Thursday, March 13
5th Wall Theatre’s “Sanctuary City” at Richmond Triangle Players
Our theater critic says this is a great play by Martyna Majok that involves two illegal immigrant teens forging an inseparable bond that frays due to the uncertainty of their status. Read his review and consider. Runs through March 22.
Laura Ann Singh + Rosette Quartet at Révéler Experiences
Vocalist Laura Ann Singh has a lovely voice, great stage presence, and an incredible stylistic range. Her collaboration with all-female supergroup of the Rosette Quartet, bassist Ayca Katari, and pianist Marlysse Simmons is a suitable place to start. The music is lush, the musicianship impeccable, and the lyrics are often in English. Singh established her career as the area’s premier interpreter of Brazilian music with Quarta Na Bossa. She is also one-third of the core trio of Miramar, the breakout RVA international group specializing in boleros from Puerto Rico and beyond. At her long-running gigs at Bottoms Up Pizza, she mostly explores the Great American Songbook, and she has not shied away from more avant-garde projects with Scott Clark, Adam Hopkins, and her poetically tragic to bracingly funny Fracas bands. It all comes together in this project, which focuses on bespoke, new arrangements of pop songs from women artists like Carole King, Joni Mitchell and Sandy Denny. Based on previous performances, it promises to be a memorable night. Starts at 7:30 p.m. Reserved seat tickets are $15-$20.—Peter McElhinney
Friday, March 14
Dave Moore: Retrospective New Work at Eric Schindler Gallery
Virginian artist Dave Moore is a painter who was born in Hampton and art-schooled in Richmond; he’s been making and showing work for more than 25 years, and has lived in the Charlottesville area since 2003, where he can be found on the airwaves as a DJ for the great college radio station, 91.1 FM WTJU. The art opening runs from 7 to 9 p.m. The exhibition runs through April 17, 2025.
Seven Hills Family Medical Benefit show at Gallery5
Seven Hills Family Medical recently lost its lease to the building on Grace and is raising funds to relocate [more on that soon] but musical friends like Prisoner, VV, (noise greats) Brown Piss, and a Hunting Dog DJ set are coming together for this benefit. Only costs $10. Runs from 7 to 11 p.m. Sales end soon, get your tix now.
“The Brutalist” screening at the Byrd Theatre
Did you miss that 3-hour movie starring Adrien Brody that won the big Oscars? Well, here’s your chance to see it inside one of Richmond’s crown jewels. 7 p.m. $9.
Here are some other upcoming Byrd screenings of award-winning films that are likely to draw crowds: “A Real Pain” on Saturday, March 15; “The Substance” on Sunday, March 23 at 7 p.m. ($9); Oscar-winning doc “No Other Land” on Tuesday, March 25 at 7 p.m. ($9); and “A Complete Unknown” on Friday, March 28 ($9).
Golden Fest: The Justin Golden Benefit with the Trillions, Jake the Dog, Charm Offensive, Mead the Dear, Andrew Alli and Josh Small at The Camel
You’ve got to give it up to the Richmond music scene. They really come together for one of their own. We were all sad to hear about the health battle that musician Justin Golden is facing with a sudden stage four diagnosis of a rare cancer. However, it has to make him happy to know that so many people have come together and dedicated their time and efforts to help raise funds so that he can focus on getting better. This is the latest benefit show featuring a wealth of local music talent. Doors at 9 p.m. and show at 9:30 p.m. $20. If you’re the praying kind, prayers up for Justin’s recovery.
Saturday, March 15
Church Hill Irish Festival (also March 16)
Aw yeah, you know what time it is! Time to rock the green brass monkey again in Church Hill. One of Richmond’s most popular annual festivals returns with plenty of live music and dancing across two stages, the Stage O’ Page and the Jeff Brown Stage. Among the acts this year donating their time: The Donnybrooks (Celtic String Band), Powderkeg, The Atkinsons, The Ex-Patriots, Mother’s Little Helpers (Rolling Stones Band) , F Train, Tin Can Fish Band, Bart Chucker Band, Cindy Miller Jennings, Road Kill Roy, Cook County Bluegrass, The Anvil Brothers and Glasgow Kiss.
“Along with St. Patrick’s Church, the Irish Festival proceeds benefit many local organizations including Child Savers, Richmond Hill, the Church Hill Association, Fulton Neighborhood Resource Center, St. John’s Church, Chimborazo School, Bellevue School, Church Hill Boys and Girls Club, Saint Francis Home, Sandston USO, and McShin Foundation,” write the organizers. “As always, there will be live local music, food provided by St. Patrick’s Church, vendors and local craftspeople, Irish beverages, kids’ games, Irish and Highland dance, and bagpipers [Editor’s shout out to my boy Steve McNeer on the pipes!] Don’t forget to register for this year’s Hill Topper 5K.” The festival runs both days from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Suggested donation is $5 for entry.
Parking note: There is free parking with a shuttle at 16th and East Broad St. with drop-off at 24th and East Broad St. and 26th and East Broad St. The shuttles run all day, both days. Also, pets are not allowed with the exception of service dogs.
World Oddities Expo at Greater Richmond Convention Center (also March 16)
We like weird oddities because life is better with them, and this expo is billed as a place “where weird thrives.” VIPs can go from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. while regular general admission tickets are for 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Go to their website for more detailed info on the happenings this time around.
Second annual Seed Exchange at Beulah Recreation Center
Join the Chesterfield County Extension Master Gardeners for its second annual seed swap that is open to the public. There will be two large rooms of vegetable, flower and herb seeds available. Bring a canned food or boxed item (unopened and not out of date, it should go without saying) to be entered into a drawing for door prizes. Donated items benefit the Chesterfield County Food Bank. All are welcome and you don’t have to bring seeds to participate. Noon to 3 p.m. 6901 Hopkins Road.
Shamrock the Block (Leigh Street in Scott’s Addition)
Located between Bowtie Cinemas and Midtown Green, this is yet another early sign that the spring-shine festival scene is upon us. Live music, food trucks, drinks and plenty of people in green at this popular block party. Say goodbye to that nasty case of winter cabin fever and do yourself a favor, walk or ride a bike to this one. Expect to see all kinds of lit white pee-pow. For more info, go to the website. Runs from noon to 6 p.m.
Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs
If you’re into the horse races, there will be live entertainment today in New Kent. General admission is $5. Go here for more info. 10515 Colonial Downs Pkwy in New Kent.
Mighty Joshua’s 8th annual Mighty Marley Celebration with LionsBridge at the Broadberry
One of the most beloved and influential musicians of the 20th century, the music of the Honorable Robert Nesta Marley always deserves a proper celebration—and there’s nobody else better locally to do it than Mighty Joshua, one of RVA’s chief reggae ambassadors. Doors at 7 p.m. and show at 8 p.m. Tickets available here.
Prabir Trio and Curt Sydnor’s Sydnorigami at Révéler Experiences
Prabir Mehta is a rock-and-roll chameleon, totally at home in any of his tribute gigs whether covering the classic songs of Tom Petty, The Beach Boys, The Beatles or The Who. But he is at his best in his natural state, as a singer-songwriter celebrating both his guitar-driven Western pop affinities and his deep connections to his Indian heritage. His long established, misleadingly named trio (which always has had four members and expanded to five) anchors the sound in rock-and-roll while the songs stretch lyrically and musically into his roots in the subcontinent’s Northwest. On his latest album, “Long After the Empire,” that results in songs like the churning, chiming “Viramgam” and the hard-rocking “Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.” It is a big sound that, with Mehta’s showmanship, scales easily up to a festival stage. The evening opens with a set from Curt Sydnor’s Sydnorigami. “I am a big fan of Curt Sydnor,” Mehta says. “I think he is the best songwriter in Richmond, if not the East Coast. He sets beautiful stories to dream melodies built on perfect chords.” The composer/songwriter/keyboard player’s unique, introspective, literary, and historical sonic landscapes should be a perfect complement to Prabir’s extroverted, guitar-swinging swagger. Starts at 8 p.m. General admission tickets are $15.—Peter McElhinney
Richmond Symphony Presents Cirque Musica: Symphonic!
According to organizers, “aerial acrobats literally ‘drop’ into the Carpenter Theatre. Each gravity-defying feat choreographed to live music performed by the Richmond Symphony. Acrobats, aerialists, contortionists, strongmen, jugglers; all this and more performing to music above and around the orchestra. 8 p.m.
Community Square Dance at Studio Two Three
It’s not just for “Hee-Haw” folks anymore, nope. Grab your partner, with consent, and swing ‘em round and round. The young’ins love to do things in groups and this is a group dance style that pretty much everyone can do without looking too silly. In fact, read our more detailed story about these events by Sarah Vogelsong. CORRECTION: 1 to 4 p.m.
Sunday, March 16
Richmond Symphony Presents “The Sneetches by Dr. Seuss” at Carpenter Theatre
A Sunday funday the symphony way, with our local symphony performing the music of “The Sneetches” composed by Lorenzo Palomo. A delight for all ages. 3 p.m. Tickets are available here.
GoldenFest Act II: The Dance Party at Gallery5
You know what’s up, another fundraiser for local musician Justin Golden, this time featuring Mama Galante and Rachel Dunaway, who have prepared a Social Dance Set and Ceili has a Ceili Set, and DJ Leto has a Sonic Debauchery set. Doors are at 6 p.m. starts at 7 p.m. sharp. $15 entry. $5 student ticket. Fun! Dancing! Music lesson raffle! 200 W. Marshall St.
Wednesday, March 19
Rufus Wainwright at The Tin Pan (also March 20)
Wild to think it’s been 27 years since this nepo babe’s self-titled debut. Since then, he’s won numerous Juno awards, been nominated for a Grammy, released 17 studio and live albums and flourished as a gay icon. A consummate performer fluent in the theatrical musical traditions of Tin Pan Alley, cabaret, Baroque pop and opera, Wainwright has forged his own marvelous and idiosyncratic path. His Richmond stop at this smaller venue that he’s grown accustomed to performing at is such an occasion they’re doin’ it twice, for his self-explanatory “Going to a Town Solo Tour 2025” tour. Doors are at 6 p.m. and are sold out at press time. Heed this lesson, and sign up for The Tin Pan’s newsletter in hopes Wainwright does three nights next go around. Third-party ticket seekers BEWARE and prepared to fork over beaucoup bucks.—Tim Abbondelo
