Every spring, I look forward to one of Richmond’s best film traditions, the James River Film Festival. With the mantra “Eclectic Celluloid for the Cinematic Soul,” the James River Film Society curates programs spanning a wide range of subjects and styles. It’s always...
Here we are again Richmond. The city that never hesitates to embrace its vices gears up for Drinksgiving, that sacred Wednesday night before Thanksgiving. It’s a carnival of cheap drinks, questionable decisions, and the bittersweet anticipation of family drama. For those in the trenches of the service industry, it’s not just another night—it’s...
Forest Hill isn’t the shiny, hyper-curated neighborhood you’ll find in Scott’s Addition. It’s quieter, greener, and unapologetically itself. And it’s exactly where Väsen Brewing is setting up its second location, scheduled to open in summer 2025. I met with Väsen’s co-owners, Joey Darragh and Tony Giordano, at their new spot to talk about why...
The 8th Annual Pocahontas Reframed Film Festival arrives at a significant moment, marking the centennial anniversaries of the Indian Citizenship Act and the Racial Integrity Act 1924. These historic milestones, each with far-reaching consequences for Native communities, add deeper layers of meaning to this year’s event, which takes place at the...
Richmond has achieved a perfect score of 100 on the 2024 Municipal Equality Index (MEI), a comprehensive assessment of LGBTQ+ inclusion in municipal policies, services, and laws. Released annually by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC), this year’s MEI evaluated 11 cities and towns in Virginia, with Richmond standing proudly alongside nine...
Richmond has $3 million up for grabs—money meant to improve the city, boost its neighborhoods, and maybe even change a few lives. But here’s the twist: for once, city hall isn’t the ones calling the shots. Instead, they’re turning to the people, asking a deceptively simple question: what do you want? It’s a bold move, giving the public the reins...
I recently met with Sare Harvell, a local florist and owner of Warm Flowers, following their floral feature via the Hirschler Flower Fund at the VMFA. We had a long conversation that stemmed from our mutual appreciation of flowers and their language. I have known Sare for quite some time, but I was hesitant to write this article, given the power...
Dear Richmond, The Full Moon rejoices in the comfort of Taurus as we continue to travel through the luminous portal of November 11th. Taurus, ruled by Venus, encourages our sense of stability and amplifies the beauty around us. And with Thursdays rainfall washing away the illusions of the past, our intentions have never felt more clear. At...
In a David-and-Goliath battle unfolding over Richmond’s Charged Up Entertainment, this local institution, led by hip-hop artist and entrepreneur Noah Oddo, has been locked in a long-running battle to defend its logo from the Cleveland Guardians baseball team—a story we’ve followed since 2022. Photo courtesy of Charged Up The dispute centers on...
Reflections on America’s new reality and the long road ahead Like many, I had high hopes for this year’s presidential election. When Kamala Harris stepped into the race as the Democratic candidate, I felt a sense of renewed joy, hope and optimism for America. Led by our first female president, I envisioned a nation turning the page on...
