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Finding Freedom

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Through his camera lens focused on motorcycles, photographer Liam Kennedy makes his home on the open road and inside the bike community.

Candid but clear, and often colorful, the photos of Norfolk’s Liam Kennedy tell a visual story of life on the road in modern motorcycle culture. His photos follow Virginia’s subculture throughout the Old Dominion and across the country.

“I think motorcycles attract someone who wants to be free,” Kennedy said. “A motorcycle, from the outside, looks like a violent activity — but in reality, it’s nothing like that. It’s the closest you can get to feeling like you’re flying.”

Kennedy came to the profession through his background in the military; he was a photojournalist for eight years, and did his formal training as a Mass Communications Specialist in the U.S. Navy. On the heels of his years in the service, he’s found a calling for his work within his own subculture of motorcycle enthusiasts. Between planning cross-country trips and traveling back and forth to Richmond, he’s made a place for himself in the statewide community of riders and builders.

“In Virginia, people are very interconnected with each other,” Kennedy said. “The culture is the same from Norfolk to Richmond. We all know people in each area, but there isn’t one scene over the other — there’s a competitive aspect to what we do, I suppose, but you’re hard-pressed to find that around here. There are no real bike shows where people are winning big awards (at least with our kind of choppers, anyway). It’s hard to explain; we enjoy riding, we like unique bikes, and there are a lot of talented people in Richmond, Portsmouth, and Norfolk. I don’t build bikes, but I can appreciate what some of these people are doing.”

Kennedy plans to make his official move to the River City within the next few months. While he’ll make Richmond his home base, much of his time will still be spent on the road, working as a freelance photojournalist and documenting his travels from coast to coast.

“It just so happens that Richmond has been my landing base for the last two years. I really found a sense of community there,” Kennedy said. “I wish I could tell you what it is about Richmond — in my whole life, I’ve never lived in a place more than five years, but for what I enjoy doing, for my lifestyle, Richmond fits the bill. It’s a very transient town, so someone coming and going is not unheard of.”

It’s been five years since Kennedy found his love for motorcycles, and he purchased his first bike shortly after in 2015. While he’s started learning the mechanics of the bike and doing its maintenance work in the last year, the main thing he operates on a motorcycle will always be his camera.

“I am operating my motorcycle while I’m shooting photos. I’m shooting from the hip, I’ll take my arms off the bar. I’m an idiot,” Kennedy laughed. “I grew up in Indiana, I took high school film and digital classes and was big into filming skateboarding when I was 16… I still skateboard, and I’ve been skateboarding since I was five years old. I do photo and video work for Cardinal Skate Shop down in Norfolk.”

Filming skateboarding videos was Kennedy’s introduction to working with photo and video media, and he pursued it through his younger years until he came to the end of high school. When he was faced with the decision to either be kicked out of his house during school or join the military, he chose the latter — and with an interest sparked by high school photography classes and filming his friends skateboarding, he joined the Navy with a rank concentration in Mass Communications. Later, through the military, he enrolled at Syracuse University in New York.

“It’s funny how much art you actually see when you’re in the military,” Kennedy said. “For instance, all the command logos — somebody had to make and design those. And generally, they’re by someone in their command, or someone who does my job. We’re trained to do photo, video, AP Style journalism, and graphic design… The military is one of the best things that’s ever happened to me. I learned a lot about life, not just in my job, but with the people and where they come from.”

Kennedy’s professional equipment of choice is usually a Nikon D4, and he uses a Nikon D610 for personal use as well as a Nikon f100 for 35mm shooting. His name carries award-winning photojournalism with his work, which has taken him from the continental United States to many small corners of the world.

“I did an article in the Philippines in 2013 after a bad typhoon hit the area, Operation Damayan. We went there to deliver relief aid,” Kennedy said. “I’m probably more reckless with gear than I should be, but the hardest part of those situations is having to detach yourself from the reality of what’s happening. Photographing people who may not be alive anymore, or who may have just lost their house; being respectful to them while getting the story, and trying to relay that information to people who have no idea what’s happening. Photographing protests is natural. I become detached when the lens goes up to my face — like I’m just watching a movie. I’m not happy or sad, I’m just there.”

These days, it may seem like Kennedy’s passion lies in the motorcycles themselves, but in reality it’s the people who ride them that provoke his affinity for the bikes. He rides a 1999 1340cc Evo Big Twin chopper.

“Choppers are so stripped-down and basic. Choppers are teaching me patience and how to work with my hands. We’re losing craftsmen every day,” Kennedy said. “We’re losing people who know these machines and how to work on them. [In photography], I’m trying to preserve these men and women who work on the machines in some sort of fashion. I don’t want some kid to forget and think everything is automated; sometimes you’ve got to work with your hands and get dirty.”

The adventure comes with the ability of a motorcycle to turn a simple means of transportation into a wilder experience of motor freedom. When society has come as far as it has in technology, Kennedy notes, we have a tendency to forget where we’ve been, and the foundation that was laid many years ago which allows modern tech to thrive as it does today. The functionality of older and antique motorcycles — especially Harley Davidsons — is simpler, but temperamental in ways unique to each bike.

“Breaking down is part of the fun,” Kennedy said. “It’s not really fun when the vehicle does it all for you. The motorcycles — I could take them or leave them. It’s really the people I enjoy. Without the people, we wouldn’t have the bikes. We wouldn’t have this kind of folklore around it.”

Kennedy’s Harley has seen many miles of open road, not only in Virginia but in trips across North America. He’s had breakdowns that forced him to leave his bike on the side of the road in Arizona overnight, and he’s been stuck on a mountain in San Diego as it started to snow. Riding cross-country from Virginia Beach to Mexico, he teamed up with a group of friends to begin a major trip crossing national borders.

“We were in New Mexico, and my buddy lost his gas cap. We had already pulled over four or five times that day, people were breaking down and losing stuff,” Kennedy said. “We couldn’t get out of Albuquerque for whatever reason, and while we were looking for the gas cap, my buddy Ethan found a $100 bill. So we ended up buying a new gas cap. We were trying to make it back through New Mexico, and the sky split in two — pitch black on one side, and bright daylight on the other. We were about to have a very bad time in a few minutes… everything just opened up with hail, wind, and no shelter to stop at. So we just had to keep riding through it.”

As long as there are folks still out there willing to take something apart in order to learn how to put it back together, craftsmanship stays alive. It’s kept by those with the due diligence required for the impressive skills, and Kennedy is one who keeps this brand of freedom alive and well-documented — providing proof that society might not have changed as much as we think. When it comes down to these individuals, after all these years, some still prefer to hear the pull and chug of an antique chopper over the hiss of modern mechanics.

Kennedy is set to head out on another cross-country trip in June, seeing the Pacific Northwest and traveling back through an outline of the United States. 

“I just do my own thing. I go wherever the wind takes me that week.” 

Below, find a collection of Liam Kennedy’s photos from the road. More of his work is available to view on his website and Instagram.

Written By Ethan Malamud and Caley Sturgill. Photos by Liam Kennedy

Friday the 13th: Tattoo Holiday

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Bad luck turns good inside a tattoo shop. Get behind the scenes of Friday the 13th with Yellow Bird Tattoo and Lucky 13. 

For most people, Friday the 13th is a symbol of bad luck. But for several Richmond tattoo parlors, it’s the most wonderful time of the year: it’s a long standing tradition for many shops to hold Friday the 13th flash sales, providing opportunities for customers to receive specialty tattoos at a discounted rate.

“There’s a lot of preparation that goes into this day,” said Yellow Bird Tattoo apprentice Zac Clark.

PHOTO: Joseph Fessman Tattoo by Arianna Coghill

Since late 2017, Clark has been an apprentice at the shop, learning the ins and outs of tattooing under the parlor’s owner, Joseph Fessman. Fessman first opened the shop in 2016 after the passing of his mentor, Richie Pan.

For Fessman, Friday the 13th provides the perfect opportunity for his artists to showcase their talents and create repeat customers.

“We do things a little bit different. Instead of smaller tattoos for thirteen dollars, we’ll do bigger pieces,” Fessman said. “That way they’re not getting some rinky-dink tattoo. They’re getting something a little nicer and actually come back for another.”

At Yellow Bird Tattoo, the preparation for September’s event began bright and early at 9am. The artists were busy sanitizing, cleaning, and stocking supplies. 

PHOTO: Yellow Bird Tattoo Flash Sheet by Arianna Coghill

“We got it down to a good science last year,” said artist John Setzer. Setzer has been tattooing for over six years and moved to Richmond in 2018.

The morning of Friday, September 13 found a line of 10 to 15 excited customers gathered around the building, all anxiously waiting for Yellow Bird to throw open their doors. Tattoo artist Nicole Mackencie was at Yellow Bird early to get in line for a moth tattoo on her upper arm. She likes Yellow Bird Tattoo because their bold and smooth art differs from her traditional, flowery style.

“Since I’m an artist myself, talking to other artists is interesting,” Mackencie said. “You get to see different styles that you wouldn’t see at a gallery.”

For parlors like Lucky 13, Friday the 13th events are the busiest days of the year. For last month’s flash sale, Lucky 13’s line curled around the building, stretching all the way to North Meadow Street. Flash sale veterans know how intense the wait can be, and arrive as early as 8 am. Customers come prepared with lawn chairs and waters, along with things like playing cards to keep themselves entertained.

Photo by Lucky 13 Tattoo

Denise Johnson, Jaque Williams, and Iyeana Jackson had been waiting in line for over 3 hours to get their tattoos.

“Just relax, be patient and be prepared to wait a minimum of two hours,” was Johnson’s advice to any first timers looking towards Lucky 13 as their flash sale parlor.

These Friday the 13th sales not only are a great bonding activity among friends, but also provide an opportunity for first-timers to receive their first tattoos at a discounted rate.

23-year-old Tiara Williams was one such customer. She researched for weeks before deciding that Yellow Bird’s colorful and graphic tattoo style was what she wanted.

“Going on their website and on their Instagram and seeing all the artists’ individual work, I could see that this was a place with talent,” Williams said.

PHOTO: Joseph Fessman Tattoo by Arianna Coghill

According to Fessman, research is the most important thing when picking a tattoo parlor. Many shops in Richmond specialize in one niche style, and others have various artists who can accompany several different styles.

“Research is the biggest thing you can do,” advised Fessman. “I love walk-ins as much as the next one, but if you’re looking for a specific style of tattoo or a bigger piece, do your research before you come in.”

Richmond will see another Friday the 13th in December, so if you’ve been waiting to take the plunge on a new tattoo, mark your calendar.

Top Photo: Yellow Bird Tattoo

Gone But Not Forgotten: A Sisterhood That Lives Forever

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After Toni Morrison’s passing, her close friend and poet Nikki Giovanni reflected on their story at the Institute of Contemporary Art at VCU.

Picture this: the year is 1970, and author Toni Morrison just published her first book, The Bluest Eye. The book is gaining nationwide attention from critics and readers alike. One reader in particular is fascinated by the novel, especially due to the deep level of storytelling — particularly impressive in Morrison’s first published book. That reader wanted to meet Morrison in person and get to know her on a personal level… so she “stalked” her.

As it happens, that reader was renowned poet Nikki Giovanni. Both she and Morrison happened to live in New York City at the time. Giovanni found out where Morrison’s office was, walked from her apartment on 92nd Street to the office on 52nd Street location, stood outside, and waited for Morrison.

“One thing about me, I can wait for forever,” Giovanni said of her story waiting for Morrison. The two eventually met that day, and thus began a sisterhood that transcends life itself.

Even now, in 2019, Giovanni still talks fondly of that day. Despite age and medical issues affecting her mind, her memories of her friend remain unfazed.

Photo by Christopher Brown

On Wednesday, September 11th, VCU’s Institute of Contemporary Art hosted a screening of the documentary Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am. It was at this event where Giovanni told the story of her first meeting with Morrison, who passed away in August at the age of 88. The post-screening discussion with Giovanni focused on her lifelong friendship with Morrison, and the way they inspired each other during difficult times.

“When [my mother] died, I called Toni… I’m sad and I needed some advice,” Giovanni recalled. “[I asked her] ‘What should I do?’ and she said, ‘Write.’ I wrote a poem for Toni.”

A mixture of happiness and sadness filled Giovanni’s voice when she shared memories of herself and Morrison. The audience was made up of strangers to their world, but nonetheless felt the waves of emotions as they filled the room. One memory took Giovanni back to 2012, when she, Morrison, and Maya Angelou, among others, were hosted by Virginia Tech as they paid tribute to the author after she lost her son two years prior.

“What I wanted was that we give back something to Toni,” Giovanni said of the event. “What we wanted was, ‘Could you come and read your favorite Toni Morrison?’”

Photo by Christopher Brown

The event was magical but bittersweet for the sisterhood of writers, as Angelou would pass two years later — and eventually the honoree, Toni Morrison, passed on as well. 

“What she said that struck us all,” Giovanni said, “was, ‘If nothing else ever happens for me in my public life, this does it for me.’ It brought tears to my eyes.”

Giovanni’s love for her “sister” is a prime example of the effect that Toni Morrison had on her friends, family, and fans, both in her writing and her presence. In The Pieces I Am, activists and writers like Sonia Sanchez and Angela Davis got emotional when discussing the magnitude of Morrison’s legacy.

Now in her late 70s, Giovanni has survived two battles with cancer and a stroke, and yet, she is one of the few writers of this powerful black sisterhood that’s still alive. Moments like this event at the ICA, or the 2012 tribute at Virginia Tech, are rare treats, giving the public a glimpse of how special and important this sisterhood was and is — to Giovanni, to Morrison, and to many others.

ICA cinema hosts films every second Wednesday at 7 p.m and is free and open to the public.

Top Photo by Christopher Brown

Rooted & Rising: Richmond Thrives With BLK RVA

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“It’s more than just what’s in your history books.” BLK RVA showcases the booming black cultural scene that’s made Richmond what it is today. 

In the last 10 years, Richmond has exploded as a creative hub — in a good way. As someone who was born and raised here, I understand the potential culture this city has to offer, and recently it has acted on that potential. Now more than ever, creative spaces are being opened, small festivals are spread out across the city throughout the year, and even small indie and underground artists are gaining an increase in recognition.

But as natives, this is something we’re all used to; we’re almost unbothered by some of these things, because they happen so often. Yet as we reach 2020, the city has grown into a creative hub not many would have believed possible looking back on it years ago. It’s not the largest hub there is, but it’s definitely there — and it’s definitely working. 

Photo via BLKRVA

Inside of the gears of the City of Richmond, the black community has been working tirelessly to bring more attention to the cultural efforts they’ve produced in our home. What they’ve produced is nothing short of amazing, and it’s been influential to the culture of the entire River City. 

The black community has helped complete an unfinished circle in the perfect Virginia experience: one that many people who call themselves Virginians have never truly seen before. Luckily for them, a platform that emphasizes this black Richmond experience is here, and sits at our fingertips at this very moment. 

BLKRVA is a platform that highlights black spaces and black faces. It showcases Richmond to travelers from all around the world, working to spread the history and culture of the city to the extent that it deserves. 

Its central base is a tourism website, which features a plethora of black-owned businesses, events, and artists — ultimately it’s everything you’d want to see in Richmond, that you’d never know is right around the corner. 

“We’re the only ones in the Commonwealth to do something like this, and I believe we’re the second in the nation, behind Philadelphia,” said Amy Wentz, Member of BLKRVA Action Team. 

Photo via BLKRVA

Because of our city’s history with slavery and as the capital of the Confederacy, outsiders may have cringed at the thought of visiting Richmond. But with the light in our dark history, we’ve grown with the past, and Richmond is more now than just a scarred city. Much of that is thanks to the very people who were scarred by that history. 

While the black experience is not all there is in Richmond, it’s a major part of the overall Virginia experience. BLKRVA has given this experience a louder voice, telling the public, “It’s more than just what’s in your history books, and you’ll never know until you see it.” 

Their key tagline, “Rooted & Rising,” serves as both a reminder and realization: a reminder of their rich history in the state of Virginia, but also a “call to action,” rising against the negative connotations that come with it. 

Richmond is a hot spot in commemorating the history of America, and with that comes a commemoration of enslaved Africans. Over time, they helped advance Richmond into what it is today, despite the hardships they faced in their lives. 

Though the BLKRVA campaign was only launched earlier this summer, the organizers have been working behind the scenes on this plan for years. They have seen success working with larger black-owned events, such as the Afrikana Film Festival and The Black Restaurant Experience, which brought crowds of people nationwide to see the new cultural perspective Richmond has to offer. As time went on, the members of the campaign noticed a surging trend in foreign visitors coming to appreciate the efforts of black Richmond culture. This led them to reformat their work, bringing a focus to black-owned businesses that are staples of the city. 

Photo via BLKRVA

From there, the BLKRVA campaign was created with Richmond Region Tourism as a one-stop-shop, categorizing all the different black Richmond events for visitors and residents alike. 

Their listings include well over 100 restaurants, attractions, and events that take place across the city throughout the year. Listings include Addis Ethiopian, the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia, Big Herm’s Kitchen, Treat Shop RVA, C’est Le Vin Art & Wine Gallery, the Hippodrome Theater, Elegba Folklore Society’s Cultural Center, Sheep Hill Bistro, and many more.

Along with highlighting these black spaces in Richmond, BLKRVA also tells the stories of black citizens in the city, focusing on black creatives and writers. With this platform, creatives can explain their day-to-day activities to tell the story of a day in the life of a black Richmonder. Their interviews and features put the spotlight on public figures like Mecca Williams, Nadira Chase, Nickelus F, and Samantha Willis. 

Photo via BLKRVA

“If you want to be as a local would be, these interviews will give you everything you need,” said Wentz. 

It’s not often that people like this are given a voice, which makes their recommendations even more special than before. Ultimately, it fills the visiting experience for those who want to see our city from a different perspective. 

“It’s time for us to start celebrating and uplifting the black experience here; because of the easier access to travelling now, it’s up to us to change that connotation about Virginia,” Wentz said. “And it starts with things like this.”

PHOTO: BLKRVA

A decade ago, Wentz started “BlackRVA” single-handedly, as the original plan for showcasing black events and black-owned business in Richmond. With the help of her action team, she was able to manifest BLKRVA into the large, influential position it’s in today. 

“When I first started it, I had so much going on. I could hardly manage it how it should be… how it is now,” said Wentz. “So I’m very grateful to be able to work with so many different creatives, and bring out the true potential that BLKRVA had to offer.” 

As BlackRVA grew into BLKRVA, a Richmond Region Tourism platform, the potential to highlight the black culture scene in Richmond has grown along with it. They’ve expanded their coverage beyond the Greater Richmond area, and further into surrounding counties like Hanover, New Kent, Henrico, and Chesterfield.

Because of the innovative boom in the city, a new atmosphere has grown. It has allowed BLKRVA to flourish and prosper into successful platform — from one woman’s idea to the powerhouse of a team it is today, time has treated BLKRVA well, and given the team the tools they needed to build the organization up. 

“It feels great to know that these places are trusting us with what we do, because it’s never been done before. If we don’t make these places noticeable, they may never get the recognition they deserve,” said Wentz. “It’s one thing to do your own advertising, but to work with a cohesive brand and a team of other businesses just makes the impact more effective.” 

If you want to get involved with BLKRVA, check out their website to become a part of their upcoming events in the 2019 season, or message them to talk about volunteer or donation opportunities. 

Whenever you’re thinking about how to change your Richmond experience, I’d advise paying BLKRVA’s website, at visitblkrva.com, a visit. You may find exactly what you’re looking for. 

Top Image via BLKRVA

Pagan Baby: Weekend Playlist by Nick Swartz of No Lies Just BS Podcast

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Every Friday night, RVA Mag brings you a lovely and wonderful playlist curated by Virginia’s most influential artists, musicians, and institutions.

This one comes to us from Nick Swartz, who is not only the main man behind the No Lies Just Bullshit podcast, but also the owner of Harrisonburg’s Alley Cat Tattoo. Beginning with nothing more than he and a rotating crew of friends and relatives telling stories about their crazy lives, the podcast has grown over the past three years to host world-renowned guests from the worlds of tattooing and punk rock. It was even the place where the world first learned about the Avail reunion that took place last month!

For his playlist, Swartz brings us a wide spectrum of tunes, everything from metal to country to hip hop, but all of it comes from a spirit of rebellion and freedom. This makes it the perfect playlist to enjoy as you launch your wild n’ wolly summer weekend.

Get loose, Virginia.

Open this playlist from mobile in your Spotify app HERE.

Music Sponsored By Graduate Richmond

RVA #37 Is On The Streets Now!

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Summer is alive in the River City, and the latest issue of RVA Magazine is here with it to tell the stories of arts, music, politics, and culture across Virginia.

It’s August, it’s hot, and it’s only going to get hotter here in the River City with the arrival on the streets of RVA Magazine #37, our Summer 2019 issue! This one’s bursting all around, with plenty of art, music, news, politics, and more. From the far corners of the Commonwealth to right here in Rich! Mond! Vee! Ay!, RVA Magazine is on point with the coverage of Virginia’s street-level culture that you’ve known and loved for the past 14 years.

The biggest news of the summer here in Richmond was the reunion of Avail, the band who defined Richmond’s music scene in the 90s and helped put the river city on the musical map throughout the country and beyond. After 12 years away from the stage, they brought a hotly-anticipated two-night stand to the National and blew fans’ minds all over again. In the run-up to that memorable weekend of rock, we had an exclusive conversation about their reunion with vocalist Tim Barry, and you’ll find it all in this issue of RVA Magazine!

PHOTO: Ken Penn

We’re also bringing you an in-depth profile of Trevor Frost, a photographer and Richmond native whose work with National Geographic and other world-renowned publications has taken him to every corner of the globe. You’ll learn what Frost has seen and discovered in his voyages, and why he keeps coming back to Richmond every time.

Photo of Trevor Frost by Melissa Lesh

We don’t just focus on Richmond, though — our reporting takes us to the farthest reaches of the Commonwealth this issue, where we learn about Tennessee-adjacent Lee County’s attempts to create a policy based on comments from political leaders about arming teachers to prevent school shootings. Why does this rural county at the very tip of Virginia’s panhandle think such a policy is a good idea? And how do they intend to put it into practice? We’ll give you a deeper look.

Photo by John Donegan

We’ve got a lot more in store for you in this issue as well, from a GayRVA report on the recently-released documentary capturing and honoring the life of legendary Richmond cult figure Dirtwoman to an exclusive conversation with up and coming postpunk band Unmaker. We’ll also learn about the hip hop and skateboarding connection with Richmond’s own Washington Avenue Skateboards, and take a closer look at the history of the city’s underground graffiti scene — a major influence on the mural boom RVA is undergoing today.

All of that is in store for you when you grab your very own copy of RVA #37, available in all your favorite local businesses around town. Get yours now… they’re going fast!

Check out the digital version on Issuu here.