“It’s Only Drowning”

Fran Withrow 10.2025

Hollywood Cemetery

Fayeruz Regan 10.2025

 

Code Refresh

The divisiveness in America today rivals every other era in our history outside of that contentious decade that ended with the beginning of the Civil War. And here in Richmond, the former capital of the Confederacy, there is a veritable canyon dividing people over the adoption of a new code that would essentially rezone all 77,000 parcels of land that make up the city. Code Refresh, as it’s known, is an attempt to update zoning regulations so that they conform with Richmond 300, the city’s comprehensive plan adopted five years ago during Levar Stoney’s tenure as mayor. Some residents are worried that this new code, in one fell swoop, would rezone every square inch of the city and preclude input from the citizenry on zoning matters.

By Charles McGuigan 10.2025

 
 

Happening now in the community:

Kirana Stover Will Be Signing Her Book at Ginter Park Library

10.2025

Kirana Stover, who grew up in Bellevue, will be signing her book, “Mom’s in There,” at Antennae Gallery from 5 pm till 9 pm on October 24, and at the Ginter Park Library from 10:30 am till 11:30 am on November 8. 

“The book is about the months I spent with her (Kirana’s mother, Virginia Carpenter) while she was dying,” says the author. “It wound up being a Richmond story, and particularly a Bellevue story.”

 
 

Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys
Coming This Fall to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

This fall, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) welcomes the exciting exhibition Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys, an exploration of the profound and prolific contributions of Black artists to the field of contemporary art. Giants will be on view at VMFA in Richmond from November 22, 2025, through March 1, 2026.

Bellevue Blocktoberfest

10.2025

For what’s sure to become an annual event, Blocktoberfest hits the 1200 block of Bellevue Avenue from noon till 4 pm on Saturday, October 25. The commercial strip from Lamont to Brook Road will be closed to traffic that day.

It will be a full day of music, vendors, along with fine foods provided by Chef Andrew of Little House Green Grocery, Enoteca Sogno, Northside Grille and Up All Night Bakery.

 
 

The Branch's Haunted Open House

10.2025

On October 16, just as the last rays of sunlight drained out of the world, hundreds of costumed visitors wandered the cavernous halls of the Branch Museum for its annual Halloween Open House. Local artists and vendors sold their wares, Haunts of Richmond conducted ghost tours and told ghost stories, refreshments were served, and eerie music filtered through the air of this architectural marvel on Monument Avenue that rivals the House of Usher.

Northside Painters 7th Annual Holiday Sale

10.2025

On November 22 from 9 till 3 Studio Art 1229 will host the 7th the Northside Painters Holiday Sale. Students and student professionals will be exhibiting and selling their original works.

Every year, painters at the studio prepare their sale selections from the best of their paintings done that year. Cash or check only.

Studio Art 1229

1229 Bellevue Avenue

Richmond, VA 23227

 

Faith and Resilience: The Legacy of Black Catholics in Virginia

08.2025

This special exhibition—on view until November 29 — celebrates the deep-rooted faith and enduring strength of Black Catholics throughout Virginia’s history through personal stories, historical artifacts, and community reflections.

“Faith & Resilience” is presented by the Office for Black Catholics of the Catholic Diocese of Richmond and explores the unwavering resilience of Black Catholics in shaping their parishes and schools, highlighting how faith served as both a refuge and a force for empowerment, celebrating all those who helped nourish and sustain the faith of Black Catholics.

 

Antique Village Celebrates 54 Years

10.2025

Antique Village in Hanover County opened Thanksgiving Day 1971. It was the inspiration of the late W. N. “”Billy” Fulwider. Patterned after the antique malls in Pennsylvania, Antique Village was the first multi-dealer antiques and collectibles mall in Central Virginia. It continues to lead the way—54 years later—under the ownership of Joan Rucker and Manager Joe Lipscombe.

Monster Mash On MacArthur

10.2025

On October 19 hundreds attended Monster Mash on MacArthur at Once Upon A Vine. Treats and spirits and other refreshments were available at this event sponsored by the Bellevue Civic Association. There were crafts and games for the kids and costume contests for children and adults alike.

 

Monthly Music Lineup At Northside Grille

Here’s a monthly list of bands and events hosted by North side’s premier music venue— Northside Grille.

October 25, Hazeltones; October 26,  Roger Carroll; October 29,  Ramona Martinez; October 30,  Armisteads Army; October 31,  Halloween w/Brandon Wayne & His Lonesome Drifters; November 1,  Beex w/Itchy Hearts; November 2,  Mike Lucas; November 5,  RVA Song Swap; November 7,  Thee Old Night; November 8,  Stinking Lizaveta; November 14, Dead Billionaires; November 15, Flea Bops w/ Aaron & the Bowties; November 19, Markiss Blowfish; November 23, Kiss Boom Bah w/Katie & The Teardrops. 

Northside Grille

1217 Bellevue Avenue

Richmond, VA 23227

 

CVWMA Will Host Region's First Recycling Fair on October 18

10.2025

The Central Virginia Waste Management Authority will host a Recycling Fair and Circularity Celebration from 10 am till 3 pm on Saturday, October 18 in Richmond’s Northside at 2100 West Laburnum Avenue.

The fair will feature free drive-through recycling opportunities, such as electronics recycling, document shredding and used clothing drop-off.

Confluence: Latest Exhibition At the Branch Museum of Design

08.2025

Confluence, recent works by Kenny Nguyen, a Vietnamese-American artist, will be on display from September 10 through December 10 at The Branch Museum of Design.

Kenny grew up on a coconut farm in a rural area near the Mekong Delta in southern Vietnam. He worked as a fashion designer in his native country, and then in 2010 moved to the United States to join his family here. He gradually moved from fashion design to fine arts, earning a BFA in painting from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

 

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Hollywood Cemetery

By Fayeruz Regan

One Battle After Another

By Chris Stewart

Code Refresh

By Charles McGuigan