In my twenties, snow days in Richmond were not a crisis. They were a gift. You walked to the local market, and back then there were only a handful, stocked up on whatever counted as “supplies,” and then wandered off under the sacred banner of “snow law.” That...
THEM: Why do you like horror movies? Do you think killing and violence is funny? ME: Sometimes. THEM: Yeah, I’m just not into gore and monsters. ME: Why do you like Law and Order SVU? Do you think killing and violence against children is funny? THEM: That’s different. ME: Well, that show is...
Big Herm is cooking up a storm. Chicken sizzles on top of the grill in front of him. Potatoes dunk into the rolling boils of oil. Buns toast in the oven below. In the robust grills, fryers, and ovens of Big Herm’s Kitchen, the machinery keeps the galley kitchen feeling like a sweaty summer. By the door, boxes are filled to the brim with the best...
Coming this Sunday to Richmond International Film Festival, Mixtape Trilogy is a film featuring the Indigo Girls, Talib Kweli, and Vijay Iyer, and exploring the power music still has to shape and change our lives. I know that I’m officially old because I now unironically open sentences with “Back in the day, my generation…” I’m coming to terms...
Rejected from the Richmond International Film Festival, Brown Frown The Clown is putting on his own competing film and comedy event, the Rock Hard Film Festival featuring his short film Rock Hard With The Clown, at New York Deli tonight. RVA's R. Anthony Harris spoke to Brown Frown's alter ego, Mike Shea, to figure out what the heck is actually...
Hello reader! I’m back this week with one of my favorite comedians, Gina Brillon. The Bronx comic had a huge year, becoming a mom, becoming a finalist on America’s Got Talent, and hitting the road hard in support of her success on the hit NBC show. This Boricua is no stranger to success, having previously had two hit specials on Amazon Prime and...
Comedy has been alive and thriving over the past year, with more open mics, more showcases, and more people trying to be involved than ever. I see this happening everywhere from national acts to the local level. Sandman Comedy Club has opened the door for more curious minds around Richmond to check out live standup comedy. Over the past year,...
Hari Kondabolu is a standup comedian, podcaster, and the director of documentary The Problem With Apu. This weekend, he brings his fearless, politically informed comedy to the Sandman Comedy Club for five shows in three nights. RVA Mag's Ash Griffith spoke to him about politics, the pandemic, and being a new father, among other things. If you’re...
We want to encourage more independent films to be made in Richmond, VA, and the 48 Hour Film Project (48HFP) has been doing that for a long time. Therefore, we thought it only made sense for us to team up. Which is our way of announcing that RVA Magazine will be presenting the film that wins this year's 48HFP Virginia. It will premiere right here...
Hello reader! This interview marks one year for me covering comedy in Richmond, and one year that Sandman Comedy Club has been open. I’ve gotten to talk to some of my favorite comedians and gotten to know some new ones. While it’s been fun chatting with the touring comics coming through Sandman (couldn’t have done this without you), it has also...
