More What’s Booming RVA: Feb. 5 to 12

Chocolate beers, multiple inspirational local heroes from the Civil War to the 21st century, concerts from Celtic rock to classical, Black history events, lectures, authors, and more – plus a road trip and event news. What’s Booming in Richmond, Virginia, February 5 to 12, 2026.

Explore:

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

February 5 to 12, 2026

What’s happening in and around the Richmond region

Thursday, February 5

Langley Winds Guest Performance. The wind quintet, serving from the historic Langley Air Force Base, brings a fresh perspective to chamber music, from timeless classics to contemporary masterpieces. FREE. February 5, 5 to 6 p.m., at Singleton Center, Richmond.

Art Opening. Mona Dworkin shows new mixed media Abstract Figurative paintings. Opening February 5, 5 to 7 p.m., at Txtur Furniture and Stock.

“Harlem Rhapsody.” Paperback release and book chat with Victoria Christopher Murray. February 5, 6 to 8:30 p.m., at Resist Booksellers, Petersburg.

The Battle of Franklin. Andrew Gallagher shares stories from his new book, “Twilight of the Confederacy: The Battle of Franklin.” The battle, fought on Nov. 30, 1864, in Tennessee, was a disastrous Confederate defeat and a pivotal Union victory, often called the “bloodiest five hours” of the Civil War. Part of the Petersburg Civil War Roundtable. February 5, 7 p.m., at Pamplin Historical Park, Petersburg.

Young Dubliners. Celtic Rock with influence from Ireland and elsewhere. February 5, doors at 6:30, at The Beacon Theatre, Hopewell.

Loretta & Patsy. Patsy Cline’s most successful musical disciple and dear friend, Loretta Lynn, recorded a tribute album, “I Remember Patsy,” 14 years after Cline’s death. The stage production tells the story of their friendship and features 22 songs, including “Crazy,” “You Ain’t Woman Enough to Take My Man,” and “Coal Miner’s Daughter.” Presented by Henrico Theatre Company. February 5 to 8 at The Cultural Arts Center, Glen Allen.

“Arthur Ashe: An Enduring Legacy.” See Boomer’s top picks.

Friday, February 6

Sanctuary on the Segregated Road. Storyteller Traci M. H. Coleman looks at the Colbrook Motel, a safe haven for African American travelers during segregation. Discover the courage, hospitality, and community spirit that made Colbrook a gathering place for families and civil rights leaders. FREE. Feb. 6, 10 to 11 a.m., at Beulah Recreation Center, North Chesterfield.

Friday at the Museum. Learn about the Virginia Randolph Museum, a National Historic Landmark, home of an innovative African American educator. Feb. 6, noon to 4 p.m., at The Virginia Randolph Museum, Glen Allen.

Blue Orpheus Orchestra Album Release Show. Presenting Babby Bless and his accordion along with legendary local cabaret, jazz, and world musicians. Feb. 6, 8 p.m., at Révéler, Richmond.

Paramount’s Pink Floyd Laser Spectacular. The multi-media laser and light show features the Original Master Recordings of Pink Floyd. The dramatic music is paired with lasers, lighting, video, and other special effects, stimulating viewers’ visual, audio, and creative senses. Feb. 6, 8 p.m., at The National, Richmond.

“You Got Gold: A Celebration of John Prine.” A star-studded documentary and concert tribute to the legendary artist, widely celebrated as one of history’s greatest songwriters. Filmed at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium in October 2022. Feb. 6, 7 p.m., at Ashland Theatre, Ashland.

Richmond Symphony: Voice of a Nation. An evocative evening of American music that explores memory, poetry, and the lyrical power of the human voice. Including Philip Glass’s “Company for Strings,” George Walker’s “Elegy for String Orchestra,” Aaron Copland’s “Eight Poems of Emily Dickinson, and Samuel Barber’s “Knoxville: Summer of 1915.” Featuring Richmond native and soprano Alicia Russell Tagert. Feb. 6, 7:30 p.m., at Perkinson Center, Chester.

Legends of R&B: “Tribute to The Isley Brothers, Maxwell, & Gap Band.”Presented by Kenny Sway and Craig T. Dobson. Feb. 6, 8 p.m., at The Tin Pan, Richmond.

Virginia Opera Presents “Intelligence.” See Boomer’s top picks.

ChinaFest. Discussion and other cultural resources that promote better understanding between the peoples of China and the United States. Take in documentaries, a comedian, an action film, table tennis tournament, and more. Feb. 6 to 9 at the University of Richmond and other local venues.

Voice of a Nation. An evocative evening of American music that explores memory, poetry, and the lyrical power of the human voice. Presenting Philip Glass’s “Company for Strings,” George Walker’s “Elegy for String Orchestra, Aaron Copland’s “Eight Poems of Emily Dickinson,” and Samuel Barber’s “Knoxville: Summer of 1915.” Joined by Richmond native and soprano Alicia Russell Tagert. Feb. 6, 7:30 p.m., at Perkinson Center, Chester; and Feb. 7, 7:30 p.m., at St. Christopher’s School, Richmond.

Do Portugal Circus. Magic, a clown, and death-defying performances take the audience on a journey of laughter and amazement. Feb. 6 to 22 at The Diamond, Richmond.

“Love and Vinyl.” See Boomer’s top picks.

“Dinner with Friends.” See Boomer’s top picks.

Saturday, February 7

Woodland Cemetery Tour. View the final resting place of African Americans from Richmond, Henrico, and surrounding areas, learning of the many influential people who are at rest in Woodland’s sacred grounds and of ongoing recovery efforts. Feb. 7, 10 a.m. to noon, at Woodland Cemetery, Richmond.

ChinaFest: Year of the Fire Horse. Celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year and explore the arts and culture of China in a family day event of art activities, performances, music, and more. Feb. 7, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond.

A Conversation with Surbhi Bansal. For anyone who’s felt the pull of home even when it’s the last place they want to go, Sorbhi Bansal’s “Do Not Follow” is a story about navigating the highways of life and discovering that sometimes the road to healing begins where the past and present collide. Feb. 7, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Book People, Richmond

Black History Month Kick Off. A day party featuring music from DJ Reggie Mac, participatory dancing with Break it Down RVA Line Dancing, and local vendors. Feb. 7, noon to 3 p.m., at VSU’s Gateway Dining and Event Center, Ettrick.

Memorial for Bill Martin. Open house and memorial at the Valentine in honor of Bill Martin, who led the Richmond-focused museum for decades, with grace, passion, humor, and kindness. Feb. 7, noon to 4 p.m., at the Valentine, Richmond.

“The Princess Bride” with Combat Demos. Virago Alley presents a special screening of the classic film accompanied by combat demonstrations performed by a shadow cast. A preview of the Richmond Ren Faire, April 18 and 19. Come dressed as your favorite character to participate in a costume contest. Feb. 7, 1 to 5 p.m., at the Byrd Theater, Richmond.

9th Anniversary Celebration. Toast the ninth year of the creative little brewery along the tracks in the Center of the Universe with a double beer release – Hoppy 9 Years IIPA and Big Red Ale, a Scottish Ale with a nod to Secretariat. Feb 7, 1 p.m., at Origin Beer Lab, Ashland.

Chocolate Fest 2026. Eight different chocolate beers, including Whoopie Pie, Peanut Butter Cup, S’mores, Strawberry, and Caramel Cookie, plus food and merchandise vendors. Feb. 7, 1 to 6 p.m., at Center of the Universe Brewing, Ashland.

Above & Beyond the Call of Duty: The Dorie Miller Story. On the morning of Dec. 7, 1941, Doris “Dorie” Miller was a mess attendant second class aboard the USS West Virginia stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. For his courageous actions during the “day that will live in infamy,” Miller became the first African American to earn the Navy Cross. Learn about his life. Feb. 7, 2 p.m., at Deep Run Park, Henrico.

4th Annual Black Excellence Exhibition. Love is in the air! From talking stages to anniversaries and breakups, artists delve into the nuances of Black love through paintings, photography, poetry, and music, with a special performance from the Petersburg Symphony. Feb. 7, 5 to 9 p.m., at The Hub, Petersburg

The Imaginaries. Husband and wife duo Shane Henry (guitar, vocals) and Maggie McClure (piano, vocals) form a unique blend of Americana music. Feb. 7, 7:30 p.m., at Perkinson Center, Chester.

The Belvedere Series: Echoes of the Unseen. Evocative music and poetry featuring the world premiere of a Belvedere commission: Zachary Wadsworth’s new song cycle, drawing from the poetry of Joan Murray and utilizing the rich textures of a piano trio. Also works by Debussy and Ravel. Feb. 7, 7 p.m., and Feb. 8, 3:30 p.m., at Marburg House, Richmond.

Sunday, February 8

Valentine’s Day Market. Indoor and outdoor market of local artists and makers. Feb. 8, 1 p.m., at Main Line Brewery, Richmond.

Hip Hop for Everyone Dance Class. Learn the energetic, expressive style that grew from Black and Latinx communities in the 1970s, rooted in creativity, rhythm, and individuality. Elements like grooves, footwork, and freestyle foundations. All ages. FREE. Feb. 8, 1 to 2 p.m., at The Valentine, Richmond.

Purchased & Possessed: Urban Slavery at the Marshall House. Did you know that John Marshall split time between his city home and Henrico farm? How did slavery differ at Marshall’s city home versus his farm? Geneva Weidhaas of the John Marshall House examines the lives and labors of those the Chief Justice enslaved on his city property. Feb. 8, 2 to 3:30 p.m., at Belmont Recreation Center, Henrico.

Apollo’s Fire Baroque Orchestra. Mary Anne Rennolds Chamber Music Concert Series presents the GRAMMY-winning orchestra that celebrates the spirits of baroque performances, with period instruments and emotional impact. Feb. 8, 3 to 5 p.m., at Singleton Center, Richmond.

Monday, February 9

“Rashomon.” As part of its Monthly Movie Series, Ashland Theatre presents a 1950 film exploring the complexities of human nature and the philosophy of justice as four people recount different version of a man’s murder of his wife. Feb. 9, 7 p.m., at Ashland Theatre, Ashland.

“Keeper of Lost Children” Launch with Sadeqa Johnson. In this new novel from the author of “Yellow Wife” and “The House of Eve,” one American woman’s vision in post-WWII Germany unexpectedly ties together three people: Ethel Gathers, wife of an American officer; Philadelphia-born Ozzie Phillips in Manheim, Germany; and Sophia Clark, who discovers a secret that upends her world. Feb. 9, 7 p.m., at Grace Baptist Church, Richmond.

Tuesday, February 10

Playing for Power: Black Resistance in Amateur Basketball and Football in Jim Crow Virginia. Marvin T. Chiles offers an account of amateur sports in Jim Crow Virginia, revealing how sports were a key arena for Black resistance to white supremacy. He recounts the development of Black football and basketball culture at the high school and college levels in Virginia from the 1890s to the early 1970s. Feb. 10, noon, at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, Richmond.

Chesterfield African American Preservation Project. A look at recent preservation projects in Chesterfield that commemorate African American history and landscapes. FREE. Feb. 10, 1 to 2 p.m., at Chesterfield Baptist Church, Moseley.

Blast from the Past Book Club. Read a new book, discuss it, and tour a different Henrico County historic site and look at the ties between the site and the book. February’s book is “The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves, and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History” by Robert Edsel. Feb. 10, 1 to 3 p.m., at Elko Community Center, Sandston.

Senior Science: Dome Night. From a preview of the night sky over Richmond to the latest discoveries at the edge of the universe, take part in an immersive, out-of-this-world experience in The Dome. Age 60+, FREE. Feb. 10, 5 to 7 p.m., at the Science Museum of Virginia, Richmond.

“The Body” with Bethany C. Morrow. The author chats about her pulse-pounding supernatural horror story, where a woman must survive a series of bizarre and escalating attacks on her marriage. Feb. 10, 6 to 7 p.m., at Fountain Bookstore, Richmond.

The Junior Wilson Show. The local musician shares his blend of gospel, blues, folk, rock, and soul. Feb. 10, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., at Chester Library, Chester.

The George Cruz Quintet on Shockoe Sessions Live. The Richmond-based jazz pianist and composer highlights Black American musical tradition rooted in the jazz of the 1940s and beyond, colored by soul, gospel, and modern harmony. Feb. 10, 7:30 p.m., at In Your Ear Studios, Richmond.

Wednesday, February 11

Faces of Freedom, Stories of Service. Hear stories of joy and sorrow, prosperity and sacrifice, from diverse Richmonders who served. This program highlights the stories of veterans of many conflicts, from world wars to current times. FREE. Feb. 11, 2 to 3 p.m., at Ettrick Recreation Center, South Chesterfield.

“And the Ancestors Sing” with Radha Lin Chaddah. The author discusses her sweeping, multigenerational novel of sacrifice, survival, and the unbreakable pull of home, set against the rapidly changing backdrop of post-Cultural Revolution China. Feb. 11, 6 p.m., at Fountain Bookstore, Richmond.

Literary Virginia Book Group: “Devil Is Fine.” The online guided discussion looks at author John Vercher’s novel, a Virginia Literary Awards Fiction Finalist. FREE, registration required. Feb. 11, 6 to 7:30 p.m., online.

What’s Behind Those Super Bowl Ads? See Boomer’s top picks.

Growing Wellness: Plants, People and a Thriving Planet. Explore how gardens – from intimate personal spaces to expansive public landscapes – can heal individuals, strengthen communities, and support a healthier planet. Feb. 11 to 13 at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Richmond.

Thursday, February 12

Dog Kissing Booth. Take home a digital memory from the dog kissing booth with your pup or a pet from the shelter. Funds support the work of the Richmond SPCA. VCU Men’s Basketball student athletes will be onsite from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. to pose with fans and their pets. Feb. 12, 4 to 7 p.m., at Robins-Starr Humane Center, 2519 Hermitage Road, Richmond.

Unveiling Event | RVA Community Makers 2026. The collaborative art project honors local community advocates. Artist Hamilton Glass and VMFA collaborate with artists, educators, business leaders, historians, community organizers, and others to celebrate those who have made a positive impact on the community. This year in partnership with the Black History Museum and Cultural Center. Feb. 12, 6 p.m., at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond.

Common Good(s): Taking Downtown Richmond to the Next Level. In it next installment in the Controversy/History series, The Valentine presents a look at key shared resources that support a thriving city and what investment is needed to support them here for the future, from transit to infrastructure to arts and media. FREE. Feb. 12, 6 to 7:30, at The Valentine, Richmond.

Laser Show: Prince. A light display accompanies the music of Prince, so you can party like it’s 1999. Feb. 12, 6:30 and 8:15 p.m., at the Dome, Science Museum of Virginia, Richmond.

“African Americans of Hanover County, Virginia.” Author Joe Gorman discusses some of the untold stories of individuals who have shaped the community. FREE, registration requested. Feb. 12, 7 p.m., at Hanover Tavern, Hanover.

“Heroes Among Us: Veterans Voices with Greg McQuade.” A retrospective look at video segments about Virginia military veterans produced by WTVR-TV CBS6 reporter-anchor Greg McQuade during his tenure at the Richmond station. FREE, registration requested. Feb. 12, 7 to 9 p.m., at the Virginia War Memorial, Richmond.

“From Poland with Love (and Detours).” Pianist Dr. Magdalena Adamek presents the richness and range of Polish piano music, with young guest artists. Exploring tradition and experimentation, featuring works by Chopin, Bacewicz, Szymanowski, Zarębski, and others. Jan. 29, 7 p.m., at Singleton Center, Richmond.

Teen Uke Sensation from Taiwan – Feng Eat. Teenage Taiwanese phenomenon, Feng E, first stunned the world at just 10 years old when his breathtaking ukelele performance went viral, and has continued performing since. Feb. 12, 8 p.m., at The Tin Pan, Richmond.

News to Know

Outdoor adventure challenges, Secretariat celebrations, history speakers

Two Adventure Series Challenges at Pocahontas State Park. As part of the statewide Adventure Series, the state park in Chesterfield County hosts two back-to-back events. At Pocahontas State Park, Chesterfield.

• Frozen Foot Challenge Adventure Race. Racers of all levels test their skills on a challenging course of mountain biking and off-trail trekking, solo or in a team. March 14, meeting at the Aquatics Center parking area .
• Tour de Pocahontas. Riders of all skill levels can experience the park’s renowned trail system, miles of singletrack winding through lush forests and rolling terrain. March 21 and 22.

Secretariat Birthday Celebration in Ashland. 

• The Big Red Bash. Food and drink, live music, an artsy silent auction, an new horse racing game, and a special guest of honor, a big chestnut racehorse who is a descendant of Secretariat. Proceeds go toward the maintenance of the Secretariat monument and other local projects. March 27, 6 to 9 p.m., at Oakdale, Ashland.
• Secretariat Day. A kickoff ceremony, “Meet the Minis” corral of miniature horses, new Secretariat merchandise, live music, local food trucks and vendors, games and crafts for kids, free birthday cake, and more. FREE. March 28, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Randolph-Macon College, Ashland.

2026 Speaker Series. The Walter W. Craigie Speaker Series brings speakers to St. John’s to discuss a variety of topics related to history. Each speaker event features a 5:30 p.m. reception. At Historic St. John’s Church, Richmond.

• Dr. Sesha Joi Moon – Declarations of Independence: The Story of a Black Founding Father. April 17, 7 p.m.
• Andrew Lawler – A Perfect Frenzy: A Royal Governor, His Black Allies, and the Crisis That Spurred the American Revolution. May 8, 7 p.m.
• Dr. Art Kellermann and Dr. Richard “Dick” Wenzel – How George Washington Defeated Smallpox And Won America’s Independence. June 12, 7 p.m.
• Chief Stephen Adkins, chief of the Chickahominy Tribe. The long and complex journey of Virginia’s native nations struggle for federal recognition and sovereignty while maintaining cultural integrity. June 26, 7 p.m.

Road Trip

Photos and tea ware 

Two New Exhibitions in Charlottesville. Feb. 7 to May 30 at The Fralin Museum of Art, Charlottesville.

• “Refutations.” Photographer Nakeya Brown honors the complex entanglement of identity, memory, femininity, family legacy, and the marketing of cultural assimilation in the context of Black hair, asking viewers to reconsider Eurocentric beauty standards proliferated for power and profit.
• “Crafted for Tea: Connecting Cultures with Teaware and Traditions.” Combining material and visual culture related to tea from Asia, Europe, and the Americas, exploring how tea-drinking practices have travelled and transformed across cultures and time periods.

Explore future events and ongoing exhibitions and performances here.

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