More What’s Booming RVA: Sept. 28 to Oct. 5
A week of events, announcements, and a link to future fun
More of What’s Booming in Richmond, Virginia, September 28 to October 5, 2023. Plenty of Fests and a First, three “100 Things to Do in Richmond Before You Die” book signings with Boomer editor Annie Tobey, and lots of local RVA gems: music, theater, arts, runs, and more.
Check out the Boomer Top 5 picks in RVA, browse the week ahead, or go to our updated events page for Down the Road happenings and ongoing exhibitions and performances.
September 28 to October 5, 2023
What’s happening in and around the Richmond region
Thursday, September 28
Sign Painting with Sure Hand Signs. Ross Trimmer, founder and owner of Sure Hand Signs, talks about his craft and gives a demonstration of his reverse glass lettering technique. September 28, 6 to 7 p.m., at The Valentine, Richmond.
Conversation with Lafayette. Join costumed historian Charles Wissinger as he recounts stories of the Marquis de Lafayette’s time during and after the American Revolution as he helped America gain independence. Part of Henrico’s 250th anniversary programming of the Revolutionary War Era. September 28, 7 to 8:30 p.m., at Belmont Recreation Center, Henrico.
The State Fair of Virginia. Days filled with entertainment and all the favorite fair fun: rides, games, competitions, food, special events. Through Oct. 1 at The Meadow Event Park, Doswell.
Richmond International Film Festival. More than 160 films from the U.S. and 15 other countries – plus musical performances, panels, awards, mixers, and more. Through Oct. 1, at various venues throughout Richmond.
Friday, Sept. 29
Fall Fun Bingo. Play for fun and prizes. Sept. 29, 10 a.m. to noon, at Deep Run Park and Recreation Center, Henrico.
Artist Conversation. Lunch and conversation with Dragana Drnjak. FREE, RSVP required. Sept. 29, noon to 1 p.m., at 3North, Richmond.
Knife Skills Cooking Class with Chef Jen. Learn classic knife cuts, proper handling, and more. Sept. 29, 6:30 to 8 p.m., at Woodside Farms, Glen Allen.
Jo Koy World Tour. Uniquely relatable comedy includes inspiration from his colorful family. Sept. 29, 8 p.m., at Altria Theater, Richmond.
“Berta Berta.” The play by Angelica Chéri weaves a poignant narrative around love, legacy, and the human connection to the supernatural. Set against the backdrop of the rural South, it takes audiences on a moving journey where the boundaries between the earthly and the mystical blur. Sept. 29 to Oct. 15 at Firehouse Theatre, Richmond.
Saturday, Sept. 30
Run Richmond 16.19. See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.
Battle of Fort Harrison Commemoration. Living historians in period uniforms and cannon firings mark the 1864 battle, highlighting park creation and the CCC as well as camp life, food, African American soldiers, and more. Tour the visitor center and see special exhibits. Sept. 30, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Fort Harrison, Richmond National Battlefield Park, Richmond.
¡Virginia Fiesta! See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.
Community Cup. Joining public safety agencies and multicultural communities across the region, through a soccer tournament, food trucks, market, entertainment, first responder vehicles, and more. Sept. 30, 10 a.m., at River City Sportsplex, Midlothian.
Bark in the Park Dog Walk. Henrico Humane Society hosts a 2k walk, along with vendors, dog contests, kids’ activities, and more. Sept. 30, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Short Pump Park, Henrico.
ChesterFest. Food, local artists and artisans, music, fall activities. Plus at the Perkinson Center next door, see live performances plus gallery tours and art activities. Sept. 30, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Chester Village Green, Chester.
Dachtoberfest. See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.
Hardywood Oktoberfest: Day Two. Stein holding competitions, food, pretzels, live music, tractor hay bale rides, and plenty of German-style beers. Sept. 30, noon to 10 p.m., at Hardywood West Creek, Richmond.
Movie in the Park: “Luca.” Outdoor movie – take lawn chair, blanket, flashlight. Sept. 30, 7 p.m., at Dorey Park, Henrico.
The English Channel. America’s premier British Invasion band performs the British hits of the mid ’60s and ’70s: classic rock, pop & prog. Sept. 30, 7 p.m., at Pocahontas State Park, Chesterfield.
Sunday, Oct. 1
Happy Birthday, Julie Andrews! Live performances of some of the singer’s most popular songs, plus karaoke, kids’ activities, and more. Celebrating Andrews’ 88th birthday. Oct. 1, 3 to 5 p.m., at Walkerton Tavern, Glen Allen.
Mahler’s First. A new Richmond Symphony season begins with Mahler’s wild, exuberant First Symphony, the world premiere of a new violin concerto by acclaimed Italian composer Andrea Portera. Oct. 1, 3 p.m.and 8 p.m., at Dominion Energy Center.
Author Meet & Greet. Annie Tobey, editor of Boomer Magazine and author of “100 Things to Do in Richmond Before You Die,” joins the biweekly book club to discuss her new book. Sunday, 4 to 6 p.m., at Intermission Beer Co., Glen Allen.
artoberVA. A month-long celebration of arts and culture in the Richmond region, promoting more than 1,000 experiences from over 100 participating artists and arts and culture organizations including
Tuesday, Oct. 3
Play It Forward. In honor of Active Aging Week, an intergenerational event connecting seniors with preschoolers. Activities will feature a Fall Festival theme. Decorate a pumpkin (while supplies last), balloon sculptures by Ms. Sherri the Clown, festival games, and a special fire truck outside. Oct. 3, 10 a.m. to noon, at Deep Run Park, Henrico.
Book Release Party. Join Annie Tobey, editor of Boomer Magazine and author of “100 Things to Do in Richmond Before You Die,” to celebrate the release of her new book. While there, enjoy authentic Jamaican food and drinks – from one of the “100 Things…” Oct. 3, 5 to 8 p.m., at Carena’s Jamaican Grille, Richmond.
Genealogical Virtual Event: Thüringen. Search for solutions to problems finding German-speaking ancestors. Hosted by GRIVA, the Genealogical Institute of Virginia. Oct. 3, 7 p.m., online.
Wednesday, Oct. 4
Legacy of Black Herbalism. See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.
Richmond Fashion Week’s Wellness Wednesday. Highlighting local businesses that promote wellness through physical fitness, healthy food, emotional healthcare, and access to health care. RVA FW runs Oct. 4 to 8. Wellness Wednesday on Oct. 4. At various locations, Richmond.
Thursday, Oct. 5
Virginia LGBTQ+ Communities, Politics & the Law. A panel discusses Virginia’s LGBTQ+ history through the lens of law and government, including discrimination, stigmatization, political activism, and more. Oct. 5, 6 to 7:30 p.m., at the Library of Virginia, Richmond.
The Urban Academy Runway Debut. RVA Fashion Week partners with Urban Academy to highlight economic disparity and environmental crises through a modern twist on collegiate wear. Oct. 5, 7:30 p.m., at Studio Two Three, Richmond.
“Let the Right One In.” VCUarts Theatre presents a supernatural thriller about a lonely teenage boy in 1980s rural Virginia, his new female neighbor, and a series of sinister killings in their small community. The two become friends, but he doesn’t know that she has been a teenager for a very long time. A sweet and tender story with fearful scares. Oct. 5 to 8 at the W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts, Richmond.
News Worth Knowing
Controversy, History, and the Future
“Controversy / History” Returns. What can history tell us about our future and help shape tomorrow? This series looks at controversial topics in history that are relevant to current issues. This season’s schedule is:
- Beyond the Book: Educating the Future – Oct. 5, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
- Beyond Law & Order: Building Community – Nov. 2, 2023, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
- Beyond Politics: Voicing Our Ideas – Dec. 12, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
- Faith & Beyond: Finding Our Moral Compass – Jan. 9, 2024, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
- Beyond the Information Age: Supporting Truth-Based Media – Feb. 13, 2024, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
FREE, at The Valentine Museum, Richmond.
New Exhibit: Farming in Chesterfield 100 Years Ago. The Chesterfield Historical Society opens this new exhibit on rural life in the early 1900s. REGISTER ONE WEEK IN ADVANCE, 804-768-7311. Oct. 7, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Chesterfield County Museum, Chesterfield.
Literary Virginia Book Group October Zoom Meeting. Participants meet virtually to discuss “Trailed: One Woman’s Quest to Solve the Shenandoah Murders,” by Kathryn Miles. The book tells of one woman’s quest to solve the murders of an undetermined number of young women, killed by the same person – who got away. Hosted by the Library of Virginia. Oct. 11, 6 p.m., online.
“Legacy of Black Astronauts.” Virginia Astronauts Leland Melvin and Dr. Robert L. Satcher discuss the past, present, and future contributions of Black astronauts to human space flight. Melvin is a graduate of the University of Richmond and the University of Virginia, a mission specialist on NASA’s STS-122 and STS-129 missions, and the only person in history to catch a pass in the National Football League and in space. Satcher is an Associate Professor in the Department of Orthopedic Oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. He was a mission specialist on NASA’s STS-129 mission, where he performed two spacewalks and was the first orthopedic surgeon to travel into space. Both men are Virginia natives. Oct. 25, 6 p.m., at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, Richmond.
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