What’s Booming RVA: Black History & Ice Cream

Sober history and inspiring resilience combine in Black History Month, and it’s fitting that National Ice Cream for Breakfast Day is in February, too – after all, African Americans were pioneers in the ubiquitous treat. Plus take in zydeco and Creole music royalty, a thought-provoking play, and Mozart paired with The Beatles. All in “What’s Booming RVA: Black History and Ice Cream.”

Black History Month Events

February, at various locations in the Richmond region

“Visions of Progress” and “Stolen Lives, Dreamed Lives” Pop-Up Exhibition

Open Feb. 7 at the Black History Museum & Cultural Center, Richmond

“Visions of Progress” presents photographs of pre-Harlem Renaissance era representations of African American life. The images show a multifaceted perspective of African Americans in Virginia during the early 20th century. Each region of the Commonwealth featured in the exhibition will be color coded to differentiate the stories they tell. In “Stolen Lives, Dreamed Lives” sculptures tell the chronological story of a people depicted as healers and nomads, the tribulations of slavery, life on the plantation, lynchings, exodus, and freedom.

Find other events honoring African Americans in our newsletter and on our weekly round-up of events, including the story of American Revolutionary spy James Armistead Lafayette, Civil War surgeons, “Cotton” and “Sanctuary Road” from Virginia Opera, African Americans and the Arts kick-off and other events from Chesterfield County, as well as exhibitions from Jamestown Settlement.

Ice Cream for Breakfast Day

Multiple ice cream shops around town

Gelati Celesti Ice Cream shops open their doors at 9 a.m. for a breakfast party. Customers in PJs will get a free donut with ice cream purchase. Feb. 3, 9 a.m. to noon, at all Gelati Celesti locations.

Ruby Scoops Ice Cream & Sweets presents breakfast-inspired scoops, cereal shakes, free coffee, free swag for first 20 fams in PJs, surprise collabs. Feb. 3, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., at Ruby Scoops Ice Cream & Sweets, Richmond.

Jeni’s Scoop Shops present breakfast-themed flavors with a morning celebration. Think Banana French Toast ice cream, French toast waffle cones, breakfast-themed pairings, and more. Feb. 3, 9 a.m. to noon, at all Jeni’s locations, including Carytown, Richmond.

See website links above

C.J. Chenier & The Red Hot Louisiana Band

Feb. 7, 8 p.m., at The Tin Pan, Richmond

Clayton Joseph Chenier is Creole music royalty. His father, the legendary Clifton Chenier, invented the style of music we know today as Zydeco and was the first Creole musician to be recognized with a Grammy Award.

“Memories of Overdevelopment”

Feb. 7 to 25 at Firehouse Theatre, Richmond

Some plays are a quiet revolution about loud things. Some plays are about the stories we carry in our bones. Inspired by true stories, “Memories of Overdevelopment” is a documentary sharing what people remember about dictatorships where they grew up, how they survived, and why they left.

Mozart Meets The Beatles

Feb. 8, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, Richmond

Music at Hardywood presents the Richmond Symphony blending Mozart’s classical masterpieces and the iconic tunes of The Beatles. Appropriately playing the day before the 60th anniversary of the British band’s debut in the United States, on The Ed Sullivan Show.

FEATURE IMAGE CAPTION: Terrence Chin-Loy (center) as Welsey Harris escaping enslavement while running surrounded by the Virginia Opera Chorus. Image by Dave Pearson.

Check websites for more details, including prices and registration requirements.

More of What’s Booming in Richmond besides Black history and ice cream

More fun to fill your plate

February 1 to 8, 2024 + Down-the-Road events