CULTURE




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Richmond’s Zoning Code Refresh: Developers Know, Do You?

Most Richmonders haven’t heard about it, but the City of Richmond is rewriting the rules that will determine what can be built, and where, for decades to come. It’s called the Zoning Code Refresh, and right now, it’s quietly moving through the public comment stage. If...

Griffin in Summer: How a Tribeca Winner Was Filmed in Richmond

The new coming-of-age feature Griffin in Summer is already drawing attention for its Tribeca wins and upcoming theatrical release, but for producer Bobby Hoppey, the film carries an extra layer of meaning: it was made in Richmond, a city he’s connected to...

It’s Still Our City | Ep. 13 GULL

"When Nate first got on my radar, it was via SNACK TRUCK. Thanks to @falseidolstoys for this wonderful discovery. There were so many Virginia-based bands absolutely knocking it out of the park, really helping me and my bandmates in our project at the time, The...

Southern Gothic: The Global Underground Hits Richmond

Richmond has always produced world-class talent and just as often, watched it leave. That cycle was exactly what Warren Jones, performer and co-founder of Prison Religion, and Christian Detres, filmmaker and longtime RVA Magazine contributor, set out to change. Their...

The New Corner Store: How Vape Shops Took Over Richmond

A former Richmond smoke shop owner breaks his silence on selective enforcement, shady distributors, and the regulatory loopholes driving Virginia’s booming gray market. In neighborhoods across Richmond, it’s hard to miss them: brightly lit vape shops glowing with LED signage, open late, their shelves lined with flavored vapes, glass pipes, and...

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Sound Check | Spooky Cool, Weedeater, The Be-Sides & More!

Sun’s up, we ain’t dead yet. Plenty of good stuff on the bills -- your favorites, my favorites, maybe even your next favorite. Got a show coming up? New single? Simply want someone to talk music? I am your guy at griffin@rvamag.com. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtZ8kwWtUfI Spooky Cool, Fight Cloud, Raavi, Ducctape JesusFriday July 25th,...

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OP-ED | Richmond’s Stages Are Worth the Investment

Why federal arts funding keeps the city’s creative economy alive. by Catie-Reagan King, Ed.D. On any given weekend in Richmond, you can find a stage lit up with stories, some bold and provocative, others warm and familiar. Whether it’s a world premiere at Firehouse Theatre, a boundary-pushing musical at Richmond Triangle Players, or a Shakespeare...

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Protest or Parade, Richmond Likes to Get ‘Fancy’

For the Richmond we know, “fancy” doesn’t belong to the country club set. It doesn’t sip cocktails under chandeliers or care much about matching buttons. Here, fancy has dirt on its boots and glitter in its hair. It shows up to a protest in drag. It haunts the streets on Halloween in a costume held together with duct tape and conviction. The...

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Get JURASS-ic to Science on Tap! Dino Night

Drink like a grown-up. Wonder like a kid. No children, no judgment, just dinosaurs. Ah, dinosaurs. We never outgrow them. They’re the original fascination and the gateway drug into the natural world. When we were kids, they were terrifying and magical. Now? They’re still magical. Just with better science and slightly more plausible theories about...

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