Thursday, April 17
“Finding Edna Lewis” film screening and discussion at Library of Virginia
Check out this fun and informative doc featuring our former Food Editor Deb Freeman, host of the podcast “Setting the Table,” as she journeys to uncover the life of an American original, Edna Lewis. She’ll be on hand to discuss the film. Runs from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Free but registration is required.
Black Button with Yankee Bastard and Hard Copy at The Hole
Release show for the new cassingle by Richmond’s intrepid hardcore punk outfit, Black Button. It features two excellent, hair-raising dirges in “Kiss the Flies” b/w “Easy Mend”, newly recorded by band member and engineer extraordinaire Brandon Reichhardt at Dream House Sound. Hear it here, but don’t miss their limited run tape release, or any thing for that matter on the band adjacent label, Idle Music, which bowled me over last fall with their first release: Harry Sings! “The Schoolhaus Recordings”. It’s a thrill to watch this creative crew put good stuff into the world at such a commendable clip. They’ll be joined by Yankee Bastard and Hard Copy’s long awaited return to the stage, or what have you. Music at 8 p.m. and costs $5, but remember to budget a few extra bucks to pick up their new physical release.—Tim Abbondelo
Valerie June and John Muq at The National
The Grammy nominated singer-songwriter from Tennessee brings her new “Owls, Omens and Oracles” tour to Richmond. Bandcamp recently featured it as the album of the day, and here’s what they had to say: “Over the last dozen or so years, Tennessean singer/songwriter Valerie June has become an Americana darling with her artisanal blend of blues, country, folk, soul, gospel, and pop earning her a Best American Roots Song Grammy nomination for her last album … ‘Owls’ was produced by M. Ward, who June first met when she guested on a Mavis Staples album he was overseeing. Here, he manages to make the music feel simultaneously down to earth and as big as all outdoors.” Doors at 6:30 p.m. Show at 7:30 p.m. All ages.
Friday, April 18
Gallery5 20th Birthday fundraiser
Come celebrate two decades of the glorious nonprofit Gallery5, a grassroots arts space that has helped so many local artists and musicians, with a birthday blowout featuring live performances, retro carnival games, arts-focused raffle prizes and more. There will be performances by Houdan the Mystic, Museum District, WRIR and more; there will also be a big birthday cake and singing. For more, read our interview with founder Amanda Robinson by Don Harrison. Costs $20 to attend. Runs from 7 to 11 p.m. Members get in free.
Scott Wichmann “Mr. Showtime” at The Tin Pan
Scott Wichmann has been a local theatrical icon for decades, and a frequent, if minor presence in TV shows and films. Whether playing a political aide in Spielberg’s “Lincoln” or a cowardly racist conductor in “The Good Lord Bird,” he disappears into the role, an anti-leading man. In local productions, wearing a diaper in Bat Boy, or a white suit in “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels,” his flair for comedy is on full display. For his Rat Pack-infused cabaret act, “Mr. Showtime,” somehow all of the parts come together. He is playing Frank Sinatra, something he has done since he appeared in the late ‘90s with Rene Marie in the Barksdale Theater production of “Ella and Her Fella, Frank.” The role now fits him like a black tuxedo. He appears with a full band, a classic songbook, venerable jokes, a twinkle in his eye, and a promise to take audiences back to when their parents were young. 8 p.m. Tickets are $32.50, with a $15 drink minimum and a 20% automatic gratuity.—P.M.
No BS! Brass and Sidechick at The Broadberry
It’s brass boogie time, folks. You know the fellas. Doors at 7 p.m. $15.
Artemis Gallery presents the Artisan Music and Arts Fest (through April 19)
Celebrate the end of winter and beginning of spring with bright colors, arts and crafts and music by local artisans. 4 to 10 p.m. 1601 W Main St.
Prabir, Horsehead and Danger Birds at Cobra Cabana
Veteran Richmond bands take over at cool and cozy Snake Plissken-friendly club out back. Doors at 7 p.m. $15.
Saturday, April 19
Dominion Energy Family Easter at Maymont (Carriage House Lawn)
Hop it on down the bunny trail to Maymont for a day of music, food trucks, games, inflatable slides and of course, selfies with that Easter Bunny. Expect many thousands of people as over 15,000 showed up last year. 1700 Hampton St. Fees required for activities. Visit maymont.org for more info.
Ninth birthday celebration at The Veil Brewing Co.
One of Richmond’s most popular breweries is turning the big nine, which means you may want to day drink their delicious brew in Scott’s Addition. 11 a.m.
Earth Day at the Science Museum of Virginia
Yep, don’t think we forgot: It’s Earth Day. Science Museum organizers are filling up the TrainYard with over 25 community partners “ready with hands-on activities to help your family learn all about composting, wetlands, bike infrastructure, solar power, recycling, watershed restoration efforts, native plants and pollinators, energy savings and much more.” There will be demos, labs and exhibitions, including LEGO stuff. Food and refreshments from Curbside Creations and King of Pops, and five different giant screen films will be showing in the Dome, “each one highlights the awesomeness of the Earth.” Dome features require an additional $5 ticket or members may use a Dome pass. Earth Day activities are included with Science Museum admission, which is only $10 on April 19!
Learn more: https://smv.org/explore/things-to-do/earth-day/
Earth Day Festival at Deep Run Park (Henrico)
They’re expanding this family event this year with more activities, vendors, electric cars, tree tours, live music. Runs from noon to 3 p.m. Go here for more info.
X and Z: The Y is Silent: Works by Austin Fitch and Lillian Schnettler at Gramophone Gallery
Mr. Austin Fitch may be known to many as a beloved local bartender and the former, Travis Bickle-esque guitarist from the sweetly pummeling instrumental trio King Sour, but he’s also a longtime artist; come check out his work and that of Lillian Schnettler when they hit the walls at Gramophone. 4827 Forest Hill Ave. 7 p.m.
Ban Caribe 40th Anniversary at Révéler Experiences
Percussionist Kevin Davis’s Ban Caribe is RVA’s O.G. champion of Caribbean-inflected Latin soul music since the mid-‘80s. The group has played everywhere from bars and benefits to festivals and introductory rhythm sessions in local elementary schools. (Some players on the scene may have gotten their first taste of clave while still in second or third grade.) A native New Yorker, Davis grew up in the multicultural musical scene that gave birth to salsa. He honed his craft through travels in the islands—the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Puerto Rico—before coming to Richmond and starting the band. The lineup is classic R&B—guitar, bass, keyboards, vocalists—with a full Latin rhythm section of congas, shakers, timbales and steel drum. Davis sings, switches from instrument to instrument, and seems to have lost none of his enthusiasm in the passing decades. If everyone who played at Second Street last year shows up, Reveler will be crowded even before the crowd arrives. The band will play two shows on Saturday, at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $15-25, depending on reserved seat location.—Peter McElhinney
Sunday, April 20
Easter on Parade (Monument Avenue between N. Allen and Davis)
Easter parties in the 804 just don’t stop, y’all. Richmonduhs love to celebrate the holy second wind of the ultimate influencer, J.C., by getting dolled up, donning funky hats and strutting their pastel-colored tail feathers like Victorian dandies along Monument Avenue between North Allen and Davis. (Consider it our own fancy version of the Crip Walk, though maybe Drip Walk is more accurate). Seems obvious that Jesus would be thrilled this fancy $45,000 party found a new sponsor: Sage Wealth Advisors. May we suggest that somebody’s progeny dress up like Teenjus from “The Righteous Gemstones”? Or dapper Baby Billy works, too, just not “balls out and claws out,” mind you. We eagerly await the IG posts like a melted peep rainbow on thick sliced white bread, baby. 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Book of Wyrms, Future Mantis and Hagstone at Gallery5
Okie blow that snot away by rocking out with your friends, just don’t forget the allergy meds. $12 in advance, $15 at the door. 7 p.m.
Monday, April 21
Fan Club, Ultra Bleach, Dream World and Gleex at Bandito’s Diablo Room
vs.
Sports Bar, Your Pest Band (Tokyo, Japan), The Barbed Wires and Carnivorous Flower at Cobra Cabana
Every spring brings an uptick in musicians’ tour schedules sure to max out concert goers’ dance cards. When two or more shows conflict, personal predilections get put to the test. Case in point, not one but—by my count—two stacked bills on this unsuspecting weeknight, unlikely to soon be repeated. Fan Club (formerly Lysol) are on tour from Seattle, and already familiar to anyone following former Richmond maven Sam Richardson’s Feel It Records empire. The band continues on its collision-course pedigree of past Pacific Northwest wrecking balls—imagine Poison Idea meets the Makers nastiest output. They’re a strong case for this bill, bolstered by local attractions including a debut performance from Gleex, the intriguing new project featuring former “Shimmers” from Shawnis and the Shimmers. A mere two miles away, Sports Bar are making an increasingly rare live performance sure to provide a warm Richmond welcome for Tokyo, Japan’s Your Pest Band, along with The Barbed Wires, who only convene for their memorable sets several times a year. Whose to say which is the preeminent punk rock gig on this particular evening? Well, you are! Choose wisely. Doors at ‘Ditos are at 8 p.m. and costs $12. Doors at Cobra Cabana are at 7 p.m. and costs $15.—T.A.
Rattlemouth at Révéler Experiences
Art rock-laced global sounds. “Formed by Danny Finney and Robbie Kinter in 1989 as an offshoot of Richmond institution The Ululating Mummies, Rattlemouth has gone through a series of band members and currently exists as a quintet.” 7 p.m. show. $15. General admission.
Tuesday, April 22
Good Bad Taste: A John Waters Drag Show at Gallery5
Oh yeah, one of our favorite freaks is turning 79: Filmmaker John Water, come back to RVA, we miss you. In honor of the Prince of Puke, come celebrate with a killer drag tribute (hey that rhymed). Hosted by Jelly Gobin and featuring Rebel Rouser, Fushia DeVille and Mad Maxii. Seating is general admission only. $10 at the door or $7 in advance.
Bonnie Raitt with special guest Larry John McNally at Altria Theater
We’ve heard nothing but good things about Ms. Raitt’s recent shows, and she’s definitely put her time in as a bluesy guitar slinger (ever heard that one old bootleg where she’s drunk as a skunk and still manages to deliver a top-notch show?) Plus if you’re like us, you’ve got to find a way to get that version of Will Ferrell singing, “Let’s give ’em something to talk about” from “Step Brothers” out of your head. Let the original lady with the mean slide skills do it. 7:30 p.m. Tickets still on sale.
Afro Zen All-Stars at Shockoe Sessions Live! at In Your Ear Studios
One of the funkiest bands in town, with blazing horns inspired by golden Ethiopian sounds, and an extensive repertoire of material from across the globe, gets the Shockoe Sessions treatment. Doors at 6 p.m. Runs from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Tickets are $15 go here for more.
Wednesday, April 23
Julien Baker and Torres with Aisha Burns at The National
Yep, Lucy’s lady is in town with her excellent new countryfied music. “Unruly, complex and gorgeous,” says the esteemed New Yorker. Sounds pretty good to us, too. Doors at 6:30 p.m. show at 7:30 p.m. All ages show.
