More What’s Booming RVA: Jan. 23 to 30
A week of entertainment plus Neil Diamond news
Catch the openings of theatrical performances and art exhibits and groove to diverse music from marimba to classical, dance, Pump House tours, mystery dinner theater, authors, ceramics, and more: events worth leaving your warm home for in “What’s Booming in RVA, January 23 to 30, 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 23 to 30, 2025
What’s happening in and around the Richmond region
Thursday, January 23
Pop-Up Art Market Benefit. The nonprofit night at RVA Galleries benefits Friends of James River Park. January 23, 5:30 to 8 p.m., at RVA Galleries, Richmond.
Cecily. See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.
“Constellations.” See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.
Vegan Food & Drink Week 2025 Continues. Discover (or confirm!) that vegan food can be yummy, not just healthy. More than 25 local businesses offer unique and delicious vegan options for everyone. Through Jan. 26 at various locations in and around Richmond.
Friday, January 24
EMSW Community Conversation. Connecting the ongoing East Marshall Street Well Project with the legacy of MLK. Jan. 24, 5:30 p.m., at VCU Health Hub, Richmond.
Geno Marriott & The Spirit of Jazz. Presenting the American jazz musician, producer, and entrepreneur, aka “GMusic.” Jan. 24, 8 p.m., at The Tin Pan, Richmond.
“The Diary of Anne Frank.” The award-winning drama has been newly adapted, for an even deeper exploration of a Jewish family’s claustrophobic and tragic existence during World War II. Heartwarming, honest, and impassioned. Jan. 24 to Feb. 15 at Swift Creek Mill Theatre, South Chesterfield.
4th Friday Art Shows and Opening Reception. Showcasing Simply Photography, from artists throughout Virginia; solo shows by Justin Sellers and Mandy Powell; and an all-media show from Virginia artists. Jan. 24, 6 to 8 p.m., at Art Works, Richmond.
Two Art Exhibits Commemorating Black Labor. See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.
Monuments. Violinist Nicholas Dieugenio presents sonatas and partitas for solo violin by Johann Sebastian Bach. Jan. 24, 7 p.m., at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Richmond.
BODYTRAFFIC. The forward-thinking L.A. dance company presents an eclectic range of styles and perspectives to tell vital stories. Jan. 24, 7:30 p.m., at Alice Jepson Theatre, University of Richmond.
Camden Whitehead: A Visual Manifesto. See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.
Saturday, January 25
Homegrown Health Fair. Health experts and local vendors from small farmers and producers join to offer enlightenment opportunities to the public. RSVP requested. Jan. 25, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Montpelier Center for Arts & Education, Montpelier.
2025 Writers Round Up. Meet local authors, chat about books and writing, and purchase signed copies. Jan 25, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Powhatan Public Library, Powhatan.
Making History with LVA. Learn how to help our state archives transcribe handwritten pages and historical newspapers in this volunteer training session. FREE, registration required. Jan. 25, noon to 2 p.m., at the Library of Virginia, Richmond.
Pump House Tours. Explore the historic Pump House on a 45-minute tour led by James River Park staff. FREE. Jan. 24, tours at 1 and 2 p.m., at Pump House Park, Richmond.
Finding Light in the Darkness: Helen Keller. Learn more about the extraordinary life of Helen Keller, who learned to express herself despite being blind and deaf. Jan. 25, 2 to 3 p.m., at Meadow Farm Museum at Crump Park, Glen Allen.
Rhythms of Life with the Harnsberger-Jones Marimba Duo. Exhilarating works, including original compositions, for solo and duo marimbas, including “In the Midst of Darkness” and “Sequoia.” FREE. Jan. 25, 3:30 p.m., at Grace Baptist Church, Richmond.
VCU Health System Walk. Jan. 25, 4 to 6 p.m., starting at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU. Program at Kontos Medical Science Building, Richmond.
The Dinner Detective Comedy Mystery Dinner Show. Solve a hilarious mystery while feasting on dinner. Just beware! The culprit is hiding in plain sight somewhere in the room, and you may find yourself as a prime suspect! Jan. 25, 6 to 9 p.m., at Hilton Richmond Hotel, Richmond.
The Man in Black: A Tribute to Johnny Cash. Musician Shawn Barker embodies the character, spirit, and sound of the beloved musician. Jan. 25, doors at 6:30 p.m., at The Beacon Theatre, Hopewell.
En’Novation Band. The Richmond-based band brings smooth vocal and harmonies, showcasing oldies and current hits. Jan. 25, 7:30 p.m., at Perkinson Center, Chester.
“O’Keeffe!” Journey with artist Georgia O’Keeffe from 1915 when she tears up her work and starts over in black and white to discover her own style. Jan. 25, 8 p.m., and Jan. 26, 4 p.m., at Robert B. Moss Theatre, Richmond.
Puccini’s Tosca – Two Performances. It’s the composer’s masterpiece of intrigue and betrayal, of obsession and deception. For her first opera with the Richmond Symphony, Valentina Peleggi conducts. Starring Jennifer Rowley in the title role. Jan. 25, 8 to 11 p.m., and Jan. 26, 3 to 6 p.m., at Dominion Energy Center, Richmond.
Sunday, January 26
Run Club Open House. Runners join for an afternoon with running experts for free fitness consultation, shoe fittings, nutrition, ask-the-expert on physiotherapy and sports rehab, and a cold plunge. FREE, no registration required. Jan. 26, 2 to 4 p.m., at BOHO Quad, Richmond.
Nosferatu Versus Dracula. Profs & Pints takes on the rivalry between two versions of a vampire and its lasting impact on how we think of their kind, with professor Stanley Joseph Stepanic, who teaches a course on Dracula and vampire folklore at the University of Virginia. Jan. 26, 4 to 6:30 p.m., at Triple Crossing Beer in Fulton, Richmond.
Ming Porcelain and Lunar New Year. Why was porcelain purchased and prized in late 16th-century England? In honor of Lunar New Year, take a closer look at Agecroft Hall’s collection of blue and white Chinese porcelain and other ceramics. Examine the artistic use of unicorns, dragons, and other mythological beasts, and learn the meaning behind various bird and floral motifs. Jan. 26, 5 to 6 p.m., at Agecroft Hall & Gardens, Richmond.
An Evening with Peter Mulvey. The American folk singer and songwriter has developed at strong following since his beginnings in the early 1990s. Jan. 26, 7 to 9 p.m., at The Tin Pan, Richmond.
Monday, January 27
The God of Wild Places: Rediscovering the Divine in the Untamed Outdoors. Richmond’s First Baptist Church welcomes national bestselling author Tony Jones, a former minister whose imagination and relationship to God was rekindled by the wonders of God’s wild creation. Drinks available for purchase, and Redemption BBQ pork sliders provided. Jan. 27, 5:30 to 8 p.m., at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery on Ownby, Richmond.
Tuesday, January 28
Triumph and Controversy: The Career of General Douglas MacArthur. A virtual presentation from the Virginia War Memorial examining the career of the controversial general, looking at the good, the bad, the facts, and the fiction. FREE, registration required. Jan. 28, 10:30 a.m., online.
Dreams to Deadlines – Navigating Your Writing Year. James River Writers presents an in-person panel discussion on making writing dreams a reality – setting effective goals, managing roadblocks, and more. Jan. 28, 6 to 8 p.m., at the Visual Arts Center, Richmond.
“Savings and Trust.” Historian and author Justene Hill Edwards examines how the rise and tragic failure of the Freedman’s Bank has helped to shape economic inequality in America. Jan. 28, 6 to 7:30 p.m., at Fountain Bookstore, Richmond.
Jarrod Lawson. When asked in 2022 who she was listening to, Michelle Obama replied, “There’s this young jazz, blue-eyed soul kid Jarrod Lawson that I’m loving….” That was singer, songwriter, keyboard player Lawson, who has played around the world. Jan. 28, 8 p.m., at The Tin Pan, Richmond.
“MJ: The Musical.” See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.
The Dave Matthews Tribute Band. Since 2004, The DMTB is the only nationally touring tribute to DMB. This 5-piece ensemble strives to pay homage to their famous counterparts by matching the excitement, energy, intensity and intimacy of a DMB live show. Jan. 30, 8 p.m., at The Tin Pan, Richmond.
Wednesday, January 29
The Rough and the Smooth in 17th-century Dutch Painting. Dr. Ronni Baer, Distinguished Curator and Lecturer at the Princeton University Art Museum, looks at works by 17th-century Dutch artists Rembrandt van Rijn, Frans Hals, and Gerrit Dou. Jan. 29, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond.
Thursday, January 30
“You’ll Do: A History of Marrying for Reasons Other Than Love.” Historian and author Marcia Zug presents U.S. traditions that offered valuable rights and benefits to encourage men and women to wed, focusing in the 18th and 19th century southern states. The history also reveals how the incentives have made it harder to implement better and more widespread solutions. Jan. 30, noon, streaming and in-person at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, Richmond.
A Night at the Vine: Grand Opening Celebration. Guided tours, raffles, refreshments, special offers, and gifts. Jan. 30, 5 to 7 p.m., at Sage & Vine, Mechanicsville.
“The Father: A Tragic Farce.” Now 80, André was once a tap dancer. He lives with his daughter, Anne, and her husband, Antoine. Or was André an engineer, whose daughter Anne lives in London with her new lover, Pierre? The thing is, he is still wearing his pajamas, and he can’t find his watch. Is he losing control? The play makes you question the truth and the nature of reality and see the cruelties of love and the limits of patience, how child-parent relationships become inverted. Presented by Richmond Shakespeare. Jan. 30 to Feb. 16 at Virginia Repertory Theatre’s Theatre Gym, Richmond.
News to Know
Tickets to the Neil Diamond musical and running for Poppy
Tickets for “The Neil Diamond Musical: A Beautiful Noise.” Individual tickets for the Richmond premiere of “A Beautiful Noise” go on sale on Jan. 24 at 10 a.m. Created in collaboration with Neil Diamond himself, “A Beautiful Noise” is the uplifting true story of how a kid from Brooklyn became a chart-busting, show-stopping American rock icon. Part of Broadway in Richmond. April 15 to 20 at Altria Theater, Richmond.
Run Wild Races. In honor of Poppy, the new pygmy hippo, Metro Richmond Zoo presents three races: the one-miler Mini, a sprint inside the zoo; the Run Wild 5k through and around the zoo; and the Wild Ninja objstacle course around the zoo, with 41 obstacles over approximately 2 miles. May 3 at 8, 8:45, and 10 a.m., at the Metro Richmond Zoo, Moseley.
FEATURE PHOTO CAPTION (TOP): Roman Banks as ‘MJ’ and the cast of the MJ First National Tour. Photo by Matthew Murphy, MurphyMade
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.
