Thursday, Sept. 4
Ora Cogan, Pygmy Lush and Visiting Hour at Cobra Cabana
Canadian songwriter and vibes ambassador, Cogan crafts expansive songs that meld a timeless folk-music backbone with fearless psychedelic exploration. The expansive sonic landscape of “Formless,” her 2023 album for Sacred Bones, is the compositional equivalent of a postcard from Salt Spring Island, where she was raised off the Pacific coastline: expansive but hazy and altogether enchanting. The tunes from this year’s “Bury Me” EP are chilly and austere, more than likely a sharp contrast to Richmond’s own singular climate this week, but fans of Mazzy Star, PJ Harvey and local neo-folk goth Dorthia Cottrell, will be in good hands. Virginia’s Pygmy Lush will welcome Cogan, their friend from the road, with a set that could go in a few different directions, whether it’s the grunge-y hardcore from their latest album, “Totem,” or their abundant catalogue of gentle and emotive numbers. Visiting Hour is my pick for Most Promising Band Around with their take on post rock. The more I hear them, the more they remind me of a shoegaze-curious Red House Painters. Not a bad thing! Doors are at 7 p.m. and cost $15 in advance and $20 at the door.—Tim Abbondelo
Friday, Sept. 5
Daniel Donato’s Cosmic County, Railroad Earth, Yonder Mountain String Band at Maymont
It’s a jam band and roots music fiesta in the lovely setting of Maymont. Local fans will know Railroad Earth and Younder Mountain String Band, but the newest act on this veteran bill has to be the young guitarist Daniel Donato, who blew our minds in Nashville during a journalism conference years ago, back when he was only 17 or something, playing at Robert’s Western World bar. Donato is amazing on the Telecaster, check him out playing his own originals. General admission tickets are $35, gold circle $60. Doors are at 5 p.m. and the show starts at 6 p.m.
OUT OF TOWN pick: Jenny Don’t and the Spurs free show at Merchant’s Square in Williamsburg
Feel like gettin’ outta Dodge? Jenny Don’t and the Spurs are an authentic country western band with a tinge of cowpunk from Portland, Oregon who impressed plenty of locals when they last played Richmond at Cobra Cabana not too long ago; blowin’ doors with charismatic singer Jenny Don’t leading the way and former Dead Moon member Kelly Halliburton on bass. This show is free and open to the public. 6 to 8 p.m. 134 N. Henry St.
NEW: The First Friday Art Trolley Tour of the arts district with Drag Trivia feat. Alvion Davenport
The Richmond Arts District, the Valentine Museum, and Richmond Performing Arts Alliance have come together to create a new, interactive experience focused on increasing awareness for the history and future of Broad Street and the neighboring arts organizations. According to a spokesperson, the First Friday Art Trolley provides “an interactive opportunity to familiarize yourself with some of the organizations that you may not typically engage with in programming during First Fridays. The Trolley is free and invites folks to hop on and enjoy a performance on their way to the next stop along the route.” The trolley will make four stops and runs from 6-8 p.m., beginning at the 6th and Broad Street Parking Lot (ICA at VCU and Virginia Rep among the stops). Go here for more details.
“Vintage Frames, Fresh Frequencies” Afrikana: A Decade in Review at 1708 Gallery
Stop by the opening reception for a celebration of a decade of the Afrikana Film Festival. From the press release: “We invite you to make magic with us again as we press play on some of Afrikana’s most loved short films over the last 10 years in our Fresh Frequencies Theatre and relive some of the joyful moments in our Afrikana ‘photo album.’” Opening reception on Friday, Sept. 5 from 5-9 p.m. The review runs through Oct. 26. Stay tuned for more programming announcements.
Unheard of Practices 5: A Celebration of Dance and Music at the Dogwood Dell
Rattlemouth plays live on stage with dances choreographed and performed by The Concert Ballet of Virginia, Richmond Urban Dance and Starr Foster Dance. Read our preview by David Timberline. 8 p.m. to 10:15 p.m.
Superchunk with Cor de Lux at Richmond Music Hall
The veteran American indie rockers get politicial on their latest and 13th album, “Songs in the Key of Yikes.” With melodic post punk of Cor de Lux from Kill Devil Hills, NC. Doors at 7 p.m. Show at 8 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 6
RVA Duck Race and Festival of Inclusion at Brown’s Island
The Autism Society of Central Virginia (ASCV) hosts this iconic race and Richmond’s largest sensory-friendly festival, with proceeds from the RVA Duck Race going to support the ASCV’s programming and services for the local autism community. Way it works: You purchase your duck entries for the chance to win incredible prizes, then watch them float down the canal and race toward the finish line. Ducks will be sold online leading up to the event, go here for more information. Takes place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Leon Bridges with Charley Crockett at Allianz Amphitheater at the Riverfront
A great Saturday night double bill featuring the smoother than butter crooner Leon Bridges from Atlanta, GA, a musician who has been compared to such soulful greats as Sam Cooke and Otis Redding. Joining him is another fast-rising headliner with more of a roots country and Americana sound, the great singer-songwriter Charley Crockett from Texas, who has a funky, cinematic new album, “Dollar a Day,” co-produced by Shooter Jennings. 7 p.m.
Vanessa Rubin and Mike Hawkins Trio at Révéler
Veteran singer Vanessa Rubin is one of those performers whose rich talent never ran aground nor fully aligned with the commercial zeitgeist. Not that she lacked fans, especially among those who really knew the music. But she came of age when jazz was at its most blisteringly experimental and record sales were focused on pop and rock. She did not quite fit the mold when jazz came back with the 20-something young lions in the mid-‘80s, or in the early 2000s, when the world was full of Norah Jones clones. Nonetheless, she made great recorded work throughout these years, proving herself an artist with a masterful touch at shaping the familiar into something new. Someone who’s career included stints with artists as different as Pharoah Sanders, Herbie Hancock, and Lionel Hampton needed a depth of musical knowledge to prosper. Her performance in Richmond this weekend is due to one of RVA’s mostly unsung musical heroes of the moment, bassist Mike Hawkins. A profoundly talented leader and accompanist, who left behind a world-touring career for local responsibilities, Hawkins is at the center of a lot of bands, and the organizer of the Sunday night jam sessions at Révéler. Hearing him and Rubin, with pianist Weldon Hill, in a stripped-down trio format should be a treat. 8 p.m. $25.—Peter McElhinney
Southern Culture on the Skids with Jon Tyler Wiley and his Virginia Choir at Broadberry
Always great for a freaky redneck party, Chapel Hill’s SCOTS return to walk like camels, play tasteful covers, and basically worship sex and fried chicken. Playing what lead singer Rick Miller calls “wobbly Americana,” this group of excellent musicians have been entertaining drunken audiences for the past 42 years and they know how to throw a good time (besides, any band equally influenced by The Cramps, Merle Haggard and The Seeds can only be a good thing). Their last album, 2021’s “At Home with Southern Culture on the Skids” was recorded in Rick’s living room during the early days of COVID. Check out the track “Run Baby Run.”
Sixth annual AfroFest RVA at Pine Camp Arts and Community Center
A celebration of heritage and community featuring authentic African and African Diaspora cuisine, artisans, drum circles, dance and performances; a family friendly kid zone. Runs from noon to 7 p.m. 4901 Old Brook Rd.
Suggesting Rhythm at Dogwood Dell
Playing the songs of the American musical institution, The Grateful Dead. 8 p.m. Free show.
Sunday, Sept. 7
Chicha Libre at Reveler Experiences
Having just played at Get Tight Lounge not long ago to an exuberant outdoor crowd, this Brooklyn-based band founded by Olivier Conan (Barbes) returns with more of its party moving chicha music, a Peruvian fusion of traditional cumbia and rock. Great stuff and well worth a funky Sunday night out. Admission is $21.50. Doors at 6 p.m. and music from 7 p.m. to 9:20 p.m. 21 and up. Check out their take on Love’s classic, “Alone Again Or.”
Erin Lunsford single release show and fundraiser for Fonticello Food Forest
Acclaimed local singer-songwriter Erin Lunsford will celebrate the release of her latest twangy single “Strawberries” with a one-of-a-kind show elevating the work of Fonticello Food Forest, in hopes of generating monetary donations to sustain its operation. The community garden missed its fundraising goal this year and Lunsford kicked into gear. Located within Carter Jones (or Fonticello) Park in the Southside, the lush space hosts weekly, free farm stands that share the fruits of labor, while also encouraging folks to come outside to harvest their own, or cultivate seeds of goodness to pay it forward.
“The idea for this [“Strawberries”] song came up about a year ago. I was listening to a news story saying we need to be afraid of immigrants, they are taking our resources, something like that,” says Lunsford. “I disagreed, but it also reminded me of how stuck we are in the scarcity mindset in America. There’s so much ‘get what’s mine, keep what’s mine’ [and] so much of that is based in fear of not having. This song is about the proverbial garden where we can all share.” She adds that there is a related environmental message: “If we better care for it, the more we are able to care for ourselves.”
The song’s lyrics showcase the flora and fauna native to our region including persimmons, white tail deer, and of course, strawberries. Folks are encouraged to bring a blanket or lawn chair, possibly a picnic if you’re feeling nippish. “There are enough resources to go around if we just open our hearts,” says Lunsford. Fonticello Food Forest is located at 2713 Bainbridge St. This event takes place from 5 to 7 p.m.—Hilary Langford
Charm Offensive, Piranha Rama, Soft Catch and Added Color at The Camel
Doors at 7 p.m. Show at 7:30 p.m.
Fuse Ensemble with Starr Foster Dance at Gallery5
The Fuse Ensemble fusing with the Starr Foster Dance is one of the most natural collaborations of the year. Creative women lead both ensembles. Both have a history of integrating different artistic forms — photography, film, poetry — into their presentations. Award-winning electroacoustic composer Gina Biver, once the lead guitarist in the 1980s all-female/big hair/hard rock band, Pantara-84, composes and presents engaging works of depth and sophistication. Her core group includes keyboards, electronics, cello, clarinet, violin, flute, double bass, percussion and vocals. In recent performances, she has woven in the talents of RVA standouts. Choreographer Starr Foster’s list of credits — including Style Weekly’s Top 40 Under 40 and multiple best of citations — would comfortably fill out a full page. Her work is grounded in the visual expression of human physicality, with an emphasis on connecting to audiences through a unique kinetic language. In other words, the best way to appreciate it is to to experience it live in a performance space like Gallery 5. The groups will join for a premier presentation of “Things Hidden” featuring dancers/vocalists Shannon Comerford, Madison Ernstes and Molly Huey, and vocalists Laura Ann Singh, Ashley Larson and Liliana Dunn.
Tuesday, Sept. 9
Sierra Ferrell: Shoot for the Moon Tour w/Nikki Lake at Brown’s Island
The four-time Grammy winner wowed RVA audiences playing Friday Cheers on the Island in the past, now she’s back to one of RVA’s favorite outdoor stages as a headliner whose career seems to keep blooming. All ages. Doors at 6 p.m. Note: Entrance to Brown’s Island is through the 5th Street entrance ONLY.
Richmond Flying Squirrels Begins Final Homestand at the Diamond vrs. Hartford
Ah, the Diamond, the jewel of the boulevard. Some of us go back so far that we can remember our dads taking us to Parker Field to see the Richmond Braves play after getting our tonsils removed (it was demolished in 1984) … but hey, it’s a different era, and the Diamond is about to bite the dust for a much more modern baseball stadium with the much more modern name, CarMax Park. Note: The season finale is sold out, but there may be limited tickets for the remaining games vrs. Hartford. Visit their website to learn more.
