RVA

The Bachelorette Came to Richmond: Part Tone Deaf, Part Guilty Pleasure, and Entirely Obvious

Madelyne Ashworth | July 3, 2018

Topics: Ralph Northam, richmond, RVA, The Bachlorette, TV in RVA, virginia

My summer Monday night tradition for the past several years: drive to my mom’s and make dinner with my grandmother, crack a bottle of wine, plant on the couch by 8 p.m. and glue our faces to the TV to watch 25 men battle over one lucky lady (I’m a purist, I don’t watch The Bachelor. The Bachelorette is where it’s at.) My grandmother and I will pick apart each guy, make our guesses at who this season’s bachelorette might choose, wait for the Most Dramatic Season Finale, and sometimes my mother will begrudgingly sit on the couch and make comments about how stupid the show is until she falls asleep.

So how excited were we when we could participate in our favorite pastime watching our favorite show in our very own hometown (after the initial shock of asking, um, why Richmond)?! This show has taken lucky ladies like Kaitlyn Bristowe (my personal all-time favorite bachelorette) to Scotland, Rachel Lindsay to Spain, and JoJo Fletcher to Thailand. And apparently the producers over at ABC were like, “Hey, let’s throw a dart at a map of America.” This was confirmed when at the beginning of last night’s show, they were careful to show a map of the US with a star over Richmond just to make sure you knew where the River City actually is.

Beautiful scenery of the capitol building, the Richmond skyline, and the iconic James River (and no doubt very, very strategically, not a single shot of Monument Avenue) filled my heart with pride for our little city. This season’s bachelorette Becca Kufrin took her male suitors on a historical tour of our city, checking out St. John’s Church and the Edgar Allen Poe Museum. The editors especially wanted to drive home the point that we are the most hipster city on this side of the Mason Dixon, complete with shots of the Quirk Hotel and a date at the Poe Museum’s hipster-goth-themed ‘Un-Happy Hour’ – you better believe I’m proud as hell about that, too.

No, they didn’t go to the best spots nor did they delve into the culture of this city–staying safely in the Art District and visiting beautiful historical sites–but it’s a reality TV show that (until recently, sort of) avoided people of color and focuses on superficial beauty aesthetic, so I didn’t expect any better, nor was I surprised.

Until the group date: Becca took her pack of boys to Richmond’s Capitol Building for a tour with presidential re-enactors and followed-up with a surprise mock-political debate on the steps of the same building. And Governor Ralph Northam moderated. Welcome to Virginia, I guess?

The debate, which was styled similarly to ‘The Dating Game’, posed questions like, “What is your ideal date?” and “How do you envision your future with Becca?” The men even donned suits for the occasion. If you’re into the drama, the debate quickly deteriorated into a poorly concealed fight between two contestants, Chris and Lincoln, over who lies to Becca more.

I couldn’t help but cringe while watching this petty, worthless drama play out on the steps of our capitol building in a city that is experiencing very real, visceral conflict that is truly affecting people’s lives. Yes, it’s a fun, silly show that I’ve always described as my ‘guilty pleasure,’ but somehow the way the show positioned a “political” debate over a real-life woman within a city and a state that holds a crucial role in many upcoming elections and has, in many ways, lead the charge on the East Coast in regard to activism and accountability in Trump’s America felt utterly tone deaf and altogether uncomfortable. There was no winner in this debate.

When the episode ended, I was relieved. Both because she sent Chris home and knowing the cast, crew, and producers of The Bachelorette had gotten the hell out of my city. On to next week.

And in case you’re placing bets, my grandmother’s money is on Jason. She’s usually right.

What’s in Your Gear Bag? Some of Richmond and Norfolk’s Top Creators Show All

RVA Staff | June 28, 2018

Topics: artists, creators, gear, gearheads, journalists, NFK, Norfolk, richmond, RVA

The gear bag is a quintessential necessity for any creator that is on the move, regardless of what they are creating. Every artist, journalist, or musician carries essentials that help them navigate the complex world they are observing and eventually bringing to life for their own audiences. Virginia is home to some intrepid creatives which have changed the way people interact with all aspects of the Commonwealth’s collective culture. The creative corridor along 64 between Richmond and Norfolk remains one of the strongest in Virginia, and the collaborative spirit between the two is coming to define a new generation of creator.

RVA Mag wanted to get an inside look at what some of the premier creatives in Richmond and Norfolk carry on their day-to-day travels as they seek to influence and inspire the vast landscape surrounding them. What we found was an array of personal and professional items that reflect the character and charm of each creator.

Get your Amazon account ready.

Michael Millions: Richmond Artist and Songwriter

I’m simple… for me, I only carry the essentials. My typical day revolves around the use of my iPhone, Mac Pro, AKG Perception 420 Microphone and a pair of AKG K240’s. Additional must-haves like a sharpie, notebook to write out my visions, a lighter, weed, and a stone are all imperative for the vibes. Plus, being a full-time artist and songwriter, these items are obvious extensions of my creativity and hey, without them all, I may cease to exist.

Mallory Jarrell: Norfolk Artist, That’s What She Said

I keep all my junk in my handmade Ransack Leather bag that I’m currently obsessed with. In it you will find: a tape measure for when I’m thrifting frames to see if they’ll fit my canvases, my Patsy Cline mini sketchbook and cattle dog pen for when the bad ideas strike, my grandfather’s switchblade, keys to the Range on my ‘Don’t F with my Shit’ Marc Jacobs keychain, my Square for when I drop off wholesale orders or am vending at festivals, some Blue Wilderness treats for my ride or die homie Wheeler, and my flash drive with all my digital files in case my house ever burns down while I’m away. The bottom of my purse is lined with tracking number receipts from shipping my Etsy orders, and I’m never without my ThatsWhatSheSaidArt business cards in my handmade Warhol card holder.

Landon Shroder: RVA Mag, Editorial Director

I’m a run and gun journalist always looking for the next story, so my kit is field ready. I am also the editorial director for the magazine, which means I have to be able to run content from pretty much anywhere in Virginia, meaning my kit (including computer, camera, and mobile phone) acts as a mobile command center. On me at all times is two notebooks: One for taking notes on the job (Moleskin) and the other (Japanese Midori Traveler) for my own personal thoughts; I try to never let these two things meet. Other essentials: dark sunglasses, so I can constantly roll my eyes. Water bottle, because of hydration (or tear gas #thanksA12). Business cards, I give them out to literally everyone (never know where a tip is going to originate). External mobile phone charger, the curse of every field journalist is a dead mobile phone. And one thing I learned during my time overseas, always have a knife and flashlight handy; I carry a CRKT blade and Surefire torch. Finally, I carry an old coin as a totem, a denarius from the time of the Roman Emperor Hadrian I picked-up in the Netherlands in 2014. This guy was in my pocket for three of my almost eight years in Iraq and saw me through some very wild times – now it goes with me everywhere.

Mickael Broth (Night Owl): Richmond Artist and Muralist

Most of my creative output (painting murals) involves a truck full of spray paint, gallons and gallons of latex paint, and too many damn ladders and lifts to show in a photo. But these are my portable essentials: I’m rarely without a black book (from Plaza!) and fill up at least three or four every year. I’m not particular about brushes and pretty much use disposables. That goes for sunglasses as well; they generally end up covered in paint and scratched to shit in a few weeks. The wizard wand is not an every day item but occasionally aids in the casting of creative spells. My keys come equipped with a paint key, and I’ve always got my headphones to keep up with the latest episode of Last Podcast while I’m painting. Sakuras and green skinny caps are the only tools I’m really particular about. I always like a fresh coat of fluorescent orange on my fingernails even though they generally get covered in all sorts of other paint almost immediately. And I’ve always gotta rep the crew–Rust Brew Adventure Crew!

Alison Stinley: Norfolk Artist

Being a studio artist, I complete most of my work in one space. But when I’m lucky enough to carve out some time to visit an open figure session with a live model, I pack up my gear bag. I like painting on frosted mylar during short sessions as it doesn’t require any priming to accept oil paint. I also always have my Krink paint markers that I use to lay down initial sketches; they’re great for getting a variation of line and dry very quickly. I carry a limited palette of oil paint to make my bag a little lighter. The pigments included are two yellows, two blues, two reds, and white; this combination is sufficient for mixing most colors. A smattering of brushes and a palette knife are also necessary. Additionally, I couldn’t be caught without my chapstick (nobody wants to see crusty-crusts). And finally, I must also always have my Zofran on hand. Having Celiac disease demands that I have a backup plan in case I accidentally get “glutened.” The Zofran prohibits maximum embarrassment while in public, just in case the aforementioned occurs.

Ned Oliver: Richmond Journalist, Virginia Mercury

I’m a reporter and end up in all kinds of weird, different places. I like to be ready for whatever, because you never know when, like, a tank is just going to drive down Broad. So I normally bring two cameras, a small telephoto lens, a normal lens, a super wide lens, my drone, a computer and a few notebooks and pens. I never fly the drone as much as I’d like to. It never makes as much sense as it seems like it will and there are a lot of safety considerations, but when it works it’s awesome and I can give people a new perspective. For cameras I really like Fuji’s mirrorless system because of how small and light it is. I’m a camera nerd and am excited to take a lot more photos as part of my new job at the Virginia Mercury. Read us. We’re going to be focused on interesting state government and public policy issues, which sounds boring now that I’ve written it down, but I swear it won’t be.

Megan Wilson: Sweet Sauce Blog, Richmond

I’m a blogger, writer, and content creator. On a single day, I could be interviewing a business owner for an article, leading a marketing strategy meeting for a client, and prepping for a blog project. I am very much on the go and because of that, I keep my tools lean and mean.

The most important tool is my iPhone. I shoot and edit photos, write notes, edit my website, manage three social media accounts, create short videos, scan contracts, send emails, order Lyfts, and even write articles from my phone. I carry an old-school daily planner, which compliments my Google Calendar. Instead of writing appointments in the daily planner, I write out tasks to complete each day and project deadlines. My MacBook Pro was my first big business purchase in 2017. I chose the smaller design so it is more mobile. I can set it on my lap and take notes just about anywhere. I always keep a fresh notebook with me for notes and sketches. I like to splurge on high-quality notebooks when I travel.

You’ll also often find me with kombucha (anything ginger) or mixing up an Emergen-C in my water. Getting sick is even worse when you’re an entrepreneur. Other essentials include lip gloss (lately, I’m wearing Posy by L’Oreal), Wild Honeysuckle oil from Mod & Soul, shades (these are from Sweetest Stitch) and a natural deodorant for long summer days crisscrossing the city (this is Wild Botanicals in lavender from Sweetest Stitch).

Charles Rasputin: Norfolk, Alchemy Underground

My essentials boil down to the tools of the trade. iPad pro & Apple pencil for quick sketching, plus a real live pencil in case you need an outline. Commonwealth x Oakley Frogskins are the sun-blocker classic, plus air-pods for music or important conversations. A MacBook Pro and an external drive are for editing and quick transfer. Easy poolside zine reading with some photos by Objects of Ridicule and ” DEAD MANS HAND” by Elkamino. A couple of iPhones for communication, and for capturing the moment, and the Apple TV makes it so any meeting can become a presentation on the big screen. I’m a closer by nature, so you gotta stay prepared. Cap it all off with an oil pen to keep my nerves in perfect balance, and you have everything you need to make new media magic and purify the mind, body, and soul.

Branden Wilson: Photographer

1) Sony A7R ii + 24-70 f/2.8 – This is my go-to camera/lens choice for photojournalism 2) Canon AE1 loaded with Black & White 35mm film – I save this for special moments. I have rolls on rolls of undeveloped film that I’ll send off someday 3) SLR Magic 70mm f/1.4 – This and my 25mm are my secret sauce lenses. They produce such interesting images, kinda reminds me of a vintage lens. Love the all-manual design of these too, forces me to really be on my game 4) SLR Magic 25mm f/1.4 – See above 5) Macbook Pro – I do most of my editing on this but really its just a fancy email machine 6) iPhone 8Plus – “The best camera is the one you have with you” …or something like that 7) AirPods – I bike to most places in town so its nice to be able to listen to music or a podcast while en route 8) RVAMag Press Pass – Never know when a story is going to pop up. 9) Field Notes – I’ll use this to write down the names or locations of people I photograph 10) Off-White Camera Strap – Special thanks to Hunter Saylor for helping me turn this belt into a camera strap 11) Filter Case – Holds my Neutral Density/Circular Polarizer filters 12) Zoom H1n Audio Recorder – Usually I’ll record my lav mic audio straight into this 13) Rode Lav Mic – Great mic for on the spot interviews 14) Rode Shotgun Mic – I really only use this for scratch audio but it works better than the on-camera mic 15) Extra Batteries – The more, The better 16) SD Case – Holds… SD Cards 17) Keys – They say the more keys, the more powerful the man, so not sure what that makes me.

The Nocturnal Phases of Strawberry Moon

Maggie Campbell | June 28, 2018

Topics: Crystal Pistol Records, Pete Curry, Pist, richmond, rock and roll, RVA, Strawberry, Strawberry Moon

Strawberry Moon is part of who Katie Bowles is. The young band was the brainchild of her obsession with music, and wanting to create her own “stuff.”

“I’ve been in some weird, crappy relationships with musicians who were not always super supportive of you making your own stuff and are looking for that support themselves,” Bowles said. “It felt really good to do [music] myself.”

The name Strawberry Moon originated from who Bowles is as a person. Bowles has a June birthday around the time of the moon phase ‘strawberry moon’. Combined with her ginger hair and her birthday, the name of her band feels serendipitous.

“I just remember one year I was at the beach with my family and we were sitting on the sands and there was the full moon in the sky,” Bowles said. “I’m obsessed with the ocean and just felt really powerful and nice.”

MJ Foster joined lead vocalist and guitarist Bowles as the new drummer. Bowles, who identifies as bisexual, and Foster, who identifies as queer, said the whole fruity vibe of Strawberry Moon fits them both, as “they’re both pretty gay”.

Strawberry Moon released their second album, “Dust Bath,” in May of this year. This was the first album the band had produced with Richmond-based label Crystal Pistol Records. Bowles had recorded and produced her first album, “Strawberry Moon,” released Valentines Day of 2017, without the help of a label. She had been working with another musician for the first album, but after a falling out, Bowles went back to being a solo act.

Writing all the songs on “Dust Bath,” Bowles said a lot of the songs are based on a relationship that didn’t go anywhere. Not receiving much support for her music while in that relationship, she became even more determined to make music performing on her own.

“I remember one time I played him a song that I wrote, and he was also a local musician, and he was like, ‘Man, so many people are going to come out to your shows because you’re a cute girl,’” Bowles said. “I was just like, ‘That’s the least supportive thing you could say.’”

Even so, Bowles said she hopes anyone who might come for that reason would stay simply for the music.

Both Bowles and Foster described the music scene in Richmond as being a ‘dudes club’. Bowles said that while it can be intimidating to be the only girl surrounded by a bunch of guys with gear, everyone is welcoming. Still, the ‘dude club’ feel is pervasive.

“We’ve made a lot of friends with the other local musicians here, and it’s a really fun to play shows where you are supporting one another and you’re happy to be around each other and are excited to see what they do next,” Bowles said. The band feels lucky to have a large base reaching out to them for performances, as they’ve played many house shows and benefits, such as the Reproductive Freedom Project.

With their newest album, Strawberry Moon is continuing to make its mark on the Richmond music scene. With the addition of Foster, and new production by the label, it has added a new depth to the band’s music. The accompanying vocals and the instrumentation creates an impressive and full sound for the band. One song, “At It Alone,” stood out from the rest. Bowles and Foster said the song teases at a possible change in sound for Strawberry Moon.

“It’s got a weird beat,” Foster said. “When I first started out, I was like this doesn’t have a beat at all, but then I started playing to it. This is kind of unusual but I really like it.”

Bowles said the additions to the band’s album by Pete Curry from Crystal Pistol Records helped make the album more mainstream in a positive way. She said it turns the tracks into a more indie rock album. The two of them said it’s hard to put the band’s music in a certain genre, but they do have a sound similar to Katie’s favorite band, The White Stripes, as a guitarist and vocalist duo. Bowles said she feels like a gender flip of Jack White, the lead singer of The White Stripes.

“My high school dreams achieved,” Bowles said.

Together, Foster and Bowles are a great support system for each other. The greatest struggle for both of them has been anxiety. “It’s hard to be mindful in the moment when you’re playing a show,” Foster said. “You get kind of tunnel vision when you’re up there. I think we’re getting way better at going beat by beat.”

Foster said there’s a lot of comfort in knowing that they can look at each other and know that they are doing their best.

Soon, though, Strawberry Moon might become a solo act again. Foster will be studying for his masters in bio-statistics at the University of Wisconsin Madison starting at the end of August.

Foster said he believes Bowles is the foundation of Strawberry Moon. Wherever she goes, the band still exists. “This kind of feels like it’s own thing,” Bowles said. “I don’t know if Strawberry Moon would morph into something else, or if I should just give it a new name.”

Listen to Strawberry Moon’s newest album on their bandcamp.

Music Sponsored By Graduate Richmond

Richmond’s Newest Collaboration Brings the Conflict and Fury

Daniel Berti | June 26, 2018

Topics: Drake, hip hop, Ill Bill, metal, Nickelus F, punk, rap, richmond, RVA, Vinyl Conflict

Vinyl Conflict record shop has announced that Nickelus F’s new album, Stuck, will be released on the shop’s locals-only label, Vinyl Conflict Records, later this summer with an edition of 500 copies. The album was originally released on AGM on May 11 as a digital-only release.

Vinyl Conflict is known throughout the region for its selection of punk, metal, and hardcore records. Bobby Egger, owner and operator of Vinyl Conflict, started the locals-only imprint almost a decade ago to showcase punk and hardcore groups from Richmond. Nickelus F will be the first hip-hop artist on the label.

“[Bobby] reached out to me and asked about you know, would I be interested in having it on vinyl,” said Nickelus F, “I said, ‘fuck yeah.’ Damn right I want to have it on vinyl.”

Nickelus F is a prolific underground hip hop artist who has been releasing music in Richmond since the mid 2000s. He was known early on for his appearances on BET’s 106 & Park “Freestyle Friday” and for his guest spots on several Drake songs. In 2011 he collaborated with Ohbliv for the mixtape Yellow Gold, and in 2015 he released Trick Dice with Lil Ugly Mane. He produces and writes records at a fast pace, and has released a solo album every year for the last three years.

DIY punk labels and hip hop artists have been collaborating more often in recent years, and there is history between the two genres that dates back to the early 90s when Public Enemy and Anthrax teamed up on “Bring the Noise”.

More recently, Brooklyn rapper Ill Bill recently released a split single with Ghoul on Tankcrimes records, and Austin punk label 540 Records has released several hip hop records now, but the underground punk and hip hop scenes in Richmond have not yet crossed paths, which makes this release a unique event. Nickelus F, already a fan of punk and metal in the city, sees plenty of similarities between the two genres.

“I think the underground nature of my music, the rawness of it, and the attitude of it, is very punk and very rock,” said Nickelus F. “I feel like people identify with that about my music. I like the punk rock way of doing things, I like the grind of it all.”

DIY punk labels like Vinyl Conflict don’t operate like major labels. Short runs of vinyl releases are produced without a contract between the label and the artist, and the artist receives a portion of the copies to sell on their own at concerts.

“The thing that’s dope about the way that Vinyl Conflict runs is that, its like, you get on the grind and you do this,” he said. “Like, we’ll give you these records whatever, its up to you to sell them though, its up to you to get out there and rock these shows and make people want to buy this shit. And that’s always been my mindset going into things anyway.”

The Richmond hip hop scene has been growing in recent years, and there are now more events and open mics than there used to be in the city. Monthly events like RVA Lyricists Lounge are helping bring people together in the community, and the gathering has become a place where young, aspiring rappers can cut their teeth.

“We went through some really really dark times out here,” said Nickelus F. “I think we’re raising the integrity of the art that comes out from the city when it comes to hip hop artists.”

Egger is excited for the upcoming release Vinyl Conflict records, and has several other hip hop releases planned for the near future. He was surprised to learn that Nickelus F was dialed into the punk scene well before they agreed to do the record, and that his favorite local metal band is Cough.

Nickelus F said that he’s never been to a Richmond metal show, but that it’s something he wants to do this year.

“I like the hardcore shit, I like death metal, I like sludge metal, I like the shit rugged and raw,” he said.

Nickelus F and Lil Ugly Mane are going on a short tour at the beginning of August, and will be playing Vinyl Conflict’s Customer Appreciation Day concert on August 25 alongside hardcore punk bands Bib, Nosebleed, Deviant, and Slump.

Music Sponsored By Graduate Richmond

Young Scum: Perfecting their Sound among the Meta-Chaos

Daniel Berti | June 21, 2018

Topics: indie rock, party, richmond, rock and roll, RVA, Twee, Young Scum

Richmond twee band Young Scum are preparing for the release of their debut self-titled LP on Citrus City Records and Spanish label Pretty Olivia Records in July after some hectic recording sessions earlier this year. Citrus City is releasing a cassette-only version of the album, while Pretty Olivia will be issuing the record on vinyl in Europe. The band has been writing and releasing music for almost five years and this release is their most complete recording to date.

“I don’t think production-wise we really did anything that different, we just got better at playing and writing together,” said bassist Brian Dove. “I think the style has changed slightly, but we’ve matured a little bit.”

Vocalist and rhythm guitarist Chris Smith said that the new LP is a continuation of their previous EP, Zona, which was also released in 2015 on Citrus City and Pretty Olivia records.

“We didn’t do anything wacky,” Smith said about the new LP. “The songs are a little more fleshed out than Zona. They sound pretty similar, but they’re more lush.”

The band initially recorded their new material with Tim Falen at his studio in Northside over the course of one weekend last winter. Yet after listening to the takes they realized they rushed the recording and decided to redo the lead guitar parts with their friend Mitch Clem – who ended up mixing and mastering the record.

The style that Young Scum have been mining over the last half-decade is rooted in 80’s jangle pop like Television Personalities, The Wedding Present, and Teenage Fanclub, but Smith’s songwriting makes the band more than just a retrospective. He writes songs with straightforward and honest lyrics that are relatable to twenty-somethings who are trying to find a balanced lifestyle amidst the meta-chaos of the today’s cultural climate.

Smith said that he likes to write about the mundane struggles of life, like having bad jobs or bad life experiences. And while many lyricists tend to obscure what they are saying, either mumbling their lyrics or burying them beneath reverb, Smith’s vocals are high in the mix, a candid approach to writing and recording lyrics that is reminiscent of Belle and Sebastian or The Smiths.

“It’s hard to open up, but that’s one of the joys of being a performer,” he said.

Smith and the rest of the band said that aside from the lyrical content, their primary focus is writing catchy pop songs. The first song on the new record, “Wasting Time,” doesn’t disappoint. Lead guitarist Ben Medcalf opens the song with a Byrds-esque lead before the rest of the band falls in, and Smith’s bittersweet lyrics undercut the energetic bounce of the dueling guitars.

“We didn’t want to do anything super ambitious,” said Smith. “We just wanted to make good pop songs.”

Young Scum plans to tour on the new record later this year, and although the record is being pressed in Europe, they don’t have any immediate plans to tour there yet. You can catch them live at their record release show on Friday, July 6 at Hardywood Brewery.

Cover Photo from Young Scum Facebook.

Vespa Invasion! Italian Vintage meets Richmond Grime

John Donegan | June 9, 2018

Topics: AmeriVespa, richmond, Richmond International Raceway, RVA, Scooter, Vespa

RVA Mag traveled out to Richmond International Raceway to check out this year’s annual AmeriVespa held here in the River City. The event, sponsored by the National Vespa Club of America and Richmond’s own 7 Hills Scooter Club, featured moto-enthusiasts from across the globe and yes, every kind of Vespa imaginable. The end result of this merry moto event was spot on.

Arriving early, we found hundreds of Vespas and scooters had already begun their morning warm-up laps around a makeshift track before the day’s activities kicked off.

Thought as a lost art unique to a vintage Italian tradition and Hepburn’s comical ride in Roman Holiday, the event brought people from all ages and walks of life; many showcasing their rides with classic fits, customized bike designs, and gnarly club patches from the scattered locations they call home. Thanks to the low cost of entry, perfect for any swarthy two-wheel utilitarian, what started in 1946 as a symbol of post-war peace would become one of the trendiest two-wheelers in history.

Put another way: This weekend, Italian vintage mixed with Richmond grime and the end result was rad.

RVA Mag spoke to the Vice President of the National Vespa Club of America, Jeff Lewis, to see how the event managed to come together in Richmond. “I think the biggest difference between a Vespa club and a [Chevy] Corvette club is that Vespa clubs don’t tend to be exclusive,” Lewis said. “Plus other clubs tend to be less slapstick, less fun. I want to come to an event and party, not have to worry about stepping on as many toes.”

VP of the National Vespa Club of America, Jeff Lewis

Asked why an event that usually takes place on the West Coast decided to come to Virginia this year, Lewis said, “We operate on a bidding system, and Richmond, particularly Seven Hills Club here in Richmond, made their presence known.” The successful bid coincided with a desire to hold this year’s event on the East Coast, he said, adding that the planning “was exceptional…the local clubs have gone out of their way to make this a breeze.”

The highlight event – one dating back to its Italian roots – was Gymkhana, or scooter games, which were held in the main pavilion. Although we were skeptical, the scooter drivers – with some much-needed sponsorship by Belle Isle Moonshine – got down and dirty with the carnage. “Gymkhanas are obstacle courses, usually with the older vintage style bikes, because they are a little bit more rugged and they have better ground clearance. Newer bikes would get trashed on the same course,” Lewis said.

The event began as two preliminary qualifying races that would lead up to an ultimate matchup of competing Vespas and scooters, and the ensuing mayhem whipped a torrent of excitement from the crowd. The debris was impressive and fitting, as the riders were made to scarf down biscuits and slam PBR amidst the ensuing dust storm that overtook the arena.

Though obviously excited for the obstacle event, Lewis was quick to remark that the true main event was the headliner and the most intense race you’d never expect. “It’s the slow race,” he said, “How slow can you get from point A to point B while balancing on the bike? It’ll be intense.” Surely enough, this race was not for the faint of heart, although a contest at this speed meant a single ill-timed blink wouldn’t lead to missing the race.

There were gorgeous bikes and warm faces gathered all across the raceway, all under a sunny weekend at the race track. Spills were met with applause and rivalries were all in good taste. Lewis assured us that the award ceremony on Sunday would have a range of awards, from raddest bikes to longest commute for participants. “We actually had a guy last year that circumvented the United States,” he said. A tradition that may have started in Europe continues on in a uniquely American atmosphere – an experience of its own that might put any other form of transportation to shame.

With over 16 million in use, it’s surprising these bikes remain relegated to a sub-culture within their respective clubs. Vespas are a design that exudes vintage Italian charm, but also a statement of self-expression that is a canvas taken to every bike. Gnarly.

Some of the best photos from AmeriVespa can be found below:

Photos by Landon Shroder