Music enters your life from the most unexpected places sometimes.
One weekend I found myself in an odd situation in Zimbabwe. I’d been exploring some remote jungles, talking to natives and studying the ancient techniques of dyeing fabric used in ceremonial garments. (This was about the same time I was still under the impression that I could master the country’s five languages. I stopped at three.)
Anyway, while I squatted with my guide before a boiling pot of bark, our sweat dripping into the mix (if I’d only known about yohimbine at the time), the breeze carried a beautiful sound toward me. It was a lilting, mysterious voice in the language I never mastered. And it was mesmerizing. Nothing else seemed to matter, and I let it seep in.
I met the owner of that voice, a woman whose wrinkled skin appeared as old as Africa itself. She uttered three words to me. I never found out what they meant. I never asked. I still hear her today. The music.
Item N§ 12
Go Tell It on the Mountain: The Blind Boys of Alabama.
Specs: Nov. 28, 8:30 p.m., at Toad’s Place Richmond.
Price: $22.50- $37.50.
To order: Online at www.etix.com, at Plan 9, BK Music, Richmond Harley-Davidson locations or by calling 800-514-ETIX.
Item N§ 13
2007 Holiday Festival of Music.
Features: The Richmond Symphony, Patrick Carlin conducting, with The Choir of the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart and vocal soloists.
Specs: Monday, Nov. 26, 7 p.m., at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, 823 Park Ave.
Price: Donations accepted.
To order: 545-5935, or e-mail events@cccofva.org.
Item N§ 14
The Y-101 Snowball. Features: Paramore, Silversun Pickups and Army of Me. All ages.
Specs: Thursday, Nov. 29, 7 p.m. at Toad’s Place.
Price: $18.50 advance, $23 day of show.
To order: Online at www.etix.com, at Plan 9, BK Music, Richmond Harley-Davidson locations or by calling 800-514-ETIX.
Item N§ 15
Handel’s “Messiah.”
Feature: Performed by the Richmond Symphony and Chorus.
Specs: Friday, Nov. 30, 8 p.m., at Second Baptist Church, River Road and Gaskins; Monday, Dec. 3, 8 p.m., St. Michael’s Catholic Church, 4491 Springfield Road.
Price: $25-$30.
To order: www.richmondsymphony.com.
Item N§ 16
Offering.
Features: The band performs Christmas carols and Christmas songs at such exotic locales as Fort Lee, Positive Vibe Café, The Jefferson and elsewhere, starting with a show at the Cultural Art Center at Glen Allen’s tree lighting.
Specs: Dec. 1, 4:30 p.m., Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen, and other times throughout the holidays.
Price: Variable.
To order: www.offeringband.com.
Item N§ 17
Cracker with The Gaskets.
Specs: Saturday, Dec. 1, 8 p.m., at Toad’s Place.
Price: $15 advance, $18 day of show.
To order: Online at www.etix.com, at Plan 9, BK Music, Richmond Harley-Davidson locations or by calling 800-514-ETIX.
Item N§ 18
Eddie From Ohio.
Specs: Friday, Dec. 7, 8 p.m., at Toad’s Place. All ages.
Price: $22 advance; $25 day of show.
To order: Online at www.etix.com, at Plan 9, BK Music, Richmond Harley-Davidson locations or by calling 800-514-ETIX.
Item N§ 19
Wachovia Securities
Symphony Pops, “Let It Snow.”
Features: The Richmond Symphony Orchestra plays holiday favorites, directed by Associate Conductor Erin Freeman. Featuring Greater Richmond Children’s Choir.
Specs: Saturday, Dec. 8, 8 p.m., at Richmond’s Landmark Theater.
Price: $35-$60
To order: Through Ticketmaster at 262-8003.
Item N§ 20
Cake’s Unlimited Sunshine Festival.
Features: Cake, with Detroit Cobras, Oakley Hall, King City and Agent Ribbons.
Specs: Sunday, Dec. 9, 7:30 p.m., at Toad’s Place. All ages.
Price: $30 advance; $35 day of show.
To order: Online at www.etix.com, at Plan 9, BK Music, Richmond Harley-Davidson locations or by calling 800-514-ETIX.
Item N§ 21
Boyz II Men.
Specs: Tuesday, Dec. 11, 9 p.m., at Toad’s Place. All ages.
Price: $27.50 advance, $30 day of show; $45 gold circle.
To order: Online at www.etix.com, at Plan 9, BK Music, Richmond Harley-Davidson locations or by calling 800-514-ETIX.
