CULTURE




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Reddit Was Born in a UVA Dorm Room. Most People Have No Idea.

If you’ve ever killed an entire afternoon on Reddit—deep in a debate on r/AskReddit, scrolling through endless memes on r/funny, or arguing about the best Star Wars movie in r/movies—you’ve been part of something that started in a small college dorm room in...

Sound Check! Shagg Carpet, Deceased & Punk For Presents Weekend 2

When was the last modern Christmas song you heard that just absolutely bangs? I challenge the city of Richmond to write the next holiday hit. Or not, maybe let's just move past it. I need to make sure I even out my cozy nights in with late ones in the pit, every cup...

The Seven of Swords and Strength | Richmond’s Tarot Destiny

Dear Richmond, As we slowly work to piece together the puzzle of our inner world, lightning strikes—and suddenly, everything changes.   At the heart of this week's spread is the Empress, surrounded by the Seven of Swords and the Strength card.   As...

Brave Captain! A Resurrection For Oregon Hill

The latest addition to Richmond's food and bar scene, Brave Captain, will officially open next week on the edge of Oregon Hill and the VCU campus. Co-owners Herbie Abernethy (read our interview HERE) and Josh Novicki — already known for popular Richmond spots Cobra...

Flipturn in Richmond! From Waffle House to Brown’s Island

Before hitting the stage on Brown’s Island in Richmond, VA, Flipturn sat down with RVA Mag to share a slice of their world. They riffed on their love for Waffle House—a staple of late-night Americana—and the raw, reflective process of writing their second album...

Richmond Zombie Walk Turns 19! Still Creeping Strong

Ah, here we go again—19 years of Richmond's Zombie Walk, where folks shuffle around like it's the morning after a bad decision. Yeah, this parade of the undead has been creeping through Carytown for almost two decades now, and somehow, it's still got more life in it than most of us on a Monday. And who better to document this glorious mess than...

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Halloweek 2024! Our Annual Halloween Guide to Go All Out

For the 19th year running, we bring you Halloweek—a weeklong celebration packed with events and parties that finally give Halloween the respect it deserves. And let’s be real: it is the best holiday in the Universe. Halloween isn’t just for kids anymore—it’s for the adults clinging to their inner child and the oddballs who’ve been dying to break...

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Richmond! Come Watch ‘Army of Darkness’ with Us On Monday

“Alright, you primitive screwheads, listen up!” – Ash Williams, a guy with a chainsaw for a hand and more brains than most of us. In 1992, Army of Darkness hit theaters, and civilization has been on the decline ever since. Why? Because people still haven’t figured out that this is, without question, one of the greatest movies ever made....

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The Sweetest Pickles In The Jar: Meet Sweet Pickles 🏳️‍🌈

One look at Sweet Pickles, and your immediate thought is that she looks like the living incarnation of a clown doll from your childhood. Which one specifically is up to you, and in fact, the answer that springs to your mind is a good way for her to get a rough idea of just how old you might be. When asked to describe her drag, she sometimes says...

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Photos | Richmond Tattoo & Arts Convention by Jack Lacy

The Richmond Tattoo & Arts Convention 2024 took over the Doubletree Midlothian this past weekend, offering an unapologetic look into the heart of tattoo culture. Hosted by local legend Jesse Smith and Ink Master’s Ryan Ashley, the three-day event drew a mix of veteran ink enthusiasts and curious first-timers, all hungry to experience one of...

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It’s Time to Revitalize The Richmond Arts District

As Richmond’s mayoral election approaches, one thing has become clear: the conversation about our city’s future is missing a key element—the Richmond Arts District on Broad Street. Despite its immense creative potential, this vibrant part of downtown has been struggling, especially since the pandemic. Between 2010 and 2016, the Arts District was...

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New School Legend Jesse Smith Talks Richmond Tattoo Convention

Jesse Smith, the local legend and founder of Loose Screw Tattoo in Carytown, has been repping this ol’ Fist City since the '90s with his twisted animation style and has been celebrated all over the world for his craft. His works span a wide range of genres, but like the best artists out there, you know a Jesse Smith piece when you see one. I...

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