Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Richmond Magazine: Rattle and Hum

All my rowdy friends are coming to Richmond, Virginia... for Electric Football. 

My Richmond Magazine feature article on the big 2015 Electric Football Championships and Convention -- and an accompanying art show on the tabletop sport at Richmond's ADA Gallery -- has been posted online. 

Ah, electric football. This once-frustrating electro-magnetic board game has been turned into a fast-paced competitive sport and thriving subculture by a new generation of 'ballers. And the best and the baddest from Electric Football leagues across the nation will be on hand to compete for bragging rights in host city Richmond on the weekend of July 31-August 2nd. The special art show will run throughout the month of August.

Read the article (and vibrate) by clicking here  

Find out more about the big Electric Football tournament in Richmond (a.k.a. Humfest) by clicking here.

Learn about the cool Electric Football show at ADA Gallery (and the art of modifying your bases) by clicking here.

(Photo by the mighty John Pollard!)

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Virginia Living Magazine: Slick's Historic Hot Rod



Slick Patterson's 1951 roadster was the first known custom-built car ever made in Virginia. But what happened to it? 

Now online: My Virginia Living Magazine feature story on Virginia's first "hot rod" and how it was rediscovered and recently restored to full, beautiful Caribbean Coral-painted glory by folklorist Roddy Moore (from the Blue Ridge Institute at Ferrum College) and a team of gear-jamming experts. 

Take the article for a spin by traveling right here. 

And for more on Moore and the Blue Ridge Institute (which is the state center for Blue Ridge folklore) go right here

It should be noted -- for full disclosure -- that I have worked with Moore and the fine BRI staff on past projects, including VIrginia Rocks!, a CD box set and traveling museum that examined early rock 'n' roll and rockabilly music in Virginia.

(Also, don't forget to pick up the July-August print edition of Virginia Living -- on newsstands now -- so you can also read my separate feature on Surrey's historic Bacon's Castle.) 

Photo above by the mighty Sam Dean! Photo below courtesy of the Patterson family!





Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Coastal Virginia Magazine: Major and the Monbacks

It's time for some "old school party pop." 

My feature article on Norfolk's Major and the Monbacks has been published in the July issue of Coastal Virginia Magazine and is now online. The eight-piece Monbacks released a great new debut CD in May and are currently on tour with their high-octane live show. 

Get a dose of today's "Norfolk Sound" by reading the feature article, which can be found right here.

And for more on the band, their tour and the debut album, go here.

(Photo by the mighty Karla Espino!)