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Opinion | Water Fiasco’s Silver Lining? by Paul Goldman

Mayor Danny Avula is at a defining moment. The same for the 2004 Elected Mayor law. Here’s why. Then a win-win-win. The 16-year era of the race-baiting politics of former Mayors Dwight Jones and Levar Stoney needs to come to an end. They and their cronies have used...

RVA Magazine 20 Years | Stories from 2005

As we look back on 20 years of publishing RVA Magazine, we’re diving into our origins, beginning with our official launch in 2005. That year marked the debut of RVA Magazine, Issue 1, Volume 1, and our April 15th kickoff event at Gallery5. In the process of archiving,...

Ian C. Hess on Painting Myths, Selling Dreams, and Surviving Richmond

Ian C. Hess is one of those rare souls who’s carved out a place in Richmond’s unpredictable art landscape. As the owner of Supply, a local art store, and a painter whose work is steeped in mythology and meticulous craft, Ian has spent over a decade wrestling with the...

Photos | Carytown Got Coned, and It Was Glorious

There’s a certain kind of magic that comes alive in Richmond when the locals decide to let their weird flag fly. And the Richmond Cone Parade? That’s as Richmond as it gets—a little absurd, a lot creative, and deeply communal. So, what exactly is this Cone Parade...

Carytown New Year’s: We Hardly Knew Ye

A couple days ago, Instagram publisher @therichmondexperience posted an iconic image from the 2008 Carytown New Years’ Eve event you may or may not have been at, or even heard of. Judging from the 4000 plus “hearts” and over 140 comments ranging from “please don’t...

New Year’s Eve! Looking Back at Our Biggest Stories of 2024

So, it’s New Year’s Eve. The drinks are poured, the fireworks are loaded, and before the clock strikes midnight, let’s take a moment to sift through the rubble of the year that was. Richmond in 2024—messy, beautiful, endlessly fascinating. Thanks for sticking with us...

Richmond New Year’s Eve 2024-2025! The Ultimate Rundown

Richmond does New Year’s Eve like only it can—mixing a love for nostalgia with a flair for the unexpected. Whether you’re chasing live music, glamorous parties, or low-key drinks, RVA delivers with gritty charm and a shot of elegance. Here’s everything you need to...

A Baby Hippo is Born in Richmond, And Now We Can Help Give Her A Name

The world is a tough place, no doubt about it. There’s plenty to rage against, plenty of sorrow to drink deep from. We’ll get to all that soon enough. But today, let’s set that aside and revel in something pure, strange, and undeniably joyful. Richmond’s got itself a...

It’s Time to Revitalize The Richmond Arts District

As Richmond’s mayoral election approaches, one thing has become clear: the conversation about our city’s future is missing a key element—the Richmond Arts District on Broad Street. Despite its immense creative potential, this vibrant part of downtown has been struggling, especially since the pandemic. Between 2010 and 2016, the Arts District was...

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New School Legend Jesse Smith Talks Richmond Tattoo Convention

Jesse Smith, the local legend and founder of Loose Screw Tattoo in Carytown, has been repping this ol’ Fist City since the '90s with his twisted animation style and has been celebrated all over the world for his craft. His works span a wide range of genres, but like the best artists out there, you know a Jesse Smith piece when you see one. I...

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Oscar the Grouch is the Top Searched Costume in Richmond

What’s the top costume trending in Richmond, VA this year? What could possibly sum up the spirit of Richmond, according to Google’s Frightgeist? Well, apparently, it’s Oscar the Grouch. Are we surprised? In a year where so much change is happening in the city—new mayor, new city council, new school board—and with all the traffic headaches, tragic...

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Howl-O-Ween! Cat-Tober! Pet Costume Contests Worth Howling About

Are you dressing up your pet this Halloween season? Check out these local costume contests for fur babies and fuzzy friends—you could win cash and prizes for your cutie! October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month. These events are a great way to connect with and support local shelters and rescue groups. Check out what's happening in the RVA pet...

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Taking Andreas Addison on a Vampire Hunt 🧛

A trip to the Gun Hole to talk about misinformation and urban myths. October means two things: it's Halloween season and election season. The 2024 election has spread campaigns of misinformation, with panics about controlled hurricanes in Florida, Haitians eating dogs in Ohio, and even widespread voter fraud in Henrico—none of which are true....

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Taking Andreas Addison on a Vampire Hunt by Goad Gatsby_RVA Magazine 2024

Bright Lights, Carytown Nights: New Art Deco Sign Debuts

Carytown just got a serious facelift, and it’s bringing some retro swagger to one of Richmond’s most iconic spots. On Friday night, the shopping district unveiled its new Art Deco-style sign—a sleek, neon gateway hanging over Cary Street. According to The Richmonder, Mayor Levar Stoney was in full “let’s make history” mode as he led the charge,...

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