Thursday, Feb. 5
“New Spiritualities” at the ICA at VCU
Exploring the same themes of spirituality and migration found in its current group exhibition, “Ayida,” the ICA hosts a screening of seven experimental films, hand selected by exhibition curator Serubiri Moses and ICA Assistant Curator Egbert Vongmalaithong. Moses is also one of the filmmakers, joining the screen with Alicia Díaz and Patricia Herrera, bryan ortiz, Mariana Parisca, and Luis Vasquez, La Roche, Thomas Allen Harris, and Tesora Garcia.The event is free but for mature audiences. Reserve tickets here. 6 p.m.—D.H.
The Golden Hours at the Sefton Listening Room
If you’re the kind of music fan who likes to be there at the start of something big, you’ll want to head to the Sefton Listening Room on Thursday. The cozy, low-lit basement venue next to Sefton Coffee Co. (24 N. 8th Street) will host a performance by the Golden Hours, a new group featuring members of two well-established Charlottesville-based folk groups: Lowland Hum and David Wax Museum. Judging by the footage from a livestream taped in late January, the chemistry among the newfound bandmates is way ahead of schedule. So is the notoriety the Golden Hours is receiving. NPR Music has already taken notice of the group’s song “Day Wheel,” naming it a Song of the Day, despite the fact that it hasn’t been officially released yet. (A gorgeous live version was recently captured by WNRN, however.) A debut album is on the way this year, and the group has some East Coast touring coming up in the spring, including a stop at a larger Richmond venue in April – but now is your chance to get an early, intimate preview. Doors open at 7 p.m. and music starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $26.50 and can be purchased here.
“Comedy” (Trident) Book Release Party at Small Friend Records and Books
Now that the ice is starting to melt, Richmond-based writer Mathias Svalina is celebrating the release of his latest book at his favorite local shop. I wrote about “Comedy” when it was released at the end of last year, and would line-up in the freezing cold to hear any of the short stories from this collection read aloud. Svalina will be joined in reading by fellow writers Kaitlyn Airy and Sommer Browning and anticipates the soirée will wrap up no later than 8:30. “I wanted to have a kiss-cam, like at sports games in stadiums, but it turns out that Small Friend doesn’t have a Jumbotron,” he says by email. Despite this being his ninth published book, Svalina shares that this will be his first release party. “All my books came out when I was either living in Denver or doing the Dream Delivery thing as a fully nomadic project. It’s amazing how many bookstores Richmond has now.”
[Just for fun] we asked the poet to share his own Stuff to Do list, and he responded: “Stand in the huge ‘Bread, Butter, & Power’ hall at the Giants show at the VMFA and discuss the connections between panels with friends; join with other dedicated minds to read the harrowing, rewarding poetry of Paul Celan in close detail; hide in my cold, cold room wearing wool gloves and write dreams and surrealist recipes for subscribers; walk across the Belvidere/Cowardin Bridge, carefully plotting each step in the awkward mass of frozen and refrozen snow; listen to the new Hotspit record; resist tyranny in all its manifestations, however I can.” Party time is 7 p.m. and there’s no cover, so buy a book and a record for yourself or absolutely anyone you know.—Tim Abbondelo
Friday, Feb. 6
Blue Orpheus Orchestra Album Release Show at Révéler Experiences
The Blue Orpheus Orchestra is the nighttime version of Barry Bless’ beloved Breakfast Cabaret, a band that assembles the last Friday morning of every month at Southside’s Gold Lion Community Cafe. Their idiosyncratic take on any number of musical genres — a headlong reel can shift naturally into a Led Zeppelin riff — make them one of the city’s most durably charming institutions. The band grew out of public practice sessions held by accordionist Bless and singer/dancer Twila Jane that ended up as hundreds of weekly or biweekly performances at Crossroads Coffee. Given the workday timing, not everyone can attend, including clarinetist/saxophonist/music instructor Jason Scott, the one member of Blue Orpheus band who is not a Cabaret regular. The band’s concept equates the south side of the river with the Left Bank in Paris, a haven for leftist anthems like the anti-fascist “Bella Ciao” as well as jazz-inflected folk, humorous songs and the occasional, percussive fan snap. The band is sharp and flexible, a stylistic melting pot where a Kassia Arbabi’s gypsy fiddle solo segues seamlessly into a metallic modal Freddy Lau guitar workout. No doubt a lot of the morning regulars will show up at Révéler. For those who work conventional hours, this is a chance to see what they have been missing. 8 p.m. Admission $22.50.—Peter McElhinney
Champions of Change at Art180 opening reception at Atlas gallery
Champions of Change pairs artwork by Richmond youth artists with global advocady project Peace Post’s collection of 198 global peace advocate portraits. ART 80 students will be honoring the activists, business leaders, educators and cultural figures from Jackson Ward’s Black Wall Street era. There will be an opening reception on Friday, Feb. 6 from 5 to 8 p.m. 114 W. Marshall St.
“Intelligence” – Virginia Opera at Carpenter Theatre (through Feb. 8)
Inspired by “the gripping true story of espionage, sacrifice and the fight for freedom” featuring Mary Jane Browser, an enslaved woman turned operative for a Union spy ring, unveiling secrets about the Confederacy. Sung in English with English subtitles. Friday night at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
Burning Fire Reggae Band feat. Keith Porter (Original Itals) and Sam Reed at Harry’s Loft at Hofheimer
Singer Keith Porter of the Original Itals will join Richmond’s own Sam Reed to celebrate the birthday of reggae icon Bob Marley. $20 tickets in advance, $30 day of show. Doors at 8 p.m and show at 9 p.m.
Paramount’s Pink Floyd Laser Spectacular at The National
Immersive, high-powered lasers choreographed to original masters of Pink Floyd. 8 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 7
GLOW at the Science Museum of Virginia
Illuminating the fun in STEM: Explore phosphorescent rocks in the Eco Lab, make yourself glow-in-the-dark with face paint, create psychedelic effects by making diffraction glasses in The Forge, enjoy a black light dance party, enjoy Movie Magic Laser Shows and astronomy shows in the Dome all day, discover the glowing science of alive demo on spectacular chemical reactions, and much more. GLOW runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Science Museum will remain open until 5 p.m. but note that LightPlace, the Dewey Gottwald Center and The Forum will close at 4:30 p.m. Go here to buy tickets.
ChinaFest: Year of the Fire Horse at VMFA
Celebrate the traditions of the Chinese Lunar New Year, as well as the 21st anniversary of the ChinaFest program. The Year of the Fire Horse is a Family Day event featuring free art activities, performances, music and more. All ages welcome. 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. To learn more, visit the VMFA website. Free.
Richmond Ren Faire presents “The Princess Bride” screening at the Byrd Theatre
Virago Alley, the group responsible for last year’s Richmond Renaissance Faire, is back with the first of a series of pop-up events leading up to this year’s main event (taking place at Dorey Park April 18-19) with a screening of the 1987 fantasy classic “The Princess Bride.” Attendees are encouraged to dress “as they wish” in period garb while Virago members present special medieval combat demonstrations performed by a shadow cast during the film. The day will also feature a costume contest and local vendors along with an exclusive first look at the custom sword forged by Join or Die Knives that will be raffled off this spring to support the Richmond Ren Faire Artist Fund, which goes directly toward paying the artists hired to participate in the Ren Faire. “The Princess Bride” screening and events take place at the Byrd Theatre on Saturday at 1 p.m. Tickets are $15 and available at viragoalley.org/rvarenfaire-theprincessbride.—Andrew Cothern
A Mighty Marley Celebration feat. Mighty Joshua, Signal Fire and Double Tiger at The Broadberry
One of RVA’s chief ambassadors of roots reggae, Mighty Joshua, brings together Signal Fire and Double Tiger for this annual tribute to reggae’s greatest icon Robert Nesta Marley. Doors at 7 p.m. $20 in advance.
Bio Ritmo at Révéler Experiences
Dust off those dancing shoes: Richmond’s very own legendary, indie salsa pioneer Bio Ritmo is playing a rare small venue show in Richmond’s beloved Carytown. Two big shows, one at 7 p.m. and one at 9:30 p.m. Admission is $25.
Sunday, Feb. 8
BälSäc’s Super Ball Bash at GWARbar
If you’ve ever had the pleasure of watching former GWAR leader Dave Brockie pile raw hamburgers like bodies on his home stove, before passing a huge bong around while his beloved Washington football team is playing, you know these metal mutants take their NFL seriously. Why yes, it is a bloody travesty that GWAR has not been invited to play the Super Bowl halftime show, however, you can still join some bloodthirsty mutants on their own turf for the big game between whoever is playing in this year’s biggest football game (Go concussions!) Kick-off is at 6:30 p.m. but they advise you get there early to sample the tasty morsels Chef BälSäc has created; and if you’re feeling really adventurous, “you can challenge BälSäc to a Hot Bäll eating contest with tasty lamb testicles smothered in all ten levels of heat in the Hot Ones official sauce set” it says. You can also enter free raffles to win prizes at the end of each quarter, including a grand prize of two VIP tickets to GWAR’s next big show at The National. 6:30 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 9
Anthony Pirog Trio, First Mondays at Artspace
Washington, DC-based Anthony Pirog is a guitar hero that most non-guitarists may not have heard of. This may be because his mercurial style is so difficult to pin down. Sometimes structured and lyrically melodic, sometimes bracingly avant-garde, he always finds something relatable inside his music. He’s probably best known for his work with punk-jazz trio Messthetics, formed with Fugazi’s rhythm section, which was notable enough to get an NPR Tiny Desk Concert. He has also frequently collaborated with his wife, cellist/composer Janel Leppin, with whom he performed during a previous First Mondays show in January of last year. This month’s event features a new trio with Mike Kuhl (RVA saxophonist JC Kuhl’s brother) and bassist Adam Hopkins, founder of Out of Your Heads Records (OOYH), the series sponsor. This is basically the same as the 2025 lineup, with cello swapped out for bass. As before, there will be an opening set from Scott Clark, the other OOYH principal. Those who saw the first go-round need no encouragement. For those who missed it, this is a second opportunity to catch up with one of the most exciting initiatives in RVA. (Note: The OOYH group has organized two nationally known guitarists, Mark Ribot and Mary Halverson, to play the city at separate events in March on their way to Tennessee’s Big Ears Festival.) 8 p.m. Admission is $20.—Peter McElhinney
Tuesday, Feb. 10
Jake Xerxes Fussell with Dougie Poole at The Camel
It’s been almost two years since Durham, NC-based bard, Jake Xerxes Fussell, brought his songbook — uniquely steeped in the American folk music tradition — to Richmond. As much as this new occasion deserves the attention of music lovers of every stripe, I want to direct my particular excitement for his return toward his inspired tour support: New England-born songwriter-cum-Los Angeles troubadour, Dougie Poole. On his last album, 2023’s “The Rainbow Wheel of Death,” Poole somehow nailed a confection of outlaw country funk with the same strain of Americana pop rock that coursed through the veins of 1980s Bruce Springsteen and the first solo albums by Suicide singer, Alan Vega. Even if the Fussell-Poole pairing isn’t an obvious or tidy one, it works in such a way that heightens both performers’ unique approaches to delicate songs steeped in stirring storytelling. Cheers to that. [For those unfamiliar, Fussell’s albums have been released on Paradise of Bachelors and Fat Possum labels and a glowing Pitchfork review of his last album, “When I’m Called” noted that it “foregrounds [his] ability to take songs moldering in university archives or reissue label stacks and locate another meaning within them, to imagine some new way to interpret that inheritance.”] Doors at 7 p.m. tickets cost $20.—T.A.
