Thursday, Oct. 17
Las Guaracheras and Bio Ritmo @ Ember Music Hall
A feminist salsa band from Cali, Colombia, Las Guaracheras are something of a novelty. There is a traditional machismo streak in this dance music, both on the bandstand where the majority of the groups are male, and on the dance floor where the man traditionally leads. But there is a rich tradition of all-women salsa bands dating back at least to 1950s Cuba. “Guarachera” refers—in an ethnomusicological sense—to music with fast-paced, often humorous lyrics; and more colloquially, to a fun-loving, partying woman. The sextet advances its inclusive mission with the somewhat unusual instrumentation of piano, vibraphone, bass, timbales and congas. For non-Spanish speakers, the delivery will be danceable if the meaning of the words may be elusive. Bio Ritmo, Richmond’s premiere salsa band, led by Marlysse Simmons, opens. Doors are at 7 p.m. with music at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $20-$35.—Peter McElhinney
Future Mantis with Hagstone and Delicate Whip @ Fuzzy Cactus
A well-rounded rockening to mark the EP release from Richmond’s foremost ‘doom wave’ practitioners, Future Mantis. These five songs from the duo of Michael Harl (bass and vocals) and Mark Hutcherson (drums) embody the portmanteau with their particular hybrid of doom metal and new wave that coalesce around Harl’s barnstorming vocal style. They’ll be well matched by Hagstone, whose impressive demo from earlier this year nails a tried and true hard-rock formula of supercharged riffs with soaring, vocal-led choruses. Doors are at 9 p.m. Tickets cost $10 and are 21 and up.—Tim Abbondelo
Friday, Oct. 18
The 54th annual Oktoberfest @ Meadow Event Park in Doswell (Also Oct. 19)
Yes, lest you forget what month it is. One of our favorites. Who doesn’t love fall, spooky things, the arrival of basketball and beer festivals? Tickets are $18. Runs 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday. Drive safe. Go here to learn more.
Saturday, Oct. 19
Scott’s Addition Pumpkin Festival at Midtown Green (formerly Bon Secours Training Center)
Vendors, bands, beer, food, costume contests, pumpkins, you know the drill. Runs from noon to 6 p.m. Free to attend, pay as you go. Pets should be on leashes.
Richmond Taco, Beer, Tequila Festival @ Kanawha Plaza
Who doesn’t love tacos? At this festival you get to vote for Richmond’s best from 15 taquerias and taco trucks, plus there will be four margarita bars serving ‘em up fresh, a wide range of beer and wine and a tequila tasting tent. There will be nonalcoholic options available. Tunes will be spun by Mix Master DJ Tony Fernandez and there will be line dancing with Carlos Vierra. Open to all ages but must be over 21 to drink alcohol, obvs. Tickets range from $25 plus fees (just entry) to $45 plus fees (general admission) or $40 plus fees for late entry at 2 p.m. Or $79 plus fees for VIP tickets which allow entry at 11 a.m. Event runs until 6 p.m.
Asian Food Festival at Center of the Universe Brewing in Ashland
Always nice to get out of town and head to lovely, small-town Ashland. Food trucks, live music and a beer release. This one is free and runs 3 to 6 p.m.
“Traveling Bricks,” a LEGO exhibition through transportation history @ Virginia Museum of History and Culture
You probably know that the LEGO Group is opening its first and only manufacturing plant in Chesterfield County. Maybe that’s why we also get the first continental U.S. appearance of “Traveling Bricks,” which “features more than 100 models of iconic land, air, sea and space vehicles constructed from nearly 1 million LEGO® bricks.” After the exhibitions, guests can play with LEGOs and build whatever they like. Side note: Scientific researchers have found these plastic toys can release thousands of micro-and-nanoplastic particles, and the company has tried to address environmental concerns in recent years; so maybe don’t play too hard with them. Runs through Jan. 5
Cobra Cabana 6th anniversary shows (Oct. 19-20)
Night one: Speedy Ortiz, Snacktruck and Ramen Holiday
Night two: Evening Shadows, Xed Out and Pink Peugeot
Already host to many memorable concerts (Kool Keith and Weedeater are among early Cobranniversary alum), the popular full-time restaurant and occasional outdoor-concert venue ramped up their booking department more recently, and now host local and touring acts just about every night of the week. Along with improvements to the show space itself, the Cabana patio has grown to be one of the most consistent—typically all-ages—spots for live music in town. Fitting that for Cobra’s iron anniversary, they’re treating revelers to two nights of celebration. Bostonian alterna-rockers Speedy Ortiz will be a treat under the cozy tent, but rarified appearances by Richmond’s Snacktruck and a newly reunited Ramen Holiday clinch the special occasion appeal. Evening Shadows close out the festivities with their punk anthems by way of North Carolina while featuring familiar faces from ASG, Strike Anywhere and Valient Thorr folks. Doors are at 7 p.m. and the cost is $15 each night. All ages! —T.A.
Two from the Left: Double feature of “Salt of the Earth” (1954) and “Ithaka” (2021) presented by the James River Film Society at Studio Two Three
Read a separate pick we ran here to save some space. The pro-union film “Salt of the Earth” screens at 5:30 p.m. and a documentary about the persecution of Julian Assange, “Ithaka” screens at 8 p.m. at Studio Two Three. Each film is $5.
Richmond Symphony performs “The Rite of Spring” as well as Debussy’s “La Mer” and Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G featuring guest Clayton Stephenson at the Carpenter Theatre
Read our preview by Peter McElhinney out Thursday. Pianist prodigy Clayton Stephenson is featured on the Ravel. Saturday at 8 p.m. Matinee on Sunday at 3 p.m. Free pre-concert talk one hour before, but go here to learn more.
Sunday, Oct. 20
The Latin Ballet of Virginia performs “Fiesta del Sol” at Modlin Center for the Arts (UR)
This will be a family arts day offering “hands-on art activities for children and families, a Latin dance workshop, a free performance of Latin Ballet’s “Fiesta Del Sol” (or “Party of the Sun”) and refreshments. According to organizers, “Fiesta Del Sol” celebrates “the culture and traditions of the Caribbean with its mix of influences rooted in its rich heritage and shaped by its long history of colonization.” Everything is free and open to the public, but note that tickets are required for the dance performance. Here’s the schedule: 1 p.m. (arts activities and refreshments in Booth Lobby), 2 p.m. (Latin dance workshop for families) and 3 p.m. (“Fiesta del Sol” at Alice Jepson Theatre). For more info, go here.
Shemekia Copeland at the Tin Pan
You may remember her powerful blues vocals from playing the Richmond Folk Festival years ago, but tonight’s your chance to see a Chicago blues queen (and daughter of Texas blues guitarist Johnny Copeland) in a restaurant-style environment. She’s played with Mick and Keef, as well as at the White House for the Obamas. Shemekia’s latest album, “Blame it On Eve” features a stellar supporting cast including jazz guitar great Charlie Hunter, dobro legend Jerry Douglas, and sacred steel master DeShawn Hickson, and the artist says it’s more focused on fun (“a vacation from all this seriousness,” in her own words to The Blade). You gotta love the lyrics of the title track: “Hurricanes and tropical twistas / Always get named after some sistah/ But the worst winds come from DC / Stealing rights from you and me. While a man is tough, a woman’s a bitch / Who needs a trial? Burn that witch! / Blame it on Eve.” Preach. Tickets $37.50 plus fees. 7 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 21
Chris Cohen, Benet, Shirley and Ethanol at Get Tight Lounge
I remember first noticing the name of multi-instrumentalist Chris Cohen through a great cover he did of the NRBQ chestnut, “It’s Not So Hard.” Others may know him better from his work with the artists Deerhoof, Weyes Blood and Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti. His new solo album, “Paint A Room,” (Hardly Art) might be a candidate for one of the most slept on records of the year; it contains lovely, quiet melodies and flowing arrangements for a laid-back, almost ‘70s Brazilian vibe that can be deceiving when it comes to his lyrical themes. Like most people paying attention, he sees a lot wrong today with abuses of power. Check out his first single, “Damage,” with the horn arrangement courtesy of Jeff Parker.
Tuesday, Oct. 22
Diana Ross at the Altria Theater
The original pop diva and one of Motown’s greatest talents, the former leader of the Supremes, Diana Ross, brings her Beautiful Love tour to Richmond, drawing from her deep well of hits. As of press time, there were limited tickets available. Check out how amazing she looks and sounds in this old clip of the Supremes at one of the greatest superstar concerts ever, the Tami Show in 1964 (which also had James Brown, the Stones and other legends). 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $62 plus fees.
Graham Nash at Beacon Theatre (Hopewell)
Singer-songwriter Graham Nash, former member of Crosby, Stills and Nash, returns with his “More Evenings of Songs and Stories” tour. We interviewed him years ago and he’s a smart and interesting guy with some great, lesser-known songs in his catalog. Tickets range from $55 to $95 plus fees. Doors at 6:30 p.m. and show at 7:30 p.m.