RVAMAG
@rvamag.bsky.social
Local culture since 2005 • RVA • Richmond, Virginia #rvamag
@rvamag
Find our stories here: https://linktr.ee/Rvamag
@rvamag
Find our stories here: https://linktr.ee/Rvamag
Tons of releases on this oh-so sweet Valentines weekend. There’s a whole lot to see this weekend so find some time between fancy dinners and champagne drenched nights to go see something.
Got a show coming up? New single? Simply want someone to talk music? Hit me up at griffin@rvamag.com.
Got a show coming up? New single? Simply want someone to talk music? Hit me up at griffin@rvamag.com.
Richmond Live Music | Receiver, TV Battle Stations, Bumpin Uglies & More
Looking for live music in Richmond this Valentine’s weekend? From Receiver’s EP release at The Camel to Mdou Moctar’s solo set, Bumpin Uglies at The Broadberry, and new local releases, here’s your gui...
rvamag.com
February 12, 2026 at 7:02 PM
Tons of releases on this oh-so sweet Valentines weekend. There’s a whole lot to see this weekend so find some time between fancy dinners and champagne drenched nights to go see something.
Got a show coming up? New single? Simply want someone to talk music? Hit me up at griffin@rvamag.com.
Got a show coming up? New single? Simply want someone to talk music? Hit me up at griffin@rvamag.com.
For years, Virginia has allowed community service to count toward court fines and fees. Individuals can log approved volunteer hours and reduce the debt tied to a conviction.
Work performed while incarcerated has not been treated the same way.
Work performed while incarcerated has not been treated the same way.
Prison Work And Court Fines: A Reform Proposal For Virginia
A Virginia bill would allow work performed while incarcerated to count toward court fines and fees. House Bill 16, introduced by Del. Cia Price, has passed the House and now heads to the Senate. Suppo...
rvamag.com
February 12, 2026 at 6:57 PM
For years, Virginia has allowed community service to count toward court fines and fees. Individuals can log approved volunteer hours and reduce the debt tied to a conviction.
Work performed while incarcerated has not been treated the same way.
Work performed while incarcerated has not been treated the same way.
Before headlining the Southern Gothic show at Ember Music Hall in mid January, RVA Mag was able to sit down with Deli Girls to discuss their current mindset, creative inspirations, and the New York punk scene.
Three People, One Volume: The Deli Girls interview
New York noise-punk trio Deli Girls sit down with RVA Mag ahead of their Southern Gothic show at Ember Music Hall to discuss their new record, protest performances outside ICE, genre-bending influence...
rvamag.com
February 12, 2026 at 6:46 PM
Before headlining the Southern Gothic show at Ember Music Hall in mid January, RVA Mag was able to sit down with Deli Girls to discuss their current mindset, creative inspirations, and the New York punk scene.
The bill’s original patron, State Senator Aaron R. Aird, said the amendments moved the proposal in the opposite direction of earlier goals to address racial disparities in marijuana arrests and to expand opportunities for people with prior cannabis convictions. “It takes us backwards,” Aird said.
As Virginia Legalizes Cannabis, New Penalties Spark Backlash
Virginia’s push to legalize cannabis enters a critical phase as lawmakers debate amendments to SB542. While aiming to create a licensed retail market, critics argue the changes risk recriminalizing ma...
rvamag.com
February 10, 2026 at 4:14 PM
The bill’s original patron, State Senator Aaron R. Aird, said the amendments moved the proposal in the opposite direction of earlier goals to address racial disparities in marijuana arrests and to expand opportunities for people with prior cannabis convictions. “It takes us backwards,” Aird said.
The Virginia Right to Reproductive Freedom Amendment is a constitutional amendment that will be on the ballot November 3rd. This means you, the voters, get to decide if the Virginia constitution will be amended to establish the right to reproductive freedom.
Lizz Winstead Breaks Down Virginia’s New Abortion Bills and Grassroots Resistance
Abortion Access Front founder and Daily Show co-creator Lizz Winstead discusses Virginia’s upcoming abortion ballot amendment, the proposed Bubble Bill, and what it’s like organizing on the ground in ...
rvamag.com
February 10, 2026 at 4:01 PM
The Virginia Right to Reproductive Freedom Amendment is a constitutional amendment that will be on the ballot November 3rd. This means you, the voters, get to decide if the Virginia constitution will be amended to establish the right to reproductive freedom.
Straight edge, by definition, is a commitment not to consume drugs or alcohol. However, as a subculture of hardcore music, it works as a commitment to oneself and a rejection of the culture of drinking.
“By not smoking, drinking, or doing drugs, you’re being your own self,” said Blake Bailey.
“By not smoking, drinking, or doing drugs, you’re being your own self,” said Blake Bailey.
The Next Generation of Richmond Straight Edge
What does straight edge mean for college students today? This student-written feature explores Richmond’s hardcore scene, the history of straight edge, and why young musicians are rejecting drinking a...
rvamag.com
February 10, 2026 at 3:50 PM
Straight edge, by definition, is a commitment not to consume drugs or alcohol. However, as a subculture of hardcore music, it works as a commitment to oneself and a rejection of the culture of drinking.
“By not smoking, drinking, or doing drugs, you’re being your own self,” said Blake Bailey.
“By not smoking, drinking, or doing drugs, you’re being your own self,” said Blake Bailey.
When knitting and crochet come to mind, the image of your grandma and her friends gabbing to each other, their hands whittling away at a new scarf or sweater for you, might pop up. But today, you may find that craft store yarn aisles look closer to a college campus than a living facility.
Knit Against the Machine: How Gen Z Is Fighting Tech With Yarn
As Gen Z searches for relief from constant connectivity, knitting and crochet are seeing a resurgence. This student-reported feature explores how young fiber artists are using handmade crafts to slow ...
rvamag.com
February 10, 2026 at 3:46 PM
When knitting and crochet come to mind, the image of your grandma and her friends gabbing to each other, their hands whittling away at a new scarf or sweater for you, might pop up. But today, you may find that craft store yarn aisles look closer to a college campus than a living facility.
Record stores have always been more than retail. People go in saying they’re just browsing, but that’s rarely the whole story.
That’s why Plan 9 Music makes sense as the setting for Love & Vinyl, a site-specific romantic comedy by playwright Bob Bartlett, produced by Cadence Theatre Company.
That’s why Plan 9 Music makes sense as the setting for Love & Vinyl, a site-specific romantic comedy by playwright Bob Bartlett, produced by Cadence Theatre Company.
'Love & Vinyl' Is a Rom-Com Set and Staged Inside Plan 9
Love & Vinyl brings site-specific theatre to Plan 9 Music Center as Cadence Theatre Company stages Bob Bartlett’s romantic comedy inside Richmond’s iconic record store. Set among the bins and turntabl...
rvamag.com
February 6, 2026 at 4:14 PM
Record stores have always been more than retail. People go in saying they’re just browsing, but that’s rarely the whole story.
That’s why Plan 9 Music makes sense as the setting for Love & Vinyl, a site-specific romantic comedy by playwright Bob Bartlett, produced by Cadence Theatre Company.
That’s why Plan 9 Music makes sense as the setting for Love & Vinyl, a site-specific romantic comedy by playwright Bob Bartlett, produced by Cadence Theatre Company.
Another cold week in RVA, luckily we have some warm shows coming up. Got some big names and familiar faces that we have not seen in quite a while, I was more than stoked to see some of these names on some of these bills.
Richmond Live Music | The Wombats, Mighty Joshua, The Knee Hi’s & More
A cold week in Richmond heats up with standout live shows at The National, The Broadberry, and The Camel. From The Wombats and The Mitras to reggae, garage rock, and local favorites, plus new music fr...
rvamag.com
February 5, 2026 at 7:13 PM
Another cold week in RVA, luckily we have some warm shows coming up. Got some big names and familiar faces that we have not seen in quite a while, I was more than stoked to see some of these names on some of these bills.
Market of the Beast is a dark market for all the weirdos and occult lovers who have a bit of a funny bone in them and it’s coming to Richmond Feb 7th, 2026.
We chatted with founder Heather Loop about why she started the market and what you can expect from a market of darkness.
We chatted with founder Heather Loop about why she started the market and what you can expect from a market of darkness.
Find Your Dark Art at 'Market of the Beast' Richmond
Market of the Beast returns to Richmond on Feb. 7, 2026, bringing taxidermy, bone jewelry, occult art, and ethically sourced oddities to The Workshop. We talked with founder Heather Loop about the mar...
rvamag.com
February 5, 2026 at 7:04 PM
Market of the Beast is a dark market for all the weirdos and occult lovers who have a bit of a funny bone in them and it’s coming to Richmond Feb 7th, 2026.
We chatted with founder Heather Loop about why she started the market and what you can expect from a market of darkness.
We chatted with founder Heather Loop about why she started the market and what you can expect from a market of darkness.
Their Science on Tap series has become one of the more reliable adult-only events in Richmond, turning the museum into a space for hands-on exhibits, themed programming, and drinks after hours. The upcoming Science on Tap: Neon Night Saturday February 7th from 6-10 p.m builds on that momentum.
Science on Tap Goes Neon at the Science Museum of Virginia
Science on Tap NEON transforms the Science Museum of Virginia into an adults-only night out with neon lights, laser tag, DJs, food trucks, and hands-on exhibits. The popular after-hours series blends ...
rvamag.com
February 1, 2026 at 10:14 PM
Their Science on Tap series has become one of the more reliable adult-only events in Richmond, turning the museum into a space for hands-on exhibits, themed programming, and drinks after hours. The upcoming Science on Tap: Neon Night Saturday February 7th from 6-10 p.m builds on that momentum.
On January 28, a crowd of over 500 people filled the Hanover County Administration Building to hear the Board of Supervisors’ position on a proposed ICE detention facility on a 43-acre property in the county.
A Report from the Hanover Protest Against a Proposed ICE Detention Facility
More than 500 people packed a Hanover County Board of Supervisors meeting to oppose a proposed ICE detention facility. While county officials expressed concerns over local impacts, they acknowledged l...
rvamag.com
January 30, 2026 at 5:32 PM
On January 28, a crowd of over 500 people filled the Hanover County Administration Building to hear the Board of Supervisors’ position on a proposed ICE detention facility on a 43-acre property in the county.
Shovel your way to one of these gigs ‘cause I am sure you are also stir crazy from our time snowed in. Got a whole bunch of locals releasing a whole bunch of great stuff this week.
Got a show coming up? New single? Simply want someone to talk music? Hit me up at griffin@rvamag.com.
Got a show coming up? New single? Simply want someone to talk music? Hit me up at griffin@rvamag.com.
Richmond Live Music | House and Home, White Beast, The Wayward Leaves, Artschool & More
Snowed in and stir crazy? Here’s your guide to Richmond live music this week, featuring House and Home at The Canal Club, White Beast’s benefit show at Banditos, and folk and indie favorites at The Ca...
rvamag.com
January 29, 2026 at 8:10 PM
Shovel your way to one of these gigs ‘cause I am sure you are also stir crazy from our time snowed in. Got a whole bunch of locals releasing a whole bunch of great stuff this week.
Got a show coming up? New single? Simply want someone to talk music? Hit me up at griffin@rvamag.com.
Got a show coming up? New single? Simply want someone to talk music? Hit me up at griffin@rvamag.com.
The first scheduled action is a community rally tonight, January 28, ahead of the Hanover County Board of Supervisors meeting. The protest will begin at 5 p.m. outside the county complex at 7516 County Complex Road, ahead of the board’s 6 p.m. session.
From Hanover to Student Walkouts to No Kings, Anti-ICE Protests Take Shape Across Virginia
A series of protests opposing ICE and federal immigration enforcement are planned across Central Virginia, including a Hanover County rally, a Chesterfield student walkout, and national No Kings organ...
rvamag.com
January 28, 2026 at 4:36 PM
The first scheduled action is a community rally tonight, January 28, ahead of the Hanover County Board of Supervisors meeting. The protest will begin at 5 p.m. outside the county complex at 7516 County Complex Road, ahead of the board’s 6 p.m. session.
The Buddhist monks participating in the Walk for Peace, a 2,300 mile walking pilgrimage across the United States, crossed into Virginia on January 28, marking Day 95 of their journey
Buddhist Monks Enter Virginia on Walk for Peace, Richmond Ahead
The Walk for Peace, a 2,300 mile Buddhist walking pilgrimage across the U.S., has crossed into Virginia and is moving toward Richmond. The monks promote peace, mindfulness, and compassion as part of a...
rvamag.com
January 28, 2026 at 2:30 PM
The Buddhist monks participating in the Walk for Peace, a 2,300 mile walking pilgrimage across the United States, crossed into Virginia on January 28, marking Day 95 of their journey
He is better known as S.A. Cosby, the author of internationally celebrated, gritty crime novels that have found themselves on The New York Times Best Seller list.
And he’s from Matthews, Virginia.
And he’s from Matthews, Virginia.
The Natural | NYT Bestseller S.A. Cosby on Writing, Survival, and Virginia
A personal, longform conversation with S.A. Cosby exploring writing as labor, working-class Virginia roots, and the power of storytelling. From cigarettes and kitchens to bestsellers and billboards, t...
rvamag.com
January 27, 2026 at 6:18 PM
He is better known as S.A. Cosby, the author of internationally celebrated, gritty crime novels that have found themselves on The New York Times Best Seller list.
And he’s from Matthews, Virginia.
And he’s from Matthews, Virginia.
College students all over Richmond and beyond are choosing to shop smarter, more affordably, and more environmentally consciously. Thrifting is not only a hobby; it is a culture that many young adults are turning to instead of fast fashion.
How Richmond College Students Fit Into the Growing Thrift Economy
As the U.S. secondhand market continues to grow, thrifting has taken hold in Richmond in distinct ways. This student-reported feature explores how affordability, sustainability, and community shape se...
rvamag.com
January 27, 2026 at 6:12 PM
College students all over Richmond and beyond are choosing to shop smarter, more affordably, and more environmentally consciously. Thrifting is not only a hobby; it is a culture that many young adults are turning to instead of fast fashion.
From my six-year activism experience, it’s my belief that Virginia’s Cannabis Control Board, which represents five marijuana medical licensees, will not be happy until all cannabis products, hemp included, are under their purview.
Op-Ed | Virginia Hemp Farmers Stuck Between Marijuana and Big Government
, hemp regulation Virginia, VDACS hemp enforcement, THC milligrams vs percent, hemp farmers Virginia, federal hemp ban, SB903 Virginia hemp, hemp compliance testing, cannabis control board Virginia, l...
rvamag.com
January 27, 2026 at 6:04 PM
From my six-year activism experience, it’s my belief that Virginia’s Cannabis Control Board, which represents five marijuana medical licensees, will not be happy until all cannabis products, hemp included, are under their purview.
A Sunday series from RVA Magazine featuring writers from Richmond and Virginia
Atmospheric Dread by Richmond writer Ann Marie reflects on recent events in Minneapolis and across the U.S., and how they reverberate locally.
Atmospheric Dread by Richmond writer Ann Marie reflects on recent events in Minneapolis and across the U.S., and how they reverberate locally.
Writer's Block | Atmospheric Dread by Ann Marie
In Atmospheric Dread, Richmond-based writer Ann Marie reflects on fear, authority, and disorientation in contemporary America. Through stark imagery and quiet urgency, the poem captures the emotional ...
rvamag.com
January 25, 2026 at 6:30 PM
A Sunday series from RVA Magazine featuring writers from Richmond and Virginia
Atmospheric Dread by Richmond writer Ann Marie reflects on recent events in Minneapolis and across the U.S., and how they reverberate locally.
Atmospheric Dread by Richmond writer Ann Marie reflects on recent events in Minneapolis and across the U.S., and how they reverberate locally.
Governor Abigail Spanberger has said she wants to protect Virginians from harmful federal overreach. If that is true, this is a moment to prove it.
ICE is Knocking on Richmond’s Door. Are We Going to Let Them In?
A proposed ICE detention facility near Ashland would bring large-scale federal immigration enforcement to Richmond’s doorstep. With the sale not yet finalized, Governor Abigail Spanberger faces an ear...
rvamag.com
January 23, 2026 at 9:26 PM
Governor Abigail Spanberger has said she wants to protect Virginians from harmful federal overreach. If that is true, this is a moment to prove it.
Join us for Salon de Résistance on January 29th at Black Iris for a conversation about the national crisis with three of Virginia’s Congressional candidates.
This is a free event open to the public.
This is a free event open to the public.
Salon de Résistance | Candidate War Room
Virginia candidates join Salon de Résistance to break down the first political crises of 2026 and what it means for midterm elections.
rvamag.com
January 23, 2026 at 7:20 PM
Join us for Salon de Résistance on January 29th at Black Iris for a conversation about the national crisis with three of Virginia’s Congressional candidates.
This is a free event open to the public.
This is a free event open to the public.
Fast forward to now, with major snow and ice in the forecast this weekend, the rush is on.
That is why, when I stopped by Lombardy Market for a snack yesterday, I decided to ask co-owner John Watkinson what snow days actually look like from his side of the counter.
That is why, when I stopped by Lombardy Market for a snack yesterday, I decided to ask co-owner John Watkinson what snow days actually look like from his side of the counter.
Snow Law, Beer Runs, and a Market That Never Closed
As snow and ice approach Richmond, Lombardy Market owner John Watkinson reflects on decades of storms, neighborhood panic-buying, and why local markets still matter. Open since 1981, Lombardy has neve...
rvamag.com
January 22, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Fast forward to now, with major snow and ice in the forecast this weekend, the rush is on.
That is why, when I stopped by Lombardy Market for a snack yesterday, I decided to ask co-owner John Watkinson what snow days actually look like from his side of the counter.
That is why, when I stopped by Lombardy Market for a snack yesterday, I decided to ask co-owner John Watkinson what snow days actually look like from his side of the counter.
As the new year rolls in, familiar faces return and new, ambitious acts step forward. All of it feels alive in RVA. This week, we’re looking at local heroes, rising up-and-comers, and the Richmond staples that keep the scene grounded.
Richmond Live Music Picks | Butcher Brown, Nate Smith, Plunky, Division of Mind, Congress the Band & More
A look at a packed week of live music in Richmond, featuring hometown jazz heroes Butcher Brown, Nate Smith, and Plunky at The National, crushing hardcore at The Camel, rising indie and country acts a...
rvamag.com
January 22, 2026 at 5:51 PM
As the new year rolls in, familiar faces return and new, ambitious acts step forward. All of it feels alive in RVA. This week, we’re looking at local heroes, rising up-and-comers, and the Richmond staples that keep the scene grounded.
Virginia’s liquor laws are outdated. That’s a starting point.
Now lawmakers are seriously considering lowering that threshold to 30 percent, and for once, this doesn’t feel like another doomed Richmond exercise in talking past itself. This one might actually happen.
Now lawmakers are seriously considering lowering that threshold to 30 percent, and for once, this doesn’t feel like another doomed Richmond exercise in talking past itself. This one might actually happen.
Opinion | Virginia’s Liquor Laws Were Always Weird. Change Is Coming
Virginia’s long-standing food-to-alcohol sales ratio may finally change, not because lawmakers got brave, but because resistance faded. As industry groups shift positions and younger generations drink...
rvamag.com
January 21, 2026 at 5:49 PM
Virginia’s liquor laws are outdated. That’s a starting point.
Now lawmakers are seriously considering lowering that threshold to 30 percent, and for once, this doesn’t feel like another doomed Richmond exercise in talking past itself. This one might actually happen.
Now lawmakers are seriously considering lowering that threshold to 30 percent, and for once, this doesn’t feel like another doomed Richmond exercise in talking past itself. This one might actually happen.
We’re barely three weeks into 2026, and the pace of political upheaval in the United States has been relentless and with real consequences.
Opinion | Wake Up, America: Why We Can’t Keep Normalizing This
This opinion analysis examines the normalization of authoritarian rhetoric and symbolism during the early weeks of President Trump’s second term, connecting national trends to Virginia politics. Frame...
rvamag.com
January 20, 2026 at 3:36 PM
We’re barely three weeks into 2026, and the pace of political upheaval in the United States has been relentless and with real consequences.