Thursday, Oct. 24
Garden Glow @ Maymont
Enjoy the weather while you can and take this spectacular light show tour through one of the city’s green jewels. And it’s value night on Thursday, which means adults are $18, children ages three to 16 are $14, and two and under get in free. Member prices offer a better deal. Get tickets at their website.
Friday, Oct. 25
Squirrel-O-Ween @ the Diamond
Don’t have a safe place to take the kids trick-or-treating? This free annual event lets you go trick-or-treat through the stadium, with costume contests, hayrides, crafts and more. There will also be a flash sale for those interested in buying individual tickets to opening night 2025 and the Independence Day celebration on July 3. This event runs from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
“If Your Colors Were Like My Dreams” New Paintings by Ted Randler @ Eric Schindler Gallery
This show features an evolution of genres over the last three years from painter Ted Randler, who says in his artist statement about these works: “Similar to examining the elements of a landscape, I wanted to explore what constitutes a portrait as opposed to a figure in a narrative format. To me, a single figure in a composition is a portrait; the minute you add a second figure, it becomes a drama … My still lifes create narrative play between the viewer and the objects and figures in photos, in reflections, or in the background. For example, in “Jolene” [pictured] if we follow the logic of the composition, anyone who views the painting is standing next to the woman in the mirror.” There’s an opening reception this Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. The exhibition runs through Nov. 30.
Mighty Joshua with Afro-Zen Allstars @ the Broadberry
Sweet bill featuring two of Richmond mightiest hometown groups that can make you feel good in times of trouble. The show is headlined by the crucial, unifying reggae of Mighty Joshua, whose latest album “Dreaducation” is being pushed for Grammy consideration, which could open the wider world to his upbringing music (if you’re a voter look out for local this year, Richmond musicians deserve some love; same holds true for Miramar’s latest.) The “Dreaducation” album features notable guitarist DJ Williams, and several Grammy-nominated artists including original Wailers guitarist Junior Marvin, guitarist Javo Grant Bassat and keyboardist Desi Hyson. Also on tonight’s bill, the cool Ethiopian club-style grooves of Afro-Zen Allstars, who should be pumped for a special evening marking the return of leader George Lowe (Ululating Mummies, Rattlemouth, Hotel X) from a hospital stay. This one could sell out, so get your tickets early. 7 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 26
The 19th Annual Richmond Zombie Walk in Carytown
When it comes to mind-numbing consumer areas, Carytown isn’t half as bad as just about every other homogenized shopping strip in America. Still, Richmond’s Zombies love to stagger through it bleeding, grunting and barking at folks who cheer them on from their daily shopping trips to fine local businesses. If you’re taking part, arrive in costume and the pre-walk meetup and staging area is at Boat Lake at Byrd Park. The actual Zombie Walk starts across from the Byrd Theatre at 1 p.m. For more information, visit their website.
Diwali Music and Arts Festival @ Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
What better way to celebrate a Hindu holiday than with Prabir Mehta’s cross-cultural rock-and-roll band? Mehta is a charismatic performer and advocate for the local arts; he played a pivotal role in the renaissance of Gallery 5. His expandable four-piece, ironically named Prabir Trio, blends South Asian percussion and melodic touches with Beatles-esque songs influenced by his Gujarati heritage. There is an essential, if occasionally rueful positivity in his music that makes it a perfect match for the annual celebration of Diwali (also known as Festival of Lights) or the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance. You don’t have to know who Rama, Krishna, Lakshmi, Ganesha, or Vishnu are to rock out to this crowd-pleasing mix of covers and originals. The event, which is the third in a series that also takes place in Charlottesville and Washington, DC, is timely enough given Diwali is a multi-day, lunar-based celebration. Locally, it also features RVA singer Sravani Kameswari, an artisan market, a puppet show, Bharatanatyam (Indian classical), Rajasthani Ghumar (folk), and singer Anirudh Cheruvu doing a Bollywood set. The event is free with park admission: $20 adult, $15 for seniors/military/first responders, $10 children (4-12.) Members and children under three years old are free; it runs noon to 8 p.m. —Peter McElhinney
Here’s the schedule:
Bharatanatyam: 2:30 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Sravani: 3 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Puppet Show: 3:30 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Nayan: 4 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Rajasthan Ghumar Folk Dance: 5:15 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Prabir Trio: 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Bollywood/Anirudh Show: 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
WRIR Monster Mashquerade @ Gallery5
Community radio is an important thing, and here’s a way you can help support ours, 97.3 WRIR Richmond Independent radio, while shaking a leg to sets by Richmond beat prodigy Ohbliv, rapper Nickelus F, Caterpillar Trap (jazz/hip-hop) and Are Ya Madferit (Oasis tribute band), plus music by WRIR deejays. Feel free to wear your best costume, you could win a prize. Proceeds benefit the nonprofit radio station. General admission is $15 plus fees. Runs from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Loboko at Reveler Experiences
From Congo by way of New York, Loboko plays sinuous, guitar-powered dance music. The band describes their music as “post-soukous, an updated descendent of a classic Congolese style characterized by intricate, interlocking guitars line floating above hypnotic West African rhythms. The band was founded in 2019 by young guitarist/vocalist Yohni Djungu-Sung, backed by veteran bassist Ngouma Lokito, multi-instrumentalist Nikhil Yerawadeckar and drummer Morgan Greenstreet. Their first release, a multilayered single on Brooklyn’s Names You Can Trust independent label, and a video from 2023 give some idea of the driving, highly melodic, call-and-response music to expect. This is the kind of band that becomes a “must see” at the Richmond Folk Festival, and the show is jointly promoted by the all-star RVA musical consortium of Jam Inc, Secret Planet, and Orbital Music Group, the music promoters at Révéler. The intimate, eclectic Carytown space should be a perfect place to see this band, with the caveat that there are only 85 seats, which in this case will go on a first-come basis. Doors at 7 and music at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.—P.M.
Sunday, Oct. 27
Mama J’s Block Party celebrating 15 years
Oh, this is definitely one of the events of the week, as this local food institution should be shutting down 1st Street with fans and well-wishers who love their delicious Southern soul food. It’s making us hungry just thinking about it. Enjoy some favorite dishes and live music at this free, family-friendly event. Celebrate good times: Noon to 6 p.m.
Harvest Fest @ Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens
This rain-or-shine, family-friendly event offers the usual seasonal delights, from carving pumpkins to face painting, line dancing, live music from Charlottesville’s the Pollocks, fall foods and merriment. Entry is included with garden admission price. Runs 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Big Gay Spooky Season Market @ Diversity Richmond
Come trick or treating or enjoy live music with DJ Sampin, food trucks and many vendors. Runs from noon to 4 p.m. Donate what you will at the door for entry.
Monday, Oct. 28
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” with original cast member Patricia Quinn @ Dominion Energy for the Performing Arts
You either get the cult movie “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” or you don’t. But those that get it, really get it. And you can bet they’ll show up for the 49th annual spectacular tour where you can watch the original, unedited movie with a live shadow cast and the much beloved audience participation that made this movie such a glorious hit. Plus the night will feature actress Patricia Quinn, the original frizzy-haired Magenta character in the maid outfit, whose lines like “I grow weary of this world,” and “I ask for nothing, master” sound like they could have been uttered at Gwar’s Slave Pit during a cigarette break. Doors open an hour before the 8 p.m. start time. Tickets start at $41 bucks.
Cloud Nothings with City of Caterpillar, Farmer’s Wife and Equipment @ Richmond Music Hall
An embarrassment of riches for Richmond on this, the weakest of weeknights for a show (I’d pick the Jeffrey Lewis and the Voltage show at Cobra Cabana to go along with it, and hope to catch both!) But on occasion, Monday nights produce an unexpected jolt of musical revelry to kickstart and eclipse the rest of your workweek. This eclectic and stacked bill is a result of the bands’ pilgrimage to Florida for the Fest, that you’ll only need to travel downtown to catch a spark from. Cleveland’s Cloud Nothings are touring to commemorate the 10th anniversary of their “Here and Nowhere” album, so expect a concentration of that material in their set. City of Caterpillar is a welcome addition with home-field advantage here; the band’s dynamism compliments all the genre bending at play, where shambolic guitar rock meets untamed passions to win the day. Doors are at 7 p.m. and cost $25.—Tim Abbondelo