As spooky season approaches, a new event series this weekend celebrates an instrument known for its haunting sound effects. If R&B and jazz are more your jam, head to Jackson Ward for the annual 2nd Street Festival. North of town, the State Fair of Virginia is a smorgasbord of sounds, with live concerts and other shows throughout the event. Also in the days ahead: a showcase of local fashion design at Crossroads Art Center. Enjoy!
Air in the Music
The theremin is the world’s first electrical instrument, played without direct contact — you’ve likely heard its unique voice in television and films. Local performer Caroline Scruggs makes the gestures that cause the apparatus to sing. From Friday, Oct. 2, through Monday, Oct. 5, Scruggs offers a ticketed tour of the theremin’s moods at various venues during Theremania. The final show of the fest occurs at a secret location revealed to her $5 Substack subscribers. If you can’t catch her during those events, she’ll be providing improv accompaniment to the 1928 silent movie “The Fall of the House of Usher” at The Poe Museum Oct. 18 at 7 p.m., presented by the James River Film Society as part of the Silent Music Revival series.
—Harry Kollatz Jr., Senior Writer
2’s Day
Known as the “Harlem of the South,” the Jackson Ward neighborhood was once a thriving cultural hub for Black entrepreneurs and entertainers. On Oct. 3-4, the annual 2nd Street Festival celebrates the legacy of the historic area. Catch Grammy-nominated musicians and local talent alike including Stokley, The Marvin Taylor Experience, and Plunky & Oneness performing across three stages. If music isn’t your thing, check out classic rides showcased by the Richmond Metropolitan Antique Car Club, take a walking tour with fourth-generation Jackson Ward resident Gary Flowers or shop along the Artists Row. Admission is free.
—Charvi Deorah, Editorial Intern
Fair Weather
The State Fair of Virginia, a commonwealth tradition since the 1850s, is back at The Meadow Event Park in Doswell through Oct. 4. It features amusement rides, traditional treats, livestock displays and entertainment such as the Triple Crown Circus and Xtreme Strongman Show. Additionally, the fair presents a lineup of live concerts with a different musical act performing each night, including singer-songwriter Leanna Crawford Oct. 1 and mid-’90s/early 2000s-era boy bands O-Town and LFO Oct. 3. Admission is $13 to $19 (ride tickets are extra).
—Ben Martindale, Editorial Intern
Passion for Fashion
While I don’t consider myself a fashionista, I’m always inspired by independent designers who can create something that tells a story and transcends everyday wear. A new exhibition at Crossroads Art Center showcases this meeting of material and creativity during “Fashion as ART,” on view through Nov. 8. The show highlights local designers Eucharia “Ukay” Jackson, whose Ukay Collection features pieces created by Nigerian artists; Stephen Jenkins of the Gracist Brand (pictured above), a melding of American denim with West African textiles; and Daphne Maxwell Reid (whom many may recognize from her acting career on TV and film) of Daphne Styles, offering vibrant custom-made jackets using Chinese silk. The pieces are free to view during the gallery’s regular hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.
—Nicole Cohen, Arts & Entertainment Editor
Other Suggestions
- The Westchester Concert Series presents its season finale, featuring the high-energy sounds of En’Novation, on Westchester Commons’ Main Street Stage Oct. 1.
- The Inthrive Film Festival returns to Richmond Oct. 1-4 at various local venues, featuring more than 24 films created by formerly incarcerated individuals.
- VCUarts Theatre department performs “Romeo & Juliet: An LGBTQIA+ Love Story” at the W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts Oct. 1-4.
- The second annual Museum District Art Walk brings a selection of artisans and their wares to the sidewalks, porches and patios of Floyd Avenue and surrounding areas Oct. 2.
- Aziza Barnes’ comedic drama “BLKS” is onstage at Richmond Triangle Players’ Robert B. Moss Theatre through Oct. 10.
- Federico Cuatlacuatl’s “Skin of Stars, Sacredness of Disobedience” is on view at 1708 Gallery through Oct. 18.
River City Roundup is Richmond magazine’s weekly compilation of the best things to see, do and experience in the region, compiled by our editors. Get each week’s installment directly in your inbox every Monday by subscribing to our e-newsletter.
