Hello Tuesday.
April 23 2024
VA Comicon returns to the Richmond Raceway tomorrow, now on its 35th year celebrating comics, artists + fans of all things superheroes, fantasy, and beyond.
We spoke with Dan Nokes, a Maryland-based comic book creator, graphic novel artist + vendor liaison for VA Comicon. He says this twice-a-year Richmond event ā once populated by mainly comic book traders, guest creators and die-hard fans ā is now visited by thousands of families + cosplayers, in addition to old school fans.
A pre-pandemic shot of Comicon, featuring a wall of comics. | Photo provided
Dan told us thereās usually a line of visitors waiting at the entrance when the dozens of talented artisans, vendors + guests start setting up around 7 a.m. But donāt worry, the convention doesnāt open until 11 a.m.
Tickets are only available online, not at the door. Adults are $10, but kids 12-and-under are free. VIP tickets are around $15. Parking is also free.
Pro tip: Proof of vaccination is required for anyone over 12. For those younger, make sure to bring a negative COVID-19 test approved within 72 hours.
Remember 2018's "Into the Spiderverse"? That's the inspiration for these costumes. | Photo provided
For convention beginners, check out the floor map ahead of time. The Artistās Alley is spread out throughout the facility, organized by creator. Thereās comic book authors, collectors, tattoo artists, photographers + even retro video game sellers.
You can also find costumed cosplayers in one area and a dining spot to take a break and sort through your wares.
If youāre a comic book connoisseur, Dan recommends stopping by the Comic Book Certification Service booth. They can teach you how they certify + grade some of your classic issues of comic books, graphic novels and even some original art if you have the signature.
Did you know some of the most well-graded comic books have sold for thousands of dollars?
Be sure to stop and say hi to Dan while youāre exploring, or check out his published work here.
Heās usually accompanied by a plush chicken, you canāt miss him. š„
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Which superhero would you want protecting Richmond?
- Wonder Woman
- Captain America
- Black Panther
- Sailor Moon
Today
- Slack Family Bluegrass | Fri., Nov. 19 | 4 p.m. | Main Line Brewery, 1603 Ownby Ln. | Free | Come out and watch this bluegrass band's big debut, featuring eats from Atoās Sissig + Tiffanyās Smokehouse.
- La BohĆØme | Fri., Nov. 19 + Sun., Nov. 21 | 2:30 p.m., 8 p.m. | Carpenter Theatre at Dominion Energy Center | $82+ | Good news for beginners ā musicians say āLa BohĆØmeā is the perfect first opera to experience.
Saturday
- Happy Thanksgiving, Snoopy! | Sat., Nov. 20 | 10 a.m. | VMHC | $3+ | Pre-K and early elementary readers can enjoy a Peanuts classic + make a hand turkey. š¦
- The Fall Of Troy | Sat., Nov. 20 | 6:30 p.m. | The Canal Club, 1545 E Cary St | $25+ | The progressive metal band stops by on their āDoppelgangerā tour.
- Bourbon Caliente GBS + Session GBS Release | Sat., Nov. 20 | 12-10 p.m. | Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, 2410 Ownby Ln. | Free Entry | Try this cinnamon + ancho chiles spiced beer. šŗ
Sunday
Monday
- GardenFest of Lights | Mon., Nov. 22-Sat., Jan. 9 | 4 p.m. | Lewis Ginter | $7+ | Come see millions of holiday lights along garden paths. š”
- Twin Tribes with Lunacy & True Body | Mon., Nov. 22 | 7 p.m. | Fallout, 117 N. 18th St. | $10 | Start the week with these indie bands. šµ
Wednesday
- The Roundells | Wed., Nov. 24 | 6 p.m. | Main Line Brewery, 1603 Ownby Ln. | Free | Rock out + stick around for Pipesleeve at 7:30 p.m.
Thursday
We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
Weather
- 51Āŗ | Sunny | 0% chance of rain
Biz
- Welcome back, Style Weekly. VPM Media Corporation has acquired Style Weekly, which includes its digital archive, website + social media. VPM plans to restart publication, which ended back in September. Style Weekly ran for 40 years as one of Richmondās local sources for lifestyle, news, and editorial journalism. (VPM)
Traffic
- The Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority says the Nickel Bridge on Westover Hills Boulevard will be closed this Saturday for maintenance. The closure will last from 7:00 a.m.-5 p.m. ā ļø (RVAHub)
Civic
- Richmond city offices will be closed Wed., Nov. 24 + Mon., Dec. 27 for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays in addition to previously scheduled closures Nov. 25-26 and Dec. 23-24. The city says these extra days are to give their employees more time off to recharge. Emergency services will not be affected.
Arts
- Dogtown Dance Theatre announced that submissions for the 2022 Richmond Dance Festival are open to all artists. Submissions will be accepted until January 31 + participating artists will be announced in early February. š
Outdoors
- Dominion Energyās Project Plant It! is open for enrollment for their 2021-2022 season. Project Plant It! aims to increase bee populations by having participants plant pollinator-friendly gardens. Get involved here. š
Number
- $2.5 million. Thatās how much Homeward, a local homeless services nonprofit, received in grant money from the Bezos Day One Fund this week. The grant is to be used to work towards ending child and family homelessness. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
Active
- Keep Virginia Cozy is holding its first Cozy Trail Run this Sunday. It starts at the Reedy Creek Trailhead parking lot on N. Riverside Drive at 10 a.m. All fitness levels are welcome + thereās a suggested $5 donation, which will go towards Feed More. š„¾
Holiday
- Maymont is kicking off its audio tour of the holiday-decorated Maymont Mansion tomorrow. Attendees can listen to the stories of how James and Sallie Mae Dooley + staff prepared for the season in the Gilded Age. Tours run on weekends through January 2. š
Jobs
- The Little Scholars program ā which provides personalized learning services around the country from its base in Richmond ā is looking to hire teachers or anyone qualified to teach school enrichment classes. You can contact the organization through email, where they will discuss the openings available. š
Health
- The Childrenās Hospital of Richmond is teaming up with UVA Childrenās to improve access to pediatric cardiac surgery in the region. UVA ranks nationally in pediatric cardiology + CHoR is a Level 1 Childrenās Surgery Center. Both offer intensive and acute care as well as support services. ā¤ļø (NBC12)
State
- Virginiaās Employment Commission updated the Virginia Unemployment Insurance System on Wednesday. The new system includes improvements to document access online, user experiences + new customer dashboards. Customers can place claims online. (ABC8 News)
Featured Home
A new plaza, parklet + mural is now a main fixture at the Brook Rd. and W. Marshall St. intersection in historic Jackson Ward.
Mayor Levar Stoney was one of many city leaders to attend the Bloomberg Project Road Mural ribbon-cutting this Wednesday. Venture Richmond and the nonprofit ART 180 teamed up on the initiative and the red + yellow Sankofa mural was designed by artist Chris Visions.
Check out our story on how this public art was developed. šØ
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Talk trash with us. RVAgreen2050 is still looking for public responses for recycling initiatives to lower landfill waste in the city in their monthly flash survey. Itās open through Tues., Nov. 30.
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