Just in Time For Christmas, RVA #35 Hits The Streets Today

by | Dec 20, 2018 | COMMUNITY

RVA Magazine closes out its 13th year curating culture across the Commonwealth.

This week, RVA Magazine #35 is fresh to the stands, closing out 2018 with a brand-new edition full of arts, culture, music, politics, news and more. From across the state to right here at home, RVA #35 tells the stories of Virginians and wraps up the year with the Commonwealth’s best.

Here in Richmond, hip hop is heating up, and this issue brings you the stories and photos that’ll give you an inside scoop on the scene’s growing momentum. However, it’s not all good news for the RVA music scene, as long-running, well-beloved venue Strange Matter closes its doors. We bring you a fond farewell from the musicians and music fans of this city.

Meanwhile, we’re delving into the always-fertile world of #rvadine with the latest updates from the world-dominating craft beer community of the river city, as well as an in-depth look at the women who are redefining what it means to be head chef at one of the city’s top restaurants.

The city’s visual artists also get some shine, from the digital neuromancy of artist and photographer Chris Smart to the powerful hip hop-focused work of muralist Nils Westergard.

Beyond the River City, we’ve traveled from the shipyards of Norfolk to the mountains of Appalachia to tell the stories of the Commonwealth. From the desk of our sister site, GayRVA, we get a report on Norfolk’s Knight Hawks, an old-school leather club finding their way into the 21st century. We also take a close look at Appalachia, where communities are attempting to move beyond their economic dependence on coal mining and create a sustainable future for rural western Virginia.

Don’t sleep — grab a copy around town. RVA #35 is on the streets now.

RVA Staff

RVA Staff

Since 2005, the dedicated team at RVA Magazine, known as RVA Staff, has been delivering the cultural news that matters in Richmond, VA. This talented group of professionals is committed to keeping you informed about the events and happenings in the city.




more in community

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...

New Strategy to Fight Homelessness: Tiny Homes Coming to Richmond?

A new strategy to address chronic homelessness in Richmond may soon take shape in the form of a gated tiny home community. As first reported by The Richmonder, the Richmond Planning Commission has voted to support the sale of approximately three acres of city-owned...

J6er Charged with Burglary in Varina, Was Living in Northside

In September 2023, Zachary Alam was convicted  of eight felonies related to his activities inside the Capitol on January 6. He was sentenced to eight years in prison and three years of supervised release. However, in January 2025, Alam was released after...

Richmond Gets Weird (Again) with a Mrs. Roper Romp

There’s a good chance you’ve seen the photos: packs of people in flowing kaftans, chunky jewelry, red wigs, and not a single damn given. These are the Mrs. Roper Romps—a growing national trend where folks gather to honor Helen Roper, the brilliantly nosy landlady...

Same Box, Different Day: A Love Letter to Beige

By Someone Who Remembers When Buildings Had Souls As reported by Richmond Bizsense yesterday, the Feed More building is gone, and in its place will rise another stack of rectangles pretending to be a home. The renderings are in, and boy, they sure did it. They...

It’s Still Our City | Ep. 8 Sure Hand Signs aka Ross Trimmer

“Ross is an incredible asset to this city. He’s helped small businesses stand out with that much-needed glow—always delivered with a sharp eye and a soft touch. He can make your coffee shop look classic or your record store look clean and intentional. He’ll knock out...

Peter Cochrane | Where the Image Hesitates and the Self Disappears

"You have to be delusional to be an artist." That’s how Peter Cochrane closes our conversation. We’re sitting across from each other in a quiet Richmond studio, the air thick with pollen and thought. The line lands not as a punchline but as a thesis offered without...