More What’s Booming RVA: April 16 to 23

Drama, plants, Porchella, international games and nibbles, a world of concerts, authors, Restaurant Week, and more. What’s Booming, April 16 to 23, 2026.

Explore:

• Boomer’s Top 5 picks in RVA this week,
• April 16 to 23, event news + a road trip – below, and
• Our updated events page for Down the Road happenings and ongoing exhibitions and performances.

April 16 to 23, 2026

What’s happening in and around the Richmond region

Thursday, April 16

RVA Green Drinks. See Boomer’s top picks.

18th Century Music Concert: Christian Febiger and the 2nd VA Regiment’s Band of Music. Authentic 18th-century military music on period instruments, along with historical context on military music in the Revolutionary era. April 16, 6 p.m., at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, Richmond.

“Genealogy and the Power of Connection in Early America.” Drawing on extensive research across 18th century British America, Karin Wulf’s new book explores how genealogy functioned in the past and why it continues to matter. April 16, 6 to 8 p.m., at Wilton House Museum, Richmond.

2026 Chefs’ Cook Off Challenge. Talented culinary experts compete for top honors. The evening features exceptional food and friendly competition, in support of Commonwealth Autism Programs. April 16, 6 p.m., at Altria Theater, Richmond.

Music at Hardywood. Beer, pizza, and orchestra music. April 16, 6:30 p.m., at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery on Ownby, Richmond.

“The Nameless and the Faceless of the Civil War.” Award-winning poet Lisa G. Samia gives an online talk on her Civil War poetry series. Using rhyme and narrative of poetry and Civil War history, lost voices of the past come forth to share their experiences and suffering to create a deeper empathy for those lost and unknown. April 16, 6:30 p.m., at The American Civil War Museum, Richmond.

“The Outsiders.” Experience S.E. Hinton’s tale of how class division and prejudice trap young people in cycles of violence, preventing them from recognizing shared struggles and the desire for belonging. It dramatizes empathy, friendship, and life in a world that forces you to choose sides. April 16 to 18 at Thomas Dale High School, Chester.

“Wolf Play.” Fifth Wall Theatre presents: When a young boy is rehomed, a queer couple takes him in, unaware that he sees himself not as a boy, but as something wilder. As tensions rise and identities clash, instinct takes center stage in this fable about parenthood, survival, and the ways we fight for belonging. April 16 to May 9 at The Basement, Richmond.

War in Pieces. The Mighty Pen Project, Virginia War Memorial, and the Firehouse Theatre present a festival of new short plays written by veterans, capturing their experiences in and out of uniform. Through April 19 at the Virginia War Memorial, Richmond.

Allianz Amphitheater Live Music Season Begins. Up this week:

• Alabama Shakes – April 16
• Flatland Cavalry – April 17
• WNRN Presents: CAAMP – April 22

Friday, April 17

Pastor Mike Jr. Symphony Praise Party. The pastor and performer joins the Richmond Symphony to pair the power of orchestral arrangements with live praise and worship songs. April 17, 7 p.m., at Carpenter Theatre, Richmond.

David Sedaris. The humorist and author brings his sardonic wit and incisive social critiques to Richmond with new readings, a Q&A, and book signings. April 17, 2026, 8 p.m., at Altria Theater, Richmond.

“Declarations of Independence: The Story of a Black Founding Father.” The Walter W. Craigie Speaker Series presents Dr. Sesha Joi Moon, scholar, civil servant, and co-founder of The JXN Project, which reclaims the history of Richmond’s Jackson Ward. Includes a 5:30 p.m. reception and lecture. April 17, 7 p.m., at Historic St. John’s Church, Richmond.

Saturday, April 18

Spirit Zone Party for Monument Avenue 10K. Cheer on the athletes with a group and enjoy free donuts and coffee and a DJ spinning tunes. April 18, 8 a.m. to noon, outside of First Baptist Church, Richmond.

Agecroft Garden Show & Plant Sale. See Boomer’s top picks.  

Vernal Pool Discovery. See Boomer’s top picks.

The Earth Day Buy Nothing Event. See Boomer’s top picks.  

Little Green Market. Plants, local vendors, and a terrarium-building workshop. April 18, noon to 5 p.m., at Bingo Beer Co., Richmond.

Earth Day. See Boomer’s top picks.  

Porchella 2026. Stroll through the Bellevue neighborhood and soak in live music from 36 bands and sustenance from six fine food trucks. FREE. April 18, noon to 6 p.m., in Bellevue, Richmond.

“Marriage and Other Monuments” with Virginia Pye. A multigenerational drama set against a tumultuous time of racial tension in the South. In the summer of 2020, social justice protests and the removal of Confederate monuments rock the city of Richmond as the marriages of two estranged sisters implode and individuals reckon with the past. April 18, 1 to 2:30 p.m., at Book People, Richmond.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Regatta. See Boomer’s top picks.

Kickers vs. Union Omaha. The hometown soccer club presents Health & Fitness Night along with fast-moving action. Group X fitness class from 5:10 to 5:40 p.m. April 18, 6 p.m., at City Stadium, Richmond.

Band Geek Date Night. Bringing the spirit of the marching field to the concert hall in a high-energy mashup of symphonic sound and collegiate pride, with the Richmond Symphony and the JMU Marching Royal Dukes. The Dukes kick start the evening outside from 6 to 6:30 p.m. April 18, 7 p.m., at Carpenter Theatre, Richmond.

Karim Sulayman & Ingrid Keller. The Grammy-award winning tenor Karim Sulayman joins forces with Ingrid Keller on piano. The recital showcases Sulayman’s exceptional vocal range and emotional depth. April 18, 7 p.m., and April 19, 3:30 p.m., at Marburg House, Richmond.

Anya Hinkle and Libby Weitnauer at the Shady Grove Coffeehouse. Known for their crystalline voices, vivid songwriting, and roots rich blend of bluegrass, folk, and Americana, full of heart, storytelling, and Appalachian soul. April 18, 7:30 p.m., at The Unitarian Universalist Community Church, Glen Allen.

The Crooked Road on Tour: The Blue Ridge Girls and Junior Sisk. The Blue Ridge Girls trio is rooted in Appalachian folk music. Showcasing skillful musicianship and vocal harmonies, they perform a mix of traditional standards and Blue-Ridge-breathed originals. Sisk is one of today’s leading voices in traditional bluegrass music. April 18, 7:30 p.m., at Perkinson Center, Chester.

Rex Richardson Sextet featuring Steve Wilson and Sharel Cassity. A jazz ensemble with two legendary saxophonists and more. April 18, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m., at Révéler, Richmond.

Historic Garden Week. See Boomer’s top picks. FEATURE IMAGE, TOP: Orange County Garden Week Home. By Jim Beavers.

Sunday, April 19

Grand Opening: The Skipwith-Roper Homecoming. See Boomer’s top picks.  

Patriots Day Reenactment. Twenty-seven days after Patrick Henry swayed the delegates inside St. John’s Church to arm Virginia’s militia, shots were fired at Lexington. Presenting the Liberty or Death reenactment in honor of the shot heard round the world. April 19, 1:30 p.m., at Historic St. John’s Church, Richmond.

“Changing the World Through Music.” The Virginians Chorus, a Richmond a cappella ensemble, returns to the Perkinson with songs and personal stories woven together with messages of hope and encouragement in four-part harmony. April 19, 3 p.m., at The Perkinson Center, Chester.

Rise Up! A Hamilton Tribute Sing-Along Experience. Inspired by the music of the Broadway phenomenon “Hamilton,” this is not a traditional sit-down musical – it’s a high-energy Hamilton party experience. Live performers and a DJ bring the music to life while the crowd sings, raps, and dances along. April 19, 6 p.m., at Ember Music Hall, Richmond.

Patti LaBelle with Special Guest Leela James. The classic soul singer presents rhythm and blues renditions, pop standards, and spiritual sonnets, showcasing her versatility. April 19, 7 p.m., at Altria Theater, Richmond.

Peni Candra Rini. Indonesian performer and UR artist-in-residence Peni Candra Rini, Balinese shadow master Gusti Sudarta, and musicians and dancers from the Court of Java present a public performance, joined by students and community members in UR’s gamelan ensemble. April 19, 7:30 p.m., Camp Concert Hall, University of Richmond.

Monday, April 20

Richmond Restaurant Week. Two dozen local restaurants offer their own custom prix fixe menu, with more than $5 of each meal going to benefit FeedMore. April 20 to 26 at multiple restaurants, Richmond.

Tuesday, April 21

“Dress Your Baby in Sage and Taupe” with Hayley DeRoche: National Launch. A witty, illustrated satire of a monochromatic curated lifestyle embraced by modern parents. In a collection ranging from essays and quizzes to advice columns and poems, DeRoche takes aim at buzzy parenting trends while assuring new parents that they are already their baby’s ideal caregiver. April 21, 6 p.m., at Fountain Bookstore, Richmond.

An Evening with Donna Everhart, author of “Women of a Promiscuous Nature.” The powerful story of a young woman accused of promiscuity and unjustly incarcerated. The novel is based on the long-buried history of the American Plan and exposes the real government program designed to regulate women throughout the first half of the 20th century. April 21, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at Midlothian Library, Midlothian.

The High Frequencies on Shockoe Sessions Live. High energy sound encompassing multiple genres, including power pop, New Wave, punk, and rock. April 21, 7:30 p.m., at In Your Ear Studios, Richmond.

Richmond Flying Squirrels vs. Somerset. The hometown baseball team takes on the Patriots from Somerset, New Jersey, at the new stadium. April 21 to 26 at CarMax Park, Richmond.

“The Wiz.” See Boomer’s top picks.  

Wednesday, April 22

Barbara Rose Johns Day Lecture: “Pursuit of Liberty: New Insights into Prince Edward County’s School Desegregation Struggle.” Dr. Brian Daugherity discusses recently conducted archival research on school desegregation and the Civil Rights Era in Prince Edward County. April 22, noon, at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, Richmond.

Venturing into Eco-Horror. See Boomer’s top picks.

A Conversation with Sadeqa Johnson. The bestselling author presents her newest novel, “The House of Eve,” one American woman’s vision in post-WWII Germany that unexpectedly ties together three people. April 22, 6:30 p.m., at Fairfield Library, Henrico.

University Symphony Orchestra. The University’s largest ensemble performs a varied program of repertoire, including Cello Concerto No. 1 in E-flat Major by Dmitri Shostakovich, performed by artist-in-residence Dr. Christoph Wagner. FREE. April 22, 7:30 p.m., at Camp Concert Hall, University of Richmond.

Thursday, April 23

“Terroir” Exhibition Opening. A solo exhibition of new work from Charlottesville-based painter Isabelle Abbot, focusing on the Virginia landscape for a meditation on place. Exhibition continues through June 6. April 23, 5 to 7 p.m., at Bond Millen Gallery, Richmond.

International Game Night. Learn about and play games from around the world. Paired with light bites highlighting cuisine from India, Mexico, and Japan, plus wine and beer. April 23, 6 p.m., at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, Richmond.

UnHappy Hour. A space-age themed dance party. Out of this world drinks and eats from Stone Brewing and 1115 Mobile Kitchen. Ethereal sound waves from Rikki Rakki and Shera Shi. Outer-space inspired costumes encouraged. April 23, 6 to 9 p.m., at The Poe Museum, Richmond.

Beth Macy, “Paper Girl: A Memoir of Home and Family in a Fractured America.” The 2026 Carole Weinstein Author Series presents writers whose books explore themes of fractured community, identity, family, and the power of genealogy. First up is Beth Macy, NYT bestselling author, including for “Dopesick.” FREE, registration required. April 23, 6 to 7:30 p.m., in the Lecture Hall, Library of Virginia, Richmond.

Own Your Narrative: Crafting Your Personal Brand. Tell your story with clarity and confidence. Through guided reflection and creative exercises, uncover your strengths and values to begin shaping a personal brand for your professional journey. April 23, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., at North Courthouse Road Library, North Chesterfield.

“The Bacchae of Euripides: A Communion Rite.” The play by Wole Soyinka confronts the unyielding scars of colonialism, viewed through the lens of West African tradition and Yoruba culture. April 23 to 26 at Singleton Center, Richmond.

Announcements & News

Richmond baseball then and now

Baseball and Richmond Bus Tour. Dive into the past, present, and future of baseball in Richmond. Explore over 100 years of local baseball history with guest guide Scott Mayer, author of “Baseball and Richmond,” and get a behind-the-scenes tour of the Flying Squirrels’ brand new home. April 25, 1 to 5 p.m., meeting at The Valentine, Richmond.

Road Trip

Courage inspirations and Earth celebrations

Tom Tom Festival. Charlottesville’s annual celebration of music, art, and dialogue, this year highlighting the theme of courage. What does it mean to take risks, bridge divides, and shape a shared future together? April 22 to 26 at multiple venues, Charlottesville.

Earth Day at Virginia State Parks. April 17 to 26 at state parks around Virginia. Including these special events near Richmond:

• Art in the Park at Holliday Lake and Twin Lakes
• Reduce, Reuse and Recycle Regatta at Pocahontas
• Power Up Ranger Station at Bear Creek Lake
• Vernal Pool programs at Powhatan and High Bridge
• Astronomy programs at James River

Explore future events and ongoing exhibitions and performances here.

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