Mon., Apr. 9 – 7:30pm – Great American Songbook at University of Richmond- How does free and classic sound for a way to spend a romantic Monday night? The UR Jazz Combo and Jazz Ensemble will be performing a concert celebrating the Great American Songbook, featuring music by Irving Berlin, Johnny Mercer, Harold Arlen, and George Gershwin. Best of all, it’s free! As in no cost, zero ducats, nada admission. Do you really have something better to do on a Monday night?
Tues., Apr 10 – 7:30pm – “Shakespeare in the Trailer Park” at CenterStage – Of all the classic Shakespeare plays that Richmond Shakespeare could take on, how cool is it that they instead decided to do a reading of this one for their Second Tuesday Staged Reading series? And don’t forget that the price of admission also gets you a glass of wine for your trip down Trailer Park Lane. It’s a staged reading, not a full on production but it will be more fun than anyone should have on a Tuesday night.
Wed., Apr. 11 – 9:00pm – Lake Street Dive at Balliceaux – Pay attention, kids. This is going to be a good show. These guys pull in the familiar, scramble it irreverently and recombine to make something wholly their own. Lake Street Dive are jazz-schooled, DIY-motivated, and classically pop obsessed. The songs are catchy and wryly inquisitive because this Boston quartet injects them with an irresistible blend of abandon and precision. Talent + fun = great music.
Thurs. Apr. 12 – 7:00pm – Low Branches and Small Houses at Globehopper – This is one coffee shop that is becoming a bona fide music destination. RVA’s Low Branches alone are worth the trip to the Bottom for their hushed folk and haunting voice, but don’t miss Small Houses, also known as Jermey Quentin, who has an intense and affecting musical style that’s absolutely compelling. He’s likely to cover the likes of Tom Waits or Woody Guthrie, if that tells you anything. And in case you don’t know, in addition to caffeine, Globehopper serves wine and beer.
Fri., Apr. 13 – 12:00 – “Futuropolis” at the Main Library – As part of the James River Film Fest, check out this granddaddy of Richmond independent film. Shot over nine years on sets constructed in the basement of the Broad Street Station (which is now the Science Museum of Virginia) using the animation process known as pixilation, the movie supposedly has the feel of a 1930s comic strip and the retro vibe of atomic age nostalgia. The film’s star, actor Tom Campagnoli, will be on hand for a Question and Answer period afterwards. Bring your lunch!
Sat. Apr. 14 – 9:00pm – The Trillions Record Release Show at Gallery 5 – It’s Gallery 5’s seventh birthday and everyone is invited to celebrate Jackson Ward’s best firehouse turned art gallery. Performing will be the Strokes-influenced Trillions who know how to rock out. Supporting them will be Black Girls, another local must-see who bring to mind K.C. and the Sunshine Band and Modest Mouse simultaneously. This is going to be a lot of fun given the two bands that are going to make you want to shake it.
Sun., Apr. 15 – 8:00am – GhostLight at Richmond Triangle Players – Lovers of musical theater who just want to belt out their favorite classics have a new place to do it Broadway-style. Inspired by the cabaret scene in Manhattan’s West Village, the Ghost Light After Party is a monthly open-mic piano bar organized by local actors and singers. Expect all kinds of guests at the Ghost Light After Party where a social makes for a place where theater artists and enthusiasts can come together, sing a song or just have a drink and enjoy the evening. I’m planning to drink and hang – and so should you.
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Karen is Just your average Jackson Ward resident who thinks Richmond offers more than enough to keep you occupied and entertained. She smiles too much, talks way too much, is too into music, and shares her opinion whether it’s asked for or not on her blog “I Could Go On and On.”