On Monday in Monroe Park, protesters gathered to march to the Richmond office of U.S. Senator Tim Kaine. This demonstration occurred one week after the police raid on a protest for Palestine on the VCU campus just a block away. The march included a number of VCU students as well as Zaid Mahdwai. Mahdwai was arrested outside of a Kaine event at Quirk Hotel last month. Following his arrest, he received a text message from a Richmond Police officer asking him to take a break on taking part of protests.  The protesters presented an open letter for Senator Ka ..read more

In 1984, Steven Spielberg unleashed hell on the children of the world. Okay, maybe I’m overselling, but let’s keep it real: even though it somehow emerged as a family favorite, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom is seriously demented. I’d even go so far as to call it mean-spirited. It’s one thing to turn back the clock and see nudity in a classy PG film from the 60s or 70s. It’s another thing entirely to gather the family together for a trip down memory lane courtesy of a rip-roaring 80s adventure yarn with the same rating, only to watch one seriously scary dude rip another seriously scared ..read more

This coming Monday, the legendary punk rock force L7 will ignite the stage at Richmond’s Canal Club, marking their first electrifying return to the city in over two decades.  Formed on the sun-scorched streets of Los Angeles in 1985, L7 has cemented their legacy as unyielding champions of feminist punk rock. With their incendiary live performances, infectious guitar riffs, and a knack for confronting societal norms, L7 has galvanized fans and influenced a plethora of bands across the grunge, riot grrl, metal, pop, and punk landscapes globally. For the uninitiated, L7’s music has pulsated ..read more

I have fully adopted the mantle of theater nerd since I’ve been back in Richmond. I’ve always been one, but companies like Virginia Repertory Theatre and their satellite collaborations have really reignited a passion that started the first time I put on leggings and spoke in verse onstage—I was 12. I take opportunities to talk to the artists who direct the glow of our regional stage experience with a certain fanboy-ness that I hope isn’t too eye-roll-inducing to the reader. But these are the people with my favorite jobs, and I love getting to know them. Getting a preview of their upcoming seas ..read more

On Wednesday afternoon at 3:00pm in City Council Chambers, City Council will vote and approve the plan presented by the Mayor and Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to allow the city to issue $170 million in bonds to pay for the new baseball stadium on ten acres that will be surrounded by about 57 acres of new development built out over the next decade plus. Two years after kicking off the Diamond District process, the new plan announced a month ago was suddenly hailed as the fastest way to build a new stadium so Major League Baseball (MLB) doesn’t move the franchise for failing ..read more

“Okay, you people sit tight, hold the fort, and keep the home fires burning. And if we’re not back by dawn… call the president.” — Jack Burton on his way to battle the Chinese sorcerer David Lo Pan. Big Trouble in Little China is a perfect example of a movie that has aged better than any fine wine currently available on planet Earth. To make a totally relevant comparison, a bottle of Domaine de la Romanée—a fine vintage Burgundy—will retail for $72,000, while a ticket to watch Big Trouble with RVA Mag at the Byrd will only cost you a mere $9. That’s a cost savings of $71,991. Think about that ..read more

Led by the incomparable Ace Stallings, who cut his teeth in the hardcore realm with Break Away, Mutually Assured Destruction (M.A.D.) has carved out their own path in the metal landscape. Their latest offering, the 7″ record “Hexer,” is a testament to their evolution—a fusion of groove-laden metal tracks that showcase their unique blend of influences. In an exclusive interview with RVA Mag, Ace Stallings delves into the band’s journey from Break Away to Mutually Assured Destruction, shedding light on the creative process behind their music. From the early days of Break Away to the release of M ..read more

Right now is a good time to be a vaporwave fan. Gone are the days of rampant Floral Shoppe memes and obtuse criticisms of lazy production techniques. Some of the genre’s most prominent creators are putting out their best work and finding more mainstream success online and offline. More artists of every medium are tastefully incorporating the sound and aesthetic into their work. It’s especially good news for Richmond. Local midi maestro FM Skyline just released Images, his seventh LP and the first since 2021. Like the vaporwave scene at large, it occupies a much more optimistic, sunnier place w ..read more

It’s ramping up out here and it’s a wonderful thing to see. Friday Cheers is now officially in full swing, and this week Daniel Donato brings his cosmic country to Richmond, just as foreign punk bands electrify the Richmond Music Hall earlier in the week. Additionally, don’t miss the Ar-Kaics album release show at Get Tight Lounge. Dive into this issue for my take on Destructo Disk’s new cover and the latest track from an up-and-coming group in the Los Angeles underground scene. I’ve got it all for you and more on this week’s SOUND CHECK. Are you a band with new music, a listener with suggesti ..read more

We covered the country twang kickoff of Friday Cheers‘ new season on Brown’s Isle in Downtown Richmond and was treated to a truly magical evening. The event, captured through the lens of local photographer Noah Autry, featured stirring performances by Bella White and Colby T. Helms. Here’s a glimpse into the night with a selection of photographs to hold you over until next week. The post Under the Richmond Sky: Friday Cheers 2024 Kickoff Photos appeared first on RVA Mag ..read more