Thursday, Oct. 10
Tyler Meacham with Caroline Vain at Révéler Experiences
When you see an album title like “sad girl summer,” it’s reasonable to expect a visit to the somber side of the emotional spectrum. The EP that Richmond-based singer-songwriter Tyler Meacham shared in August certainly delivers, with a handful of songs describing dashed hopes, strained friendships, even crying in a bathroom stall. But the bummer vibes turned unexpectedly meta when Meacham had to cancel the EP’s release show as a result of contracting COVID-19. Fortunately for listener and artist alike, a makeup show is scheduled for Thursday at Révéler Experiences – the ideal setting for connecting with intricately composed and powerfully direct songwriting. Doors open at 7 p.m. and music starts at 8 p.m. Caroline Vain will perform an opening set. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at revelerexperiences.com.—Davy Jones
Friday, Oct. 11
Mark Sultan with Paint Fumes and Mel Machete @ Fuzzy Cactus
Widely known as BBQ of King Khan & BBQ Show notoriety (be it from their canonized catalog, debaucherous live show, or more recently, Tik Tok virality with over 30 million videos featuring their song “Love You So”), Sultan is among the most dynamic rock’n’roll singers of our lifetime; that is, regardless of your age or preferred media outlet. His solo albums and performances as a one-man band are no exception, where he juggles guitar, drums and soaring vocals at once with aplomb. That the wandering minstrel is making a first-ever stop in Richmond, by way of Berlin, is an oversight made right, and cause for celebration. Expect dazzling garage stompers, doo-wop bops and R&B ballads —all his original hits. Check out his freshly released, heart wrenching, “We’ll Meet Again,” which you can count on hearing this Friday. Doors are at 9 p.m. Tickets cost $20 (plus services charges) in advance, $25 at the door and are 21+..—Tim Abbondelo
Saturday, Oct. 12
Deep Groove Records’ Annual Sidewalk Sale (also on Oct. 13)
It’s an excuse to stop by Deep Groove Records two days in a row. It’s an opportunity to support the Harvey Family Memorial Endowment, whose goal is to help provide music and arts enrichment in the greater Richmond area. And it’s free records, people! We’re talking about Deep Groove’s annual sidewalk sale, which starts on Saturday, Oct. 12 and concludes on Sunday, Oct. 13. Line up ahead of the noon start time or saunter over to Robinson Street well after the most furious flipping has fizzled; either way you’re sure to find a few new favorites in the numerous cardboard boxes outside the store – maybe even a hidden gem or two. Just be sure to stop by the counter inside to leave a donation once your stack is assembled. The records outside may be free for the taking, but fundraising is the deeper goal.—D.J.
Bamboo Café’s 50th anniversary Block Party
One of our all-time favorite Richmond bars is turning 50 (high kick!) The cozy little spot where we grew up listening to cranked Faces songs is a classic neighborhood bar – though NOT a dive bar, lest we ruffle any cred-seeking panties; yeah, yeah, the good food is a disqualifier, blah blah. Anyway, the staff is great and we like that this small, divey bar has basically looked pretty much the same since back in the ‘70s (though there used to be more plants), and in the 1980s, when Mary Tyler Moore did some filming there. Because we like that in a bar. Dependable. Trustworthy. Diverse folks. In fact, read our feature this week about the good ‘old Boo. For this Saturday’s block party, the live music starts at 1 p.m. and features Noel Haven, Barstool Heroes, Tiny Lights, Prabir Trio and with Piranha Rama wrapping her up (how is Amazing Ghost not reuniting for this bill?) Runs from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. $10 entry with valid ID.
Hog on the Hill at Libby Hill Park in Church Hill
Barbecue fans have already been salivating about this one, an annual Church Hill celebration of cold beer, BBQ and live bands and this weekend’s forecast? Just ’bout perfecto. The bands? Gayle McGehee and the Nocturnes, Pet Moose Project, Los Hermanos Alacranes, Li’l Ronnie and the Grand Dukes, Mother’s Little Helpers and the Bart Chucker Band. The barbecue? That will be provided by Alamo BBQ, Chillin and Grillin Shack, and Inner City Blues BBQ. Nice event poster this year by Eleanor McCune based on a photo by Kevin Kelly. Also, they still need volunteers according to their website. Runs from noon to 6 p.m. Free.
Sunday, Oct. 13
Rosette Quartet with Kevin LaMarr Jones “So Hot Right Now” at Yoga Helps Studio
The range of the Rosette Quartet’s “So Hot Right Now” series continues to expand. The concept is to take a set of works by a living composer and perform them multiple times over the course of a single month. Past series have focused on US composers- Caroline Shaw, Kenji Bunch, John Luther Adams, TJ Cole, and Jerod Impichaachaaha’ Tate- who composed primarily for Western instruments. The latest edition focuses on Malian griot (musician/storyteller) Fodé Lassana Diabaté. The piece,” Sunjata’s Time,” is a five-movement composition focused on the life of Sunjata Keita, founder of the 13th century Malian empire, a sort of West African Camelot renowned for trade, wealth and innovation in human rights. (Like their collaboration with Peni Candra Rini, the Kronos Quartet commissioned this piece as part of their “Fifty for the Future Project.”) Each movement is an evocation of one aspect of Keita’s rise. All are brought to kinetic life by dancer Kevin LaMarr Jones, artistic director of Claves Unidos. One of Jones’ challenges is that every space is different, requiring reworking choreography and making each performance necessarily unique. This dovetails perfectly with the Quartet’s intent, which is to allow people to see these seldom performed pieces multiple times. This time it’s free, but you may find yourself compelled to see it again.—Peter McElhinney
The Oct. 13 event is at Yoga Helps Studio on 213 Roseneath Road at 7 p.m. Free.
The Rosette Quartet, with Kevin LaMarr Jones, perform Fodé Lassana Diabaté’s” Sunjata’s Time, five more times this month:
Oct. 16 at Artspace at 7 p.m. $18 advance/$20 at the door: https://square.link/u/VisUHrO6
Oct. 20, house concert in Forest Hill. Tickets $50, including wine and refreshments (https://square.link/u/znCCdJp4 )
Oct. 23 at Spacebomb, 106 South Robinson, 7 p.m. (https://square.link/u/Kzq8hhT5 )
Oct. 27 at Gramophone Winery, 5 p.m. Free.
Monday, Oct. 14
Richmond Indigenous Peoples’ Day at Powhatan Hill
The Pocahontas Project will hold their second-annual celebration to “honor Virginia’s Indian Tribes, America’s Indigenous communities, and the ancient wisdom of Native, Indigenous and First Nations peoples around the world.” This year spotlights the Upper Mattaponi Indian Tribe, whose member and Tribal Celebration Coordinator, Connor Tupponce, will present a new honorary cultural experience inspired by a traditional Virginia Indian Pow-Wow. Between that and addresses from local Chiefs, dignitaries and supporting organizers; pick-up games of Shinny (the traditional Algonquin sport) with the Powhatan Shinny League; and special one-off, culturally collaborated, menu offerings from Cobra Burger’s Adam Musselman with the Upper Mattaponi’s Three Sisters Cooking — it’s a full day of family-friendly activities and community building. Good thing the city finally recognizes it as a holiday, as of ’22. Festivities run from 1 to 7 p.m. with free admission. A full schedule along with parking and accessibility details can be found here.—T.A.
DJ Shadow and Lunice at the National
Originally from Davis, California, DJ Shadow broke through with his debut studio album “Endtroducing …” in 1996 and has been called a revolutionary DJ when it comes to manipulating samples. He’s now on his 8th release, “Action Adventure,” which came out in 2023 and features mostly instrumental tracks. All ages. 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 15
Davila 666 w/ Las Nubes, Piranha Rama and The Kyles at Cobra Cabana
Puerto Rico’s premiere candy-coated, garage-punk maestros return reformed. Davila 666 unleashed a 1-2 punch upon the world of aughts’ rock ‘n’ roll with their s/t and Tan Bajo albums, for the formidable In the Red label. Now the Davila brothers-in-arms (à la the Ramones shared moniker) are back with a recent EP and renewed penchant for their Spanish language anthems. Joined by Miami-based, multilingual pop rockers Las Nubes and always stunning local stalwarts, Piranha Rama, it’s a weeknight must. Doors are at 7 p.m. and tickets cost $12 (plus service charges) in advance, and $15 at the door. All ages.—T.A.
