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Photos | the Flaming Lips & Modest Mouse on Brown’s island

Sunday night’s show on Brown’s Island felt like a ritual, maybe even a communion, as a field full of strangers came together under clear skies and perfect weather. Modest Mouse, The Flaming Lips, and opener Friko gave the crowd exactly what we came for. Modest Mouse...

The Lost Cause Boys’ Club

“The rebel yell, reinforced by a glorification of the lost cause was everywhere manifest,” reported John Mitchell Jr., editor of the Richmond Planet, an African American weekly newspaper, at the time of the Robert E. Lee monument’s unveiling.  It was the spring...

What the F@ck is Orange Wine?! (and Where to Find It in Richmond)

And no, it’s not made from oranges.. The first time I encountered orange wine (or skin contact white wine), I was wowed by the color and it’s presentation. It’s gorgeous. This beautiful, amber-hued liquid danced around the edges of my swirling wine glass. I gave it a...

The New Corner Store: How Vape Shops Took Over Richmond

A former Richmond smoke shop owner breaks his silence on selective enforcement, shady distributors, and the regulatory loopholes driving Virginia’s booming gray market. In neighborhoods across Richmond, it’s hard to miss them: brightly lit vape shops glowing with LED...

Sound Check | Spooky Cool, Weedeater, The Be-Sides & More!

Sun’s up, we ain’t dead yet. Plenty of good stuff on the bills -- your favorites, my favorites, maybe even your next favorite. Got a show coming up? New single? Simply want someone to talk music? I am your guy at griffin@rvamag.com....

The 2023 Richmond ‘Drinksgiving’ Dive Bars List is Here!

Once more, the city gears up for its most cherished pre-Thanksgiving tradition: Drinksgiving. As the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving rolls in, locals gather to sip and speculate over life's puzzles, arming themselves with witty retorts for the family festivities ahead. To those in the service industry, this night reigns supreme as the...

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richmond drinksgiving 2023

#DOWNTOWNRVA: Meet John, Traveler from South Carolina

We dispatched our hometown photographer, CJ Payne, to the heart of the city to capture a snapshot and engage in some casual conversation. Consider it our local twist on the acclaimed Humans of New York series that we hold in high regard. Our aim is to foster a sense of community and encourage our readers to deepen their connections with their...

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#downtownrva John Edward Johnson RVA Mag 2023

#DOWNTOWNRVA: Meet Bobby, Owner of the Record Store Vinyl Conflict

We dispatched our hometown photographer, CJ Payne, to the heart of the city to capture a snapshot and engage in some casual conversation. Consider it our local twist on the acclaimed Humans of New York series that we hold in high regard. Our aim is to foster a sense of community and encourage our readers to deepen their connections with...

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#DOWNTOWN RVA 2023

First Fridays November Will Be Lit Up with INLIGHT 2023

As autumn leaves crunch beneath footfalls on Broad Street, Richmond's Arts District readies itself for a vibrant night of cultural convergence. On November 3rd, the storied heart of downtown Richmond pulsates with an irresistible artistic energy during First Fridays. From 5 to 11 PM, galleries will fling open their doors, shopkeepers will offer...

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First Fridays Richmond, InLight 2023 on RVA Magazine

The Halloweek 2023 Photo Dump!

Halloweek 2023 has wrapped, but the memories linger! Let's rewind to the All Saints Theater Company's spooktacular parade in Oregon Hill. Hope the vibes were as electric for you as they were for us. Catch you next year!If you haven't gotten your fill just yet, there are still plenty of spooky and fall related activities for the season that will...

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Halloweek 2023 Photo Gallery CJ Payne

Get Your Groan On! Richmond’s Zombie Walk Turns 18!

If you don't already know about the Richmond Zombie Walk, it's our town's party for the undead, and it's one of the fun things Richmonders look forward to every year. For its 18th haunting go-round, this zombie parade took Carytown by storm—moaning, shambling, and doing the creep like you wouldn't believe. This isn't just a walk; it's a living...

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Richmond Zombie Walk 2023, photos by Dave Parrish

Come Out and Play 💀 Here is the RVAMAG HALLOWEEK Guide 2023

It’s the week of the best holiday in the Universe and there’s sooo much to do! We want to keep you away from choice paralysis and help you deal with the inevitable FOMO that comes from too many things to do. Here’s a list of all the things you’ll miss (minus the few you do attend)! We hope this guide helps you as much as we felt obligated to...

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Halloweek 2023, RVA Magazine

Midday Munchies! Where We Get Lunch In Downtown Richmond

Your Go-To Resource for Downtown Richmond’s Must-Try Midday Meals In the bustling streets of downtown Richmond, Virginia, the lunchtime possibilities are endless. From trendy vegan options to comforting Southern classics, here's a list of 15 places that should be on every Richmond resident's or visitor's dining radar. Photo courtesy of Venture...

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Downtown Richmond lunch spots list 2023