Thursday, June 5
The eighth annual 2nd Best Comedy Fest at various venues (through June 7)
Fans of rising comedy should know about this year’s big comedy fest organized by Richmond’s own Coalition Theater. It includes Angel Bones (improv from Chicago), Chloe Radcliffe (standup from NYC), Claire and Kim (sketch comedy from Chicago), Kornfeld and Andrews (improv from NYC), and Miss Golightly (improv from Los Angeles) plus many others looking to put a smile on your face. The festival is taking place at four different venues within walking distance of each other, including Coalition Theater, Theatre Gym at Virginia Rep, Black Iris Social Club and Gallery5. For all the nitty gritty details of this formidable comedy gauntlet, check out Coalition’s website where you can also find info on tickets.
Immigrant Voices, Immigrant Healing at Gallery5
It’s community care night with a panel, storytelling and DJ. Hosted by Capaz+IT and the Eva Stitt School for Newcomers, this will be addressing the role of art in immigrant mental health. Gallery5 is located at 200 W. Marhsall St. 6 to 8 p.m.
Comedian Kevin James at the Carpenter Theatre at Dominion Energy Center for the Performing Arts
Stand-up hailing from Long Island brings his Owls Don’t Walk tour to RVA. You may remember him from CBS’ “The King of Queens.” 7:30 p.m.
Friday, June 6
Summer kickoff concert with Three Sheets to the Wind and Full Moon Fever at Maymont
When the weather’s fine, it’s a lovely environment for an outdoor show at Maymont. You probably know both these bands, Tom Petty tribute group Full Moon Fever is opening the show, and the night closes out with a major dose of yacht rock fever when Three Sheets to the Wind take the stage in their sailor caps. Music begins on CoStar Group Mainstage at 6 p.m. There will be beer and food vendors on site. For more info and to purchase tickets (they’re going fast) visit Maymont.org/skc. This event is rain or shine and tickets are non-refundable, except in the case that Maymont cancels the event.
Friday Cheers presents Kashus Culpepper and Ramona and The Holy Smokes at Brown’s Island
Kashus Culpepper is an Alabama native and Navy veteran who makes a uniquely American blend of downhome, bluesy Southern rock, country and Americana with gritty, soulful vocals forged in the church. He’s since made the move to Nashville to up his songwriting game. Opening the evening are local country faves Ramona and the Holy Smokes fronted by the lead singer Ramona Martinez of Charlottesville. 6 to 9:30 p.m. $10 in advance, $15 at the door. Children 12 and under free.
Bubbles Con at Main Branch of the Richmond Public Library (Also June 7)
Read our feature preview by Don Harrison, which includes a full schedule of events. This year’s Bubbles Con includes guest artist Charles Burns, who will be interviewed by author Dan Nadel (“Crumb”) among many exciting new authors.
First Friday exhibit opening: “Newbodies/Nobodies II: Bodies, Borders, Sutures” at Gallery5
Curated by Norberto Gomez Jr., this group show of artists is being held in collaboration with Capaz+IT and The Great Busk during National Immigrant Heritage Month. Per the curator’s statement, the show features “a renewed focus on the immigrant body—on movement, memory and change. This exhibition brings together works that understand the body as something in flux: crossing, mixing, and breaking languages, borders, and time.” The artists involved include Giuliana Funkhouser, Leejin Kim, Andrés Lugo, Ralph Vázquez-Concepción and Shay Salehi, who “carry layered identities shaped by migration, displacement and inherited memory. Their work resists a single story of immigration and identity. Instead, it holds space for complexity—for presence and absence, for what’s carried and what’s imagined.” On display through June 28.
Mackenzie Roark and The Hotpants album release with Dylan Barrow at Get Tight Lounge
Roark and her Hotpants have been burning up local stages for a while now and they have a new reason to celebrate at this show with new full-length, “Ghost of Rock and Roll.” Read our feature on the new record here. Show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets available at DICE.
Madison Turner album release with ShotClock, Carnivorous Flower and Corporate Fandango (Greensboro, NC) at Gold Lion Community Café
A transplant from Tampa, singer-songwriter Madison Turner has a new album of upbeat and melodic alt. rock (with dashes of punk ska) titled “Curtsy When You Land” (Say-10 Records), that she’ll be celebrating with a full band that includes Ryan Clatterbuck on drums, Jake Morley on bass, Eva Dee Wargo on guitar, Keely Burn on keys and more. Note: Fans can get the new album on vinyl at the show. Music at 8 p.m. $10. All ages.
Festival of Arts presents A Tribute to D’Angelo with JayWhit and the Fellas at Dogwood Dell
One of the most revered singers to ever come out of RVA is soul singer Michael Eugene Archer a.k.a. D’Angelo. Bring your blankets, your dancin’ shoes and maybe a little brown sugar for a tribute led by soulful singer Jay Whit. Free and family friendly. Starts at 8 p.m.
Saturday, June 7
Family Day celebrates African and African American Art at VMFA
Family-friendly event exploring the culture, traditions and art of Mali throughout the museum, with dance and musical performances featuring Cheick Hamala Diabaté and other artists. There will be art activities, you can learn to make mini drums or design wearable jewelry while contributing to a collaborative weaving project. Music fans should know there will also be DJ Mikemetic in the sculpture garden. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The 43rd annual Ashland Strawberry Faire at Randolph-Macon College
Expect thousands of folks at this popular Ashland faire featuring 300 vendors, arts and crafts, nonprofits, food vendors and in historic Ashland. This is a free, family event held on the campus of RMC, it will have a Kid Zone, Pet Pageant, as well as a Berry Lane, which is new for 2025. The Strawberry Faire runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you want to make a day out of it, also in Ashland on Saturday, Center of the Universe is holding a Southern Food Festival with food trucks and fun beginning at noon and running until 5 p.m.
Cosmic Baseball opening night: Tri-City Chili Peppers versus the Glow-Mojis at Shepherd Stadium (Colonial Heights)
Don’t expect a sophomore slump for this Colonial Heights baseball club’s second season bringing Cosmic Baseball to the world – that’s America’s pastime played under custom-engineered black lights for a psychedelic effect on par with “Tron” and soundtracked by DJ Treblemaker. Owner Chris Martin, a member of Style’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2024, is increasingly excited about the future after the team’s first successful out-of-town stops on the Cosmic Takeover Tour. “We are excited to bring Cosmic Baseball back home,” he told us. “This weekend our fans will see an elevated experience that we have never seen before, and we’re excited to share that with our local fans first.” A pre-game block party starts at 5:15 p.m. followed by the first pitch of their conventional ball game that will turn cosmic after dark. Various ticket package options and a lottery are available here.—Tim Abbondelo
Rick Springfield at Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront
Somebody in 38 Special called in sick, so the first big touring show to break in the new Allianz Amphitheater is now being handled by Mr. Rick Springfield, the ‘80s hitsman behind “Don’t Talk to Strangers,” and of course, his biggie, “Jessie’s Girl” — an unrequited love classic now inseparable from a scene in “Boogie Nights” featuring Alfred Molina freebasing coke and shimmying in an open robe/Speedo ensemble while a boy sex slave named Cosmo randomly throws loud firecrackers into the air. (Sorry, Rick, we know you would’ve stopped at “unrequited love classic.”) Springfield has led a charmed life from starring on “General Hospital” to co-owning Beach Bar Rum with Sammy Hagar (a tour sponsor), to headlining this “I Want My ‘80s” tour with guests John Waite, Wang Chung and John Cafferty; that’s a lot of ‘80s bang for your buck, and we don’t mean banging crack. Now, Rick can add to that list of accomplishments that he christened Richmond, Virginia’s new amphitheater by the riverfront. Maybe he’ll tell Sammy about it the next time those guys kick back to enjoy “Mexican-inspired cuisine” at Cabo Wabo. Long live ‘80s rock, Speedos and burnt mustachios! 7 p.m. –B.B.
Sex Faces at Fuzzy Cactus
Don’t miss the tour finale of this burgeoning Washington, D.C. act composed of scene vets equally known for their bludgeoning take on noise punk with viola. The result is more SST-era Sonic Youth channeling The Stooges, than say, the iconic John Cale go-at-the-bow stylings you might expect. In the end, it’s all grown from the same seed. The band has been on the road supporting its brand new album, “Bad Vibes OST,” out now on Slovenly Records. Pick up a copy and give it a good home. While the “Vibes” of this soundtrack are purported to be “Bad,” what I’m hearing on tracks like “Feed Machine” sounds vital and defiant; in protest of the grind, the band turns its “Work. Death” refrain into an anthem. Garage rock aficionados might recognize the group’s drummer and sometimes-singer, Jacky Cougar, as the front person for D.C.’s Des Demonas — who will be at the National later this fall, supporting Neko Case; while zine devotees may know members more for their visual artwork as the Kunst Kollective. Get in on the ground floor, because Sex Faces are goin’ up. Doors are at 9 p.m. This show is 21+ with no further details at press time.—T.A.
Bramble On tribute band festival at Brambly Park (also Sunday, June 8)
One of the tragedies of popular music is that innovators, in late middle age, become amber-trapped in performing time-worn music, decades old, that their public loves and expects. One of the charms of far younger, scuffling tribute bands is that they aren’t just going through the motions. What they lack in ‘authenticity’ they make up for in love. It seems natural that promoter Pete LeBlanc would take advantage of the rich selection of local groups dedicated to resurrecting and refreshing great music of the past and create a two-day faux Woodstock. The lineup includes some usual subjects: On Saturday, tributes to the Foo Fighters, Smashing Pumpkins, Journey and Fiona Apple (featuring Shera Shi’s Brittany O’Neill) lead into Allman Brothers tribute Skydog, featuring Jeremy Simmons on drums. On Sunday, tributes to Amy Winehouse, David Bowie, Led Zeppelin and Sharon Jones (with Dance Candy, featuring Sam Reed) lead up to Kelli Strawbridge’s epochal transformation into James Brown in The Big Payback. If you’ve seen these bands, you know they are not merely copying familiar songs but trying to forge connection with the creative fire that made it legendary. It may not be the real thing, but it’s as real as anything currently on offer. Advance tickets are $39 per day or $69 for the weekend. Daily tickets at the gate are $49.—Peter McElhinney
Deau Eyes and Charles Owens at Révéler Experiences
This bill makes perfect sense. Owens is a veteran of the New York City jazz scene, having shared the stage with many of the greatest players in the music. Deau Eyes’ Ali Thibodeau is a singer-songwriter and dynamic performer who slips seamlessly between genres; one of her performances may involve multitudes of collaborators in addition to her regular band, including violinists, singers, the equally category-transcending Ant the Symbol — and frequently on keys and saxophone, Charles Owens. A night split between the two of them would feature Owen’s virtuosic blend of originals and covers followed by Thibodeau’s engaging and eclectic folk/country/rock, with lyrics brought to vibrant life in a way that reveals her original Broadway musical ambitions. Both were part of the Deau Eyes team-up last September with the R4nd4nzzo Big Band; that show, also in Révéler, was easily one of the best of 2024. Getting tickets to this one is a very safe bet. 8 p.m. Tickets are $15-$20 depending on seating.—P.M.
Richmond Symphony at Pocahontas State Park (Chesterfield)
A free show in a lovely state park in Chesterfield County, come and support local classical musicians who make beautiful music that you can think to, or just relax and experience in all its glory. Associate conductor Hae Lee will lead the Symphony through works by Beethoven, Dvorak, Sousa, and many others. 7:30 p.m. The concert is free and no ticket is required, though there is a $10 parking fee.
Sunday, June 8
Big Gay Pride Market at Diversity Richmond
It’s Pride month, come by Diversity Richmond for drag performances, 70 plus LGBTQ+ makers and artists, live music with Jayce Cuprill, food trucks, mutual aid. Donate what you will at the door for entry. Facemasks strongly encouraged. Runs from noon to 4 p.m.
Reverend Horton Heat with special guests Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas at Ember Music Hall
Pioneering psychobilly guitarist Jim “The Rev” Heath has been ripping roofs off with tequila-swilling, loco gringos for nearly 40 years, selling over a million albums. Tonight’s show should be a fun way to end your weekend, as it includes a highly danceable opening set by Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas from St. Martinsville, Louisiana. Lead accordionist Nathan Williams is just as experienced as Rev. Horton Heat, maybe even more so; he got his lucky break on Rounder Records in 1985 after the departure of Buckwheat Zydeco for Island Records. Two legendary veterans who know how to bring the house down on one bill. Doors at 6 p.m. and show at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are available here.
Pygmy Lush with Young Widows, Rid of Me and Kal Marks at The Warehouse
A popular, folky D.I.Y. post-punk act featuring members of Pageninetynine, Pygmy Lush returned to the stage, so to speak, last year for NPR’s celebrated Tiny Desk series and is releasing its first new music since 2011’s “Old Friends” next month on Richmond’s Persistent Vision Records. The band’s album “TOTEM” was recorded nearly a decade ago and has yet to pass any discernible sell-by date in style or spirit. This weekend’s show is their only scheduled regional appearance, no doubt answering the call to support Kentucky’s veteran noise rockers, Young Widows, on their latest lap through town. If you missed their last stop in Richmond with Thou and City of Caterpillar, here’s your second chance, with 80% of the echo or distortion. [Full disclosure: I play in The Ar-Kaics with Pygmy Lush member Johnny Ward. Fuller disclosure: If you ever ate at Proper Pie during a nine-month period in 2014, there’s a good chance Johnny Ward had a hand in your crust. Fullest disclosure: Johnny Ward never returned a VHS copy of “Major League” to Video Fan before it closed for good.] Doors are at 7 p.m. $20. All ages.—T.A.
