More What’s Booming RVA: Sept. 11 to 18
Curated events, a road trip, and news in Boomer’s one-of-a-kind Richmond calendar
Two new plays and so much more: The Orient Express arrives, a mom and son test their bonds, a hypnotist works his magic, distilleries present their spirits, authors speak out, musicians mesmerize, and artists impress. What’s Booming September 11 in RVA, through September 18, 2025.
Explore:
- Boomer’s Top 5 picks in RVA this week,
- The week ahead – below,
- Event news + a road trip – way below, and
- Our updated events page for Down the Road happenings and ongoing exhibitions and performances.
September 11 to 18, 2025
What’s happening in and around the Richmond region – plus news and road trips
Thursday, September 11
“Blackinese: Reflections on Race and Ethnicity from a Biracial Millennial.” Author Patricia Bradby Moore explores her mixed Black and Chinese identity growing up in the American South and beyond, with stories of culture, race, and belonging. FREE, registration suggested. September 11, 5:30 p.m., at The Valentine, Richmond.
“Hothouse Bloom” with Austyn Wohlers. The author speaks of her novel, both painterly and critical in its ideas about art, permaculture, subjectivity, and the natural world. September 11, 6 p.m., at Fountain Bookstore, Richmond.
Historians on Tap: Revolutionary Drama. Historians Bert Dunkerly, Joe Rizzo, and Kate Gruber will explore the little-known stories, scandals, betrayals, and bold personalities behind the fight for American independence. September 11, 6:30 p.m., at Strangeways on Dabney, Richmond.
“Murder on the Orient Express.” Virginia Repertory Theatre presents Agatha Christie’s masterful mystery adapted for stage by Ken Ludwig. September 11 to Oct. 12 at the November Theater, Richmond.
David Anthony: Magician & Comedy Hypnotist. Mind-blowing magic and hilarious comedy hypnosis, with audience participation. September 11, 7:30 p.m., at Firehouse Theatre, Richmond.
The Steel Wheels. Blending tradition and innovation, informed by the familiar sounds of the Virginia mountains where the band was formed, but moving forward with insightful lyrics and an evolving sound. September 11, 7:30 p.m., at Ashland Theatre, Ashland.
Friday, September 12
Women and Politics in Revolutionary America. Dr. Rosemarie Zagarri, professor of history at GMU, has authored four books, including “Revolutionary Backlash: Women and Politics in the Early American Republic.” Sept. 12, 5:30 p.m., at Historic St. John’s Church, Richmond.
Plunky & Oneness. The locally based saxophonist, composer, and bandleader has spent over five decades pioneering Afro-centric jazz, funk, and soul. His band blends African rhythms, spiritual jazz, and smooth grooves into a powerful, uplifting sound. The Friday for the Arts event from Petersburg Area Art League is a fundraiser to support local arts education. Sept. 12, 7 to 9 p.m., at the Art Park, downtown Petersburg.
Sips on the Skyline. The Virginia War Memorial Foundation’s largest annual fundraiser presents an evening of craft cocktails from Virginia’s top distillers — many of whom are veterans — alongside food and live music. Sept. 12, 5 to 9 p.m., at the Virginia War Memorial, Richmond.
Brian Stokes Mitchell. The musical theatre star will take the stage in Camp Concert Hall with a one-night-only solo concert highlighting his incomparable voice and charismatic stage presence. Sept. 12, 7:30 p.m., at Modlin Center for the Arts, University of Richmond.
Kia Bennett with Special Guest Cecily. 68th Festival of Arts presents two “sisters in music” and their warm and groovy soul, R&B, and jazz. FREE. Sept. 12, 8 p.m., at Dogwood Dell, Richmond.
“Conversations with Mother.” Richmond Triangle Players presents a heartwarming and hilarious comedy tracing the relationship between an Italian matriarch and her gay son, spanning the course of five decades. As they continue to test their lifelong bond, the play depicts the funny and sometimes infuriating dynamic between conventional mother and free-spirited son. Sept. 12 to Oct. 4 at Robert B. Moss Theatre, Richmond.
Saturday, September 13
Petersburg Book Fest. Literary delights, food, author meet-and-greets and signings, poetry performances, and books. Presented by Resist Booksellers. Sept. 13, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Appomattox Regional Governor’s School, Petersburg.
43rd Street Festival of the Arts. See Boomer’s top picks.
Our Souls Live Here. Touring sites of African American memory – homes, churches, schools, theaters, and more – to hear stories of Black architects who created lasting testaments to Black presence and of those who lived and worked there. Sept. 13, noon to 4 p.m., beginning at Elegba Folklore Society’s Culture Center, Richmond.
“MetaMORPHOsis: The Life Cycle of the Blue Morpho Butterfly.” Richmond-based Host of Sparrows Aerial Circus interprets the journey of the blue morpho, capturing its transition from egg to caterpillar to cocoon into butterfly while suspended from a tree in the gardens. Gardens open from noon to 5 p.m., with local artisan vendors and food trucks. FREE. Sept. 13, performances at 1 and 4 p.m., at Agecroft, Richmond.
The Ragged Road of Reconstruction: Education. Teachers have always been unsung heroes. Today, teachers continue to supply students, but imagine having to provide everything from the roadway to the building itself. Teachers like Virginia Randolph, Mary McLeod Bethune, and Janie Porter Barrett faced these challenges and more in the segregated South after the Civil War. Sept. 13, 2 to 3 p.m., at Virginia Randolph Museum, Glen Allen.
The Teacher’s Lounge: A Comedy Show with Rigor. Three seasoned educators – Gaspare Randazzo, Philip Lindsay, and Andrea Forcum – present a hilarious look inside the unpredictable and often absurd world of teaching, with stories from the classroom and more. Sept. 13, 2 p.m., at Funny Bone, Richmond.
JoVia Armstrong. The percussionist, composer, producer, and educator is a trailblazer in contemporary percussion. She performs on her signature hybrid cajón kit, an inventive fusion of the cajón’s earthy resonance with processed effects, cymbals, and percussive textures. The setup allows her to move effortlessly between acoustic warmth and expansive electronic soundscapes, creating a performance that’s both grounded in tradition and forward-looking. Sept. 13, 3 p.m., at Révéler Experiences, Richmond.
Virginia Distilled. Celebrate Virginia Spirits Month with spirit samples from 10 craft distillers across the Commonwealth, plus live music, food trucks, and museum admission. Sept. 13, 6 to 9 p.m., at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, Richmond.
“A Raven’s Call” World Premiere Film. The horror short film is based on a Cherokee Indian legend, the Raven Mocker. Also presenting other short films. Sept. 13, 6 p.m., at Firehouse Theatre, Richmond.
The Anvil Brothers. Shady Grove Coffeehouse presents the progressive acoustic multi-instrumentalists – bass, keyboards, harmonica, banjo, dobro, mandolin, and more – churning out folk, country, blues, and rock and roll. With guest Andrea Larson on the fiddle. Sept. 13, 7:30 p.m., at Unitarian Universalist Community Church, Glen Allen.
Cody Fry with the Richmond Symphony. Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, composer, and arranger Cody Fry brings his genre-bending, cinematic pop sound to life in a powerful collaboration with the Richmond Symphony. With music that evokes the emotional sweep of a favorite film coming to life in full color, Fry has captured the hearts of audiences worldwide. Sept. 13, 7:30 p.m., at Altria Theater, Richmond.
Tribute to Erykah Badu & Jill Scott ft: Angelica Baylor. Multi-talented vocalist Angelica Baylor, a small-town Westmoreland County native, still calls Virginia her home. She embodies soul, faith, and favor and has taken her vocals all over the world. Sept. 13, 8 p.m., at The Tin Pan, Richmond.
Sunday, September 14
Kennanee Native Arts Festival. See Boomer’s top picks.
Mobile Soul Sunday. Live music and entertainment, new food vendors and returning favorites, games, and giveaways, with 20+ local entrepreneurs and community resources. Take lawn chairs or blankets. FREE. Sept. 14, 1 to 6 p.m., at Monroe Park, Richmond.
James & Joel – Great American Songwriters. Musician Clay Mottley journeys through the stories behind the beloved songs of James Taylor and Billy Joel, with insights and interpretations. Sept. 14, 3 p.m., at Perkinson Center, Chester.
Bax & Chung Piano Duo. The real-life marriage of concert pianists Alessio Bax and Lucille Chung, with artistic chemistry, passion, and virtuosity, led to one of the most appealing piano duos of our time. Sept. 14, 3 p.m., at the Sonia Vlahcevic Concert Hall, Singleton Center for Performing Arts, Richmond.
The Psychology of Conspiracy Theories. What exactly is a conspiracy theory? Are people who believe in them fundamentally different from those who do not? Can you protect yourself from buying into false theories? How often do conspiracy theories turn out to be true? Sept. 14, 4 to 6:30 p.m., at Triple Crossing Fulton, Richmond.
“The Mischlinge Exposé” by Carolyn Enger. See Boomer’s top picks.
Nico Carney. The Brooklyn-based stand-up, writer, and actor addresses his experiences as a trans man growing up in Savannah, Georgia, and other interesting, relevant topics. Sept. 14, 6:30 p.m., at Funny Bone, Richmond.
Dustbowl Revival. The genre-defying roots music group mixes up a spicy cocktail of folky-funk or booty-shaking jangly rock ’n’ soul – their New Orleans-tinted brass section blends with their signature Laurel Canyon harmonies and fearless lyrics. Sept. 14, 7 p.m., at The Tin Pan, Richmond.
Pacifica Quartet with Anthony McGill, American Stories. The multi-Grammy Award-winning Pacifica Quartet and 2020 Avery Fisher Prize winner Anthony McGill have ambitious goals for their American Stories project: to “expand the capacity for art and music to change the world.” A concert grounded in stories told by American composers. Sept. 14: pre-show artist talk at 6:30 p.m., performance at 7:30 p.m., at Camp Concert Hall, University or Richmond.
Divorce Recovery Workshop. A program designed to help anyone suffering from the loss of a love relationship. Sundays, Sept. 14 to Nov. 2, 5 to 7:30 p.m., at First Baptist Church, Richmond.
Monday, September 15
GRIVA Genealogical GenChat on Zoom. Informal opportunity to meet and talk, share information, network,and more. This month, looking at family recipes shared through the generations. Sept. 15, 1 to 2 p.m., online.
“Sunset Boulevard.” In this 1950 release, an aging silent film queen refuses to accept that her stardom has ended. She hires a young screenwriter to help set up her movie comeback. The screenwriter believes he can manipulate her, but he soon finds out he is wrong, leading to violence, madness, and death. Sept. 15, 7 p.m., at Ashland Theatre, Ashland.
Circle of Friends. Honoring the 150-anniversary year of British composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor with a concert of his music and that of his friends and teachers. Presented by the Chamber Music Society of Central Virginia. Sept. 15, 7 p.m., at First Unitarian Universalist Church, Richmond.
Maya Manuela. The Nashville-based indie pop artist brings a fusion of soulful melodies, heartfelt lyrics, and dynamic stage presence, with artistic authenticity and emotional depth. Performing with Abby Huston and Indira & Guppy Jo. Sept. 15, 8 p.m., at Richmond Music Hall, Richmond.
“Out of Many, One” – VA250 Mobile Museum Experience in Hanover. The interactive “museum on wheels” brings key stories of Virginia’s rich history to locations across the state. Sept. 15 to 18 (10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday and Tuesday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday), at Hanover County Museum of History & Culture, Hanover.
Wednesday, September 17
Senior Mornings: Bird Watching and Nature Photography. Take a nature walk through The Green and ProtoPath while photographing native and migratory birds and pollinators, with a discussion of best practices for capturing outdoor images. Sept. 17, 8 a.m., at the Science Museum of Virginia, Richmond.
Zach Zimmerman. The stand-up comedian, TV writer, and author presents autobiographical, confessional stand-up mining the friction between a conservative, evangelical upbringing and adult life as a queer, vegetarian atheist, told with a sweet, deadpan warmth and touches of dark humor. Sept. 17, 7 p.m., at Funny Bone, Richmond.
Yasmin Williams. See Boomer’s top picks.
“Haiti’s Time” Virtual Panel. The Fralin Museum of Art at the University of Virginia presents a panel on the exhibition “Haiti’s Time,” which features 26 works from more than 100 gifted to The Fralin, one of the foremost collections of Haitian art in the world, including paintings, metalwork, assemblages, and drapo Voduo (Haitian flags). Sept. 17, 6 to 7 p.m., online
Emerson, Lake & Palmer. See Boomer’s top picks.
Thursday, September 18
Missing in Action: The Search Continues, with Kelly McKeague. In advance of a new exhibition on current searches for military soldiers who are missing in action, the Director of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency shares how the DOD works to recover and identify the remains of the MIA to provide an accounting to families and the nation – more than 81,500 Americans are still unaccounted for. Sept. 18, 6 p.m., at the Virginia War Memorial, Richmond.
“An Unholy Traffic” – Free Virtual Talk with Dr. Robert Colby. Examining slave trading during the Civil War and its effects on Southern society and freedom, how the persistent trade in enslaved people impacted the enslaved, their lives, and their families and shaped the experience of the Civil War and its aftermath for all inhabitants of the wartime South. Presented by the American Civil War Museum. FREE. Sept. 18, 6:30 p.m., online.
Laser Show: David Bowie. Thirteen Bowie hit songs spanning decades, set to lasers and lights in the Dome. Sept. 18, 6:30 and 8:15, and the Science Museum of Virginia, Richmond.
Rachel Scanlon. The co-host of the podcast and nationally touring live show “Two Dykes and a Mic” has also recently appeared on “Don’t Tell Comedy” on the Just For Laughs digital platform and on Comedy Central. Sept. 18, 7 p.m., at Funny Bone, Richmond.
Sister Hazel. First recognized for the 1997 adult alternative hit, “All for You,” the band has established itself across rock, alternative, and country genres, with multiple entries on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart. Sept. 13, 8 p.m., at The Tin Pan, Richmond.
News to Know
Tickets to a 1985 movie with music, a Liberty reenactment twist, 2026 Salute to Service
“Back to the Future: The Musical” Tickets on Sale. The live experience is based on the 1985 movie, as teenaged Marty McFly is accidentally transported back to 1955 in a time-traveling DeLorean, where he must make sure his high school-aged parents fall in love to save his own existence. Running from Jan. 20 to 25, 2026, at Altria Theater, Richmond. Tickets go on sale on Sept. 12
“Remember the Ladies” Gender-Reversed Reenactment. In this historic rendition of the Liberty or Death reenactment, women from Richmond’s theatre and film community portray nine delegates to the Second Virginia Convention. Nov. 14 to 23 at Historic St. John’s Church, Richmond.
Inaugural Salute to Service Reunion Celebration. A special day dedicated to reuniting Operation Desert Storm & Operation Desert Shield Virginia veterans, honoring their service, and commemorating the 35th anniversary of the conflict. Guest speakers, musical performances, film screenings, a wreath-laying ceremony, and more. Veterans and families can request an invitation to be part of this meaningful event. March 21, 2026, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., at the Virginia War Memorial, Richmond.
Road Trips
Caribbean cuisine and Native culture
Caribbean Cook-Off. Local chefs present Caribbean-inspired cuisine. Guests can sample all food and vote for favorites and purchase individual portions. Pair it with craft ciders. Proceeds benefit the Ford Haitian Foundation, which provides educational resources, housing for orphans and the elderly, nutrition, and more, in rural northern Haiti. Sept. 13, noon to 3:30 p.m., at Albemarle CiderWorks, North Garden.
Director’s Series: James Pepper Henry. The chair of the Kaw Nation and one of the nation’s leading public historians has crafted compelling approaches to collecting, interpreting, and programming Native culture. He speaks with Christy S. Coleman, executive director of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation. Sept. 17, 7 p.m., at Jamestown Settlement, Jamestown.
Get Groovy with Outdoor Concerts
Innsbrook After Hours. Through Sept. 25 at Innsbrook Pavilion, Glen Allen.
Groovin’ in the Garden. Monthly through Oct. 2 at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Richmond.
Allianz Amphitheater. Through Oct. 21 at Allianz Amphitheater at the Riverfront, Richmond.
68th Festival of the Arts. Through Oct. 24 at Dogwood Dell, Richmond.
Support the local sports teams
Explore future events and ongoing exhibitions and performances here.
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