Thursday, May 8
Avett Brothers at Virginia Credit Union Live
The Grammy-nominated boys from Concord, North Carolina used to get their stomp on at the wooden stage at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, but they long ago hit the big time with all that entails. The group’s latest folk-rock album is their 12th and is simply titled “The Avett Brothers.” 7 p.m.
Friday, May 9
Virginia Opera and Richmond Symphony present “Loving v. Virginia” at the Carpenter Theatre, Dominion Energy Center for the Arts (May 9-11)
Virginia Opera celebrates its grand 50th anniversary with “Loving v. Virginia,” a new original work about the famous couple who legalized interracial marriage. Plays from May 9-11. Read our feature preview by Rich Griset here to learn more.
Friday Cheers: Bully and Rikki Rakki at Brown’s Island
The first installment of Friday Cheers’ 40th season leaned country, but the second has rock written all over it. Headlining on Friday will be the Sub Pop-signed, Nashville-born band Bully, led by singer-songwriter Alicia Bognanno. Bully’s most recent album, “Lucky for You,” came out to critical acclaim in 2023 and included a guest appearance by fellow Music City product Soccer Mommy [Sophia Regina Allison]. While that album is creeping up on its second birthday, the local opening band’s latest release is less than a week old. Richmond-based rock band Rikki Rakki will perform just seven days after sharing an EP titled “Sing, Cicadas!” There may be no better setting to hear these new songs than Brown’s Island, given the second track’s rhapsodic portrait of carousing by the James River: “Summer don’t last long/So we abandoned all our plans and filled our shoes with sand.” Sounds like Friday Cheers has a new theme song. Doors open at 6 p.m. and music starts at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance ($15 at the door) and can be purchased at venturerichmond.com.—Davy Jones
The Blue Orpheus Orchestra at Révéler Experiences
Over the decades, accordionist Barry Bless has been a common denominator of number of eclectic Richmond band like the Ululating Mummies, Happy Lucky Combo and the Indigenous Gourd Orchestra. He’s played with the Richmond Opera, busked on city streets, and traveled to India for musical collaborations. For the past few years, with dancer Twyla Jane, he’s led intermittently regular Breakfast Cabaret performances at a succession of coffee shops. (Currently they are the last Friday of the month at the Gold Lion Community Café.) Those are great if your schedule is flexible, impossible if you have a conventional job. The Blue Orpheus Orchestra is more or less the nighttime edition of the Cabaret, with the addition of saxophonist/clarinetist Jason Scott, whose day job has prevented making the morning gig.
The music, a mélange of anthems, familiar melodies and quirky originals, shifts seamlessly from “Bella Ciao” to Led Zeppelin to a birthday song from a Russian cartoon. The players–Kassia Arabi on violin, Martha Cassiday on trombone, Freddie Lau on guitar, Carter Blough on bass and C.J Alicia on percussion—have the laid-back tightness of long familiarity. The group has mutated over the years, there is more continuity than change. With his costumes, handlebar mustache and pointed beard, Bless can come off as a cross between a musical Don Quixote and a 19th-century dandy. The result is charming, original and colorful, which makes it fit right in with the gilded skeletons and fairy lights of Révéler. 8 p.m. Tickets are $15-$20 depending on seating selected.—Peter McElhinney
“Chicago: The Musical” at Altria Theater (through May 11)
Read our preview feature here. Broadway in Richmond’s “Chicago” plays May 9-11. For more information, visit broadwayinrichmond.com.
Saturday, May 10
Third annual Church Hill Springfest and Market in Libby Hill Park
Enjoy live music, 50-plus local artists and small businesses, RVA food trucks and kid-friendly activities. Last-second shop stop for Mother’s Day. Spring Fest is organized by the Church Hill Association (CHA), with proceeds benefiting local parks, schools, and organizations. Runs from noon to 5 p.m. For more details or to volunteer visit their website.
Church Hill Vintage Bazaar and Punk Rock Flea Market at ACCA Shrine Center (Saturday and Sunday)
At what point does a punk rock flea market become just another vintage sale? And what’s the difference between a bazaar and a flea market, anyway? If you’re curious about such mysteries or just looking for a deal on a slightly used, studded belt, take your pick of these digger’s delights, or do it all back-to-back in a vintage-punk spree. Both events promise an array of art, collectables, used wares and a variety of ephemera and sundries. And while you’re more likely to find that first Swell Maps single at the one, odds are you’d score a better deal on it at the other.
The Flea Market features Real Ginger Food Truck and Cold Brew Boba but will be held indoors at what I’d characterize more as a Masonic convention center than a flea market, per se. The Bazaar is outdoors but doesn’t list any purveyors of food or bev. Fret not, you’re in Church Hill and can choose from an array of accessible lunch spots for your own picnic in-between treasure hunts. The Bazaar is Saturday only at 2309 E Broad St., next to Eric Schindler Gallery, from 10 to 3 p.m. and is free to attend. The Punk Rock Flea Market will be held at 1712 Bellevue Ave on Saturday and Sunday, from 11 to 7 p.m. and costs $10 for a weekend pass.—Tim Abbondello
“Fancy: Costumes, Characters and the Richmond Masque” at The Valentine
It’s opening night for the first new major Costumes and Textiles exhibition in five years at The Valentine, so wear cocktail attire or “pull out your most unique costume jewelry, festive masks and dazzling headpieces.” As described by organizers, this exhibit “explores the many ways Richmonders have used creative clothing to disguise themselves for frivolity, celebration, and performance.” Read our full preview here. The exhibit runs through Jan. 25, 2026 in the Nathalie L. Klaus and Reynolds Family galleries.
The Black Book Expo, a Conscious Literary Festival at Pine Camp Arts and Community Center (May 10 and 11)
Read our preview here. The 2025 Black Book Expo: A Conscious Literary Festival is scheduled for May 10-11 at Pine Camp Cultural Arts and Community Center, 4901 Old Brook Road from 3-7 p.m. both days. Free. Visit this website for more info.
Space Cowboy Prom at Gallery5
Yes, Gallery5 is “warping into a neon frontier where rhinestone cowboys slow-dance with androids and stargazers sway beneath mirrored moons.” Tonight features performances by: Jaguardini, Exact Same Speed, Sweet Touch, Mackenzie Roark and the Hotpants and IONN. And the dress code? “Space glam, western surrealism, metallic fringe, cowboy hats from another galaxy—get weird with it. Prom King and Queen will be crowned! Raffle, Prizes, Dance off!” Runs from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Sunday, May 11
Alyssa Edwards with Sweet Pickles at The National
From a tiny town in Mesquite, Texas to hitting “the greatest worldwide stage drag has even seen,” Justin Johnson, better known as Alyssa Edwards, is taking the River City by storm. She reached the pinnacle by winning RuPaul’s Drag Race Global All-Stars in 2024, winning the title of first-ever “Queen of the Motherfucking World.” Oorah! With Richmond’s very own Sweet Pickles (pictured) opening. 18-and-over show. Doors at 7 p.m. show at 8 p.m.
Music in the Park presents Brandon Wayne and His Lonesome Drifters at Forest Hill Park
Free show on Mother’s Day! Featuring the vintage western swing, rockabilly, hillbilly, country and surf music of Charlottesville’s Brandon Wayne and His Lonesome Drifters, who play a mix of originals and classic covers. If you’re looking for some outdoor twang for yo mama, come see ’em. 6 to 8 p.m.
Mother’s Day Concert with the Richmond Concert Band at Agecroft Hall
Looking for a free event for mom? The Richmond Concert Band is back at Agecroft to celebrate all the people who give us motherly love, according to organizers. “This year’s theme is ‘Music Without Words.’ The band will perform a selection of popular tunes that became popular despite not having any lyrics, including music from movies and television, Top 40 radio, and light classics.” Have yourselves a picnic if it’s nice. In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be postponed to May 18. Runs 6 to 7:30 p.m. Free.
