More What’s Booming RVA: July 25 to August 1
A week of entertaining and inspiring events plus a road trip and news
This week’s Boomer events listing has something for all ages, but especially for boomers! Including concerts and movies to spark memories, art, theatre, beer, cocktail history, and more! In today’s What’s Booming, Richmond, Virginia, July 25 to August 1, 2024.
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.
July 25 to August 1
Thursday, July 25
Unhappy Hour: Speakeasy. A Poe-inspired mix of themed fun, music, food, and beverages. Roarin’ ’20s attire encouraged. July 25, 6 to 9 p.m., at the Poe Museum, Richmond.
Collections Connections Live: School Days Selections. Yearbooks, autograph albums, letter jackets, and charm bracelets – there are countless souvenirs that Richmonders have kept to remember their school days. See objects in the Valentine’s collection that document students’ experiences in the city’s educational institutions. July 25, 6 to 7 p.m., at The Valentine, Richmond.
Art Night. The reveal of four new exhibits: By the James, In the City; Vignettes of Reality, Farm Stand, and Lion Rock Painting Masterpieces. Plus meet and mingle with artists. FREE. July 25, 6 to 8 p.m., at The Cultural Arts Center, Glen Allen.
Louisa County Fair. Kicking off with a horse show for a weekend promoting agriculture and other Louisa businesses, with vendors, pageants, fun, and food. Includes special sensory hours on Thursday, 3 to 5 p.m. July 25 to 27 at Walton Park, Mineral.
“Pippin.” See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.
Richmond Flying Squirrels vs. Binghamton Rumble Ponies. 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 newsletter. Through July 28 at The Diamond, Richmond.
Friday, July 26
Ashland Fourth Fridays. Shops open late, farm-to-table fresh fare, crafty vendors, dance performances, and free live concert from The Ham Biscuits. July 26, 5 to 8 p.m., in Downtown Ashland.
Fourth Friday Reception. Take in the new member spotlight exhibitions featuring Min Enghauser, Susan Moncure, and Amy Smith, along with a second reception for Radius 250, a biennial regional juried exhibition showcasing artists within 250 miles of Richmond. July 26, 6 to 8 p.m., at Artspace Gallery, Richmond.
Retro Weekend at Ashland Theatre. Watch two iconic films. “Jaws” on Friday at 7 p.m., and “Star Wars: A New Hope” on Saturday at 7 p.m., at Ashland Theatre, Ashland.
Saturday, July 27
Conservation Day at the DPFM. Educational displays, community groups, an EV display, native plants, music, and kids’ activities at the Dorey Park Farmers Market. July 27, 9 a.m. to noon, at Dorey Park, Henrico.
160th Anniversary of the Battle of the Crater. Living history programs and tours to commemorate the anniversary of the 10-hour battle, part of the Siege on Petersburg. FREE. July 27, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and July 28, 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Petersburg National Battlefield, Petersburg.
Honeybee 101 with Honey Tasting. The workshop looks at the sophisticated world of this essential pollinator, offers tastes of three different local honeys, and sends home a jar of local honey with participants. July 27, 10 to 11:30 a.m., at Agecroft Hall & Gardens, Richmond.
Ocher: Mankind’s First Yellow. At one time, about 40% of America’s yellow ocher pigment came from Bermuda Hundred in Chesterfield County. Bermuda Yellow, as the shade was named, was an extremely popular color before the mines were exhausted by 1890. Local artist and assistant professor at VCU, Miguel Carter-Fisher, explains. FREE. July 27, 11 a.m., at the County Museum, Chesterfield.
Forever Summer Fest. See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.
Pride Night at the Rep. Virginia Rep and Diversity Richmond present a special performance of Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5: The Musical.” Use offer code PRIDE95, and enjoy a preshow reception in the lobby with locally sourced treats and cash bar. July 27, 5 p.m. reception and 7 p.m. performance, at the November Theatre, Richmond.
Rumours: The Ultimate Fleetwood Mac Tribute Show. See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.
Trains, Trucks & Tractors at Keystone. The 3-acre museum of restored tractors, trucks, and cars is adding 9,000 square feet of model trains in elaborate displays, rolling through mountains, cities, and countryside. The Richmond Freelance & Prototype Model Railroaders will be running these trains at the museum on July 27 and 28, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Keystone Truck & Tractor Museum, Colonial Heights.
Sunflowers & Sweet Corn Harvest Festivals. Take a hayride, nibble on roasted sweet corn, take home fresh sunflowers and sweet corn. July 27 and 28, Aug. 3 and 4, and Aug. 10 and 11, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., at Chesterfield Berry Farm.
Sunday, July 28
An Evening with Jeff Katz: “The Quest for Cookies.” What can you learn from a 21-year-old who has never said a word and has a developmental age of 18 months? According to her dad, quite a lot! Jeff Katz, an award-winning multimedia personality, professional coach and inspirational speaker presents the inspirational story of a disabled girl’s journey to the pantry. July 28, 7:30 p.m., at Friendship Circle of Virginia, Richmond.
Monday, July 29
UV Radiation and Skin Cancer. Dr. Andrew Poklepovic of VCU Massey Cancer Center addresses the severity of skin cancer and the toxins inside the products we use to protect ourselves from UV radiation. July 29, 2 to 3 p.m., at the Better Business Bureau, Glen Allen.
Tuesday, July 30
Artist Opening Reception. Artists Sarah Irvin and Suzy Lindow exhibit their art and visit with guests. July 30, 5:30 p.m., at 3North Gallery on Fitzhugh, Richmond.
Writing Show: Dust Yourself Off – Navigating “Failures.” Award-winning author and National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature Meg Medina shares insights from her writing journey, reflecting on lessons learned from failures, what rejections can teach about improving your craft, tips for challenges like lackluster sales, advice on marketing, and more. July 30, 6 to 8 p.m., at the New Market Building, Richmond.
Wednesday, July 31
Silver Screen Movie: “About My Father.” Morning movie series offers a movie and concessions at just one dollar. July 31, 10 a.m. to noon, at Henrico Theatre, Henrico.
Beyond the Bullet Points: Teaching About the American Revolution and Its Legacy. Teacher workshop introducing teachers to people who aren’t mentioned in the Virginia Standards of Learning to show the variety of roles that Virginians played in the conflict and lingering effects. FREE. July 31, 10 a.m. to noon, at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, Richmond.
Wine Down Wednesday: Cocktails, Civil War Style. See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.
Summer ChamberFest. Intimate early evening chamber music masterworks from three centuries. July 31, 6:30 p.m., at Dominion Energy Center, Richmond.
Dave Mason’s Traffic Jam. See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.
Thursday, Aug. 1
National Women’s Soccer League x LIGA MX Femenil Summer Cup 2024. Washington Spirit vs. Chicago Red Stars. July 31, 7:30 p.m., at City Stadium, Richmond.
The Oasis: A High Noon Summer Concert. Relax in the courtyard of The Valentine with live music and free admission to the museum. This week featuring The Funk Masters. FREE. Aug. 1, noon to 1 p.m., at The Valentine, Richmond.
Westchester Concert Series: The Embers featuring Craig Woolard. Live music on the field. Aug. 1, 5:30 to 8:30, at Westchester Concert Field, Midlothian.
Summer Stanzas: An Evening of Poetry with Joanna Lee & Gwyn RC Moses. Capital Region Land Conservancy and Friends of the Lower Appomattox River present a casual evening of poetry and conservation with featured poets Joanna Lee (Richmond’s Poet Laureate) and Gwyn RC Moses. The artists take listeners on a journey to protected natural and historic places through readings from “Writing the Land: Virginia” and the 2022 “Windblown.” Copies of both publications will be available for purchase and signing. Aug. 1, 6 to 8 p.m., at Basic City Beer Co., Richmond.
Classic Albums Live Performs “Rumours.” See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.
Exhibition of Mathematical Art, Craft, and Design. The internationally focused Bridges Organization examines mathematical connections in art, music, architecture, and culture. As part of its annual conference, held this year in Richmond, it presents a public exhibition of works that combine mathematics and art. FREE. Aug. 1 to 4 at the STEM Building, VCU, Richmond.
Road Trip
Celebrate Southwest Virginia
75th Virginia Highlands Festival. More than 200 events highlight the arts, history, natural beauty, and culture of Southwest Virginia. Uncover treasures at the Antiques & Vintage Market. Shop for unique handcrafted items at the Arts & Crafts Show. Have an outdoor excursion at Hungry Mother State Park and take a walking tour of a local vineyard. Learn all about Appalachian food and history from experts who are passionate about sharing their knowledge. Cap it all off with lots of music and dance the night away. July 26 to Aug. 4, in and around Abingdon.
News & Announcements
Celebrate a classic Virginia restaurant
History Makers Dinner: A Tribute to Nick’s Seafood Pavilion. Enjoy a vintage dinner party, complete with artifacts and images, to celebrate the iconic Yorktown landmark and the enduring legacy of its owners. The late Nick and Mary Mathews donated land to the Yorktown Victory Center. Nick’s Seafood Pavilion opened in 1944 and became known for its seafood and other culinary gems (Baked Alaska, anyone?), drawing visitors to the area, including celebrities such as John Wayne, Elizabeth Taylor, Tennessee Ernie Ford, and Fred McMurray. Sept. 7, 6 to 9 p.m., at the American Revolution Museum, Yorktown.
Click here to make plans with this list of events to come and ongoing exhibitions and performances.
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