Tuesday, Feb 10, 2026

Spectrum

New VCU theatre group takes the stage

February 4, 2026

Cora Perkins, Assistant Spectrum Editor  Maeve Bauer, Spectrum Editor  Staged, a new, student-led theatre organization focusing on small-scale, staged readings debuted their first production last weekend with “The Bonespurs.” Founded in October 2025, Staged is run by a team of eight cast and crew members. “The Bonespurs” ran for a total of 30 minutes with no intermission.  The organization focuses on character development from actors, rather than flashy set design and costumes, according to Novella Edwards, director of “the Bonespurs.” “There’s blocking, but most of the character buildings like it’s mostly focused on the actor’s voice on selling the character,” Edwards said.  Staged is joining VCU Shafer Alliance Laboratory Theatre (VCU S.A.L.T) and Doomsday Theatre Company as independent, student-led theatre outlets outside of the Mainstage productions.  Those involved with Staged hope to bring a new light to theater, Edwards said.  “I guess that staged is still a really new organization, but we’re just looking to do theater a different way,” Edwards said. “And just for people to be, I don’t know, just get ready to get weird.” The story of “the Bonespurs” follows a stereotypical 1950s American family living life like all is well, when in actuality they are stranded

Bygones boutique makes buying decades-old garments inclusive

February 4, 2026

Devynn Alston, Contributing Writer Bygones Vintage Clothing is a boutique in Carytown with pieces dating from the 1800s to 1976. The owner Maynee Cayton prides herself on creating an inclusive space — bringing old Hollywood glamour right to Richmond. Since opening their doors in 1979, the store’s staff has looked to buy and sell vintage and antique pieces to and from Richmonders — to gain a lot of its antique pieces, they will have buying appointments with anyone who has something special to sell.  In these buying appointments, the owner, Maynee Cayton, and her employees get to see one-of-a-kind antiques ranging from clothes, accessories and jewelry. The knowledgeable staff has the ability to pinpoint the different eras of the items that get brought into their store, according to Cayton.  “When people come in for buying appointments, that’s always cool, because they’ll pull all these boxes out of their attics that have been in there for years and years, and you get to dig through them, and see history that hasn’t been touched for however many decades,” Bygones employee Emily Pricenski said. “It’s always a surprise.”  Princeski has been a collector and studier of vintage for a long time, Bygones is

Sick of Cabell? Six quieter, cozier study spots on campus

February 4, 2026

Liz DeFluri, Contributing Writer  Throughout the semester, especially around midterms and finals, VCU’s Cabell Library is the place to be for light study sessions, full-fledged lock-ins and everything in between.  Some days, however, it seems as though securing concert tickets on opening day is more likely than claiming your go-to study spot. If you do find a vacant spot, the library can get loud and overcrowded, making concentration difficult. With study rooms reserved until the end of the week, finding a decent place to work becomes an increasingly daunting task.  Thankfully, the Monroe Park campus is littered with cozy nooks available to students hoping for a change of scenery. Founder’s Hall  Located on West Franklin Street, historic Founder’s Hall building is home to the sociology and political science departments. The lounges on the second and third floors are open to all students and provide comfy couches, chairs and plenty of reading material relevant to the two.  First-year General Studies major Aris Payne said she has never been to any of the on-campus study houses because they are not well-established like the library is.  “I feel like the other spaces aren’t as well-advertised,” Payne said.  The Temple Building  The Temple Building

AFO professors show off their specialties at latest Anderson exhibition

February 4, 2026

Fakeha Naeem, Contributing Writer The Anderson and VCUarts are exhibiting “The way things could be …,” to showcase selected works of six participating artists, from the VCUarts Foundation faculty. The artists include Roberto Jamora, Nyasha Madamombe, Will Connally, Morgan Herrin, Chelsea Lee and Michael Royce. Their work brings a unique perspective to the transformation of thoughts and feelings into physical expression for the audience to interact with. The featured works explore the concept of what seems tangible, becoming concrete through the mediums of photography, painting or sculpture. The artists’ works are based on belief, religion, fictional work and emotions. The theme for the show stems from Sarah Irvin, curator of student exhibitions and programs at The Anderson, who challenged the artists to create works which tie to the concept “The Way Things Could Be…” “Through studio visits, attending their artist talks, and engaging in in-depth conversations about their work, I began to see throughlines emerge,” Irvin said.   Irvin said the question on how images can be used to answer questions on what and how we believe, is an important part of being human. That is how the idea of intangible changing into something tangible emerged. Herrin, an assistant professor and

New VCU theatre group takes the stage

Executive Editor February 4, 2026

Cora Perkins, Assistant Spectrum Editor  Maeve Bauer, Spectrum Editor  Staged, a new, student-led theatre organization focusing on small-scale, staged readings debuted their first production last weekend with “The Bonespurs.” Founded in October 2025, Staged is run by a team of eight cast and crew members. “The Bonespurs” ran for a total of 30 minutes with no intermission.  The organization focuses on character development from actors, rather than flashy set design and costumes, according to Novella Edwards, director of “the Bonespurs.” “There’s blocking, but most of the character buildings like it’s mostly focused on the actor’s voice on selling the character,” Edwards said.  Staged is joining VCU Shafer Alliance Laboratory Theatre (VCU S.A.L.T) and Doomsday Theatre Company as independent, student-led theatre outlets outside of the Mainstage productions.  Those involved with Staged hope to bring a new light to theater, Edwards said.  “I guess that staged is still a really new organization, but we’re just looking to do theater a different way,” Edwards said. “And just for people to be, I don’t know, just get ready to get weird.” The story of “the Bonespurs” follows a stereotypical 1950s American family living life like all is well, when in actuality they are stranded in the middle of a nuclear wasteland. The father is lost in delusion with the rest of the family following along, except for the main character Violet Bonespur, who begins to poke holes in their reality.  The characters had a 50s silhouette, but the style was more dark and grungy.  The play mirrors the real world, according to Edwards.  “The main girl character, she’s questioning the world around her as we all should,” Edwards said. “We all need to be questioning the political climate, we need to be questioning the people in power.” L.C. Kane, the playwright behind “the Bonespurs,” shared a similar sentiment.  “[The play] can be applied to so many different things going on right now. ICE, Palestine; even more potent from when I wrote, things seem more bleak now,” Kane said. “It is talking about closing blinds and making believe in your own household and the world outside is a disaster.” Kane started writing the play after receiving feedback a different play she wrote was “not funny enough.” She took the criticism and created a play that was supposed to feel like a sitcom family on the brink of insanity.  Kane cited the video games “No, I’m

New VCU theatre group takes the stage

February 4, 2026

Cora Perkins, Assistant Spectrum Editor  Maeve Bauer, Spectrum Editor  Staged, a new, student-led theatre organization focusing on small-scale, staged readings debuted their first production last weekend with “The Bonespurs.” Founded in October 2025, Staged is run by a team of eight cast and crew members. “The Bonespurs” ran for a total of 30 minutes with no intermission.  The organization focuses on character development from actors, rather than flashy set design and costumes, according to Novella Edwards, director of “the Bonespurs.” “There’s blocking, but most of the character buildings like it’s mostly focused on the actor’s voice on selling the character,” Edwards said.  Staged is joining VCU Shafer Alliance Laboratory Theatre (VCU S.A.L.T) and Doomsday Theatre Company as independent, student-led theatre outlets outside of the Mainstage productions.  Those involved with Staged hope to bring a new light to theater, Edwards said.  “I guess that staged is still a really new organization, but we’re just looking to do theater a different way,” Edwards said. “And just for people to be, I don’t know, just get ready to get weird.” The story of “the Bonespurs” follows a stereotypical 1950s American family living life like all is well, when in actuality they are stranded in the middle of a nuclear wasteland. The father is lost in delusion with the rest of the family following along, except for the main character Violet Bonespur, who begins to poke holes in their reality.  The characters had a 50s silhouette, but the style was more dark and grungy.  The play mirrors the real world, according to Edwards.  “The main girl character, she’s questioning the world around her as we all should,” Edwards said. “We all need to be questioning the political climate, we need to be questioning the people in power.” L.C. Kane, the playwright behind “the Bonespurs,” shared a similar sentiment.  “[The play] can be applied to so many different things going on right now. ICE, Palestine; even more potent from when I wrote, things seem more bleak now,” Kane said. “It is talking about closing blinds and making believe in your own household and the world outside is a disaster.” Kane started writing the play after receiving feedback a different play she wrote was “not funny enough.” She took the criticism and created a play that was supposed to feel like a sitcom family on the brink of insanity.  Kane cited the video games “No, I’m

Bygones boutique makes buying decades-old garments inclusive

February 4, 2026

Devynn Alston, Contributing Writer Bygones Vintage Clothing is a boutique in Carytown with pieces dating from the 1800s to 1976. The owner Maynee Cayton prides herself on creating an inclusive space — bringing old Hollywood glamour right to Richmond. Since opening their doors in 1979, the store’s staff has looked to buy and sell vintage and antique pieces to and from Richmonders — to gain a lot of its antique pieces, they will have buying appointments with anyone who has something special to sell.  In these buying appointments, the owner, Maynee Cayton, and her employees get to see one-of-a-kind antiques ranging from clothes, accessories and jewelry. The knowledgeable staff has the ability to pinpoint the different eras of the items that get brought into their store, according to Cayton.  “When people come in for buying appointments, that’s always cool, because they’ll pull all these boxes out of their attics that have been in there for years and years, and you get to dig through them, and see history that hasn’t been touched for however many decades,” Bygones employee Emily Pricenski said. “It’s always a surprise.”  Princeski has been a collector and studier of vintage for a long time, Bygones is

Sick of Cabell? Six quieter, cozier study spots on campus

February 4, 2026

Liz DeFluri, Contributing Writer  Throughout the semester, especially around midterms and finals, VCU’s Cabell Library is the place to be for light study sessions, full-fledged lock-ins and everything in between.  Some days, however, it seems as though securing concert tickets on opening day is more likely than claiming your go-to study spot. If you do find a vacant spot, the library can get loud and overcrowded, making concentration difficult. With study rooms reserved until the end of the week, finding a decent place to work becomes an increasingly daunting task.  Thankfully, the Monroe Park campus is littered with cozy nooks available to students hoping for a change of scenery. Founder’s Hall  Located on West Franklin Street, historic Founder’s Hall building is home to the sociology and political science departments. The lounges on the second and third floors are open to all students and provide comfy couches, chairs and plenty of reading material relevant to the two.  First-year General Studies major Aris Payne said she has never been to any of the on-campus study houses because they are not well-established like the library is.  “I feel like the other spaces aren’t as well-advertised,” Payne said.  The Temple Building  The Temple Building

AFO professors show off their specialties at latest Anderson exhibition

February 4, 2026

Fakeha Naeem, Contributing Writer The Anderson and VCUarts are exhibiting “The way things could be …,” to showcase selected works of six participating artists, from the VCUarts Foundation faculty. The artists include Roberto Jamora, Nyasha Madamombe, Will Connally, Morgan Herrin, Chelsea Lee and Michael Royce. Their work brings a unique perspective to the transformation of thoughts and feelings into physical expression for the audience to interact with. The featured works explore the concept of what seems tangible, becoming concrete through the mediums of photography, painting or sculpture. The artists’ works are based on belief, religion, fictional work and emotions. The theme for the show stems from Sarah Irvin, curator of student exhibitions and programs at The Anderson, who challenged the artists to create works which tie to the concept “The Way Things Could Be…” “Through studio visits, attending their artist talks, and engaging in in-depth conversations about their work, I began to see throughlines emerge,” Irvin said.   Irvin said the question on how images can be used to answer questions on what and how we believe, is an important part of being human. That is how the idea of intangible changing into something tangible emerged. Herrin, an assistant professor and

Monk ‘Walk for Peace’ comes through Richmond

February 3, 2026

Maeve Bauer, Spectrum Editor  Thousands of people visited downtown Richmond on Monday to catch a glimpse of the Buddhist Monk “Walk for Peace,”  a group of 17 venerable monks — and one dog — from Fort Worth, Texas making their way to Washington, D.C. The Monks’ visit to Richmond marked the 100th day of their 2,000-plus mile journey. They are set to arrive at the United States Capitol on Feb. 10-11. The monks walked from Richmond Fire Station 17 and across the bridge to City Hall, where they were met by Mayor Danny Avula and Gov. Abigail Spanberger. “This pilgrimage comes at a critical time when communities across our nation face rising mental health challenges, divisions and global uncertainty — serving as a reminder that peace is not merely a destination, but a practice that begins within and radiates outward to families, to communities and to our nation,” Avula said. Gov. Abigail Spanberger officially proclaimed Feb. 2, 2026 as “Walk for Peace Day” in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It was her first proclamation as governor. “The venerable monks who have been walking for 100 days to make clear to the people of the United States and the world that when

With another on the way, here’s how students made the most of Richmond’s snowstorm

January 30, 2026

Lelia Contee, Contributing Writer  As a winter storm last weekend swept through Virginia, froze over Richmond’s streets and forced VCU to cancel in-person learning, many students found their schedules open and routines disrupted.  Some students embraced the sudden break to slow down and appreciate the little things. Aja Williams, a third-year painting and printmaking student, spent the snow day baking brownies with her sorority sister and watching “They Cloned Tyrone.” The snowy weekend was “a double edge sword,” as Williams put it. While it is important for her painting classes to be in-person, the break allowed her to slow down and consider her next steps, especially after a hectic start to the semester.  “With everything going on in the world right now, it was very nice to just slow down and enjoy the little things,” Aja Williams said.  Aja Williams hopes people stay safe during the harsh weather conditions and appreciate essential workers.  Allison Music, a first-year biology student, used some of her free time to catch up on schoolwork, chat with friends, spend time with her cat Takashi and read the bible.  “I’m really bad with change and stuff, so like the snow, it took me out of my

What influences Richmond’s influencers

January 28, 2026

Cora Perkins, Assistant Spectrum Editor  Richmond is bustling with vibrant, southern colors, cobblestone walkways, life around every corner and economic development — and with that development comes influencers. Folks from around Virginia and the rest of the country are flocking to the river city to create content about its delicious dishes and historic neighborhoods. They are making blogs, vlogs, real estate businesses and … giving away tiramisu in public parks. At least, one person is — Alex Na, also known as the “free tiramisu guy.”  Na — a “DMV transplant” in his own words — moved to Richmond about half a year ago and did not know anyone in the area. “I just had to kind of find my own path around here,” Na said. Na started his sweet empire with a simple TikTok, in which he offered up his leftover tiramisu to anyone who could meet him at the park. Now he is holding pop-ups, fundraisers and events galore.  “People can find friends, and people can find a sense of belonging in Richmond,” Na said. For Na, in a political climate where life feels “hopeless” between the buzz of what is being broadcast on the news, it is a

MLK week focus shifts from remembrance to action

January 28, 2026

Bryer Haywood, Contributing Writer  Heciel Nieves Bonilla, News Editor  Maeve Bauer, Spectrum Editor  Richmond and VCU organizations have held events during MLK week for the past 12 years to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This year, things were a little different, as the focus shifted toward the urgency of nationwide disarray and using Dr. King’s philosophy as a guide through the political landscape. On the evening of Jan. 19, organizers from RVA Indivisible, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and the brothers and alumni of Alpha Phi Alpha came together for a candlelight vigil recognizing individuals detained, arrested and killed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Indivisible organizer Lauren has been involved in MLK Day demonstrations in the past, but said this one was different. “We are moving to a memorial model,” Lauren said. “Instead of just focusing on protecting democracy, we are now also focusing on protecting human life. So we’re adding an element of sacredness that did not used to be part of this. It used to be protest more than vigil.” Lauren said the event was still a commemoration of King as it was “following in the footsteps” of his work, and compared the mass community actions