Make Plans for These Richmond Events

More Richmond events after March 27

“STOMP.” A combination of percussion, movement, and visual comedy, STOMP uses  household and industrial objects find as musical instruments in the hands of a band of body percussionists. It’s a journey through sound, a celebration of the everyday, and a comic interplay of characters wordlessly communicating through dance and drum. The international percussion sensation will offer three performances, March 28 and 29, at Dominion Energy Center, Richmond.

Nightcap with Kia Bennett. The sultry and elegant sounds of Richmond native Kia Bennett. Soundscapes include Soul, R&B, and Jazz of the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. March 29, 7:30 p.m., at Perkinson Center, Chester.

Secretariat Day. Live music, new Secretariat merchandise, food trucks, birthday cake, art exhibit, local vendors, kids’ activities, and more. The Ashland Theatre hosts a free showing of the Disney movie “Secretariat” at 11 a.m., and the Ashland Museum shows historic Secretariat and Meadow Stable memorabilia. “Horsey Happy Hour” from 4 to 6 p.m. at Studio 54. March 30, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., in Ashland.

April and beyond

New Exhibition – Bodies of Labor: Hands That Built a Nation. Highlighting African Americans’ contributions to labor over the past 400+ years, reflecting resilience, creativity, and progress. Painters, sculptors, illustrators, photographers, and artisans working with various mediums will be included. Opening April 2 at the Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia.

“Aguas da Amazonia.” Third Coast Percussion and dancers of the Twyla Tharp Dance company will perform an original adaptation of Philip Glass’s work for percussion quartet and flute. April 5, at Dominion Energy Center, Richmond.

RRRC Fools Fest Race Weekend. Two days of fun and fast running at the inaugural RRRC Fools Fest, with four races of distances ranging from the ultra-challenging No Foolin’ 50K to the playful Mischief One Miler (a charity race benefiting local running non-profits). Run, community, fun, and giving back. April 5 to 6 at Dorey Park, Henrico.

“When Mayor Doug Wilder Ruled Richmond.” Book talk and signing with author Linwood Norman. Norman, a former press secretary to the mayor, recounts the turmoil of Richmond’s transition to the “strong mayor” model of local government in 2005 during what was a memorable chapter in the city’s rich political history. (See Boomer’s coverage of the book here.) FREE, registration required. April 8, noon to 1 p.m., at the Library of Virginia, Richmond.

Colonial Williamsburg’s Annual Garden Symposium. Curators, archaeologists, and gardeners from Colonial Williamsburg, plus award-winning authors, gardeners, landscape architects, naturalists, and horticulturalists. Presentations address topics such as the influence of imported prints on Virginia’s early gardens, spring flowering bulbs, gardening in the context of the Age of Exploration, and the horticultural impact of three cultures fusing into a new world during the 17th and 18th centuries. Virtual option. April 10 to 12 in Colonial Williamsburg.

“A Girl Called Rosita” Honoring Rita Moreno. Including lunch featuring Puerto Rican fare, performances by members of the Latin Ballet of Virginia, a silent auction, and more. April 12, 7:30 p.m., at Perkinson Center, Chester.

Virginia State Parks Adventure Series 2025. The multi-sport race series kicks off on March 8, featuring 20 races, including triathlons, mountain biking races, adventure races, and more, at 11 parks across the state. This year features a broader range of race difficulties and distances forall levels of adventure and one new race option. Highlights near the Richmond region include:

Bike: 

• May 18: High Bridge Time Trial at High Bridge State Park
• June 14: Poca Go! at Pocahontas State Park
• Aug. 3: Guts, Gravel, Glory at Pocahontas State Park

Running:  

• April 12: James River Trail Runs at James River State Park
• June 14: Night Train Ultra Marathon at High Bridge Trail State Park
• Sept. 20: Paw Paw 5- and 10-Miler at Powhatan State Park
• Oct. 4: High Bridge Half Marathon and 5k at High Bridge Trail State Park
• Oct. 5: Pocahontas Trail Festival at Pocahontas State Park

Ashland 1949 Film Series. Inspired by the rousing response to its 75th anniversary presentation of 1948 films, Ashland Theatre presents a series of films from 1949. All tickets $5, films beginning at 7 p.m., at Ashland Theatre, Ashland.

• April 14, 2025: “The Heiress,” starring Olivia de Havilland and Montgomery Clift
• May 12, 2025: “I Shot Jesse James,” starring Preston Foster and John Ireland
• June 16, 2025: “The Small Back Room,” starring David Farrar and Kathleen Byron
• July 14, 2025: “The Third Man,” starring Joseph Cotten, Alida Valli, and Orson Welles
• Aug. 11, 2025: “Jour de fête,” starring Jacques Tati and Paul Frankeur

“The Neil Diamond Musical: A Beautiful Noise.” Created in collaboration with Neil Diamond himself, “A Beautiful Noise” is the uplifting true story of how a kid from Brooklyn became a chart-busting, show-stopping American rock icon. Part of Broadway in Richmond. April 15 to 20 at Altria Theater, Richmond.

The Dip. The Seattle-based rhythm & blues band shares songs from their latest album, “Love Direction.” The Dip is known for its poignant songwriting, detailed arrangements, and vintage sound. Featuring a three-piece horn section, the group’s music harkens back to earlier soul and funk influences while hinting its jazz foundations. April 17, 8 p.m., at The Broadberry, Richmond.

Bonnie Raitt: Live 2025, with Special Guest Larry John McNally. The singer, songwriter, and guitarist blends blues, R&B, rock, and pop. She rose to the top in the early ’90s with her GRAMMY-award winning albums featuring hits such as “Something To Talk About” and “I Can’t Make You Love Me.” The 13-time Grammy winner was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. April 22, 7:30 p.m., at Altria Theater, Richmond.

Wood River Run. An annual 5k run or walk in memory of Christian Wood, a talented young kayaker who lost his life while paddling on the James River in 2018. Proceeds used to fund the work of Friends of the James River Park, the Christian Wood Scholarship Fund to send underprivileged kids to Passages Adventure Camp, and the programming of the JRPS Education Department. April 26, 9 a.m., at Pony Pasture Park, Richmond.

Legends on Grace. This season highlights a different genre with each performance including a holiday show. All at Bob & Sally Mooney Hall at Dominion Energy Center, Richmond. Still to come:

• ’70s Pop Night! The Super Sugar Beats. April 26, 2025, 8 p.m.

“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.

RTP’s 2024-2025 Season. Four plays, including a new production of one of RTP’s biggest hits, will take the stage at Richmond Triangle Players, as the company celebrates its 32nd year as one of the Commonwealth’s most acclaimed cultural arts institutions, and the longest-operating LGBTQ+ theatre in the mid-Atlantic region. At Robert B. Moss Theatre, Richmond. Still to come:

• “Which Way to the Stage” by Ana Nogueira. What happens when dreams fall just out of reach, in a playful yet profound comedy of friendship and ambition. April 23 to May 17, 2025.
• “A Strange Loop,” book, music, and lyrics by Michael R. Jackson. Winner of every best musical award in New York for the story of Usher, a young, gay, Black writer in a loop of a hilarious ensemble play. June 25 to Aug. 2, 2025.

CureSearch Richmond Walk. Join the Richmond community in raising funds and awareness for pediatric cancer. We will have food trucks, yard games, and other family friendly activities as we rally the community around an important cause. April 26, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Byrd Park, Richmond.

The Jason Cale Band. Blending soulful blues rock, New Orleans funk, and jazz fusion elements into a musical gumbo, the creates a style all its own, inspired by the late ’60s and early ’70s. April 26, 7:30 p.m., at Perkinson Center, Chester.

Henrico Restaurant Week. Participating restaurants offer special fixed-price three-course dinners and/or two-course lunches, donating $1 from each HRW lunch and $3 from each HRW dinner to Safe Harbor, which supports survivors of sexual and domestic violence and human trafficking. April 28 to May 4 at various locations around Henrico.

May and beyond

Friday Cheers 2025. Richmond’s longest-running concert series begins a new season on May 2, its 40th anniversary season, on Brown’s Island every week in May and June. Advance tickets for individual shows and season passes to Friday Cheers are available for purchase online at Ticketstobuy.com. Season passes are $55 through March 2, $65 thereafter. For details and to purchase tickets, visit Venture Richmond’s website.

• May 2 – Chaparelle (8:00pm) with Jack Wharff and the Tobacco Flatts (6:30pm)
• May 9 – Bully (8:00pm) with Rikki Rakki (6:30pm)
• May 23 – RVA Music Night: Dogpark (8:20pm), Caroline Vain (7:15pm) and Weekend Plans (6:15pm)
• May 30 – Josiah and the Bonnevilles (8:00pm) with Jonathan Paige Brown Jr. (6:30pm)
• June 6 – Kashus Culpepper (8:00pm) with Ramona & the Holy Smokes  (6:30pm)
• June 13 – La Lom (8:00pm) with Afro-Zen Allstars (6:30pm)
• June 20 – The War and Treaty (8:00pm) with Mekong Xpress & the Get Fresh Horns (6:30pm)
• June 27 – Say She She (8:00pm) with  Big Fancy  (6:30pm)

Run Wild Races. In honor of Poppy, the new pygmy hippo, Metro Richmond Zoo presents three races: the one-miler Mini, a sprint inside the zoo; the Run Wild 5k through and around the zoo; and the Wild Ninja objstacle course around the zoo, with 41 obstacles over approximately 2 miles. May 3 at 8, 8:45, and 10 a.m., at the Metro Richmond Zoo, Moseley.

Living Your Dash. Full Circle Grief Center presents its annual luncheon. The inspirational speaker, Carson Clough, is a member of the USA Paralympic Triathlon Team. The event helps the organization to provide comprehensive, professional bereavement support in Virginia. May 8, 11:45 a.m., at a private venue.

Cap2Cap. Celebrating its 20th ride, the event highlights history, community, and adventure along the scenic Virginia Capital Trail. Distances range from 7 to 100+ miles, suitable for all skill levels, with stocked rest stops, open-start format, bike tech support, restrooms, party zones, naturally scenic views, and lots of extra perks. May 9 (at Chickahominy Riverfront Park, James City County) and May 10 (at Dorey Park, Henrico County) along the Capital Trail from Williamsburg to Richmond.

“Loving v. Virginia.” Virginia Opera premieres the operatic retelling of a young couple’s interracial marriage in 1958 that sparks a case which leads to the Supreme Court and a victory for civil rights in the United States. Based on the true story of Mildred and Richard Loving. Sung in English with English surtitles. May 9 to 11, 2025, at Dominion Energy Center, Richmond.

HistoryFest. A fascinating day of festival-meets-conference with more than 20 full-sensory presentations, spanning musical revolutions, films, foods, travel, American presidents, and generation-defining events. May 17, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, Richmond.

Steve Earle – Solo & Acoustic. One of the most acclaimed singer-songwriters of his generation, Earle has been the protégé of legendary songwriters Townes Van Zandt and Guy Clark. His songs have been recorded by Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Joan Baez, Emmylou Harris, The Pretenders, and many others. His 1986 album “Guitar Town” is a classic of the Americana genre, and his 1988 hit, “Copperhead Road,” was made an official state song of Tennessee in 2023. May 29 and 30, 8 p.m., at The Tin Pan, Richmond.

Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront. Richmond’s new open-air amphitheater near Brown’s Island will open in June, with a variety of big names already lined up to play.

• June 6: Kansas & 38 Special with the Outlaws
• June 7: Rick Springfield – I Want my ’80s Tour
• June 10: Dispatch w/ John Butler (with band) – Summer Tour
• June 19: Boyz II Men
• June 21: Dwight Yoakam
• June 26: Parker McCollum – What Kinda Man Tour 2025
• July 12: Counting Crows: The Complete Sweets! Tour
• July 15 and 16 – Dave Matthews Band
• July 17: Brad Paisley: Truck Still Works World Tour
• July 19: Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
• July 26: Whiskey Myers – What We Were Born to Do Tour
• Aug. 1: The Head and The Heart: Aperture Tour
• Aug. 6: Styx & Kevin Cronin + Don Felder the Brotherhood of Rock Tour
• Aug. 10: Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts
• Aug. 23: Bailey Zimmerman – New to Country Summer Tour
• Aug. 24: The Red Clay Strays – Get Right Tour 2025
• Aug. 26: Simple Plan: Bigger Than You Think! Tour
• Aug. 28: Gavin Adcock – Need to Tour
• Aug. 29: Alison Krauss & Union Station Featuring Jerry Douglas
• Sept. 1: James Taylor and His All-Star Band
• Sept. 20: Steve Martin & Martin Short – The Dukes of Funnytown!
• Sept. 22: “Weird Al” Yankovic: Bigger & Weirder 2025 Tour
• Oct. 21: Tedeschi Trucks Band with Very Special Guest Little Feat: Live in 25

Virginia Museum of History & Culture Celebrates America’s 250th Anniversary with Spring 2025 Exhibition and Related Events. “Give Me Liberty: Virginia & the Forging of a Nation” runs through Jan. 4, 2026, plus other events to tell the story of the U.S. At the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, Richmond.

• Un/Bound: Free Black Virginians, 1619-1865: June 14 to July 5, 2026
• We The People: March 14, 2026 to Jan. 3, 2027
• Sail250 with Tall Ships RVA: June 12 to 15, 2026
• IllumiNATION: June to July 2026

Paula Poundstone. The iconic comedian is known for observational humor and spontaneous wit. She is the star of several HBO specials and is a regular panelist on NPR’s comedy news quiz, “Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!” and heard weekly on her successful comedy podcast. Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone. June 20, 8 p.m., at The Tin Pan, Richmond.

2nd Street Festival. In its 37th year of celebrating rich local culture. Oct. 4 to 5, historic Jackson Ward, Richmond.

Richmond Folk Festival. In its 21st year of celebrating the roots, richness, and variety of American culture. FREE. Oct. 10 to 12, along the riverfront, Richmond.

Ongoing Events

Around Richmond, and a few worth a road trip

Art Exhibition: Frank Hobbs & Clay Johnson, “Vergence.” Exploring a juxtaposition between the two artists’ approaches to painting and the ideas of landscape and composition. Through March 22 at Bond Millen Gallery, Richmond.

“Sanctuary City.” The play by Pulitzer Prize winner Martyna Majok is a moving tale of two teenagers, brought to America as children, who grapple with an impossible choice: what are they willing to risk to stay in the only home they’ve ever known? As they navigate the tender moments of coming-of-age, they must confront the harsh realities that threaten their dreams. Through March 22 at Robert B. Moss Theatre, Richmond.

PAAL Group Exhibition. Celebrate the power of love, creativity, and resilience with works by local artists Julie Elkins, George Ferrandi, Allan Rosenbaum, Kendra Wadsworth, Carrie Watterworth, and Susann Whittier. Exhibition runs through March 29 at Petersburg Area Art League, Petersburg.

“The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged).” A fast-paced and irreverent take on the Bard’s entire canon, this madcap comedy condenses all 37 of Shakespeare’s plays into just 97 minutes, performed by three actors. Expect outrageous physical comedy, improvisation, pop culture references, and plenty of audience interaction. Part of Richmond Shakespeare’s 26th Season. Through March 30 at Dominion Energy Center, Richmond.

“Cotton Patch Gospel.” The gospel stories of Matthew and John come to rural Georgia, told with a classic American-roots score by Harry Chapin. The actors play the bluegrass instruments and sing Chapin’s story-telling songs and gospel truths. As a bonus, the theater and dining area will exhibit the art of James Bassfield, a Richmond native whose side gig as an artist turned into a successful career in pencil, watercolor, oil, and acrylics. Through April 12 at Swift Creek Mill Theatre, South Chesterfield.

“Michelangelo: The Genesis of the Sistine” and Related Events. The new exhibition opens on the 550th anniversary of Michelangelo’s birth and will be the first major exhibition presented in the newly renovated Muscarelle. Exhibition runs through May 28 at the Muscarelle Museum of Art, Williamsburg.

• “Michelangelo: The Genesis of the Sistine” Curator’s Opening Lecture with Adriano Marinazzo: March 18, 5 p.m.
• Virtual Book Talk: “Michelangelo and the Pope’s Ceiling” with Muscarelle Director David Brashear and New York Times-bestselling author Ross King: March 30, 2 p.m.
• “Michelangelo & Titian: A Tale of Titans,” a lecture with internationally recognized Michelangelo scholar William E. Wallace: April 8, 5 p.m.
• “Michelangelo: The Tomb and the Vault,” a lecture with exhibition curator Adriano Marinazzo about connections between Michelangelo’s original project for the Tomb of Pope Julius II and his Sistine ceiling paintings: April 28, 5 p.m.

“A Better Life for Their Children: Julius Rosenwald, Booker T. Washington, and the 4,978 Schools That Changed America.” Exhibition honoring the Rosenwald program, a unique school program established to provide educational opportunities for African Americans during the Jim Crow era. One of the most transformative educational initiatives in American history was forged by Booker T. Washington, a Black educator, and Julius Rosenwald, a Jewish businessman and philanthropist. The exhibition features photographs and stories of the schools alongside a Virginia-based collection of related artifacts, images, and more. Through April 20, 2025, at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, Richmond.

“We Are the Builders: Honoring the Contributions of Black Workers in Virginia.” Highlighting the important role that Black people have played in the development of America, with emphasis on the contributions of Black Virginians. Through April 30 at the Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia, Richmond.

Portraits: The “Style Weekly” Photograph Archive. Richmond’s alternative source of culture, arts, opinion, and local issues started in 1982, through words and photographs. This exhibition includes portraits selected from the archive. Through May 16, 2025, at The Valentine, Richmond.

“Michelangelo: The Genesis of the Sistine.” Bringing 25 rarely-displayed masterpiece drawings by Michelangelo to the United States, the exhibition offers the opportunity to grasp the genius of the famed artist. Displaying Michelangelo’s initial studies and early drawings of the famous frescoes of the Sistine Chapel, it explores the story of the origin of these works, some of the most famous in the world. Through May 28 at Muscarelle Museum of Art, Williamsburg.

“Mapping the Commonwealth, 1816–1826.” The story of 10 years, five governors, two principal surveyors, and one lead engraver – the time frame and team needed to create one of the first official state maps in the nation. Examples from 40 manuscript maps that highlight the painstaking task of creating Virginia’s first official state map, without the benefit of modern technologies like GPS. Through June 7, 2025 at the Library of Virginia, Richmond.

Virginia & The Vietnam War. Fifty years since the Fall of Saigon, Virginians still feel the impact of the Vietnam War, a long, costly, and controversial conflict. This exhibit examines, through personal objects and oral histories, what Virginia’s soldiers, policy makers, families, activists, and Vietnamese migrants carried during the war and its aftermath. Visitors explore relevant personal items and engage with multiple oral histories. Through July 6, 2025, at Virginia Museum of History & Culture, Richmond.

“Towers of Tomorrow with LEGOⓇ Bricks.” Celebrating architecture and design, this hands-on exhibition showcases 20 of the world’s most iconic skyscrapers from North America, Asia and Australia, plus LEGO bricks for guests to build their own creations. Through Aug. 24 at the Science Museum of Virginia, Richmond.

Edmund Archer: Perspectives on Black Dignity. Portraits of Black men and women that radiate their dignity in contrast to caricatures and stereotypes of earlier Richmond artists and popular culture. Through Sept. 1, 2025.

“‘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.

Virginia Museum of History & Culture Celebrates America’s 250th Anniversary with Spring 2025 Exhibition and Related Events. “Give Me Liberty: Virginia & the Forging of a Nation” opens as the first major show for the anniversary commemoration, accompanied by traveling presentations across the state. The exhibition delves into Virginia’s important role in the American Revolution, exploring the confluence of continental and global forces as well as the actions of both iconic and often-overlooked people who together established a new nation and changed the world. The opening coincides with Patrick Henry’s “liberty or death” speech. Through Jan. 4, 2026, at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture.

“Sculpting History.” The 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.