Stuff to Do: Jan. 25-28

Thursday, Jan. 25

Stomping Grounds with Piranha Rama (pictured above), The Mitras, Rikki Rakk at Richmond Music Hall

Rock out loud and proud and check out some local music through this series highlighting great local bands, which tonight features Richmond’s own Piranha Rama, who have recorded on Brokers Tip Records, run by Pavement’s own Bob Nastanovich, a former Trinity Episcopal School grad. Tonight’s bill is presented by Broadberry Entertainment Group and Plan 9 in partnership with The Auricular. Doors open at 7 p.m. and show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 day of show, though you can get them in advance for $12 (at link) or $9 at Plan 9 Music in Carytown, your best bet. Tickets: https://bit.ly/StompingGrounds1-25

Friday, Jan. 26

Guest pick: Peter McElhinney

Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” with violinist Keila Wakao (three separate performances) Jan. 26-28

The Richmond edition of the Menuhin International Violin Competition was an early casualty of the 2021 COVID era. What was supposed to be two weeks of performance competition in May featuring musicians ranging from ages 11 to 21, vying for iconic recognition, instead became a virtual event. Still prestigious, still impressive, but just not the same. This weekend, Keila Wakao, the 2021 first-place winner of the 16-and-under division of that event, is coming to town as the featured artist for multiple performances of Vivaldi’s famous concerto “The Four Seasons.”

Keila Wakao, 17-year-old phenom on the violin, will be appearing in multiple concerts this weekend in Richmond with the Richmond Symphony.

The composition is an early example of “program music,” i.e. music written to communicate a specific narrative, in this case sonnets by the composer. Over the course of the titular sections, the instruments evoke barking dogs, twittering birds, the rustle of rain and the icy chatter of the winter cold. It’s a wonderful showpiece for an accomplished violinist like Wakao, who also won the Menuhin Young Composer award and multiple other competitions. While only 17, she has been performing for over half of her life. This is an excellent chance to see the young phenom in one of several intimate spaces: The Perkinson Center for the Arts and Education in Chester on Friday, at St. Christopher’s School in the West End on Saturday, and Randolph Macon College in Ashland on Sunday. The program will also feature two Vivaldi-inspired works by the great Nuevo tango composer Astor Piazzolla (“Winter” and “Spring” from “The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires.”) The Richmond Symphony’s transcendent artistic director, Valentina Peleggi, conducts all events.

The Richmond Symphony, featuring Keila Wakoa conducted by Valentina Pileggi, will perform Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons” three times this weekend. Friday, Jan. 26 at 7:30 p.m. at the Baxter Perkinson Center for the Arts, 11810 Centre St., Chester, Virginia. Tickets: $10 students/$30 general admission. Children under 18 free. Tickets and info: https://www.richmondsymphony.com/event/the-four-seasons/

And on Saturday, Jan. 27 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Christopher’s School, 6010 Fergusson Rd., Richmond. Tickets: $10 students/$50 general admission up to $50. Children under 18 free. Tickets and info: https://www.richmondsymphony.com/event/the-four-seasons-2/

And finally on Sunday, Jan. 28, at 3 p.m. at Randolph Macon College in Ashland. Tickets: $10 students/$30 general admission. Children under 18 free. Tickets and info: https://www.richmondsymphony.com/event/the-four-seasons-3/

Richmond Shakespeare’s “Born with Teeth” premiere at Dominion Energy Center’s Gottwald Playhouse

The East Coast premiere of this work by Liz Duffy Adams offers an exciting take on a meeting between Christopher “Kit” Marlowe and William Shakespeare and features a cast of talented young RVA actors including Avery Michael Johnson and James Murphy. Limited engagement runs Jan. 25 through Feb. 11. Shows are Thursday through Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 4 and 11 at 2 p.m. For more, check out our seasonal theater preview.

Avery Michael Johnson (left) as “Kit” Marlowe and James Murphyas William Shakespeare in “Born With Teeth.” Photo by Tom Topinka.

Saturday, Jan. 27

Analog Suspects: The Ripple Effect at Black Iris

A hip-hop immersion and interactive experience featuring music by Analog Suspects (the great Noah-O and DJ Mentos) Ant Marshall (Lyricist Lounge) DJ B-Rice (Mid-Atlantic Jams) and featuring the art of Will Zimmer. 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at 321 W. Broad St. You can purchase pre-sale tickets here: https://www.ticketleap.events/…/analog-suspects-the… Admission unlocks exclusive first access to CHRGDUP 23-24 Winter Capsule.

Skydog: A Tribute to the Allman Brothers at Ashland Theater (Ashland, Virginia)

Make Jimmy Carter proud! Get your groove on at a reasonable hour out in the country to one of the top local tribute acts dedicated to the unique, mushrooming country-rock and blues jams of Georgia music legends, the Allman Brothers. Runs from 6 to 11 p.m. $30-$45. On sale now. Tickets available here: https://bit.ly/Skydog1-27

Sunday, Jan. 28

Third annual Intersecting History Museum Crawl

Get your culture on with the annual Intersecting History Museum Crawl, which involves a bus ride stopping at Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA), Virginia Museum of History and Culture (VMHC), the Virginia Holocaust Museum (VHM), The Valentine, American Civil War Museum, Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia, and The Branch Museum of Architecture and Design. You can park at VMFA, VMHC, or VHM and board the air-conditioned motor coach “then enjoy an afternoon of stops at seven museums along the route. The ride and admissions are free of charge. For 2024, the museum crawl’s theme is ‘Yes, She Can!’ The stop at VMFA will include admission to the exhibition “Willie Anne Wright: Artist and Alchemist.” Click “Find Tickets” to reserve your spot on Eventbrite.” Noon to 5 p.m. Free. Reserve tickets here.

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Photo by Scott Elmquist

RVA Rap Elite Season 7 Premiere at Ember Music Hall

Calling local hip-hop heads: Here’s another full bill curated by Radio B., Melodic and Hiphop Henry (who will be on the 1s and 2s) plus an Ed Da Realist album listening party for “How I’m Feeling” (5:30-6 p.m.) then the Producer’s Lounge hosted by NameBrand followed by a Southpaw Battle Coalition battle featuring King Cam vs. Lyric. Also on tap: Championship SoundClash: Champion Blaine Cooz vs. Rel Lyfe and the 30 Emcee Rap Elite Cypher. Doors open at 5 p.m. and show starts at 6 p.m. 309 E. Broad St.