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Three Tall Ships, One River, 250 Years of American History

Editor's Note: RVA Magazine is partnering with the Virginia Museum of History & Culture on coverage related to America's 250th anniversary, including Richmond SailFest and the upcoming IllumiNation. Also, filmmaker Justin Black of Headwaters Down is sailing aboard...

Richmond’s Funniest Weekend Returns With 2nd Best Comedy Fest

It’s time for the 9th Annual 2nd Best Comedy Fest running June 11–13, 2026. The Coalition Theater hosts this annual event, and is the brick-and-mortar heart of Richmond's alternative comedy ecosystem. Calling it the 2nd Best Fest is a beautifully defensive undersell...

Stay Hungry pt. 1 | Band on the Road

Editor's Note: Writer's Block is a space for Virginia writers to share personal essays, fiction, memoir, and works that fall somewhere in between. In Stay Hungry, Richmond local Eric Kalata looks back on a cross-country tour and the restless optimism of...

Local, Latino and A New Richmond Cosmos

Tucked into the alley behind 2512 West Main Street, a fever dream of the cosmos has taken shape across a brick wall. The mural is the collaborative work of four Latino artists working in and around Richmond: Visibly Hidden, Monolith, Mars, and Sol. A distant Earth...

The Mayor of Sunny Mart

There are certain people who become part of a neighborhood so slowly that nobody notices it happening until one day they realize the place would feel strange without them.   If you’ve spent enough time around The Fan late at night, then you probably know Sunny Mart....

‘Songs of Truth’ Brings Sojourner Truth to the Hippodrome

Editor's Note: For more on the life and legacy of Sojourner Truth, read Christian Detres' companion essay HERE. This has been an inspirational season for Richmond’s homegrown theatre. We are following up the sold-out run of Witchduck with the mid-project musical...

Review | Get In My Boca! What’s Happening at the Triangle?

Every time I go to the Aldi on Arthur Ashe at Broad St., En Su Boca tries to seduce me with its tequila and tacos perfume. It doesn’t work all the time, but I feel the pull when I’m browsing the nonsense in Aldi’s middle aisle. I once bought sweatpants there. I’m not...

Review | ‘SMOKE’ at Firehouse, Fire in my Belly.

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...

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Smoke-Cadence-Theatre-Company_photo-by-Michael-Thibodeau_RVA-Magazine-2025

Sound Check! Dogpark! The Menzingers! Destructo Disk! & More!

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...

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Dog Park_RVA Magazine 2025

Richmond Ranks #13 for Summer Travel, But Locals Already Know

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...

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ichmond-Summer-Destination-Ranking_photo-by-James-McDonald_RVA-Magazine-2025

Sound Check! MJ Lenderman! Upchuck! Imaginary Sons! & More!

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...

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Upchuck_photo by Cory-Jones_RVA Magazine 2025

Sound Check! Bully! Human Worm! Boston Manor! & More!

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...

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Bully-photo by Bobbi-Rich_RVA Magazine 2025