In the Heat of the Night Vol. 12: Neon Love Letter

by | Aug 25, 2023 | COMMUNITY, MUSIC, NIGHTLIFE, PHOTOGRAPHY, QUEER RVA, STREETWEAR & SNEAKERS

Raise a Bingo Lager! to the electric pulse of our nightlife — a frenetic dance fueled by the characters that make our scene a hotbed of unadulterated fun.

Meet our photographer, Jody Adams, a fellow who’s been pounding the pavement after-hours for months, with his camera capturing all the nocturnal magic our town has to offer. There is a simple poetry that only comes alive when the sun goes down.

Last week’s nocturnal tour de force kicked off with a check-in at our brethren at Bingo! Beer Co. — that place with a line that’s more like a weekly street party. But he didn’t stop there, he glided through to snap the sartorially splendid at Helen’s, swapped stories with the night owls at En Su Boca, slipped into the embrace of the queer-friendly haven of Godfrey’s, and jammed with Sam Reed and her band of merry makers at Gallery5.

So here’s to the neon poetry of the night, and a city that resists the call of slumber, because, dear reader, why sleep when you’re living in a dream?

Feeling inspired to capture the rhythm of Richmond after dark? Reach out at hello@rvamag.com. We’re perpetually on the prowl for new visionaries who can encapsulate our city’s nocturnal essence.

JODY ADAMS

Jody Adams

Jody Adams

Capturing the vibrant soul of RVA through my lens as I bridge the gap between social anxiety and artistic pleasure. Passionate about nightlife, murals, and intimate portraits, with a special focus on culture and art. With a camera in my hands I have found my place in this life helping to simultaneously create and preserve lasting memories. I believe my work reflects a unique perspective, blending vulnerability and beauty in captivating imagery.




more in music

Cosmic Jazz Legend Lonnie Liston Smith is Returning to Richmond

Just announced: Cosmic Echo Live, taking place at the historic Hippodrome Theatre on September 13, will celebrate the life, music, and legacy of Richmond-born cosmic jazz icon Lonnie Liston Smith. The event will feature live performances, stories from across his...

Phish Announces Two-Night Richmond Run at Allianz Amphitheater

Phish is bringing its legendary live show back to Richmond for the first time in more than three decades. The Vermont jam band has announced an eight-show October tour that includes a two-night stop at Allianz Amphitheater on October 6 and 7. Richmond is one of just...

Photos | Djo & Pond at Allianz Amphitheater

Djo, the musical project of actor and musician Joe Keery, made his Richmond debut at Allianz Amphitheater on Friday night, drawing a packed crowd for one of the summer's most anticipated indie shows. Best known to many as Steve Harrington from Stranger Things, Keery...

Dispatch from the Lewis Ginter Picket Line

An on-the-ground account of the strike that prompted Jesse Welles and Graham Nash to cancel their Richmond performances. Tensions escalated as Jesse Welles called off his performance at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden yesterday amid an ongoing union fight for higher...