More What’s Booming RVA: Jan. 11 to 18
A week of events plus announcements, and a link to future fun
More of What’s Booming in Richmond, Virginia, January 11 to 18, 2024. Honor Religious Freedom Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Fill your ears with music, from jazz to rock, and fill your mind with new knowledge and ideas. Grow, explore, learn, enjoy!
Check out the Boomer Top picks in RVA, browse the week ahead below, or go to our updated events page for Down the Road happenings and ongoing exhibitions and performances.
January 11 to 18
What’s happening in and around the Richmond region
Thursday, January 11
A Solo Bicycle Tour of Iceland with Yasmine Idriss. An educational evening about seeing the world by bike. Hear from Yasmine Idriss, the first Arab woman to cycle Iceland’s Ring Road. January 11, 6 to 8 p.m., at Journeyman’s Adventure Co., Richmond.
James Longstreet: The Confederate General That Defied The South. Dr. Elizabeth Varon of UVA discusses the high-ranking Confederate general who wasn’t honored with a monument because of his post-war actions in rejecting the Lost Cause mythology and urging racial reconciliation. FREE. January 11, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the American Civil War Museum, Richmond.
James River Short Film Showcase. See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.
Friday, January 12
Friday at the Museum. Discover the rich and varied heritage of this vibrant community and its people, places, and events with tours and hands-on activities. All ages. Jan. 12, noon to 4 p.m., at Virginia Randolph Museum, Glen Allen.
Saturday, January 13
Coffee + Conversations with Ali Wall. A licensed professional counselor and human trafficking expert from Safe Harbor, a non-profit offering education about and advocacy for domestic violence survivors, discusses what human trafficking looks like in our community, red flags to look for, and how to approach this topic with family members. Ages 18 and up. Jan. 13, 10 to 11 a.m., at The Branch Museum of Architecture and Design, Richmond.
A Tribute to Richard Smallwood. For 40 years, the GRAMMY®-award winning arranger has brought gospel and pop together. Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, and Destiny’s Child have performed his music. The Richmond Symphony presents this tribute, featuring guest vocalist Desirèe Roots and Richmond gospel choirs. Jan. 13, 8 p.m., at Dominion Energy Center, Richmond.
Geno Marriott and The Spirit of Jazz. The American jazz musician, producer, and entrepreneur is joined by DC-area contemporary smooth jazz group The Spirit of Jazz. Jan. 13, 8 p.m., at The Tin Pan, Richmond.
Sunday, January 14
Pickling and Preserving: The Science of Surviving the Winter. In modern times, we use pickling, smoking, and drying to enhance the culinary quality of dishes. However, these methods were used as a means of survival to safely store food for less abundant times. Learn about preservation methods and the science behind what makes them work. (No foods preserved on-site.) All ages. Jan. 14, 2 to 3 p.m., at Meadow Farm Museum at Crump Park, Glen Allen.
Celebrate MLK. See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.
Jazz Workshop. Hosted by jazz bassist, music educator, and bandleader, Mike Hawkins, this workshop welcomes players of all levels, curating ensembles as the night unfolds. From standards, to free-form improv, to vocal classics. Instruments and music stands are provided. Jan. 14, 7 to 9 p.m., at Révéler Experiences, Richmond.
Beyond Purple – A Tribute to Deep Purple. A showcase of the biggest hits from Deep Purple, as well as Whitesnake, Rainbow and Dio, born out of the Deep Purple family tree. The band faithfully re-creates the vivid experience of live, high-energy music from what many consider to be rock’s greatest era. Jan. 14, 7 p.m., at The Tin Pan, Richmond.
Monday, January 15
Artist Talk and Lunch with Cameron Ritcher. FREE, but registration required. Jan. 15, noon to 1 p.m., at Page Bond Gallery.
GRIVA Winter Luncheon. Lunch in front of the computer and discuss genealogical efforts, books you’ve been reading, your research, etc. The GRIVA brain trust helps answer questions or steer you in the right direction. Jan. 15, noon, online.
Tuesday, January 16
Life, Liberty & Happiness: American Visions. Dr. Ed Ayers explores themes of freedom of conscience and faith in his newest book, “American Visions: The United States, 1800-1860.” He examines bold visionaries who built vigorous traditions of dissent and innovation into the foundation of the nation. Jan. 16, 9 to 10:30 a.m., at the Valentine First Freedom Center, Richmond.
National Day of Racial Healing Concert. See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.
“Annie.” See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.
Wednesday, January 17
Book Talk with David Poyer. The author discusses his newest Dan Lenson novel, “The Academy,” the final in the series. FREE. Jan. 17, 6 p.m., at Fountain Bookstore, Richmond.
Night of 1,000 Laughs. See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.
Thursday, January 18
VCU Keynote Celebration 2024. Honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with VCU faculty, staff, students, and community partners, celebrating efforts to build a community of hope, inspiration, and service through the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Jan. 18, 5 to 7 p.m., at the Institute for Contemporary Art, Richmond.
Profs and Pints Richmond presents: “Ancient Sea Monsters.” An encounter with creatures that were dreaded by Greek and Roman sailors and still dwell in imaginations, with Georgia Irby, professor of Classical Studies at William and Mary. Jan. 18, 6 p.m., at Triple Crossing Beer, Richmond.
Lecture: The Drumming Style of Max Roach. Host Seton Hawkins will be joined by master drummer Jerome Jennings to discuss the genius and unique style of Max Roach’s drumming through live demonstrations by Jennings, conversation, and audio and video of Roach in performance. FREE, registration required. Presented by the Modlin Center for the Arts. Jan. 18, 7 p.m., online.
News worth knowing
Keep learning, get into the Garden for FREE, and go Wild & Scenic
Wild & Scenic Film Festival EARLY BIRD TICKETS ON SALE NOW. One evening of top-notch nature-loving short films plus five days of video-on-demand access. All to benefit the Chesapeake Bay. March 7, 6:15 to 9 p.m., at Studio Two-Three, Richmond.
The Shepherd’s Center of Richmond’s Open University. The eight-week winter session begins on Monday, Jan. 15, at St. Luke Lutheran Church, Southside, with courses on the Normandy invasion, architecture, good English, Bop history, Spanish, Italian, and current events. Lunch talks on issues of the day and on community resources follow at 12:30. The Shepherd’s Center also offers other courses and lunch talks on Thursdays at Lakeside United Methodist Church in Northside and a Lunch and Life series of talks on Wednesdays at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in the West End.
“Sculpting History at the Valentine Studio: Art, Power, and the ‘Lost Cause’ American Myth.” A new exhibition from the Valentine shows how those who created the Lost Cause narrative used cultural and social centers of power to make it successful: education, media, politics, money, religion, and violence. The exhibition uses evidence – sculptures, documents, images, quotations, and more – to show how Edward Valentine, leaders in Richmond, and others around the country reframed the reality of the war. It uncovers the stories behind the Lost Cause, its legacy, and those who resisted. Exhibition opening and reception on Jan. 25, 5 to 7 p.m., at the Valentine, Richmond.
Free and half-price admission days at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. Free admission through Sunday, Jan. 14 (Garden Café is closed) then half-price admission Jan. 15 through 31 (closed on Jan. 19). Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Richmond.
The Lifelong Learning Institute in Chesterfield spring session begins Jan. 16 and lasts through May 3. Classes at the Lifelong Learning Institute, Midlothian.
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