Requiem for Robert Marsh…

Although I never enrolled in an art class taught by Robert Marsh, he and I had a running conversation about art that lasted for decades. Often, our chats occurred in his Averett University studio while he was printing an etching or touching up an image with cray pas, his oil pastels. My appreciation for his... Read More

Culture, Local, People

August 11, 2022

A not so well-hidden treat (And it’s free)

One place that residents and visitors consider to be Danville’s leading attraction is Ballou Park. Located only a short shuttle ride from the future casino site, Ballou Park was named after Captain Charles A. Ballou, the City Engineer who was also, the Superintendent of Public Works (1878) who envisioned the Park and, on its site,... Read More

Arts + Music, Culture, Local

July 18, 2022

A wonderful gourd with a very special name…

As I walked down the main street of downtown Lima, Peru, just to ‘get the feel of the place’, I saw a number of people who were dressed in traditional clothing, colorful handmade garments. Most were peddlers, people from villages on the outskirts of Lima. Most were selling art objects they had made. One of... Read More

Culture, Features

May 20, 2022

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