It was 72 and breezy. Unseasonably pleasant, almost chilly. VCU students were splayed out on picnic blankets in Monroe Park enjoying soft serve and the sunshine. Citronella and the smell of hot dogs wafted through the air from some folks having a cookout. “High...
Once again, a trip to the Firehouse Theatre has found a way to send me home with a boiling pit of emotions churning in my gut and fiery rants on the tips of my fingers. Art is made to provoke, not to placate, and this is what I signed up for. SMOKE, the current exhibition taunting audiences at the corner of Lombardy and Broad, was produced by...
A horror-comedy about America’s favorite pastime—looking the other way. It starts with a wedding on a mountaintop. A shiny McMansion. Fancy coffee. Everyone posting the perfect angle of their happiness. But something’s off—and no one wants to talk about it. Produced by Cadence and opening tomorrow at Firehouse Theatre, SMOKE is a new...
Keep sending me songs! Keep sending me shows! I love music! I love being alive! I love Richmond! Got a show coming up? New single? Simply want someone to talk music? I am your guy at griffin@rvamag.com. Friday Cheers | Dogpark, Weekend Plans, Caroline VainFriday, May 23rd, 2025Brown's Island https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4ikhW1j1i8 NYC’s...
So we made another list. WalletHub just released its 2025 rankings for Best Summer Travel Destinations, and Richmond came in at number 13. Not bad, considering we’re usually flying under the radar when it comes to national travel lists. Still, if you’ve been paying attention, this probably won’t come as much of a surprise. Richmond’s been quietly...
This week has me chomping at the bit and howling at the moon. Some heavy hitters are rolling through Richmond—artists who’ve already left a mark on the scene. Time to meet your heroes. Got a show coming up? New single? Simply want someone to talk music? I am your guy at griffin@rvamag.com. MJ Lenderman & the Wind, This is LoreleiMonday, May...
I believe a bunch of bands from Richmond have it in ‘em to drive off into the future, and I see a few of that lot on these shows right here. I can’t wait to say, “I saw so-and-so at Bandito’s, and now they’re headlining Coachella!” Got a show coming up? New single? Simply want someone to talk music? I am your guy at griffin@rvamag.com. FRIDAY...
I love finding a wild card for this column. This week we have one of my favorite sings of my youth, a lovely collection of locals, and a little harp because I have free will and so do you. Got a show coming up? New single? Simply want someone to talk music? I am your guy at griffin@rvamag.com. FRIDAY CHEERS! Chaparelle, The Jack Wharff...
The Bloody Beetroots were never meant to fit neatly into anyone’s playlist. Born out of punk rage, electronic chaos, and the restless energy of Italian musician Sir Bob Cornelius Rifo, the project has spent nearly two decades stomping over genre lines and expectations. Since first crashing onto the scene in 2006, Rifo has built a career that’s...
The curtain comes down on Stay Gold: 20 Years of RVA Magazine & Gallery5 this Friday. Huge thanks to everyone who packed the place at the opening earlier this month. Big thank you to PLF, RVA Moon Market, Gallery5, Gull, Sweet Potatoes, No BS! Brass Band and The Head & The Heart's Rivers and Roads Foundation for partnering with us on this...
