Music Abounds in Richmond this Summer

by Brookie Crawford 

What a better way to spend the summer than to kick back relax with a cool drink, great food and the sounds of your favorite band.  Here’s a list of where you can find some musical entertainment in the greater Richmond, Virginia area this summer.

Innsbrook Afterhours — Wednesdays (and other days), 6 p.m.
What started out as a simple Wednesday night concert series has grown.  Now offering additional concerts throughout the week, Innsbrook Afterhours brings in performers for all tastes.   Prices vary.

Wednesday, June 13 — Gin Blossoms
Wednesday, June 20 — Doobie Brothers/Little Feat
Friday, June 22 — Sugarland
Wednesday, June 27 — ASAI
Saturday, July 7 — Taylor Hicks
Wednesday, July 11 — Hootie and the Blowfish
Wednesday, July 18 — Los Lonely Boys/Pat Green
Wednesday, July 25 — TBA
Thursday, July 26 — Sara Evans
Saturday, July 28 — Chicago
Friday, August 3 — Nickel Creek with Fiona Apple
Saturday, August 4 — Black Crowes
Friday, August 10 — The Wailers

James Center Summer Series — Thursdays, noon
Stop by the James Center Plaza at 10th and Cary streets on your lunch hour this June for some tunes to jazz up your work week.  Free.

Thursdays, June 14 — Ban Caribe
Thursdays, June 21 — Copper Ridge
Thursdays, June 28 — The Takers

Groovin’ in the Garden — Thursdays in June, 5;30 p.m.
Enjoy the beautiful gardens of Lewis Ginter while enjoy tunes from your favorite band.  $15 in advance, $20 at gate.

Thursday, June 14 — Son Volt with Chuch
Thursday, June 21 — Cowboy Junkies with King Wilkie
Thursday, June 28 — 1964: The Tribute 

Friday Cheers — Fridays, 6-9:30 p.m.
Stop by Brown’s Island in downtown Richmond to enjoy tunes while relaxing on the banks of the James River.  Free.

Friday, June 15 — AAE with Crucial Elements
Friday, June 22 — Drive-By Truckers with patty Hurst Shifter
Friday, June 29 — The Slip with Bobby Bare Jr.

Short Pump Town Center’s Summer Concert Series — Fridays, 6-8 p.m.
Stop by the Main Plaza of Short Pump Town Center on Friday nights from June to August to enjoy the sounds of “the area’s hottest bands.”  Free.

Friday, June 15 — Marna & Macy
Friday, June 22 — First Impressions
Friday, June 29 — Ron Moody and The Centaurs
Friday, July 6 — Kings of Swing
Friday, July 13 — Cedar Creek
Friday, July 20 — Hotcakes
Friday, July 27 — Panyelo
Friday, August 3 — Jack Diamond & Friends
Friday, August 10 — Sweet Papa
Friday, August 17 — Kings of Swing
Friday, August 24 — Cyrus McCormick and The Reapers
Friday, August 31 — Souler Coaster 

Fridays at Sunset — Fridays, 6:30 p.m.
Bring your lawn chairs to the Kanawha Plaza in downtown Richmond for an evening of entertainment.  Tickets prices start at $20, children under 10 free.

Friday, June 15 — Ruben Studdard and Tenille Tellado
Friday, June 22 — Michael Franks and Ledisi
Friday, June 29 — Jean-Luc Ponty & His Band and Marcus Johnson
Friday, July 6 — Chuck Brown and Plunky & Oneness
Friday, July 13 — TBA
Friday, July 20 — Dave Koz and Kelly Sweet
Friday, July 27 — Natalie Cole and Art Sherrod
Friday, August 3 — Boney James and DJ Williams Projekt
Friday, August 10 — Lyfe Jennings and Emily King
Friday, August 17 — Erykah Badu and Eric Roberson

Feelin’ Groovy — Saturday, June 16 at 8 p.m., Sunday June 17 at 4 p.m.
Stop by the Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen to hear all your favorite tunes from the ’60s as performed by the Richmond Men’s Chorus.  Tickets $15, $10 seniors/students

Third Thursdays — Third Thursdays 6-9 p.m.
Enjoy some music along with fine art and good food and drink at these themed events on the outdoor West Wing Terrace at the Virginia Fine Arts Museum.  $10

Thursday, June 21 — DJ Steve’s Latin Dance Party
Thursday, July 19 — DJ Charles Williams’ Caribbean Dance Party
Thursday, August 16 — DJ Steve’s Latin Dance Party
Thursday, September 20 — DJ Mr. G’s R&B Dance Party
Thursday, November 15 — DJ Steve’s Latin Dance Party

Fridays on the Patio at James River Cellars — Fridays, 6-9 p.m.
Enjoy Friday evenings this summer on the patio of James River Cellars with tunes from local bands and a glass of wine.  Light food, tour and wine tasting included.  $12 per person. 

Friday, June 22 — Rockfish Willie
Friday, July 13 — The Wildfire Band
Friday, July 27 — John Featerston Band
Friday, August 10 — John Moosa Band
Friday, August 24 — Clay Mottley
Friday, September 28 — Rockfish Willie
Friday, October 12 — John Moosa Band
Friday, October 26 — Monster Mash! (Costumes encouraged)

Henrico Concert Band Summer Concert Series — Last Sundays, 6 p.m.
Pull up your lawn chairs to the lake at Dorey Park and listen to to enjoyable music by the Henrico Concert Band on the last Sunday of each month in the summer.  Free.

Sunday, June 24
Sunday, July 29
Sunday, August 26

Henrico Community Band Summer Concert Series — Last Thursdays, 7 p.m.
Bring the family out to Nature Pavilion at Deep Run Park to enjoy the sounds of the Henrico Community Band on the last Thursday of each month in the summer.  Free.

Thursday, June 28
Thursday, July 26
Thursday, August 30

Pocahontas Premieres — various Saturdays, 6-9 p.m.
Visit the Heritage Amphitheater for an evening of music in the beautiful Pocah0ntas State Park.  Tickets:  $7 in advance, $10 at gate, children 12 and under free.  Parking $4.

Saturday, June 23 — Rockin’ Country featuring Last Train Home and Cedar Creek
Saturday, July 14 — Latin Sounds featuring Bio Ritmo and Beleza Brasil
Saturday, August 11 — A Night of Big Jaz featuring Aaron Noe Orchestra and Doc Branch and the Keynotes
Saturday, August 25 — Page Wilson’s Out o’ the Blue Stage Revue 

Blowin’ the Dust Off Concert — Saturday, June 30, 7-8:30 p.m.
Enjoy a special concert featuring the award-winning bluegrass band Michelle Nixon and Drive.  Also performing is Steve Bassett.  Stop by between 2-4 p.m. to hear the interesting tales behind a beautiful collection of restored instruments.  Concert is $4 adults, free for children 12 and under.

Kings Fest — July 5-7
King’s Dominion is hosting a three-day Christian Music festival.  Ticket prices vary.

Thursday, July 5 — Jackson Waters, Falling Up, David Cowder Band and Newsboys
Friday, July 6 — The Wedding, Disciple, Kutless, TobyMac, Speaker Brad Duncan, Casting Crowns
Saturday, July 7 — Dizmas, The Send, Thousand Foot Krutch, Hawk Nelson, Todd Agnew, Speaker Josh Finklea and Jeremy Camp

Jammin’— second Saturdays
Stop by the Children’s Garden at Lewis Ginter for some tunes.  Free with garden admission.

Saturday, July 14 — Music by Stephen Christoph
Saturday, August 11 — Drum Circle with Jo Ann Light
Saturday, September 8 — Drum Circle with Jo Ann Light
Saturday, October 13 — Music by Stephen Christoph

36th Annual Big Band Concert — Tuesday, July 17, 7-9 p.m.
Stop by Hermitage High School for the big band sounds of Bill Zickafoose and thee Continentals.  Free

Musical Mondays at Maymont — Mondays, 5:30 to 8 p.m.
For the 14th year, Maymont will be hosting “the area’s best community bands” on the lawn of the Carriage House every Monday from July 23 through August 27 for an evening of music and family activities.  Children’s entertainment starts at 5:30 p.m.  Don’t miss out on the carriage rides and the ice cream.  Free.  The schedule of bands has not been released, please check the Maymont website. 

Monday, July 23 — TBD
Monday, July, 30 — TBD
Monday, August 6 — TBD
Monday, August 13 — Hanover Community & Concert Bands
Monday, August 20 — TBD
Monday, August 27 — TBD

K95 Country Fest — August 11, 4-11 p.m.
Join the local country radio station at the Classic Amphitheater at the Richmond Raceway Complex for an afternoon of country music featuring Trace Adkins, Heartland and Carolina Rain.  Tickets start at $20.  Parking is $5.