More What’s Booming RVA: June 13 to 20

Celebrate dads, Pride, and Juneteenth this week, plus quilt art, concerts indoors and out, authors, and so much more – in Richmond, Virginia, June 13 to 20, 2024.

Also check out:

• Boomer Top 5 picks in RVA,
• Browse the week ahead below, and
• Go to our updated events page for Down the Road happenings and ongoing exhibitions and performances.

June 13 to 20

Thursday, June 13

Pridos After 5. The weekly concert event in the gardens celebrates LGBTQ Pride this week and welcomes pups. Featuring drag performers and a dance party. June 13, 5 p.m., at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Richmond.

Westchester Concert Series. Food and drinks for sale with music from the 64 Crayons Band. FREE. June 13, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., at Westchester Concert Field at Westchester Commons, Midlothian.

“An Unholy Traffic: Slave Trading in the Civil War South.” Author Robert K.D. Colby lectures on the slave trade, from the Confederates who used commerce in people to help them mobilize for the conflict, weather its crises, and ward off inflation, to those held in bondage. June 13, 6 p.m., at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, Richmond.

Richmond Ivy vs. Patuxent FA. Cheer for Richmond women’s soccer on Women’s Empowerment Night – dress like your favorite woman in sports, history, culture, or anywhere. June 13, gates at 6 p.m., kickoff at 7 p.m., at City Stadium, Richmond

Friday, June 14

“The Best of Times: A Celebration of Richmond Triangle Players.” See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.  

Ritchy Mitch & the Coalminers with Deau Eyes at Friday Cheers. Richmond’s longest-running concert series. June 14, 6:30, on Brown’s Island, Richmond.

Jubilation in June. Celebrate Juneteenth with this three-day festival.

• Friday headliner, Legacy Band. June 14, 8 p.m., at Dogwood Dell, Richmond.
• Saturday headliner, Talib Kweli, plus fireworks. June 15, 3 to 9:30 p.m.,  at Intermediate Terminal, Richmond.
• Sunday headliner: Mad Skillz and Friends. June 16, 8 to 10:30 p.m., at Dogwood Dell, Richmond.

“Eyes Wide Open.” The art quilts of Michelle Wilkie, native New Zealander and now U.S. resident. The upper gallery will feature “The Photography of Gary D. Jones, A collection of images and memories of Petersburg, the town where I grew up.” Opening reception for Jones on June 14, 5 to 8 p.m., and for Wilkie on June 21, 5 to 8 p.m. Exhibits run June 14 to Aug. 3 at Petersburg Area Art League (PAAL) gallery, Petersburg.

Amelia Lavender Festival. See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.

Saturday, June 15

History and Culture Day at Virginia State Parks. In honor of the park’s 88th anniversary, each park will host a special event designed to promote the park’s historical and cultural resources. Activities include self-guided and ranger-led tours and hikes, cultural demonstrations, kayaking tours, mock archeology digs, and historical artifact viewings. Programs cover Afro American watermen, the CCC at Pocahontas, Appalachian animals, the enslaved community at Mount Bleak, and more. June 15 at Virginia State Parks.

Richmond’s African-American History Bus Tour. The Valentine takes guests to local sites to honor the city’s African-American community and their legacies of resilience, resistance, and achievement. June 15, 10 a.m. to noon, leaving from The Valentine, Richmond.

Juneteenth in Pocahontas Park. See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.

The Richmond Record Riot. Shop 40 tables of LPs and CDs. June 15, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Stony Point Fashion Park, Richmond.

Preserving Virginia’s Jazz Legacy. Ms. BJ Brown from the Richmond Jazz Society discusses Virginia’s role in the development of jazz and highlights the accomplishments of 38 Virginia artists recognized nationally and internationally. FREE. June 15, 3 p.m., at the Institute for Contemporary Art at Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond.

Chesterfield Juneteenth Day Festival. Live music, art, games, speakers, food trucks, vendors, VIP cabanas, and more. June 15, 3 to 9 p.m., at Chesterfield Fairgrounds, Chesterfield.

Henrico County’s Juneteenth Celebration. Family fun and entertainment including performances on two stages, an expanded Black-owned businesses vendor fair, historical and educational exhibits, community art project, kids’ zone, food trucks, and performances. Capped off by Art of Noise RVA at 8 p.m. and a fireworks finale at 9:45 p.m. FREE. June 15, 4 to 10 p.m., at Dorey Park, Henrico.

“No Nobler Effort”: USCT in the Opening Assaults Sunset Walking Tour. See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.  

Uncivil Wards History Tour. RVA Hidden History takes guests to old Richmond to visit the sites of several Civil War-era hospitals and prisons and share how they came to be and what happened during and after the war. June 15 and 16, 10 a.m., meeting at Libby Prison history marker in Shockoe Bottom, Richmond.

Back to the Rock: From Enslavement to Empowerment. The new exhibition dives into the story of St. Frances de Sales and St. Emma’s Military Academy, the nation’s only Black military academy for over 70 years. Founded by one of three American born saints, Katherine Drexel and her sister Louise Drexel Morell, the schools were built on the former Belmead plantation, built by the enslaved and owned by a Confederate general. June 15 to July 27 at the Black Museum of History & Culture, Richmond.

Sunday, June 16

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY! 

RRRC Thanks Dad 5k. See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.

Sketching Cruise. Board the new educational pontoon boat, The Spirit of the James, and spend a couple hours sketching. Explore a section of the James River, with scenery and instruction from Paul “Buddy” Terrell, local artist and Artspace Exhibition Committee Chair, as special guest instructor. For all skill levels. June 15, 9 a.m., leaving from Jordan Point Marina, Hopewell.

The Dad Games. Families compete against each other in an arcade showdown. Team outfits encouraged. Grand prize is a year of free game play. June 16, noon to midnight, at Dave & Buster’s, Glen Allen.

Monday, June 17

Genealogical GRIVA June Virtual Luncheon. Discuss ongoing research in documents and travels and seek guidance. FREE, registration required. June 17, noon, online.

Tuesday, June 18

Life, Liberty & Happiness. Dr. Nicole Myers-Turner discusses her book, “Soul Liberty: The Evolution of Black Religious Politics in Postemancipation Virginia,” which examines how freed people in Virginia adapted strategies for pursuing the freedom to worship and participate in society in the evolving landscape of emancipation. Presented by the Valentine. FREE. June 18, noon to 1 p.m., online.

Common Ground Virginia History Book Group. Library of Virginia hosts discussions of Virginia-focused books. Up this week: “Driving Home Naked: And Other Misadventures of a Country Veterinarian” by Melinda G. McCall, D.V.M. Group discussion followed by Q&A with the author. June 18, 6 to 7:30 p.m., online.

Pete Candler’s “A Deeper South.” Take a Southern journey with the author of “A Deeper South: The Beauty, Mystery, and Sorrow of the Southern Road.” Candler offers a travel narrative drawn from 25 years of road-tripping through the backroads of the American South. Featuring Candler’s own photography and the Southern storyteller’s wit. June 18, 7 to 9 p.m., at Book People, Henrico.

RRRC Summer Track Series. A variety of track events across six Tuesday evenings. FREE, but registration is required. The series will be held on June 18, 25, July 2, 9, 16, 23, 7 p.m., at Robin Stadium at University of Richmond.

Wednesday, June 19

Juneteenth Free Community Day at the Garden. Free admission and extended hours for Waterway Wednesdays (kids’ splash pad) and “Women’s Work: The Lee Park Collection” (the story of the Memorial Park Wildflower and Bird Sanctuary project in Petersburg, funded by the Works Progress Administration to preserve the native flora and conceived, planned, and created by women, mostly Black). FREE. June 19, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Richmond.

Illumination Series Featuring Lee Mandelo. The author discusses his latest novella, “The Woods All Black,” which is historical horror, trans romance, and blood-soaked revenge set in 1920s Appalachia. June 19, 6 to 8 p.m., at The Poe Museum, Richmond.

Summer Nights at the Perk: Dennis Coleman. Hot music, cool drinks, art activities, and food trucks. This night featuring classic soul songs from the ’60s, ’70s , and ’80s, Motown, Philly, and more. June 19, 6 to 8 p.m., at Perkinson Art Center, Chester.

Thursday, June 20

Significance of Juneteenth and the Carter Family Farms. A fifth-generation farmer in Orange County, Michael Carter Jr. established Carter Farms in 2017 with the goal of creating a teaching farm that educates visitors on the achievements of African American farmers and inventors. Michael will present the significance of Juneteenth and the Carter Family Farms. FREE. June 20, 1 to 2:30 pm., at Chesterfield Baptist Church, Moseley.

“Justice for Ourselves” Book Launch. Reception, author talk, and book signing to celebrate a new book on how Black Virginians claimed their freedom after slavery. The book was compiled and written by Library of Virginia historians. FREE. June 20, 6 to 8 p.m., at the Library of Virginia, Richmond.

Pride Unhappy Hour. Music by Pretty Bitter and drag performance by Sweet Pickles, alongside Benchtop beer, wines, and food from 1115 Mobile Kitchen. June 20, 6 to 9 p.m., at The Poe Museum, Richmond.

Henrico Community Concert Band. Take your lawn chair or blanket for music under the stars. June 20, 7 to 8:30 p.m., at Walkerton Tavern, Glen Allen.

Road Trip

Williamsburg: Juneteenth and Beach Boys

Juneteenth at Colonial Williamsburg:

• Pre-register for complimentary admission to Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Area and Art Museums
• Attend special events commemorating Juneteenth and African American history in Williamsburg and surrounding localities: YJCW NAACP Freedom Fest and York County Celebration on June 15, Sunrise Service at the Compton Oak on June 16, performances, panel discussions, demonstrations, and more.

The Beach Boys at Williamsburg Live. The iconic band is led by Mike Love, joined by longtime member Bruce Johnston, musical director Brian Eichenberger, Christian Love, Tim Bonhomme, Jon Bolton, Keith Hubacher, Randy Leago, and John Wedemeyer. June 21, 5:30 p.m., on The Lawn of the Art Museum of Colonial Williamsburg.

News & Announcements

Favorite authors, citizens police academy, “1776: The Musical,” veterans program, and Maggie Walker’s birthday

2024 People’s Choice Awards Voting. Through the annual Virginia Literary Awards, the Library of Virginia recognizes commonwealth authors in the categories of fiction and poetry, as well as nonfiction authors for works about a Virginia subject. Finalists are selected from nominated works, and winners are chosen by votes from the public. Click here to submit your vote. Voting open until July 31, 2024.

Fall Citizens Police Academy. The Chesterfield County Police Department is calling for applications to participate in the fall academy, from Aug. 1 to Sept. 12, on Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the police facility, Chesterfield.

“1776: The Musical” at Poplar Forest. Founding Fathers take the stage in this rousing musical that details the events leading to the signing of the Declaration of Independence, capturing the spirit of the Revolutionary Era. June 27 to 29, 7:30 p.m. nightly, at Poplar Forest, Forest.

Visual Arts Center of Richmond Receives NEA Grant for Veterans Program. Veterans at VisArts works with patients at Richmond VA Medical Center. The arts and wellbeing program is for military members and veterans who have reintegrated into civilian life and military veterans undergoing rehabilitations or medical care. The program serves more than 525 veterans and active military personnel each year through multi-week arts classes in memoir writing, wood working, stained glass, and other media. These programs work to combat social isolation with positive social engagement in a supportive community and provide opportunities for therapeutic self-expression.

Two-Week Celebration of Maggie L. Walker’s Birthday. July 2024 marks the 160th birthday of Richmond’s pioneering Black banker, community leader, and woman of faith, hope, and courage. Events will honor her life through art, community events, volunteer service, tours, and presentations.

• The celebration kicks off with speakers, entertainment, and a student art show during First Fridays. July 5, 5 p.m., at Maggie L. Walker Memorial Plaza, Richmond.
• Oral History House Tours. Including historical audio recordings of Maggie Walker’s grandchildren describing what it was like to grow up in her home. July 9 to 20, at Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site, Richmond.
• Volunteer Community Service Day. Service projects in the Jackson Ward neighborhood. July 13, volunteers assemble at 8 a.m. in the courtyard of Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site, Richmond.
• Lecture by Elvatrice Belsches: “A Celebration of the Life and Legacy of Mrs. Maggie Lena Walker: A Woman for All Seasons.” July 13, 2 to 4 p.m., at the Richmond Public Library Main Branch, Richmond.
• Youth-oriented financial literacy workshops and a market pop-up. July 13, noon to 4 p.m., at Third Street Bethel A.M.E. Church, Richmond.

Anticipation … !

Click here to make plans with this list of events to come and ongoing exhibitions and performances.

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