Things get a little chilly this week, with a spine-tingling screening of a cult-classic horror film at Studio Two Three. Other mildly demonic pursuits in the days ahead include 1708 Gallery’s Monster Drawing Rally and a reading from RVA native Clay McLeod Chapman’s latest book, “Devil Inside.” If you’d rather learn to create art of your own (horrific or otherwise), check out a printmaking exhibition at Gallery5. Enjoy!
Don’t Close Your Eyes
Hell hath no fury like Good for Her, a community film series saluting the cinematic rage of women. The next screening is “The Slumber Party Massacre” on Thursday, Aug. 20, at Studio Two Three. The 1982 slasher was the first mainstream movie in the genre to be written and directed by women. It follows high school senior Trish, who throws a sleepover for her friends on the unfortunately timed night that a psychotic serial killer escapes a mental institution and begins prowling her neighborhood with a power drill. The event serves as a fundraiser for community outreach and drug injury reduction organization River City Harm Redux. The film starts at 7:30 p.m., and admission is free.
—Nicole Cohen, Arts & Entertainment Editor
He’s Baaack
Clay McLeod Chapman, originally from Richmond and now based in New York, is an acclaimed purveyor of the weird and wonderful in novels, comics, film and television, and he’s appearing at Shockoe Slip’s Fountain Bookstore Saturday, Aug. 22, at 1 p.m. In Chapman’s latest book, “Devil Inside,” Jordan, trying to recover from a traumatic near-fatal accident, meets the mythic-name-carrying Lilith, and things get weird. Fountain’s general manager, Andi Richardson, moderates the discussion. The event is free; copies of the book are $20. Registration is requested.
—Harry Kollatz Jr., Senior Writer
Art Unleashed
Downtown’s 1708 Gallery hosts 80 local artists for its 17th annual Monster Drawing Rally, a family-friendly, fast-paced live art-making event on Aug. 22. From noon to 5:30 p.m., four waves of 20 artists, ranging from hobbyists to professionals, will have an hour to create a piece in their chosen medium in front of a live audience. The finished works are then put on display and will be available for purchase at $100 each. Proceeds benefit both the participating artists and the gallery. Kids also get their own time to create during a 30-minute chalk-wall session. Philly Vegan and Scoop II will vend on-site. Suggested admission is $5 at the door.
—Audrey Polverari, Editorial Intern
Printed and Posted
In a city with a wealth of artists across many disciplines, printmaking doesn’t always get its due. But the medium’s diversity shines this month at Gallery5’s “From the Ground Up: A Juried Printmaking Exhibition,” which continues through Aug. 28. The show awards first-, second- and third-place prizes to entries from Richmond artists, culminating with a closing reception and a happy hour on the 28th for the region’s creatives to mix and mingle. Admission is free.
—Kevin Johnson, Lifestyle Editor
Other Suggestions
- “Abigail DeVille: Deo Vindice (Orion’s Cabinet)” at the Institute for Contemporary Art at VCU — a sculptural installation of burned antique furniture representing of the aftermath of the fires that swept through Richmond at the end of the Civil War — closes Aug. 18.
- Ashland Theatre screens some purr-fect pictures during CatVideoFest 2026, Aug. 21-22.
- Richmond’s own Puerto Rican folk artists Kadencia perform during the Summer on the Southside Concert Series at the Broad Rock Sports Complex on Aug. 22.
- Tony Jackson and Shades of Gray provide the soundtrack for the Crabs, Beer & Spirits by the James festival at Kanawha Plaza on Aug. 22.
- The Oddities & Curiosities Expo brings the weird, wacky and wonderful to the Greater Richmond Convention Center Aug. 22-23.
- Ada Gallery’s summer exhibition, “Fireflies,” featuring the work of more than 20 local artists, continues through Aug. 31.
River City Roundup is Richmond magazine’s weekly compilation of the best things to see, do and experience in the region, compiled by our editors. Get each week’s installment directly in your inbox every Monday by subscribing to our e-newsletter.
