More What’s Booming RVA: June 1 to 8 + Pride Month

Share Your Vietnam War Story with The Virginia Museum of History & Culture.The VMHC is calling on Virginians with personal connections to the Vietnam War to share their stories for a new exhibition, “Virginia and the Vietnam War,” from veterans to pro- and anti-war activists, refugees, and others. Register online – submissions due by July 1.

Friday, June 2

Friday at the Museum. Tours and hands-on events at Henrico museums showcasing the stories of the people, places, and events. This week: June 2, noon to 4 p.m., at Virginia Randolph Museum, Glen Allen.

First Fridays at VMHC. Free museum admission, food trucks, family-friendly activities, live entertainment, and happy hour specials, including mocktails. This month celebrates Immigrant Heritage Month with culture by a variety of artists and performers. June 2, 5 to 8 p.m., at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture, Richmond.

Science After Dark: Ready to Launch. Astronomy lovers of all ages “travel” through the universe: make galaxy spin art in our centrifuge simulator, make and launch stomp rockets, explore stars, black holes, and satellites with hands-on activity kits, and more. June 2, 5 to 8 p.m., at the Science Museum of Virginia, Richmond.

First Fridays at the Richmond Arts District. Shops, galleries, restaurants, and organizations in the District put on their monthly best. Check website for locations and times.

First Fridays – Maps: Your Place in Virginia. Refreshments, art exhibition by Virginia artists, the Library’s ongoing 200 Years, 200 Stories exhibition, open mic poetry, prose, or music; and a “creation station.” June 2, 5 to 8 p.m., at the Library of Virginia, Richmond.

Sampa the Great with Kenneka Cook, at Friday Cheers. June 2, 6 to 9:30 p.m., on Brown’s Island, Richmond.

Saturday, June 3

Celebrate Varina at Dorey Park Farmers Market. Kick off the 2023 season of the market with vendors, music, food trucks, antique farm equipment, and kids’ entertainment. June 3, 9 a.m. to noon, at Dorey Park, Henrico.

Henrico Master Gardeners Spring Plant Sale and Pollinator Festival. See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.  

John Adam Wasowicz As Author in Residence. Wasowicz reads excerpts from his latest mystery, “Hazel Falls.” He will also be available to talk and answer questions and sign copies of his books. June 3, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Book People’s new location, 10464 Ridgefield Parkway, Henrico.

Ashland Strawberry Faire. Approximately 300 vendors – crafts, nonprofits, food – plus kids’ activities, parade, pet pageant, and more. Oh, and strawberries! June 3, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Randolph-Macon College, Ashland.

Juneteenth Block Party. A carnival-themed celebration with DJ, dunk tank, bouncy house, and prizes, plus community resource vendors and concessions. June 3, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Fairfield Middle School, Henrico.

First Drafts and Bagels – “I TRIED TO SAY ‘I LOVE YOU’ BUT I HAD A CIGARETTE IN MY MOUTH.” Join playwrights, directors, and performers in drinking mimosas, eating bagels, and participating in the creative process of making a new play. This play addresses queer love and heartbreak, the difference between love and obsession. June 3, noon, at Firehouse Theatre, Richmond.

Varina LandLab Conservation Area Grand Opening. See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.

Bees Over the Seas. Learn why European settlers brought their bees with them to North America and the lasting effects this had on agriculture and ecosystems. June 3, 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., at Meadow Farm, Glen Allen.

Mile of Music. See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks. 

Scott Wichmann: Let Me Be Frank. The legendary RVA performer brings the legendary crooner to the stage. Wichmann brings Sinatra standards to life, backed by jazz virtuoso Ryan Corbitt and other band members. June 3, 7 p.m., at The Cultural Arts Center, Glen Allen.

Burlesque Right Meow presents Twisted Tassels: A Metal Burlesque Awakening. Metal and burlesque combine forces with more than a dozen twisted tassels. June 3, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., at Firehouse Theatre, Richmond.

RVA Clay 6th Annual Tour. See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.

#WearOrange for Gun Violence Awareness 

June 3: Wear Orange Richmond Richmond group of Moms Demand Action will honor the lives of those affected by gun violence and elevate gun violence prevention efforts, joined by volunteers, survivors, and community partners. Open to the public with RSVP. June 3, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery on Ownby, Richmond.

June 4: #WearOrange at the Richmond Flying Squirrels Game. The first pitch will be thrown out by the family of Markiya Dickson, a 9-year-old who was killed by random gunfire at a Richmond playground. For tickets purchased through the link, $4 will be donated back to the Virginia Chapter of Moms Demand Action. June 4, 1:35 p.m., at The Diamond, Richmond.

Richmond City Hall will be illuminated orange through June 4 in recognition.

Sunday, June 4

RVA RIMBY Festival. Right. In. My. Back. Yard. Access to climbing, rafting, hiking, fishing, camping, and even hunting is right here in Richmond. The festival celebrates the outdoor community, benefiting the Beyond Boundaries mission of guiding participants with disabilities, veterans, at-risk youth, and recovery programs on outdoor adventures. Vendors offering interactive and inclusive games, prizes, and demonstrations; food truck, live music, and more. June 4, noon to 4 p.m., at Hardywood Richmond.

1773 Baptist Preacher Trial. As part of the county’s celebration of the coming 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, the Chesterfield Historical Society of Virginia presents an interactive performance of the trial that helped inspire the budding nation’s goal of religious freedom. Registration required at 804-796-7121 or Admin@ChesterfieldHistory.com. June 4, 2 p.m., at the Historic 1917 Courthouse.

RCS Goes to the Movies – Great Choral Music of the Silver Screen. Visual components and instrumentalists enhance the beauty of choral music that’s made an indelible impact on many movies through the years.

Firehouse Radio Players. More original and witty old-time radio performances, with voice actors playing multiple roles alongside the “maestro of sound effects.” June 4, 7:30 p.m., at Firehouse Theatre, Richmond.

Tuesday, June 6

Profs & Pints Richmond: Brain Sculpting. A look at groundbreaking research on how to improve and extend cognitive abilities, with Kelly Lambert, professor of behavioral neuroscience at the University of Richmond and researcher of neuroplasticity. June 6, 6 to 8:30 p.m., at Triple Crossing Beer – Fulton, Richmond.

Wednesday, June 7

Johnny Rawls. The soul blues legend brings his songs and music to town, with subjects like love and gratitude. June 7, 8 p.m., at the Tin Pan, Richmond.

Thursday, June 8

Sadeqa Johnson, “The House of Eve.” As part of the 2023 Carole Weinstein Author Series, the best-selling author talks about her work, including this historical fiction follow-up to her award-winning novel “Yellow Wife.” FREE. June 8, 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Bria Skonberg. The trumpeter, vocalist, and songwriter has been called the “shining hope of hot jazz” (NY Times) and is considered “one of the most versatile and imposing musicians of her generation (WSJ). She’s known for her deep knowledge and inventive arrangements of traditional jazz pieces, clever reinterpretations of contemporary classics and original compositions with genuine heart and dynamic flair. See her live on June 8, 8 p.m., at The Tin Pan, Richmond.

Celebrating Pride Month