The Importance of Being Ernest has been on my radar since I was 13, when my beloved Morrissey mentioned Oscar Wilde in an interview. (Mind you, this was long before Morrissey’s far-right weirdo rants.) As a massive fan of the arch, wry, witty lyrics of the Smiths and...
A Year of Magical Thinking—or Rather Dancing (Self Care for Black Men) How does self-care show up for you, especially in the wake of January 20, 2025? As we witness rollbacks in DEI initiatives and shifts in race relations, it seems that external affirmation is becoming harder to find. More than ever, it must come from within. For me,...
When MJ The Musical hit the Altria Theater on Tuesday night, Richmond showed up. A packed house, fans rocking single sequined gloves—yeah, the energy was Thrilling (pun intended). As an ‘80s kid, walking into that kind of atmosphere was electric. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJk6sgZPP4c The show revolves around Michael...
If you haven’t heard of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory yet, you’re missing out on a childhood classic that has stood the test of time. Roald Dahl’s unforgettable story of Willy Wonka and his magical chocolate factory has captivated generations through its book, movies, and stage productions. The latest version, now playing at Virginia Rep,...
Earlier this year, Virginia Repertory Theatre came dangerously close to closing its doors. After facing a potential shutdown, the company rallied with help from more than 1,500 donors who raised over $600,000 to keep it alive. Now, Virginia Rep is celebrating its survival the best way it knows how—by inviting audiences into a world of pure...
The No Input series continues at the Institute for Contemporary Art (ICA) at VCU on Friday, December 13, with an evening of experimental performances curated by longtime DIY promoter and noise musician Alex Capraro. Featuring New York’s Sunk Heaven and Richmond’s Three-Brained Robot, this free event offers a glimpse into the vibrant world of...
The Richmond Halloween Parade returned for its 19th year, hosted by All The Saints Theater Company. A Richmond tradition, this parade has always been more than just a celebration—it’s a platform for protest. This year's theme, A Funeral March for Silence, served as a tribute to Palestine and all communities worldwide fighting for their existence....
In Richmond’s diverse arts scene, the BLK VA Theatre Alliance (BVTA) is making waves by spotlighting stories that don’t always get center stage. This nonprofit theater company, driven by a commitment to diversity, equity, and accessibility, is all about creating spaces where marginalized voices can shine.In this interview, we talk with BVTA about...
To the credit of the public school system, most of us were made to read William Golding’s Lord of the Flies at a tender age. Along with Fahrenheit 451, 1984, Catcher in the Rye, Slaughterhouse Five, The Jungle, and others, we were fed a healthy dose of dystopia and disaffection. We were coaxed to relate to the pressures and horrors of tyranny,...
One look at Sweet Pickles, and your immediate thought is that she looks like the living incarnation of a clown doll from your childhood. Which one specifically is up to you, and in fact, the answer that springs to your mind is a good way for her to get a rough idea of just how old you might be. When asked to describe her drag, she sometimes says...
