Meet this week's guest editor, Doug Nunnally! Doug is a music journalist who has spent years documenting the Richmond music scene. In 2022, he launched the Newlin Music Prize for local musicians and this past August, he was part of the team behind the inaugural Richmond Music Week. Doug's main outlet is The Auricular, a music publication he founded in 2018 that provides in-depth coverage of local music. Most importantly, Doug loves spending time with his incredible wife, doting dog, and amazing six year old daughter, who he encourages to find her own musical appreciation while also fostering a love of arts and sciences. This week, we're lucky to have Doug recommend some upcoming events that will help you explore the musical side of Richmond in an unforgettable way.
Take it away, Doug…
Mckinley Dixon
A homecoming for a young Richmond legend. After moving to the city in 2013, McKinley Dixon quickly established himself as one of the most exciting artists in town, with wide-ranging influences and a dynamic sound. In 2021, he released For My Mama And Anyone Who Look Like Her, a daring and stirring record that won the inaugural Newlin Music Prize in 2022, cementing his status as one of Richmond's most beloved and influential artists.
After that, Dixon moved to Chicago to further hone his sound. Earlier this year, he released Beloved! Paradise! Jazz!?, an album that elevates his immersive jazz rap style into a truly transcendent sound. This is his first concert in Richmond since that record was released to critical acclaim and there is surely going to be a packed house down in Jackson Ward to witness an unforgettable performance. Grab a ticket now so you’ll be part of that crowd!
For 15 years, Vinyl Conflict has been the go-to place in Richmond for people who love their music loud, gritty, fast, and hard. Originally operating out of Oregon Hill before moving to their current spot on East Grace Street, the record store has been a personal favorite of mine for years and I've spent god-knows how much in there adding to my personal local vinyl collection, many of which were released by Vinyl Conflict under its own imprint. That label has some heavy hitters in its catalog, from punk band Gumming to hardcore outfit Loud Night, though its most notable entry is the vinyl release of Stuck, the 2018 album by RVA hip-hop legend Nickelus F.
Vinyl Conflict's owner Bobby Egger is just as much an institution for the local scene as the Vinyl Conflict shop is and this show is a great way to show some appreciation. It's a stacked lineup that extends far beyond VC's Richmond roots, pointing to just how important the store and label has become for punk, metal, and hip-hop scenes across the country over the years. 15 years is an important milestone and this concert is a perfect way to celebrate it. Make sure you show up.
For those well-versed in the local music scene, The Camel has established itself as a haven for musicians new and old as well as large and small in town, regardless of sound. For 16 years now, they've been hard at work trying to showcase as much talent as possible, putting on more shows each week than there are days. Lately, the team behind The Camel has been knocking it out of the park with their "staff pick" lineups and this one is no different.
Sifter released one of the more interesting releases in 2022, an album entitled Nobody Asked that darts between rock styles while still carrying an impudent punk ethos. Garage rock trio The Octavias also put out an interesting record in 2022 and have followed that up with two great singles in 2023, one of which will be released this Saturday. Finally, FLKL rounds out this bill, a sensational quartet that blends folk-punk in a crafty way. Earlier this year, they released a brilliant record called Fistful and if it doesn't instantly win you over as a fan of the band, I assure you that the opening moments of their spectacular live shows will seal the deal. Don’t miss this one!
The Auricular is a music publication that focuses on the local music scene with in-depth coverage. Reviews, interviews, and articles of all types can be found, but the site prides itself on going deeper with their coverage, whether by documenting all music coming out of the scene with a release tracker or bringing attention to notable releases from the past with "This Day In Richmond Music.”
The Auricularturns five at the end of September and will mark this occasion with two special concerts. On Saturday, September 23rd, there will be a local band showcase with Drook, Rikki Rakki, Strawberry Moon, and Hotspit performing at Richmond Music Hall (tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door). On Sunday, September 24th, there will be an acoustic showcase at Rare Olde Times featuring Tyler Meacham, Keilan Creech, Kailey Conner, Gary Luong, and Rine. The acoustic showcase is free, but reservations are encouraged.
In addition to this, The Auricularis also putting out a local compilation entitled "The Richmond Sound: 2018-2023," which includes 150 songs that will give people a great representation of the bountiful talent here in town from all genres. This will be released on a limited-edition cassette tape USB that will not be for sale, but will be given out as a free gift to all in attendance at the Richmond Music Hall on Saturday, September 23rd. Make sure to stop by so you can snag a copy for yourself!
Meet Becky Lakin, this week's guest editor. Becky is a cross-disciplinary leader with a background in people and culture, marketing, corporate citizenship, nonprofit leadership at The Giving Wall, and higher education as a professor within the Arizona State University School of Sustainability. She's also pretty excellent at parenting, as reported by her two daughters. Becky even finds time to lead horse+human workshops and retreats with formerly wild mustangs through her organization The Tomorrow Company!
Becky, who is currently running for the Henricopolis Soil & Water Conservation District Board of Directors in this November’s General Election, is here this week to serve up a handful of events by organizations that motivate her. She promises these events to be not only fun, caring, and wicked interesting – but also action oriented. They center around Becky’s vision for a thriving community driven by individuals, organizations, and institutions committed to protecting and strengthening the natural world that sustains us. Driving her list of recommendations this week is the belief that our wellbeing relies on the health of the soil and water on which we depend, and in which we delight. This, of course, is not a comprehensive list. So if you’d like more precise pointing based on your skills and interests, give Becky a shout.
Take it away, Becky…
James River Week at Maymont
Maymont likely needs no introduction as a 100-acre farm in the City of Richmond. For me it’s held many precious family moments and memories laughing with my girls in its gardens, taking photos of trees to remember their species (a pastime that seems to increase with age), and enjoying outdoor events – like the entirely epic Brandi Carlile concert this time last year. What a show.
From September 9 - 16, 2023, Maymont is celebrating James River Week by hosting a variety of programs for all age groups that will highlight the beauty and wildlife of the James River watershed – and the joy it brings. The week’s activities include animal keeper talks, crafts and art-making, art exhibitions, a Family Night Hike, and workshops on rain gardens.
The James River gives us respite, recreation, and resilience in the face of a changing climate – and welcomes as many as two million visitors annually. My family lives alongside the James River, where we caretake its banks and waters that wander by our Eastern Henrico home. The James River Advisory Council provides a forum for diverse interests along the James River in Central Virginia, and engages the public about issues and challenges facing the river. JRAC’s vision is a healthy, beautiful, economically vital and accessible James River that is cared for by a diverse and engaged community. Yes, please.
The Capital Region Land Conservancy (CRLC) is a Richmond-based non-profit that protects the natural and historic lands of the Richmond region. Thanks to CRLC, 12,000+ acres of environmentally or culturally important land and water have been protected to date – with tens of thousands more to go. This includes hundreds of acres of historically and environmentally significant forests and fields nearing my home that hold hope for learning our present from the past and designing our future alongside the natural world.
On Tuesday, September 12 from 5:00 - 7:00 pm, come explore native wildflowers, grassland restoration areas, and riparian buffers with CRLC and the Virginia Native Plant Society for a summer evening guided walk.
Vitals: Summer Wildflower Tour /Varina LandLab: 9200 Deep Bottom Rd, RVA/ Tuesday, September 12, 5:00 - 7:00 pm
Henrico County Board of Supervisors Forum presented by The Sierra Club Falls of the James Group
The Sierra Club Falls of the James Group (FOJG), the Partnership for Smarter Growth, and Henrico Conservation Action Network are holding a non-partisan forum for all candidates for Henrico County Board of Supervisors. The forum intends to inform the Henrico voters on issues related to planning and land use, civil rights, the environment, and good government. I’ll be there listening and learning as a newer-to-Henrico resident, who moved from the City of Richmond some fifteen months ago. Did you know Henrico is home to 330,000+ people within 245 square miles?
Why this matters to you if you’re not in Henrico? What’s good for other counties, and the City, is often good for the Richmond Region.
*In addition to the Henrico forum, there's also the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors Forum presented by The Sierra Club Falls of the James Group (FOJG), Chesterfield NAACP, and Partnership for Smarter Growth happening tonight, September 7, from 7:00 - 8:30 pm at Manchester Middle School.
More about Becky and The Tomorrow Company...
Imagine your team in protected forest, beneath 100-foot trees. Imagine them working alongside formerly wild mustangs to investigate how we communicate, influence, and lead positive change. Imagine them sitting around a common table, in a quiet meadow, sharing a meal created from the food grown on the farmland around them.
In each of these moments, we help teams connect with each other, and to the wild ecosystems that surround us – to deepen their understanding of themselves and your company’s path forward in an uncertain world.
I’ve worked as a corporate leader inside a global Fortune 500. I’ve worked for non-profits, and started my own. I’ve served inside government, and in leadership in startups. The problems everywhere are the same. But the solutions are within reach. We need only to step outside to find them. Come explore what’s possible with The Tomorrow Company.
Meet Lance Lemon, this week’s guest editor. Lance is a Virginia native with an impressive background as an actor, co-founder of RichWine RVA, and co-owner of Penny’s Wine Shop in Jackson Ward. He double majored in Acting and Studio Art with a focus in cinematography at the University of Virginia. After college, Lance moved to New York to continue his acting career and work in hospitality at places like the eccentric Jean Georges ABC Cocina and Kitchen. He went on to curate, open, and manage two successful wine shops in Brooklyn, all while continuing his growth as an actor. The experience defined his two life passions: acting and wine. And, oh yeah he loves to play a little golf too.
This week, Lance serves up his recommendations for ways to explore and celebrate RVA! Take it away, Lance
ART OF NOISE
You will always catch me vibing out at Art of Noise. The energy is electric, and the stakes are always high with which performer the AON crew is going to bring out. It's a rush they finally do come out! The Labor Day AON always hits the hardest. Also helps that some of my closest family and friends are always in attendance. Major shot out to my brothers Lonnie B, Skillz, DJ Marc, and my literal Sister, the face of Richmond - Kelli Lemon!
Vitals:
Art of Noise / Brown's Island / Sunday, September 3rd
Birdhouse Farmers Market
Owning a restaurant and being a part of the hospitality scene in RVA, we're always doing our best to support local. Birdhouse Farmers Market is somewhere that my Chef, Chef Manny Baiden and I frequent often to peruse the new local produce, say hello to friends providing the amazing restaurants in RVA with that local good good and cop fresh seasonal produce to keep the at-home kitchen stocked for delicious family meals.
Speaking of restaurants, some of my go-to spots whenever I manage to find free time:
Common House is my go-to office away from home. I go here to focus; I have to lock myself in one of those little small rooms and trap my energy and focus to work. I also go to CH on the reg to get my social butterfly out and chill on the rooftop just to switch the scenery up to get some work done. Shout out to Erin Lunsford; not only is she an amazing talent, I went to school at UVA with her, and to see her grow as a musician has been a pleasure to watch!
Explore. Support. Find something new to do. And bring positive energy with you wherever you go. Richmonders ain't got time for that negative ish.
For me, it's simple - I usually look for Good People, Good Wine, Good Food; that usually guarantees a Good Time!
RVA (and VA as a whole, especially the surrounding areas, Henrico, Hanover, Ashland, Midlo, Charlottesville) has so much to offer and people are about to start “Putting some respect on our name!” - ha! < I say this with love.
But seriously, people are coming to Richmond in waves and it's our goodwill and responsibility to show them that we are a strong caring community to help continue to the growth of RVA.
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