Thursday, June 26
Author RVA: On “Dream State” with Eric Puchner at the ICA at VCU
The second installment of this literary series doesn’t do sophomore slumps. Local co-hosts Jessie Gaynor, a novelist and Lit Hub senior editor, Mary Childs, author and host of NPR’s “Planet Money,” and Chioke l’Anson, director of the ICA Community Media Center, will be joined on Thursday evening by award-winning writer Eric Puchner, hot on the heels of his celebrated second novel “Dream State” (Doubleday). Gaynor notes that the book is not only Oprah-endorsed, it’s “one of my favorite books in recent memory … [with] the rare combination of gorgeous sentences, sweeping plot, and rarest of all, genuine humor.”
Puchner is an associate professor in the Writing Seminars at Johns Hopkins University, so writing and editing are likely topics of discussion. Climate change is also a central theme in “Dream State” and should be top of mind for Richmond residents after enduring the weather this week. Attendees can expect spirited conversation that’ll appeal to those who’ve enjoyed Puchner’s latest epic and anyone looking for their next read.
“It’s the perfect summer book for people who disdain the term ‘beach read,’ and those who embrace it,” adds Gaynor. “It’s completely absorbing without being escapist. Besides which, it will make you long to get outside and find a view and a lake as gorgeous as the ones Puchner describes.” (Personally, I look forward to sitting back and taking it all in from the comfort of the ICA’s primo air-conditioning.) “The only risk here is that I’ll veer slightly too close to Chris Farley interviewing Paul McCartney,” Gaynor admits, as if you needed another reason to attend. This free event runs from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. It’s open to the public with an option to RSVP.—Tim Abbondelo
Author Anand Pandian conversation at Shelf Life Books
Author Anand Pandian, an anthropologist professor at Johns Hopkins University, will be in Richmond to discuss his book, “Something Between Us: The Everyday Walls of American Life, and How to Take Them Down” (Stanford University Press), which has been hailed as a “groundbreaking and ultimately hopeful exploration of what divides the citizens of the United States and how we the people might be able to reunite,” according to press for the event. The author will be in conversation with University of Richmond anthropology professor Dr. Miguel Diaz-Barriga. “Pandian argues that while our impasses draw from deep histories of segregation and suspicion, the work of mutual aid and care-taking can help us surface more radical visions for a life in common with others and teach us how to meet strangers in this land as potential kin.” Or as the author notes on his own website: “Openness of mind, I’ve come to believe, is a necessary foundation for environmental ethics, a critical resource for the ecological trials of our time.” 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Gather and Hem Summer Cocktail Class Series
June class “Barrels & Bottles: Bourbon vs. Whiskey” offers a curated tasting experience led by a Gather & Hem expert mixologist. Takes place from 6 to 8 p.m. $30.
Friday, June 27
Friday Cheers presents Say She She with Big Fancy at Brown’s Island
Headliner for the final Friday Cheers of the season, before we all descend into humidity hell, is the soulful, NYC-based female pop-disco trio, Say She She, who are reportedly inspired by the likes of the awesome Grace Jones and the Tom Tom Club. You may have caught them at the last Iron Blossom Festival, where they no doubt earned some new fans. What does this all mean for the newcomer? You will dance. And Richmond’s own Big Fancy, voted by the Richmond Times-Dispatch as one of Richmond’s top 5 bands, gets the grooves started with their neo-soul and R&B. Doors open at 6 p.m. Drink plenty of water. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door.
Get Behind the Mule, Roger Carroll presents the music of Tom Waits at Reveler Experiences
A recent Best of Richmond editorial pick winner at Style Weekly, saxophonist and vocalist Roger Carroll performs the gnarly, Beefheart-inspired music of the great singer-songwriter Tom Waits (and his songwriting wife Kathleen Brennan) with some of RVA’s finest musicians. Side trivia: Did you know Waits is a big “I Dream of Jeannie” fan? It’s true, don’t ask how I know. More side trivia: Beefheart’s guitarist Gary Lucas told me that Don Van Vliet (the Captain himself) was wary at first of Waits’ music borrowing from his own; “He told me he wanted to go to a Waits show and stand offstage and yell, ‘Tom! Wait!” Lucas said at RVA potluck a few years ago). Waits will next be seen in the new Jim Jarmusch film, “Father Mother Sister Brother.” Cost is $17.50 to $25. Update: This show is SOLD OUT.
The Tin Can Fish Band at The Lilly Pad (Varina)
The unique, acoustic-electric blend of rootsy Americana band Tin Can Fish Band, which features Doug Austin (mandolin, fiddle, vocals), Steve Fisher (lead vocals and guitar), and longtime RVA guitarist John Leedes (he was in a high school band with Dave Schools of Widespread Panic fame), Keith Macphee (bass/vocals), Joe Conner (accordion, assorted keys and vocals) and Jack Taggert on drums and vocals. 6 p.m.
No BS Brass and Knifing Around at The Broadberry
Two local bands that know how to bring the high energy, crowd-pleasing tunes from the brass and hip-hop stylings of No BS to the electric punk-pop dance power of Knifing Around. Doors at 7 p.m.
Sal Vulcano at Dominion Energy Center
Staten Island native Sal Vulcano is known for creating and starring in truTV’s long-running hit “Impractical Jokers,” and for “The Misery Index” on TBS. 7 p.m.
“Final Destination: Bloodlines” at The Byrd Theatre
Our critic says the latest “Final Destination” installment is not bad, if you’re into this horror franchise. 7 p.m. $9.
Saturday, June 28
Richmond Growers Market at Legend Brewing
It’s the weekly farmer’s market organized by Mo Karnage (right) and Marie D’Angelo that hosts between 30-50 vendors with a mission to be a catalyst for positive change, food justice and community connection while helping small businesses grow in a Manchester neighborhood that has been wanting a grocery store for awhile now. This helps. 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays.
Stonewall on Stonewall (Woodland Heights)
One of RVA’s most vibrant neighborhoods, Woodland Heights will be bursting with fruit flavor to commemorate the 56th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising. This Saturday, Stonewall Avenue in South Richmond will be a space to reflect, celebrate and connect with folks recognizing a significant moment in queer American history. The Stonewall Riots marked one of the first displays of resistance by the LGBTQ+ community toward harassment by law enforcement at the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village. Planning committee member Emily McMillen says, “No one wants to live in a neighborhood with streets named after Civil War veterans, let’s ensure that the legacy on Stonewall Inn lives on on Stonewall Avenue.”
The neighbor-fueled RVA event kicks off with a parade featuring large-scale puppets courtesy of All The Saints theater company, speakers, cool treats from Ruby Scoops and two groovin music stages featuring Roughshod, Beefcake, and Deau Eyes (who is also playing Love on Tap at Hardywood earlier in the day). The family-friendly parade is for everyone in RVA to embrace queer joy, so rainbow it up! Decorate yourselves, pets, kids, and strollers. Heck, even bring an instrument if you wish to be proud out loud. The parade kicks off at 4:30 at the corner of W. 28th street and Stonewall Avenue. Festivities go on until 7 p.m. For more information and the full parade guide/map, check out tinyurl.com/stonewallonstonewall.—Hilary Langford
The Great Busk Finalist Concert at Gallery5
A culminating concert featuring the top three Busk performs and live musical guests. All proceeds benefit the Eva Celda Padilla Stitt School for Newcomers, a Capaz+IT program offering bilingual education, career pathways and a safe, empowering space for immigrant youth, and Music Orchard Richmond, providing quality, inclusive and accessible music education to students in public schools. 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. 200 W. Marshall St.
Miramar at Révéler Experiences
The sad, spare, sophisticated, poetic bolero songs at the heart of Miramar’s music were often played in private spaces. This makes them a perfect match for the eclectic madman’s great room environment of Révéler Experiences. There is a lot of detail in the songs, a swooning sense of loss and longing that comes through even if you don’t understand the words. The group’s sound is built around the close, intertwining harmonies of singers Rei Alvarez and Laura Ann Singh, accompanied by the sometimes lush, sometimes electric keyboards of Marlysse Simmons; which will be even more resonant on the new Yamaha grand piano acquired by the venue, one of the few places in town that does not rely on mobile keyboards. The trio is most often complemented by some of the top musicians in town: Scott Clark on drums, Giustino Riccio on percussion, Gary Kalar or Bruno Alcalde on guitar, and Andrew Randazzo, Cameron Ralston, or Rusty Farmer on bass. There are few bands anywhere as lyrically beautiful, or dependably, ruefully romantic. Two sets at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Tickets range $15-$25.—Peter McElhinney
Comedian Eddie Griffin: Live and Unleashed at Dominion Energy Center
The comedian-turned-actor returns to Richmond; he played the Pastor opposite Dave Chappelle, Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper in “A Star is Born.” 8 p.m.
Sunday, June 29
Fourth annual Disability Inclusion Day at The Diamond
The nonprofit Friendship Circle of Virginia hosts this special day at the Diamond in partnership with the Flying Squirrels, who will be taking on the Reading Fightin Phils. Disability Inclusion Day highlights the importance of an inclusive community by bringing people with and without disabilities together to experience a baseball game in a supportive, inclusive environment; “Friendship Circle of Virginia has added accessibility supports so that people with disabilities and mental health conditions and their loved ones can participate in America’s favorite pastime in an iconic RVA way.” 1:35 p.m. game time.
Rikki Rakki with Outer World, Hartle Road and Death Panels at Cobra Cabana
The best concerts don’t necessarily add up on paper or your screen. Too often lazy booking will group bands together along genre party lines or record label affiliation. Other times in a stroke of inspired curation or serendipitous touring routes, a line-up comes together where the sum of the show is healthily enhanced by its constituent parts. Here Rikki Rakki is joined by Outer World, who Style Weekly readers recently voted fourth best punk or experimental group; although I can’t help thinking that if there was a category for “Best synthy psych-pop band” they would have topped the list. Both local bands are headliner caliber with no direct connection to each other, barring the commanding vocal presence both possess in Erika Blatnik and Tracy Wilson, respectively. From there things only get more interesting with the addition of two touring acts who may not be on your radar, but likely appeal to a large swath of Richmond’s voracious listening audience. Atlanta’s Death Panels are an impeccable instrumental stoner rock trio that, on the surface, would be more at home just about any other night at Cobra, but whose immaculate tone and textures will pair well with Outer World’s tireless ear for production. Columbus, Mississippi’s Hartle Road isn’t easy to pin down and perfectly weave between all the previous auditory touchstones mentioned, from song to song on the album “Max II.” It’s a unique ride that’ll draw in fans of Television, Neu!, Sparks and Bowie — take your pick, then try out something different for a change. Doors are at 8 p.m. $12 and 21+.—T.A.
Screening of “Barry Lyndon” at The Byrd Theatre
For some folks, this is master director Stanley Kubrick’s most boring film, but for others (especially film critics) the meticulously crafted historical epic “Barry Lyndon” (1975) is one of his finest. Based on William Makepeace Thackeray’s 19th-century novel, the movie features beautiful cinematography and visual storytelling and a cool emotional detachment perfect for its subject matter in the world of social climbing. Matinee showing at 2 p.m. $9.
