More What’s Booming RVA: March 9 to 16

More of What’s Booming in Richmond, Virginia, beginning March 9, including a diversity of music, Black Restaurant Experience events, St. Patrick’s Day warmups, and lots of love for our beautiful Earth.

Take in a week of RVA events, and go to our updated events page for Down the Road events and ongoing exhibitions and performances.

March 9 to 16

Thursday, March 9

Jeni’s Ice Cream Grand Opening. The Ohio-based ice cream business brings its smooth, rich scoops to Richmond. Celebration from noon to 10 p.m., FREE SCOOPS starting at 7 p.m., at Jeni’s in Carytown, Richmond.

Richmond Symphony Music at Hardywood. Chamber classics, craft beer, and pizza. March 9, 6:30 p.m., at Hardywood, Richmond.

RBRE Official Breakthru Hip Hop Celebration. Richmond Black Restaurant Week introduces a new event, with food, music, Heineken specials, and signature cocktail. March 9, 7 p.m., at Vagabond, Richmond.

5th Annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival. Informative and inspiring films highlight topics related to nature, community activism, adventure, conservation, water, climate change, wildlife, environmental justice, and indigenous culture. With raffles, snacks, and beverage tasting. March 9, 7 to 9:30 p.m., at the Science Museum of Virginia, Richmond.

“Cross Stitch Bandits” World Premiere. For the past 27 years, David has dutifully climbed the ranks at the same engineering firm and placed his family on a trajectory for success, but his retirement party soon divulges into him scrambling to get everyone’s lives back on track. From Cadence’s Pipeline New Works Fellowship. March 9-19, at Libby S. Gottwald Playhouse, Dominion Energy Center, Richmond.

Damn Tall Buildings. Brooklyn, NY’s bluegrass trio is a tight, harmonizing, swinging trio that specializes in bluegrass but also expertly ventures through jazz, ragtime, country swing, and contemporary singer-songwriter styles. March 9, 8 p.m. at The Tin Pan, Richmond.

Six-Year Anniversary of Courthouse Creek Cider. Celebrating community, family, and friends with favorite family recipes – think cod in house marinara, pork and passila, and Sonoma salad – and ciders paired with house-spiced nuts and cheese, vintage reserve ciders, and more. March 11 to 12 at Courthouse Creek Cider, Goochland.

Friday, March 10 

Open Museum Day in Henrico at two historic venues. March 10, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Henrico.

• Virginia Randolph Museum. Learn about the renowned Henrico County educator. Virginia Randolph Museum, Glen Allen.
• Dabbs House. Gen. Robert E. Lee’s field headquarters during the summer of 1862 and other uses over the years. Dabbs House, Henrico.

Virtual Genealogy Workshop: Navigating the Library of Virginia Website. FREE, registration required. 10 to 11 a.m., online.

Opening Reception for “Time Machines.” An exhibition of work by the Visual Arts Center of Richmond’s 2022-23 annual resident artists Ayana Zaire Cotton, Curtis Newkirk Jr., Hien Kat Nguyen, and Emily Okamoto-Green, with an artist talk. Exhibition through April 23. Reception and artist talk on March 10, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at the Visual Arts Center, Richmond.

After 5 Fridays: Taste of Art – Storied Strings. Guitarist Morgan Burrs of the jazz quintet Butcher Brown performs at this event celebrating the exhibition, Storied Strings: The Guitar in American Art, which closes March 19. Music is FREE, and stop by Visitor Services for a FREE exhibition ticket. Tours require the ticket and are limited capacity. March 10, 6 to 8 p.m., at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond.

Art for the Soul #rbre23. Stimulating music, succulent food from K&M Salmon Balls & Cakes, and beautiful art. Tickets include complimentary items to use for screen printing. March 10, 7 to 11 p.m., at Studio Two Three, Richmond.

Columbia City Ballet’s critically acclaimed “Off the Wall and Onto the Stage: Dancing the Art of Jonathan Green.” Breathtaking choreography brings to life 22 paintings by renowned Southern artist Jonathan Green, depicting the lifestyles and landscapes of the South Carolina Gullah community. March 10, 7:30 p.m., at the Dominion Energy Center, Richmond.

Henrico Live Presents Susan Greenbaum. The long-time favorite Richmond performer on stage. March 10, 7:30 p.m., at Henrico Theatre, Henrico.

13th Annual RVA Environmental Film Festival. The local film festival kicks off with “Wildcat,” the story of a veteran’s healing journey as he cares for an orphaned baby ocelot (March 10, 7:30 p.m., at the Science Museum of Virginia, Richmond); continues March 11 to 12 at the Byrd Theatre, Richmond, with other showings through March 21 throughout the community. Films for all ages and all for FREE. See website for films and venues.

A Common Cause for All: A Convening of States on the 250th Anniversary.Panel discussions, walking tours, speakers, special luncheons and dinners, and more, on planning for America’s 250th anniversary. Respected speakers include Bill Whitaker (60 Minutes), Stacy Schiff (Pulitzer Prize-winning author), Carly Fiorina (CW Board Chair), historians, and more. March 10 to 12, Williamsburg.

Saturday, March 11

K9 Veterans Day: Memorial Dog Walk. In honor of all military and service dogs, the Virginia War Memorial is inviting dogs and their owners to a commemorative walk, the inaugural “.9k for K-9s,” with stops to remember military service dogs throughout history. Other events include dog caricature portraits, dog cake decorating, and more. FREE, but registration is required (online or between 9:30 to 9:50 a.m. before the main event). March 11, 10 to 11 a.m., at the Virginia War Memorial, Richmond.

Women of the Jeffersonian Era. March 11, 1 to 2 p.m. and 3 to 4 p.m. at Meadow Farm, Glen Allen.

East of Monroe at the Shady Grove Coffeehouse. A Americana/bluegrass band blending original material and covers, showcasing members’ varying musical backgrounds. March 11, 8 p.m., at the Unitarian Universalist Community Church, Glen Allen.

Six-Year Anniversary of Courthouse Creek Cider. Celebrating community, family, and friends with favorite family recipes – think cod in house marinara, park and passila, and Sonoma salad – and ciders paired with house-spiced nuts and cheese, vintage reserve ciders, and more. March 11 to 12 at Courthouse Creek Cider, Goochland.

Sunday, March 12 

Shamrock Run. The 5k road walk/run is part of the St. Patrick’s Day festivities. Hardywood, Richmond. March 12, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, Richmond.

Feelin’ a Wee Bit Irish! A St. Patty’s Celebration  with performances by Albafeire and the Blue Ridge Bards, featuring Matthew O’Donnell, with special guest performances by the Crossroads Irish Dance School. March 12, 3 p.m., at Perkinson Center, Chester.

The American Youth Harp Ensemble presents “Celtic Celebration!” Music inspired by the rich tradition of harp music from Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and England, with pieces from lively to introspective, sacred to secular. March 12, 3 p.m., at Chester Presbyterian Church, Chester.

Tuesday, March 14

“The Dixie 3: A Story of Civil Rights & Nursing.” This 25-minute cinematic docu-drama takes the audience back to the 1963 landmark civil rights case known for ending segregation at Dixie Hospital in Hampton, Virginia. The women orchestrated a sit-in at the whites-only hospital cafeteria. The film follows the case and stimulates conversation about structural racism in nursing and healthcare. FREE, but REGISTRATION BY MARCH 10 IS REQUIRED. March 14, 5 p.m., at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, Richmond.

Movie Mythbusting: “Apollo 13.” Watch the movie on your own time, then join host Justin Bartel from the Science Museum of Virginia for an online discussion of “Apollo 13.” What’s true, what’s not? And how does this connect to collections at the VMHC? FREE, but REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. March 14, 7 p.m., at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, Richmond.

DNA Research: New Tools at the Testing Companies. Features and updates at Ancestry, 23andMe, FamilyTreeDNA, and MyHeritage, presented by GRIVA DNA. March 14, 7 p.m., online.

Wednesday, March 15

Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest Reopens for the Season. Thomas Jefferson’s private villa feature tours of the Founding Father’s life there and that of his enslaved workers. March 15, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Poplar Forest, Forest.

Thursday, March 16

Making Treason Odious Again? Perspectives from the Congressional Naming Commission and the Army’s War on the Lost Cause. Discussion with Connor Williams, a member of the Naming Commission. March 16 at noon, online and at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, Richmond.

Submit your event for What’s Booming!

Hot Tickets, Hot News

“Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations.” The new musical that follows The Temptations’ extraordinary journey from the streets of Detroit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Tickets go on sale Friday, March 10, 10 a.m. Performances July 11 to 16 at Altria Theater, Richmond.

Mark Your Calendar

There’s Always Time for a Cocktail. RuPaul’s Drag Race star Mrs. Kasha Davis brings her theatrical training and fabulous performance skills to stage with motivating stories of her life. March 24 and 25, 8 p.m., at Richmond Triangle Players, Richmond.

Burt Bacharach Tribute Show. Butter Bean Jazz Quartet presents music of the talented late composer. March 29, 6 to 9 p.m., at Hardywood, Richmond.

Poe’s Enchanted Garden. Celebrate National Poetry Month with poetry writing, gardening workshop, storytime, and more. April 1, noon to 2 p.m., at the Poe Museum, Richmond.

Riverfront Canal Cruises Season Opens. Narrated historic tours begin for the season on April 1. Tours depart on the hour from the Canal’s Turning Basin at 139 Virginia St., Richmond.

Kick-Off Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Secretariat’s Triple Crown. As the birthplace of the record-breaking stallion, Ashland is hosting the multi-state anniversary celebration, including the unveiling of the 3,500-pound, 21-foot-long bronze sculpture.

• 11 a.m.: Showing of the Disney film, “Secretariat,” at the Ashland Theatre.
• 2 p.m.: Monument unveiling and ceremony at Ashland Town Hall Pavilion.
• 2:30 to 5 p.m.: Meet and greet with a Secretariat lookalike, displays, kids’ activities and craft, sculptor presentation, tours of the Ashland Museum and its Meadow Stable Display, and more.

Family Easter at Maymont. Food, fun, crafts, and games, including Easter Bunny photos, a Hop-stacle course, life-size Candy Adventure Game, egg hunt, and more. April 8, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Maymont, Richmond.

Ginter Park Garden Club’s Spring Market. Juried local artisans and vendors present a variety of items, ranging from garden-related – plants, herbs, tools, décor, etc. – to handmade jewelry, clothing, soaps and lotions, baked goods, and white elephant sale. Benefiting local causes. April 15, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Ginter Park Presbyterian Church, Richmond.

Swing for the Symphony. Golf and tennis to benefit the Richmond Symphony. April 17, 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., at Richmond Country Club, Richmond.

UnHappy Hour. The festive event returns for the 2023 season on April 27 at the Poe Museum, Richmond.

Ashland Train Day. Train-related exhibits and activities, including freight and passenger trains, model trains, and railroad history, plus trucks, live music, kiddie rides, food, dance music, and shopping. April 29, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., in Downtown Ashland.