Thursday, Oct. 2
An Evening with Goose @ Allianz Amphitheater (also Oct. 3)
Groovy jam outfit Goose kicks of a two-night stint at the Allianz Amphitheater this Thursday in support of its latest album, “Chain Yer Dragon,” a release that finds the band further exploring a unique blend of bouncy, good vibes and flexing chops that defy any sort of pigeonhole. The Connecticut-based band is very much an IYKYK experience whose shows guarantee improv, prowess and high-energy, hence pulling lovers of the Phish and Widespread Panic base. Every show is a new experience and truly a vibrant spectacle. Intricate jams that seamlessly transition between tightly composed sections and expansive, exploratory passages are driven by Rick Mitarotonda’s guitar work and Peter Anspach’s versatile keyboard contributions. Sets are wildly dynamic, often weaving in fan favorites like “Arcadia” and “Hot Tea” alongside newer material (a guarantee given the release), all delivered with infectious enthusiasm that makes each performance feel fresh and unique. Tickets are still available, but act fast. It’s a guaranteed sell out with folks traversing across state lines to take in the sounds. There’s a reason these funky cats have fans flocking in a sort of massive migration on the regular. Doors at 6 p.m. and show at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $47.50.—Hilary Langford
Friday, Oct. 3
The 65th Armenian Food Festival @ St. James Armenian Church (also Oct. 4)
For more than six decades, the Armenian Food Festival has brought Richmonders culinary delights such as the Hye burger (made from beef, lamb and spices), cheese boreg (buttery dough and tangy cheese), lahmajoun (Armenian “pizza”) and more. The festival started as a bake sale to help the church and has become a two-day affair complete with the above treats, pastries galore, Armenian beer and wine, and traditional music and dancing. The festival is free to attend — which is a pretty great entry fee to check out the only Armenian Church in Virginia — and runs from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. both days. —Mary Scott Hardaway
Gallery5 Presents the 20th annual Carnival of 5 Fires in the Richmond Arts District
An annual tradition where the Richmond Arts District gets transformed into a carnival celebration featuring visual and performing arts, local makers, fire performances, circus arts, DJs, burlesque, tarot readers, you name it. Moon Market and Party Liberation Foundation will be there. 5 to 11 p.m.
David Lowery in-store @ Plan 9 Music
Known for his work in Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven, David Lowery will be performing in the store to promote his new solo album, “Fathers, Sons, and Brothers.” Afterward, he’ll be signing copies of this three-LP, two-CD set. Free. 6 p.m.
The Big Payback w/Weekend Plans @ The Broadberry
Can I get some help? Get on the good foot. Where? Over here. It’s never a bad decision to get funky with RVA’s premiere James Brown tribute act, featuring the great Kelli Strawbridge, master of many sounds. Doors at 7 p.m.
Randy Brecker and the Rex Richardson Quartet @ Révéler Experiences
Trumpeter Randy Breaker has been making notable music since the iconic late-‘60s big band Blood Sweat and Tears. He’s recorded and/or performed with a who’s who of artists including Lou Reed, Ringo Starr, Bruce Springsteen; and picked up seven Grammys along the way. He’s had complementary career in jazz starting with Horace Silberman and Art Blakey, but best known for The Brecker Brothers, his collaboration with his late brother, saxophone great Michael Brecker. It is kind of amazing that such a big-name artist is playing at intimate Révéler Experiences, a little club that is increasingly punching above its weight. The reason is Rex Richardson, ex-VCU professor now at the University of South Carolina. Richardson is one of of the world’s top trumpet virtuosos, both in improvised and classical music settings. He’s also an expert in Freddie Hubbard’s two-trumpet recordings with Lee Morgan and Woody Shaw. It’s not too wild a bet to anticipate that music will be reflected in this meeting of grandmaster horn players. The rest of the performers are the Brotherhood rhythm section — bassist Mike Hawkins, pianist Weldon Hill, and drummer Kofi Shepsu. There are two performances this night at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Tickets: $30-$40.—Peter McElhinney
The 23rd annual James River Writers Conference @ Greater Richmond Convention Center (through Oct. 5)
If you’re a serious writer trying to advance your career and help keep America somewhat literate, you probably already know about this. Agent meetings, master classes, workshops, panel discussions, networking, page critiques – now we’re talking a good time! Runs through Oct. 5. Registration required. Go here for all the deets.
One Hour – Three Acts – #NoFilter at Libby S. Gottwald Playhouse
An hour-long program featuring three short operas dealing with modern relationships. The program includes “Service Provider” by Christopher Weiss and John de los Santos, “The Whole Truth” by Robert Paterson and Mark Campbell and “Cinderella 99” by Jake Heggie and Gene Scheer. 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 4
The 37th annual 2nd Street Festival in historic Jackson Ward (Also Oct. 5)
Every fall, thousands descend on historic Jackson Ward to celebrate with live music, food and community. There are three stages of entertainment including Saturday’s headliner, the Chuck Brown Band, Sunday’s closing performance by DJ Drake and Mc Choko, with the featured Jazz Stage artist being Nathan Mitchell, a Grammy-nominated keyboardist who hails from Richmond. There’s also free walking tours by Gary Flowers and a Kidz Zone produced by the Children’s Museum and the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia. Looks like the weather will be nice (fingers crossed) so c’mon down, there will be lots of people, lots of food vendors, and lots of good ‘ole fashioned smiles. For the complete schedule, visit Venture Richmond. 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Free admission, pay as you go.
Family Treasures, Hidden Values at Maymont
Plenty of people in Richmond have antiques and family heirlooms, if you’ve been wondering their current value or how to properly care for your treasured objects, you can sign up for a brief one-on-one consultation (per item) with professionals from Jeff Evans Appraisals and meet with specialists from the Virginia Conservation Association and Maymont’s Historic Resources staff. Registration is required and it costs $25 per object, each of which must be easily portable. All proceeds help Maymont care for its historic and natural collections. Runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Hog on the Hill at Libby Park
Who can argue with live bands, cold beer and local barbecue? A time-honored classic put on by the Church Hill Association returns to Libby Park. Don’t be late if you’re going: This year’s musical lineup features The Legendary Ingramettes at noon, the Ex-Patriots at 1 p.m., Los Hermanos Alacranes at 2 p.m., Soul Providers at 3 p.m., Mother’s Little Helpers at 4 p.m. and the Bart Chucker Band at 5 p.m. Noon to 6 p.m. Free, pay as you go.
National Mead Day at Black Heath Meadery feat. Red-N-Sweet Watermelons
In 2021, when Deb Freeman and Joshua Fitzwater set out to find the sweetest watermelon variety, their journey took them all the way (in the car) to Calhoun, La. Little did they know they would be seed saviors, reviving a nearly extinct melon and bringing it new life here in Virginia. You can get a taste of the Red-N-Sweet watermelon in a 7.7 % ABV mead, The Last Sip of Summer, at Black Heath Meadery this Saturday for national mead day. Fitzwater says Black Heath owner Bill Cavender has really “dialed in the process” of working with watermelon, so that the tricky fruit does not end up making the drink too cucumber-y or funky. Cavender will also be pouring some rare meads from the cellar collection including barrel-aged meads; a dry style Berry Goode; Café Mocha, a mead aged in a coffee liqueur barrel and conditioned on cocoa nibs and vanilla; and a nocina-style mead, inspired by the traditional Italian liqueur. The event starts at 1 p.m. and is free to attend. —MSH
Reverse Yr Curse with Piranha Rama and Snack Truck in The Diablo Room at Bandito’s Burrito Lounge
Rarely does a new Richmond album carry as much consequence as this debut by Reverse Yr Curse. The songs have been written, recorded, manufactured and self-released by the band onto the glorious vinyl format. But does it have legs? Will anyone care enough to support and propel this trio of seasoned and capable musicians toward their divisive sophomore album, obligatory concept record and eventual celebrated comeback reprise? The work is done and available for your consumption. Recommended for fans of art rock and the more angular end of post-punk, with the benefit of singer Bonnie Staley’s nimble aural palette. Don’t wait to dig into the trio’s nine-track album that poses the question: “Where are we going and when will we get there?” You’re likely to arrive at the clear answer: Banditos Burrito Lounge, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. The show is 21+ to attend.—Tim Abbondelo
The Vampire Circus at Dominion Energy Center’s Carpenter Theatre
Who’s down for a mix of circus cabaret and theater that feels like the funky child of Tim Burton and Cirque Du Soleil? 8 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 5
Purbayan Chatterjee and Amit Kavthekar at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
It’s an afternoon of traditional Indian classical music mixed with jazz, world and other contemporary flourishes at the VMFA’s Leslie Cheek Theater. Sitar wizard Chatterjee is renowned for fusing other global musics with his traditionally-rooted sound, and tabla specialist Kavthekar was trained by the great Zakir Hussain and has performed jazz with the Al Di Meola trio, among others. Both performers hail from Mumbai, India and are considered masters of their instruments, so if you like Indian music, this is the place for you. 3-5 p.m. General admission is $10. Members pay $8.—Don Harrison
Monday, Oct. 6
Los Microwaves with Chaki the Funk Wizard, Gusher and Burning Hair at Cobra Cabana
In 1981, synth-punk band Los Microwaves released its debut album, “Life After Breakfast,” on the Hollywood, California-based record label Posh Boy Records, home of early recordings by influential acts like Social Distortion and Agent Orange. Nearly 45 years later, two original members of Los Microwaves – David Javelosa and Caroline Camning-Galanty – will stop by Cobra Cabana on Monday, Oct. 6 to perform as Microwave Buddha, revisiting their past output with the help of Greg Langston of No Alternative, Tuxedomoon and the Sea Hags, Matt Comeione of Nervous Gender and vocalist Scarlet Muñoz. It’s a timely tour, given the April release of a two-disc vinyl remix album titled “What’s That Got To Do (With Loving You),” which features six tracks from Los Microwaves’ debut reworked for the dance floor. Joining the synth-punk first-wavers will be bedroom funk bassist Chaki the Funk Wizard from Los Angeles, Richmond-based punk band Gusher and Philadelphia rock band Burning Hair. 7 p.m. $15. For more information, visit instagram.com/thecobracabanarva.—Davy Jones
Tuesday, Oct. 7
Neko Case with Des Demonas at The National
The powerhouse singer and great lyricist (who was born in Alexandria, Va.) defies musical categories but often gets filed under indie rock and alt. country. However, her eighth solo album, “Neon Grey Midnight Green,” features a full orchestra. Check out our interview with her by Hilary Langford. Washington, DC’s great Des Demonas, features a Kenyan punk singer belting out songs like “The South Will Never Rise Again” with authority. (Yeehaw!) Doors at 6:30 p.m. and show starts at 7:30 p.m.
John Maus and John V. Variety at The Broadberry
The enigmatic, hardcore synth-pop head-nodder with the deep baritone returns to RVA on his Later Than You Think Tour (we can think of a lot of things that applies to) with support from Brooklyn’s John V. Variety, whose mirror makes him sick and who brings the “solo psych avant-glam goth horror appeal” to the night’s proceedings. Doors at 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 8
Oracle Sisters w/ Boomerstack at Richmond Music Hall
As Oracle Sisters, Lewis Lazar, Christopher Willatt, and Julia Johansen aren’t reinventing the wheel. Like many in the indie rock universe, they are clearly inspired by bands such as The Velvet Underground and My Bloody Valentine. But this Paris-based trio is frequently capable of being more than the sum of their record collections. The Sisters’ most recent long-player, “Divinations,” is a slow burn treasure with soaring shoegaze melodies and hypnotic mid-tempo rhythms, and their brand new single, “Wait for Me,” might be their most irresistible pop song yet. Doors at 7 p.m. —Don Harrison
