More What’s Booming RVA: April 18 to 25

Do good with yummy tastes through Richmond Restaurant Week – gain energy for exploring all the other fun music, cocktail class, lectures and author events, and more. What’s Booming in Richmond, Virginia, April 18 to 25, 2024.

Boomer Top 5 picks in RVA here, browse the week ahead below, and go to our

updated events page for Down the Road happenings and ongoing exhibitions and performances.

April 18 to 25, 2024

Thursday, April 18

“Hughie” by Eugene O’Neill. One of O’Neill’s last works, and one of his best. Presented by Cadence Theatre’s Unstaged Adult Acting Classes and Richmond’s new Onomatopoeia Productions. April 18 to 21 at The Basement, Richmond.

“Everybody.” A 21st-century riff on the 15th-century morality play, taking a random cast member on a journey through the mystery of life. April 18 to 20 at Alice Jepson Theatre, University of Richmond.

Friday, April 19

The World at War: World War I. From homegrown victory gardens to the 1914 Christmas truce to the ties between poppies and the end of the war, explore how “The Great War” changed the United States and the world, through various interactive stations. All ages. April 19, 10 a.m. to noon, at Meadow Farm Museum at Crump Park, Glen Allen.

Salsa Dance Class. Learn this popular Latin dance of spins and turn patterns and solo moves called “shines” – with or without a partner. April 19, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., at Eastern Henrico Recreation Center, Henrico.

40th Anniversary Speaker Series: Celebrating the History of the Garden. Three Garden leaders discuss its evolution from the early days. Guest speakers include former Garden leaders Frank Robinson, Executive Director (1992-2011) and President & CEO (2011-2015); Holly Shimizu, Managing Director (1996-2000); and Grace Elton, Director of Horticulture (2011-2017). April 19, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Richmond.

“Churchill.” British actor David Payne brings the British statesman to life, with a look at his life and the events and people that shaped it. April 19 to 21 at Gottwald Playhouse at Dominion Energy Center, Richmond.

“Disney’s Descendants: The Musical.” The new musical is packed with comedy, adventure, Disney characters, and hit songs, based on popular Disney Channel original movies. Presented by VCUarts Theatre. April 19 to 28 at the W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts, Richmond.

Maymont’s New Historic Architecture Audio Tour. See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.

Saturday, April 20

Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k. Run, walk, or cheer for participants … or know what roads to avoid!

Hidden in Plain Sight. A caravan driving tour through unique sites along the eastern front of the battlefield, discovered using Civil War-era photographs, maps, and more. April 20, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Petersburg National Battlefield, Petersburg.

Henrico Earth Day Festival. See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.

River Dog Winery Grand Opening. Preacher Dave’s BBQ and HomeTown Bakery and live music with Tom V on the patio. Dogs welcome. April 20, noon to 7 p.m., at River Dog Winery, Henrico.

Book Signing with Authors of “The Haunted Zone” Anthology. Meet some of the women military veterans who wrote stories and poems of horror, covering issues such as domestic violence, loss, the trauma of war, and more. April 20, 1 to 3 p.m., at Barnes and Noble, at Chesterfield Town Center, Richmond.

Remember When: 1930s. Many foods, games, movies, and more started and achieved success during these difficult years of the Great Depression – many are still familiar today. Interactive historical displays, trivia, music, and refreshments. All ages. April 20, 2 to 4 p.m., at Belmont Recreation Center, Henrico.

Ode to Bluegrass. Five different bluegrass bands – Crooked Creek Misfits, Justin Golden, Five Mile Mountain Road, and more – plus food trucks and plenty of beverages. April 20, 2 p.m., at Hardywood West Creek.

Concert Ballet Spring Gala: “Frankenstein.” The ballet adaptation of the classic Gothic horror story, plus three traditional ballet pieces. April 20, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., at J.R. Tucker High School Theatre, Richmond.

Open House and Movie Night Under the Stars. Aircraft and apparatus displays from fire and EMS, police, and sheriff departments, Virginia Department of Aviation, and more, with “Top Gun – Maverick” on the screen. Plus local food trucks. FREE. April 20, 5:30 to 10 p.m., at Richmond Executive-Chesterfield County Airport, Chesterfield.

“Walk the Earth as Brothers” with Henry Rozycki. Meet the author, the only child of Holocaust survivors, and learn about his book, a story of two pawns in a titanic world war, a story of bravery, random chance, kindness, betrayal, and love. April 20, 7 to 9 p.m., at Book People, Henrico.

Danish String Quartet. A mix of selections from Haydn and Shostakovich, original projects, and Scandinavian folk music. April 20, 7:30 p.m., at Camp Concert Hall, University of Richmond.

Andrew Lloyd Webber Symphonic Suites. See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.

Wild + Weird Festival. The seventh gathering of breweries bringing the best of their wild, funky, barrel aged, and sour beers – 13 craft breweries from near and far. Plus live music, food, and Batteaux Coffee. April 20 and 21, noon to 5 p.m., at Fine Creek Brewing, Powhatan.

Historic Garden Week. See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.

Samurai Armor from the Collection of Ann & Gabriel Barbier-Mueller. See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.

Sunday, April 21

Shakespeare’s Garden Tour. The bard’s writings reflected Elizabethan beliefs in witchcraft, fairies, and the “language of flowers,” making the Agecroft garden a great place to recall Shakespearean quotations and learn about gardens of that period. April 21, 10:30 to 11:15 a.m., at Agecroft Hall, Richmond.

Global Sounds. Student and community performances of traditional Japanese, West African, Brazilian, and Indonesian music. FREE. April 21, 3 p.m., at Westhampton Green, University of Richmond.

“Brittania.” Inspired by H. G. Wells’ classic novel “The Time Machine,” the Chamber Music Society of Central Virginia takes you on a time-traveling journey through 400 years of music from the British Isles: a Baroque fantasia by Henry Purcell, piano quintet by Edward Elgar, and work inspired by Jean-Michel Basquiat. April 21, 4 p.m., at Second Presbyterian Church, Richmond.

“The McCartney Experience.” A tribute to Paul McCartney and the Fab Four along with Wings and McCartney’s solo numbers. April 21, 7 p.m., at Tin Pan, Richmond.

Monday, April 22

David Baldacci Presents: “A Calamity of Souls.” The author discusses his latest novel; joined by S.A. Cosby. April 22, 7 p.m., at Ashland Theatre.

Chamber Ensembles. Student instrumentalists, vocalist, and pianists. FREE. April 22, 7:30 p.m., at Camp Concert Hall, University of Richmond.

Richmond Restaurant Week Spring 2024. Enjoy a three-course price-fixed meal at one of more than 30 restaurants for just $35.24. And the best part, $5.24 of every meal is donated to help FeedMore help neighbors in need. April 22 to 28 at various Central Virginia restaurants.

Richmond Fashion Week. A variety of shows featuring jewelry makers, successful and emerging designers, a showcase from the high-end Richmond boutique Liznel, Spring Finale Show, and Richmond Fashion Week Awards Gala. April 22 to 28 at various venues in Richmond.

Tuesday, April 23

Cadence Hoedown at Hardywood: Wrangle Up in True West Style. Music and entertainment includes old-school country music from the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s, line dancing lessons, and live auction. Presented by Cadence Theatre and hosted by popular performer Eva DeVirgilis. Proceeds support educational outreach programs and scholarships for children and youth. April 23, 6 to 8:30 p.m., at Hardywood, Richmond.

Retrace the Route of the Patawomeck Women with Lora Chilton. The author discusses the fate of the Patawomeck people and her new book, “1666: A Novel.” In 1666, in their efforts to steal the land of the Patawomeck people in what is now Virginia, colonists massacred the men of the tribe and took the women and children as slaves, marching them to slave ships sailing to the brutal sugar fields of the Barbados. April 23, 7 p.m., at Book People, Henrico.

Genealogical Virtual Event. What’s new in researching Irish, Scottish, and British ancestors. Hosted by GRIVA, the Genealogical Institute of Virginia. FREE, registration required. April 23, 7 p.m., online.

Popular Music Ensemble. Prabir Mehta directs students from the MSEN 100/Popular Music Ensemble who will perform original compositions created in class. FREE. April 23, 7:30 p.m., at Perkinson Recital Hall, University of Richmond.

The Art of the Cocktail: Virginia Focused Tastings and Cocktail Demonstrations. See Boomer’s Top 5 Picks.

“Swan Lake.” The European Royal Classical Ballet presents Tchaikovsky’s score. April 23, 7:30 p.m., at Perkinson Center for the Arts, Chester.

Richmond Flying Squirrels vs. Bowie Baysox. Go Nutz and have Funn with professional baseball, giveaways, and fireworks on featured nights. For your chance to score a pair of free tickets, follow our Tuesday Boomer newsletter or Facebook. April 23 to April 28 at The Diamond, Richmond.

Wednesday, April 24

Silver Screen Movies: “The Fabelmans.” All tickets and concessions are just one dollar. April 24, 10 a.m., at Henrico Theatre, Henrico.

“Union Tooth and Nail”: Pamunkey Indians and the Civil War. Anthropologist Ashley Spivey, a citizen of the Pamunkey Indian Tribe, speaks about the Pamunkey engagement in the Civil War as Union veterans and supporters. FREE. April 24, noon to 1 p.m., at Library of Virginia, Richmond.

Thursday, April 25

Goth Prom. The first UnHappy Hour of the year is presented by The Veil Brewing Co., with food from TBT El Gallo, trad-goth music from DJ Scareypete, and projection art by Jeff Dobrow. April 25, 6 to 9 p.m., at the Poe Museum, Richmond.

Appalachia on the Table. Erica Abrams Locklear explores Appalachian food scripts: representations of foods consumed, implied moral judgments about those foods, and how those judgments shape reader perceptions of those depicted. April 25, 6 p.m., at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, Richmond.

Coaches’ Cook Off. Talented coaches and local chefs highlight their culinary skills as they compete in a somewhat friendly cook-off. Returning is 2023 Top Chef Brittany Anderson, owner of Brenner Pass restaurant, and Coach Nadine Domond from VSU. Also competing are Leah Branch of The Roosevelt with VCU head coach Ryan Odom; Chris Morina from Lillian’s Oyster Hall with UR head coach Chris Mooney; and Laine Myers from Oro with St. Gertrude’s coach Robin D’Onofrio. To benefit Commonwealth Autism. April 25, 6:30 p.m., at Willow Oaks Country Club, Richmond.

Anticipation … !

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