More What’s Booming RVA: August 22 to 29
A week of entertaining and inspiring events plus announcements
A beautiful week ahead as the summer wanes in Richmond! Soak up the sun and the fun at outdoor events, eat crabs and craft spirits, immerse yourself in Vincent Van Gogh, learn history – including Maybelle Carter and the Carter sisters right here in the region, Civil War spies, and WWII – watch pigs race, and more, right here in RVA, August 22 to 29.
Also check out:
- Boomer’s Top 5 picks in RVA this week,
- Browse the week ahead below, and
- Go to our updated events page for Down the Road happenings and ongoing exhibitions and performances.
August 22 to 29
Thursday, August 22
UnHappy Hour: Poe Goes Punk. Bat Boy and Doll Baby and Teens in Trouble perform, and Irish Wake Tarot provides for all your tarot needs. Beer and mead available from Funktastic Meads & Beer and food from TBT El Gallo. August 22, 6 to 9 p.m., at The Poe Museum, Richmond.
Groovin’ in the Garden. Featuring the Fleetwood Mac cover band, Rumours ATL. August 22, 7 p.m., in the Cochrane Rose Garden at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Richmond.
“Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience”: A Boomer review
Westchester Concert Series: Inside Out Band. Live music on the field, chairs and blankets encouraged, and food and drink available. August 22, 5:30 to 8:30, at Westchester Concert Field, Midlothian.
“Never Such a Campaign: The Battle of Second Manassas, August 28 to 30, 1862.” Virtual book talk with authors Dan Welch and Kevin Pawlak. Hosted by the American Civil War Museum. FREE. August 22, 6:30 p.m., online.
Richmond Flying Squirrels vs. Altoona Curve. Go Nutz and have Funn with professional baseball, giveaways, and fireworks on featured nights. Through Aug. 25 at The Diamond, Richmond.
Friday, August 23
Backyard Game Time. All ages can play backyard games, including badminton, cornhole, bocce, and more, on the patio and lawn. Aug. 23, 6 to 8 p.m., at Deep Run Park, Henrico.
Justin Willman: Illusionati Tour. See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.
Jayson Tipp featuring Ellis Hamilton. The billboard charting keyboardist and composer Jayson Tipp and Billboard #1 recording artist Ellis Hamilton present an evening of contemporary jazz. Aug. 23, 8 p.m., at The Tin Pan, Richmond.
“Firebringer.” The theatrical presentation of Jemilla the Peacemaker, who civilizes her people and gives them purpose, assigning each member of the tribe their own job to ensure the tribe’s safety and productivity. (Note: adult language throughout the show.) Take lawn chairs, blankets, snacks, and enjoy the performance. Aug. 23 to 25 at Dogwood Dell, Richmond.
Chesterfield County Fair. See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.
Opening Exhibit of Works by Artist Alumni of Virginia Atelier in Paris. The display of works by artists who have been residents of the Virginia Atelier at the Cité International des Arts in Paris, including visual art, poetry, and music. Exhibit runs from Aug. 23 to Sept. 21 at Artspace, Richmond.
Saturday, August 24
Central Virginia Coin Club Show. U.S., foreign, and ancient coins and currency to buy, sell, and trade. Free parking, admission, and appraisals. Raffle tickets available with prizes. ANACS will be onsite accepting submissions for grading. Aug. 24, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at Ivey Memorial Church, South Chesterfield.
Crabs, Beer & Spirits by the James. All-you-can-eat crabs, live music, DJs, vendors, and more. Aug. 24, noon to 8 p.m., at Kanawha Plaza, Richmond.
Mother Maybelle and the Carter Sisters in Henrico. Henrico was once home to Mother Maybelle and the Carter girls! Come learn about their years in the county in the midst of their rise to fame in the country music world. Learn about people, events, and iconic radio broadcasts here that served as fuel in their meteoric rise to fame. Aug. 24, 2 to 3 p.m., at Meadow Farm Museum, Glen Allen.
“Avatar: The Last Airbender” in Concert. See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.
World War II in the Pacific. See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.
Sunday, August 25
All Abilities Sports Day. Friendship Circle of Virginia, Jacob’s Chance, and Sportable present an inclusive sporting event designed for individuals of all abilities (suggested age range 5-25). The event pairs attendees one to one with teen friends (volunteers) in the community for friendship and fun and gives them the opportunity to try different adaptive sports. Plus snacks, crafts, and a sensory area. Aug. 25, 2 to 4 p.m., at Deep Run High School, Glen Allen.
“UNMASK” Art Reception. Closing out the traveling art exhibit, which aims to bring attention to and encourage discussion about mental illness, for recognition of its pervasiveness and its impact and exploration of ways to grieve and heal. Supported by the NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) of Central Virginia. Aug. 25, 2 to 4 p.m., at Montpelier Center Ballroom, Montpelier.
Monday, August 26
“Ratify.” Honor Women’s Equality Day with Virginia’s debut of the film. The 100-year fight for an Equal Rights Amendment requires tending old wounds to build a truly inclusive movement. Aug. 26, 6:30 p.m., at The Byrd Theatre, Richmond.
Virginia Tango Fall Classes. Learn to dance among a community of other tango students. No need to bring a partner. Weekly classes run from Aug. 26 to Nov. 16 at Virginia Tango, Richmond.
Wednesday, August 28
Silver Screen Movie: “Trouble with the Curve.” Catch the PG-13 movie, with tickets and concessions just one dollar. Aug. 28, 10 a.m., at Henrico Theatre, Henrico.
Segregated But Educated: A Legacy of Hope. Poet and author Latorial Faison, assistant professor of English at Virginia State University and a Virginia Humanities HBCU Scholars Fellow, explores African American students’ perceptions of the segregated education experience in rural Virginia and how segregated Black schools served as meccas for inspiring, commissioning, and curating African American liberation and achievement, as well as the social prowess to navigate and survive a Jim Crow South. FREE. Aug. 28, noon to 1 p.m., at the Library of Virginia, Richmond.
Wine Down Wednesday – Spies & Smugglers in Underground Richmond. See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.
Deanna Bogart. With 40 years as a world-touring musician, Deanna Bogart is a five-time Blues Music Awards Horn Instrumentalist of the Year winner, including a 2023 win and a 2024 nomination. She has played on stages and at top festivals worldwide, and she has shared concerts with legends like Jimmy Buffett, B.B. King, James Brown, Johnny Copeland, and Ray Charles. Aug. 28, 8 to 10 p.m., at The Tin Pan, Richmond.
Thursday, August 29
“Misery.” Virginia Rep presents the spine-tingling drama by Stephen King, which follows a romance novelist who is rescued from a car crash by his “number one fan” and wakes up captive in her secluded home. Aug. 29 to Sept. 29 at November Theatre, Marjorie Arenstein Stage, Richmond.
News & Announcements
Virginia history dive + 1949 films
Conrad M. Hall History Symposium for Virginia History. Historians, practitioners, enthusiasts, and the public experience a day of presentations that highlight groundbreaking research into Virginia history around the theme of “Creation” in 16 panels of more than 40 experts. Presenters cover varied topics such as Virginia’s contributions to World War I, African American spirituals, podcasting to tell stories about the past, Virginia’s Rosenwald Schools, Virginia’s highway marker program, and more. Sept. 7, 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, Richmond.
New Ashland 1949 Film Series. Inspired by the rousing response to its 75th anniversary presentation of 1948 films, Ashland Theatre has announced a series of films from 1949. All tickets $5, films beginning at 7 p.m., at Ashland Theatre, Ashland.
- Sept. 16: “All the King’s Men,” Academy Award Best Picture 1949
- Oct. 21: “Dumbo,” the Disney classic film, originally released in 1941, was re-released in 1949
- Nov. 18: “I was a Male War Bride,” starring Cary Grant
- Dec. 16: “Little Women,” starring Elizabeth Taylor and Janet Leigh
- Jan. 13, 2025: “Adam’s Rib,” starring Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy
- Feb. 10, 2025: “They Live by Night,” starring Cathy O’Donnell and Farley Granger
- March 10, 2025: “Under Capricorn,” directed by Alfred Hitchcock
- April 14, 2025: “The Heiress,” starring Olivia de Havilland and Montgomery Clift
- May 12, 2025: “I Shot Jesse James,” starring Preston Foster and John Ireland
- June 16, 2025: “The Small Back Room,” starring David Farrar and Kathleen Byron
- July 14, 2025: “The Third Man,” starring Joseph Cotten, Alida Valli, and Orson Welles
- Aug. 11, 2025: “Jour de fête,” starring Jacques Tati and Paul Frankeur
Click here to make plans with this list of events to come and ongoing exhibitions and performances.
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