More What’s Booming RVA: June 27 to July 4
A week of events, plus road trips and news
Our heritage runs deep and wide! Celebrate our roots in music, food, art, history, author events, sports – plus July 4 fun! All in today’s Richmond, Virginia, June 27 to July 4, 2024.
Also check out:
- Boomer Top 5 picks in RVA here,
- Browse the week ahead below, and
- Go to our updated events page for Down the Road happenings and ongoing exhibitions and performances.
June 27 to July 4
Thursday, June 27
Fidos After 5. Take your pooch and yourself to live music in the Grace Arents Garden, with food and drink vendors to complement the music of Dan & The Fam. June 27, 5 p.m., at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Richmond.
Westchester Concert Series: The Skip Castro Band. Live music on the field. June 27, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., at Westchester Concert Field, Midlothian.
Mike Birbiglia: Please Stop the Ride. See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.
Richmond Flying Squirrels vs. Somerset Patriots. Go Nutz and have Funn with professional baseball, giveaways, and fireworks on featured nights. For your chance to score a pair of free tickets, follow our Tuesday Boomer newsletter or Facebook. Through June 30 at The Diamond, Richmond.
Race in Richmond Exhibit: Healing in Richmond // “I See You” and “I Hear You.”The exhibits dive into the essence of Richmond’s people and underscore a dedication to celebrating humanity in its truest form. Open to the public at The Gallery at Main Street Station until June 30. Community Healing Practice and Closing Reception on June 28, 6 to 9 p.m., at Main Street Station.
Friday, June 28
Hill of Heroes. See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.
Common Scents: A Garden Still House Demonstration with Rebecca Suerdieck. Drop by Agecroft’s gardens and learn how perfumes were made using the art of distilling. The costumed educator transforms plants into wearable scents. Explore herbs and flowers grown in 17th century England. June 28, noon to 3 p.m., at Agecroft Hall, Richmond.
Ashland Fourth Friday. Stroll the historic district, take in tunes by popular bands, discover treasures in shops open late, dine on farm-to-table fare, and get to know local businesses. June 28, 5 to 8 p.m., in Downtown Ashland.
“Radius 250” Opening Reception. Artspace in Richmond presents its 10th biennial regional juried exhibition, featuring selected work by artists living or working within a 250-mile radius of Richmond. The show opens June 28 and continues until Aug. 17. Juror’s talk and awards at the opening reception, June 28, 6 to 8 p.m., at Artspace Gallery, Richmond.
Friday Cheers 2024 Concert Series. 39 Years of Friday Cheers. Richmond’s longest-running concert series and the city’s largest event of its kind in downtown Richmond. Final performance: June 28: Sam Barber (8:15 p.m.) with Jake Kohn (7:15 p.m.) and Villages (6:15 p.m.), on Brown’s Island along the James River, Richmond.
Richmond Ivy vs. Lancaster Inferno. See Richmond’s hot new women’s soccer team at their final match of the inaugural season. June 28, 7 p.m., at City Stadium, Richmond.
Saturday, June 29
Juneteenth in Pocahontas Park: A Hike Through History. Traverse paths that were once marked by segregation, reflecting on how these landscapes played a role in shaping the history of Black recreation. June 29, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., starting at Bright Hope Horse Complex at Pocahontas State Park, Chesterfield.
Midsummer Garden Tour. Take a guided tour of Agecroft Hall’s formal gardens and learn of the garden connections between England’s King Henry VIII, Mediterranean pirates, and Chief Powhatan. June 29, 11 to 11:45 a.m., at Agecroft Hall, Richmond.
Grand Old Theaters in Richmond’s History. Find out what legendary actors famously strutted and fretted upon Virginia stages. June 29, 11 a.m. to noon, at Henrico Theatre, Henrico.
Caribbean American Heritage Festival. Hosted by the nonprofit Adopt Haiti Project, the family-friendly affair features a costume parade, performances, traditional dishes, crafts, and interactive activities. Admission is free, but the festival’s fundraising initiatives support school supply drives for students in both Richmond and Haiti. June 29, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., at Dorey Park, Henrico.
Virtual Revolutionary War Workshop Series. Three virtual workshops from Genealogical Research Institute of Virginia, scattered throughout the summer, beginning with Interpreting Colonial Handwriting. Examine handwriting scripts used during Colonial times for a better understanding of the writing, terminology, spelling variations, and more. First workshop: June 29, 1 to 3 p.m., online.
Virginia Is For Music Lovers: Listening Session and Artist Talk. See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.
Southern Soul Music Festival. Featuring Donnie Ray, The Legacy Band, and a guest DJ. June 29, 6 p.m., at Powhatan Fairgrounds, Powhatan.
Pocahontas Premieres: Brooke McBride w/ Jimmy Fitch. See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.
Summer Sounds Performing Arts Concert. Petersburg Area Art League presents Gennine Francis performing hits from Whitney Houston, Gladys Knight, Anita Baker, Sade, Norah Jones, and more. June 29, 7:30 p.m., at Old Towne Civic Center, Petersburg.
Dogwood Dell 67th Festival of the Arts: The KOS Band. See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.
Fireworks on the Appomattox. Hopewell presents its annual fireworks display, fired from a barge on the river. The display is best viewed from TriCities Hospital, the Hopewell Riverwalk, the Hopewell City Marina, and City Park. Much of the display will also be visible from points in historic downtown Hopewell. June 29, 9:30 p.m., Hopewell.
Sunday, June 30
Local Authors Day at the South of the James Market. Ten Richmond-based authors in a diversity of topics and genre from fiction and poetry to nonfiction present and sign books and visit with guests. Authors include Boomer writers Lee “The Beer Guy” Graves, Annie Tobey, Robin Farmer, and AnneMoss Rogers, plus Poe expert Chris Semtner and more. All alongside dozens of local growers, producers, and makers. June 30, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Forest Hill Park, Richmond.
Mechanicsville Coin Show. U.S., foreign, and ancient coins and currency. FREE admission and appraisals. June 30, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Jewelry and Watch Works, Mechanicsville.
Dogwood Dell 67th Festival of the Arts: Flamy Grant. An award-winning, Billboard-charting artist performs folk, gospel, and Christian music. FREE. June 30, 8 p.m., at Dogwood Dell, Richmond.
Tuesday, July 2
Front Lawn Fun. Kids’ games of the past, like jacks, Jacob’s ladders, and Yo-Yos, plus more kids’ fun (recommended for elementary to middle school). Tuesdays in July, 10 a.m. to noon each day, at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, Richmond.
“Buried Child.” Sam Shepard’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play explores the disintegration of the American Dream through the eyes of a dysfunctional family in rural Illinois. Long-buried family secrets are unearthed, including a haunting mystery in the backyard. “Buried Child” explores themes of decay, denial, and the inescapable grip of the past, as Shepard powerfully critiques the disillusionment with traditional values in contemporary America. July 2 and 3 are pay-what-you-will preview performances. Runs July 5 to 21 at Firehouse Theatre, Richmond.
Wednesday, July 3
The Richmond Kickers RED OUT. Wear red – or be among the first 2,500 fans for the red T-shirt giveaway – for this nationally televised soccer match vs. Forward Madison FC. July 3, 7 p.m., at City Stadium, Richmond.
Thursday, July 4
Free Fourth of July at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. Admission to the gardens and “Women’s Work” exhibit, with food available for purchase. July 4, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Richmond.
Liberty or Death Reenactment Day. Go to the room where it happened. Historic St. John’s Church is open all day, with tours, the reenactment of the Virginia Assembly and Patrick Henry’s stirring speech (at 1:30 p.m.), and a reading of the Declaration of Independence. July 4, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Historic St. John’s Church, Richmond.
Naturalization Ceremony at VMHC. Celebrate America’s newest citizens at a naturalization ceremony (limited seating but also streamed live) followed by Ukrop’s cake, lemonade, and live music, followed by American Treasures on display and an in-gallery scavenger hunt. July 4, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, Richmond.
Hanover Arts Fourth of July Celebration. A parade, patriotic concert with a presentation of colors, food and drinks benefiting nonprofits, an apple pie baking contest, classic lawn games, and prizes for patriotic pets. July 4, 11 a.m., along Hanover Avenue, Ashland.
Red, White and Lights. Henrico County celebrates Independence Day. Live music, kids’ zone, and food trucks. Henrico Police Acoustic Blue Band, J. Roddy Walston, and Richmond Symphony present patriotic and America-themed selections, with a laser-light show finale. FREE. July 4, 4 to 10 p.m., at Meadow Farm Museum at Crump Park, Glen Allen.
Independence Day at the Virginia State Capitol. Engage with the meaning of freedom through performances of spoken word, dance, and music, followed by unifying and inspiring keynote remarks and a special finale. FREE, RSVP requested. July 4, 5 to 9 p.m., at Capitol Square, Richmond.
Chesterfield Fourth of July Celebration. Kids’ zone, food vendors, live music by The Morgan Lynsey Band, special entertainment, fireworks, and more. FREE. July 4, 5 p.m., at Chesterfield County Fairgrounds, Chesterfield.
Dogwood Dell 67th Festival of the Arts: “The Big Show.” July 4, 5:30 p.m., at Dogwood Dell, Richmond.
Tri-City Chili Peppers Independence Day Celebration. Hot baseball and even hotter fireworks. July 4, 5:45 p.m. (game time 7 p.m.), at Shepard Stadium, Hopewell.
Richmond Flying Squirrels vs. Bowie Baysox. Go Nutz and have Funn with professional baseball, giveaways, and fireworks on featured nights. For your chance to score a pair of free tickets, follow our Tuesday Boomer newsletter or Facebook. July 4 to 6 at The Diamond, Richmond.
“Doctor Faustus.” The Richmond Shakespeare Festival continues with Christopher Marlowe’s classic tragedy. A brilliant, embittered, and solitary academic has exhausted the confines of human knowledge. Frustrated with the futility of religion, law, and science he is desperate for a deeper understanding of the universe – and for fame. He makes a deal with the devil: absolute knowledge and infinite power in exchange for his soul. July 4 to 21, Thursday through Sunday evenings, at Agecroft Hall, Richmond.
Road Trips
In the Commonwealth Where It Happened
“1776: The Musical” at Poplar Forest. Founding Fathers take the stage in this rousing musical that details the events leading to the signing of the Declaration of Independence, capturing the spirit of the Revolutionary Era. June 27 to 29, 7:30 p.m. nightly, at Poplar Forest, Lynchburg.
Independence Day Celebration at Poplar Forest. Head to Thomas Jefferson’s historic retreat home for colonial-style entertainment, artisans, games, and more, including a reading of the Declaration of Independence at 1:30 p.m. July 4, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Poplar Forest, Lynchburg.
Liberty Celebration at Yorktown. Salute the 248th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown with a patriotic lineup of artillery demonstrations and interpretive programs that explore the challenges that faced our nation’s founders, including those who signed the Declaration of Independence and those for whom the new nation’s rights of freedom and liberty did not yet apply. A special art program engage visitors in examining American identity. Special event included with museum admission. July 4, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown.
July 4 at Colonial Williamsburg. Free admission to the Historic Area and Art Museums plus special programming, including fireworks, musical performances, Declaration of Independence readings, street theater, and much more. July 4 at Colonial Williamsburg.
News & Announcements
New season features more local celebs
Legends on Grace New Season Announced. The upcoming season highlights a different genre with each performance including a holiday show. Season subscriptions are available now. Single ticket options open on Aug. 1. All performances at Bob & Sally Mooney Hall at Dominion Energy Center, Richmond.
- Americana Folk Rock: Frank Coleman, Chris Fuller, and Brad Tucker. Oct. 26, 8 p.m.
- A Jazzy Holiday! Desirée Roots, Georgia Rogers Farmer, and Scott Wichmann. Dec. 7, 8 p.m., and Dec. 8, 2 p.m.
- Heart & Soul: Ms. Jaylin Brown. Feb. 15, 2025, 8 p.m.
- ’70s Pop Night! The Super Sugar Beats. April 26, 2025, 8 p.m.
Click here to make plans with this list of events to come and ongoing exhibitions and performances.
Follow What’s Booming on Boomer, updated every Thursday.
And sign up at the bottom of our website for our twice-weekly newsletter.
