Wednesday, September 23rd, 2026

Spectrum

To beet or not to beet at 22nd annual VegFest in RVA

September 23, 2026

Ariel Lebow, Contributing Writer Richmond will hold the 22nd annual VegFest on Sept. 26 at Byrd Park, offering a free community event for vegans, vegetarians and anyone interested in learning about plant-based diets. The festival will feature educational talks, live music, cooking demonstrations and more than 120 vendors offering prepared and fresh foods as well as non-food items.  Amanda Trenchard, lead coordinator of VegFest, found the festival while looking for ways to connect with the vegan community after her move to Richmond in 2019.  “You don’t have to just be vegan or vegetarian to go and enjoy vegan food or listen to music, have a good time with your friends on the weekend,” Trenchard said. While some vendors are fully vegan, many businesses are attending to highlight their plant-based options. The vegucation tent, a booth for education provided by registered nurses on vegan lifestyles and nutritional advice, will include seven different musical performances, according to Lynn Klanchar, entertainment coordinator for VegFest.  Klanchar has volunteered at VegFest for over five years, organizing its music and performances. “We want to have something for everybody, like Mary Moore and Høly River, two bands that are aligned with environmental issues,” Klanchar said. The event’s

Return to Renaissance: Virago Alley celebrates pre-industrial society

September 23, 2026

Wilder Rodriguez, Contributing Writer Virago Alley, the nonprofit responsible for Richmond’s first ever full-scale multicultural Renaissance faire, opened the doors to its first physical location on Sept. 4. The location is situated in Richmond’s arts district at 200 W. Marshall St. in Jackson Ward.  Regularly scheduled weekly classes offered include saber and longsword lessons on Saturdays and Renaissance Era fencing on Thursdays.  Beginning in October, Virago Alley will offer a wide variety of workshops including magic hat making on Oct. 18, book binding on Nov. 15 and Shaolin martial arts on Nov. 22.  Amanda Robinson, founder and artistic director of Virago Alley, said the original idea for a physical location came about to provide indoor space for historic martial arts groups, but quickly expanded into a broader celebration of pre-industrial society. She said the Renaissance faire acted as the main fundraising mechanism for the goals of the organization. Robinson said that the organization’s top priority is representing lost mediums. “Given this AI generated landscape, it’s very important to us to get back into working with our hands and remembering these tangible mediums,” Robinson said.  Robinson said that Virago Alley seeks to deconstruct the Eurocentric confines that many similar organizers of

Community picnic hosted by BornOutside

September 23, 2026

Sadie Porter, Contributing Writer BornOutside hosted a picnic in Monroe Park on Sept. 19, inviting everyone in the community to come as they are. The festival was a free event that combined culture and community while providing a space for creators, business owners and Richmonders to interact on a personal level. Events included a brunch, meditative practices such as sound bowls and yoga, an art show, a photo walk meetup, multiple DJ sets and a Night in Lagos themed fashion show.  Lado, a festival organizer, joined in the event because of his past creative projects and organization of community events. “I came here really trying to bring the aspects of what I bring to a party, except outside, and then make it a real community event where people, all types of people, can come out and enjoy themselves,” Lado said.  In troubling times, being outside with other humans who share similar interests makes a positive impact on the mind and body, Lado said.  “The biggest thing to me is community because Richmond has all types of people,” Lado said.  Lado said it is important to him to get out every once in a while and meet different people. He said

Iron Blossom Festival blooms for the fourth year

September 23, 2026

Elle Cota, Spectrum Editor Bare feet pressed into the grass as live music carried through the open skies of Midtown Green, where Iron Blossom Music Festival returned Sept. 19 to 20 for its fourth year as the final days of summer unfolded.  Blankets and inflatable couches filled the grass as people of all ages played, laughed, cheered, danced, talked and sang along to the music while frisbees and footballs were tossed across the field. Music drifted between the two stages: iron and blossom.  When the sun moved in and out of the clouds throughout the days, the crowd had grown larger as the day continued and headliners took the stage. This year’s festival headliners included LCD Soundsystem, Jack White and Richmond-based bands, Shera Shi and Night Idea. Over the two-day event, which began in 2023, people came together around the live music. For attendees Julie Slivka and Lauren Hennessy, the festival became a part of their yearly routine. The two have been best friends for 31 years and counting, starting their friendship right next door. They have attended the festival together for three consecutive years. Slivka and Hennessy’s plans for the festival began before the lineup was announced. They bought

To beet or not to beet at 22nd annual VegFest in RVA

Spectrum Editor September 23, 2026

Ariel Lebow, Contributing Writer Richmond will hold the 22nd annual VegFest on Sept. 26 at Byrd Park, offering a free community event for vegans, vegetarians and anyone interested in learning about plant-based diets. The festival will feature educational talks, live music, cooking demonstrations and more than 120 vendors offering prepared and fresh foods as well as non-food items.  Amanda Trenchard, lead coordinator of VegFest, found the festival while looking for ways to connect with the vegan community after her move to Richmond in 2019.  “You don’t have to just be vegan or vegetarian to go and enjoy vegan food or listen to music, have a good time with your friends on the weekend,” Trenchard said. While some vendors are fully vegan, many businesses are attending to highlight their plant-based options. The vegucation tent, a booth for education provided by registered nurses on vegan lifestyles and nutritional advice, will include seven different musical performances, according to Lynn Klanchar, entertainment coordinator for VegFest.  Klanchar has volunteered at VegFest for over five years, organizing its music and performances. “We want to have something for everybody, like Mary Moore and Høly River, two bands that are aligned with environmental issues,” Klanchar said. The event’s mission is to inform people on veggie-friendly options in the city and promote interest in a lifestyle focused on intentional cruelty-free eating, according to Klanchar. Jaq Wetter, assistant vendor coordinator at VegFest since 2025, also works as an event planner. “The most important part of VegFest is the ability to show people how approachable veganism actually is,” Wetter said. “You don’t need to learn all the ways to cook tofu right off the bat. It’s important to show people that vegan food is just food, food you’re already familiar with.”  More information about VegFest is available at the VegFest website.

To beet or not to beet at 22nd annual VegFest in RVA

September 23, 2026

Ariel Lebow, Contributing Writer Richmond will hold the 22nd annual VegFest on Sept. 26 at Byrd Park, offering a free community event for vegans, vegetarians and anyone interested in learning about plant-based diets. The festival will feature educational talks, live music, cooking demonstrations and more than 120 vendors offering prepared and fresh foods as well as non-food items.  Amanda Trenchard, lead coordinator of VegFest, found the festival while looking for ways to connect with the vegan community after her move to Richmond in 2019.  “You don’t have to just be vegan or vegetarian to go and enjoy vegan food or listen to music, have a good time with your friends on the weekend,” Trenchard said. While some vendors are fully vegan, many businesses are attending to highlight their plant-based options. The vegucation tent, a booth for education provided by registered nurses on vegan lifestyles and nutritional advice, will include seven different musical performances, according to Lynn Klanchar, entertainment coordinator for VegFest.  Klanchar has volunteered at VegFest for over five years, organizing its music and performances. “We want to have something for everybody, like Mary Moore and Høly River, two bands that are aligned with environmental issues,” Klanchar said. The event’s mission is to inform people on veggie-friendly options in the city and promote interest in a lifestyle focused on intentional cruelty-free eating, according to Klanchar. Jaq Wetter, assistant vendor coordinator at VegFest since 2025, also works as an event planner. “The most important part of VegFest is the ability to show people how approachable veganism actually is,” Wetter said. “You don’t need to learn all the ways to cook tofu right off the bat. It’s important to show people that vegan food is just food, food you’re already familiar with.”  More information about VegFest is available at the VegFest website.

Return to Renaissance: Virago Alley celebrates pre-industrial society

September 23, 2026

Wilder Rodriguez, Contributing Writer Virago Alley, the nonprofit responsible for Richmond’s first ever full-scale multicultural Renaissance faire, opened the doors to its first physical location on Sept. 4. The location is situated in Richmond’s arts district at 200 W. Marshall St. in Jackson Ward.  Regularly scheduled weekly classes offered include saber and longsword lessons on Saturdays and Renaissance Era fencing on Thursdays.  Beginning in October, Virago Alley will offer a wide variety of workshops including magic hat making on Oct. 18, book binding on Nov. 15 and Shaolin martial arts on Nov. 22.  Amanda Robinson, founder and artistic director of Virago Alley, said the original idea for a physical location came about to provide indoor space for historic martial arts groups, but quickly expanded into a broader celebration of pre-industrial society. She said the Renaissance faire acted as the main fundraising mechanism for the goals of the organization. Robinson said that the organization’s top priority is representing lost mediums. “Given this AI generated landscape, it’s very important to us to get back into working with our hands and remembering these tangible mediums,” Robinson said.  Robinson said that Virago Alley seeks to deconstruct the Eurocentric confines that many similar organizers of

Community picnic hosted by BornOutside

September 23, 2026

Sadie Porter, Contributing Writer BornOutside hosted a picnic in Monroe Park on Sept. 19, inviting everyone in the community to come as they are. The festival was a free event that combined culture and community while providing a space for creators, business owners and Richmonders to interact on a personal level. Events included a brunch, meditative practices such as sound bowls and yoga, an art show, a photo walk meetup, multiple DJ sets and a Night in Lagos themed fashion show.  Lado, a festival organizer, joined in the event because of his past creative projects and organization of community events. “I came here really trying to bring the aspects of what I bring to a party, except outside, and then make it a real community event where people, all types of people, can come out and enjoy themselves,” Lado said.  In troubling times, being outside with other humans who share similar interests makes a positive impact on the mind and body, Lado said.  “The biggest thing to me is community because Richmond has all types of people,” Lado said.  Lado said it is important to him to get out every once in a while and meet different people. He said

Iron Blossom Festival blooms for the fourth year

September 23, 2026

Elle Cota, Spectrum Editor Bare feet pressed into the grass as live music carried through the open skies of Midtown Green, where Iron Blossom Music Festival returned Sept. 19 to 20 for its fourth year as the final days of summer unfolded.  Blankets and inflatable couches filled the grass as people of all ages played, laughed, cheered, danced, talked and sang along to the music while frisbees and footballs were tossed across the field. Music drifted between the two stages: iron and blossom.  When the sun moved in and out of the clouds throughout the days, the crowd had grown larger as the day continued and headliners took the stage. This year’s festival headliners included LCD Soundsystem, Jack White and Richmond-based bands, Shera Shi and Night Idea. Over the two-day event, which began in 2023, people came together around the live music. For attendees Julie Slivka and Lauren Hennessy, the festival became a part of their yearly routine. The two have been best friends for 31 years and counting, starting their friendship right next door. They have attended the festival together for three consecutive years. Slivka and Hennessy’s plans for the festival began before the lineup was announced. They bought

Cultivar y Celebrar: La Asociación de Estudiantes Latinos

September 16, 2026

Deborah Aguilera, Contributing Writer  La Asociación de Estudiantes Latinos (LSA, en Inglés) hace una mezcla de celebraciones culturales y oportunidades sociales por el campus.  Sea estudiantes buscando reconectarse con sus raíces, descubriendo nuevas perspectivas o simplemente buscando donde pertenecen, la organización ofrece una familia en el medio de la ciudad. . Alessandra Caceres Mendoza ha sido miembro de LSA desde su primer año en VCU. Ahora está cumpliendo su último año, trabajando como co-presidenta de relaciones públicas donde supervisa las redes sociales, afiches, y eventos de la organización.  “Es mi casa fuera de casa,” dijo Caceres Mendoza.  Caceres Mendoza dijo que el propósito de LSA es crear una comunidad segura para todos. Aunque la organización fue creada para los estudiantes Latinos, aceptan estudiantes de cualquier etnicidad y raza.  LSA se mantiene ocupado durante el año, dijo Caceres Mendoza. Los miembros están muy involucrados con la organización, compitiendo en deportes juntos, organizando proyectos de servicio comunitario por Richmond, participando en carreras para caridades, viajando juntos, y yendo a eventos formales.  Fuera de sus eventos LSA tiene una programa de “Familias” para ayudar a formar conexiones. Separan a los miembros en grupos pequeños basados en sus intereses y pasatiempos. Los grupos son

Richmonders honor legacies through community

September 16, 2026

Elle Cota, Spectrum Editor The recent deaths of influential figures, including Tim Curry and Dolly Parton, have been followed by something more lasting than a moment of mourning: people continuing to perform their work, celebrate their influence and find their own place and one another within the culture they helped create. A Parade For Dolly Parton On the afternoon of Sunday, Sept. 13, Richmonders gathered at Babe’s of Carytown for the city’s first annual Dolly Parton parade. Babe’s also hosted a Dolly Parton brunch and karaoke from 1-7 p.m. Children, grandparents and everyone in-between joined the parade, wearing blonde wigs, cowboy boots and Dolly-inspired outfits. Music played as participants walked the sidewalks while people watched and drivers honked in support. Carrie Craven, a community member, attended to celebrate Parton’s life and her advocacy for kindness, generosity and community.  Craven sported a large foam breastplate beneath a tight, shiny blue dress, paired with a hot pink ruffled slip and a white feathered wig.  Parton’s music provided personal connections for Craven. She said “9 to 5” represented female empowerment, while “Coat of Many Colors” reflected family, hardship and finding value in what others may overlook.  Craven said Parton embraced feminism while playfully

To cultivate and celebrate: Latine Student Association

September 16, 2026

Deborah Aguilera, Contributing Writer  Virginia Commonwealth University’s Latine Student Association blends cultural celebration, social support and campus advocacy into a welcoming space. Whether students are looking to reconnect with their roots, discover new perspectives or simply find a place to belong, the organization offers a built-in family in the middle of Richmond. Alessandra Caceres Mendoza has been a member of LSA since her freshman year. Now a senior, she serves on LSA’s executive board as co-chair of public relations, overseeing the organization’s social media, event flyers and recording its events throughout the year. For Caceres Mendoza, joining LSA gave her a solid group of people to lean on and connect with. “It’s my home away from home,” Caceres Mendoza said. LSA’s purpose is to build a community and safe environment for all, according to Caceres Mendoza. Although the organization is Latine inclusive, they are not Latine exclusive, students of all backgrounds are welcome. LSA keeps a packed schedule throughout the year, Caceres Mendoza said. Members stay involved beyond regular meetings by competing in intercollegiate sports games, organizing local Richmond community service projects, participating in charity, going on group trips and attending formal galas. Caceres Mendoza explained LSA’s familias program. The

Punk goes pirate for a night of mutual aid

September 16, 2026

Rachel Nicholas, Assistant Spectrum Editor On Sept. 11, Odin’s Underground became a place for pirates, punk music and mutual aid. For $10, attendees could walk into the benefit hosted by Punks4Liberation dressed as a pirate, in their strangest outfit or whatever they chose to wear. The event combined a night of live music with an effort to raise money and awareness for people affected by the ongoing conflict in Sudan. For three years, Sudan has faced a devastating humanitarian crisis since fighting broke out amongst the country, leaving millions displaced and facing uncertainty, according to the UNICEF website. The benefit was organized as a way for the local punk community to come together around an issue happening thousands of miles away and to turn a larger conflict into something tangible for the local community. While the cause was serious, the event itself was made to be anything but traditional. The pirate theme further gave attendees a chance to participate in the event, adding their own flair to the night. “This is my first time coming to an event like this, and the idea of a pirate theme is really cool,” said William Levy, an out-of-state college student.  Levy was visiting

Alpha Phi Omega: Strengthening one another through community

September 9, 2026

Ariel Lebow, Contributing Writer Alpha Delta Iota, Virginia Commonwealth University’s chapter of the national service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega, is a Greek Organization committed to improving the world and building a community of like-minded peers since 1994. APO is a service fraternity, meaning they are gender inclusive and centered around community service.  There is a one month long rush period to join APO that teaches the club’s history, including how it was founded and its transition to becoming a gender inclusive organization. The rush helps acquaint pledges with organization expectations. Abby Hollis, a fourth-year who has been a member of APO since her freshman year, has served multiple semesters on the E-board. “I was completely new to Richmond and it helped me figure out what Richmond was,” Hollis said. “The people in Alpha Phi Omega know Richmond very well and are always really nice and were willing to answer questions that I had about Richmond.” Pledges are assigned bigs that guide them through the adjustment to collegiate life, forming friendships as they help them integrate into the community. Grace Smith, APO’s vice president, loves that APO is a collection of diverse students from different majors coming together. APO members are