Thursday, Oct. 3
My Morning Jacket with Jade Bird at Maymont
Tonight is the Louisville, Kentucky band My Morning Jacket’s penultimate night of its fall “Eye to Eye” tour; the band just released a new song, “Aren’t We One?” that pleads for unity in the country: “In these times of great confusion and shifting energies, let us remember love, equality, and unity,” singer Jim James told Spin. The band has also been using recent concerts to increase voter registration. Young English singer-songwriter Jade Bird opens. Show is from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 4
The 64th Annual St. James Armenian Food Festival at St. James Armenian Church
It’s Richmond’s oldest and longest running food festival taking place on Friday and Saturday. You can enjoy chicken kabobs, cheese boreg, Armenian meat pies, stuffed grape leaves, “mouth-watering pastries” and Hye burgers, voted among Richmond’s best burgers. Everyone is welcome. Runs on Friday and Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. at 834 Pepper Ave. on the corner of Pepper and Patterson. (Be careful when driving through there on Patterson due to increased pedestrian use.) Free. Pay as you go.
The 15th annual Richmond Zine Fest at the Richmond Public Library (main branch)
Richmond has a long, healthy zine history and some great proponents of the form. This two-day event features workshops and panels and requires masking (they will have free KN95 masks available). Runs from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5. Free.
The Corniest Fall Festival in Monroe Park
Yep, it’s a brief day fest devoted to that U.S. subsidized food staple, stolen back in the day by ill-prepared pilgrims from Native Americans, that now shows up in everything from our sodas and crayons to toilet paper and toothpaste – even new musical comedies! (“Shucked” is playing next door at Altria Theater, just so you get the connection). This promo event will feature live cornhole, food trucks, music, train rides, giveaways, and perhaps most delightful of all, a cornbread contest (mmmm, that last cornbread I had at Buzz and Ned’s, dayem). 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free.
Horsehead’s 20th anniversary show at Starr Hill Richmond Beer Hall and Rooftop
Read our preview story here for this Richmond band celebrating 20 years this weekend. Horsehead will perform with the Atkinsons. Music starts at 7 p.m. Admission is free.
The 22nd annual James River Writers Conference at the Greater Richmond Convention Center (Oct. 4-6)
Read our Fall Arts preview story here. https://jamesriverwriters.org/conference2024.
Saturday, Oct. 5
Richmond VegFest at Byrd Park
It’s one of the most delicious, family-friendly food fests of the year, and good for you, too. Over 130 local vendors with vegan, flexitarian, vegetarian, climate and animal-friendly delights. Always a wide array of speakers and information booths. Runs from noon to 6 p.m. near the Carillon and Dogwood Dell. Free to attend, pay as you go.
“American, born Hungary: Kertész, Capa, and the Hungarian American Photographic Legacy” and “A Long Arc: Photography and the American South since 1845” at the VMFA
Read our feature story from the Fall Arts preview issue here. Both are scheduled to run from Oct. 5 to Jan. 26, 2025.
The 36th Annual Second Street Festival in Jackson Ward (Saturday and Sunday)
It’s always a party when thousands turn out to celebrate in historic Jackson Ward, the one-time “Harlem of the South.” There’s free music and dance all day with the headliner on Saturday evening being Arrested Development (5:50 to 7 p.m.) and on Sunday, the headliner is Richmond’s own Desiree Roots (5 to 6 p.m.), a vocalist known for her skills in jazz, gospel, classical and opera. Also on hand this weekend will be Richmond’s viral singing police officer, Mervin Mayo (Sunday at 2 p.m.), who has appeared on “America’s Got Talent.” Check the website run by Venture Richmond for a complete listing of all the performers on both days, as well as other info. Free.
John Prine Memorial IV presented by Vocal Rest Records featuring Justin Golden with Devil’s Coattails, the Great Beforetimes, Mead the Dear, Nick Woods, Sally Rose, David Shultz and Cole Sullivan @ the Camel
Prine’s songbook is preserved in the catbird seat after his passing in ‘20 from COVID-19, in so far as it’ll never include a bad song. This fourth annual memorial concert will showcase that sterling catalog, positioned at the crossroads of country and folk, and marked by enduring turns of phrase at every turn. After a no-losers song lottery, local talents are all set to again honor the Grammy-winning troubadour, with all proceeds benefiting Richmond Reproductive Freedom Project and Rhapsody Project (community programming “that explores and celebrates music and heritage through an anti-racist lens). Doors are at 7 p.m. and cost $10.—Tim Abbondelo
Miramar with the Richmond Symphony at the Carpenter Theatre
Read our preview story here about this local bolero band with global appeal. Doors are at 6:30 p.m., and there will be a pre-concert talk at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15-85, with discounts for students and children.
La Luz and Mia Joy at Richmond Music Hall
Seattle lady rockers led by artist Shana Cleveland hit the stage with opener Mia Joy. Read our interview with two members of La Luz. Doors open at 7 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 6
RVA Appalachia Funders Network benefit concert at Get Tight Lounge
RVA musicians are coming together to support Appalachia in a time of great need, during the second worst natural disaster in a quarter century that, sadly, offers a glimpse at our shared future no matter where you live. Flooding damage to towns in North Carolina, Florida and Virginia (with over 200 people dead and 600 missing) could total over $160 billion. This group of great local musicians, some with ties to the Appalachian communities affected in Southwest Virginia, Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee, are pulling together to stage a concert to benefit Appalachia Funders Network, which has a Helene Response Fund that will be providing mutual aid and philanthropy to those impacted by Hurricane Helena. The bill includes Erin (pictured) and the Wildfire, Weekend Plans, Fonville, Harrison and R4nd4zzo, with special guests J. Roddy Walston, Ali Thibodeau and others. There will be raffles and other “locally-powered” prizes. Doors are at 6 p.m. and the show is at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 – @22.04. All ages.
Third Annual Tri-Cities Artoberfest at Appomattox Iron Works (Petersburg)
Celebrate arts and culture in P’burg, a town looking better and better now that Richmond has gotten way too expensive for most of us, especially artists. There will be stage performances by Intensity Band and Shockoe records artists, Alacranes RVA, interactive dance workshops with Sacred Heart Center Folkorico and Claves Unidos, a community drum circle with Capiku Cultural Performing Arts Center, maker vendors, kids activities, food by VA Furnace Pizza and Soul Rebel food, plus beverages by Garden Grove Brewing and Urban Winery. Runs 3 to 7 p.m.
