Thursday, Jan. 15
“We Want the Funk” screening at VMFA’s Leslie Cheek Theater
“A syncopated voyage through funk music’s history from its African and jazz roots to James Brown’s early work and the rise of Parliament-Funkadelic” and “loaded with rare footage, legendary performances, and in-depth interviews with funk pioneers.” 6:30 to 9 p.m. (2025; 80 min). General admission is $8 or $5 for members.
Friday, Jan. 16
The 32nd annual James River Short Film Showcase at VMFA’s Leslie Cheek Theater
Always a great little festival of short films hosted by the James River Film Society, this year’s competition will give out $3,000 in prizes to the filmmakers. Longtime Style contributor Don Harrison will be this year’s showcase judge; but there are also People’s Choice awards at the screening conclusion. Takes place from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
Here are the films in competition:
“Jane Brinton: Water Bearers to Indigenous Tribes of Ecuador,”
Dir. Hernán Salcedo, Ecuador, EP. Albert H. Crane, Va 10 minutes
“Monument,” Jeremy Drummond, 16:45 minutes, Richmond, Va
“Bird Movie,” Lauryn Lingenfelter, 5:30 minutes, Va
“Computer Blue,” Nathan Conrad Piskator, 13:38, Richmond, Va
“The KKKennel,” Julian Banks, 11:28, Newport News, Va
Intermission
“J. J.,” Adam Dietrich and Elliott Gilbert, 17:00, Corsicana, TX
“Work From Home,” Justin Lamb, 5:38, Washington, D.C.
“Texas Strange,” Justin Eugene Evans, 9:23, Taipei, Taiwan
“As You Liked It! A Reflection on Waste Culture,”
Emmy Weldon, Cat McCarthy, 13:00, Richmond, VA
For more info, visit https://www.jamesriverfilm.org/
Ice Cream Social presents Shormey and Alfred w/DJ Lorboo at Gallery5
Richmond’s premier Queer Dance Party presents two boundary pushing performers, Shormey and “The Creature” Alfred, for a night of “high energy dance music and performance.” Runs from 7-11 p.m.
RVA Cancer Benefit feat. Cassidy Snyder and Wranglers at The Camel
Members of each group in this show are “either cancer survivors and/or have helped close loved ones battle this cruel disease.” They note that the current administration is rolling back cancer funding, so every little bit counts; all artist proceeds from this show will be donated to the American Cancer Society. Stacked bill includes: Cassidy Snider and the Wranglers, Sweet Touch, Danger Birds and Trap Cry. Doors at 9 p.m. show at 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 17
Festival of Wood and Fire at Black Heath Meadery
A day of appreciation for beverages aged on wood, featuring barrel-aged beers from The Answer Brewpub, Ardent Craft Ales, Väsen Brewing Company, and The Veil Brewing Co., along with barrel-aged mead from Thistlerock Mead Company. River City Wood Fire Pizza will be on site with their food truck. 1 to 9 p.m.
Edgar Allan Poe’s Birthday Bash at The Poe Museum
Come out to celebrate Edgar A’s birthday with (we’re sending you on a hashtag hunt to discover who is who) #thewranglersrva, #richmondhaunts will be telling hourly ghost stories, #1115mobilekitchen will be providing sustenance, and ##richbraubrewing. 6 to 10 p.m. Pre-sale tickets only and they note this will sell out. So don’t snooze.
“Undeniable: The Designs of Christian Siriano and Ashley Longshore” at The Branch Museum of Design
A runway-style installation that should bring out RVA’s fashionista hounds. Siriano’s red carpet gowns will be in the new exhibit. Style will have more on this later today in a larger preview feature by Gabriella Lacombe. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, and 1-5 p.m. on Sunday. Cost is $10. Runs through March 22. branchmuseum.org
“An African American Requiem” feat. the Richmond Symphony at the Carpenter Theatre
On MLK Jr. birthday weekend, this requiem is a work memorializing the people killed by racial violence in this country. Composer Damien Geter, who was born in Chesterfield County and now resides in Chicago, wrote the requiem and the Richmond Symphony will be led by guest conductor, Kazem Abdullah, and joined onstage by soprano Brandie Sutton, mezzo-soprano Melody Wilson, tenor Bernard Holcomb, baritone Kenneth Overton and the Richmond Symphony Chorus. The concert takes place at 7:30 p.m. Friday and 3 p.m. matinee Sunday. Check out our preview interview with Geter by Peter McElhinney.
Billy Martin, Matt Glassmeyer and Jonathyn Goldberger at Richmond Music Hall
Drummer Billy Martin is best known as the middle name in the long-running jazz jam band Medeski, Martin and Wood. Brought together in the early ‘90s by drummer Bob Moses, the trio built an audience through ceaseless barnstorming tours where their music was often more avant-garde than their more commercial funk fusion albums. They were a trio that at once satisfied and defied groove genre expectations. The band effectively split up a decade ago; their last album was 2015. But Martin was busy with other projects before, during and after that time. He played with John Lurie’s seminal Lounge Lizards, a relationship that continued through Lurie’s recent HBO show, “Painting with John.” He recorded with Iggy Pop. As “illyB” he releases hip-hop beats. His two most recent recordings are a movie soundtrack and the culinary-centric “A Musician Who Cooks, Volume 1.” The trio he’s assembled for the tour coming through Richmond Music Hall includes Matt Glassmeyer, who plays keyboards and a “reedless saxophone” he invented. Jonathan Goldberger’s guitar playing is experimentally atmospheric. While Martin is the biggest name, they are all strong players capable of taking an audience from the familiar to the frontier. Tickets are $20 plus fees.—Peter McElhinney
The Owners with Fuzzy Prophet and Psychic Idols at Fuzzy Cactus
The return of Washington D.C.’s only rock’n’roll band to:
A) Co-own a concert venue with Foo Fighter Dave Grohl (see: Black Cat.)
B) Have their collective hands in more cult favorite metro-area bands — including Ex Hex, The Shirks, Gray Matter, Iron Cross and the Problematics — than New Year’s resolutions likely to be broken at Fuzzy Cactus this weekend.
C) Both could be true.
This time, The Owners are making the trek to Richmond with a new 12” record in tow. It’s a double EP, in fact, featuring five new power pop tunes and a Kinks cover, rejiggered with Catherine Ferrando and Laura Harris’ soaring vocals. A pair of the Dingus Brothers’ projects — Steve’s Fuzzy Prophet and Jim’s Psychic Idols (now featuring Steve on bass) — kick it off with their cache of catchy garage, psych rock and schmindie pop moves. Yes, there will be blood harmonies. Doors are at 9 p.m. and it’s 21+ to attend.—Tim Abbondelo
Outer World with Reverse Yr Curse, Sister Planet and Charm Offensive at The Camel
A meeting of Richmond’s pop-underground minds also marks a bittersweet occasion as the penultimate performance — and last local show — for Outer World’s bassist Erin O’Hare. The Charlottesville-based musician and writer, who also plays in the garage punk band Added Dimensions, will strap her teardrop guitar on one last time in town before her final sendoff with Tracy Wilson and Kenneth Close’s astral synth-pop concern, at the first-annual Providence Pop Fest this May in Rhode Island. To new beginnings. Doors are at 8 p.m. and cost $12.—T.A.
The Soul Train Burlesque Experience at Gallery5
Every third Saturday is burlesque night at G5, and this one is dedicated to that iconic music variety show “Soul Train” that many of us remember fondly from our youth. There will be performances by: AFreakingV, Chartreuse Divinity, Coco Gateuex, Lashawn Rose, Darshe Dazzles, Jungle Julia, Qing Blaze, Santobella Spark, and Sweet Erzulie.Doors open at 8 for drinks, 8:30 for seating, show starts at 9 p.m. $25 at the door. Go here for ticket info.
Sunday, Jan. 18
Self-Care Sunday Market at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery (Richmond)
Shop a lineup of local artists and small businesses featuring handmade home décor, art, jewelry, apparel, and more — perfect for a little self-love or a thoughtful gift. Noon to 5 p.m. Vendors apply on their website www.artisanmakers.org
Pissed Jeans with Morgan Garrett at Richmond Music Hall
American hardcore from the hardscrabble Allentown that Billy Joel sang about; their sixth album, “Half Divorced,” was released again on the venerable Sub Pop label in 2024. Something about these guys reminds me of the great noisey bands from Amphetamine Reptile back in the days. Not quite as demented as The Cows, but still plenty grimey and in your grill. Doors at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. show. Tickets available here.
Parallel Listening Series Vol. 9 at Gallery5
Unique local series featuring musical performances by Reggie Pace and Josh Hahn. Readings by Emily Okamato-green, Micaela Carren, Alexis Stratton and Amber Nelson. 6 to 10 p.m. Free but donations are encouraged.
Monday, Jan. 19
Join a group from Gallery5 that will volunteer in support of MLK Day of Service at Evergreen Cemetery, most significant African American burial grounds. Volunteers are needed to help clear overgrowth, open pathways, and support ongoing preservation work that keeps the cemetery accessible, dignified and safe for families and descendants.” 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
*For a larger list of events on MLK Day, read this piece by Karen Newton.
Tuesday, Jan. 20
Ninth Annual Vegan Action “V72x2” Week (Jan. 20-25)
Vegan Action’s ninth annual V72x2 vegan food week kicks off Tuesday at more than 30 local businesses. Vegan Action is a national nonprofit based in Richmond that works to “eliminate animal suffering, reduce environmental impacts and improve human health through a vegan diet.” Whether you’re a lifelong vegan or simply interested in trying some of the creative dishes from our city’s talented chefs — popular, past creations have included Soul N’Vinegar’s General Tso’s tofu and Cobra Cabana’s vegan reuben with matzo ball soup — this is a great opportunity to support restaurants during the oft-slow winter season. All diners will be able to pick up a special V72x2 passport at any participating business; when you visit five or more participating spots, you’ll be eligible to receive a complimentary sweet treat from WPA Bakery, an offer valid through the month of February. All diners will also be asked to vote on their favorite sweet and savory dish. This is a competition, yes, but everyone’s a winner. Donations from the sale of V72x2 week dishes will go to partner Matchbox Mutual Aid, an umbrella organization supporting the work of RVA Community Fridges and Richmond Food Not Bombs. —Mary Scott Hardaway
Nowhere Cinema: “The Quick and the Dead” (1995) at Studio Two Three
This pop-up theater has less than a year behind its curtain, but its midnight movie-centric programming by Charles Case has been dealing out aces for fans of the more mondo bizarro selections too often left unseen and collecting dust in the back of celluloid closets. Director Sam Raimi’s new film “Send Help” isn’t out until the end of the month, but moviegoers can check out this overlooked ‘90s remake which turns the western on its ten-gallon head. With a cast that boasts Sharon Stone, Gene Hackman, Russell Crowe and Leo it’s wise to RSVP here. “We love programming movies like ‘The Quick and the Dead’ that create a community experience where you can feel the whole room react to the tension and absurdity together. It demands the big screen,” says Case. Doors are at 7 p.m. with a suggested $5 donation to Studio Two Three, because they host this and so many vibrant events in the community.—T.A.
“Back to the Future: The Musical” at Altria Theater (Through Jan. 25)
Duh, McFly, of course the famous hit movie that starred Michael J. Fox has taken it to the stage, everybody else is doing it. Supposedly the Delorean gets its own cheers. Read our preview by David Timberline.
Wednesday, Jan. 21
Artist conversation: Nick Cave at VMFA
The Chicago-based Cave’s work is playful, colorful and otherworldly, as seen in his “Soundsuit” series, a highlight of the current VMFA group exhibit, “Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys.” Cave will join Valerie Cassel Oliver, VMFA’s Sydney and Frances Lewis Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art, for a conversation about his far-ranging career as a dancer, sculptor, painter and performance artist, and about the work he also has featured in the museum’s 21st-century art gallery. 6:30 p.m. This Cheek Theater event is sold out but you can watch it live at https://www.vmfa.museum/livestream- .—Don Harrison
