SEPTEMBER
The 62nd Armenian Food Festival at St. James Armenian Church, Friday Sept. 9 and Saturday, Sept. 10.
A time-honored tradition, enjoy dishes from shish kabobs to stuffed grape leaves and Armenian meat pies, as well as wine and dancing. Held from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on both days. For more information armenianfoodfestival.com. Free to attend. Pay as you go with the food and drinks.
43rd Street Festival of the Arts at 43rd in Forest Hill Ave. on Saturday, Sept.10
A selection of “contemporary artisans, and great food in the Forest Hill neighborhood.” Benefits Caritas. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Whitney Cummings’ “Touch Me Tour” at the National, Saturday, Sept. 10
A rescheduled appearance from the DC-raised, now Los Angeles-based comedian and actress from the NBC series, “Whitney.” $25-$35. 7 p.m.
George Porter Jr. at River City Roll on Wednesday, Sept. 14
The legendary funk bassist and founder of New Orleans’ The Meters returns with his band, the Runnin’ Pardners. (See upcoming interview in Style).
James River Park System’s 50th birthday at Belle Isle, Saturday, Sept. 17
Equipment provided for free events and activities (kayaking, rock climbing, fishing, mountain biking, hiking) plus free food provided by Friends of James River Park. Starts at noon. Free.
St. Benedict Oktoberfest at St. Benedict Catholic Church at Hanover and Belmont on Friday, Sept. 16 through Sunday, Sept. 18
Drinks and dancing in the heart of the museum district. Visit stbenedictoktoberfest.com for more info.
The Tenth Anniversary of the RVA Street Art Festival – Friday, Sept. 16 through Sunday, Sept. 18
The visual feast of murals returns to where it all began at the Power Plant building along the Haxall Canal, the site of the first festival. Will include live mural painting, music and beer and food trucks. See upcoming Style Weekly article. Visit rvastreetart.com
Father John Misty and Suki Waterhouse at Browns Island, Friday, Sept. 16
The theatrical troubadour from LA (aka Josh Tillman, formerly of Fleet Foxes) returns on the heels of his dramatic fifth album, “Chloë and the Next 20th Century.” Also on the bill, English model, actress and singer, Suki Waterhouse. See thenationalva.com for tickets. Doors at 6 p.m. and show at 7 p.m.
Steel Pulse at the National, Friday, Sept. 16
Grammy-winning reggae veterans from the U.K. are back to chant their psalms of social justice, decades after the founders got their start in 1975 in the poverty-stricken Handsworth neighborhood of Birmingham. Founding frontman David Hines is back and full of energy after a bout with pneumonia nearly killed him in 2016. All ages. 8 p.m.
Tav Falco’s Panther Burns at Fuzzy Cactus, Tuesday, Sept. 20
Equal parts rockabilly, country blues and performance art, Tav Falco is a 77-year-old legend who started out in Memphis right after the Cramps, and once teamed up with former Box Top and Big Star honcho Alex Chilton. Should get primitive. Opener TBA. 8 p.m. $15.
Ringo Starr at Virginia Credit Union Live on Tuesday, Sept. 20
The ex-Beatle drummer and actor who portrayed Atouk in the life-changing film, “Caveman,” continues his lifelong quest to be “under the sea in an octopus’s garden in the shade” right here in the river city.
Brandi Carlile, Music at Maymont on Wednesday, Sept. 21
A special solo performance from the six-time Grammy winning singer/songwriter/author/activist who recently even managed to get the great Joni Mitchell back onstage at Newport Folk Fest. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. with show at 7 p.m. Tickets range from $75 (general lawn) to $125 (golden circle).
Bier-Garden event at Maymont, Friday, Sept. 23 and Saturday, Sept. 24
Hoist your steins! It’s a two-night Bavarian style festival to toast the arrival of autumn at Maymont. Get into the Oktoberfest spirit at this weekend long event which runs from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, and kids are welcome on Saturday, when the event runs from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. (note: there will be games and crafts in the Kinderzone from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.). Live entertainment in the big Festhaus tent features Pay Rent Brass Band on Friday night; polka from the Original Elbe Musikanten German Band on Saturday with a German dance troupe Hirschjäger Bavarian Dancers from 1 to 8 p.m.; plus local ensemble Dalton Dash on Saturday night. General admission is $10 (Capital Alehouse 16oz stein upgrade for $18). Kids 3 to 12 are $5. Visit maymont.org for more information.
Steve Hackman’s Brahms X Radiohead at the Dominion Energy Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday, Sept. 24
This one caught people’s attention when the Richmond Symphony’s fall season was announced. It’s mixing Radiohead’s classic album “Ok Computer” with the First Symphony of Brahms, as orchestra and vocalists present a fusion of masterworks, played simultaneously. 8 p.m.
Soon to be announced: Forging Freedom Justice and Equality: A survey of the history of the Black experience in Virginia. Details will be forthcoming regarding a celebration and exhibition honoring the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia’s 40th anniversary. Check blackhistorymuseum.org for more.