More What’s Booming RVA: June 12 to 19

Thursday, June 12

Westchester Concert Series: East of Hollywood. Music from the 7-piece, high-energy band covering genres from rock and R&B to funk, Latin, and blues. FREE. June 12, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., at Westchester Commons, Midlothian.

EMERGE IX. Artists who have been or are studying at academic institutions, with a range of perspectives in a variety of media. Exhibition runs June 12 to Jul 12. Opening reception is June 12, 5 to 7 p.m., at Bond Millen Gallery, Richmond.

“A Perfect Frenzy: A Royal Governor, His Black Allies, and the Crisis that Spurred the American Revolution.” Author Andrew Lawler explores the little-known story of the early Revolution in Virginia, focusing on Lord Dunmore, the colony’s royal governor. Sheds light on America’s current conflicts around race, gun control, immigration, and more. FREE. June 12, 6 p.m., at the Library of Virginia, Richmond.

After Hours: Eaglemania. “The world’s greatest Eagles tribute band” covers the classic 1970s group. June 12, 6 p.m., at Innsbrook Pavilion, Glen Allen.

Curator-Led Tour of “Fancy.” Explore the Valentine’s newest exhibit, “FANCY: Costumes, Characters and the Richmond Masque” with the curator to learn about the exhibit and its themes. FREE. June 12, 6 to 6:45 p.m., at The Valentine, Richmond.

Phyllis Yvonne Stickney. The comedian, actress, motivational speaker, and activist brings her humor and insights to Richmond. June 12, 7 p.m., at Funny Bone, Richmond.

Kevin Burt & Big Medicine. The Iowa Blues Hall of Fame member serves up smooth and soulful vocals, unique harmonica and guitar presentation, and quick wit. June 12, 8 p.m., at The Tin Pan, Richmond.

Lager Weekend. Presenting a lineup of “dad beers”: amber lager and helles lager to schwarzbier black lager and more. A cookout of grilled meats and live music on Sunday. June 12 to 15 at Fine Creek Brewing, Powhatan.

“Honky Tonk Hissy Fit: A Doublewide Texas Comedy.” Just when things are looking up for the Texas town, an Austin mega-corporation threatens to shatter their peace. Bless their hearts! From Chamberlayne Actors Theatre. Through June 22 at Hanover Tavern, Hanover Courthouse.

Friday, June 13

U.S. Army 250th Birthday Ceremony with American Revolution 250 (VA250). A ceremony honoring the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Army. Reception after for U.S. Army active duty, veterans, and family. FREE. June 13, 11 a.m., at the Virginia War Memorial, Richmond.

Resistance and Freedom in Richmond’s Court End. Powerful stories of urban slavery, resistance, and resilience. The guided tour through the historic neighborhood includes the White House of the Confederacy and offers a glimpse into 19th-century life and the fight for emancipation. June 13, 20, and 27, 10 to 11:30 a.m., starting at the John Marshall House, Richmond.

“Façade.” A juried exhibition of art quilts exploring the depths of perception and illusion. Exhibition runs June 13 to July 6. Opening reception: June 13, 5:30 to 8 p.m., at Petersburg Area Art League, Petersburg.

Henrico Live: Desiree Roots. The celebrated local musical and theater icon performs. June 13, 7 p.m., at Henrico Theatre, Henrico.

VMFA’s Annual Tent Sale. Save on a curated selection of merchandise, including books, exhibition-inspired products, jewelry, home décor, and more. June 13 and 14, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond.

Skip Castro Band. Since 1978, the band has been entertaining East Coast audiences with a mix of music. June 13, 8 p.m., at The Tin Pan, Richmond.

Professional Practices Summer Workshop Series 2025. Learn how to present your art professionally and expose it to a wider audience, covering social media, portfolios, networking, and more. Begins June 13 with An Artist’s Guide to Social Media: learn how to present your work professionally and expose it to a wider audience. Fridays, 10 a.m. to noon, through July 19 at Crossroads Art Center, Richmond.

Saturday, June 14

HAPPY FLAG DAY!

Richmond Car Show. Vehicles from the early 1900s to today, with judged classes and a cruise-in option. Antique car rides, salute to the Jeep, food vendors and more. June 14, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., at St. Joseph’s Villa, Richmond.

Cry Liberty! Dinwiddie County and the American Revolution. Celebrating the 250th birthday of the U.S. Army and the 250th Anniversary of the first muster of Dinwiddie County militia for the American Revolution with special programs and a ceremony. June 14, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Pamplin Historical Park & The National Museum of the Civil War Soldier, Petersburg.

Richmond Area Daylily Society Show and Sale. Hundreds of unique daylilies available to appreciate or purchase. June 14, sale from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., show from 1 to 4:30 p.m., at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Richmond.

Faces of Freedom. Celebrating Africans and African Americans from the 1600s to today with traditional dance with drums, historical interpreters, and modern performances. June 14, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Meadow Farm Museum at Crump Park, Glen Allen.

The Early History of Richmond National Battlefield Park. Learn how in the 1920s to 1940s, the Richmond and surrounding areas joined to create what became Richmond National Battlefield Park. Featuring early park photographs, displays, and other memorabilia. FREE, registration required. June 14, 11 a.m., at Chesterfield County Museum, Chesterfield.

Meet the Artists Behind “Bodies of Labor: Hands That Built a Nation.” Panel discussion featuring four artists discussing how their artistic practice responds to and reflects the exhibitions themes of Black labor, legacy, and lived experience. FREE, registration required. June 14, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Black History Museum of Virginia, Richmond.

Summer Market. Local artists and makers. Shop and enjoy the food, drink, and games. June 14, noon to 5 p.m., at Bingo Beer Co., Richmond.

Puerto Rican Festival RVA. Food vendors, live music, cultural performances, resource fair, art exhibit, and more. June 14, noon to 8 p.m., at Chesterfield Fairgrounds, Chesterfield.

Ardent’s 11th Anniversary Party. See Boomer’s Top picks.

Trapezium’s 9th Anniversary Party. Live music, beer releases, food and cocktail specials. June 14, noon to 10 p.m., at Trapezium Brewing, Petersburg.

Multicultural Festival. Dogwood Dell Festival of the Arts presents a cultural extravaganza celebrating the diverse communities of Richmond: a culinary journey and local resources. June 14, 1 to 7 p.m., at Dogwood Dell, Richmond.

National Night Out Kick-Off. Hosted by the Chesterfield County Police Department, with live music, vendors, and more. June 14, 3 to 7 p.m., at Westchester Commons, Midlothian.

One Voice Chorus Summer Concert. See Boomer’s Top picks.

Juneteenth 2025. A chance for people of African descent to surround themselves with ancestral vibration. Music, dance, conversations, food, shopping, and more. Attendees asked to wear white and bring ancestral offerings. Presented by Elega Folklore Society. FREE. June 14, 1 to 4:30 p.m., at the Manchester Dock, then 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. along the Trail of Enslaved Africans, Richmond.

The Dinner Detective Comedy Mystery Dinner Show. Solve a mystery while you feast on dinner. The culprit is hiding in plain sight somewhere in the room. Is it you? June 14 and 21, 6 to 9 p.m., at Hilton Richmond Hotel, Richmond.

“Un/Bound: Free Black Virginians, 1619-1865.” See Boomer’s Top picks.

Sunday, June 15

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!

Thanks Dad 5k. The annual Richmond Road Runners Club race celebrates dads and their relationships. Virtual option. June 15, 8 a.m., at The Urban Farmhouse, Midlothian.

Women in the Jeffersonian Era. Women in the newly formed United States had a degree of independence that would disappear as the 19th century advanced. Discover the lives of these intelligent and articulate women who witnessed the creation of a new nation. Ages 13+. June 15, 2 to 3 p.m., at Meadow Farm Museum at Crump Park, Glen Allen.

Nate Bargatze. See Boomer’s Top picks.

Devotion: An Earth, Wind & Fire Experience. Relive younger days with songs like “Shining Star,” “September,” “Can’t Hide Love.” June 15, 7 p.m., at The Tin Pan, Richmond.

Monday, June 16

GRIVA Gen Chat. An informal opportunity to share information, network, solve problems, explore new topics, techniques, sources, and more. Hosted by the Genealogical Institute of Virginia. June 16, 1 p.m., on Zoom.

Tuesday, June 17

History at the Memorial Summer Series: “Izzy’s Fire: Finding Humanity in the Holocaust.” Author Nancy Wright Beasley discusses her book about Holocaust survivor Edna Ipson, whose family survived through their own ingenuity and the generosity of a poor Catholic farm family. June 17, noon to 1 p.m., at the Virginia War Memorial, Richmond.

Summer in the City. See Boomer’s Top picks.  

Wednesday, June 18

Fugitive Data Portraits: Self-Emancipation in Virginia – Virtual Talk. Virginia Humanities Fellow Tev’n Powers discusses his research project that documented Blacks who self-emancipated during the Civil War and created data portraits of some of Virginia’s earliest freedom fighters, often omitted from historical narratives. Presented by the Library of Virginia. FREE, registration required. June 18, noon, online.

Summer Celebration: A 245th Birthday Party. Hot dogs and hamburger meals, cupcakes and ice cream. June 18, 5 to 7 p.m., at First Baptist Church, Richmond.

Summer at the Perk: Little Tangents. The local two-person band brings fresh life to classic hits from the ’70s, ’80s, ’90s, and beyond, plus originals, in a high-energy performance. June 18, 6 p.m., at Perkinson Center, Chester.

“Founding Martyr.” Historian Christian Di Spigna on the life of Dr. Joseph Warren, a forgotten founding father who was involved in almost every early act of revolution in the Boston Area. June 18, 6 p.m., at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, Richmond.

Albert Castiglia with Billy The Kid & The Regulators. Blues music, featuring Castiglia and his blues guitar. June 18, 8 p.m., at The Tin Pan, Richmond.

Thursday, June 19

HAPPY JUNETEENTH!

Juneteenth in the Park. Four public guided events celebrating African-American culture, resilience, and joy. June 19 to 21 at Pocahontas State Park, Chesterfield.

• Art in the Park: Celebrating Black Artist and Conservationist. June 19, noon to 2 p.m., meet at the pool.
• “Our Man Mitchell: The Life and Times of John Mitchell.” Presented by Pine Camp Cultural Arts Center, the play focuses on the late 19th Century Richmond journalist, John H. Mitchell Jr., Editor in Chief of The Richmond Planet. June 19, 4 to 6 p.m., meet at the amphitheater.
• Group Camp 7: A Hike Through History. Traverse paths that were once marked by segregation, reflecting on how these landscapes played a role in shaping the history of Black recreation. June 21, 4 to 6 p.m., meet at Bright Hope Horse Complex.

The Forgotten Soldiers of Juneteenth: The 116th United States Colored Troops of Dutch Gap Canal. Learn Chesterfield’s ties to Galveston, Texas through photos, memorabilia, and discussion with staff. June 21, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Henricus Historical Park, Chesterfield.

“Lincoln’s Lady Spymaster: The Untold Story of the Abolitionist Southern Belle Who Helped Win the Civil War.” Author Gerri Willis on Civil War spymaster genius Elizabeth Van Lew, from her early work infiltrating prisons and collecting Confederate secrets to bolder efforts. In person, but virtual option available too. June 19, noon to 1 p.m., at Virginia Museum of History & Culture, Richmond.

Jubilation in June Festival. Richmond Parks and Rec presents a day of reflection, joy, and community, with food, music, and activities for all ages to honor freedom, culture, and history. June 19 and 20, 5 p.m., at Intermediate Terminal, Richmond.

Juneteenth at the Branch Museum. Two inspiring exhibits honor Black creativity and resilience. Exhibitions run June 19 to July 12. Community celebration with a DJ, book signing, print pop-up shop, public art honoring the creativity and strength of Black women, and Memory Lab, capturing personal stories. FREE. June 19, 6 p.m., at The Branch Museum of Design, Richmond.

• “Echoes of Us.” Over 16 Black Virginia-based artists exploring the richness and evolution of Black identity through powerful, personal works.
• “(re)Framing Protest (NOW): Design + Hope.” Art and design that fueled the 2020 protests, showing how creativity became a tool for resistance, healing, and hope.

26th Annual Richmond Shakespeare Festival: “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”Featuring William Shakespeare’s beloved comedy. June 19 to July 20 at Agecroft Hall, Richmond.

Legacy Unearthed: The Living Lineage of Dr. Carter G. Woodson – Juneteenth Event. Honoring the legacy of the “Father of Black History” by exploring new dimensions of Woodson’s life through the voices of his descendants, both Black and white. Reflections on generational healing, the meaning of kinship, and the shared responsibility of remembering truthfully. FREE. June 19, 6 to 8 p.m., at the Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia, Richmond.

Go to Boomer’s ongoing events lists for a more comprehensive list of Juneteenth events.

News to Know

Cocktail classes, Richmond music festivals

Summer Cocktail Classes. Gather & Hem presents four classes in four months, each with a curated tasting of three cocktails, a demonstration, a full cocktail, and a recipe. First up: “Barrels & Bottles: Bourbon vs. Whiskey” on June 26. Additional classes are “Agave & Ice: Tequila 101” on July 31, “Rum Basics: Taste of the Tropics” on Aug. 28, and “Herbs & Spirits: A Mixology Class with Lewis Ginter” on Sept. 25. All classes run from 6 to 8 p.m. at Gather & Hem, Richmond.

Richmond Jazz and Music Festival. Announced artists are T.I., Jodeci, Muni Long, Masego, Ceelo Green, Aloe Blacc, Marsha Ambrosius, October London, Dru Hill, Raheen DeVaughn, Kirk Whalum & Mindi Abair, Norman Brown, Hot Like Mars, Charles Owens, Alexander Mack. Aug. 8 to 10 at The Hippodrome Theater (Friday) and Maymont (Saturday and Sunday), Richmond.

Richmond Folk Festival Announces First Group of Artists. Oct. 10-12, 2025, on and around Brown’s Island, Richmond.

• The Amanda Cook Band (bluegrass) – Fancy Gap, Virginia
• Diunna Greenleaf & Blue Mercy (blues) – Houston, Texas
• Meta & the Cornerstones (reggae) – New York, New York
• Raiatea Helm (Hawaiian falsetto singing) – Honolulu, Hawai’i
• Richard Hagopian Ensemble (Armenian) – Fresno, California
• Son Qba (Cuban son) – Miami, Florida
• Terry & the Zydeco Bad Boys (zydeco) – Duson, Louisiana
• Yamini Kalluri & the Kritya Music Ensemble (Kuchipudi dance) – Lansing, Michigan

Road Trips

State Parks birthday, arts festival, Yorktown and Jamestown

Virginia State Parks Celebrating 89th Anniversary Around the State. Each location hosts a special event on Saturday and Sunday to share the park’s unique historical and cultural resources. Activities include self-guided and ranger-led tours and hikes, cultural demonstrations, kayaking tours, scavenger hunts, cave tours, and historical artifact viewings. Examples include

• Bright Hope guided hike exploring the Brighthope Railroad at Pocahontas State Park
• Historical Cemetery Drive-in Days at a historic cemetery usually off limits to the public
• Whiskey Run guided hike at Fairy Stone State Park
• Guided canoe tour at Twin Lakes State Park
• Batteaux and Banjos at James River State Park
• Afro American Waterman’s Walk at York River State Park
• Silenced Ceramics at Mason Neck State Park
• Art in the Park: Palmer Hayden at Widewater State Park
• Wild Cave Tour: Bolling Cave at Natural Tunnel State Park

Salute to the 250th Anniversary of the U.S. Army. On Flag Day, presenting tributes to the Army and the American Flag. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., military programs and musical tributes by the Virginia Army National Guard 29th Infantry Division Band. At 7 p.m., “The American Soldier” Off-Broadway Performance. June 14 at American Revolution Museum at Yorktown.

Northern Neck Arts Festival. Juried artists and artisans, gourmet food, libations, and live music. June 14 to 15 at 15104 History Land Hwy, Warsaw.

Prelude to Juneteenth at Jamestown. Producer Horace Scruggs presents his documentary film, “Reclaiming the River: African American Life on Virginia’s Waterways.” Explore the precarious nature of freedom from 17th-century Jamestown to Juneteenth and the forgotten stories of African American contributions to river life in early America. June 15, 1 p.m., at Jamestown Settlement, Jamestown.