Thursday, April 24
Paul Reiser and Kyle Davis at The National
Actor, comedian and writer Paul Reiser is probably best known for the hit TV show, “Mad About You” or maybe “My Two Dads” for the older folks. We’ll always remember him as the sleazebag who gets smoked by a Xenomorph in “Aliens.” He’ll be dropping what he’s learned about comedy at The National with opener Kyle Davis. Doors at 6:30 p.m. show at 7:30 p.m. All ages.
Friday, April 25
Nikki Glaser’s Alive and Unwell Tour at Altria Theater
Billed as one of the nation’s top roasters for turning chiseled football stud Tom Brady into a discarded ball of diaper waste (but c’mon, isn’t that easier than shooting fish in a barrel? Or to paraphrase a vintage roast by Todd Barry, easier than being “somewhere near a barrel?”) But where comedian Ms. Nikki really shines, though, are graphic jokes laced with dark, self-deprecating humor. An early fan of Sarah Silverman, she can throw down nasty-style with the best of ‘em, so she should do well in the Bible Belt. Did we mention she was the first woman to host the Golden Globes? Shows at 7 and 9:30 p.m.
Piranha Rama with Painted World and Bucko at The Camel
Been awhile since Piranha Rama has rocked it, come check out what’s new with Chrissie and crew. They’ll be joined by Painted World (Knifing Around’s David Long and friends) and Bucko, a “honky tonk goof-rock group based in the economic and religious capital of the world—Richmond, Virginia.” $12 in advance, $15 at the door. Doors at 9 p.m., show at 9:30 p.m.
The Peawees with Mala Vista and Mel Machete at Fuzzy Cactus
Italy may not be known principally for its export of rock ‘n’ roll as much as say, Disco Italo or Red Sauce, but this long-running outfit from the boot has been kicking around since 1995. Now the Peawees are finally returning stateside with a loaded set of no-frills tunes, for the first time in a whopping 27 years. This time, they’re old enough to legally drink, and have seven albums full of garage-tinged heaters to their credit. Along with an impressive CV from sharing the stage with luminaries like The Sonics, Detroit Cobras, Radio Birdman, and the Dwarves, they’re not to be missed up close and personal. This Friday they’ll be joined by recent Big Apple dolls, Mala Vista and your favorite local riff merchants, Mel Machete. It may no longer be leather weather, but pop your collar in spirit and strut your way to Brookland Park’s perennially crafted rock ’n’ roll eatery for this slappin’ rumpus. Tickets cost $15. Doors are at 9 p.m. and 21+.—Tim Abbondelo
Amminal feat. Laura Ann Singh at Révéler Experiences
Amminal beautifully mines the same deep vein of experimental, mid-tempo folk/rock pioneered by early Pink Floyd, Soft Machine and others. On recordings, the vocals are breathy close harmony, the guitars either preternatural acoustic or spacey psychedelic. A sitar shows up with lovely, ringing notes, but never accelerates into full raga mode. The lyrics are naturalistic and poetically rueful. The playing is excellent, as you would expect from a band stacked with RVA area talent: Pippin Barnett on drums, Adam Hopkins on upright bases, Stephen Williams, Bryan Hoffa, and singer/songwriter Philip Murphy.
The avant-garde tinge comes from exotic melodies, jazz harmonies, and inspiration from the natural world. The music is deep but gentle, which makes it difficult to pull off in a crowded bar where every moment of silent reflection is purposely built for amplified tipsy conversation—which makes it perfect for Reveler, where every show starts with an admonishment and audience commitment to listening. Best of all, the evening’s second set features guest vocalist Laura Ann Singh (Miramar, Quatro na Bossa), who has an affinity for this kind of music and the expressive power to take it into a dimension all her own. 8 p.m. Admission is $15-$20. Act early for best reserved seats.—Peter McElhinney
OUT OF TOWN PICK:
The 48th Virginia State Frisbee Tournament at Pratt Park in Fredericksburg (April 25-27)
Held for decades in Fredericksburg, this is easily one of the top, and certainly one of the most venerable competitions of its kind. Players from as far away as Sweden, Africa, and Hawaii compete for overall and individual placement in six events: disc golf, distance, accuracy, double disc court, maximum time aloft, and freestyle. There’s an enthusiastic group of volunteers, some of whom have been there since the beginning, as well as a mix of young and old competitors, including legends of the sport like Michael “Captain Snap” Conger, freestyle O.G. Jens Velasquez, and the generation-younger O’Neill brothers. (Onetime Style Weekly Editor Jack Cooksey has been going since his early teens. For a long time, he held the 16 and under world record for distance.) The tournament is its own, welcoming little world.
In the flying disc universe, disc golf has become a lowkey professional sport, with million-dollar sponsorships and audiences in the thousands at major events. Ultimate—a game akin to soccer—has a professional league. But most of the events at this tournament (even the term “Frisbee” shows its age, given the plethora of disc manufacturers) have retained the DIY, one-big-family/small scale idealism of a half century ago. The events start on Friday and finish on Sunday. For non-competitors, the most watchable events, especially the music gymnastic freestyle, are on Sunday afternoon. Bring a lawn chair and some money for the food at the canteen in Shelter H. The Virginia State Frisbee Tournament takes place at John Lee Pratt Park in Fredericksburg all day from Friday, April 25 to Sunday, April 27. The park is located on the north side of the river, a short distance off Route 95. —P.M.
Saturday, April 26
The 40th annual Herbs Galore at Maymont’s Carriage House Lawn
The best place this weekend to pick up gardening tips and plant care advice from professional growers, or take a historic garden audio tour, visit the Robins Nature Center, enjoy music by Virginia’s own Indigenous Gourd Orchestra, as well as take in some demos or talks by local growers. New this year will be a selection of mimosas (hey, ladies) along with craft beer, wine and cider (with ID). 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. 1700 Hampton St. General admission tickets are $10, children ages 1 through 16 get in for $6. Under age of 1 is free. Maymont members also get in free. For more, go to maymont.org.
Bellevue Porchella
A Bellevue Civic Association event, this live music walk started during the early days of the COVID pandemic and people liked it so much they made it a twice a year deal (spring and fall). There will be bands and food trucks and Fauquier Avenue from Laburnum to Bellevue will be closed down from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; additional road closures at band sites include Westminster Ave., Lamont at Bellevue, the 1400 block of Avondale, 1400 and 1200 blocks of Stanhope. Rain Dare is April 27. Runs from noon to 6:30 p.m.
Swine and Brine at Ardent Craft Ales
If you’re all about tasty beer, seafood and pork options, you will want to check this Scott’s Addition event out. Features local restaurants Rappahannock Oyster Co., Nam Prik Pao, Royal Pig, El Taconazo and Eazzy Burger. Noon to 8 p.m.
The 21st annual Ashland Train Day (downtown Ashland, Va)
Take a little drive north on 95 to small town Ashland and enjoy a street festival dedicated to railroad history, model trains, live music, gift shopping and more. 112 N. Railroad Ave. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rain or shine. For more complete info, go here.
Hardywood Ode to Bluegrass (West Creek location)
Time to get your twang on. Among the bands scheduled this year are Big Boss Combo, Whiskey Banjo Foxtrot, Cary St. Ramblers, Josh Grigbsy and Country Line and Wicked Sycamor. Music starts at 2 p.m. Admission is free. Runs until 9 p.m. Food trucks will be on site. 820 Sanctuary Trail Dr.
Remi Wolf with Dana and Alden at Brown’s Island
The singer from Northern California who appeared on “American Idol” brings her bedroom pop to the island on the “Big Ideas” tour. All ages, doors at 6 p.m. $49.50 to $59.50.
Suped Up with Pink Window and Junior Skeptics at Get Tight Lounge
Record release show for the awesome new power pop project from this former and thankfully sometimes still Richmond music guy, Brian Dove. That’s correct, Suped Up is rolling into town keen to roll out its new self-titled, 10-song album via cassette from Hilltop Recordings. Joined by Noah Bowman, the duo’s first two singles smack with sunshine and jangly twang. Lead single “Crossroads” hints at a Wayne Coyne (Flaming Lips)-fronted Big Star, and is reminiscent of records by Chicago’s Sharp Pins or Philadelphia’s 2nd Grade nowadays. The follow up teaser, “No Ghost No Problem” veers off into more cranked-up pop-punk terrain. Local twee delights, Pink Window, anchor this bill along with a highly-anticipated debut performance by Junior Skeptics. That band features members of Young Scum and Gnawing and has been brewing for a while. “It all started like 2 years ago,” the band’s songwriter Ali Mislowsky tells me. “It’s my fully realized dream for a band.” Previously, Dove and Mislowsky both played in Big Baby. “It all worked out serendipitously,” Mislowksky continues, “Now we both have new bands and it’s beautiful.” Doors are at 7:30 p.m., cost $15 and are 18+.—T.A.
The Ar-Kaics, Hard Copy, Added Dimensions and Power Pants at Cobra Cabana
Heaping helpings of Virginia-based punk, psych, rock and power pop are on the menu at Cobra Cabana on Saturday, April 26. Topping the bill is the Ar-Kaics, who lit up 2024 with “See the World on Fire,” the veteran garage rock group’s most fully realized album to date [full disclosure: member Tim Abbondelo contributes to Style Weekly]. Read about those eight incendiary songs in this Style Weekly interview. Joining the Ar-Kaics will be fellow Feel It Records signees Hard Copy, whose debut album, “12 Shots of Nature,” landed to local acclaim in 2023. Rounding out the bill will be a pair of punk acts with recent cassette releases to their names: Power Pants, who dropped a split tape alongside Dru the Drifter at the start of April, and Added Dimensions, which is donating all profits from another April release, “Uppers,” to the Transgender Law Center. The show will run from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at linktr.ee/cobracabana.—Davy Jones
Sunday, April 27
The third annual Richmond Animation Festival at the Byrd Theatre
Some pretty cool animated shorts and more from all over the world, plus guest artist Lilli Carré will present a program of her own animations followed by a live Q&A. Read our preview later today by Rich Griset. Takes place at 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 27 at the Byrd Theatre, 2908 W. Cary St. Tickets are $15.
