Jan. 23-28

From “Rich Soil” at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden to Bach on violin and Puccini’s “Tosca” by Richmond Symphony, album release shows by Peña Verde and Benjamin Shepherd, Nosferatu vs. Dracula and more.

Thursday, Jan. 23

 

Kristine May’s Sculpture Series “Rich Soil” @ Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

Inspired by Alvin Ailey’s dance composition, “Revelation,” this body of 29 life-sized sculptures pays honor to the ancestors, including those that have been forgotten. The exhibit is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Price included with garden admission; free for members.  Runs through March 9. To learn more, read our upcoming preview feature by Gabriella Lacombe.

 

Friday, Jan. 24

 

The Belvedere Series presents J.S. Bach’s complete sonatas and partitas for solo violin @ St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church

Violinist Nicholas DiEugenio will perform J.S. Bach’s complete sonatas and partitas for solo violin in an intimate concert hosted by Richmond chamber music organization, The Belvedere Series. This re-envisioning of Bach will be accompanied by displays of original artwork by DiEugenio. 7 p.m. Tickets are $30-$45 though students get in free. St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church is located at 6000 Grove Ave.

 

Saturday, Jan. 25

 

Virginia and the Vietnam War @ Virginia Museum of History Culture

Check out this ongoing exhibit display of personal items, wherein the VMHC aims to “restore Virginians’ connection with this pivotal moment in our history while honoring those who felt the impact of the war long after it ended.” Open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free admission. Runs through July 6, 2025.

M18A1 Apers (Claymore) bag, 1970 (On loan from Susan Bradshaw McLean, photo courtesy of Virginia Museum of History & Culture): “Used by soldiers to carry mines and their accessories. American Red Cross volunteer Susan Bradshaw McLean used this bag to deliver supplies to soldiers in the field. In appreciation, they gave her pins representing their military units. Tied to the bag’s handle is a headband woven by a Vietnamese female villager.”

 

Peña Verde Album Release @ Révéler Experiences

Peña Verde—the accent on the “n” is critical for G-rated translation—means “green crag.” The reference is to a landscape where lush foliage softens an underlying pinnacle of stone. It’s a fitting name for a band who’s filigreed, samba-soaked, tropical twin guitar leads rise over complex Brazilian rhythms. The band’s first album, featuring John Conley and Thomas Wakefield on acoustic guitars, Rusty Farmer on bass, Keven Johnson and Austin Martin on percussion, is a deep dive into Tropicalia-tinged world music. The cold weather begins to recede this weekend, but there is no reason not to take a couple hours off on Saturday afternoon to bask in music informed by a hemisphere that still lingers in midsummer. Especially when the show is free. 3 p.m.—Peter McElhinney

Peña Verde at the recording session. From left: Austin Martin, Rusty Farmer, Kevin Johnson, Thomas Wakefield, John Conley. Photo by Peter McElhinney

 

Richmond Symphony performs Puccini’s “Tosca” @ Dominion Energy Center for the Performing arts (Saturday and Sunday)

Check out Music Director Valentina Peleggi’s first opera for the Richmond Symphony as she conducts Puccini’s masterpiece, “Tosca,” with the Richmond Symphony Chorus and Greater Richmond Children’s Choir. Starring the acclaimed Jennifer Rowley in the title role, the opera will be in Italian with English subtitles. 8 p.m. on Saturday and 3 p.m. on Sunday. Visit Richmond Symphony’s website for more information.

Renowned conductor Valentina Peleggi was named a rising star by the BBC.

 

Benjamin Shepherd album release party with Cal Folger Day, Julie Storey and friends @ Gallery5

Local singer-songwriter performs a release show for his new album, “Near Future,” which our writer says just might be his best. Read our preview interview by Tim Abbondelo out later today. Also on the bill: Cal Folger Day (experimental songs from B’more) and Julie Story (of Doll Baby) and friends. $12 in advance, $15 day of.

 

Get to know Shepherd’s forth album, “Near Future,” before his release show at Gallery5. Photo by Ashley Travis

 

Sunday, Jan. 26

 

Profs and Pints presents Richmond: Nosferatu vs. Dracula @ Triple Crossing Brewing Fulton

Explore the rivalry between two versions of a vampire and its lasting impact on how we think “of their kind” with Dr. Stanley Joseph Stepanic, who teaches a popular course on Dracula and vampire folklore as an assistant professor of Slavic languages and literature at University of Virginia. He’ll discuss the folkloric origins of Bram Stoker’s Count Dracula and how Nosferatu and its lead character Count Orlok fit into the picture. You’ll learn “how these reimagined versions of long-feared undead beings helped cement the vampire’s status as one of the most enduring and prominent symbols of the human condition throughout the world.” Runs from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Advance tickets are $13.50 plus sales tax and fees. Doors are $17 or $15 with student ID.

 

Sunday Soundtracks @ Kindred Spirit Satellite

Live electronic rhythms and vibrations featuring ZnZerna (“esoteric ambient”), ear_canal (“modular rhythms”), and Fyt’s psych drone explorations. 4 to 7 p.m.

 

Tuesday, Jan. 28

 

Prabir Trio on Shockoe Sessions Live @ In Your Ear Studios

As part of this weekly concert series showcasing golden local talent, check out the Prabir Trio, whose hook-laden rock blends element of Indian music with Western rock and pop. And yes, that’s no misprint, we realize this is not a trio below. 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. $15. 1813 E. Broad St.

 

Jeremy Flax, Kelli Strawbridge, Prabir Mehta and Kenneka Cook of Prabir Trio. Photo by Joey Wharton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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