RVA Magazine is back with our 32nd issue, a celebration of women in arts, music, fashion, and politics. In a year dubbed “the year of women,” RVA Mag is bringing the national conversation to the local level and raising Richmond’s voice to a wider platform. While the focus this issue is women, we also have our usual coverage and reporting of beer, food, and more that puts Richmond on the map.
Staff writer Madelyne Ashworth spoke with elected officials on both sides of the political aisle to bring us a piece about the rise of women in Virginia politics we’re calling “The Revolution Will Be Female.” Our second news piece is an in-depth look at the opioid epidemic in Virginia, and how it impacts women, too, although men are the public “face” of the crisis. For the back page, Editorial Director Landon Shroder traveled to Washington D.C. to interview local almost-VP Tim Kaine to talk about national security and what’s ahead for Virginians in 2018.
In music, Davy Jones profiles up-and-coming R&B/funk singer Kenneka Cook as she prepares to release her first album, Moonchild, following on the success of the title track, her first single. Our second piece comes from Hip Hop Henry, reporting from the ringside of the local exploding hip-hop battle arena, with a deep dive on the history of battle rap and a feature on Moon of Richmond’s Black Money Mobb rap collective.
From our partner publication, GayRVA, we have a profile on the talented Madison Turner, whose work is best described as pop-punk meets alternative rock with a smidgen of folk. Staff music writer Madelyne Drew Necci talks to her about her recent album release, A Comprehensive Guide To Burning Out.
In Hampton Roads, we check in with painter Alison Stinely, whose images of the female form were censored by local gatekeepers. Closer to home, we go inside the Institute for Contemporary Art at VCU to profile the debut collection.
We’re expanding our fashion coverage this issue with a profile on Heloíne, the internationally-known model who moved to Richmond from a small village in Brazil, and the expansion of local designer Sean Wotherspoon’s Round Two to Los Angeles.
In addition to our hard-hitting journalism and original reporting, we also have the latest craft beer news, restaurant updates, fashion blurbs, and the latest singles and albums in RVA #32. Get it around town at local grocery stores, coffee shops, galleries, and more, or check it out online below:
Photo By: Branden Wilson