More What’s Booming RVA: April 25 to May 2
A week of events, road trips, and announcements
Spring into action with plant sales, a celebration of indie bookstores, Shakespearean fun, Tai Chi, and more – plus down-the-road events. What’s Booming in Richmond, Virginia, April 25 to May 2, 2024.
Check out the 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.
April 25 to May 2
Thursday, April 25
Appalachia on the Table. Erica Abrams Locklear explores Appalachian food scripts: representations of foods consumed, implied moral judgments about those foods, and how those judgments shape reader perceptions of those depicted. April 25, 6 p.m., at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, Richmond.
Cuban Spectacular: A Night at the Tropicana. A multimedia show featuring the UR Jazz Ensemble and guest pianist, composer, and multi-Grammy award winner Arturo O’Farrill. FREE, registration required. April 25, 7:30 p.m., at Alice Jepson Theatre, University of Richmond.
“Disney’s Descendants: The Musical.” The new musical is packed with comedy, adventure, Disney characters, and hit songs, based on popular Disney Channel original movies. Presented by VCUarts Theatre. Through April 28 at the W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts, Richmond.
Richmond Restaurant Week Spring 2024. Enjoy a three-course price-fixed meal at one of more than 30 restaurants for just $35.24. And the best part, $5.24 of every meal is donated to help FeedMore help neighbors in need. Through April 28, at various Central Virginia restaurants.
Richmond Fashion Week. A variety of shows featuring jewelry makers, successful and emerging designers, a showcase from the high-end Richmond boutique Liznel, Spring Finale Show, and Richmond Fashion Week Awards Gala. Through April 28 at various venues in Richmond.
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 Boomer newsletters or Facebook. Through April 28 at The Diamond, Richmond.
Friday, April 26
Dorey Day. Bounce house, giant slide, Miss Sheri the Clown, outdoor games, arts and crafts, and fitness demos. Concessions available for purchase. Raffle prizes. April 26, 4 to 7 p.m., at Dorey Park, Henrico.
Grave Artistry: New Findings from the J. Henry Brown Order Books. Library of Virginia has acquired more volumes of Richmond grave marker orders, from 1928 to 1958. Refreshments, sample volumes, and discussion about the order books and what they reveal for families and researchers. April 26, 5:15 to 7:30 p.m., at the Library of Virginia, Richmond.
New Exhibitions. Donna Frostick, “The Myth of Memory,” collage; Robert Wilhelm, “Unnatural Selection,” sculpture; Farida Hughes, “Embedded Poetries,” painting; Susanne K. Arnold, “Art in the Time of Coronavirus: Circe’s Garden,” mixed media; Lee Hazelgrove, “After the Smoke Clears,” ceramics; Elizabeth Magness, “New Works,” painting; and Ed Tepper, “Fusion Art,” woodcuts. Opening reception, April 26, 6 to 9 p.m. Artist talks, April 27, 2 p.m. Exhibitions run through May 18. Artspace, Richmond.
Three Performances of “A Little Night Music.” See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.
Treasures of the Earth. The gem, mineral, and jewelry show features vendors from across the U.S. alongside Virginia rocks, minerals, and dinosaur bones. April 26 to 28 at Richmond Raceway Complex, Richmond.
RavenCon 17. A fan-led science fiction and fantasy convention with fans and professionals sharing interests in literature, art, gaming, costuming, music, and more. April 26 to 28 at Virginia Crossings by Hilton, Glen Allen.
Saturday, April 27
Herbs Galore. Spice up your garden (and table) at this “perennial” favorite plant sale of herbs, annuals, perennials, vegetable, accessories, and more. April 27, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Maymont Carriage House Lawn, Richmond.
Wood River Run. The 5k run celebrates nature, community, and the memory of Christian Wood, a young man who loved the James River Park. Well-behaved leashed dogs and strollers are welcome. The event benefits the park. April 27, 9 a.m., at Pony Pasture Park, Richmond.
World Tai Chi & QiGong Day. Lion dancers, demonstrations, and Tai Chi and Qi Gong lessons alongside peace and harmony. Audience can participate or be entertained. All ages and ability levels welcome. April 27, 9:30 a.m. to noon, at Eastern Henrico Recreation Center, Henrico.
Craft and Plant Sale Fundraiser. Pick up crafts and plants, tour Historic Castlewood and the period herb garden, and benefit Historic Point of Rocks. Sponsored by the Chesterfield Historical Society of Virginia. April 27, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Castlewood, Chesterfield.
Medication Take-Back. Help prevent drug abuse and protect the environment by turning in unused or expired medications. April 27, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Wegmans, Midlothian.
Ashland Train Day. See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.
Farm Field Day. Learn about agricultural practices, trades, and crafts of days past. Local craftsmen and businesses will be demonstrating their trades and selling wares. Create crafts, enjoy folk music and food trucks, and learn about farm practices. April 27, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Meadow Farm, Glen Allen.
Shakespeare’s Birthday: A Celebration of the Bard. See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.
Swine & Brine. See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.
Independent Bookstore Day. Drop by Central Virginia’s indie bookstores for chances to win prizes, support local businesses, and get your next great read! Stores include: Fountain Bookstore, The Book Bar, BBGB, and Shelf Life, in Richmond; The Little Bookshop and Midlothian Book Exchange, Midlothian; Book People, Henrico; and Resist Booksellers, Petersburg.
Plunky & Oneness of Juju. See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.
“The Impending Crisis.” A new exhibition looks at events, individuals, and topics that led to the division of the U.S. on the verge of civil war. Beginning April 27 at the American Civil War Museum, Richmond.
Sunday, April 28
John McCutcheon. The acclaimed folksinger and multi-instrumentalist brings versatility, wit, and warmth to Richmond. April 28, 7 p.m., at The Tin Pan, Richmond.
Tuesday, April 30
The Writing Show: Ask an Agent. Literary agent Rick Lewis answers burning questions about this step in the book publishing process. April 30, 6 to 8 p.m., at The Innerwork Center, Richmond.
RPAA’s Women Take the Stage. Richmond Performing Arts Alliance’s Women’s Leadership Council presents its 5th Annual Women Take the Stage event. Guest speaker Joye B. Moore (owner of JOYEBELLS Desserts, entertainer, advocate for mental health wellness) leads a discussion to “Keep Moving!” Joined by panelists Sheila E. Battle, Chelsea Buyalos, and Desirée Dabney. April 30, 4:30 p.m., at Carpenter Theatre, Richmond.
Dining with Shakespeare Tours. As part of the month-long celebration of the bard’s 460th birthday, participants learn about culinary customs in the Elizabethan era; explore seasonal culinary displays; and take home period recipes to try on their own. April 30, 6 to 7:30 p.m., at Agecroft Hall, Richmond.
“Butch and Sundance Do India.” Siblings go on a madcap search for their father’s WWII footsteps from Delhi to Burma in Robin Traywick Williams’s newest book. Join the author and journalist, known for sophisticated wit and stories. April 30, 7 to 9 p.m., at Book People, Richmond.
Thursday, May 2
“The Forgotten Battle of Wapping Heights.” Dr. Timothy Orr, associate professor of military history at ODU, discusses the battle also known as the Battle of Manassas Gap. May 2, 7 p.m., at Pamplin Historical Park Education Center, North Dinwiddie.
“Fiddler on the Roof.” Broken Leg Theater presents the entertaining and moving musical. Tevye, a poor, small-town milkman in Russia, and his wife and five daughters face the tensions of traditional values versus changing social mores alongside the growing anti-Semitism of Czarist Russia. May 2 to 5 at Perkinson Center, Chester.
Road trips
Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival – 100th Anniversary. Celebrate spring and its beautiful blooms – plus the promise of apples! Live music, swag, parade, wine, carnival, cider tastings and orchard tours, dance parties, country music party, celebrities, and more. April 26 to May 5 in Winchester, Virginia.
Life, Liberty & Happiness: New Perspectives on Founding Ideas. The Valentine and James Madison’s Montpelier explore religious freedom, democracy, and the U.S. Constitution. Panelists discuss faith and practice, equal protection under the law, and the responsibility to tell the “whole history.” April 27, 2 to 4 p.m., at Montpelier, Virginia.
Conversations. Thomas Jefferson and the Marquis de Lafayette recall the tests and triumphs of the American Revolution, on the occasion of the Marquis’ return to our newly formed nation. April 27, 7 p.m., at Academy Center of the Arts, Lynchburg, Virginia.
Announcements
Headliners, teacher love, and theatre
Rumours ATL Coming to Groovin’ in the Garden. The fourth 2024 Groovin’ concert features a favorite Fleetwood Mac cover band. Tickets go on sale on April 26, 10 a.m., at LewiGinter.org and at Plan 9 Records. Concert on Aug. 22, 7 to 10 p.m., at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Richmond.
Diana Ross: Beautiful Love Performances. The iconic, legendary singer was known as the leader of The Supremes and for her solo work. Presale through April 25 at 10 p.m. (use code ALT24), public ticket sales begin April 26, 10 a.m. Concert on Oct. 22, 7:30 p.m., at Altria Theater, Richmond.
Teacher Appreciation Tuesdays. Teachers get a FREE $10 Power Card to use on classic arcade games, air hockey, and more. Tuesdays through July 30, beginning at 11 a.m., at Dave and Busters, Glen Allen.
Virginia Repertory Theatre 2024 – 2025 Seasons Announced:
November Theatre
- “Misery,” Aug. 31 to Sept. 29
- “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” Nov. 30 to Jan. 5, 2025
- “Fat Ham,” March 1 to 23, 2025
- “Waitress,” June 21 to Aug. 3, 2025
Barksdale at Hanover Tavern
- “Ken Ludwig’s Moriarty,” Dec 13 to Jan. 19, 2025
- “Dial M for Murder,” March 29 to April 27, 2025
Click here to make plans with this list of events to come and ongoing exhibitions and performances.
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