More What’s Booming RVA: May 16 to 23
A week of events to keep you entertained and inspired
Art, roses, music, outdoor sports, a brewery anniversary, food, a Louisiana road trip in Norfolk, and oh-so-much more to do in Richmond, Virginia.
Check out the Boomer Top 5 picks in RVA here, browse the week ahead below, and go to our updated events page for Down the Road happenings and ongoing exhibitions and performances.
May 16 to 23
Thursday, May 16
Mixed-Herb Container Garden Workshop. This make-and-take workshop features instruction in how to care for, harvest, and use various culinary herbs. Supplies and refreshments included; BYO gardening gloves. May 16, 6 to 8 p.m., at Garden Hall at Maymont, Richmond.
7th Fan Arts Stroll. Stroll through the Fan and take in more than 110 emerging artists, 15 musicians, 12 specialty vendors, and restaurants along the way. Plus 5th Wall porch plays, juggling, and food trucks. May 16 and 17, 4 to 8 p.m., in the Fan Area Historic District, Richmond.
Richmond Flying Squirrels vs. Fightin Phils. Go Nutz and have Funn with professional baseball, giveaways, and fireworks on featured nights. Through May 19 at The Diamond, Richmond.
Friday, May 17
Open House and Anniversary Weekend at Crossroads Art Center. See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.
Goochland Night Featuring Good Shot Judy. The fundraising concert includes food trucks, beer, and wine. Bring chairs and blankets. No pets. May 17, Castaways open at 5:30, Good Shot Judy at 7, at Goochland Sports Complex, Goochland.
Simone Performs Live in Store. The 19-year-old captures the rough edges of modern relationships, mixing radio-ready pop hooks, indie rock grit, and singer/songwriter honesty. Simone is a fixture on TikTok, has given a TedX talk, and played shows from NY to LA. She will perform unreleased songs as part of the “booktok” movement. FREE, registration required. May 17, 6 p.m., at Book People, Richmond.
After 5 Fridays | Dance After Work: Taiko. Take in the Japanese tradition of taiko drumming, which dates back to the 6th century, with the River City Taiko Drummers. Joined by the Richmond Kimono Club. May 17, 6 to 8 p.m., at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond.
“Emerge” Opening Reception. A group exhibition featuring emerging young artists with a focus on recent BFA graduates and MFA candidates. May 17, 5 to 7 p.m., at Page Bond Gallery, Richmond.
“Catalyst” Art Opening. Exhibit featuring local artists Porter Smith-Thayer, Bart Levy, John Bryan, Stan Maupin, and Eric Sunberg. Opening May 17, 5 to 8 p.m. (see Crossroads event, above); exhibit runs through June 30; at Crossroads Art Center, Richmond.
Lebanese Food Festival. See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.
Dominion Energy Riverrock. See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.
Saturday, May 18
Petersburg Strawberry Festival. Juicy fresh strawberries, shortcake and other sweet treats, strawberry-themed arts and crafts, live music, craft and artisan vendors, and activities for all ages. May 18, 9 a.m. to noon, at River Street Market, next to the historic farmers market building, Old Towne Petersburg.
Indigenous Bone Tattoos. Traditional hand poke tattoo artist Kerri Helme presents processes of creating dyes, how bones were crafted for tattooing, demonstrations of the practice, and the history of designs unique to this region and the 17th-century. While there, explore the re-created 17th-century settlers’ fort and Native American town, complete with interpreters. May 18, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Henricus Historical Park, Chesterfield.
Chickahominy Falls Art Guild Show. Locally sourced fresh produce and other vendors, live music, and more, alongside paintings, jewelry, photography, quilts, pottery, metalwork, and hand-blown glass. May 18, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at The Barn at Woodside Farms, Glen Allen.
Goochland Day Parade and Festival. Music paired with more than 100 vendors with foods, dog treats, crafts, nonprofits, and more. Plus beer, wine, a kid zone, and other activities. May 18, parade at 10 a.m., festival from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., in Goochland Courthouse.
Strangeways’ Anniversary Event: Paws & Pours. Celebrate one of RVA’s early craft breweries and Richmond Animal League with vendors, raffles, rescues, food trucks, dog treats, and plenty of unique beers. May 18, noon to 5 p.m., at Strangeways Brewing, Richmond.
Richmond R&B Neo Soul Wine Festival. Bring an appetite for great music, wine, and food from vendors; enjoy fresh air and sounds of live R&B. May 18, noon to 6 p.m., at Chesterfield County Fairground, Chesterfield.
Armed Forces Day in The Haunted Zone. Several authors of “The Haunted Zone: A Horror Anthology by Women Military Veterans” discuss spellbinding, horror-filled stories and poetry, covering issues such as domestic violence, suicide, the trauma of war, loss, and the emotions entwined in these topics. May 18, 4 to 6 p.m., at Book People, Richmond.
Battle of Jones Farm – Sunset Walking Tour. Following the Confederate repulse at Fort Stedman east of Petersburg. On the morning of March 25, 1865, the Army of the Potomac’s VI Corps attacked the picket line of A. P. Hill’s Corps at Robert H. Jones’s farm later in the day, helping set the stage for the final breakthrough of Confederate defenses on April 2. FREE. May 18, 6 to 7:30 p.m. – meet at the American Battlefield Trust parking lot, 6476 Church Rd., Petersburg.
The Richmond Kickers vs. Greenville Triumph SC. First Responders Night, Touch-a-Truck displays, and soccer. May 18, 7 p.m., at City Stadium, Richmond.
Mozart & Spirituals. Experience a night of musical transcendence with the Richmond Symphony and Dawson’s “Spirituals,” for Daniel Stipe and Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 17, and for Schoenberg’s “Transfigured Night.” May 18, 7:30 p.m., at St. Christopher’s School, Richmond.
Richmond Rose Society Show. Enjoy displays of specimen roses and get advice from the rose experts. May 18, 2 to 5 p.m., and May 19, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Richmond.
“Run for Your Wife.” Humorist Ray Cooney penned a hilarious play about a bigamous London taxi driver, with the two storylines played out in two separate locations – performed simultaneously in the same space. May 18 to June 15 at Swift Creek Mill Theatre, South Chesterfield.
Sunday, May 19
Disability Inclusion Day at The Diamond. Highlighting the importance of an inclusive community by bringing people with and without disabilities together to experience a baseball game in a supportive, inclusive environment. Friendship Circle of Virginia has added accessibility supports so people with disabilities and mental health conditions and their loved ones can participate in America’s favorite pastime. Open to all. May 19, 1:35 p.m., at The Diamond, Richmond.
Painted Door Mat. Use a plain door mat to decorate and paint with your own special design using stencils or free hand. May 19, 2 to 4 p.m., at Hunton Community Center and Park, Glen Allen.
Pets During the Civil War. Many people of the past found the companionship of pets to be important to daily life, even during the Civil War. They were essential in military operations and provided comfort to soldiers. Some accounts include pets during battles in Henrico County. May 19, 2 to 3:30 p.m., at Belmont Recreation Center, Henrico.
Mozart & Spirituals. Experience a night of musical transcendence with the Richmond Symphony and Dawson’s “Spirituals,” for Daniel Stipe and Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 17, and for Schoenberg’s “Transfigured Night.” May 19, 3 to 5 p.m., at Blackwell Auditorium at Randolph-Macon College, Ashland.
Weekly Artisan Market at Brambly Park. Shop Small with local artisans selling handmade home décor, art, jewelry, apparel, ceramics, candles, woodworking, and more. In Richmond’s urban winery, BYO dogs and kids and support the community. Sundays till Dec. 8, 3 to 7 p.m., at Brambly Park, Richmond.
Greater Richmond Children’s Choir: Spring Concert. See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.
Tuesday, May 21
“A House Like an Accordion” Launch Party with Audrey Burges. A woman searches for her missing father in order to reconcile the many strange and fantastical secrets of her past before she loses herself completely in this deeply profound and magical novel. May 21, 6 to 7:30 p.m., at Sam Miller’s Restaurant, Richmond.
“Patton’s Prayer.” Journalist and author Alex Kershaw speaks on the leadership of General George Patton leading up to and during the Battle of the Bulge. In December 1944, the Allies found themselves stuck from months of rain having turned roads into rivers and thick cloud cover having grounded American warplanes. Patton asked his head chaplain for a prayer, and the prayer was printed and distributed to 250,000 troops. May 21, 6 p.m., at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, Richmond.
“Menopause the Musical 2: Cruising Through ‘The Change.’” See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.
Wednesday, May 22
Southside Street Car Ride Bike Tour. As part of RVA Bike Month, this group ride follows some of the street rail routes of the early 1900s, sprinkled with local streetcar history. May 22, 6 to 8 p.m., meeting at the Stone House in Forest Hill Park, Richmond.
Thursday, May 23
Senior Party & Resource Fair. Seniors 50+ will receive information from county departments and community organizations, play games, and dance. Hosted with Senior Connections and Henrico’s Advocate for the Aging. May 23, 10 a.m. to noon, at Eastern Henrico Recreation Center, Henrico.
Renaissance Faire UnHappy Hour. Tiara & Andrew and The Great Beforetimes entertain and Stone Brewing presents beverages for this evening of folly. May 23, 6 to 9 p.m., at the Poe Museum, Richmond.
Virginia Roots Music Series: The Big Payback. As part of this new music series, a Virginia band covers an iconic musical artist, paired with the pre-release of a “Virginia Roots” beer, highlighting a Virginia ingredient. This month, The Big Payback covers James Brown, toasted by Hardywood Virginia Blackberry Belgian-style white ale. May 23, 7 p.m., at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery on Ownby, Richmond.
Tri-City Chili Peppers vs. Greenville Yard Gnomes. The region’s “hot” new baseball team, part of the Coastal Plain League, opens its season of baseball and fun. May 23, 7 p.m., at Shepherd Stadium, Colonial Heights.
“Much Ado About Nothing.” The annual Richmond Shakespeare Festival presents William Shakespeare’s delightful comedy. Masquerades play hide and seek, including the beguiling comedic couple Beatrice and Benedick. Wielding words as both weapon and armor (with a charming, effervescent glint), their banter harbors longing, loathing, and love. May 23 to June 23, Thursday through Sunday evenings, at Agecroft Hall, Richmond.
Road Trip
Louisiana Down I-64
Bayou Bon Vivant. The Cajun festival celebrates Louisiana and features music and dancing, arts, delicious seafood, a Louisiana music-themed booth, interactive experiences such as a “musical petting zoo” featuring fun facts about the state’s music history and the chance to try an instrument. Sponsored by Explore Louisiana, the festival includes Louisiana locals to help plan a Louisiana adventure. May 17 to 19 at Town Point Park, Norfolk.
News & Announcements
Virtual VA Book Club + Folk Festival News
Literary VA Book Club. The virtual event, hosted by the Library of Virginia, will discuss “The Displacements” by Bruce Holsinger. The novel explores the aftermath of an unprecedented category six hurricane and the lives that are upended and transformed in its wake. Though dystopian, the resulting chaos and crime are likely results in real life. June 12, 6 p.m., online.
The Richmond Folk Festival Announces Artists. Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the popular RVA cultural festival has announced the first group of featured artists. Musicians come from as far away as Indonesia and Colombia, from Virginia and D.C., with returning acts and new. They include:
- Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino (Southern Italian pizzica tarantata), Salento, Italy
- John Doyle & the Irish American Music Masters (Irish), Chicago; Brooklyn; Bristol, Vermont; Asheville, North Carolina; and County Louth, Ireland
- Junior Sisk Band (bluegrass), Ferrum, Virginia
- Lonnie Holley (Afro-futuristic jazz, funk, and soul), Atlanta, Georgia
- Mis Blandine (Congolese soukous), Toronto, Ontario
- Peni Candra Rini (Javanese sindhen), Tulungagung, East Java, Indonesia
- Rancho Aparte (Colombian chirimía music), Quibdó, Colombia
- Trouble Funk (go-go), Washington, D.C.
Sept. 27 to 29 on Brown’s Island and the surrounding riverfront, Richmond.
Click here to make plans with this list of events to come and ongoing exhibitions and performances.
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