Thursday, July 3
Secret Planet Presents: Yeison Landero at Get Tight Lounge
Being a nepo baby in the authenticity-bound world of traditional music can be a creative anchor. For Yeison Landero, it is a launching pad. The grandson of “Cumbia King” Andrés Landero, the younger accordionist/bandleader is charting his own trajectory. The music – a vital amalgamation of African, Amerindian and European influences – coalesced in his native San Jancito mountains of Colombia and has spread with variations across South, Central and Caribbean America. Landero was a prodigy who performed onstage with his grandfather, positioned as a successor and champion for the next century. The role is torchbearer, not pallbearer; it is a living music, defined by its Latin American heartbeat while continuously evolving. With his band and accordion, Landero at once celebrates the past and explores the future of cumbia. His last performance at Reveler was memorable. The upcoming one, at The Get Tight Lounge, sponsored again by Secret Planet, promises no less. 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Tickets are $24.25.—Peter McElhinney
Hadestown: Teen Edition at Dominion Energy Center’s Libby S. Gottwald Playhouse
A full-length Teen Edition of Anaïs Mitchell’s “haunting, jazz-inflected folk opera follows Orpheus’ mythical quest to overcome Hades and regain the favor of his one true love, Eurydice.” Book, music and lyrics by Anaïs Mitchell, direction by Susan Sanford and musical direction by Jake Ramirez. Choreography by Paul Dandridge. July 2, 3, 5 and 6. To learn more, visit the website.
Flowers After 5 presents Tre Charles at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
The Durham-based, onetime Richmond singer-songwriter returns to the River City. 5 to 8 p.m.
Oasis concert series returns to The Valentine
The Valentine’s summer music series returns on Thursdays with midday live performances. This week’s show will feature soul music from the Trey and Erica Experience. Noon to 1 p.m. Free. 1015 E. Clay St.
Friday, July 4
Spit Fest at Daddy’s Grotto
and
Back to the Yard: A Crowefest Benefit for Justin Golden
Short of a bald eagle pledging allegiance whilst eating a hot dog, nothing says Independence Day like a DIY music festival, and Richmond is spoiled with a pair of them this year. Both feature a veritable who’s who of local musical talent and boast a great deal of inclusive community spirit that seems to come in short supply nowadays.
The annual backyard pool party at Daddy’s Grotto, complete with a pop-up food menu, always delivers a well curated, multi-genre bill. This year’s gathering, dubbed Spit Fest, marks debut performances at Daddy’s by local synth punk trio, Girl Spit, and cerebral hard rock quartet, Hotspit. Gusher and VV have the neighborhood covered in the punk and no wave departments; while the Smirks supply grunge-y pop punk for all, and Empress Rav, Trapcry and U.B.P. (featuring avant hip-hop artists Alfred, Billy Capricorn and CLWDWLKR) bring more electronic beat-backed soundtracks, bobbing between pop, rap, R&B and everything in between. The all-day Spit Fest affair runs from 2 to 9 p.m. Tickets are available here. 21+ to attend.
Local stalwart Crowefest returns after sever years’ hiatus with Back to the Yard. This volunteer-organized and donation-funded event is epic in scope with 10 bands, professional stage production, a keg fund with local sponsorship opportunities, porta-potties aplenty and most important, a good cause with all profits going toward beloved Richmond-based blues musician, Justin Golden, who was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer earlier this year. Performers include: J Roddy Walston and the Automatic Band, Holy Roller, Piranha Rama, Benjamin Shepherd and the Family Band, Camo Face, Rikki Rakki, Jake the Dog, Bucko, Killer Whale and Gaffer. Additionally, this autographed Tyler Childers tour poster is up for auction. The event runs from 2 to 11 p.m. with a $25 minimum donation. More information can be found here.—Tim Abbondelo
RVA Let Lagers Ring: Full Moon Fever, DJ Williams Band, Villages and The Embalmers at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery (Richmond)
Full day of local music at Hardywood featuring Tom Petty tribute group Full Moon Fever (playing from 6 to 8:30 p.m.), legendary legend DJ Williams brings his guitar back to his home base of RVA from Denver, Colorado (4 to 5:40 p.m.); RVA’s own Americana roots band Villages (2:30 to 3:30 p.m.) and the surf rock/garage rock The Embalmers kicks things off from 1 to 2 p.m. Entire event tuns from noon to 10 p.m. Free.
More Fourth of July Events
Dogwood Dell’s Big Show Fourth of July Celebration
A classic RVA free concert celebration at Byrd Park, it’s the “Big Show” featuring live music from Virginia Opera, Richmond Concert Jazz Band and Full Spectrum. Music starts at 5:30 p.m. and fireworks should start a little after 9 p.m.
Red, White and Lights at Meadow Farm Museum at Crump Park
A family-friendly evening of music, food and history with a “dazzling laser light show finale.” There will also be a performance by Richmond Symphony playing classic American melodies with a special guest band. There will be a food truck court with over 15 local businesses. 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Free.
Star Spangled Squirrels Fest at The Diamond
There’s no Squirrels game this year (they’re on the road) but you can still come check out The Landsharks vrs. The Mashup playing from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Plus, the fireworks, duh.
Red, White and Rose at Quirk Hotel’s Q Rooftop Bar
This is a ticketed event for those whose idea of watching fireworks involves a skyline view and curated wine flights. Check tickets, limited capacity. Update: Sales have ended.
Chesterfield County Fourth of July Celebration at Chesterfield County Fairgrounds
Yes, everyone’s got their own celebration for the fourth, and this one includes a children’s inflatables area, food vendors, live music and special entertainment. Gates open at 5 p.m. and fireworks begin at dark. Free.
Star-Spangled Nights at King’s Dominion (July 4 and July 5)
Been thinking about checking out the all-new Rapterra coaster or just want to stroll around the park in the heat? If you head to Doswell this weekend for a King’s Dominion getaway, there will be fireworks and colorful lights each night of the weekend at 10 p.m.
Citizenship ceremony and celebration at Virginia Museum of History and Culture
Come check out the moving moment when 75 naturalized citizens, who signed up to be here, are sworn in; followed by live music and Ukrop’s cake. 11 a.m.
Saturday, July 5
Secrets of the Bats at Powhatan State Park
Nighttime is the right time for bats. Don’t miss a rare opportunity to take a guided-bat tour the whole family can enjoy. Part of a special collaboration with Bat Conservation & Rescue of Virginia and Virginia’s Department of Wildlife Resources, this series gives guest adventurers a chance to cohabitate with these wondrous creatures in the wild through activities utilizing “specialized bat-detecting equipment” and expert provided background information and observational techniques (bring your own binoculars). Also bring appropriate footwear and attire; this is the wilderness and mosquitoes gotta eat too – better it’s not you. This event is free with registration and hour-long meeting at Shelter 1 at 8 p.m.
Sturgeon Fest RVA featuring Kendall Street Company, Wolph Band and Julian Goddard at Historic Rocketts Landing
Richmond’s first festival for the parks’ restoration and conservation is intended to be a “non-alcohol-oriented” community music festival that will include education about the wetlands and parks as well as live music from an all-Virginia band lineup. Located in Wharf St. Park so organizers suggest bringing a chair or blanket and friends. Music starts at 2 p.m. and goes until 8 p.m. @sacred_vibes_yoga_@juliankgoddard, @wolph_band, @kendallstreetcompany. Note: Because this is in a public park, alcohol will not be served but NA drinks will be available; also, organizers are partnering with local kombucha and kava companies. Free and open to the public. 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Brookhouse single release show with Theocles and Dietz and the Dilemmas at Gallery5
You might say that the single release happening at Gallery5 on Saturday has been six decades in the making. Brookhouse is the Richmond-based project led by Alex Foster, whose grandparents left Cuba as refugees 60 years to the day before the date of this show, which will celebrate the arrival of the first Brookhouse single, “American Sounds.” The song mixes bossa nova and funk-rock en route to sharing messages about the complicated nature of cultural assimilation and what it takes to carve out one’s own unique identity. Though “American Sounds” is undoubtedly an introduction – to the project, to Foster’s backstory and to an EP of the same name that will drop in November – Brookhouse has already played some of Richmond’s most prominent gigs, including the Anyfolk singer-songwriter listening room series and Shockoe Sessions Live! Joining Foster’s group will be the solo looping stylings of Theocles and the raucous rock of Dietz and the Dilemmas. The show runs from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Tickets are $12 ($15 at the door) and can be purchased at gallery5arts.org.—Davy Jones
“This Is Spinal Tap” 41st Anniversary Screenings (July 5-7)
Ahead of the long-anticipated sequel, “Spinal Tap II: The End Continues,” slated for release this fall, the OG mockumentary centered around the titular British heavy metal band takes a victory lap this weekend on a three-day reunion tour of movie theaters nationwide. The revamped edition includes 4K restoration and a newly filmed introduction by director Marty Diberg (Rob Reiner). Old heads and a new generation of chuckleheads will recognize all the work that the movie’s co-writers and stars have done in the years since: Michael McKean (“Better Call Saul”), Harry Shearer, voice actor on “The Simpsons” (including Mr. Burns, Ned Flanders and Principal Skinner) and Christopher Guest, who would return to the same largely improvisational formula throughout his career for equally iconic projects like “Waiting for Guffman” and “Best In Show.” Sure enough, that winning formula would become ubiquitous in film and television; who among us hasn’t watched an episode of “The Office”? “This Is Spinal Tap’s” riffs on ego and exceptionalism remain everpresent in society beyond famous fictional characters like Michael Scott and Borat to more than a few world leaders. Part-cautionary tale, the film succeeds in raising awareness around drummer safety and reminds aspiring musicians of keeping their potential “To 11.” Check your local listings for theater times.—T.A.
Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes at The Tin Pan
“One of the dynamic groups that came out of the Gamble-Huff music factory that produced groups like the Spinners and Stylistics,” Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes’ hits include “If You Don’t Know Me By Now” (nominated for a Grammy), “The Love I Lost,” “Bad Luck,” “Wake Up Everybody” and others. 8 to 9:30 p.m.
Monday, July 7
Richmond Synth Collective Showcase at Reveler
Sculpting sound with electronic music composers including the all-caps magic of NULL STATIC VOID, NO1SING3R, CLOUDBRN and 3151. 7 p.m. Admission is $10. Doors at 6 p.m. and music from 7 to 10 p.m.
Tuesday, July 8
Mackenzie Roark and the Hotpants on Shockoe Sessions Live at In Your Ear Studios
Americana rockers known for their engaging live shows and “gritty, roots-driven melodies” return to In Your Ear to likely play songs from their recent album, “Ghost of Rock and Roll,” released in early June. Under 18 allowed with parent or legal guardian. Doors at 7 p.m. Show starts at 7:30 p.m. sharp and runs to 9 p.m. Admission is $17.85. 1813 E. Broad St.
Wednesday, July 9
“Kansas City Confidential” at the Richmond Main Public Library, Library Auditorium 6PM. Library Auditorium
“Kansas City Confidential” belongs on the shortlist of great, hard-boiled films noir for a few reasons. For one, this scrappy 1952 B-picture was directed by Phil Karlson, a noir master who would make the great “Phenix City Story” three years later on a similarly small budget. Karlson prefigures that film’s tense, semi-documentary feel with this heist-gone-wrong caper, and the characters seem startlingly modern. The New York Times panned the film for its violence, and for daring to suggest that police officers could actually be corrupt. Among its seedy charms, “KCC” boasts an unholy trio of then up-and-coming character actors who would go on to personify screen villainy for decades to come — Jack Elam, Lee Van Cleef and Neville Brand — and features one of the post-war era’s most underrated stars, John Payne, best known as Kris Kringle’s helpful best friend in the original “Miracle on 34th Street.” Payne is a quintessential noir protagonist here, a bitter ex-serviceman out for revenge who, when reminded of his purple heart and bronze star, memorably spits, “Try and buy a cup of coffee with them.” Free. 6 p.m.— Don Harrison
