Friday, Nov. 29
Armistead’s Armi, an all-star Richmond supergroup @ Northside Grille
Yes it’s a special Thanksgiving show featuring Armistead Wellford (Love Tractor, Gutterball) and Andrew Carter (Love Tractor), Todd Woodson (Dionne Warwick, Rootboy Slim) and special guest Doug Stanley from Athens, Georgia. 8:45 p.m.
Cirque Dreams Holidaze at Altria Theater
Looking for a place to take the kids? Billed as the longest running cirque holiday theatrical event, this family-friendly event features a cast of holiday storybook characters onstage that includes aerial circus acts, sleight-of-hand juggles, skippers, acrobatics and an original music score with twists on seasonal favorites. 4 p.m. Friday show; also 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 30.
Saturday, Nov. 30
UPDATE: POSTPONED DUE TO ILLNESS
Free Redd Volkaert show @ The Get Tight Lounge
No, he’s not in jail, he just moved to Virginia from Austin. But some smart folks are going to turn out to see a free show by Merle Haggard’s former right-hand ax man, Redd Volkaert, “the master of the Telecaster,” live in the outdoor chillax center also known as Get Tight Lounge patio. This dude’s playing is sweeter than a kitten licking a baby’s head, and he can swing with the best of ‘em. 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Free.
The Young Sinclairs with Hagstone and Crimson Stone @ Fuzzy Cactus
For the last two decades, Roanoke’s Magic Twig Community has fostered a shared wealth of music across projects like Boys Lie, Eternal Summers, The Missionaries, Rootstone Jug Band, and The Sad Cobras, through their collectively owned recording studio, The Mystic Fortress. Of that stable, The Young Sinclairs are probably the most prolific, releasing a slew of homegrown psych-folk and moody garage records for a decade, starting in 2005. Although the band’s output slowed as new projects emerged, it returned in 2019 with “Out of the Box,” its most modern and diverse collection of songs, which incorporated blue-eyed soul and sunshine pop in hi-fi. I’m excited to see what they’re up to now, when they return to Richmond with two of the best hard rock outfits around town. Doors are at 9 p.m. and cost $10. Ages 21 and over.—Tim Abbondelo
Modern Groove Syndicate w/Mekong Xpress @ The Camel
If this is a new tradition being born, count me in. On the Saturday following last Thanksgiving, the eternally groovy but sometimes dormant jazz-funk outfit Modern Groove Syndicate took to the Camel stage to celebrate a new vinyl pressing of 2007 LP “Ms. Popular.” (Read about it in this Style Weekly story on local reissue labels.) Those who squeezed into the Broad Street venue must have made an extra-resonant encore plea, because the band will be back at the Camel on Saturday, Nov. 30, timed perfectly once again for post-tryptophan musical rallying. Once again, bassist Todd Herrington will be working a double shift. Last time it was with singer-songwriter and opening act Ben White, with whom Herrington plays in Mekong Xpress & The Get Fresh Horns. This time, the whole Xpress crew – including Syndicate saxophonist JC Kuhl – will be providing opening support. It’s an atmosphere of abundance and collaboration that rivals the very best Thanksgiving leftovers sandwich-making spread. Doors open at 8 p.m. and music starts at 9 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance ($25 the day of the show) and can be purchased at thecamel.org.—Davy Jones
Opin, Knifing Around and Sweet Touch @ Gallery5
Check out our preview piece on Opin, featuring the rising electronic band’s new single, by Tim Abbondelo. Opin performs Saturday, Nov. 30. Doors are at 7 p.m. and tickets cost $10 in advance or $15 at the door.
Tuesday, Dec. 3
A Shockoe Sessions Live! Christmas show @ The Hippodrome
This event benefits the Richmond Animal League. Come check out some of the great local bands we have here in RVA. Doors at 6:30 p.m. and show at 7:30 p.m. Various ticket packages are available here. For more info, read our preview feature by Don Harrison.
