More What’s Booming RVA: Jan. 16 to 23
A week of entertaining and inspiring events plus a day trip and news
Be inspired by art – inside and out – tap your toes to music, honor Martin Luther King Jr., have fun with Poe’s b’day, and plan ahead with our event news list. In What’s Booming, Richmond, Virginia, January 16 to 23, 2025.
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.
January 16 to 23, 2025
Thursday, January 16
RVA Green Drinks: Invasive Species. Gera Williams, Invasive Species Specialist with the James River Park System, discusses the plants, their problems, and solutions. Part of RVA Green Drinks monthly look at sustainability. Jan. 16, 5:30 p.m., at River City Roll, Richmond.
Teacher Program: The Art of Argument. Educators learn to use objects from VMFA’s collection to design learning experiences for students that inspire, enhance, and hone their argumentative skills. FREE, registration required. Jan. 16, 6 to 7:30 p.m., at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond.
Four New Exhibits Open. Meet the artists and view their works: “Weight of My Faith” from Ben Stellmacher; “How We Escape Reality: The Paintings of Michael & Daniel Goodman,” presenting off-beat humor and well-attired animals; “Energy Garden” from Julian Desta; and “Adorn Me” with handcrafted jewelry from multiple artists. Wine and beer cash bar benefits ArtReach. Jan. 16, 6 to 8 p.m., at The Cultural Arts Center, Glen Allen.
Used Book Sale Benefiting VMHC. Stock your library and support VMHC initiatives. Museum admission not required to shop. Through Jan. 20, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, Richmond.
MLK Week Observances. See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.
Friday, January 17
January 2025 Open House and Artist Reception. See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.
Sculpture Exhibition: Rich Soil Speaking Event. Artist Kristine Mays addresses her exhibit “Rich Soil,” which honors the lives of ancestors through 29 life-sized sculptures. Inspired by Alvin Ailey’s Revelation, Mays’ work reflects on those who lived, worked, and tended the land. Saajida Chohan of the Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia joins Mays to discuss why this exhibit holds special significance for Virginia. (Feature photo, top: Courtesy Kristine Mays.) Exhibit opens Jan. 18. Artist talk on Jan. 17, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Richmond.
Double Vision: The Foreigner Experience. Some top NYC musicians deliver their tribute to the classic rock band. Jan. 17, doors at 6:30 p.m., at The Beacon Theatre, Hopewell.
Sharon Rae North & Rob Zinn. Master vocalist Sharon Rae North showcases her tone, phrasing, articulation, and interpretation of lyrics. Veteran vocalist, trumpeter, and flugelhornist Rob Zinn brings high energy, with covers and originals. Jan. 17, 8 p.m., at The Tin Pan, Richmond.
Saturday, January 18
Symbols and Sentiment of Blandford Cemetery, Part Two. Explore 300 years of history through the symbols, epitaphs, mausoleums, crypts, and statues through a PowerPoint presentation from Martha Atkinson. FREE. Jan. 18, noon to 1 p.m., at Magnolia Grange, Chesterfield.
Writing Workshop with Dr. Adina Silvestri. The workshop offers a supportive space to explore the power of expressive writing for emotional processing and self-discovery. FREE. Jan. 18, 1 to 2:30 p.m., at Book People, Richmond.
Health Equity Community Conversation: Powerful Legacies. Black communities continue to face disproportionately negative health outcomes. Creating pathways to address these disparities through education and awareness is crucial. Dr. Newby-Alexander leads a discussion on the historical development of healthcare for Black communities, from slavery to today, exploring the deep-rooted issues of racism, inequality, and healthcare and their lasting impact on African Americans. Jan. 18, 2 to 4 p.m., at the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia, Richmond.
Brickwall Jackson. See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.
Pops – The Celebration of Black Music in Film. See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.
Greenberg’s Train & Toy Show. More than 250 tables of trains for sale, 50+ exhibitors, model train displays, workshops and demonstrations, and more. Jan. 18 to 19 at Richmond Raceway Complex, Richmond.
Sunday, January 19
Artisan Market at Strangeways. Sip and shop handmade items by local artists and makers selling home décor, jewelry, woodworking, apparel, and more. Jan. 19, noon to 5 p.m., at Strangeways Brewing in Scott’s Addition, Richmond.
POE BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS CONTINUE
- The Ghoul-Haunted Woodland: A Poe-Themed Tour of St. John’s Graveyard / A Lyrical Tour by Dean Knight. On the anniversary of Poe’s birth. Jan. 19, 2 to 3 p.m., at Historic St. John’s Church, Richmond.
- Drink & Draw RVA: A Poe Birthday Session with Brit Austin. Live model drawing event for artists of all skill levels, hosted and taught by a local artist. Jan. 19, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., at Gallery5, Richmond.
- Gallery5 Listening Room. Musical acts and literary readings. Jan. 19, 7 to 10 p.m., at Gallery5, Richmond.
Celebrate MLK with the Richmond Symphony. A chamber concert for all ages honoring Martin Luther King Jr. and celebrating his inspiring message. Jan. 19, 3 p.m., at Dominion Energy Center, Richmond.
Mary Anne Rennolds Chamber Music Concert Series: Time for Three. TF3, a Grammy- and Emmy-winning ensemble, showcases their abilities across different genres, including classical and Americana. Jan. 19, 3 to 5 p.m., at Sonia Vlahcevic Concert Hall, VCU, Richmond.
Blake Christiana of YARN. The musician has shared stages with stars such as Dwight Yoakam, Charlie Daniels, Marty Stuart, Allison Krauss, and Leon Russell and appeared at Mountain Stage, Daytrotter, the Fox Theater in Boulder, South by Southwest, Floydfest, and many more, accumulating over 1,000 shows. Jan. 19, 7 p.m., at The Tin Pan, Richmond.
Monday, January 20
Genealogical Virtual Event: Winter Lunch & Learn. What have you been doing lately, genealogically speaking? Participants share books, research, and trips and ask questions of others. Hosted by GRIVA, the Genealogical Institute of Virginia. FREE, registration required. Jan. 20, noon, online.
Tuesday, January 21
Vegan Food & Drink Week 2025. See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.
Wednesday, January 22
Virtual Talk on Making the “General Map of Virginia.” Learn about the ambitious 19th-century mapping project that resulted in the first official map of the Commonwealth, published in 1826. Presented by the Library of Virginia. Jan. 22, noon to 1 p.m., online.
All You Need Is Love. Immerse yourself in an all-star celebration of The Beatles. Jan. 22, doors at 6:30, at The Beacon Theatre, Hopewell.
Thursday, January 23
Pop-Up Art Market Benefit. The nonprofit night at RVA Galleries benefits Friends of James River Park. Jan. 23, 5:30 to 8 p.m., at RVA Galleries, Richmond.
Cecily. Vocalist and songwriter Cecily (pronounced Ses-Suh-Lee) is known for her agile soprano and honest lyrics. The DC native has a rich, soothing sound rooted in mid-century soul and jazz. Often drawing comparisons to Minnie Riperton and Amel Larrieux, her music is imbued with a sensuality that informs her vocal approach and her self-reflecting lyrics. Jan. 23, 8 p.m., at The Tin Pan, Richmond.
“Constellations.” One relationship. Infinite possibilities. Marianne and Roland meet at a party. They go for a drink, or not. They fall madly in love and start dating, but eventually break up. After a chance encounter they get back together, or maybe Marianne reveals that she’s now engaged to someone else. … Constellations is a play about free will and friendship; it’s also about quantum multiverse theory, love, and honey. From Yes And! Theatrical Co. Jan. 23 to Feb. 8 at Firehouse Theatre, Richmond.
Road Trip
Chow down in Williamsburg
Williamsburg Area Restaurant Week. It’s your chance to get a taste Williamsburg’s delicious culinary scene, with exclusive multi-course menus and deals designed to celebrate the region’s diverse and growing food scene. Through Jan. 19 at various restaurants, Williamsburg.
Lots of News to Know!
Michelangelo and Ken Burns, plus news from SMV, Williamsburg flowers, ACWM, VMHC kicks off America’s 250th anniversary, and Paula Poundstone
“Michelangelo: The Genesis of the Sistine.” The new exhibition opens on the 550th anniversary of Michelangelo’s birth and will be the first major exhibition presented in the newly renovated Muscarelle. Exhibition runs March 6 to May 28 at the Muscarelle Museum of Art, Williamsburg.
Special events include:
- Community Grand Opening of the new Muscarelle: Feb. 8, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- “Michelangelo: The Genesis of the Sistine” Curator’s Opening Lecture with Adriano Marinazzo: March 18, 5 p.m.
- Virtual Book Talk: “Michelangelo and the Pope’s Ceiling” with Muscarelle Director David Brashear and New York Times-bestselling author Ross King: March 30, 2 p.m.
- “Michelangelo & Titian: A Tale of Titans,” a lecture with internationally recognized Michelangelo scholar William E. Wallace: April 8, 5 p.m.
- “Michelangelo: The Tomb and the Vault,” a lecture with exhibition curator Adriano Marinazzo about connections between Michelangelo’s original project for the Tomb of Pope Julius II and his Sistine ceiling paintings: April 28, 5 p.m.
Science Museum of Virginia Announces 2025 Programming Schedule. Highlights include:
Exhibitions
- “Towers of Tomorrow with LEGOⓇ Bricks” opens Saturday, Feb. 1. Celebrating architecture and design, this hands-on exhibition showcases 20 of the world’s most iconic skyscrapers from North America, Asia, and Australia, plus LEGO bricks for guests to build their own creations.
- New permanent astronomy exhibition “Orbit” launches late spring, featuring custom, interactive exhibits.
- “Ultimate Dinosaurs” debuts May 31 with 20 prehistoric creatures from the Southern Hemisphere and augmented reality to transform the skeletons into moving, flesh-and-bones animals from the Mesozoic Era.
Festivals
- GLOW returns on February 1 with hands-on activities, live demos, and special laser shows.
- Earth Day festival-style event April 19 brings together dozens of community partners educating guests on composting, bike infrastructure, solar power, recycling, watershed restoration, native plants and pollinators, and more.
- Virginia crafters unite for Well Made, the Science Museum’s inaugural artistic craft maker event on Sept. 26–27, showcasing the creativity and science behind all things.
- Model Railroad Show returns Nov. 28 to 30, its 48th year.
“On the Battlefield” 2025 Symposium. Includes a program on significant battlefield artifacts from the ACWM collection, a reception with symposium speakers, scholars’ lectures on the course of the Civil War as part of the ACWM initiative “The Civil War & Remaking America,” and a panel discussion. Feb. 21 and 22 at the American Civil War Museum, Richmond.
Virginia Museum of History & Culture Kicks Off America’s 250th Anniversary with Spring 2025 Exhibition. “Give Me Liberty: Virginia & the Forging of a Nation” opens as the first major show for the anniversary commemoration, accompanied by traveling presentations across the state. The exhibition delves into Virginia’s important role in the American Revolution, exploring the confluence of continental and global forces as well as the actions of both iconic and often-overlooked people who together established a new nation and changed the world. The opening coincides with the anniversary of Patrick Henry’s “liberty or death” speech, on March 23, 1775. March 22 to Jan. 4, 2026, at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture.
Other VMHC 250th Anniversary Exhibitions and Events:
- Revolution Revisited podcast
- Virginia Explorer Virtual Tour: Launches winter 2025
- Un/Bound: Free Black Virginians, 1619-1865: June 14 to July 5, 2026
- We The People: March 14, 2026 to Jan. 3, 2027
- Sail250 with Tall Ships RVA: June 12 to 15, 2026
- IllumiNATION: June to July 2026
Documentary Preview with Ken Burns. The award-winning filmmaker and his co-director, Sarah Botstein, preview the upcoming documentary, “The American Revolution.” The film screening (official release is fall 2025) is followed by a panel discussion including Burns, his co-director, and three historians who participated in the film. March 23, 7 p.m., at Altria Theater, Richmond.
Colonial Williamsburg’s Annual Garden Symposium. Curators, archaeologists, and gardeners from Colonial Williamsburg, plus award-winning authors, gardeners, landscape architects, naturalists, and horticulturalists. Presentations address topics such as the influence of imported prints on Virginia’s early gardens, spring flowering bulbs, gardening in the context of the Age of Exploration, and the horticultural impact of three cultures fusing into a new world during the 17th and 18th centuries. Virtual option. April 10 to 12 in Colonial Williamsburg.
Paula Poundstone. The iconic comedian is known for observational humor and spontaneous wit. She is the star of several HBO specials and is a regular panelist on NPR’s comedy news quiz, “Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!” and heard weekly on her successful comedy podcast, Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone. June 20, 8 p.m., at The Tin Pan, Richmond.
Click here to make plans with this list of events to come and ongoing exhibitions and performances.
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