More What’s Booming RVA: March 12 to 19

Go .9k for veteran K-9s, check out the Adaptive Sports Festival, learn about a new local Italian and French Film Festival, find melodies for your muse, and so much more! What’s Booming, March 12 to 19, 2026.

Explore:

• Boomer’s Top 5 picks in RVA this week,
• March 12 to 19, event news + a road trip – below, and
• Our updated events page for Down the Road happenings and ongoing exhibitions and performances.

March 12 to 19, 2026

What’s happening in and around the Richmond region

Thursday, March 12

Controversy/History: The Next Stop for Public Transit. Hear from experts and share your perspective on topics that matter to Richmonders, this year highlighting the theme of “Common Good(s).” FREE. March 12, 6 p.m., at The Valentine, Richmond.

History Notes: The World in Our Commonwealth. Learn about rare VMHC collection items, followed by musical selections created by immigrant composers played by a Richmond Symphony chamber ensemble. The works reflect the dynamic journeys and cultural intersections of how immigrants and global influences have shaped Virginia and American identity. March 12, 6 p.m., at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, Richmond.

Laser Show: Queen. The music and lasers will rock you. March 12, 6:30 and 8:15 p.m., at The Dome, the Science Museum of Virginia, Richmond.

“Once We Pledged Forever.” Marine Ivan Ingraham discusses his 2025 novel, based on actual events during and after his 24-year career. It’s a military adventure tale of betrayal and revenge, the ethical uncertainties of war, and the lifelong consequences of military actions. FREE, registration requested. March 12, 7 p.m., at Hanover Tavern, Richmond.

“The Play’s the Thing: Much Ado About Nothing Prepared.” This Bardalicious workshop shows how to create your own Shakespearean character through language and movement. Fully adaptable to various mobility needs and preferences. March 12, 7 to 9 p.m., at Agecroft, Richmond.

Sue Foley. See Boomer’s top picks.

Los Straitjackets & Deke Dickerson – Rockin’ Dance Party. Guitar instrumentalists, using the music of the Ventures, The Shadows, Link Wray, and Dick Dale as their starting points. March 12, 8 p.m., at The Tin Pan, Richmond.

Black Restaurant Experience. See Boomer’s top picks.

Friday, March 13

Happy Friday the 13th!

ARGS Visual Art Spring Show. Enjoy the works of young creatives at Appomattox Regional Governor’s School and graduating members of the Petersburg High School National Art Society. Opening reception on March 13, 5 to 8 p.m.; exhibitions run through April 4, at Petersburg Area Art League, Petersburg.

RBRE10: Black Love + Basketball at Bolo. Richmond Black Restaurant Experience celebrates 10 years of Culture Meets Cuisine, introducing Bolos Eatery to Richmond Black Restaurant Experience and spotlighting the energy and culinary creativity in Manchester. Food, culture, music, and community. March 13, 6 to 11 p.m., at Bolo Eatery + Blackwell & Brainstorm Brewhouse, Richmond.

The Man in Black. See Boomer’s top picks.

Richmond Famous with Hamilton Glass. This long-running comedy series presents a well-known Richmond-area citizen as the featured guest. The guest shares true stories from their lives, which the cast use as inspiration to create a hilarious impromptu comedy show. This show features artist and muralist Hamilton Glass. March 13, 7:30 p.m., at Coalition Theater, Richmond.

Dancing with the Stars: Live. Bringing the artistry of the dancers and celebrities of the TV show to Richmond. March 13, 7:30 p.m., at Altria Theater, Richmond.

DreamHaus of Illusions. Illusionist Jackson DeShazo takes the stage with magic and mind tricks. March 13, 7 to 9 p.m., at DreamHaus, Richmond.

Ginger Billy. The standup comedian and content creator presents redneck satire and true-to-his-roots opinions on American pop culture. He reflects a down-to-earth family man with a passion for Southern pleasures. March 13 and 14 at Funny Bone, Richmond.

Richmond Floorball Showcase. Learn about the international sport with Friday’s beginner-focused session, attend or participate in tournaments, or join open play. Hosted by Richmond Floorball Club. March 13 to 15 at River City Sports and Social Club Annex, Henrico.

Craftsmen’s Spring Classic Art & Craft Festival. The 42nd annual event gathers hundreds of artists and craftsmen, local and from 15 states across the nation, to showcase their creations: pottery, jewelry, fine art, glass, furniture, clothing, specialty foods, and more. March 13 to 15 at Richmond Raceway Complex, Richmond.

Saturday, March 14

Happy Pi Day!

Bird Bingo. Spot birds, learn about new ones, and fill out bird bingo cards while trekking through a local park. Binoculars, cards, and birds provided. Meet at the outdoor classroom in front of the lake near Three Lakes Nature Center entrance. March 14, 9 to 10:30 a.m., at Three Lakes Park, Henrico.

.9k for K-9s. Honor and remember the contributions and sacrifices of military, law enforcement, search and rescue, and other service dogs on the battlefields and in local communities. Panels placed along the course provide facts about military service dogs throughout American history. FREE, pre-registration required. March 14, 9:30 a.m., at the Virginia War Memorial, Richmond.

American Revolution Living History. See what life was like for Revolutionary War soldiers in Hanover County – their uniforms, weaponry, food, and camp life. Featuring drill and firing demonstrations and kids’ games. March 14, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Hanover Tavern, Hanover.

Virginia Derby 2026. Ten races, live entertainment and music, food trucks, and more. March 14, 10 a.m., at Colonial Downs, New Kent.

Lafayette Day Cocktail Party. Honor the legacy of the French general who helped secure American independence and championed human rights around the world. Paired with period music, historical interpreter, remarks from French dignitaries, and historically inspired hors d’oeuvres and drinks, including the Lafayette Bicentennial Wine Series from Williamsburg Winery. March 14, 5:30 p.m., at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, Richmond.

Visit the Vault. Join staff on a short tour of the VMHC’s rare book and manuscript vault to see some of the collection’s most unique books, documents, and artifacts from five centuries of Virginia history. Learn about the library collection and its role in facilitating pioneering research into Virginia history. March 14, March 28, and April 11, 3 p.m., at Virginia Museum of History & Culture, Richmond.

The Dinner Detective Comedy Mystery Dinner Show. Solve an amusing mystery while eating dinner – and while knowing the culprit is somewhere among fellow diners. March 14 and 28, 6 to 9 p.m., at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Richmond Midlothian.

Sunday, March 15

Virginia Adaptive Sports Festival. Showcasing sports and recreational opportunities for people with disabilities: try out a sport adapted for people with limited mobility or a physical or visual impairment, no matter the age or disability. From wheelchair sports to individual sports like archery, cycling, or kayaking, with 20+ sports to try. Also learn about volunteering opportunities. FREE. March 15, noon to 2 p.m., at Henrico Sports & Event Center, Glen Allen.

St. Patty’s Day Market at Main Line Brewery. Indoor and outdoor market of local artists and makers selling handmade home décor, art, jewelry, apparel, and more. March 15, 1 to 5 p.m., at Main Line Brewery, Richmond.

Henrico’s Wild Weather. What was Henrico’s weather like in centuries past? What severe weather events impacted its residents or even the outcome of a significant moment in time? Learn of flooding, thunderstorms, and even a snowstorm for the record books. March 15, 2 to 3:30 p.m., at Belmont Recreation Center, Henrico.

Ireland’s Fight for Freedom. Profs & Pints Richmond presents Kevin Matthews, assistant professor of history at George Mason University and former London correspondent for Vatican Radio reporting on British and Irish news. March 15, 4 to 6:30 p.m., at Triple Crossing Beer – Fulton, Richmond.

Goodnight Moon & Seth Walker. The guitar and vocal duet combines the evocative voice and songwriting of Molly Venter of Red Molly with Eben Pariser’s adventurous guitar playing, for folk music with improvisation and tonal subtlety. March 15, 7 p.m., at The Tin Pan, Richmond.

Tuesday, March 17

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Pot of Gold Bingo. A themed bingo game with prizes. Ages 16+. March 17, 10 a.m., at Eastern Henrico Recreation Center, Henrico.

St. Patrick’s Day with Seán Heely Celtic Band. A blend of ancient melodies from Scotland and Ireland, vibrant rhythms from Galicia and Brittany, and original modern compositions, for a musical journey through the Celtic world. March 17, 8 p.m., at The Tin Pan, Richmond.

Wednesday, March 18

“She Leads the Legacy: Trailblazers in Motion.” See Boomer’s top picks.

Candlelight Celtic. Surrounded by the glow of over 1,000 candles, the audience is immersed in the melodies of Ireland. The candles highlight the classic Irish instruments and musicians. March 18, 7 p.m., at Ashland Theater, Ashland.

Tabatha Easley. The VCU professor of flute performs as part of the faculty recital series. March 18, 7 p.m., at Singleton Center, Richmond.

Albert Lee. The Grammy Award-winning British guitarist is recognized for his fingerstyle and hybrid picking technique. Lee has worked with notable musicians from a wide range of genres including Eric Clapton, the Everly Brothers, Bill Wyman, Emmylou Harris, Joe Cocker, Jackson Browne, Rosanne Cash, and more. March 18, 8 p.m., at The Tin Pan, Richmond.

“Immediate Family.” See Boomer’s top picks.

Thursday, March 19

“The Belgian Friendship Building: From The New York World’s Fair to a Virginia HBCU.” Art historians talk about their recent book on how this iconic building came to the campus of an HBCU in Richmond. FREE, registration required. March 19, noon, at the Library of Virginia, Richmond.

Mini Cozy Con with Olivia Blacke and Mollie Ann Cox. Two cozy mystery writers talk about their two newest books. March 19, 6 p.m., at Fountain Bookstore, Richmond.

A Woman of Fine Presence: The Material Culture of Maggie Lena Walker.National Park Service curator Ethan P. Bullard delivers an illustrated presentation highlighting unique artifacts and documents from the museum collections of the Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site, honoring the pioneering entrepreneur, educator, and fraternal leader. March 19, 6 to 8 p.m., at Wilton House Museum, Richmond.

Music at Hardywood. Beer, pizza, and orchestral music from the Richmond Symphony, in a casual, intimate concert. March 19, 6:30 p.m., at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery on Ownby, Richmond.

“Keep Shouting Sister.” A tribute to Sister Rosetta Tharpe. March 19, 7 p.m., at In Your Ear Studios, Richmond.

Black Heath Meadery 11-Year Anniversary Weekend. The local meadery celebrates more than a decade of producing a wide variety of the honey-based alcoholic beverage, using locally sourced fruits and honey. Events include:

• Comedy Night: March 19, at The Hive, Richmond.
• Vertical Tasting, a ticketed event featuring 12 meads from over the years: March 20, at The Nucleus, Richmond.
• Celebration, with new releases, special pours, and more: March 21, noon to 9 p.m., at The Hive, Richmond.
• Psyche Sundays, with live music, open mic, and psychedelic visuals: March 22, 2 to 6 p.m., at The Hive, Richmond.

Moving Art Three: New Works. Four choreographers are challenged to create original 10-minute ballets in just 25 hours, providing a glimpse into the creative process. March 19 to 29 at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond.

Road Trip

Ballet, poetry, and other arts honor American history

Charlottesville Ballet Presents – American250: Voices of Virginia. This sweeping multidisciplinary performance traces the arc of the American story – from its founding to today –through dance, opera, theater, poetry, and music created by Virginia artists. Specifics include

• Early American compositions and contemporary works, reflecting the evolution of American music across centuries
• Poetry by American literary greats Walt Whitman and Langston Hughes, and Harlem Renaissance and Lynchburg poet Anne Spencer
• Multimedia pieces and historical visuals, including a piece honoring our military veterans

March 14, 4 p.m., at Paramount Theater, Charlottesville.

News & Announcements

Classes, films, canal cruises, Garden growth, and Americana

March Classes at Montpelier. Sign up for Songwriting 101, Fly Tying Wooly Bugger, 9D Breathwork, or Spring Living Wreath. Starting March 14 at The Montpelier Center, Montpelier.

PAAL Art Classes for March. Weaving, drawing, watercolor painting, creative writing, journaling, and open studio. Beginning March 13 at Petersburg Area Art League, Petersburg.

Inaugural Italian and French Film Festival. Eight compelling contemporary Italian and French films, along with one classic: Gillo Pontecorvo’s masterpiece, “The Battle of Algiers” (1966). Two roundtables with filmmakers and guest scholars and opening and closing receptions highlighting Italian and French cuisine. Eight screenings on campus; closing-night screening and reception at the historic Byrd Theatre. FREE. March 27 to 30, at the University of Richmond and Byrd Theatre, Richmond.

Riverfront Canal Cruises. A fresh season of cruises on the Richmond Canal kicks off on Thursday, April 2, the 26th season of historic tours and private charters. Hear about Powhatan’s chiefdom, a unique railroad feature, architecture, and more. At the Canal Walk Turning Basin, Richmond.

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden Announces Opening Date for New Conservatory and Gardens. Visitors will see a conservatory that’s nearly twice as big, with tropical and subtropical houses; 7.5 acres of new gardens; Wick Lake encircled by Martha’s Way walking trail; and the Kroger Community Kitchen Garden. Opening May 23 at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Richmond.

“Americana.” An exhibit of design, photography, textiles, sculpture, and art explores the images and archetypes that have defined our national identity and asks, “Are we living up to our promises?” One gallery looks at the shaping of the mythology, from the cowboy to Harley-Davidson tanks. A second gallery explores symbols that projected freedom while excluding people affected by those narratives. Beginning July 2 at The Branch Museum of Design, Richmond.

Explore future events and ongoing exhibitions and performances here.

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