Thursday, Oct. 16
Wines of Willamette: Oregon’s Pinot Powerhouse at Echelon Bar
It rains a lot in Oregon where it’s mossy green and cool. Their wines rule, as you’ll no doubt learn in this class on the Willamette Valley and its signature grape: pinot noir. Learn how “the cool-climate terroir shapes elegant, expressive wines.” Includes a guided tasting of size wines from top producers. 7-8 p.m. $35 a person.
Garden Glow at Maymont (Runs through Nov. 9)
One of our favorite nighttime events of the year is back to light up your evenings. Presented by Kroger, Garden Glow is always a fun family outing, and could be the perfect date or BFF night. Get some exercise while walking the Maymont hills through a magical nighttime landscape transformed by gorgeous, colored light installations and surreal laser mazes. Read our preview here.
Friday, Oct. 17
InLight 2025 at Abner Clay Park
For the first time in 18 years, the annual InLight is focusing on one artist, former VCU student George Ferrandi, and organizers note there will also be more scheduled events, with Richmond Symphony kicking things off on Friday. Go here to read our full preview by Don Harrison. InLight 2025 will showcase George Ferrandi’s “Super!Giant!Jump!Star!” at Abner Clay Park, Friday, Oct. 17 and Saturday, Oct. 18. Free. For more information, go check out their website.
Ribbon cutting for Community Growth Center plus “Lo Que Queda/What Remains”: An exhibit of new photos by Carlos Bernate at CGC Gallery
Capaz+IT, in partnership with Ramsey Memorial United Methodist Church and community collaborators, will celebrate the official opening of the Community Growth Center (CGC) with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to honor “years of partnership, renovation, and shared vision to create a space where immigrant families and community members can learn, grow, and thrive together.” Capaz+IT’s mission to expand equitable access to digital skills, language learning, and career pathways. The 2,500-square-foot space, located within Ramsey Church, now houses classrooms, a digital lab, a literacy corner, and the new CGC Gallery — an inclusive venue for cultural exchange and creative expression. Concurrent with the celebration, the CGC Gallery will host the opening of “Lo Que Queda / What Remains,” an original photography exhibition by Colombian artist Carlos Bernate that explores “what is left behind and what endures when immigrant families leave their birth countries” and running from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. Limited edition prints will be available for purchase with proceeds shared between the artist and Capaz+IT in support of community literacy and arts programming. The entire event starts at 3 p.m. (the earlier celebration runs 3 to 5 p.m.) 5912 Hull St. Road.
Fireside Collective with Dirty Grass Players at Broadberry
Progressive bluegrass jams from Asheville, NC with old-time pluckers from Baltimore, the Dirty Grass Players. A killer night of new school bluegrass that isn’t afraid to dip its toes in rock and folk – for those so inclined. Doors at 7 p.m.
Emma Jean Oakley album release show at Fuzzy Cactus
Country music was once considered a genre that was non-inclusive to the LGBTQ+ community, but in the past few years, it has seen the rise of queer artists like Orville Peck, Paisley Fields and Jaime Wyatt joining its ranks and bringing new fans. Local queer country artist Emma Jean Oakley is one such artist, spending the last few years touring in rock bands while living in L.A. and Nashville. Now she’s made her way back to Richmond with her debut EP, “Throw Me A Bone,” in tow. Oakley will be celebrating with a release show with all her hometown friends at Fuzzy Cactus along with local stars Russell Lacy and the Dogwood Brothers. Tickets are $15. Cash only.—Andrew Cothern
Tony Molina with Jeanines, Lightheaded and Star Sign at Cobra Cabana
Three parts Slumberland Records showcase and one-part launchpad for local upstart’s third show; this one is mandatory for all the area’s jangle junkies, power-pop heads and rockists among us. House-show star Tony Molina dishes out chameleon-like, genre bending with each album despite uniformly black-and-white cover art. His forthcoming record “On This Day” breaks the mold with a color photograph — albeit recycled from the ‘60s — gracing the cover; the album is officially out next month, but here’s hoping they’ll be at the merch table on Friday. If the first three singles are any indication, Molina is leaning further into Beach Boys-esque sunshine pop and Television Personalities’ twee. His labelmates both hail from the northeast and deliver wistfully hazy guitar pop you’d expect. If you missed Richmond’s newly formed, Star Sign, open for Lemon Twig’s Danny Ayala recently at Get Tight Lounge, fate affords you another chance to fill your amped-up power pop destiny. Doors are at 7 p.m. and cost $15.—Tim Abbondelo
The 55th annual Richmond Oktoberfest at Old Dominion Building at Richmond Raceway (also Oct. 18)
Live entertainment from German party band “Die Lustigen Almdudler” and the Hirschjaeger Bavarian Dancers (say that three times fast). Of course, there will be a variety of German beer from three of the best-known German breweries – Warsteiner, Paulaner, and Bitburger; Bratwurst, Knackwurst, Weisswurst (with all sausages hand-crafted by Usinger’s of Wisconsin). Kids games. Cost: Entrance fee has been lowered to $10 a person for 16 years and older. Under 16 is free. All one-day tickets are $10 or buy both days for just $15. Takes place on Friday from 6 to 10 p.m. and Saturday from 3 to 10 p.m.
Richmond Tattoo Convention at Midlothian DoubleTree by Hilton (Oct. 17-19)
Get tattooed or just celebrate tattoos at this “celebration of art, history, family and friendship.” There will be great tattoo artists, live music, food, competitions, kids’ activities and more. Check out the website for more specific info. Hours are on Friday from 2:30 p.m. to 2 a.m., Saturday noon to 2 a.m. and Sunday noon to 7 p.m. Tickets will be available at the door but you can also buy them online here.
Saturday, Oct. 18
The Diwali Music and Arts Festival at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture
Last year’s Diwali celebration at Lewis Ginter was a day-long celebration of South Asian culture. This year, relocated to the VMHC promises more of the same. There will be a craft bazaar, a wide selection of Indian fool, intricate and temporary henna tattoos, and other centuries-deep traditions. Performances included classical dances from Tamil, Carnatic and Northern Indian traditions. For the kids, and everyone else, there will be a puppet show drawn from the epic texts of the subcontinent. Also a fashion show, folk dances and a set from Prabir Mehta, an artist who seamlessly combines a deep respect for his roots with catchy and clever rock and roll. By the time of the British Raj, the patchwork of kingdoms and the Mughal Empire, all of which would later become India, were some of the richest and most sophisticated societies in the world. Some of that glory was obscured behind the blithely Eurocentric haze of colonialism. An event like this is both a party and a reminder of vital currents within the local community. Technically, Diwali does not begin until Monday. But given that the holiday Diwali marks the victory of good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, light over darkness, it is never too early to start. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are free and can be reserved here.—Peter McElhinney
Plant Native! Festival at Dorey Park (Henrico)
Check out native plant vendors, educational booths, kid activities, free plant vouchers, food trucks, all in conjunction with Dorey Park Farmer’s Market. Organizers say they will have a limited amount of free trees available; species information will be available closer to the date of the event. Go here for more.
RVA MakerFest 2025 at Deep Run High School
Come make stuff or what others and get inspired. This much-loved local festival presented by Blue Cheese Robotics and Build, RVA of the Build Forward Foundation, is a family-friendly event that celebrates the vibrant maker community surrounding RVA. Runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Deep Run High School, 4801 Twin Hickory Rd. in Glen Allen. Learn more here.
Fair Trade Fest at Ellwood Thompson’s Local Market
During this short window, drop by Ellwood’s for a new mural designed and painted by local artist Jason Ford, created in partnership with Fairtrade and Hu Chocolate. Support fair wages for farmers, fair working conditions and more. Oh yeah, free Hu Chocolate. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m
Virginia Union University Homecoming with DJ Kid Capri at The National
Should be epic night for alumni of VUU. There will be a special guest comedian host, special guest DJ Rico Anderson, special guests the Divine Nine, all Va HBCUs and of course, DJ Kid Capri. Doors at 7:30 p.m. and party starts at 8:30 p.m. with music at 9 p.m. The event will be streamed live on 360wise.com. Note: This is a 21 and over show.
Graphic Violets with Butterfly Closure, Truculent and Forced Resonance at Material Room
Going through Folk Fest withdrawal? Look no further than this unsuspecting gallery show for a healthy helping of that unmistakable American guitar picking that 20th century stylists like John Fahey helped cultivate for today’s city slickers, including yours truly. More recent and much-warranted attention has been placed on instrumental artists like William Tyler, Hayden Pedigo and Marisa Anderson; and entrapped traditionalists like Joan Shelley and Jake Xerxes Fussell, whose music echoes rural traditions for the playlist age. All to say, Philadelphia’s Truculent can sure pick a mean ditty. Forced Resonance features Richmond based musician Caleb Flood, whose album “Hot Tub Music for Frogs” came out last August. Though rooted in the songwriter’s past experience playing with Appalachian musicians, Flood says he didn’t start writing in his current instrumental fingerpicked mode until moving back to Richmond. Butterfly Closure is the project of Charlanne McCarthy, who melds tried and true singer-songwriter techniques with expansive sampling and new age sonic vibes. Last but not least, this is the debut live performance by one of Richmond’s most promising recording projects from the past year: Graphic Violets. Early output from this home-recording project of Rob Garcia — whose work with Added Dimensions you’re either already familiar with or should be — is miles ahead of its demo tape starting line. The opening track “Live for None” rivals the best Soft Boys’ hook, something Robyn Hitchcock himself still strives for 40-odd-years later. Doors are at 7 p.m. and cost $10.—T.A.
Sunday, Oct. 19
Weinstein JCC hosts Grand Community Celebration and ribbon cutting
Big congrats to the JCC! A great place to work out and stay in shape, as some of us at Style know well (The pickup basketball games used to be epic before I tore my rotator cuff repeatedly in old age.) The Richmond community is invited to Celebrate the J! a high-energy, family-friendly event marking a major milestone in the Jewish Community Center’s nearly 80-year history. The special event will celebrate the completion of a $11.6 million “Building a Bright Future Together” capital campaign and the unveiling of newly renovated, state-of-the-art facilities that will serve the community for generations. There will be a bounce house and petting zoo plus free food and refreshments. Runs from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at Weinstein JCC, 5403 Monument Ave.
David Cronenberg’s “The Fly” (1986) at the Byrd Theatre
Saw this on cable recently and had forgotten how memorable, gross and funny of a remake it really is; featuring one of Jeff Goldblum’s finest moments as the mad scientist Seth Brundle, which fits his fast-talking, neurotic style perfectly. The movie is peppered with hilarious dialogue, too, like when Geena Davis’ jealous ex is told about Brundle’s rapidly deteriorating physical condition and says, “I’m sure Typhoid Mary was a nice person too, when you saw her socially.” Ha. 7 p.m. screening. $9.
Tuesday, Oct. 21
Tedeschi Trucks Band with very special guest, Little Feat at Allianz Amphitheater
Richmonders have a lotta love for both these bands. The Grammy award-winning Tedeschi Trucks Band (TTB) is led by Susan Tedeschi and her husband, the great slide guitarist Derek Trucks, and they just last month released “Mad Dogs & Englishmen Revisited: Live at Lockn’ with the one and only Mr. Leon Russell. It’s a wonderful tribute to their iconic performance a decade ago at our very own Virginia-based jam band festival and the album is available for the first time on streaming platforms, CD and vinyl. But that’s not all: The band opening up needs little introduction, the legendary Little Feat have quite a song catalogue to choose from over the year (shout out to the late Lowell George, an American original). Doors at 6 p.m. and show at 7 p.m.
A.J. Croce presents Croce plays Croce at The National
Imagine being the son of the famous guy that sang, “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown.” Now imagine losing your famous father in a plane crash when you’re a child, then getting blinded by beatings from a man that dated your mother afterward. Then more recently, as an adult, losing your wife to a rare heart virus in 2018, leaving you a single father raising two kids. It’s a tough string of tragedies for anyone to process, but A.J. Croce has hung in there, keeping a positive attitude while discovering a passion for making his own original music and playing his dad’s heart-warming tunes for new generations (hits like “I Got A Name” and “Operator”). This Tennessee resident will be doing it all in Richmond; performing his own songs from a short but sweet new album, “Heart of the Eternal,” that display his hard-earned chops with piano-driven rock and a fusion of other styles including psychedelic soul and Latin-infused jazz-pop. Croce fans definitely won’t want to miss it. Learn more about AJ in this CBS clip. Doors at 6:30, show at 7:30 p.m.
