Who am I? Who are you?

Those two questions, as important as they are, are seldom asked. Instead, some rely on assumptions regarding the ‘who’ questions, assumptions that are often based on political clues. In that case, if someone supports candidates of a certain party, that support may serve to reflect on the innate value of that person. In other words,... Read More

Arts + Music, Culture, Features, Uncategorized

March 4, 2022

Write Every Day

“Write every day.” Those were the words of wisdom given to Barry Koplen when he was an aspiring writer—before he ran a business, taught creative writing, practiced photography, or wore many other hats he’s tried on over his years in Danville. But now that he’s “retired,” Koplen does exactly that. He writes every day. So... Read More

Cover Feature, Culture, Local

September 7, 2021

Ten Years in the Making

It isn’t easy to book a rock show with a big-name band, especially in a small region such as Southside Virginia. Try booking over 180 bands across four days, with an expected crowd of over 30,000 per day and running a staff of over 900 employees. Then you’ll have a glimpse into what Blue Ridge... Read More

Cover Feature, Events, Music

August 20, 2020

Learning from history: Dedicated historian, artist Danny Ricketts dies at 79

In George Lucas’s Raiders of the Lost Ark, antagonist Dr. Rene Belloq holds up a pocket watch and tells Indiana Jones, “Look at this watch. Cheap. Nothing. Take it out into the desert and bury it for a thousand years and it becomes priceless.” Belloq may have been correct, but without the written history of what... Read More

Culture, Local

August 14, 2020

“Weird” Would Be the New Norm Inside the Creative Process of Jameel Rashad Austin

“We’re all gifted with creativity, but not everyone utilizes the gift,” says Jameel Rashad Austin when asked about how he found his creative spark. Austin, a local photographer and content creator, is producing some of the most unique and thought-provoking art in our area. Austin spent his early childhood in Trenton, New Jersey. He adds,... Read More

Arts + Music, Culture, Local, Uncategorized

February 18, 2020

Snack Sampler

Hometown favorite, The League of Ordinary Gentlemen, is putting a unique touch on music. Matt Doss, Alex Brown, Travis Williams & Joseph “Sparky” Schmitt, or as they’re collectively known “The League of Ordinary Gentlemen,” are so much more than Danville’s hometown cover band. Primarily rooted in putting a dynamic spin on hits from the 70s,... Read More

Arts + Music, Culture, Local, People

October 18, 2019

Behind the Makeup

Tina Reynolds knew she wanted to be involved in the horror film industry at the young age of 6 years old. She remembers the moment vividly, “My dad and I were watching Fright Night, and this very bloody and gory scene came on. I was scared, so I took a pillow and covered my face.... Read More

Arts + Music, Cover Feature, Culture

October 8, 2019

The History of a Haunted House

With Halloween around the corner, the emergence of spooky attractions flood our weekends, especially haunted houses. Haunted houses first emerged during the Great Depression as a way to keep youngsters from vandalism and running amok on the streets. This was a way to channel the children’s energy into something constructive instead of them causing property... Read More

Arts + Music, Culture, Features, Local

March 21, 2019

Double the Drama

PHCC Patriot Players and TheatreWorks Community Players offer year-round entertainment in Martinsville-Henry County, Virginia No other art form can bring stories to life the way that live theatre can. There is something magical about a group of people banding together, interpreting a script and presenting the author’s words for the audience to experience in person.... Read More

Arts + Music, Culture

February 27, 2019

The Music Man

We last spoke with Matt Crowder in November 2016. At the time, Crowder had just finished playing on Jason Springs’s debut album, Blue Collar Bones and Busted Knuckles. Since then, he has continued to play the local scene, released a debut solo album, and is this year’s top vote-getter in the 2019 Rave Awards. Crowder... Read More

Arts + Music, Culture, Local