R. Anthony Harris

At 22, Mary File Clem helped create Richmond’s Fan Free Clinic, Virginia’s first free clinic and the organization now known as Health Brigade. Patience Salgado reflects on Clem’s legacy, the mutual aid movement that shaped the clinic and why Richmond still needs people willing to simply do the work.

After 16 years, Richmond’s Night Idea is still evolving. Joey Anderson, Reggie Pace and Reyna Pannell talk about the band’s changing sound, Richmond’s musical ecosystem, why musicians seem to love Night Idea and how a suspiciously short email landed them a spot at Iron Blossom.

Ahead of Iron Blossom, veteran promoter Ken Macdonald looks at how Richmond’s live music ecosystem has grown from small clubs and theaters to Brown’s Island, major festivals and the Allianz Amphitheater, creating more room for local artists to grow and national touring acts to play the city.

Richmond's Brown's Island is undergoing a $30 million renovation that will add permanent restrooms, drinking water, more shade and seating, a splash pad, improved accessibility and new landscaping. The island will temporarily reopen for the Richmond Folk Festival in October, with the full project expected to finish in early 2027.

Sixteen years after Studio Two Three began with borrowed equipment and restaurant tips, Ashley Hawkins and Kate Fowler talk about building creative community in Richmond, rising costs, VCU, activism, social media conflict, radical trust and what it takes to keep an independent arts organization alive.

Richmond’s old Grace Street helped shape the city’s food, music and creative culture. The Village, Edo’s Squid and 929 West Grace remain. With a new cultural heritage plan and VCU reshaping the corridor, RVA Magazine asks whether it’s time to officially recognize these places before another piece of Richmond history disappears.

Secret Walls brings its live art battles to Richmond for the Richmond Tattoo & Arts Convention, pitting tattoo artists against fine artists in two nights of head-to-head competition. CEO Kevin Collins talks about the group’s 20-year history, street art’s rise into the mainstream and why live art matters now.

Richmond Mayor Danny Avula is considering a Virginia-only alternative to Flock Safety's license plate cameras as the city prepares to end its contract in 2027. Police Chief Rick Edwards supports retaining the technology, while privacy concerns, past data-sharing violations and potential state legislation shape the debate over its future.

Richmond's Halloweek 2026 is here! From October 23–31, explore nine days of Halloween parties, live music, haunted houses, costume contests, the Richmond Zombie Walk, and the legendary All the Saints Halloween Parade in Oregon Hill. Your guide to getting weird, celebrating local traditions, and making the most of Halloween in RVA.

Christian Detres’ show The Roll Up invites four Richmond musicians into Sound of Music Studios, gets them stoned, hands them instruments, and hits record. We talked with Detres about the pilot, casting musicians who still smoke on camera, destigmatizing weed, and why every episode’s lineup becomes a band called The Roll Up.