Thursday, Feb 12, 2026

Spectrum

VCU alums put on screening, sword fight to open Richmond Ren Faire season

February 11, 2026

Sapphira Mohammed, Copy Editor Saanvi Vootla, Contributing Writer Hundreds of Renaissance fans banded together in full costume on Saturday, ready to witness the rebirth of “The Princess Bride” with a live, sword fighting shadow cast — and the birth of Richmond’s first ever, full renaissance fair. In Virago Alley’s build-up to the Richmond Ren Faire, the nonprofit organization held a screening of the 1987 film at the Byrd Theatre. Virago Alley’s founder Amanda Robinson said they wanted something magical for their first event of 2026. “We just found the first week of February was a nice time to kick off this entire series of opening acts,” Robinson said. “ I think that this event is kind of a chance to highlight all three important facets of our organization and programming.”  The event was not a traditional screening, as a shadow cast made up of Virago Alley members performed in front of the screen during all of the fencing scenes. VCU associate professor, alum and vice president of Virago Alley, Bizhan Khodabandeh, played Inigo Montoya in the shadow cast. He was nervous in the days leading up to the show because of how complex the fencing scenes are in the movie.

Richmond gets ‘Lucky in Love’ at Valentine’s Day market

February 11, 2026

Molly Manning, Managing Editor Maeve Bauer, Spectrum Editor Richmonders got “Lucky in Love” sharing sweet treats, art, tattoos and more at a Valentine’s Love Market Saturday.  The market —hosted by  Lucky in Love Chapel — featured flash tattoos by fine-line and traditional tattoo artist Ryan Machado, who has been tattooing at Heroes and Ghosts in Carytown for two years. He got married at Lucky in Love in October and described his as a “million-dollar wedding for not a million dollars.” Machado said he immediately offered to help out at any events or tattoo-related needs Lucky in Love had. For the market, he catered to the public with small, “lovey dovey” flash designs ranging for arms and legs in his style of fine line and traditional tattoos. Other vendors included Field Day Boutique, which packed “pleasure boxes” filled with toys and accessories attendees could customize in addition to the other products they offered.  Photographer Aly Hansen, who photographs many of Lucky in Love’s weddings, took vintage-style polaroids for attendees. For those who worked up an appetite between their tattoos or live doodles from Destiny Doodles, RVA’s Cake Pop Design Company sold festive pops in flavors like chocolate-covered strawberry and red velvet.

Stall Seat Journal celebrates 25 years

February 11, 2026

Rachel Nicholas, Staff Writer A bright and down-to-earth guide designed for students, in 2026, The Stall Seat Journal celebrates 25 years this year as “VCU’s #1 Toilet Paper.” Spread out across the Monroe Park and MCV campuses, over 1,000 bathroom stalls are readily posted with health tips, safety information and where to find available resources. Founded in 2001 as a health campaign from RecWell, the journal has produced many issues that blend humor and art — using illustrated “ramsonda” with distinct personalities and looks — to build relatable connections with the students. “I think that the Stall Seat Journal is a really cool idea,” first-year criminal justice student Sasha Hoo said. “The art is super nice and it makes the information a lot more engaging. Plus, they stuck it in a spot where people couldn’t just throw it away.” Hoo notes that her high school had a similar paper, however she believes the VCU journal has a lot more to offer in terms of style and substance matter. “The student health and safety facts can be really beneficial for those who need them, and their information is definitely helpful to those who read them,” Hoo said. Each issue is designed to

Six spots to hold the perfect Valentine’s, Galentine’s or solo date in Richmond

February 11, 2026

Liz DeFluri, Contributing Writer Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and whether you have a beau, some gal pals or are flying solo The Commonwealth Times is here with a list of Valentine’s plans that are not just dinner and a movie.  VMFA: Floris Tea Room and galleries  For an unforgettable Valentine’s or Galentine’s date, make a reservation at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts’ Floris Tea Room.  Inspired by French and English tea services, Floris’ staff offer expertly crafted teas from various guest tea-makers paired with a plentiful rotating menu of sweets and savories.  You can enjoy a beautiful view of the museum’s Robbins Sculpture Garden while savoring delightful, chef-inspired creations. If tea isn’t your scene, take a stroll through the VMFA’s diverse art galleries featuring over 50,000 artworks from various countries and historical periods — for free!  Take out your rage.  Going through a breakup, or just hate the holiday? Rage RVA has you covered. Located in the Fan neighborhood, Rage RVA provides thrills for those who want to spend Valentine’s Day, or any day, breaking things.  Rage rooms have increased in popularity in recent years and oftentimes, Valentine’s Day is the most booked day of the year.

VCU alums put on screening, sword fight to open Richmond Ren Faire season

Spectrum Editor February 11, 2026

Sapphira Mohammed, Copy Editor Saanvi Vootla, Contributing Writer Hundreds of Renaissance fans banded together in full costume on Saturday, ready to witness the rebirth of “The Princess Bride” with a live, sword fighting shadow cast — and the birth of Richmond’s first ever, full renaissance fair. In Virago Alley’s build-up to the Richmond Ren Faire, the nonprofit organization held a screening of the 1987 film at the Byrd Theatre. Virago Alley’s founder Amanda Robinson said they wanted something magical for their first event of 2026. “We just found the first week of February was a nice time to kick off this entire series of opening acts,” Robinson said. “ I think that this event is kind of a chance to highlight all three important facets of our organization and programming.”  The event was not a traditional screening, as a shadow cast made up of Virago Alley members performed in front of the screen during all of the fencing scenes. VCU associate professor, alum and vice president of Virago Alley, Bizhan Khodabandeh, played Inigo Montoya in the shadow cast. He was nervous in the days leading up to the show because of how complex the fencing scenes are in the movie. He is a huge fan of “The Princess Bride,” having fallen in love with it as a young child. “What I love about ‘Princess Bride’ is it’s a movie for everybody,” Khodabandeh said. “It has a lot of comedy, it has romance, it has swashbuckling. It’s really a great balance of so many things and we’re pretty fortunate that it was made.” Virago Alley revealed at the screening that they would soon teach weekly Historical European Martial Arts — or HEMA — combat training classes with Khodabandeh and Virago Alley member Patrick Glynn as instructors. They gave a demo on stage before the film started.  VCU has an active HEMA club that meets every week to teach students how to swordfight both causally and competitively. Their motto is “make new friends and stab them!” according to their Instagram bio. Virago Alley also gave an exclusive first showing of the handcrafted sword that will be raffled off at the Richmond Ren Faire in April to fundraise money for the event. The sword was crafted using 8670 steel, a method that originated during World War II, and took over a year for Richmond bladesmith Join or Die Knives owner Brent Stubblefield to

VCU alums put on screening, sword fight to open Richmond Ren Faire season

February 11, 2026

Sapphira Mohammed, Copy Editor Saanvi Vootla, Contributing Writer Hundreds of Renaissance fans banded together in full costume on Saturday, ready to witness the rebirth of “The Princess Bride” with a live, sword fighting shadow cast — and the birth of Richmond’s first ever, full renaissance fair. In Virago Alley’s build-up to the Richmond Ren Faire, the nonprofit organization held a screening of the 1987 film at the Byrd Theatre. Virago Alley’s founder Amanda Robinson said they wanted something magical for their first event of 2026. “We just found the first week of February was a nice time to kick off this entire series of opening acts,” Robinson said. “ I think that this event is kind of a chance to highlight all three important facets of our organization and programming.”  The event was not a traditional screening, as a shadow cast made up of Virago Alley members performed in front of the screen during all of the fencing scenes. VCU associate professor, alum and vice president of Virago Alley, Bizhan Khodabandeh, played Inigo Montoya in the shadow cast. He was nervous in the days leading up to the show because of how complex the fencing scenes are in the movie. He is a huge fan of “The Princess Bride,” having fallen in love with it as a young child. “What I love about ‘Princess Bride’ is it’s a movie for everybody,” Khodabandeh said. “It has a lot of comedy, it has romance, it has swashbuckling. It’s really a great balance of so many things and we’re pretty fortunate that it was made.” Virago Alley revealed at the screening that they would soon teach weekly Historical European Martial Arts — or HEMA — combat training classes with Khodabandeh and Virago Alley member Patrick Glynn as instructors. They gave a demo on stage before the film started.  VCU has an active HEMA club that meets every week to teach students how to swordfight both causally and competitively. Their motto is “make new friends and stab them!” according to their Instagram bio. Virago Alley also gave an exclusive first showing of the handcrafted sword that will be raffled off at the Richmond Ren Faire in April to fundraise money for the event. The sword was crafted using 8670 steel, a method that originated during World War II, and took over a year for Richmond bladesmith Join or Die Knives owner Brent Stubblefield to

Richmond gets ‘Lucky in Love’ at Valentine’s Day market

February 11, 2026

Molly Manning, Managing Editor Maeve Bauer, Spectrum Editor Richmonders got “Lucky in Love” sharing sweet treats, art, tattoos and more at a Valentine’s Love Market Saturday.  The market —hosted by  Lucky in Love Chapel — featured flash tattoos by fine-line and traditional tattoo artist Ryan Machado, who has been tattooing at Heroes and Ghosts in Carytown for two years. He got married at Lucky in Love in October and described his as a “million-dollar wedding for not a million dollars.” Machado said he immediately offered to help out at any events or tattoo-related needs Lucky in Love had. For the market, he catered to the public with small, “lovey dovey” flash designs ranging for arms and legs in his style of fine line and traditional tattoos. Other vendors included Field Day Boutique, which packed “pleasure boxes” filled with toys and accessories attendees could customize in addition to the other products they offered.  Photographer Aly Hansen, who photographs many of Lucky in Love’s weddings, took vintage-style polaroids for attendees. For those who worked up an appetite between their tattoos or live doodles from Destiny Doodles, RVA’s Cake Pop Design Company sold festive pops in flavors like chocolate-covered strawberry and red velvet.

Stall Seat Journal celebrates 25 years

February 11, 2026

Rachel Nicholas, Staff Writer A bright and down-to-earth guide designed for students, in 2026, The Stall Seat Journal celebrates 25 years this year as “VCU’s #1 Toilet Paper.” Spread out across the Monroe Park and MCV campuses, over 1,000 bathroom stalls are readily posted with health tips, safety information and where to find available resources. Founded in 2001 as a health campaign from RecWell, the journal has produced many issues that blend humor and art — using illustrated “ramsonda” with distinct personalities and looks — to build relatable connections with the students. “I think that the Stall Seat Journal is a really cool idea,” first-year criminal justice student Sasha Hoo said. “The art is super nice and it makes the information a lot more engaging. Plus, they stuck it in a spot where people couldn’t just throw it away.” Hoo notes that her high school had a similar paper, however she believes the VCU journal has a lot more to offer in terms of style and substance matter. “The student health and safety facts can be really beneficial for those who need them, and their information is definitely helpful to those who read them,” Hoo said. Each issue is designed to

Six spots to hold the perfect Valentine’s, Galentine’s or solo date in Richmond

February 11, 2026

Liz DeFluri, Contributing Writer Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and whether you have a beau, some gal pals or are flying solo The Commonwealth Times is here with a list of Valentine’s plans that are not just dinner and a movie.  VMFA: Floris Tea Room and galleries  For an unforgettable Valentine’s or Galentine’s date, make a reservation at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts’ Floris Tea Room.  Inspired by French and English tea services, Floris’ staff offer expertly crafted teas from various guest tea-makers paired with a plentiful rotating menu of sweets and savories.  You can enjoy a beautiful view of the museum’s Robbins Sculpture Garden while savoring delightful, chef-inspired creations. If tea isn’t your scene, take a stroll through the VMFA’s diverse art galleries featuring over 50,000 artworks from various countries and historical periods — for free!  Take out your rage.  Going through a breakup, or just hate the holiday? Rage RVA has you covered. Located in the Fan neighborhood, Rage RVA provides thrills for those who want to spend Valentine’s Day, or any day, breaking things.  Rage rooms have increased in popularity in recent years and oftentimes, Valentine’s Day is the most booked day of the year.

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