Culture

Richmond’s New Allianz Amphitheater’s Summer Lineup

City lights flicker and reflect off the James as rolling rhythms echo across Downtown Richmond in twilight harmony. This is the concert experience at Richmond’s new Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront—a 7,500-capacity waterfront venue that opened in June. Big names are lining up, and tickets are flying—Dave Matthews Band’s shows sold out in hours (don’t worry, […]

by Hope Cartwright

Building an Art Collection with Soul and Intention

Early memories shape the art we gravitate toward. That could be a walk through the Met on a childhood trip to New York. Perhaps it’s the illustrations from a favorite children’s book or a certain angle in your bedroom that stretched your understanding of color and light as the hours and seasons evolved. For Page […]

by Heather Bien

AI Tools Are Here to Stay

Are you someone who thinks AI is just a fad? If the answer is yes, experts like Walid Saad, electrical and computer engineering professor and artificial intelligence expert at Virginia Tech, suggest you reconsider. Saad likens AI today to the Internet of the 1990s: “Its adoption will be inevitable, and we should be well-informed in […]

by Madeline Mayhood

For a New Year’s Resolution, Capture Kismet

By Clare Osdene Schapiro | Illustration by Anna Godeassi What advice do you have for me?” a young friend recently asked over tea. Finished with college and starting out in her first job, she’s very responsible, clever, and has always been sensible and conscientious. At her age, I wasn’t any of those things. Nonetheless, I […]

by Staff

Virginia Ranks Best in Business, Lifestyle, and More

National publications, studies, and ranking lists agree: Virginia is for lovers—and winners. Here’s a look into several ways Virginia topped the charts in 2024: Our creative capital city CNN Travel crowned Richmond as America’s best town to visit in 2024 for its rich arts, culture, and history, plus a great food and beverage scene. Our […]

by Hope Cartwright

Polar Plunge Virginia: When, Where, and Record-Breaking Funds

Imagine this: a crowd of hundreds, outfitted in whacky, outrageous costumes—from Willy Wonka to Viking warriors—descends on the Atlantic Ocean in the middle of winter. Is it a movie scene? A convention? Hardly. In this case, the Virginia Beach oceanfront swarms with enthusiastic participants for the annual Polar Plunge benefiting Special Olympics of Virginia. The […]

by Hope Cartwright

A Quest to Map Virginia’s Lesser-Known Gray Fox

When you think “fox,” you might imagine your classic, straight-out-of-central-casting idea of fox: white chest and chin, russet body, white-tipped tail. Several fit the bill that I regularly encounter on early mornings in my wooded city neighborhood, nonchalantly angling their way across yards or trotting down the street. But Virginia has another fox you are […]

by caroline kettlewell

Matt Lively’s Murals are the Real Virginia Attractions

If you’ve driven around Richmond, you’ve probably spotted a few bees pedaling unicycles. No, not supernatural insects buzzing around the city. These beecycles are the creations of artist Matt Lively. Lively’s first love will always be sculpting, but his creative murals are all over Virginia—from Richmond to Norfolk, Loudoun, Petersburg, Gloucester, Sandston, and more. He […]

by Gabriela de Camargo Gonçalves

Celebrate Lunar New Year 2025 in Roanoke

The end of January marks the start of the Chinese Lunar New Year, with 2025 ushering in the Year of the Snake—scaly, sly, slithering, and ssssensational. Those born under this zodiac sign are celebrated for their intelligence, enigma, and intuition. At Taubman Museum of Art in Roanoke, the occasion is met with vibrant festivities. On […]

by Hope Cartwright

Lafayette’s Legacy in Virginia Reenacted

–By Katie Farthing He became a commissioned officer in the French army at 13 and married his teenage sweetheart just two years later. His betrothed, Marie Adrienne Françoise de Noailles, was just 14 at the time. His name was a mouthful, even by French standards—with eight names preceding his surname. Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert […]

by Staff

10 Chill-Busting Events

Warm up the season with these winter picks.

by Hope Cartwright

Talk with Author Jennifer Ackerman

In her New York Times best-selling books, Charlottesville resident, naturalist, and science writer Jennifer Ackerman delights readers with the latest research about bird behavior. Her newest release, What an Owl Knows (Penguin, 2024), introduces us to birds like the late Papa G’Ho, a rescue owl at the Wildlife Center of Virginia in Waynes- boro, who […]

by Larry Bleiberg

Secretariat is Home at Last and Cast in Bronze

People call Secretariat Virginia’s greatest athlete for good reason. The thoroughbred racehorse, foaled near Ashland at Meadow Stables, not only won the American Triple Crown in 1973 but set and still holds the record in all three of its races. Yet, until recently, all monuments dedicated to Big Red were found outside his home state. […]

by Hope Cartwright

Echoes of Valor

Amid the rolling hills of Virginia, a small town bears the heavy weight of history.

by Dawn Klavon

The Ultimate Romantic Playlist by VPM’s Mike Goldberg

—By Katie Farthing For the showtune aficionado, Classical Music Host and Producer at Virginia Public Media Mike Goldberg suggested giving these a listen: Richard Rodgers/Lorenz Hart: “My Funny Valentine” (from Babes In Arms)How can we leave this song out on such a special day? It’s simply about love—a beautiful song and lyrics. Richard Rodgers/Oscar Hammerstein […]

by Staff

Virginia’s Romance Books List

If you’re looking to embrace the rising book genre topping to-read lists nationwide, look no further than Virginia. Novel Grounds in Chesapeake is a romance reader’s treasure trove. Fiery fantasies of fairies, sea creatures, and far-off lands sit alongside tales of small-town sweethearts and star-crossed lovers bound by fate. Here, you’ll find BookTok favorites like […]

by Hope Cartwright

Made in Virginia Awards 2024: Style & Beauty

Mini Tool Bag Purse Werther Leather Goods – Norfolk $295, WertherLeatherGoods.com As a child, owner and leathersmith Derek Shaw found an old mason’s tool bag in his parents’ shed. “It was smelly, dirty, full of old hand tools, and I just loved it,” he says. Shaw’s own version of a tool bag is decidedly less […]

by Hope Cartwright

Behind the Scenes of Mamma Mia!

Meet the Virginia performers bringing ABBA’s classic to life during its 25th anniversary. A mother. A daughter. And three dads. Mamma Mia! is the ultimate feel-good musical. Set on a Greek island paradise, it tells the story of Sophie, who, on the eve of her wedding, brings three men from her mother’s past to find […]

by Gabriela de Camargo Gonçalves

App Ditches Public Dog Parks for Private Yards

SniffSpot found a solution for unruly ruffians of the canine variety—and their oblivious humans—who wreak havoc in public dog parks. A true community for dog owners, the app is a platform to access private dog parks hosted by locals, who agree that SniffSpot has surged in popularity for one main reason: safety. Catawba-based host Dawn […]

by Gabriela de Camargo Gonçalves

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Events

July 4, 2025

June – July @ Art Works!

Art Works

July 4, 2025

Fourth of July at Stratford Hall

Stratford Hall

July 4, 2025

Waitress at Virginia Repertory Theatre

Virginia Repertory Theatre

The U.S. DOE Labeled These Virginia Schools Outstanding

Eight Virginia schools received the National Blue Ribbon 2024 award for their high performances. The Exemplary High Performing Schools are Spring Hill Elementary in McLean, Green Run Collegiate in Virginia Beach, Bethel Manor Elementary in Hampton, and St. Andrew the Apostle School in Clifton. The Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools are Central Academy Middle […]

by Gabriela de Camargo Gonçalves

UVA Claims Top Spots Among Public Universities

The University of Virginia has climbed to No. 4 among public universities in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best Colleges rankings, advancing one position from last year. The university maintained its No. 24 overall ranking, tying with Emory and Georgetown universities. UVA’s commitment to accessibility and student success stands out in several key metrics. […]

by Madeline Mayhood

Can’t-Miss Spots in Shenandoah National Park

Shenandoah National Park offers breathtaking views, scenic trails, and diverse wildlife—the perfect prescription for nature lovers. Some spots to add to your itinerary include: This article originally appeared in the Best of Virginia 2025 issue.

by Stacy Watkins

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Richmond’s New Allianz Amphitheater’s Summer Lineup

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June – July @ Art Works!

Fourth of July at Stratford Hall

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The U.S. DOE Labeled These Virginia Schools Outstanding

UVA Claims Top Spots Among Public Universities

Can’t-Miss Spots in Shenandoah National Park

Culture

Richmond’s New Allianz Amphitheater’s Summer Lineup

Current Issue

Events

June – July @ Art Works!

Fourth of July at Stratford Hall

Waitress at Virginia Repertory Theatre

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The U.S. DOE Labeled These Virginia Schools Outstanding

UVA Claims Top Spots Among Public Universities

Can’t-Miss Spots in Shenandoah National Park

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