More What’s Booming RVA: Oct. 19 to 26

More of What’s Booming in Richmond, Virginia, October 19 to 26, 2023. A premiere cocktail event, new art exhibition, Halloween pre-gaming, a glowing garden, tattoos, and more – proving that RVA is a diverse, happening place!

Check out the Boomer Top 5 picks in RVA, browse the week ahead (below), or go to our updated events page  for Down the Road happenings.

October 19 to 26

What’s happening in and around the Richmond region

Thursday, October 19

Fitness & Health Expo. Improve overall emotional, physical, and mental health. Talk with community vendors, take in fitness demos like senior wellness, Zumba, line dancing, and pickleball. October 19, 10 a.m. to noon, at Eastern Henrico Recreation Center, Henrico.

artoberVA at the Poe Museum. Arts and smarts, dark and festive, with live music by Flashlight Tag, beers by Tabol Brewing, and food from TBT El Gallo. October 19, 6 to 9 p.m. at the Poe Museum, Richmond.

Grown-Up Field Trip: Halloween Edition. Hear real life creepy stories and infamous urban legends from Richmond’s past, do spooktacular crafts. Don your Halloween costume for extra credit or prizes, and enjoy grown-up beverages and snacks. FREE, registration required. October 19, 6 to 8 p.m., at The Valentine, Richmond.

Curator’s Talk – Willie Anne Wright: Artist and Alchemist. Learn about the new exhibition opening on Oct. 21, featuring the internationally renowned photographer and painter whose Richmond-based career spans six decades. Livestream option available. October 19, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., at Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond.

Garden Glow. See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.

“Hamlet.” Richmond Shakespeare opens its 25th anniversary season with the classic drama, examining questions about life and existence, sanity, love, death, and betrayal. From October 19 to November 12 at Dominion Energy Center’s Gottwald Playhouse, Richmond.

“Frozen.” With songs from the original Oscar-winning film, plus an expanded score with a dozen new numbers, Disney’s “Frozen” is a theatrical experience filled with sensational special effects, stunning sets and costumes, and powerhouse performances. Through Oct. 22 at Altria Theater, Richmond.

Get Your Boo’s at the Byrd. The classic Richmond theatre presents classic horror-inspired films, including “Scream,” “The Shining,” “Evil Dead II,” “The Bride of Frankenstein,” “Young Frankenstein,” “The Exorcist,” and more. Through Oct. 31 at the Byrd Theatre, Richmond.

Friday, October 20

Paranormal Poe: Poe and Victorian Spiritualism. Join Chris Semtner, curator of Richmond’s Poe Museum, for discussion of Edgar Allen Poe’s connection with the Spiritualism movement of the 19th century and how he inadvertently influenced their beliefs. Oct. 20, 6 p.m., at Magnolia Grange House Museum, Chesterfield.

Igniting the Storyteller in All of Us. An immersive evening of tales from 10 talented storytellers, hosted by Virginia Storytelling Alliance, The Writer’s Den at SPARC, and artoberVA. Oct. 20, 6 to 9 p.m., at 2106 N. Hamilton St., Richmond.

“A Mark Twain Halloween.” 3 Penny Theatre presents spooky tales of ghosts, witches and spirits through the unique view of the supernatural held by writer Mark Twain, played by Ray Carver. Oct. 20 and 21 at The Gayton Kirk Presbyterian Church, Richmond.

Richmond Tattoo & Arts Festival. Since 1988, the long-running festival has highlighted the industry and its enthusiasts, showcasing trends and innovations. Tattoo artists from around the world, plus painting and performance art. Oct. 20 to 22, at DoubleTree, Midlothian.

67th Annual Boardwalk Art Show at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. Head toward the Atlantic Ocean to soak in the work of nearly 200 artists from around the country, working in multiple media. The top-ranking show is one of the only outdoor art shows produced by an accredited museum, the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art. Also includes a Family ART Park, a VIP Beach Club, and live mural painting by local artists in the ViBe Creative District. FREE. Oct. 20 to 22 on the boardwalk between 24th to 35th streets, Virginia Beach.

53rd Annual Richmond Oktoberfest. See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.

Saturday, October 21

Hike for Kids. More than 250 hikers hit the trails of the James River Park System for a 3-, 8-, or 14-mile hike, ending with an after party with live music, food, and the signature Blue Sky Kölsch from Väsen Brewing. The event raises funds and awareness for Blue Sky’s outdoor education programs for youth. Oct. 21, start times depend upon hike distance (9 a.m., 11 a.m., or 12:30 p.m.), and post-hike party from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., beginning and ending at Virginia War Memorial, Richmond.

Plant NATIVE! Festival. Celebrating the benefits of local plants, with an emphasis on fall planting. Outdoor vendor fair, including plants for sale. FREE. Oct. 21, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and keynote speaker at 2:30 p.m., at Meadow Farm Museum at Crump Park, Glen Allen.

“Lowndes County and the Road to Black Power.” A film telling the story of the courage of the citizens and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee organizers who fought for the right to vote and for Black Power in Lowndes County, Alabama. FREE, registration required. Oct. 21, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Black History Museum, Richmond.

Czech & Slovak Folklife Festival. See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.

Mid-Lothian Mines Day. Learn about early coal mining history in Chesterfield while enjoying living history demonstrations, coal mining and railroad displays, period music, kids’ activities, and trolley tours. Concessions available. FREE. Oct. 21, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Mid-Lothian Mines Park, Midlothian.

Scott’s Addition Pumpkin Festival. New location, same lineup of live music, food, drinks, costume contest, and more. Oct. 21, noon to 6 p.m., at Bon Secours Training Center, Richmond.

Carnival of Cocktails. See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.

“Werewolves” Book Signing. Pamela K. Kinney will be signing copies of her book, “Werewolves, Dogmen, And Other Shapeshifters Stalking North America.” Oct. 21, 1 to 3 p.m., at Barnes & Noble, Chesterfield Towne Center, Richmond.

Young Adult Signing with Ashley Wilda and “The Night Fox.” Local author discusses and signs her new book, a time- and reality-morphing story of a 17-year-old girl confronting heartbreak and resisting healing at a mysterious recovery program in the wilderness. A tale of love, grief, depression, and healing. Oct. 21, 2 to 4 p.m., at Book People, Richmond.

“Fancy Me Mad” Graveyard Tour and Poe Reading. See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.

Virginia Vines Wine Festival. Celebrating Virginia Wine Month, highlighting Virginia varietals such as Cab Franc, Petit Verdot, Merlot, Viognier, and Chardonnay. Plus live music, food trucks, and museum access. Oct. 21, 6 to 9 p.m., at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, Richmond.

Pamana “Heritage.” Celebrate Filipino American History Month with Sayaw and an array of music and dance. Oct. 21, 6 p.m., at the Perkinson Center for Arts and Education, Chester.

Rocky Horror: The Concert. Yes, And! presents a rock concert featuring the soundtrack to “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” plus other classic spooky horror tunes. With Frank, Rocky, Brad, Janet, and surprise cameos. Oct. 21, 7 and 10:30 p.m., at The National, Richmond.

Get Spooky at Ashland Theatre. Get your Halloween on with a spooky event for kids and scary movies for the rest of us, including “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” “Carrie,” and “Halloween.” Oct. 21 to 30 at Ashland Theatre, Ashland.

Willie Anne Wright: Artist and Alchemist. Showcasing a groundbreaking, internationally renowned photographer and painter whose Richmond-based career spans over six decades, through 63 photographs and 9 paintings. From playful and irreverent scenes of everyday life to ethereal evocations of the past, Wright’s experimental paintings and photographs examine pop-culture, feminine identity, the pull of history, and the shifting cultural landscape of the South. Oct. 21 to April 28, 2024, at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond.

NOTE: Feature image above: Willie at Ruth’s Farm, 1984, Willie Anne Wright (American, born 1924), silver dye bleach print. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Arthur and Margaret Glasgow Endowment, 2022.329.

Sunday, October 22

Tuckahoe Sports Arts Festival. Outdoor art festival with juried art from established artists in a variety of media. FREE. Oct. 22, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Tuckahoe Sports Complex, Henrico.

Symphony Series: Tchaikovsky’s Pathétique. Music Director Valentina Peleggi conducts Tchaikovsky’s final work – the “Pathétique” Symphony. Plus, “Don Juan,” a showpiece for orchestra by Richard Strauss. And Paul Neubauer plays the bracing Viola Concerto of Béla Bartók. Oct. 22, 3 to 5 p.m., and 8 to 10 p.m., at Dominion Energy Center, Carpenter Theatre, Richmond.

Monday, October 23

40th Anniversary of Beirut Marine Barracks Bombing. A special ceremony to honor and remember the members of the American peacekeeping force that lost their lives in the bombing of the US Marine Barracks in Beirut, Lebanon, 40 years ago. Followed by a book talk from Navy Seal Jack Carr. Oct. 23, 11 a.m., outdoors at the Virginia War Memorial, Richmond.

Tuesday, Oct. 24

From Paris with Love. An immersive French Cooking class. Learn the secrets behind the elegance and sophistication of Parisian flavors, including a few French classics. Oct. 24, 6:30 to 9 p.m., at Woodside Farms, Glen Allen.

“Akwarium.” Richmond Ballet Presents Studio One. Inspired by the atmosphere of an aquarium, this contemporary ballet reflects the very human experience of sharing space, and the encounters, random or otherwise, that we have along the way. Oct. 24 to 29 at Richmond Ballet Studio Theatre, Richmond.

Wednesday, Oct. 25

“Legacy of Black Astronauts.” Virginia Astronauts Leland Melvin and Dr. Robert L. Satcher discuss the past, present, and future contributions of Black astronauts to human space flight. Melvin is a graduate of the University of Richmond and the University of Virginia, a mission specialist on NASA’s STS-122 and STS-129 missions, and the only person in history to catch a pass in the National Football League and in space. Satcher is an Associate Professor in the Department of Orthopedic Oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. He was a mission specialist on NASA’s STS-129 mission, where he performed two spacewalks and was the first orthopedic surgeon to travel into space. Both men are Virginia natives. Oct. 25, 6 p.m., at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, Richmond.

Gallery at First UU. More than 130 Virginia fine artists and craft-makers present and sell nearly 4,000 pieces of arts and crafts in multiple media. Oct. 25 to 29 at First Unitarian Universalist Church, Richmond.

Thursday, Oct. 26

Halloween Unhappy Hour. Enjoy the surf rock of The Embalmers, Triple Crossing Beer on tap, and the culinary delights of TBT El Gallo. Come in costume for fun and prizes. Oct. 26, 6 to 9 p.m., at the Poe Museum, Richmond.

Spooky Short Stories Tour. Join a 30-minute gallery tour of The Valentine featuring stories of the eerie and mysterious. FREE. Oct. 26, 6 p.m., at The Valentine, Richmond.

Lincoln Prize Lecture. Highlighting scholarly works on Abraham Lincoln, the American Civil War soldier, or the American Civil War era. Featuring this year’s co-winner, Dr. Jonathan White. Oct. 26, 6 p.m. reception and 7 p.m. lecture and book signing, at the American Civil War Museum at Tredegar, Richmond.

The Bald and The Beautiful. This live podcast recording stars Trixie and Katya, a pair of grizzled gay ghouls exploring the cultural boundaries of modern beauty through interviews with guests from the beauty industry. May contain adult themes and language. Oct. 26, 8 p.m., at Dominion Energy Center, Richmond.

News Worth Knowing

At the Garden, in the Theater (inc. ‘Menopause the Musical’) + Presale Discount

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

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