Thursday, May 9
The Chats, Dirty Fences and Paint Fumes at the Canal Club
Eight years in, Queensland, Australia’s the Chats have survived “Smoko,” the ‘hit single’ via viral video which first grabbed global attention for the band—20 million YouTube views worth and counting. That fluke mainstream action risked landing them in similar cultural territory as other Aussie exports who find success for a limited time followed by diminishing returns, like Yahoo Serious and Crocodile Dundee. Instead, this lean-and-mean punk rock trio has outrun its initial hype through vigorous touring and a steady supply of new material, all with the high-bar intensity of Motorhead or the Saints’ early output. Now “Smoko” is just another song in their relentless set, along with the bevy of anthemic singles that followed it: “Pub Feed,” “Struck by Lightning” and “GL GTR” all deliver with undiminished execution. Australian punk is having a moment that’s growing into an era, thanks in no small part to the endurance and bravura coming from this band. Catch them on Thursday at the Canal Club with sterling support from Dirty Fences and Paint Fumes. –Tim Abbondelo
Friday, May 10
Friday Cheers presents Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country with Mackenzie Roark and the Hotpants at Brown’s Island
Back in 2014, we attended the Association of Alternative Newsmedia conference in Nashville, the big summer conference where all the remaining alt. weeklies in the country would get together to take various seminars, bemoan the state of journalism, share story ideas and drink alcohol. The first night they took us to Robert’s Western World bar on Lower Broadway, a fun-filled place where we saw the house band, Brazilbilly, which featured respected local session guys playing traditional country and swing, originals and rock covers. Yet the player who stood out the most was the youngest: An 18-year-old kid named Daniel Donato. Clearly versed in the guitar styles of players like Mike Bloomfield, Peter Green and Roy Buchanan, Donato ripped it up in an almost Michael Jordan-esque way, where everyone else looked a little silly. Anyway, that kid grew up and has become a force on the jamband scene, playing with everyone from Bob Weir and Billy and the Kids to Widespread Panic. Expect a big crowd, dirt twirlers, and a light patchouli breeze over the James. And don’t miss local singer Mackenzie Roark opening the show. 6 to 9:30 p.m. $10 in advance, $15 at the door.
Afro-Zen Allstars at Révéler Experiences
Fusing global sounds of Ethiopia’s “golden age” (‘60s-‘70s) with an eight-piece powerhouse featuring: Keith Cable, percussion; Suzi Fischer, alto/tenor sax; Marc Langelier, bass; George M Lowe, guitar and arrangements; Scott Milstead, drums; Chris Sclafani, alto/baritone sax; Chris Vasi, guitar; Toby Whitaker, trombone. Doors at 7 and music at 8 p.m. $15-$20.
Saturday, May 11
The RVA Clean City Commission hosts E-Cycle Day
Are you a Richmond resident? Do you have some junk you need to get rid of? Paper shredding? Electronics (some fees apply). Household hazardous waste? Well you may want to know about this event. Runs 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the 1700 Robin Hood Rd. locations.
Pop-Up RVA at the Diamond
Every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April through October. Large vendor market of artisans, crafts and local businesses. (Coming soon to Chesterfield Towne Center as a new indoor, 7-days-a-week store on Aug. 1). For more details or vendor applications, go here. https://popupmarketrva.com.
The Rhapsody Project RVA Kickoff at the Camel
At the same time he’s made a name for himself releasing standout original music, Richmond-based singer and fingerstyle-guitarist Justin Golden has shown a rare dedication to preserving and sharing traditional music. As part of that commitment, he founded Richmond’s chapter of the Rhapsody Project, a Seattle-based nonprofit which seeks to enrich communities through music heritage education with an anti-racist lens. In an effort to keep those programs free for students, a matinee fundraiser concert will take place starting at 2:30 p.m. For the low entry fee of $7, attendees will get to enjoy sets from an extensive slate of performers, from Golden himself and Josh Small to Jackie Merritt and Resa Gibbs, Josh Bearman and more – and get the satisfaction of ensuring the Rhapsody Project has the instruments and other resources it needs to spread the joy of traditional music. For tickets, visit thecamel.org.—Davy Jones
Mighty Joshua “Dreaducation” Album Release Party at the Historic Hofheimer Building
Read our preview feature online. Doors open at 7 p.m. $20.
Kurt Vile and Florry at the National
Read our interview with Vile here. Doors at 7 p.m.
Sunday, May 12
Happy Mother’s Day! Read our rundown of some of the events happening on Mother’s Day in this story by Karen Newton.
Monday, May 13
Meridian Brothers and Miramar at the Get Tight Lounge
The Meridian Brothers are a faux-traditional Colombian band with the energy and humor levels cranked all the way up. The band’s last local appearance at Capital Ale House was one of the highlights of 2023. Their return on Monday, under the downtown stars at the Get Tight Lounge, an ideal match of oversized ideas and intimate venue. Despite its plural name, the band is the singular work of Eblis Álvarez. An academy-trained musical phenomenon, he writes all the music and plays all the instruments on the group’s eclectic albums. In performance, he is joined by four hyper-talented university friends, whose joyful interactions make them anything but mere accompaniment. The last time around seemed like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience pure, rootsy, musical invention from the Southern hemisphere. If getting a second chance a year later is not enough, Miramar, Richmond’s lovely Puerto Rican bolero band featuring Marlysse Rose Simmons with the intertwining vocals of Rei Alverez and Laura Ann Singh, should make what to do on Monday night an easy decision. 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $24.25.–Peter McElhinney
L7 with Gina Volpe of the Lunachicks at the Canal Club
Yes, they still rock. If you’ve never seen them, you owe it to yourself to catch a sweaty L7 show in the relatively intimate confines of the Canal Club. The band responsible for some of the grungiest rockers of the ’90 (“Broomstick” and “Shitlist”) never really let up and have been continuing to slay audience every decade since (they actually got to play as a band called Camel Lips in John Waters’ comedy, “Serial Mom” too.) The band even has a connection to Richmond in that legendary RVA-raised bassist Greta Brinkman is a former member. Tickets $27 plus fees. All ages. Doors are at 6:30 p.m.
