June 13 – June 19

From Pride events to Friday Cheers, the Tennishu album release at Tabol, Stanley Jordan’s Sunday Super Jam and Portland’s Jenny Don’t and the Spurs at Cobra Cabana.

Thursday, June 13

Mackenzie Roark at Brambly Park

If you’ve seen singer-songwriter Roark play, you know she’s got her own vibrant sense of style and commands the stage easily, tearing through her country-rock material while tossing in the occasional Blondie deep cut cover, like she did recently at Ardent’s 10th Anniversary Block Party. Someone there described her as Richmond’s own Neko Case. Whatever the comparison, the JMU-grad is a dynamic powerhouse who seems to be putting the work in to really manifest a bright musical future. This is her every 2nd Thursday show at Brambly Park, which runs from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Free. 1708 Belleville St.

Pridos After 5 Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

One of Virginia Pride’s events for Pride Month, Pridos features cocktails and performances by Richmond drag luminaries, plus a dance party with music from DJ Barebonez. Runs 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. 1800 Lakeside Ave. Members free; Non-members: $20.

Friday, June 14

Friday Cheers presents Richy Mitch and the Coal Miners with Deau Eyes at Brown’s Island

Another local singer-songwriter who has been consistently turning heads with her lovely voice, Richmond’s Deau Eyes opens this week’s edition of Friday Cheers. The headliners are mellow indie-folksters Richy Mitch and the Coal Miners (who appear to live in Bozeman, Montana – the intelligence online is unclear). One thing cool about Friday Cheers when the weather is nice and a ton of people show up: We bet that many rising bands (like this one) probably end up playing to their largest crowd ever – which usually means they go for broke. Yes, when the weather’s nice and ticket prices are reasonable, like with Friday Cheers, RVA shows up big-time; now if only more national ticket gougers would get the hint. Show takes place from 6 to 9:30 p.m. $10 tickets in advance, $15 at the door.

 

 

Tennishu album release party with Dhemo at Tabol Brewing

When he’s not playing saxophone for Butcher Brown, or playing trumpet for Butcher Brown, or spitting rhymes for Butcher Brown, multi-talented Richmonder Marcus Tenney is making music of his own under his stage name, Tennishu. But if you thought his versatility began and ended with his Newlin Music Prize-winning main gig, consider that Tenney produced, composed, performed and recorded everything you hear on the new Tennishu album, “More To The Story,” which is due out via his James Infinite label on Friday, June 14. Tenney describes the LP as an “an aural representation of the things that I have done to become a musician and an artist up to this point,” and he’ll be celebrating its release day with a show at Tabol Brewing. Dreamy-sounding guitar virtuoso Dhemo will also perform. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance ($15 at the door) and can be purchased in advance here.—Davy Jones

 

 

James “Saxsmo” Gates at the Tin Pan

“Saxsmo” Gates treats jazz like a thrill ride, a rollercoaster improvisation that soars, swerves, and surprises while always in artistic control.  His passion for performance is deeply embedded in the RVA music scene. He grew up in a home filled with music. His father was a fine saxophonist, his mother an ex-Cotton Club dancer. He studied at Berklee, got a master’s degree at North Carolina Central University, and directs the Billy Taylor Jazz Studies program at Virginia State University, where he was once a student so dedicated to honing his skills that he used to sleep in the practice rooms to get more “woodshedding” hours. While he has the ability to propulsively explore a musical idea from every angle, he can also wax lyrical, as in his new version of “Georgia on My Mind,” with strings conducted by Naima Burrs. There are few artists who bring more heartfelt energy to the stage. 8 p.m. Tickets are still available for $27.50. —Peter McElhinney

Gates at Mingus Awareness Project. Photo by Peter McElhinney.

Out of town pick: Petersburg Area Art League (PAAL) Gallery

Been to Petersburg, lately? Why not grab a bite downtown and check out some art. At PAAL, there are two floors of work: First, there’s native New Zealander and current U.S. resident Michelle Wilkie, who will have her art quilt exhibit “Eyes Wide Open” featured in the main gallery from June 14 through Aug. 3. The gallery is hosting an opening night reception with the Kiwi quilt artist on Friday, June 21 from 5 to 8 p.m.

Upstairs, you can check out “The Photography of  Gary D. Jones,” a collection of images and memories of Petersburg from the award-winning photographer. Free admission, though donations are suggested. The hours for Petersburg Area Art League are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. The gallery is closed on Mondays.

Pictured inside the gallery is Azzie L. Jones, a Peabody High School graduate (1954) and the subject of her son’s award-winning portrait in the International Photographic Competition. This more recent photo was taken by Scott Elmquist.

Saturday, June 15

Juneteenth at Dorey Park and Recreation Center in Henrico

From our Juneteenth roundup feature: “A full schedule of music, dance, and theater on two stages make up Henrico County’s Juneteenth celebration at Dorey Park. In addition to a vendor fair and kids’ zone, there will be entertainment of many kinds, from the Speaking Spirits Choir and Legacy Band to the Hermitage High School Drumline and Black Virginia Theatre Alliance. To conclude the celebration, the Art of Noise RVA takes the stage at 8 p.m., followed by a festive Juneteenth fireworks celebration in the sky. Runs from 4-10 p.m., Dorey Park, 2999 Darbytown Rd., https://henrico.us/calendar/juneteenth2023/

Check out our Juneteenth roundup here. 

Sunday, June 16

Stanley Jordan’s Super Jam with Aaron Evans and Friends at Main Line Brewery

This is your chance to see a four-time, Grammy-nominated guitarist Stanley Jordan jam out with members of long-running Charlottesville jam band institution, Indecision. Come vibe out on a Sunday. Tickets are $15. Runs from 2 to 6 p.m.

 

Rainbow Roll (Pride Edition) at Rollerdome Skating

Lace up your skates! Crank up the “Xanadu”! Fresh off a win in our editorial picks for the Best of Richmond issue comes this special Pride edition of the Rainbow Roll, which runs from 6 to 9 p.m. 4902 Williamsburg Rd. Tickets are $10.

 

Portland, Oregon’s Jenny Don’t and the Spurs. Photo by Less Bright.

Wednesday, June 19

Atomic Mosquitos, Jenny Don’t and the Spurs, The Lonely Teardrops at Cobra Cabana

I was unfamiliar with two of these bands, but I’ve heard Jenny Don’t and the Spurs out in Portland, Oregon where they live, and their high energy, alt. Western country twang is worth the pick alone. The band could use some extra love on this East Coast swing, as it recently lost its long-time drummer, Sam Henry (who played in some of Portland’s most legendary punk bands, The Wipers, Poison Idea and The Rats). Another founding member, Kelly Halliburton, used to play with beloved Northwest rockers Fred and Toody Cole in Pierced Arrows. Jenny and the Spurs’ new album, “Broken Hearted Blue,” just arrived Friday, June 14 via Fluff & Gravy Records, produced by Collin Hegna of Brian Jonestown Massacre and Federale. Portland alt. weekly, Willamette Week (yes, those still exist on paper) described it as “two-stepping everything from ‘60s pop and blues to Western songs and surf,” with frontwoman Jenny Don’t citing singers Patsy Cline and Neko Case as major inspirations. Also on the bill: Atomic Mosquitos are a D.C. instrumental surf rock band and the Lonely Teardrops from Norfolk bring the surf-party rock with vocals. Should be a fun evening. 7 p.m.—Brent Baldwin

 

 

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