Thursday, Feb.19
National African American Read-In at VMFA
Sponsored by the Black Caucus of the National Counil of Teachers of English, this event allows you to see and hear notable figures from Richmond deliver prose and poetry readings throughout the galleries using works by African American artists and authors. Free to attend. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Artist talk with Leigh Merrill at Candela Books + Gallery
Reserve your space for a talk with “Lost Pine, Double Pine” artist, Leigh Merrill, who lives and works in Dallas, Texas where she is Professor of Art at East Texas A&M University. On the Candela site, they note that her artwork “challenges photographic perception and the physical and cultural formation of place. By interrogating the inherent limitations of photographic representation, her work reveals both the desire and simulacrum present around us and within the medium itself.” 6 to 8 p.m. 214 W. Broad St. Reserve a space here.
Black Violin at The National
In lesser hands, Black Violin’s fusion of classical and urban music would hit like a total novelty. But the Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Black unit have produced their own unique melding of genres since emerging on the scene 20 years ago as youthful “Showtime at the Apollo” winners. Led by violinist Kevin “Kev Marcus” Sylvester and Viola player Wilner “Wil B.” Baptiste, BV’s new album, Full Circle, is their first in five years, a typically-engaging mixture of soaring instrumental jams (“Drama” and “The Illest” are potent soundtracks in search of a movie) and kinetic contemporary soul and jazz. Doors at 6:30 p.m. and show at 7:30 p.m. — Don Harrison
Twen, Gymshorts, Strawberry Moon at The Camel
There’s only four more weeks of winter according to Punxsutawney Phil. But tonight concert goers can cheat meteorology and catch an aural bouquet of modern flower power from this pair of road-ready nomads, anchored by Richmond’s most swoon-worthy local rockers. Taken to the extreme, Twen literally live in their van, giving new meaning to Uncle Bob’s ‘Never Ending Tour.’ As impressive of a feat as that is, I’m more keen on their support for this particular leg of said tour: Gymshorts. Originally from Providence, Rhode Island and led by firecracker front person Sarah Greenwell, the band keeps busy, touring and releasing memorable sides at a breakneck pace, well suited for headbangers (cue “Heaps New York”) as readily as teenybopper pop fans of all ages (“Love You Funny”). Somehow this is their first Richmond show in over five years. Greenwell tells Style the band would have been back sooner if not for “my vow to make Pickleball the internationally recognized Olympic sport it’s destined to be.” Doors at 7 p.m. and show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets can be found here. — Tim Abbondelo
Friday, Feb. 20
Egyptian Lover with Stimulator Jones, Elliott (US) and DJs Markus Gold and Devolved at LOSO
Now this one sounds like an old school bonanza of poppin’ and body rockin. Read our preview feature about this show, which includes four local DJs influenced by Egyptian Lover, a seminal figure in West Coast hip-hop who started out with Ice-T. Doors are at 8 p.m. Tickets along with additional details are available here.
Suppression, Ostraca, The Slads, Cicada, Service Weapon and Curriculum at Studio Two Three
The fifth benefit concert hosted by Richmond Punks Raising Money in the gymnasium of a beloved community arts space, and once again, audiences are treated to ‘a whole lotta show’ for what amounts to a bargain. Where else can you catch a legendary grind act, a leading nouveau screamo group, this pogo punk band on tour from Philadelphia, hardcore punks’ hardest working locals, some urgent and angular post-punk, and the positive and energetic punk rock of Service Weapon, who aren’t registered on the internet, but feature members of Subversas, Skeksis and Yankee Bastard. All that for less than the price of a single craft beer (a single Singel?) To date, these events have raised over $14,000 for local Richmond groups, including the All the Saints Theater Company, Mutual Aid Distribution RVA, Gaza Soup Kitchen, Richmond Reproductive Freedom Project. This time, the action benefits two additional organizations Richmond Community Legal Fund and No Mas Muertes. The former is a nonprofit formed by a group of lawyers and community organizers to connect and community members with legal resources. The latter (translated: “No More Deaths”) is a longstanding humanitarian organization based in Southern Arizona that offers volunteer-based projects to address and reform migration, immigration and border policing policies. There’s also a raffle featuring a ‘Who’s Who’ of local businesses, who’ve donated $3,000 dollars worth of goods (think: foodstuff, artstuff and various other good stuff, of all sort). Doors are at 7 p.m. The show costs $10 and raffle tickets are $5 a pop. — T.A.
Let’s Groove Tonight w/Richmond Symphony at Carpenter Theatre
The Richmond Symphony will be joined by Broadway’s Chester Gregory and vocal powerhouses Cherise Coaches and Brik Liam. They’ll perform classic hit songs by The Spinners, The Stylistics, The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Lou Rawls, Diana Ross, Gamble & Huff and more. Hae Lee conducts. 7 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 21
Dead People’s Stuff Vintage Market at Triple Crossing Beer Fulton (Also Feb. 22)
A two-day event with completely different vendors each day hawking clothing, home goods, jewelry and media, oddities, plus food and drink. Will be indoors and outdoors at Triple Crossing Fulton. 5203 Hatcher St. Noon to 5 p.m. Free entry.
25th Annual Pet Expo at Richmond Raceway Complex
Celebrate 25 years with over 70 exhibitors offering unique pet products and services such as daycare, boarding, training and grooming. According to organizers: “Fan favorites are back, including the lure course, contests, puppy races and doggie treadmill. We’ll also have demonstrations, a parade of adoptable dogs, and live music. There’s fun for children too – the Kids Area features face painting, a stuffed animal “adoption stand,” and more.”Tickets: $8 online and $10 at the door. $5 for children ages 6-12. Children under 6 and pets are free. All proceeds help Henrico Humane Society care for animals in need. Runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more info on tickets, go here.
Beer Fest Richmond at Stone Brewing Tap Room
Your ticket includes unlimited tasters, a souvenir tasting glass, live music, and a 15% discount on merchandise. Food will be available for purchase. The event will be held indoors; therefore, we will be pouring rain or shine. $45 general admission, $10 for designated driver. Runs from noon to 4 p.m.
Matinee show: Justin Golden with Devil’s Coattails and Viv and Riley Matinee at The Camel
Come check out the great Justin Golden (a recent Top 40 under 40 winner) with the band Devil’s Coattails and more at this special daytime show. Doors at 2 p.m. show at 2:30 p.m. Go here for tickets.
RVA Environmental Film Festival (through March 7) at various locations
Check out our preview of this homegrown, all-volunteer festival by Karen Newton later on Thursday, Feb. 19. All events are free to attend and there a bunch of films being screened at Studio Two Three this weekend. To read the complete listing of film schedules, go to the website at rvaeff.org.
Cabin Fever 2026 at 1708 Gallery
The annual art auction for 1708 Gallery raises funds for its exhibitions and programs and provides resources for artists to produce and present artworks and programs. The live and silent auctions feature artwork by Richmond and national artists. The lineup so far includes: Meg Roberts Arsenovic, Jordan Bruner, Mahari Chabwera, Mizanur Chowdhury, Peter Cochrane, Tom Condon, Alezendria Decking, Hannah Diomataris, Sean Donlon, Andrea Donnelly, Hillary Waters Fayle, Suzanna Fields, Chris Gregson, Madeleine Herisson-LePlae, Davi Det Hompson, Veronica Jackson, Aimee Joyaux, Min Haeng Kang, Katie MacNelly, Lydia Mutone, Leah Raintree, Samuel Richardson, Kevin Sabo, Alyssa Salomon, SillyGenius, Morgan Slade, Leigh Suggs, Pam Sutherland, Kat Thompson, Sam Tudyk, Kwame Twumasi-Ankrah, Paul Wackers, Kendra Wadsworth, Charlie Westbrook, Dennis Winston, Susan Worsham, Sarah Boyts Yoder. 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Richmond Symphony: A Tribute to Arthur Fiedler and Boston Pops at Carpenter Theatre
Known for his work with the Boston Pops for nearly half a century, Fieldler made famous work you’re sure to recognize: “beloved pieces like the ‘1812 Overture,’ selections from ‘The Sound of Music,’ and more. Organizers note that “this performance mirrors the classic Fiedler Pops experience with two intermissions — giving you extra time to enjoy refreshments and connect with friends. Conductor: Chia-Hsuan Lin. 3 p.m.
Suggesting Rhythm’s 11th bday at The Canal Club
Deadheads come “celebrate 11 years of music, rhythm and loud nights” with your boys. Doors at 7 p.m. show at 8 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 22
Richmond Symphony Family Concert “Carnival of the Animals” at The Carpenter Theatre
Calling a performance a “family concert” is another way of saying that the material will appeal to children. “Carnival of the Animals” composer Camille Saint-Saëns was so concerned about the reputational impact of the naïve appeal of the suite — 14 musical miniatures capturing the essence of creatures, including fossils — that it was unpublished until after his death. (History displayed its usual irony by making it arguably his defining work.) Familiarity has made the musical portrayals archetypal. The lion’s march is bold and proud, the tortoise satirically plodding.
There is a shimmering “Aquarium” segment that sounds exceptionally close to the John Williams music for the Harry Potter movies. Each piece is short, focused and perfect for short attention spans of all ages. “Zoo Song” by Gregory Smith, composed in 1998, has a similar purpose, albeit with humorous, poetic narration about a young girl’s search through a menagerie for a very particular sound. “The Hall of the Mountain King,” is a musical segment drawn from Norwegian composers’ incidental music for Henrik Ibsen’s Peer Gynt. Portraying a fantastical visit to a troll king, the iconic music — it has appeared everywhere from a 1960s album by The Who to modern hip-hop samples — builds from a whisper to monumental proportions. As intended, the program is designed to open ears to the charms of classical music at its most approachable. Before the concert, starting at 1:45 p.m., there is an “instrument petting zoo” – pretty on the nose considering the animal-centric program, as well as other activities for young people. 3 p.m. Adults are $30, children and students $20. — Peter McElhinney
Makaya McCraven at Révéler Experiences
The concept of jazz dissolves and permeates the music of drummer/composer/producer /beat scientist Makaya McCraven. His work integrates the moment and history, improvisation and sampling over complex, shifting rhythms. Hip-hop rubs shoulders with Afrobeat, ambient and free jazz. Sometimes harmonies loom while melodies glitter in the shadows. His unique musical language is both unique and hypnotically familiar. The ambitious “Universal Beings” (International Anthem) was released as a double vinyl album in 2018 with four overlapping sets of collaborators in London, New York, Chicago and Los Angeles groupings.
He reimagined and rescored the late resistance poet Gil Scott-Heron’s haunting “I’m New Here” as “We’re New Again,” widening the musical context of the original’s bare bones sound while retaining the naked honesty. His Nonesuch release “In These Times” (2022) took seven years to finish, while his four 2025 EPs of improvised live moments in performance have been collected in the double album “Off the Record.” Over his career, his work has been a critically lauded mainstay of numerous best of the year lists. McCraven appears at Révéler with fellow Chicago based musicians, bassist Junius Paul and trumpeter Marquis Hill. Two shows: 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. $30. — Peter McElhinney
Tuesday, Feb. 24
Lucy Darling with Mark Ettinger’s “You’re Welcome” at Dominion Energy Center’s Carpenter Theatre
Carisa Hendrix, the performer behind the glamorous, 1940s-style socialite Lucy Darling, is back on tour with her enchanting new show, “You’re Welcome.” Featuring her unique “blend of wit, sweetness and old-Hollywood glamour,” this touring variety show also features musician, composer and juggler Mark Ettinger of the legendary Flying Karamazov Brothers. “Part-variety spectacular, part cabaret, part magic show, but always exceptionally darling.” 7:30 p.m.
Tyler Halverson with Angel White (solo): In Defense of Drinking tour at Richmond Music Hall
From Canton, SD, singer-songwriter and guitarist Tyler Halverson makes what he calls “Amerijuana music” infused with folk, honest hardcore country songs and blues; songs about bad decisions that owe equally to country legends and rockers like Neil Young. Rolling Stone just wrote that he’s making “rodeo songs for Millennials.” Doors at 7 p.m.
Matt and Caroline’s Curious Quintet at Révéler Experiences
Nothing says Tuesday like going to the club for some sweet theremin music. This quintet features the artistry of Caroline Scruggs (vocalist and thereminist) and Matt Fattal, bandleader, trumpet player and vocalist. They draw from the Golden Age of swing, New Orleans jazz and classic American song. Music at 7 p.m. Admission is $15.
Wednesday, Feb. 25
Drunks with Guns, Burning Hair and Thee Tower at Bandito’s
Much mythologized early-’80s noise rockers from St. Louis, Missouri, in the pantheon of Swans, Flipper and Brainbombs (also: later namechecked in Pavement’s Peel Session b-side, “Drunks With Guns,” from the band’s breakthrough album, “Slanted and Enchanted,”) will make their Diablo Room debut next week. It all goes to show that if you release a pair of lauded — when not being overlooked — albums and wait 40 years to tour, fame and fortune may await you on a school night at a Tex-Mex Sports Bar in the Devil’s Triangle. If that doesn’t get you chomping at the complimentary-chips-and-salsa bit, Burning Hair are a new Richmond group forged in the flames of savage local favorites Bermuda Triangles, VV et al. While Thee Tower rise from the ashes of Naked Baby for their second show of heavy twin-guitar skree. Doors are at 7 p.m. and cost $10. — T.A.
