More What’s Booming RVA: May 1 to 8

Take in a diversity of music this week: famed stars Pat Benatar and The Temptations, harps, lutes, saxophones, a chorus supporting people with dementia, bluegrass, tributes, and much more. Plus a celebration of Black labor, plant shows and sales, art, comedy, a wild race, and more. RVA Events: May 1 to 8, 2025.

Featuring:

• Boomer’s Top 5 picks in RVA this week,
• The week ahead – below, and
• Our updated events page for Down the Road happenings and ongoing exhibitions and performances.

May 1 to 8, 2025

Thursday, May 1

Spotlight on SPARC: Legends, Lore, and Legacy. Performances, upscale dining, and celebration benefitting SPARC’s scholarship program. Hosted by Grey Garrett with live performances from SPARC students and musical guest Zane Carney. Online silent auction open to all. May 1, 5:30 to 9 p.m., at Dominion Energy Center, Richmond.

“The Beefsteak Raid.” Petersburg Civil War Roundtable examines the September 1864 raid led by Confederate Major General Wade Hampton. His 100-mile raid behind Union lines included 3,000 cavalrymen whose goal was to capture Union cattle to feed Confederate soldiers. May 1, 7 p.m., at Pamplin Historical Park, Petersburg.

An Evening with Michael Rapaport. The actor and comedian’s career spans more than three decades, more than 60 films and TV appearances. A relentless advocate for Jewish issues and critic of misinformation and hate, he discusses his dedication to raising awareness, fostering understanding, and standing in solidarity with the Jewish community. May 1, 7:30 p.m., at Weinstein JCC, Richmond.

The Christi Show. Black performer Christianee has presented stand-up comedy, videos, sketches, and more. May 1, 7 p.m., at the Funny Bone Richmond.

The High Kings. Making and sharing Irish folk music for 15 years. May 1, 8 p.m., at The Tin Pan, Richmond.

Friday, May 2

Friday at the Museum – Meadow Farm. Learn about Henrico’s historic properties. This week highlighting Native Americans, African Americans, and generations of the Shepperd family who made their home here. May 2, noon to 4 p.m., at Meadow Farm Museum, Glen Allen.

RVA First Friday Events

• RVA First Fridays. Stroll the art galleries along and around Broad Street and beyond, plus restaurants, shops, and more. Presenting live music, special events, tastings. May 2, times vary at venues around Richmond.
• The ART 180 Block Party. A celebration of creativity and community, rooted in intergenerational knowledge-sharing and inspired by the legacy of Richmond changemakers like John Mitchell Jr., Maggie Walker, and Ethel Bailey Furman. Youth-led art activities, live music, DJs, food trucks, yoga, a maker space, and performances. May 2, 4 to 9 p.m., at 111 W. Marshall St., Richmond.
• Gallery5 Block Party. Celebrate 20 years of WRIR 97.3 with merchants and the opening of the exhibition “Pirate Radio” with works by Silly Genius, Noah Scalin, Barf Comics & Stachesquatch. May 2, 5 p.m. to midnight, at Gallery5, Richmond.

Friday Cheers 2025: Chaparelle with Jack Wharff and the Tobacco Flatts. A country-folk duo with twangy harmonies and Texas-inspired storytelling. May 2, 6:30pm, on Brown’s Island, Richmond.

I Got Life: The Music of Nina Simone ft: Carol Riddick and Gerald Veasley. Two legends of jazz and soul music celebrate an iconic artist, with vocals and three instrumentalists. May 2, 8 p.m., at The Tin Pan, Richmond.

Shades of Gray Live in Art Park. Presenting R&B, rock, soul, and disco under the open sky, plus song requests and dancing. FREE. May 2, 7 to 9 p.m., at the Art Park, Petersburg.

Lewis Ginter Spring Plant Sale. More than 45 vendors selling plants and other garden-related items and answering gardening questions. May 2 and 3 at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Richmond.

Derrick Stroup. Three performances for this Alabama native, Waffle House enthusiast, and stand-up comedian, presenting with his fast cadence, compelling energy, and detailed stories. May 2 and 3 at Funny Bone Richmond.

“Sylvia.” See Boomer’s Top 5 picks.

Saturday, May 3

Run Wild Races. In honor of Poppy, the new pygmy hippo, Metro Richmond Zoo presents three races: the one-miler Mini sprint; the Run Wild 5k; and the Wild Ninja obstacle course. May 3 at 8, 8:45, and 10 a.m., at the Metro Richmond Zoo, Moseley.

Stonehenge Garden Club Plant Sale. May 3, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Stonehenge Country Club Pavilion. Proceeds go to a charity to promote horticulture and gardening.

The Pickleball Festival. Demonstrations, pickleball vendors, artisan vendors, themed drinks, live music and more. May 3, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Regency Shopping Mall, Richmond.

RVA Bluegrass Jam. See Boomer’s Top 5 picks.

¿Qué Pasa? Festival. See Boomer’s Top 5 picks.  

Outdoor Mindfulness: Creating Nature Boards. Discussing mindfulness and mental health, then taking a guided nature walk to gather natural materials to place into cardboard vases. All ages. May 3, 1 to 3 p.m., at Meadow Farm Museum, Glen Allen.

The Ghoul-Haunted Woodland: A Poe Themed Tour of St. John’s Graveyard. Actor and Poe expert Dean Knight tells stories of Edgar Allan Poe, his mother and his employer (both buried here), and other cemetery residents. He will also deliver recitations from some of Poe’s poems. May 3, 2 to 3 p.m., at Historic St. John’s Church, Richmond.

History of a Virginia Civil Rights Leader with Sheree Scarborough. Oral historian and author of “African American Railroad Workers of Roanoke” presents Nannie Berger, a crusader for justice in 20th-century Virginia, advocating for civil rights and social justice. May 3, 2 to 4 p.m., at Book People, Henrico.

Blame Not My Lute: An Evening with Ronn McFarlane and Robert Aubry Davis. Grammy-nominated lutenist Ronn McFarlane and television and radio personality Robert Aubry Davis present a program of Renaissance lute music accompanied by Elizabethan poetry. May 3, 7 p.m., at Agecroft Hall, Richmond.

An Evening with Jon Stewart. The comedian and political commentator shares his wit and insights. A device-free show. May 3, 7:30 p.m., at Altria Theater, Richmond.

Robin and Linda Williams. The Americana superstars perform at the Shady Grove Coffeehouse. The blend of bluegrass, folk, old-time, and acoustic country combines observant lyrics with beautiful melodies, showing why they were regulars on Prairie Home Companion for 41 years. May 3, 8 p.m., at The Unitarian Universalist Community Church, Glen Allen.

“Never Too Much” – An All-Star Tribute to Luther Vandross. Presented by James Burris, aka “Petawane,” a native of Harlem, NYC. May 3, 8 p.m., at The Tin Pan, 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 – and you may be a suspect. May 3 and 31, 6 to 9 p.m., at Hilton Richmond Hotel, Richmond.

Arts in the Park. See Boomer’s Top 5 picks.

Sunday, May 4

Central Virginia Iris Society Show & Sale. Celebrate these beautiful blooms and take a few home to beautify your own space. May 4, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Richmond.

Westover Hills Home Tour. Six residents open their homes for the tour, which benefits beautification projects, Westover Hills Elementary projects, and more. May 4, 1 to 5 p.m., in Westover Hills, Richmond.

GreenSpring Presents: “May the 4th Be with You.” Harp performances featuring and inspired by the classics of John Williams and “Star Wars,” with arrangements that defy the typical expectations of the instrument. May 4, 3 to 4 p.m., at St. John’s United Church of Christ, Richmond.

“Reveling in Ravel: A French Evolution.” The Richmond Philharmonic celebrates French composer Maurice Ravel, in honor of his 150th birthday. FREE. May 4, 4 p.m., at St. Christopher’s School Arts Center, Richmond.

“E Pluribus Unum – Out of Many, One.” Richmond Allied Voices Treble Chorus presents its spring concert, celebrating the melting pot that is the US, with music from cultures around the world and combining genres and cultural themes. May 4, 4 to 5:30 p.m., at Ginter Park Presbyterian Church, Richmond.

John Crist: Jokes for Humans. When asked where he finds the inspiration to write jokes, Crist says, “I grew up in the deep South, my dad is a pastor, and I was the third of eight homeschooled children. My first job was at Chick-fil-A. Coming from a background like that, how do you NOT write jokes?!” May 4, 7 p.m., at Dominion Energy Center, Richmond.

A Night of Sax. Five versatile musicians with a focus on the saxophone. May 4, 7 p.m., at The Tin Pan, Richmond.

Monday, May 5

Free Screening of “The Fishing Place” from Rob Tregenza. See Boomer’s Top 5 picks.    

Tuesday, May 6

3 in 30 | Chinese Ceramics and Networks – In-person. In celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, exploring how Chinese ceramics play a vital role in cultural exchange and trade networks. May 6, 11 to 11:30 a.m., at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond.

A Conversation with Jeff Chu. The author discusses his new book, “Good Soil,” a meditation on nature, heritage, and belonging, and what our sacred bond with the natural world can teach us about hope. May 6, 6 p.m., at Book People, Henrico.

Benatar and Giraldo. The partnership of Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo has taken them to the top of the charts, with her vocals and his artistry as guitarist and songwriter. With special guests The Vindys. May 6, 8 p.m., at Altria Theater, Richmond.

Wednesday, May 7

Tell-Tale Talks. The historical true-crime author Sharon Virts discusses her newest novel, “The Grays of Truth.” May 7, 6 to 7 p.m., at The Poe Museum, Richmond.

BoDeans. Presenting a classic guitar-driven midwestern rock pop sound. May 7, 8 p.m., at The Tin Pan, Richmond.

The Temptations and The Four Tops. On the 60th anniversary of “My Girl.” Their influence and contributions to American culture, global music, and African American communities are monumental. May 7, 8 p.m., at Altria Theatre, Richmond.

“Bodies of Labor: Hands That Built a Nation.” Artists’ perspectives of African Americans and their labor over 400+ years. Labor provides goods and services – unskilled, skilled, professional, and intellectual – regardless of compensation. African Americans have sustained the economy through labor and intellect and influenced progress, despite discrimination, poor working conditions, and unequal compensation. Opening May 7 at the Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia, Richmond.

Thursday, May 8

Living Your Dash. Hear from inspirational speaker Carson Clough, USA Paralympic Triathlon Team, and meet the 2025 award winners. Benefiting Full Circle Grief Center, which provides professional bereavement support. May 8, 11:45 to 1:30 p.m. Register to receive venue information.

“A Soldier’s Life: A Black Woman’s Rise from Army Brat to Six Triple Eight Champion.” Retired Army Colonel Edna W. Cummings shares her improbable but inspiring story, her path to leadership roles, and the story of the trailblazing African American World War II Women’s Army Corps unit. May 8, noon, at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, Richmond.

Joyful Voices Presents “America, of Thee I Sing.” The community chorus for singers with Alzheimer’s or other dementias and their caregivers present this patriotic concert. May 8, 11 a.m., at Salisbury Presbyterian Church, Midlothian.

3 in 30 | Chinese Ceramics and Networks – Virtual. In celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts presents Chinese ceramics and their role in cultural exchange and trade networks. FREE. May 8, 11 to 11:30 a.m., on Zoom.

Support our local sports teams and have a blast!

• Richmond Flying Squirrels
• Richmond Kickers
• Richmond Ivy – opening night May 10
• Tri-City Chili Peppers – opening night May 22

Explore future events and ongoing exhibitions and performances here.

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