Friday, Aug. 2
804 Day at 17th Street Market in Shockoe Bottom
It’s a five-hour celebration of the local music scene with bands on three stages, dozens of community and nonprofit vendors – plus a special kickoff by newly elected the Official Dog of 804 Day, Bunky (who everybody likes way more than climate change).
The shindig is being put on by the City of Richmond and sponsors like Shockoe Records, some folks doing the most to support and promote RVA sounds. Last year’s event reportedly drew 5,000 people. Spokeswoman Reese Williams of Shockoe Records said in a release that “in curating our music lineup, our goal is to bring together some of the best talent that reflects our region’s vibrant culture and community spirit.”
Among the 804 area code bands at the event are: Niiasii, Palmyra, Knifing Around, Kadencia and Nickelus F (Loving’s Stage), Weldon Hill, Rein, Holy River, Ant the Symbol, and Los Hermanos Alacranes (Shockoe Records Stage), Vexine, Dead Billionaires, Weekend Plans, Flight Club, Erin and the Wildfire (17th St. Market Stage) plus a VIP stage with alternating sets by The Sweet Potatoes and The Sugar Hollows. 804 Day runs from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the heart of Shockoe Bottom.
For more details, visit: shockoerecords.com/804day
Nonagon Affinity Group Show Opening at Black Iris Gallery
Kicking off a visually inspired celebration of Aussie psych-rock band King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, ahead of their concert later this month at Brown’s Island (8/28). This month-long show is named after that band’s eighth studio album (they’re up to 26 and counting) which was designed to be playable on an endless loop. Contributions from 36 artists promise to continue and expand on that cycle in further new dimensions. It’s a cool idea and perfect timing; organized and curated by illustrator-muralist-printmaker Erek Jones and Ian C. Hess, owner of Supply and Little Giant Society, a nonprofit working on Richmond’s first public art park. Turn on, tune in, drop by. Starts at 4 p.m. It’s free and open to the public. —Tim Abbondelo
The Gold Sauce at Anytime Beer Company
The Gold Sauce is a cover band committed to authenticity; not necessarily note-for-note recreation, although they know the originals in detail. They may work to nail the sonic details in Jimi Hendrix’s “Third Stone from the Sun,” and they may never wander off into the weeds of freeform jamming. But if the feeling is right, they’ll take a ZZ Top-inspired ride on top of a Johnny Guitar Watson song or learn an Elvis Costello album at practice and perform it that night. The most important thing they have learned to play is the audience. Delight them and everything else falls into place.
“It’s just a damn good time,” says bassist Jeremy Simmons. “It’s a fun band, everybody can play, and there is no drama. I’ve been in this band for 13 years, and I hope I can play with these guys until I can’t play anymore.”
The venue is Anytime Beer Company, a brewery that specializes in pilsners, the light, crisp alternative to omnipresent IPAs. According to Simmons, the venue just improved the stage and the sound treatments. There is a children’s playground and a food truck. And, when The Gold Sauce is there, a free-range, post-1960s setlist spanning the Allman Brothers, Stevie Wonder, Steve Miller, Al Green, and bunch of one-hit wonders, plus probably a few surprises.
“We seldom go on with a set list,” Simmons says. “But we know all the songs. It’s not a run of the mill thing. These guys are really good. I see how we affect people in the audience, and while I’m probably never going to be a famous person, this band affords me the ability to feel that way.” That’s the thing about cover bands focusing on the classic rock and soul era. They may not be the originals, but if they were, they might be too old to play. 704 Dawn St. at 7 p.m. Admission is free.—Peter McElhinney
Saturday, Aug. 3
RVA Duck Race and Festival of Inclusion at Brown’s Island
It’s the return of the iconic duck race hosted by the Autism Society of Central Virginia as the city’s largest sensory-friendly fest! Watch the ducks float down the canal. Ducks will be sold online up to the event. Family activities, food, music and more. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Go here for more specifics: https://www.ticketsignup.io/TicketEvent/RVADuckRace
Richmond International Dragon Boat Festival at Rocketts Landing
This unique and lively cultural event features 20 synchronized paddlers, along with one drummer and one steerperson, from around the East Coast who will navigate 40-foot canoes festooned with decorative dragon heads and tails down the pooey James. Live music, demonstrations, Chinese cultural performances, a health and wellness village, beer garden, food trucks and more. Free event takes place from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more info, go here.
The New Pornographers with Gustaf at the Broadberry
Writing up a New Pornographers show is work not unlike that of a genealogist or gossip columnist. Who’s in? Who’s out? What’s next? And while the outcome veers more toward scheduling conflicts than ego clashes, each iteration of the supergroup suggests a new New Pornographers at play. The tea: neither Dan Bejar nor Neko Case are on this tour, but the band’s catalog, led by A.C. Newman, has always been malleable and resilient to its particular personnel. New York post-punk openers, Gustaf, are sure thing, all set to kick the proceedings off with a jerk. Doors are at 7 p.m. Tickets are $35 (not including convenience fees in advance). —T.A.
Sunday, Aug. 4
Concerts in the Park at Libby Hill Park feat. Ellen Cockerham Riccio
Well-known local violinist will perform a selection of classical music for this first concert of this Church Hill neighborhood friendly series held around sunset. Bring a chair, blanket of other picnic materials. Free. 7 to 8 p.m.
Cake at Brown’s Island
It’s the Alt. 102.1 Food Fight featuring that band, Cake, you know the ones that did that Muppet song, “Mahna, Mahna” (never gets old). Gates at 6:30 p.m. and show at 7:30 p.m.
