Thursday, Sept. 5
Ty Segall (solo acoustic) with Tess Fisher at Broadberry
A prolific singer-songwriter out of lovely Laguna Beach, California, Segall became known for loudly ripping onstage with his various rock, glam and metal projects – whether playing guitar or on his first love, the drums (he’s torn the roof off the dearly departed Strange Matter a few times). But tonight in RVA, he’ll be performing a solo acoustic show on his way to the annual Hopscotch Festival in Raleigh, North Carolina. You’re likely to hear tunes from his recent Drag City releases, “Hello, Hi” and “Live at Worship,” though never one to rest on his laurels, he’s already released another drum-centric album just last week called “Love Rudiments.” Fans of Marc Bolan and David Bowie will find some trippy stuff to love here. Opening the show is local singer-songwriter Tess Fisher, whose IG (country_smut) notes that she’s a “hide tanner, sheep whisperer and country/blues artist.” All ages. $30.
RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars at Altria Theater
Experience “the high kicks and low splits” of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 9th season unfolding live on stage, including the return of fan favorites Angeria, Gottmik, Jorgeous, Plastique Tiara, Roxxxy Andrews, Shannel and Vanessa Vanjie. Big note: The lineup is subject to change. 8 p.m. Tickets start at $49.50 plus fees.
Friday, Sept. 6
The Future of Free Expression: A Panel feat. Killer Mike at Camp Concert Hall, University of Richmond
This hotly anticipated discussion will feature “rapper and community organizer Killer Mike, author Mike Curato, American Civil Liberties Union attorney Emerson Sykes, and George Washington University Law School professor Mary Anne Franks. University of Richmond liberal arts professor Erik Nielson organized this event and will moderate the discussion along with journalist Bonnie Newman Davis.” Starts at 6:30 p.m. Free and open to the public, though tickets are required and they are unavailable at this time. Check here for updates: https://tickets.modlin.richmond.edu/5530.
Fall 24 Premiere at the ICA at VCU
Come celebrate the ICA’s fall season unveiling with three new exhibitions opening, including “Dear Mazie,” “Caitlin Cherry: Eigengrau” and “Loie Hollowell: Space Between, A Survey of Ten Years.” There will be a cash bar, refreshments and food trucks. Free and open to the public, though the ICA encourages people to RSVP. 6 to 9 p.m. Read our preview of “Dear Mazie” here.
Rumput featuring Peni Candra Rini with Gamelas Raga Kusuma at Gallery5
Orquesta Atípica: Around the World at Artspace
One of the more unfortunate First Friday collisions is between the exceptional wife-and-husband duo of violinist Ellen Cockerham Riccio and percussionist Giustino Riccio and the RVA return of the amazing Javanese singer, Peni Candra Rini.
Orquestra Atípica, the Riccio collaboration, promises a globe-trotting sampler that includes music from Cuba, Türkiye, Brazil and Puerto Rico. It’s one of the branches of Richmond Symphony Principal Second Violinist Ellen Cockerham Ricco’s First Creatures project; she’s also a founder and former director of the free-range Classical Revolutions group, member of genre-crossing Rosette Quartet, and freelancing Violinist in Your Backyard, making her a prime mover in bringing chamber music to the masses. Her husband Giustino is probably best known for his long association as a percussionist with Bio Ritmo, as well as his artisanal breads and pizza. This would be an easy choice for any Friday, except for the fact that Peni Candra Rini is making her first appearance in RVA after a global breakout year powered, in part, by her collaborations with the renowned string quartet Kronos Quartet.
As a Fulbright Scholar with a nearly decade-long association with the University of Richmond, Candra Rini has stretched her talents to encompass everything from wayang shadow plays and traditional music to wildly entertaining, rock-and-jazz-fusion pieces flirting with the avant-garde. Her range, from a low growl to high and lovely melodies has the controlled power of a master; there is no one else like her. Both traditional Javanese gamelan and the folk-tinged Rumput, which blends Indonesian and Western music, is featured at this week’s Gallery 5 performance. (The event also marks the grand reopening of Gallery 5 with its renovated/restored, sculpted fire proscenium stage.) Whichever event you choose, you will both see and miss something special.–Peter McElhinney
Orquestra Atipica plays Artspace on Friday, Sept. 6 at 8 p.m. (doors are at 7) The performance is a fundraiser for renovations at Virginia’s artist atelier at the Cité internationale des arts in Paris.
Rumput, featuring Peni Candra Rini and Gamelon Raga Kusuma takes place from 7-9 p.m. at Gallery5. Admission is free, but expect a crowd.
Guided by Voices and Dazy at The Broadberry
Active since the early 1980s, indie rock mainstays Guided by Voices from Dayton, Ohio have cultivated the kind of diehard fanbase that guitar bands such as the Replacements and Big Star earned through years of memorable songs and earnest (occasionally sloppy drunk) performances. Driven by the lyrical wordplay of singer Bob Pollard and melodic pop hooks wrangled with bar-band finesse, GBV just celebrated the 30th anniversary of its most beloved album, the classic lo-fi “Bee Thousand” (1994) by releasing a 7” featuring new, hi-fi versions of “I Am a Scientist” b/w “Tractor Rape Chain.”
Fans likely will be hoping for some golden oldies mixed in with the newer material, and there’s plenty of that to go around; this version of the group has released 17 albums since 2017, the most recent of which, “Strut of Kings” earned critical kudos and high fan praise last June. Don’t forget to show some love for GBV’s bassist, Mark Shue, who is from Staunton, Virginia and used to play in the band, the Sad Lives, around C’ville and Harrisonburg; he had family members in attendance the last time at Broadberry and absolutely killed it. Get there early to check out local opener, Richmond indie darling, Dazy, the moniker for musician James Gooding. $40. Doors at 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 7
The Queer Weekend: LGBTQ+ Va Pride Kickoff Block Party at Legend Brewing
Presented by Richmond Makers Market, this two-day event features over 100 small businesses and local organizations with live music, DJs, a drag show, nonprofits, queer beer and a whole lot more. In partnership with Basic City Beer and Legend, the block party will take over both sides of Perry Street at 6th St with dozens of outdoor makers, performances, food trucks, drink specials, and activities. Runs Saturday and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. Go here to check out the full rundown.
The Soul Vegan Block Party featuring Mighty Joshua at Abner Clay Park
Presented by Vegan Action, “this is a free event to introduce and promote a healthy and ethically conscious plant-based lifestyle in a positive environment to all people regardless of race, gender, age, or sexual orientation with a focus on uplifting communities of color.” 1 to 7 p.m. Go here for more info.
Dead People’s Stuff: Vintage Market at Main Line Brewery
Pretty much sounds like what it is, this market of vintage, pre-owned goods features 35 plus vendors, food trucks and a live DJ at 1603 Ownby Lane. Free to enter. Runs from noon to 6 p.m.
James River Association hosts first James River EcoFest at James A. Buzzard River Education Center
Celebrate our city’s natural jewel with the James River EcoFest, which will feature a variety of activities including “free paddle tours, trips aboard JRA’s education boat, Spirit of the James, as well as a rain barrel workshop and tree giveaways.”Explore the new James A. Buzzard River Education Center located at 2528 Dock St. Parking and shuttle transportation will be available at Stone Brewing, 4300 Williamsburg Ave. This free event runs 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Festival of the Arts presents a tribute to the music of Prince featuring Anthony Cosby at Dogwood Dell
Last time Anthony Cosby played the Purple One, people showed out at the Dell. Expect a crowd if the weather’s nice. 8 p.m. Free.
Sunday, Sept. 8
Big Gay VA Pride market at Diversity Richmond
Runs the second Sunday of every month and features over 50 LGBTQ+ makers and artists, with food trucks and music by DJ BearBonez and DJ Phasim. Noon to 4 p.m.
Hardywood (Richmond) Vinyl Record Pop-Up
Crate dig while sipping brewskis; spend your rent money on a rare album and worry about it tomorrow. Noon to 5 p.m.
Community Arts Open House at Dominion Energy Center
Per the organizers: “Celebrating 15 years of Dominion Energy Center and Richmond’s vibrant arts community with a day of hands-on activities, art-making workshops, lectures, demos, and performances for a community open house.” Free. 1:30 p.m.
Goth Babe with the Aces at Brown’s Island
The genre-juggling project of solo artist and Tennessee native Griff Washburn brings what’s been called “catchy dream pop” to the island. 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. $41-$51.
Monday, Sept. 9
The Lemonheads with Cooper B. Handy at the Broadberry
Now with a pair of 30-year anniversaries and the requisite reissues of the band’s two most successful albums—”It’s A Shame About Ray” from ‘92, and “Come On Feel” from ‘93—in their rearview mirror, the Lemonheads’ return to Richmond with a twofer. And for their next feat (beyond merely surviving) mercurial frontman and the project’s sole mainstay, Evan Dando, will perform both albums in their entirety. Thus the aptly titled, if not too cute by half: “It’s A Shame About Come On Feel Tour,” which only feels slightly less like a retread with the promise of the band’s first new proper album in 18 years on its way. Still, their original material at its best, remains timeless. Doors are at 7 p.m. and tickets are $39.50 (before service charges).—Tim Abbondelo
Tuesday, Sept. 10
Hoodoo Gurus at The National
If you’re old enough to remember when “college rock” was an accepted genre label, then you might just be able to hum a few tunes by the Australian rock band Hoodoo Gurus, which is continuing a grand world tour to celebrate the 40th anniversary of its classic debut album, “Stoneage Romeos.” Doors at 6:30 p.m. and show at 7:30 p.m. All ages.
D.R.I. with Re-Tox, Vigil and 2toaroom at Cobra Cabana
Seeing the Lemonheads’ hand and raising the stakes by a decade (not to mention the retention of a whopping TWO original members), seminal crossover thrashers D.R.I. only recently finished making the rounds on their 40th anniversary tour, which took them all over the globe in the span of two years. That vast amount of ground to cover is matched by the band’s significant influence on numerous waves of later generation skater punks and headbangers alike. Taking the opposite approach of, say, Guided By Voices, D.R.I. have favored relentless touring over the release of new material that risks repeating itself. It’s yet another example of how a band can carve out a career in this crazy world. Doors are at 7 p.m. and tickets are $18 (plus service charges) in advance, or $20 at the door.—T.A.
