PM to 3:45 PM ET
Series Topics and Guest Speakers:
Week 1: Debunking Myths About Culture
Guest Speaker: Elikem Kunutsor
Week 2: Cultural Intelligence and Meaning-Making
Guest Speaker: Elikem Kunutsor
Week 3: Cultural Intelligence and Practice
Guest Speaker: Safwat Mazourk
Week 4: Cultural Engagement
Guest Speaker: Safwat Mazourk
Speaker Bios:
Dr. Elikem Kunutsor
Alfred Elikem Kunutsor is an arts educator, performer, performance maker, and project
Leader based in Ghana, West Africa. He is interested in harnessing the transformative power of performance through co-creation with natural, cultural, and societal phenomena. His work in creative arts somatic education spans Ghana, South Africa, and Germany. Elikem has lectured in Movement Studies at the Wits School of Arts, Wits University, and the Centre for Theatre Dance and Performance Studies, University of Cape Town- South Africa, where he received his PhD in Theatre. He has taught Performance Studies and Design in the Theatre Arts Department at the University of Ghana. Additionally, he served as the Head of the Creative Arts Department at Tema International School-Ghana. Elikem is also an artistic director with Meraki Arts Africa Ltd in Ghana.

Safwat Mazourk
Dr. Safwat Marzouk based in Richmond, Virginia is an Egyptian Presbyterian pastor, biblical scholar, and author whose work explores the Bible through intercultural and migration-focused perspectives. Dr. Marzouk has written extensively on themes of migration, cultural difference, and how faith communities navigate life across cultures. He is the author of several books, including Intercultural Church: A Biblical Vision for an Age of Migration, and brings both scholarly insight and personal experience as an immigrant to conversations about faith, culture, and community.
Series Coordinator:
Rachel Casali, Learning and Training Coordinator, Culture Encounters
We hope you will join us for this important conversation and invite others in your network who are working to build more connected, culturally aware, and engaged communities.
Register Here

Eat. Talk. Connect. - A Taste of Southern Comfort
2026-05-28 17:45 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen, 2880 Mountain Rd, Richmond, VA, 23060, United States
This one’s gonna feel like home.

Join us this May for a night of real Southern cuisine, meaningful conversations, and the kind of energy you don’t want to miss. We’re bringing in Shrimps at 17 West to serve up dishes full of flavor, tradition, and heart at the Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen.

It’s more than just dinner. It’s stories, culture, and people coming together around the table.

🎉 Free for Dinner Club Members

What to expect:
🍽️ Soul food that actually hits
🦐 Catered by Shrimps at 17 West
📖 Fun Line Dancing Session

💬 Circle and Sips from 5:45 to 6:15 PM with intriguing conversations that really connect over a drink

Come hungry. Bring a friend, or come on your own and leave with new connections.
Save a Seat

Week 2 | Re-imagining Culture and Cultural Engagement Webinar Series
2026-06-03 15:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | VA

Week 3 | Re-imagining Culture and Cultural Engagement Webinar Series
2026-06-10 15:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | VA

Week 4 | Re-imagining Culture and Cultural Engagement Webinar Series
2026-06-17 15:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | VA

Eat.Talk.Connect - A Taste Of Ghanaian Cuisine
2026-06-25 17:45 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen, 2880 Mountain Rd, Richmond, VA, 23060, United States
Eat. Talk. Connect. is going to hit different as we bring an evening of authentic Ghanaian food, powerful storytelling, and real conversation. You don’t want to miss this. 🍽️
📅 Thursday, June 25 | 5:45 PM
📍 The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen, 2880 Mountain Rd, Richmond, VA 23060
🎉 Free for Dinner Club Members | $60 for Non-Members
It’s more than a meal. It’s culture on a plate, stories worth hearing, and a room full of people ready to connect.

Save a Seat
