Friday, March 29
Electric Jungle at Ember Music Hall
Are you a fan of drum and bass? Maybe check out this party curated by experienced Richmond DJs and including the RVA premiere of Boston’s “Queen of the Jungle” Lenore, the founder behind Elements Drum and Bass Weekly in Cambridge. She’ll be joined by Ken Lazee (2Tuff/Washington DC) and SEVENDAYSIN (Harbringer Industries, Virginia). 9:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tickets available here.
Marshall Crenshaw at the Tin Pan
Marshall Crenshaw has been making great music for four decades now but he’s rarely stayed in the same place for long, which may be why he’s remained a beloved cult artist and not a national treasure. In the early ’80s, the Detroit native was viewed as a refreshing amalgam of the Beatles (he portrayed John Lennon in the national “Beatlemania” stage show) and Buddy Holly (who he impersonated in the movie, “La Bamba”). His subsequent career has seen detours into roots rock (1985’s excellent “Downtown” LP), country music scholarship (he produced Capitol Records’ definitive “Thank God … Hillbilly Music Vol. 1” compilation) and indie rock collaboration (Gin Blossoms, the Smithereens). Along the way, he also wrote the Grammy-nominated title track to “Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story.” Performing in his self-described “solo troubadour” role, Crenshaw will showcase old favorites and try out new compositions at the Tin Pan starting at 8 p.m. The man’s dry stage patter is a bonus feature – let’s hope he tells the hilarious story of his brief bass-playing stint in Bob Dylan’s backup band. For tickets and more info, visit the Tin Pan’s website. –Don Harrison
Saturday, March 30
Dominion Energy Family Easter at Maymont’s Carriage House Lawn
Bring the whole family for this year’s bigger-than-ever “eggs-travaganza” featuring 100 acres to “eggs-plore.” Get the theme here? Enjoy games, fun activities and hands-on crafts as well as live entertainment on three stages, including a Dance Zone with instruments to try out and a live DJ. You can also get a photo with the Easter Bunny and meet some baby farm animals. And, of course, there’s the Golden Egg Hunt. For more information (price is $5 and children under 2 are free), visit Maymont’s website. Runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
TDOV Block Party at Gallery5
Come celebrate International Trans Day of Visibility by enjoying a dozen local vendors at a TDOV makers market, with eats from Haute Dayum food truck and wonderful music and art from local queer and trans artists; plus get a sneak preview of Dayum Jam’s new headquarters. Everyone is welcome to attend and “support trans joy and small business growth.” Note: There is also an event at Starr Hill in Richmond on Friday, March 29 at 7 p.m. The Saturday market at Gallery5 runs from 1 to 5 p.m.
Blue Orpheus Orchestra at Reveler
Blue Orpheus is the slightly reconfigured resurrection of Barry Bless’s venerable Breakfast Cabaret band. The band performed hundreds of Fridays in their colorful weekly gig at Crossroads Coffee and Tea. That ended with COVID. Bless took off for several months in Northwest India last year, and the new band has yet to find a steady home. (Although Bless now anchors Sunday brunch with revolving guests at Natalies.) The core lineup is the same, Bless on accordion, Twyla Jane on vocals, Kassia Arabi on violin, CJ Alicia on percussion, and Carter Blough on bass. Also, guitarist Freddie Lau adds a modal electric edge to the groups voluminous and eclectic materials, which ranges from 1930s German cabaret to revolutionary anthems to songs from an imaginary cowgirl musical. Over the years, Bless has developed a devoted following, many of whom follow designer Ron Lee’s fashion prompts. He is in New York City this week, so that may not be a factor. But frequent collaborator saxophonist Jason Scott will be on hand, as will Bio Ritmo percussionist Giustino Riccio. The colorful, quirky Reveler Experiences on Cary Street is a near-perfect place for Blue Orpheus’s colorful, quirky music. 7 p.m. Tickets are $12 to $17. –Peter McElhinney
Sunday, March 31
The Monument Avenue Easter Parade
Don’t look now, but it’s the annual swarm of oh-so-fancy hats, cuter-than-cute pets and humans decked out in pastel, J. Crew-looking spring outfits that flood our famous byway of Monument Avenue from Davis to Allen Streets. This popular annual block party tradition should meet all your Sunday selfie needs. Right now, the weather looks OK, it should be in low 70s, clouds and sun. Free and runs from 1 to 5 p.m.
The NASCAR Cup Series Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond Raceway
Rev up! It’s the 69th annual spring NASCAR Cup Series race, which kicks off earlier in the week. Always a popular attraction around these parts, drivers start their engines at 7 p.m. on Sunday. There are a lot of events happening this weekend and special family ticket packages available. For much more detailed information, visit Richmond Raceway’s site.
