More What’s Booming RVA: August 3 to 10

By Annie Tobey | August 3rd, 2023

A week of events, announcements, and a link to future fun


friends in art gallery, from Katarzyna Bialasiewicz. More What’s Booming in Richmond, Virginia, from August and beyond - music, First Fridays, festivals, fundraisers, big announcements, and more.

Check out the Boomer Top 5 picks in RVA, browse the week ahead, or go to our updated events page for Down the Road happenings and ongoing exhibitions and performances.


August 3 to 10

Thursday, August 3

Designer House Bare Bones Tour of the Taylor Estate, to benefit Richmond Symphony. Check out Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.

The Art of Rust … Among our Feathered Friends. Al Bryan, artist and landscape architect, presents slides and an artist talk. Bryan covers America’s love affair with the automobile, especially the iconic Volkswagen, as well as farm work trucks, bird art, and rusty relics. On display through Sept. 5. Opening reception on August 3, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at Bella Arte Gallery, Midlothian.

Fortune Feimster in Live, Laugh, Love. The stand-up comedian, writer, and actor – on the radio, on screens both big and small, and touring her stand-up across the nation. August 3, 7 p.m., at Dominion Energy Center, Richmond.

“Carrie: The Musical.” You know the plot. Now add music. Really! From Cadence Theatre. August 3 to 6 at Gottwald Playhouse at Dominion Energy Center, Richmond.

Friday, Aug. 4

Friday at the Museum: Courtney Road Service Station. Learn about the design and history of this historic early 1900s filling station and social hub. Aug. 4, noon to 4 p.m., at Courtney Road Service Station, Henrico.

Friday at the Museum: Meadow Farm Museum. Learn the history of Meadow Farm and the people who have called the property home. Aug. 4, noon to 4 p.m., at Meadow Farm Museum, Glen Allen.

RVA First Fridays. Stroll the art galleries along and around Broad Street, plus restaurants, shops, and other organizations. Presenting live music, special events, tastings, and more. Aug. 4, beginning at 5 p.m. – times vary at the many venues around downtown Richmond.

First Fridays at the Library of Virginia: Your Virginia Story. Presenting refreshments, an art exhibition by Virginia artists, the library’s “200 Years, 200 Stories” exhibition, and a maker station for creating blackout poetry. FREE. Aug. 4, 5 to 8 p.m., at the Library of Virginia, Richmond.

First Fridays for the Whole Family. Free museum admission, food trucks, family-friendly activities, live entertainment, and happy hour specials. FREE. Aug. 4, 5 to 8 p.m., at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture, Richmond.

Spreading Love Across the (804) on Freedom Friday! Richmond Jazz Society plays at the Museum and local DJs and vendors entertain at the Park. Food and drinks at both venues. FREE. Aug. 4, 5 to 10 p.m., at the Black History Museum and Abner Clay Park, Richmond.

Science After Dark: Up, Up and Away. Explore the science of flying and floating through a bubble bonanza show, DIY satellite and paper airplane construction, live astronomy shows, fizzy rocket demo, and much more. Aug. 4, 5 to 8 p.m., at the Science Museum of Virginia, Richmond.

Author Sandra Brown at Sam Miller’s. The bestselling author talks about her latest thriller, “Out of Nowhere.” FREE, registration required. Aug. 4, 6 to 7 p.m., at Sam Miller’s, Richmond.

Movie in the Park: “The Lost World: Jurassic Park.” Outdoor movie – take lawn chair or blanket and flashlight; concessions available. Aug. 4, 8:15 p.m., at Three Lakes Park, Henrico.

Tin Can Fish Band, courtesy Shockoe Records for 804 Day
Tin Can Fish Band, courtesy Shockoe Records for 804 Day

Richmond Music Week, with 804 Day, HearRVA’s Music Mixer, and more. Check out Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.

Saturday, Aug. 5

many tasters of beer

BrewHaHa Beer Festival. Check out Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.

Pocahontas Presents: The English Channel. Transport back in time with the British Invasion band playing hits of the mid ’60s and ’70s. All under the stars. Aug. 5, 8 p.m., at Pocahontas State Park, Chesterfield.

Sunday, Aug. 6

Shalom Farms Open House. Farm tours, cooking class demos, farm, nutrition and field trip stations, games, and more. See Facebook event listing for schedule. FREE. Aug. 6, 1 to 4 p.m., at Shalom Farms, Richmond.

Jazz at the Fountain Presents Weldon Hill. A musicologist, pianist, performer, composer, scholar, and writer, Dr. Weldon Hill has been active on stage and behind the scenes for decades. Aug. 6, 4 to 7 p.m., at Byrd Park Boat (Fountain) Lake, Richmond.

Books & Brews. Talk books and drink beer. No assigned book, just a “show and tell.” Aug. 6, 4 to 6 p.m., at Intermission Beer, Glen Allen.

Festival of Arts Presents Plunky and Oneness. Settle in to the smooth sounds of these Richmond legends. Aug. 6, 8 p.m., at Dogwood Dell, Richmond.

Tuesday, Aug. 8

Blast from the Past Book Club. Participants read a new book and visit a different Henrico County historic site every other month, discussing the book and how it ties into the historic site. Up first: “Yellow Wife: A Novel” by Sadeqa Johnson. Aug. 8, 1 to 3 p.m., discussion at the Parsons Community Center, tour of Meadow Farm, Glen Allen.

Lyle Lovett and His Large Band. After 14 albums and nearly four decades, the singer, composer, and actor continues to share with audiences his gifts of storytelling and musical elements of country, swing, jazz, folk, and more. Aug. 8, 8 p.m., at Dominion Energy Center, Richmond.

Wednesday, Aug. 9

Illumination Series: Hidden in Plain Site. Check out Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.

“Ends of War: The Unfinished Fight of Lee’s Army after Appomattox.” The Literary Virginia Book Group discusses the prize-winning book by Caroline E. Janney. Hosted by the Library of Virginia. Aug. 9, 6:30 p.m., online.

Thursday, Aug. 10

The Ashland Theatre Celebrates 75 Years. Check out Boomer’s Top 5 Picks. 

“The Maps of Spotsylvania Through Cold Harbor.” Author Bradley Gottfried speaks on the actions of Union and Confederate troops in the completion of the Overland Campaign. FREE. Aug. 10, 6:30 p.m., online.

The British Attacks: The War of 1812. Historian Bert Dunkerly recounts the only time the nation’s capital fell to an invading army and the attempt to save our founding documents. Aug. 10, 7 p.m., at Belmont Recreational Center, Henrico.

News worth knowing

Meteors, beverage events, benefits, Grinch

Meteor Shower Bike Tour. Ride the Virginia Capitol Trail, camp at Chickahominy Riverfront Park, and watch the Perseid Meteor Shower. Then ride home the next morning. Aug. 12 to 13, beginning at 9 a.m. at Great Shiplock Park, Richmond.

On the collaboration brew day for "Brewing in the Black Community" event, with Ardent Craft Ales and Capsoul Brewing, Richmond, Virginia.
On the collaboration brew day for “Brewing in the Black Community” event, with Ardent Craft Ales and Capsoul Brewing, Richmond, Virginia.

“Brewing in the Black Community: From African Origins to Craft’s Future.” A panel discussion on the brewing traditions of West Africa, stories of enslaved brewers and hop growers, and today’s Black entrepreneurs working to establish craft breweries in the Commonwealth, followed by a reception of finger foods and beers, both historic and from Black brewers. Hear from:

  • Deb Freeman, food anthropologist with a focus on Black foodways
  • Theresa McCulla, historian and curator of American brewing history at the Smithsonian
  • J. Nikol Jackson-Beckham, Diversity Ambassador for the Brewers Association
  • Eric Jackson, founder of Capsoul Brewing in Richmond
  • Lee Graves, author of three books on the history of beer and brewing in Virginia

The event is a collaboration between the Virginia Museum of History and Culture, Black History Museum and Cultural Center, and Richmond Beeristoric. Aug. 25, 6 p.m., at the Virginia Museum of History, Richmond.

“Take Me to the River.” Support the James River Park while swinging to yacht rock with Three Sheets to the Wind, Full Moon Fever, and Fear of Music. With food trucks, draft beer, and canned cocktails available for purchase. Sept. 9, 4 p.m., on Brown’s Island.

Richmond West Craft Beverage Trail Showcase. Support the producers of the Richmond West Craft Beverage Trail as you enjoy the libations of 12 artisan-led small businesses on the trail in Goochland and Powhatan. Ticket sales also support two local non-profits. Plus live music and food trucks. VIP and general admission. Sept. 10, noon (VIP) or 1:30 (GA) to 5 p.m., at Dover Hall, Goochland.

“Hope for Ukraine Tour” Concert. Members of the Kyiv Symphony Orchestra and Chorus present a concert to support the homeless, widows, wounded soldiers, and orphaned and needy children, affected by the conflict in Ukraine. Sept. 23, 3 p.m., at Grace & Holy Trinity Church.

Holiday events

Dr Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! the Musical. Philip Huffman as The Grinch and the 2016 touring company.
Philip Huffman as The Grinch and the 2016 touring company presentation of Dr Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! the Musical.

Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical. The classic holiday tale comes to stage, including memorable music, spectacular sets, and beloved characters – from the Grinch to Max to Cindy Lou Who. Dec. 12 to 17 at Altria Theater, Richmond.

More holiday events posted on Richmond Events from Boomer Magazine.


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

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