COMMUNITY




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When the Music Ends, The Bukit Hedz Begin

I came across them one night, sitting in the grass at Kanawha Plaza. Two men, buckets stacked like makeshift toms, a lone snare resting in one lap, framed by the warm glow skyline of downtown Richmond. Beside them, a sign made the economics clear: VENMO DRUMKEEM....

Because None of This is Important, All of It Is.

Amid feedback loops, flickering lights, and fleeting connections at Get Tight Lounge, a local sound tech finds clarity in the chaos and meaning in the impermanence. by Eric Kalata I had to go across town first, to a different venue, to grab the microphones and...

200 People, One Backyard, and a Whole Lot of Heart

Local Brandon Crowe has quietly built something special in Richmond’s underground scene, a Fourth of July tradition called Crowefest. No corporate sponsors, maybe a few local ones. No massive gates or fences, just the usual short backyard one. What you get is a...

Uncorking Confusion: Making Sense of the Great Grape

The world of wine can be a bit intimidating at first. Tannins and mouthfeel. Direct press or maceration. Disgorgement. Yeast. Barrels. Sulfites and sugars. We are at another wine tasting today. All I see is smelling and swirling—and smelling again. Whispered murmurs...

It’s Still Our City | Ep. 11 Katrina

“This woman is important. This episode is exactly why I wanted to start the podcast. Real deal service industry fella. Mom of 3... she's been in Richmond for a minute and is traversing all the changes that surround us, whilst hustling super hard with a smile. This gal...

Writer’s Block | ‘Poker Game’ by Cameron Ritter

A Sunday series from RVA Magazine featuring writers from Richmond and VirginiaWriter’s Block is RVA Magazine’s Sunday series highlighting contemporary writers working in Richmond and across the Commonwealth. Each week, we feature original poems, short stories, or...

The Law Was Passed. The Funding Never Came.

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 them...

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Letter to The Editor | Response to ‘Democracy On A Budget’

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. This Letter to the Editor, written by...

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Mayo Island to Become Richmond’s Next Great Public Park by 2026

As reported by The Richmonder last week, the city is moving forward with plans to transform Mayo Island into a public park, with construction expected to begin later this year and the park scheduled to open in fall 2026. The 15-acre island, located in the James River between downtown and Manchester, was purchased by the city in 2024 for $15...

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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 attention, this probably won’t come as much of a surprise. Richmond’s been quietly...

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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 land on Fendall Avenue to Eden Village of Richmond, a nonprofit organization, for...

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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 receiving a pardon from President Donald Trump. Alam's actions inside the Capitol stand...

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J6er Charged with Burglary in Varina by Goad Gatsby_RVA Magazine 2025