What’s Booming RVA: Benedict Arnold and Poe
Boomer’s top 5 picks for the week ahead
One was a traitor, the other a creative eccentric. Both left their marks on Richmond. Commemorate Arnold’s raid, celebrate Poe’s 216th birthday, plus hear Cold War tales, sax, and Benatar tunes. “What’s Booming RVA: Benedict Arnold and Poe.”
Arnold’s Raid and Revolutionary War Battle
All activities FREE. Jan. 2 to 5 at various locations in Henrico and Richmond
Richmond National Battlefield Park commemorates the 1781 British raid on Richmond, presenting guided tours, presentations on women in the Revolution, Virginia Indians in the Revolution, a colonial musical performance, and reenactor programs.
- Virginia Women in the Revolution. Discussion by historian Kate Gruber. Jan. 2, 7 p.m., at Libbie Mill Library, Henrico.
- Benedict Arnold’s Raid Encampment. Benedict Arnold led more than 1,000 British and Hessian troops through Henrico in January 1781. Travel back in time to visit a small Revolutionary War encampment of local militia to learn more about their uniforms, gear, and life of the common soldier. Hear about the patriots’ struggle to defend Richmond. Jan. 3, noon to 5, at Clarke-Palmore House, Henrico.
- Re-enactor Camps and Demonstrations. Activities include cooking demonstrations, colonial toys and games, rope making, colonial medicine, spinning wool, and more. Musket demonstration (11 a.m.), children’s militia drill activity (noon), American musket demonstration (1 p.m. and 3 p.m.), British musket demonstration (2 p.m.). Jan. 4, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Chimborazo Medical Museum, Richmond.
- History and Preservation in Church Hill. Walking tour and programs. Walking tour begins at 11 a.m. at Chimborazo Medical Museum (11 a.m.). Programs are on colonial music (1:30 to 2 p.m.), “Virginia Indians in the Revolution” from Dr. Ashley Spivey (2 to 3 p.m.), and a conversation with General Benedict Arnold and Governor Thomas Jefferson (3 to 4 p.m.), at Historic St. John’s Church, Richmond. Jan. 4 at Chimborazo Medical Museum and Historic St. John’s Church, Richmond.
A Month of Poe
Gallery5, The Poe Museum, and St. John’s Church celebrates Edgar Allan Poe’s 216th birthday all month long.
- Poe and the Evolution of Foster Care. Jan. 2, 6 to 8 p.m., at Gallery5, Richmond.
- First Fridays Opening Reception: A Midnight Dreary. An exhibition inspired by the life and works of Edgar Allan Poe. Featuring live music performances & merchants. FREE. Jan. 3, 5 to 11 p.m., at Gallery5, Richmond.
Edgar’s Sweet 216th Birthday Bash. Jan. 18, 6 to 10 p.m., at The Poe Museum, Richmond.
The Ghoul-Haunted Woodland: A Poe-Themed Tour of St. John’s Graveyard / A Lyrical Tour by Dean Knight. On the anniversary of Poe’s birth. Jan. 19, 2 to 3 p.m., at Historic St. John’s Church, Richmond.
Drink & Draw RVA: A Poe Birthday Session with Brit Austin. Live model drawing event for artists of all skill levels, hosted and taught by a local artist. Jan. 19, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., at Gallery5, Richmond.
Gallery5 Listening Room. Musical acts and literary readings. Jan. 19, 7 to 10 p.m., at Gallery5, Richmond.
Pamela Williams The Saxtress
Jan. 3, 8 p.m., at The Tin Pan, Richmond
The first lady of sax brings her smooth jazz sounds, plus a stylish blend of flavors, from Latin & jazz, funk, to R&B, hip-hop and house, to the Richmond stage.
Shadows of the Night
Jan. 4, 8 p.m., at The Tin Pan, Richmond
A tribute band celebrating the music of Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo’s classic hits.
Cold War Virginia
Jan. 7, noon, at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, Richmond
Hear Cold War historians Francis Gary Powers, Jr., and Christopher Sturdevant share tales of espionage, heroism, and betrayal, as told in their book, “Cold War Virginia.”
Check websites for more details, including prices and registration requirements.
More of What’s Booming in Richmond besides Arnold and Poe
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