Editor’s note: At press time, inclement weather was expected midweek. Please check all events to make sure they have not been postponed or cancelled.
Thursday, Feb. 20
Screening of “God & Country” at Studio Two Three
RVA Indivisible, “a local chapter of a nationwide progressive grassroots organizations of millions of activists across every state,” will host a screening of the documentary “God & Country” from director Dan Partland and producer Rob Reiner, which “looks at the implications of Christian nationalism and how it distorts not only our constitutional republic but Christianity itself.” Doors open at 6, open house from 6:30 to 7 p.m., film screening from 7 to 8 p.m. and post-film discussion from 8 to 8:30 p.m. 109 W. 15 St.
Friday, Feb. 21
Third Coast Percussion at the Modlin Center’s Camp Concert Hall (UR)
The Grammy winning, Chicago-based Third Coast Percussion quartet planned to celebrate its 20th anniversary with a tour featuring Indian tabla master Zakir Hussain. Unfortunately, he died last December, just two months before the release of their joint EP, “Murmurs in Time” (Cedille Records). Hussain’s appearances in RVA have included the 2010 Richmond Folk Festival, and in collaboration with Bela Fleck and Edgar Meyer in 2018. What was going to be a new collaboration has become a tribute, with Hussain’s role filled by his disciple (their term) Salar Nader. The night will include the material on the CD, a solo performance from Nader, and a selection of other works commissioned by Jessie Montgomery, Tigran Hamasyan and Jlin. The appearance of a world-class chamber percussion ensemble is a rarity in Richmond. The deep connection with Hussain, one of the master musicians of the last half century, provides additional resonance. 7:30 p.m. Adults $20-$60, non-UR student/youth $10; UR students are free. —Peter McElhinney
Tucker Riggleman & the Cheapdates, Dead Billionaires, Drug Country at Gallery5
Nights out get touch and go this time of year, as we reconcile winter weather advisories with the shape of the road outside our window in real time. Provided safe passage, this bill is a perfect storm of Southern rock-tinged outfits, all with varied approaches and moves of their own. Riggleman’s Cheapdates arrive from Morgantown, West Virginia for their Richmond debut, hot on the bootheels of sophomore album, “Restless Spirit,” which is chock-full of tightly wound, bar band fodder and balladry. Local songsters Dead Millionaires promise a “fresh new-slew of unrecorded, hooky, power-pop, tailor-made for the latest chapter of the American Empire’s demise.” Drug Country is John Russell of gnawing’s more minimal, yet instrumentally varied project, that still stokes the fire for Dinosaur Jr. burning eternally in our hearts. Doors are at 7 p.m. $12 presale tickets cut off at 4 p.m. on Feb. 21st. Tickets are $15 at the door.—Tim Abbondelo
Full Moon Fever: A Tom Petty Tribute with Sravani Kameswari at Broadberry
If you grew up in the ‘70s or ‘80s, chances are you heard plenty of Tom Petty on the radio and even MTV. The guy knew how to write rockin’ pop hits that sounded great in your car, leaving work as the sun is setting, ready for anything. A Florida native, Petty probably would’ve given a wry grin if her knew that a magnetic Indian-American rocker in Richmond, Virginia had a tribute band that knew how to play his songs so well that people regularly came out to dance. $15. Doors at 7 p.m.
Hot 8 Brass Band: Big Tuba Tour w/Pay Rent Brass Band and VCU Jazz Combo at Richmond Music Hall
Unleash your brass fantasies with a whole lotta brass in one night. Doors at 7 p.m. $25
Saturday, Feb. 22
Richmond Moon Market at Stone Brewing
Curated craft and wellness market. Special guest curator For the Fem in You with music by DJ Ease “The Architect” and food from the live Buena food truck. Noon to 5 p.m.
Black History Month Vendor Fair at Beulah Recreation Center
A fair and market featuring a celebration of small Black businesses, including jewelry, visual art, clothing, skin care and more. There will be food and live art and entertainment. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 6901 Hopkins Rd. Free to attend.
Dilla’s Deli at Charlotte’s Southern Deli
A truly influential modern hip-hop artist, J Dilla (James Yancey) was a producer, composer and rapper out of Detroit whose sampling and drum programming advanced the art of hip-hop production and appealed to fans of many musical genres. He died tragically at age 32 due to a blood disorder and lupus. Organized by the All City Art Club, this event will celebrate the work he left us through art, food and music featuring Hip-Hop Henry. 5 to 9 p.m. Free. 200 South 10th St.
GoldenFest Kickoff, a benefit for Justin Golden, at Gallery5
Local musicians are pulling together to support one of their own, Justin Golden, who was recently diagnosed with stage 4 cancer at the age of 34. Tonight’s artists include: Mackenzie Roark and the Hotpants, Sun V Set, Tyler Meacham, Moosetrap, Jonathan Brown, with raffle prizes and more. All proceeds benefit “Justin’s cancer journey.” Read our feature by Davy Jones to learn more. 7 p.m. Tickets are $20.
Rex Richardson album release concert for “Elegy” at Révéler Experiences
Rex Richardson is a musical magician, effortlessly controlling a buzzing air column in a brass tube to conjure music of astounding range and beauty. His artistry has taken him around the world, performing pieces written for his ability to negotiate crazily challenging arrangements as a classical soloist. In a jazz context, that virtuosity is set free of a composed score, revealing a matching capacity for in-the-moment creativity. His new album, “Elegy” (Summit Records) is a timeless, yet up-to-the-minute display of his skills and those of his RVA-all-star collaborators.
This sextet/septet lineup includes Charles Owens, JC Kuhl, and VCU alum Steve Wilson on saxophones, Randall Pharr or Andrew Randazzo on bass, Daniel Clark or Dimitrije Vasiljevic on piano, and Brian Caputo or Kofi Shepsu on drums. There is a wide range of emotional content across the pieces, most written by Richardson with two, including the melodically melancholy “The Sunday After” by Charles Owens, and the beautifully haunting “Aurora” by Vasiljevic. Perhaps the key to the album’s elegiac title is the cheerful opener, “Peanuts ‘n Ice Cream,” written in honor of Richardson’s late father’s favorite snack.
After serving as professor and world ambassador for the VCU music program, Richardson left last year for a position at the University of South Carolina. Any performance of his is worth the effort to attend, especially one in as intimate a space as Révéler. The band for the performance includes players on the album: Charles Owens on sax, Dimitrije Vasiljevic on piano, Randall Pharr on bass, and Kofi Shepsu on drums. Act quickly, the space seems to sell out every weekend, although there are a few walk-up tickets at the door. Show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15-$25.—Peter McElhinney
Sunday, Feb. 23
Richmond Symphony presents Brass Glory at the Carpenter Theatre in the Dominion Energy Center for the Arts
Just when you thought it was safe to have a lazy Sunday, there’s more brass! Michael Sachs, one of classical’s foremost trumpet masters, will be featured on Vivian Fung’s “Earworms,” Wynton Marsalis’ “Trumpet Concerto” and Schumann’s “Symphony No. 2” with conductor Rei Hotoda. Sunday show at 3 p.m. There’s also a Saturday show at 8 p.m. Free pre-concert talk one hour beforehand. Tickets start at $15.
Tuesday, Feb. 25
Shockoe Sessions live presents Harvest Blaque at In Your Ear Studios
A weekly showcase, in person and live-streamed, of Virginia talent which this week will feature Bryan “Harvest Blaque” Hancock, an actor, writer, slam poet and hip-hop artist who is passionate about community work and music. He’s also an artist for Carilion Clinic adjunct therapy where he teaches youths how to find their voice through music and poetry. 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. $15.
