Thursday, Feb. 22
Rhett Miller at The Tin Pan
Known for his work with Americana band, The Old 97s, Texan singer-songwriter Rhett Miller recently turned 50 and he has a host of new projects: From a 2018 solo album, “The Messenger,” to a podcast and a collection of subversive kids’ poems. Doors at 6 p.m. show at 8 p.m. $29.99
Friday, Feb. 23
Ant the Symbol Vinyl Release Listening Party at Plan 9
Come celebrate the vinyl release of local musician/producer Ant the Symbol’s 2023 acclaimed album “I Know Who I Am” on Shockoe Records. There will be a listening party plus copies of the new LP for sale, and he’ll be signing ‘em. 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Bianca Del Rio at the National
A night of larger-than-life drag performance from the winner of the sixth season of “Rupaul’s Drag Race,” Bianca Del Rio, who is also an actor, comedian and costume designer. This is a scheduled stop on her Dead Inside Tour. Read our Q&A interview with her. All ages. Doors at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m. $52.
Saturday, Feb. 24
African American Read-in for Families at VMFA
Celebrate children’s literature and art created by African and African American artists with community members and VMFA educators. 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Free, no tickets required.
Lunar New Year Asian Street Food Festival at Stone Brewing Richmond
Kasama Collective and Richmond Moon Market present an outdoor street food festival filled with local artists, craftspeople, dancing and music to ring in “the year of the dragon.” This should be cool as there is Gamelan Ensemble music (1 to 2 p.m.), Pacific Arts Dance Troupe and Lion Dance (2 to 2:30 p.m.), DJ Phenom (2:30 to 3 p.m.) and performances various groups from the Organization of Chinese Americans (3 to 4 p.m.), River City Taiko drums (4 to 5 p.m.) Yu Dance Arts (5 to 5:30 p.m.). And we can’t leave another main draw: the delicious food. Noon to 6 p.m. 4300 Williamsburg Ave.
Dead Billionaires, Pinkhouse and Shagg Carpet at the Camel
The latest Newlin Prize shortlist was announced this week, and while the winner won’t be known until late March, you won’t have to wait long to see one of the nominated acts perform. Richmond-based punk band Dead Billionaires, whose album “Disaster Preparedness Coloring Book” is in the running for the city’s best 2023 album, will close out a two-show run dubbed “Winter Is Over! If You Want It” at the Camel on Saturday. The goal? Bringing about the coming of spring through the power of a collective mindset. The bill will be rounded out by Washington, D.C. alternative group Pinkhouse, whose latest EP, “Vanity Project,” landed in January, and local dance-punk band Shagg Carpet, who released an LP titled “BUGGED” in early February. Doors open at 8 p.m. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased at thecamel.org. – Davy Jones
Cabin Fever annual art auction at 1708 Gallery
Come enjoy live and silent auctions with artworks from Richmond artists for this biggest fundraiser of the year from 1708; artworks are currently on view during regular gallery hours and online. This year’s auction is honoring local arts champion Pam Royall. 7 to 10 p.m. Learn more about tickets here.
Legends on Grace Street featuring DJ Harrison and Style Weekly’s Peter McElhinney at Dominion Energy Center for the Performing Arts
Read our preview here. 8 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 25
Screening of “Sunset Boulevard” at The Byrd Theatre
Come see one of David Lynch’s favorite films. 2 p.m. $9.
White Denim and Basic (feat. Chris Forsyth) at The Broadberry
Should be an interesting night, White Denim brings the psych blues and dub-influenced progressive rock from Austin, Texas while BASIC is inspired by the Robert Quine/Fred Maher record of same name (desert blues soundtracks) and features Philly’s Chris Forsyth on guitar, Nick Millevo on guitar and drum machine and Mikel Patrick Avery on percussion and electronics. Doors at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m.
Monday, Feb.26
Fuse Ensemble at Firehouse Theatre
The seeming contradiction in Fuse Ensemble’s self-description as an “electroacoustic chamber ensemble” dissipates with their first notes. This is modern composition as synthesis, with an almost conventional classical sextet of cello, piano, clarinet, flute, and percussion, complemented by leader/composer Gina Biver’s guitar and electronics. The performance on Monday will be one of the last two performances of “Both Sides of the Mirror,” a stunningly eclectic, two-act work reflecting on Eastern duality, mysticism, and digital meta-reality with a dash of Jorge Luis Borges’ “Book of Imaginary Beings.” There will also be premiers of new compositions by Nicole Mitchell and Steve Antosca, shorter pieces by Biver, Sophia Jani, and JC Vasquez. If this is not enough, there will be an interactive percussive sculpture by Jeremy Thomas Kunkel, and visual creations by Also Sisters and Michael J. Edwards. It is a unique opportunity to connect with locally based, widely recognized, and progressively iconoclastic artistic innovators in an intimate black box performance space, with no shortage of very smart things to listen to, look at, and play with. Tickets are $30 and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. – Peter McElhinney
