Friday, Feb. 9
DJ Harrison album release party at Plan 9
With all the hubbub about Mechanicsville native Lucy Dacus’ three Grammy wins, some may have forgotten that a couple Richmond musicians who still live here were also nominated for Best Alternative Jazz album for their work on “SuperBlue: The Iridescent Spree” by Charlie Hunter and Kurt Elling. That’s right, Corey Fonville and DJ Harrison of Butcher Brown fame. The latter will be celebrating the release of his new album, “Shades of Yesterday” (Stone’s Throw Records), which reimagines some of his favorite tracks from yesteryear, such as Donald Fagen’s “IGY” and Vince Guaraldi’s “Little Birdie.” And Plan 9 is hosting a listening party at 6 p.m. this Friday and DJ Harrison should be stopping by to hang.
Saturday, Feb. 10
Discover Steampunk at the Science Museum of Virginia
Check out a new hands-on touring exhibition that showcases a “fusion of art, history and technology.” Guests will learn about 19th-century innovators and get to experiment with interactive machines inspired by their ideas. The exhibition opens this Saturday and will be running through Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. Admission is included in the regular Science Museum admission. For hours and more info, visit their website.
Richmond Reptile Expo at the Richmond Raceway (Old Dominion Building)
Billed as providing “a large selection of legal, healthy reptiles and supplies in a safe and informative environment.” Admission is $8 for adults and $3 for kids 6-11. Free for kids 5 and under. Runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Justin Golden and Devil’s Coattails at Révéler Experiences
Capturing the in-the-moment energy of a live set was one stated goal of heading to Rabid Ears Recording to track “Golden Country, Volume 1,” the album Justin Golden released earlier this year in collaboration with the Vocal Rest Records house band, Devil’s Coattails. What better way to celebrate the success of those sessions than with an actual live set at Révéler Experiences in Carytown? The performance will feature special guests and a solo opening set from Brent McCormick of Richmond-based band, The Wimps. Doors open at 7 p.m. and music starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased here: https://www.revelerexperiences.com/…/justin-golden… –Davy Jones
Rikki Rakki, Young Scum, Braids and Outer World at The Camel
“I stayed up too late again.” It’s the first line of “Wasting Time,” the opening track from Young Scum’s 2018 self-titled LP. It’s also the likely outcome of heading to the Camel on Saturday, though you’ll hardly be wasting your time by catching this delightfully jangly four-band bill. Joining Young Scum will be three other Richmond-based acts: hazy-jangly rockers Rikki Rakki, alternative rockers Braids and Outer World, whose psychedelic garage pop received a nod in Style Weekly’s 2024 album outlook. Doors open at 8 p.m. and music starts at 9 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance and $14 at the door. For tickets and more information, visit thecamel.org.—Davy Jones
Monday, Feb. 12
Alash Tuvan throat singers at In Your Ear Studio A
The music of Alash tosses a dash of Western influences into Tuvan throat singing. Over the years, the haunting and otherworldly band has collaborated with banjo innovator Bela Fleck and the wildly eclectic Sun Ra Arkestra. The sound is almost uniquely multi-phonic, with a buzzy, somewhat gruff, low main melody accompanied by pure, high, whistling tone. The tradition developed among isolated herders who roamed an elevated, mountain-rimmed plain. Their country, the Republic of Tuva, has drifted in and out of existence as a political entity. For most of the last century buried deep in the heart of the Soviet Russia, and before that as a territory in Qing China. Demographically, it has roughly a quarter of the population of Greater Richmond, spread over a territory fifteen times as large. Two thirds are sheep and goat-raising pastoralists, who live outside the capital Kyzyl, whose most famous tourist attraction is a monument marking the geographical center of center of Asia.
In other words, you are unlikely to hear this music in its native habitat, and opportunities to hear it authentically performed are rare. There is the occasional Richmond Folk Festival appearance, there are throat singers every few years, and Alash played here in 2013. The performances were both intense and in tents. Hearing the group in the pristine acoustics of In Your Ear should be ideal. –Peter McElhinney
The JAMinc presentation of Alash takes place at 7 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 12 at In Your Ear Studio A, at 1813 East Broad St. in Shockoe Bottom. Tickets are $20. UPDATE: Tickets have sold out.
