Editor’s note: Due to the impending snowstorm apocalypse, please check the official listings for any weekend events to make sure they are still happening. There is a chance some will be cancelled, especially later in the weekend; we will try to update listings as possible.
Thursday, Jan. 22
Colleen Green with Cassie Ramone and Human Worm at The Camel
Although not the first time these lo-fi pop-punk singers co-headlined a tour together, both Green and Ramone’s careers have progressed in such surprising directions, both sonically and professionally, that their return to the road as further established solo artists feels like its own landmark. Here’s hoping their shared history will give Green good reason to break out her older, more Ramones-centric catalogue, prior to 2021’s “Cool.” By comparison, that one is less Breeders and more AOR. Ramone is most known for her contributions to loft rock favorites, Vivian Girls, back in the ‘Naughty Aughties.’ A pair of solo albums released a decade apart, demonstrate huge growth in her craft. Her latest, 2024’s “Sweetheart,” was recorded in Richmond by Dylan White and showcases a wall of melody and feels. Human Worm, by contrast, is very much a full band experience with soaring vocal harmonies, and the kind of kinetic energy that can only arise when multiple human beings get together and bang it out. But this Richmond four-piece is an excellent addition to the Green/Ramone hit machine, with huge choruses and scrappy production that’s right in the sweet spot for fans of D.I.Y. earworms. Doors are at 7 p.m. and tickets cost $10 in advance and $12 at the door, plus those pesky fees.—Tim Abbondelo
Friday, Jan. 23
The Virginia Antiques Expo at The Old Dominion Building @ Richmond Raceway Complex (also held Saturday)
Organized by East Coast Expositions LLC, this is more than just an antiques show, this is a curated experience featuring more than 75 exhibitors. In addition to antique treasures, there will also be local flavors and makers of culture in Virginia; as well as daily music performances and roaming magicians. Runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and single-day tickets cost $15. 600 E. Laburnum Ave.
REWIND<<Fast/Forward | Ellen Fullman and JACK Quartet at VMFA
Ellen Fullman will be performing on her iconic Long String Instrument accompanied by the New York-based JACK Quartet as part of the closing program for the “Robert Rauschenberg: Cardbirds” exhibition. Fullman will debut a VMFA-commissioned composition celebrating artist Rauschenberg’s practice “as a groundbreaking artist who experimented with movement and material.” This is part of the REWIND<<Fast/Forward series and is free to attend. No tickets or reservations required. Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. 6:30 to 8 p.m
Jazz night with Roger Carroll at Gallery 5
Saxophonist Roger Carroll has been a local institution for decades, discounting a brief detour to Chicago a few years ago. He is a consummate, seasoned performer, brimming with unforced, slightly messy charisma, crowdpleasing instrumental facility, and ability to break into gruff vocals if the song warrants. He moves between several small-scale restaurant gigs in town and occasionally goes big with shows like his Get Behind the Mule salute to Tom Waits. His Sonic Liberation Orchestra, playing this Friday at Gallery 5, defines the outer edges of his expansive musical taste. The lineup includes who’s who of avant-garde friendly Richmond players: Scott Clark and Adam Hopkins from Out of Our Heads Records, Pippen Barnette and Gary Kalar of Zarove, Danny Finney of Rattlemouth, and Johnny Hott from Gang of Freaks among other bands. Expect a night of adventurous yet eminently approachable music. Admission is free. Tables can be reserved for a fee. 8 p.m. Free.—Peter McElhinney
Fonville x Fribush with Charlie Hunter, Morgan Burrs and special guest Ronnie Luxe at Révéler Experiences
This is at least the third time around for this Hammond B3-centric band, and it gets a little bigger every time they play. The group started off as a classic organ trio, with Butcher Brown’s Grammy-nominated drummer Corey Fonville, Charlie Fribush on B3, and guitar wizard Charlie Hunter. For the shows on Saturday, the lineup will be expanded to include guitarist Morgan Burrs, in town from LA for Butcher Brown’s Saturday show at the National, and special guest “soulful songbird” vocalist Ronnie Luxe. Shows at 7 and 9:30. $30
Saturday, Jan. 24
Butcher Brown, Nate Smith and James “Plunky” Branch at The National
This may be the most RVA jazz lineup of all time. Butcher Brown is the current world-traveling avatars of the local scene. Renowned drummer Nate Smith, who attended VCU in the ‘90s, has recently returned to make RVA his home base. Since the early ‘70s, Afro-jazz pioneer James “Plunky” Branch has been a cornerstone of the Richmond scene. This is the second time Nate Smith and Butcher Brown have been paired together at The National. Both have 2025 album releases that are heavy on collaboration. Butcher Brown’s “Letters from the Atlantic” threads their unique course through jazz, R&B, and hip hop. Smith’s [just Grammy-nominated] “Live-Action” is a series of team-ups ranging from Lalah Hathaway and Braxton Cook to comedian Josh Johnson. One cut brings in Butcher Brown’s D.J. Harrison and guitarist Charlie Hunter (who will be playing with BB’s Morgan Burrs and Corey Fonville at Reveler Experiences on Friday.) Smith’s recording base is Spacebomb Records on Robinson street- the space where Plunky and Butcher Brown teamed up for a virtual Folk Festival show during the 2020 COVID lockdown. There are a lot of factors suggesting a lot of multigenerational crossover potential in the show.
Big Lazy at Reveler Experiences
If you like evocative, dreamlike instrumental music that can sound like a late-night club scene in a lost David Lynch movie – and who possibly wouldn’t like that –then don’t miss this acclaimed New York City noir trio founded by Stephen Ulrich, a composer known for his work on the HBO series “Bored to Death” and the art forgery documentary, “Art and Craft.” The New Yorker once wrote that their beautiful music “evokes everything from truckers’ romps to the haunting film scores of Bernard Herrmann.” Perfect mood music for an impending historic snow. Admission: $17.50. Doors are at 7 p.m. and showtime is 8 p.m. Tickets are available here.
Flying South Reading Series at Nest Realty
Co-hosts Ty Phelps and Jack Sadicario return for another year of their monthly reading series, offering a forum for established and emerging literary voices from near and far, without the prohibitive cost or fuss. The proceedings are so welcoming, those in attendance shouldn’t be surprised if they’re greeted at the door of this Fan neighborhood office space, and directed to help themselves to refreshments from a cooler while Willie Nelson plays from a karaoke machine. This installment welcomes back Richmond-area writers Lydia Armstrong, Nate Waggoner and Liza Newell for Flying South’s first “Repeater Reading” so far during its two-year run — or flight, so as not to mix metaphors. While the names are familiar, new work can be anticipated from these local talents who are involved in an array of community vibrance (Armstrong is also a photographer and filmmaker, Waggoner teaches creative writing classes at the Visual Arts Center of Richmond and Newell is an award-winning performance artist and educator.) Phelps and Sadicario “hope a little literary community will be a balm for the spirit.” I’ll co-sign that. Doors are at 7:30 p.m. with readings starting at 8 p.m. Nest Realty is located at 221 S. Robinson St. across the street from Cask. Donations are welcome.—T.A.
Sunday, Jan. 25
RVA Drum Shed at Gallery5
Drummers Matt Wild and Hunter Johnson deliver a night of one on one percussion sessions featuring “you and anyone who wants to come and play drums.” Put your name in the hat, get called at random, and get ready to rock! There will be food available and you can bring food to share potluck style. Also you can try the new mocktail menu from Riffs & Recovery with the help of Point 5 RVA and Mother Shrub. All ages and skill levels are welcome. $8 donation is appreciated. Runs from 7 to 11 p.m.
Repair Café RVA’s First Birthday at Studio Two Three
This sounds like a good deal: Repair Café RVA will repair items on a first come, first served basis, but give them a heads up and fill out a request form. There will also be a clothing swap at this event. The venue is wheelchair accessible. Air cleaners are provided by @breatheeasyrva and masks strongly recommended and available for free at the door. Sign up for a spot HERE!1 to 3 p.m.
Monday, Jan. 26
RVA Venue Town Hall at Gallery5
The good folks at Gallery5 are opening up their space for an engaging discussion about Richmond’s live music scene. “Ever wonder why ticket prices fluctuate, how venues choose which artists to book, or what goes into making your favorite local shows happen? This is your opportunity to hear directly from the people behind Richmond’s independent venues and get insights into the booking process.” [They’ll] be collecting questions ahead of time through a poll and will open up the floor for an audience Q+A at the event.” 6 to 8 p.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 28
Candi Jenkins at The Tin Pan
She’s kin to Conway Twitty and hails from Fayette County, Kentucky; singer-songwriter Candi Jenkins is already making her mark after a successful show last year at South by Southwest, and having opened for folks like Son Little, Andy Frasco and Clay Street Unit. Check out some new school country at 8 p.m. $26.47.
