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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...

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

Reel Support! Tuesday Movie Nights at The Byrd Theatre with RVA Mag

Does having drinks while watching classic moves in one of the country's last remaining Grand Movie Palaces sound like a perfect Tuesday night? Rhetorical question — IT IS. This is why we’re thrilled to announce a new movie night to help fundraise for the preservation of the Byrd Theatre in Carytown.  For the next three months, we’ll be...

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RVA Magazine Movie Nights at The Byrd Theatre 2024

Chandler Has Gone Viral, Again

When your friend from far away Portugal hits you up with a message like, "Have you seen this? Do you know this guy? He's from Richmond and he is all over TikTok!" you can't help but check it out. And when you discover it's Chandler Matkins, it's almost a given—of course, it's him making waves. He's been at this for a while, as we uncovered in our...

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Chandler Matkins Tik Tok Viral by R Anthony Harris_RVA Magazine 2024

Behind the Rebirth: Inside Story of Harry’s at the Hofheimer

I was strolling down Broad Street on what was an unseasonably beautiful day in March, and as I rounded the corner at Arthur Ashe Boulevard I was greeted by the familiar yet striking architecture of The Hofheimer Building. I was making my way there that day to meet with Carter Snipes, co-owner of the building since 2015, and Natalie McNamara,...

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Behind the Rebirth: Inside Story of Harry's at the Hofheimer by Andrew Bonieskie_RVA Magazine 2023

The Richmond Convention Scene Hit Warp Speed with GalaxyCon 2024!

Say whatever you will about the iconic William Shatner, but it cannot be denied that asking an 11-year-old if he ever thinks about death during a Q&A panel is pretty metal as hell. From a weekend of Shatner to new and expanded things to do, to the deafening screams of excitement in the panel for hit series Hazbin Hotel, 2024 undeniably...

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Galaxy Con 2024 by Ash Griffith_RVA Magazine 2024