Make Plans for These Richmond Events

More Richmond events after May 2

Read Broadly: Third Annual Ashland Book Festival. Meet too successful authors, A. J. Finn, “The Woman in the Window” and “End of Story” (May 3), and Tim Kaine, U.S. Senator for Virginia and author of “Walk Ride Paddle: A Life Outside” (May 4). May 3-4 at Ashland Theatre, Ashland.

Friday Cheers 2024 Concert Series. 39 Years of Friday Cheers. Richmond’s longest-running concert series and the city’s largest event of its kind on Brown’s Island along the James River.

• May 3 – Bella White (8:00 p.m.) with Colby T. Helms & the Virginia Creepers (6:30 p.m.)
• May 10 – Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country (8 p.m.) with Mackenzie Roark (6:30 p.m.)
• May 24 – RVA Music Night: The Legendary Ingramettes (8:20 p.m.), Woody Woodworth & the Piners  (7:15 p.m.) andKnifing Around (6:15 p.m.)
• May 31 – Sir Chloe (8:15 p.m.) with Deux Visages (7:15 p.m.) and Prabir Trio (6:15 p.m.)
• June 7 – Mdou Moctar (8 p.m.) with Leon III (6:30 p.m.)
• June 14  – Ritchy Mitch & the Coalminers (8 p.m.) with Deau Eyes (6:30 p.m.)
• June 21 – Digable Planets (8 p.m.) with Tre. Charles (6:30 p.m.)
• June 28 – Sam Barber (8:15 p.m.) with Jake Kohn (7:15 p.m.) and Villages (6:15 p.m.)

Let’s Go Adventure Series. Virginia State Parks provides educational experiences to help visitors experience the array of outdoor activities: camping, kayaking, hiking, fly fishing, orienteering, and archery. Learn skills and gain confidence. The first two classes near Richmond are:

• Let’s Go Camping Intro Course. May 4, 2 to 4 p.m., at Powhatan State Park.

Bio Ritmo Cinco de Mayo Celebration. Dance the night away with the beats of Bio Ritmo, the fusion band blending salsa, cumbia, and Latin jazz, for “Ritmo de Mayo”! May 5, 6 p.m., at Ember Music Hall, Richmond.

“Roman á Clef.” In a quiet, seemingly empty theatre, six actors rehearse a new play about family, fear, and flight. When a stranger joins the group demanding answers, the line between fiction and reality fades. A world premiere play by local playwright Chandler Hubbard. May 8 to 26 at Firehouse Theatre, Richmond.

VCU Golden Alumni Celebration Honoring the Class of 1974. Meet other VCU graduates from the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s and help honor the Class of 1974 on their 50th anniversary. Enjoy specialty beverages, a hearty buffet, music, memories, and fun. RSVP at the link above, by calling 804-828-4513 or emailing dstout@vcu.edu. May 9, 5 to 7 p.m., at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, Richmond.

Richmond Triangle Players’ 2023-24 Season. One of the longest-operating LGBTQ+ theaters in the Mid-Atlantic marks its 31st year of provocative, challenging, or hilarious performances.

The Spotlight Cabaret Series:

• Nicholas Rodriguez: Sincerely, Sondheim, May 10 to 11, 2024

19th Annual Cap2Cap. This family-friendly cycling event provides fun for all, competition for any who want it. Participants enjoy a fully supported course, furnished rest stops, and distance options ranging from a 10-mile fun ride to 100+ miles, for any age or fitness level. Look for customizable routes, a flexible open-start format, SAG and tech support, restroom facilities, sample ride itineraries, and on-site packet pick-ups; a party and vendor fair at Chickahominy Riverfront Park in James City County on Friday, May 10, and at Dorey Park in Henrico County on Saturday, May 11. Festivities include a community celebration, DJ, and local artisans. Other perks include an event shirt, lunch, beverage, ride bib, and SWAG bag. May 10 and 11 on the Virginia Capital Trail between Richmond and James City County.

W League RVA: Richmond Ivy. The new Richmond pre-professional women’s soccer team  has announced the full 2024 match schedule. The 2024 season will be the inaugural season for W League RVA and features 12 regular season matches, six at home and six away. The season begins on May 11 at City Stadium against the Virginia Marauders FC and extends through June 28. May 11, 6 p.m., at City Stadium, Richmond.

Wildflower Weekend. Guided hikes and programs focus on the diversity and importance of wildflowers and seasonal changes. All programs are free. Join rangers and naturalists Learning about and searching for wildflowers such as trillium, jack-in-the-pulpit, purple clematis, and pussytoes, as well as Spring amphibians, botanical art, wildflower photography, ferns, fungi, burls, birds, and local history. May 11 to 12 throughout Shenandoah National Park, Virginia.

Ashland Theatre’s 1948 Film Series. The small-town theater celebrates its 75th anniversary with 1948 films on one Monday each month throughout the year. Look for classic films with noteworthy directors and actors like Alfred Hitchcock, Orson Welles, Judy Garland, Katharine Hepburn, Laurence Olivier, and more.

• May 13, 2024 at 7 p.m.: “Unfaithfully Yours,” starring Rex Harrison and Linda Darnell
• June 10, 2024 at 7 p.m.: “Sorry, Wrong Number,” starring Barbara Stanwyck and Burt Lancaster
• July 15, 2024 at 7 p.m.: “Bicycle Thieves,” starring Lamberto Maggiorani and Enzo Staiola
• Aug. 12, 2024 at 7 p.m.: “The Pirate,” starring Judy Garland and Gene Kelly

Library of Virginia 2024 Carole Weinstein Author Series. Respected authors address topics focusing on history, literature, and the experiences of Virginians. Each event runs from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Library of Virginia Lecture Hall, 800 E. Broad St., Richmond.

• “Centennial Anniversary Anthology of Poems by Member Poets” with the Poetry Society of Virginia. A commemoration of 100 years of the Poetry Society of Virginia with readings and discussions from some of its distinguished members. May 15.
• “Boardinghouse Women: How Southern Keepers, Cooks, Nurses, Widows, and Runaways Shaped Modern America” with Elizabeth S. D. Engelhardt. A look at the significant impact of Southern boardinghouse women in shaping modern America. Sept. 12.
• “Dirt Don’t Burn: A Black Community’s Struggle for Educational Equality Under Segregation” with Larry Roeder & Barry Harrelson. The history of a Black community’s struggle for educational equality under segregation in Loudoun County. Nov. 14.

Mozart & Spirituals. Experience a night of musical transcendence with the Richmond Symphony and Dawson’s “Spirituals,” for Daniel Stipe and Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 17, and for Schoenberg’s “Transfigured Night.” May 19, 3 to 5 p.m., at Blackwell Auditorium at Randolph-Macon College, Ashland.

“Menopause the Musical 2: Cruising Through ‘The Change.’” May 21, 2024, at Dominion Energy Center, Richmond.

Virginia Roots Music Series. Hardywood Park Craft Brewery present a new year-long music series. Four shows feature a Virginia band covering an iconic musical artist, paired with a pre-release of a Hardywood Virginia Roots beer, highlighting a Virginia ingredient. Concerts two, three, and four in the series are scheduled for May 23, Aug. 16, and Dec. 19, at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery on Ownby, Richmond.

Groovin’ in the Garden. The concert series returns after a 10-year hiatus with five to six concerts over the summer and fall. Concerts in the Cochrane Rose Garden at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Richmond.

• Long-time Richmond band Carbon Leaf, known for alt-country, Celtic, and folk-infused indie rock. May 30, 7 p.m.
• American rock band Drive-By Truckers on their Southern Rock Opera Revisted 2024 Tour. June 10, 7:30 p.m.
• American alternative rock musician Ben Folds as part of his “Paper Airplane Request” tour. Attendees can throw paper airplanes on stage with song requests. June 11, 7:30 p.m.
• A favorite Fleetwood Mac cover band, Rumours ATL. Aug. 22, 7:30 p.m.

June and beyond

Virginia State Parks Adventure Series Returns. The multi-sport race series consists of 24 races, including triathlons, mountain biking races, adventure races, and more, at 13 different parks across the state. Many events return this year, including the Tour de Pocahontas, Smith Mountain Lake Triathlon, and New River Trail Challenge, plus four new challenges: the DMV Adventure Race, Arbor Day 15k Run, Shenandoah River Aquablaze, and Fall Foliage Adventure Race. Events near Richmond include:

• June 2: Taskinas Creek Half Marathon at York River State Park
• June 9: High Bridge Trail Time Trial at High Bridge Trail State Park
• June 15: Poca Go! at Pocahontas State Park
• June 22: Night Train Ultra Marathon at High Bridge Trail State Park
• Aug. 4: Guts, Gravel, Glory at Pocahontas State Park
• Sept. 21: Powhatan 10 Miler at Powhatan State Park
• Oct. 5: High Bridge Half Marathon and 5k at High Bridge Trail State Park
• Oct. 6: Pocahontas Trail Festival at Pocahontas State Park
• Oct. 19: Fall Foliage Adventure Race at Mason Neck State Park

“Beetlejuice.” The edgy and irreverent Broadway smash hit musical comedy, based on Tim Burton’s beloved film. The humorous musical tells the story of Lydia Deetz, a strange and unusual teenager whose whole life changes when she meets a recently deceased couple and a demon with a thing for stripes. It’s a surprisingly touching show about family, love, and making the most of every Day-O! June 4 to 9 at Altria Theater, Richmond.

Richmond Shakespeare 25th Anniversary Season continues. To go or not to go. Really, is it a question?

• “Doctor Faustus.” June 6 to 30, 2024, at Agecroft Hall and Gardens.
• “Much Ado About Nothing.” July 12 to Aug. 4, 2024, at Agecroft Hall and Gardens.

KISSNATION. In addition to classic ’70s KISS tunes, the NYC-based tribute band dives into the full KISS repertoire, spanning the ’80s, ’90s, and even the 2000s in this all-ages show. June 8, 7 p.m., at Ember Music Hall, Richmond.

Virginia Repertory November Theatre

• “9 to 5, The Musical,” June 21 to Aug. 4, 2024, at the November Theatre
• “Martha Mitchell Calling,” featuring Debra Wagoner and Joe Pabst, Sept. 29 to Oct. 29, at Hanover Tavern
• “Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery,” Dec. 15, 2023 to Jan. 21, 2024, at Hanover Tavern
• “On Air,” March 15 to April 14, 2024, at Hanover Tavern

Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons: The Last Encores. June 28 at Altria Theater, Richmond.

Juneteenth July Jubilee. A three-day event including music, history, food, a walk around the lake, and guest speakers, including Dr. Opal Lee, “grandmother of Juneteenth.” Includes a Down Home Family Gathering on July 5. Follow the park’s events page for updates. July 5 to 7 at Twin Lakes State Park, Greenbay, Virginia.

Virginia Repertory Theatre 2024 – 2025 Season:

November Theatre

• “Misery,” Aug. 31 to Sept. 29
• “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” Nov. 30 to Jan. 5, 2025
• “Fat Ham,” March 1 to 23, 2025
• “Waitress,” June 21 to Aug. 3, 2025

Barksdale at Hanover Tavern

• “Ken Ludwig’s Moriarty,” Dec 13 to Jan. 19, 2025
• “Dial M for Murder,” March 29 to April 27, 2025

Jim Gaffigan’s Barely Alive Tour. Deliciously clean and wickedly funny, the Grammy-nominated comedian, actor, writer, producer, and author shares relatable humor of observations on life. Sept. 20, 7 p.m., at Altria Theater, Richmond.

RIFF 2024. The Richmond International Film Festival has announced its next annual celebration of film, with more than 200 filmmaking and musical guests from around the world, more than 150 film premieres, more than 30 musical performances, and more. Sept. 24 to 29, 2024, at various events around Richmond.

Richmond Folk Festival 2024. Mark your calendar for Sept. 27 to 29, 2024 (moved from its typical October weekend to avoid the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur). On and around Brown’s Island, Richmond.

2nd Street Festival. Celebrating the rich culture and vibrant present of the historic Jackson Ward neighborhood, when it was the heart and soul of Richmond’s African American community and known as “the Harlem of the South.” The two-day festival features three stages of live musical entertainment, including Grammy Award-winning Arrested Development on Saturday and Desiree Roots on Sunday, along with other performing artists, a Kidz Zone, food vendors, a marketplace and Artists Row, and the Richmond Metropolitan Antique Car Club. Oct. 5 to 6, in Jackson Ward, Richmond.

Diana Ross: Beautiful Love Performances. The iconic, legendary singer was known as the leader of The Supremes and for her solo work. Oct. 22, 7:30 p.m., at Altria Theater, Richmond.

Fine Arts & Flowers. The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) announced 2024 dates for the biennial event. The museum-wide exhibition showcases floral designs inspired by works of art in VMFA’s permanent collection, with floral designs by the Garden Club of Virginia, The Virginia Federation of Garden Clubs and Ikebana of Richmond. Gala kickoff and preview, with other special events like talks from guest speakers and VMFA curators, luncheons, floral design workshops, exhibition tours, a fashion show, and family activities. Oct. 23 to 27, 2024, at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond.

Broadway in Richmond Presents Its 2024 to 2025 Season. The new season includes five Richmond-area premieres with three of them in their first year of touring along with the return of a popular rom-com, pop musical.

• “Shucked” kicks off the season, making one of the first stops fresh off its Broadway run, Oct. 29 to Nov. 3, 2024.
• Fan favorite and global smash hit “Mamma Mia!” hits the stage Dec. 10 to 14, 2024.
• The Virginia premiere of “MJ: The Musical” arrives to play Jan. 28 to Feb. 2, 2025.
• The 10-time Tony Award-winning hit “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” entertains March 4 to 16, 2025.
• “A Beautiful Noise,” in its first year of touring, entertains in RVA from April 15 to 20, 2025.
• Song and dance spectacular “Some Like It Hot” comes to Richmond, June 3 to 8, 2025.
• “Chicago The Musical” returns, May 9 to 11, 2025 (can be added to any six-show season ticket package).

Ongoing Events

Around Richmond, and a few worth a road trip

Willie Anne Wright: Artist and Alchemist. Showcasing a groundbreaking, internationally renowned photographer and painter whose Richmond-based career spans over six decades, through 63 photographs and 9 paintings. From playful and irreverent scenes of everyday life to ethereal evocations of the past, Wright’s experimental paintings and photographs examine pop-culture, feminine identity, the pull of history, and the shifting cultural landscape of the South. Through April 28 at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond.

“Airswimming.” Based on the true story of two women  who were incarcerated in a hospital for the “criminally insane” for having borne illegitimate children. Both funny and moving. Presented by Richmond Triangle Players, through May 4, at Robert B. Moss Theatre, Richmond.

Matt Lively Exhibition. The artist has been enhancing walls inside and out for decades. This new collection spans 27 years and includes his first Beecycle painting (“Beecycle Dirigible,” 1997). Through May 5 at Gramaphone, Richmond.

“Sign Spotting: Richmond’s Signage.” Journey through Richmond’s history of signage: from vintage neon signs to public facility signs from the Jim Crow era to local advocacy signs, explore how iconic Richmond signage has been used to inform, advertise, and persuade. Includes an Audio Description Tour option, created in partnership with Virginia Voice. Through May 31 at The Valentine, Richmond.

A Million Blooms. The Garden’s celebration of spring celebrates a parade of blooms unfurling as the weather warms: daffodils, tulips, peonies, roses and many more. Through May 31 at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Richmond.

Samurai Armor. Featuring one of the world’s largest collections of Japanese samurai armor, providing a rare personal encounter with samurai artistry and tradition spanning more than 700 years of Japanese history. From the collection of Ann & Gabriel Barbier-Mueller. Through Aug. 4 at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond.

“Indigenous Perspectives.” A multimedia exhibition highlights the commonwealth’s Indigenous history and how the tribes remain a vital part of Virginia’s culture today. Includes video interviews, archival records, and objects contributed by tribes. Through Aug. 17 at the Library of Virginia, Richmond.

Two Ceramics Exhibitions. Through Aug. 17 at the Black History Museum, Richmond.

• NCECA Multicultural Fellowship ceramics exhibition includes pieces from tabletop vases to life-sized creations representing the theme “Coalescence.” Artists come from various backgrounds, showing the value of diversity and of ceramic arts.
• “Like the Dust Settles in Layers, So Does the Story” ceramics exhibition invites viewers to challenge stereotypes related to communities, environments, race, economics, and societal roles, focusing on the themes of self-reflection, strength, and the beauty of resilience during challenging times.

Discover Steampunk. New touring exhibition looks at the movement inspired by Victorian ideals of industry and steam power. It blends science, art, and history, showing how thinkers and writers of the late 1800s envisioned the future. More than 20 interactive exhibits highlight electricity and Mary Shelley, deep ocean exploration with Jules Verne, time travel with H.G. Wells, and more. Through Aug. 18 at the Science Museum of Virginia, Richmond.

“Julia Child: A Recipe for Life.” The exhibition highlighting the popular chef will make its only East Coast stop on a national tour at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture. Including video, audio, photographs, memorabilia, recreated scenes from the chef’s life, and a special section exclusive to VMHC that highlights Julia Child’s impact on Virginians. Through Sept. 2 at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, Richmond.

2024 Riverfront Canal Cruises Launch. The 24th season of 40-minute, historically narrated boat tours of the James River and Kanawha Canal continues till fall. Departing from the Canal’s Turning Basin, Richmond.

Secrets & Symbols: Hidden Messages in Decorative Objects. A new display explores symbolic imagery, hidden messages, and other private references contained in a small selection of items from the museum’s collection. Through Oct. 20 at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, Richmond.

Richmond City Tours with the Valentine. Discover Richmond with experienced Valentine guides. From historic cemeteries to the murals of Jackson Ward and the streets of Church Hill, walking and bus tours dive deep into Richmond’s historic sites and charming neighborhoods, uncovering the hidden histories in the art, architecture, and landscape. April through November at various starting points, Richmond.

“‘I made this…’: The Work of Black American Artists and Artisans.” The first exhibition looking solely at the work of diverse Black artists and artisans from three centuries opens at the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg. Through Dec. 31, 2025, at the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum, Williamsburg.

“Sculpting History.” The 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 demonstrates how sculptor Edward Valentine, Richmond leaders, and others around the country reframed the war. It uncovers the Lost Cause, its legacy, and those who resisted. The Valentine, Richmond.

“The Impending Crisis.” A dynamic exhibit of events, people, and circumstances that led America to a pivotal point in its history, exploring differing viewpoints from across the nation in pre-civil war America. Opening April 27 at the American Civil War Museum, Tredegar, Richmond.