Thursday, Nov. 13
Dunums with Ductape Jesus, Gull and Gardner at Cobra Cabana
An eclectic bill hosted by Dig Records featuring a noisy post-rock band from North Carolina, Dunums, with local hip-hop luminary, DuctTape Jesus, the ultra-talented one-man band Gull (who used to rock the Carytown streets back in the day), and transcendent ambient synth artist who goes by Gardener. 7 p.m. doors. Music goes from 8 to 11 p.m. All ages show. $15.
Friday, Nov. 14
UPDATED: RVA Illuminates is taking place this year on Friday, Dec. 5. An earlier version of this section had an incorrect date.
Tim Harriss new paintings at Eric Schindler Gallery
Local music fans may know him as the guitarist from Kepone (and Burma Jam before them), but Tim Harriss is also a gifted painter and he’s got 17 new works which will be on display through Dec. 20. Enjoy an opening reception tonight from 7 to 9 p.m.
Piranha Rama with Unmastered Masters, Russell Lacy, DJ Side Winder at Get Tight Lounge
Album release shows are a prime time to take stock of a band’s achievements in the community. When it’s the band’s fourth album, as is the case with Piranha Rama’s “Phony Frontier,” the bar to go big for the occasion is set proportionally higher. This one fits the bill with support from acts both significant to Richmond as well as PR’s epic run as the hardest working band in town. Members of the excellent rock ‘n’ roll wrecking ball, Unmastered Masters, hail from Lexington and Staunton, and are an inspired addition to the party. Drummer and vocalist, Steve West went to high school in Richmond and caught PR when it opened for his other band, Pavement, in 2022. “I remember seeing ’em in Atlanta and thought they were fabulous. A really fun group with a lot of talented people in it,” West told Style over the phone. “So this is a long time coming and we’re excited to do it with them and be a part of my old stomping grounds.” Richmond songwriter and band leader Russell Lacy also owns the deed to The Virginia Moonwalker, the studio where “Phony Frontier” was recorded, in addition to playing on PR’s albums. DJ Side Winder Eric Morton’s record crate has soundtracked many Bamboo celebrations and his collection is a big influence on PR member Chrissie Lozano. Catch our interview with the band here. Doors are at 8 p.m. $15. –Tim Abbondelo
The Altons, Thee Sinseers Club Heartache Tour w/the McCharmleys at Richmond Music Hall
Just heard about this one late, but if you love bands that know how to recapture the smooth, glory sounds of old school, Los Angeles soul, you definitely won’t want to miss this bill, which has a little bit of everything. Hailing from Southeast LA, the Altons helped launch the Daptone imprint Penrose (if you’re looking for a date night show, you can’t go wrong here, as the band is kept aloft by the romantic vocal harmonies of Adriana Flores and Bryan Ponce). Also on the bill: Thee Sinseers are out of East LA and led by multi-instrumentalist, producer and singer-songwriter Joseph Quiñones, with a full brass section led by Eric Johnson (Tenor sax), Steve Surman (Bari sax) and Joseluis Jimenez (trombone). Both bands are earning a name for themselves with highly praised tours. And there’s still another band from LA on this bill: McCharmlys, who bring a more raw, garage rock retro sound. Yes, this is a night of retro sounds (all around) done right. Doors at 7 p.m.
Béton Armé, Dark Thoughts, Memory Hole and The Crazed at Studio Two Three
What do you get when you fill your dance card with one French speaking Canadian oi band, a Ramones-centric pop punk band from Philadelphia, and a pair of local upstarts, each dishing out their own side of the melodic versus manic hardcore-punk paradigm? A home run, to mix metaphors. While this show will be a renewed experience and enthusiasm for some, it promises to be revelatory to others, who never knew ‘80s French-inspired oi punk was exactly what their life was missing. It’s also yet another great privilege and opportunity to utilize and take care of this awesome community arts space. Doors open at 7 p.m. and entry costs $15.—T.A.
Pawject Runway doggy-style fashion show at Furbish Thrift
A doggy-style fashion show and adoption event at Furbish Thrift. Models will be dressed to impress in Furbish fashions and accompanied on the runway by adoptable rescue dogs. Come meet the dogs, shop the looks and enjoy the show. 2833 Hathaway Rd. Starts at 6 p.m.
Eyewash with Ultra Bleach and Receiver at Gallery 5
A classic sandwich of a concert made up of two local slices of Richmond punk along with a touring main course, in this case a hearty serving of heavy and melodic post rock from Pittsburgh’s Eyewash. Ultra Bleach put on a relentlessly enjoyable live show without formalities, just as they prefer being on a first name basis with audiences like we learned when Style interviewed the band earlier this year. Receiver is a newer area band worth getting acquainted with. So far, they only exist in a live context, where they show a fury of promise with their string cacophony. Doors open at 7 p.m. $10.—T.A.
Merry Midtown Holiday Celebration – Libbie Mill Midtown
Annual tradition meet at Libbie Lake and enjoy carriage rides and food treats from Latin Quarter, Grateful Grill and a dessert. 6 to 9 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 15
Allianz Richmond Marathon
Get ready to use an alternate route, thousands of healthy, blood-pumpin’ runners will be taking over for this 48th rendition of the friendly-as-all-get-out Richmond marathon. And if you haven’t signed up by now, you’re likely out of luck as the marathon, the CarMax half-marathon, and VCU Health Richmond 8k are all sold-out. Believe that. Registration was limited to 6,200 people. For more details, visit richmondmarathon.org.
CinemaNiche presents “Monk in Pieces” at Studio Two Three
Documentary by Billy Shebar from this year about the visionary composer and artist Meredith Monk featuring interviews with the likes of David Bowie, Philip Glass and Björk. Read our preview by Don Harrison. 7 p.m. $15. You can find tickets here.
Songs of Truth feat. Desiree Roots with Dr. Weldon Hhill at Reveler
A joyous celebration of original blues, jazz and gospel styled songs from the Broadway bound musical “Truth” inspired by the life, words and soul of Sojourner Truth. Admission is $20 or $10 for students. Doors at 2 p.m. and show is from 3 to 5 p.m. Reserved seating.
Greg Sestero presents “The Room” and “Big Shark” at Byrd Theatre
A double feature of Tommy Wiseau films presented by French-American actor, producer and writer Greg Sestero, best known as playing Mark in “The Room,” who returns to the Byrd. In addition to an anniversary screening of “The Room,” they’ll be showing the final cut of Wiseau’s latest masterpiece, “Big Shark.” Starts at 6 p.m. (“Big Shark” screens at 9 p.m.) General admission is $30.
Richmond Symphony One Piece Music Symphony
Following the sold-out success of last season’s Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth Orchestra World Tour, the Symphony brings a global pop-culture phenom to life for one night only with One Piece Music Symphony. 7 p.m. The website for info and tickets is here.
Skydog: A Tribute to Allman Bros. at The Broadberry
One of Richmond’s popular tribute bands knows the secret to unlock the Georgia jams of the Allman Brothers, one of the 1970s’ biggest rock bands. 7 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 16
The Barefoot Movement at In Your Ear
Over the course of several albums and EPs, the Barefoot Movement found success as an equal-partnership “progressive bluegrass” quartet, but married co-founders and virtuosic musicians Noah Wall and Tommy Norris have lately taken the reins and focused the sound. The Nashville-based group’s latest, 2024’s “Let It Out,” consists of buoyant originals penned and performed by fiddler Wall and mandolinist Norris, augmented by guests that include former bandmates Katie Blomarz and Alex Conerly, and current touring guitarist Ben Howington. The melodic Movement has always aspired to be a sort-of Fleetwood Mac of bluegrass and now they sound even more like sunny day California rock without the backbeat. $25 in advance —$30 at the door. Doors open at 5 p.m. with music at 6 p.m. (Although sponsored by JamInc., the show will not be doing the usual pre-show potluck. although patrons are welcome to bring their own food and drink.)—Don Harrison
Read Up Richmond with novelist Kevin Nguyen in conversation with Emma Ito at the Main Library
This annual event organized by the Richmond Library’s Community Service Managers Jennifer Deuell and Ben Himmelfarb “challenges people to read courageously, listen thoughtfully and connect meaningfully.” This year’s selected novel is “Mỹ Documents,” which Style featured earlier this year. Its author, Kevin Nguyen, will discuss his second, highly topical novel with Emma Ito. From publisher, One World: “Informed by real-life events, from Japanese incarceration to the Vietnam War and modern-day immigrant detention, ‘Mỹ Documents’ gives us a version of reality only a few degrees away from our own.” Last week, Ito — who is the director of education at Virginia Humanities — led a tied-in event, “The Japanese Experience in Virginia, 1900s – 1950s: Jim Crow to Internment” at the library. Sunday’s conversation will benefit from her extensive research on the local history of that subject as well as both Nguyen and her own personal experience. Show up by 2 p.m. for this free event made possible by the Richmond Public Library Foundation and the Friends of the Richmond Public Library. Held at 101 E Franklin St.—T.A.
Indigenous People’s Day at Powhatan Hill Park
Celebrate Virginia’s Indian Tribes and America’s Indigenous communities for Indigenous Peoples’ Day at Powhatan Hill. This annual celebration will feature dancers, demonstrations, food, exhibits a Pow-Wow and more. Noon-5 p.m. Free. Powhatan Hill Park, 5051 Northampton St. pocahontasproject.org
Parallel Listening Series at Gallery 5
Those up for a literary marathon can make their way to the next installment of this interdisciplinary jubilee in Jackson Ward. Fairouz Bsharat, Sullivan Summer, Ja Holm and Avery Fogarty will read from their work accompanied by the musical stylings of Steve Van Dam and Fogarty’s own Hot Spit. You can read more about the salon in our story on one of its organizers, Trey Burnart Hall. Happy hour is at 6 p.m. followed by the free event at 7 p.m.—T.A.
Dead People’s Stuff Vintage Market at Main Line Brewery
Over 40 vintage and antique vendors set up shop; there will be food trucks, coffee, cold beer, cocktails and fire pits. 1603 Ownby Lane. Runs from noon to 5 p.m. Free entry. Dogs welcome. Follow them @deadpeoplesstuffva.
Strangeways Brewing Fall Fest and Craft Market
Indoor event, local vendors featuring handmade décor, jewelry, woodworking, vintage, etc. Noon to 5 p.m. Free entry.
The Lemonheads with Erin Rae at Broadberry
On the Love Chant USA tour, the American alt rock band from Boston headed by Evan Dando, who has a new memoir “Rumors of My Demise,” returns to RVA. His latest album “Love Chant” is the first album of new material in 19 years and received a four-star review in Mojo. Doors at 6 p.m. and show starts at 7 p.m.
Curt Sydnor and Emri Katari perform Bach plus Yeni Nostalji at St. John’s Church
Historic St. John’s Church in Church Hill is a traditional venue for a performance of the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. The composer’s primary occupation was a church organist at a series of increasingly prominent German congregations. The twist for this Sunday evening concert of the canons from “The Goldberg Variations” is the instrumentation: drums and synthesizer. Keyboardist/composer Curt Sydnor, who is St. John’s Minister of Music, has built an eclectic reputation as an innovative voice with projects including his CDs of original and adapted music, his “Fall of Richmond” chamber symphony, and his collaboration with Javanese master Peni Chandra Rini. The Goldberg canons, ten of the 30 “Variations,” consist of multiple offset melodic lines creating a contrapuntal, flowing effect. The expressive precision of Turkish-born/Richmond-based drummer Emre Kartari should be a dynamic complement to the classical keyboard score. Richmond’s dreamy Turkish pop-folk group Yeni Nostalji, featuring vocalist Christina Marie and bassist Ayca Kartari, is also on the bill. 7:30 p.m. $15 suggested donation.—Peter McElhinney
Monday, Nov. 17
Dominion Energy’s GardenFest of Lights at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
Nominated again for the best botanical garden holiday lights in the country, this year’s theme is The Elements, and it will feature millions of lights used to create displays inspired by fire, earth, air and water, as well as a special fifth elment, love (aww). Among other new aspects this year: Adult-friendly nights presented by Keiter will be held on Nov. 20-21 (which simply means 18 and over). Also Garden guests can reserve portrait sessions with professional photographer Jessica Capozzola. Visit the website to learn more. Note: There will be a member preview over the weekend (Nov. 14-16) and GardenFest of Lights opens to non-members on Nov. 17 and runs through Jan. 4, 2026. Hours are 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. nightly (closed on Thanksgiving, Dec. 24-25). Tickets must be purchased online before arrival.
