DOWNTOWN RVA




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It’s Still Our City | Ep. 11 Katrina

“This woman is important. This episode is exactly why I wanted to start the podcast. Real deal service industry fella. Mom of 3... she's been in Richmond for a minute and is traversing all the changes that surround us, whilst hustling super hard with a smile. This gal...

What Does Trust Look Like? Richmond Artists Offer an Answer

A 100-foot brick wall in Richmond’s Fan District now carries a word in bold ghost-sign lettering: RELIABILITY. Painted by local artists Noah Scalin and Alfonso Pérez Acosta, it’s the first in a four-part series of murals under the banner Trust Buildings,...

Sound Check | Yeison Landero, The Phlegms, Die Standing & More!

The return of cumbia in Richmond, alongside a whole bunch of other fun shows! Maybe cumbia never left Richmond and I just don’t know about it. That being said, got a show coming up? New single? Simply want someone to talk music? I am your guy at griffin@rvamag.com....

Fourth of July 2025 in Richmond: Fireworks, Festivals, and More

Some of the best Fourth of July celebrations in Richmond aren’t on any official list. They’re happening in backyards, driveways, and cul-de-sacs, surrounded by folding chairs, coolers, and whatever’s still working on the grill. If you’ve got good friends and a halfway...

Summer Wine Survival Kit | Refreshing Bottles for Under $20

The super-scorcher summer weather is here, and we are steadily melting in Richmond. For us, it’s way too hot for full-bodied, tannic red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo, Merlot, and Shiraz. We need to feel hydrated and refreshed, not bogged down further by...

VHS Club | Children Of Men

“Look around you, this is the uprising.”  When Children of Men was released in 2006, it flopped. It had nothing to do with the filmmaking. Visually, this is one of the most striking films of the last two decades. It flopped because the story was too real. The politics...

Review | The Bun is in the Oven—Waitress at VA Rep

On stage and in the kitchen, some recipes are meant to be followed to the letter, while some are wide open for flair and interpretation. Big Broadway musicals thrive on delivering an experience as replicable as a chain restaurant’s marquee burger. This is not a dig....

Manchester Manifest is Here and Bringing the Culture

Everyone in the city is aware that the First Friday of every month means the city opens up for a demonstration of arts and culture without any equal in the region. The go to obviously is the collection of galleries on Broad Street in the Arts District near Jackson and Monroe Wards, however there are celebrations all over the city from around the...

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Manchester Manifest 2023 by Jody Adams

#DOWNTOWNRVA: Meet Hip Hop Henry

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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Streets Of Downtown RVA 2023 Hip Hop Henry by CJ Payne

‘Big Herm’ is The Mayor of Two Street

Big Herm is cooking up a storm. Chicken sizzles on top of the grill in front of him. Potatoes dunk into the rolling boils of oil. Buns toast in the oven below. In the robust grills, fryers, and ovens of Big Herm’s Kitchen, the machinery keeps the galley kitchen feeling like a sweaty summer. By the door, boxes are filled to the brim with the best...

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Big Herm is The Mayor of Two Street_RVA Magazine 2022