The Pulse of RVA
The Front Page
Discover Richmond events, arts and culture with The Cultural Current. Find things to do in RVA, including live music, festivals, arts, food and community events. Stay connected to the people and places shaping Greater Richmond culture.
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Richmond’s soul takes the stage for D’Angelo tribute
Richmond musicians who knew D’Angelo before his rise to fame will join artists carrying the city’s soul tradition forward at this year’s Richmond Folk Festival. “Soul of the City: Richmond Celebrates D’Angelo” brings together mentors, former collaborators and fellow performers whose backgrounds connect to the gospel, soul, funk and hip-hop that shaped his music. The…
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Rooted in Rhythm: Kadencia’s Afro-Puerto Rican Sound
Kadencia Orchestra brings the Afro-Puerto Rican traditions of Bomba and Plena from Mayagüez to RVA, where a father and son are carrying the music across generations and opening the tradition to a new community.
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Arts & Culture Community Community Events Community Events Concerts Concerts & Festivals Dance Events Festivals Galleries & Exhibitions Local Artists Performing Arts Visual Arts
Standing in the Shade of a 20-Year Tree: How the RVA East End Festival Transformed Arts Education in Richmond
Twenty years after a quiet crisis sparked a neighborhood arts revolution, the RVA East End Festival returns to Richmond’s historic 17th Street Market on September 26, 2026. Discover how two decades of community advocacy raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for public school arts programs, brought the Richmond Symphony and brass legends to Shockoe Bottom, and saw former students return as music educators leading the next generation.
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Arts & Culture Community Community Events Concerts Concerts & Festivals Events Festivals Live Shows Local Artists Music Performing Arts
Richmond Folk Festival 2026: Celebrating Global Traditions, Reinvented & Free
Returning to the downtown riverfront from October 9–11, 2026, the free Richmond Folk Festival proves that tradition is far from frozen in time. Across six dynamic stages on Brown’s Island, master artists—from Héctor “Coco” Barez’s electrified Puerto Rican bomba and the Chuck Brown Band’s 50th-anniversary go-go beats to Tradition-ILL’s Indigenous hip-hop/powwow fusion—boldly reinvent ancestral arts for a vibrant, modern celebration of global culture.
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Clement Town Road to close Oct. 19–20 for bridge work
A portion of Clement Town Road connecting Powhatan and Amelia counties will close during daytime hours Oct. 19 and 20 for bridge maintenance, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation. Weather permitting, the closure will run from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day on Route 681 between Old Buckingham Road in Powhatan County and…
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Richmond Folk Festival makes room for music, culture and community
A D’Angelo tribute and the Chuck Brown Band’s go-go set highlighted a Richmond Folk Festival that made room for music, cultural traditions and community.
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Richmond’s Desirée Roots returns to the music of Ella Fitzgerald
Richmond native Desirée Roots returns to Ella Fitzgerald’s music with Timeless Ella on November 10, bringing years of jazz, theatre and arts education experience to the Glen Allen stage.
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Virginia Union University has rewritten a piece of its athletic history.
Virginia Union captured its first CIAA men’s outdoor track championship since 1934, ending a 92-year drought and sending athletes on to the NCAA Division II Championships.
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Virginia State’s ‘College Hill’ Homecoming Brings ESPN, Music and Trojan Traditions to Petersburg
Virginia State University celebrates Homecoming Oct. 3–10 with ESPN’s First Take, concerts, a parade, alumni events, tailgating and Trojan football.
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The Community Sets the Stage for Swift Creek Mill’s Return
The community helped Swift Creek Mill surpass its $250,000 fundraising goal. Now the South Chesterfield theater is preparing for an Oct. 30 return, holiday performances and a new plan for its future.
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Virginia Union Homecoming Brings Panther Pride Back to Campus
Virginia Union University welcomes alumni back to campus Oct. 18–25 for Homecoming 2026, featuring Yard Fest, a step show, tailgating, football, music and more.
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ESPN’s First Take to Broadcast Live From Virginia State University During Homecoming
ESPN’s First Take will broadcast live from Virginia State University on Oct. 9 during VSU Homecoming, bringing Stephen A. Smith and Shae Cornette to campus as part of the show’s HBCU Tour.
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Gary Owen Brings the No Hard Feelings Tour to RVA
Comedian Gary Owen brings his No Hard Feelings Tour to Richmond’s Carpenter Theatre on Oct. 2, bringing more than two decades of stand-up, film and television experience to the stage.
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Weinstein JCC Announces 2026-2027 Arts + Ideas Season: Cultural Events & Highlights in Richmond
The cultural landscape of Richmond, VA, is set to be enriched and enlivened as the Weinstein JCC proudly unveils its much-anticipated 2026-2027 Arts + Ideas Season. This vibrant collection of events promises a captivating blend of performing arts, visual arts, film, culinary experiences, and compelling discussions, all designed to foster community and celebrate Jewish culture….
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Watching the Watchers: How a Small-Town Virginia Sheriff Sparked a Surveillance Firestorm
When a rural Virginia sheriff abruptly pulled the plug on his county’s Flock Safety camera network, it ignited a rare bipartisan revolt—putting surveillance programs across Richmond, Henrico, and Chesterfield directly in the crosshairs of a statewide privacy reckoning.
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Luck Stone’s 4th Annual Run the Rock 5K Rockville: Conquer the Quarry for Goochland Sheriff’s Foundation
Lace up for a one-of-a-kind adventure at Luck Stone’s fourth annual Run the Rock 5K on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at the Rockville Plant. Conquer challenging gravel terrain and take in stunning quarry views while enjoying a full morning of family-friendly entertainment, local food trucks, and kids’ activities—all to benefit the Goochland Sheriff’s Foundation.
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Beyond the Marble: Confronting the Contested Memory of George Washington at Virginia Museum of History and Culture
Historian John Garrison Marks visits the Virginia Museum of History & Culture on Sept. 24 to unpack two centuries of contested narratives surrounding George Washington, chattel slavery at Mount Vernon, and the ongoing fight by descendant communities to reshape American historical memory.
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Run Richmond 16.19: Cultural Run Through 400 Years of Black History in Richmond, VA
Run Richmond 16.19 marks its fifth-anniversary weekend with a transformative three-day convergence of distance running, living history, and community dialogue. Discover how moving through Richmond’s most historic corridors offers an immersive journey across 400 years of Black history and resilience.
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Richmond Comedy and Music Festival 2026: Laugh & Groove with Micah ‘Bam Bam’ White
Get ready to mark your calendars for an unforgettable evening of side-splitting laughter and soulful rhythms! The Richmond Comedy and Music Festival is returning in 2026, promising a vibrant celebration of entertainment that perfectly captures the spirit of Richmond events. This multi-disciplinary extravaganza brings together top-tier comedy and fantastic musical performances for a night out…
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Nunsense Musical in Glen Allen: Henrico Theatre Company Performances & Tickets
Get ready to laugh until your habits fall off! The beloved musical comedy, Nunsense, is set to kick off the…
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Threads of Hope: Inside Sisters Project Peru’s “Woven in Color” Exhibition
In the high-altitude Andean community of Huacahuasi, Peru, textiles are far more than vibrant adornments—they are living archives of history,…
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Event Spotlight: “Wildcards” Screening & Live Q&A with Wes Miller and Leon – Aug. 28 at 7 PM
Film enthusiasts and fans of sharp legal thrillers, mark your calendars for a premier cinematic evening in Central Virginia. On…
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The 9 Best Cocktail Bars in Richmond: The Ultimate Local Guide
Skip the tourist traps. From moody speakeasies to lush neighborhood hangouts, here is the ultimate countdown of the top 10 cocktail bars in RVA, curated by local consensus.
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Richmond Has a Clear BBQ Winner — And It’s Not ZZQ
We talked to Richmond locals to get the real, unfiltered scoop on the city’s best barbecue. From legendary hidden gems in Varina to polarizing craft giants in Scott’s Addition, here are the spots locals love—and the legacy names they say are no longer worth the trip.
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The New Architects: How Black Tech Founders Are Rewriting the Rules of Innovation
Forget the standard Silicon Valley echo chamber. A brilliant wave of Black tech founders is stepping up to the drawing board and rewriting the rules of innovation. By leveraging ethical AI, inclusive FinTech, and community-first design, these creators aren’t just building apps—they are shifting the global cultural and economic current.
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The Green Dominion: Inside Virginia’s High-Stakes Compromise to Finally Sell Legal Weed
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Virginia is finally escaping cannabis purgatory. Thanks to a high-stakes budget compromise, legal retail weed is officially coming to the Old Dominion on July 1, 2027. Here is your ultimate, no-jargon breakdown of the taxes, the licenses, the craft-grower victories, and what this massive cultural shift actually means for you. -
Building the Future: Chesterfield Celebrates Major Construction Milestone for West Ridge High School
Chesterfield County celebrates a major construction milestone for the state-of-the-art West Ridge High School. Discover how this modern facility, opening in August 2027, will shape local education, culture, and community growth.
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Juneteenth: A Dual Impact – Enhanced Awareness and the Shadow of Dilution
As Juneteenth transitions into a federal holiday, it brings vital national awareness to the delayed reality of emancipation—yet faces the growing threat of commercial dilution. This insightful analysis explores the delicate balance between celebrating a historic milestone and fighting to protect its authentic cultural legacy from corporate co-optation.
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Juneteenth 2026: Celebrations Across Richmond and Central Virginia
From festivals and historical tours to performances and community celebrations, organizations across the Richmond region are marking Juneteenth with events that honor Black history, culture, and freedom.
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Heat Advisory in effect Friday, June 12, 11 a.m.–8 p.m.
NWS Wakefield warns that heat index values may climb to 105°F Friday, raising the risk of heat illness across parts of Virginia and North Carolina.
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What’s in the water? What we know and don’t know about data center water discharge in Virginia
by Shannon Heckt, Virginia MercuryJune 1, 2026 Data centers require a massive amount of water to cool their systems, which…
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James River Association Warns Chesterfield Landfill Could Threaten Drinking Water Across Central Virginia
The James River Association is calling for urgent state intervention at the Shoosmith Landfill, warning that contamination risks and financial shortfalls could create a major environmental crisis affecting waterways, drinking water, and communities across the James River watershed.
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Richmond’s Russell Wilson Calls It a Career, Leaves Lasting Legacy On and Off the Field
From youth football fields in Richmond to a Super Bowl championship and 10 Pro Bowl selections, Russell Wilson’s retirement marks the end of one of the most accomplished careers ever produced by Central Virginia.
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Butcher Brown and Nicholas Payton Reimagine Jazz History on A Supreme Blue
Richmond collective Butcher Brown joins Nicholas Payton on A Supreme Blue, an ambitious reinterpretation of Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue and John Coltrane’s A Love Supreme that bridges jazz history and contemporary innovation.