Commonwealth Sound Exchange is a celebration of experimental music taking place this weekend. This new festival honors the long tradition of Richmond’s noise community. It’s artist-founded and led, and pulls in national and regional acts similar to Europe’s Unsound...
Free Tastings Across the City This Week — Thursday, June 19 Richmond has always been a city that embraces expression—through art, music, and now, wine. There are a number of free wine tastings happening around town today, Thursday. It’s one of the best ways to dip into the world of wine without the sticker shock. Wine culture can feel...
When Mark Szafranski bought the building at 117 West Broad Street in 1991, the property was in disrepair. Water seeped from the upper floors, the windows were falling in, and downtown Richmond was, at the time, more forgotten than revitalized. But Szafranski, a musician—not a developer—saw possibility in the neglect. He was playing accordion...
A woman works in a diner. The kind with refills, regulars, and fluorescent lights that never quite turn off. She’s married to a man who doesn’t deserve her. She bakes pies that are better than most people deserve. And she wants out. That’s Waitress, more or less. It opens this weekend at Virginia Repertory Theatre, runs...
This week we have artists that were born here, artists clawing their way up in the scene, and artists making their last stands. No matter what stage you’re at—give ‘em hell. No relent. Push, drive, make yourself better, and keep Richmond the haven it is. Got a show coming up? New single? Simply want someone to talk music? I am your guy...
In 2013, a two-day event transformed a neglected stretch of Norfolk, Virginia, into a pop-up arts district. It wasn’t a city plan—it was a vision. Volunteers opened temporary galleries in boarded-up storefronts. Food trucks rolled in. Sidewalks were painted with makeshift crosswalks. Musicians played under murals that hadn’t been there the day...
It started in a living room. Not a gallery, not a venue — just the house of Richmond artist Jered Fykes. A few friends hung their work on the walls, invited people over, and had a good time. Honestly, that’s how most real art scenes begin. That was back in 2018. Now, it’s a little more organized. The All In Art Show returns for its fourth round...
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, barn-like...
Country, hip-hop, indie, fuck you. I feel like Richmond could be known for any number of genres at this point. Everything seems to be having a beautiful moment right now. Remember kids, rising tide raises all boats. Got a show coming up? New single? Simply want someone to talk music? I am your guy at griffin@rvamag.com....
“I met this phenom many, many moons ago at DLB, and I was instantly smitten. She’s always marched to the beat of her own fuckin’ drum—and still does. So much respect. And then I heard her sing... oh mylanta. Her voice absolutely floored me. She moved to Richmond at 18 and is still killing it at 81. “I reversed the numbers, baby.” In...
