It’s early afternoon at Kuba Kuba, and the place is buzzing. Coffee cups clatter, plates hit the counter, and over it all, Melissa Vaughn is already in motion. Before we’ve even ordered our food, she’s out of her chair, greeting someone at the table next to us like a...
WIlliam Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream is one of the most popular comedies in the history of literature. It’s timeless. One of the best things about performing timeless Shakespeare comedies is that you can tweak, jigger, flip, and reverse his work into whatever shape pleases you and your audience. Set it in James Dean and Marylin...
On the edge of the West End, where the fringes of Richmond bleed into the sprawl of Henrico, I came across what could only be described as a warehouse -- jutting out of the asphalt and framed in a wild tangle of dogwoods. A door hung open on rusted hinges; laughter emanated out into the warm summer evening. This was my first introduction to...
Off of Broad Street, deep in Scott’s Addition between warehouses and alleyways, is a black hole in the wall filled with music, vintage VHS, and (perhaps most importantly) Richmond’s preeminent collection of horror-themed pinball machines. I came to Wax Moon on a cool evening, unsure of exactly what I was looking for, until an all-black,...
As the Metropolitan Museum Costume Institute Exhibition invites us to reflect on the term “Black Dandy” in this year’s exhibit, Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, if there’s ever been a time to make travel plans to see it, this is the one. On view from May 10 through October 26, the exhibit focuses on menswear, Black designers, and the social...
I like to think this list of shows and songs captures Richmond right now—blossoming folk, iconic RVA rock, scrappy hardcore, college post-punk on the rise, and country with a middle finger to the charts. That’s my Richmond, anyway. Got a show coming up? New single? Simply want someone to talk music? I am your guy at griffin@rvamag.com. Friday...
Disclaimer: The following is a letter to the editor. It represents their personal views on this issue. RVA Magazine is committed to providing a platform for community voices on important local matters. The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of RVA Magazine, its staff, or affiliates. Written by Heaven-Leigh Kennedy,...
One Richmond-area student’s fight reveals how Virginia’s 2020 reforms often died on arrival. When Lyn Jones transferred to Matoaca High School, just south of Richmond, she noticed something odd. Every girls’ restroom was outfitted with a metal dispenser—mounted to the wall, labeled clearly, promising free menstrual products. But every one of...
Let’s be honest: most local summer music guides read like they were written by someone who’s never been to a show. A few safe headliners. Maybe a festival or two. So we made our own and put it all in one place for easy reference. This is RVA Magazine’s unofficial, unfiltered field guide to the music we actually care about this...
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...
