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Virginia’s New Marijuana Law: Everything You Need to Know

After years of legislative battles, vetoes, compromise negotiations, and numerous articles, Virginia finally has a roadmap for legal recreational marijuana sales. The state budget signed into law earlier this week establishes a regulated cannabis marketplace beginning...

Review | ‘As You Like It’ is Just How I Like It

If you’ve been reading these reviews for a while, you’ll notice I love me some context. Especially surrounding William Shakespeare’s plays. One of my favorite things about the existence of Richmond Shakespeare is that they’ve forced me to go back to the English Lit...

Fourth of July 2026 in Richmond: Fireworks, Festivals, and More

The best Fourth of July celebration in Richmond probably isn't the one with the biggest fireworks. It's the one where someone forgot the hot dog buns, the cooler is running low on ice, kids are chasing each other through sprinklers, and somebody insists they know a...

IllumiNATION Tells America’s Story on a Monumental Scale

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 IllumiNation. It's hard to impress people with just a building. Yet standing in front of the...

Blöthar: “GWAR Didn’t Change. The World Freakin Changed.”

Richmond metal band GWAR says the Secret Service contacted the group following a recent performance at the Vans Warped Tour in Washington, D.C., that featured the mock execution of a Donald Trump effigy. Video of the performance, which showed band members...

Field Trip Bikes and the Long Ride of Richmond’s Cycling Culture

I recently bought my first bicycle in more than a decade. Like most people, I started my search online, comparing models, reading reviews, and trying to figure out what kind of rider I actually wanted to be. Eventually I visited several local bike shops before...

A Witchy Guide to the Longest Day of the Year

It's sizzling outside, but the breeze is refreshing, the birds are chirping, and summer is in full swing. The summer solstice, aka Midsummer or Litha, is the longest day of the year, and this year it falls on June 21, with the sun setting at 8:27 p.m. It's a time to...

Review | ‘I Love You Because’ Is Pure Joy 🏳️‍🌈

It could be said that Shakespeare invented the rom-com. It could also be said that Jane Austen improved it a couple of centuries later. Between the two of them, meet-cutes, notices of love or rejection arriving at exactly the wrong time, and breathless affirmations of...

‘Summer of Swayze’ at the Byrd Theatre: A Fundraiser

"If you want the ultimate, you’ve got to be willing to pay the ultimate price. It’s not tragic to die doing what you love.” — Bodhi, Point Break. Since the dawn of mankind, disparate religions have contemplated the nature of heaven, the afterlife, and the ethereal beings who have guided humanity (for better or worse) — some cultures refer to...

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Summer of Swayze at The Byrd Theatre_RVA Magazine 2024

Will 385 People Come Watch ‘Clerks’ with Us at the Byrd?

“This job would be great if it wasn’t for the fucking customers.”  – Randal Graves, having to work at RST Video.  When we think of the word “hero” in cinema, what comes to mind? Sigourney Weaver as Lt. Ripley in Alien, Sylvester Stallone as John Rambo, Humphrey Bogart as Rick in Casablanca, Viola Davis as General Nanisca in The Woman King —...

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Clerks at the byrd-RVA Magazine movie-nite-promo-2024

The Kids Are Alright: Cristian Espinoza’s Street Life Photos

Cristian Espinoza has been capturing the essence of youth street life for some time, and his film photography provides a raw, authentic look into the underground and art culture of the DMV area. We had the opportunity to send him a few questions. R. Anthony Harris: Your work feels like a digital diary of your life. Is this intentional? Cristian...

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Photographer Cristian Espinoza Interview by R Anthony Harris_RVA Magazine 2024

Update on The Pharrell Movie Shooting in Richmond, VA

As we reported a few weeks ago, Pharrell and director Michel Gondry are coming to Richmond and now we have more information to share. As reported by The Virginian-Pilot, the production of a movie musical based on the childhood of Virginia Beach native Pharrell Williams is set to make a significant economic impact on Virginia. With a total...

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Main photo of group N.E.R.D. by Jai Lennard featuring Chad Hugo, Pharrell Williams & Shay Haley

A Deep Dive of the James River Film Festival 2024

The James River Film Festival, now in its 30th year, spanned two weekends in April 2024. It began with screenings at Studio Two Three, then moved to the Richmond Public Library, the Grace Street Theater, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, and concluded with a full day at the Byrd Theatre. Over its storied three decades, the event has taken place...

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James River Film Festival Deep Dive written by and photos by Todd Raviotta RVA Magazine 2024

Will 225 People Watch ‘Predator’ With Us at the Byrd?

“You’re one ugly motherfucker.”   — Major Dutch Schaefer, upon making first contact with an Alien species. Since humanity has looked to the stars, a singular question has lingered over our non-terrestrial endeavors — are we alone up there in the night sky? Throughout the ages, many philosophers and cosmologists have attempted to untangle the...

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Predator at the Byrd Theatre_RVA Magazine 2024