There was a new guy that moved across the street from me, a new neighbor, and every time he saw me on the front porch puffing away, he asked to bum a smoke. It got so incessant that I had begun smoking in the backyard instead, not wishing to part with any of my...
Thousands of Virginians took to the streets today for the 'Hands Off!' rally in Richmond, demonstrating against the sweeping agenda of President Trump and Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Organized by a coalition of civil rights organizations, labor unions, veterans, LGBTQ groups, and election advocates, the rally focused...
"A long, long time ago, I was in a Richmond, Virginia–based band called The Jefferson Plane Crash. We were writing an album, and our practice space was the old, infamous Compound. I distinctly remember walking into the restroom to hit the head, and I noticed a perfectly—vertically—placed magazine with artwork and imagery that just stood the fuck...
The room was charged the moment the doors opened. Richmond showed up ready—you could feel it in the air, like the bassline of a song you know by heart. And at the center of it all stood The Ghost himself: Styles P. Live at Ember Music Hall. A masterclass in presence, precision, and passion. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMjqkhcJzoA He didn’t...
Last week, President Trump signed a sweeping executive order titled “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History,” calling for the review—and potential restoration—of monuments removed from public land since 2020. While the order doesn’t name specific cities, its intent is clear: to challenge the widespread removal of Confederate symbols, many...
Last weekend in Church Hill, Richmond did something that only Richmond can do — it let history walk and talk right in front of us. Inside St. John’s Church, the scene was familiar. A reenactor delivered Patrick Henry’s “Give me liberty or give me death” speech to an attentive audience, a ritual that’s been part of the city’s cultural calendar for...
When it comes to creating visual work that uplifts Richmond’s music scene, The Sunroom has quickly become a trusted name. I caught up with Michael Thibodeau, the founder, creative director and producer at The Sunroom, to talk about how they started, their growing body of work with local artists, and what’s coming next. “So I’m Michael Thibodeau....
Twenty years ago, RVA Magazine and Gallery5 came to life together—two DIY efforts launched with no budget, no blueprint, and no permission. What they shared was a vision: that Richmond’s creative culture was worth showing up for, amplifying, and celebrating. On First Friday, April 4th, both organizations come together to mark their...
The enchanting world of Studio Ghibli returns to Richmond this week as Studio Ghibli Fest takes over the historic Byrd Theatre. Kicking off Monday, March 31 with a screening of Howl’s Moving Castle (2004), the fest brings a lineup of beloved animated films that have defined generations — and there's more magic ahead all week long. A bit of a...
"Holy smokes, Bobby from Vinyl Conflict, this guy is truly one of a kind. I honestly can’t imagine Richmond without him. His hands are in all the good pots—often with little to gain beyond making the city cooler, more fun, and more connected. A jack of all trades, and he does it all with a grin: small business owner, promoter, facilitator,...
