Meet this week's guest editor, Prabir Mehta! For nearly two decades, Prabir has been a driving force in shaping the soundtrack of Central Virginia and beyond. Based in Richmond, he’s a versatile musician and performer known for his dynamic musical projects, scoring independent films, composing for museum exhibits, and teaching composition at the University of Richmond. With over 100 live performances this year alone, Prabir is now focused on "Long After The Empire," the latest album from his India-inspired rock band, Prabir Trio.
Take it away, Prabir ...
Prabir Trio Album Release Show with Ionna & The Wayward Leaves
Come out and catch a glimpse of just a handful of the many lovely musicians we can celebrate in our own backyard. This is gonna be a great night, featuring SO many Richmond musicians on stage at The Camel. Not only is this our album release, but we are honored to be supported by our friends that are also playing this concert. See you there!
The Festival of India is a great way to enjoy some of the food, music, and culture of my motherland. India has hosted so many diverse types of cultures, traditions, and continues to build a new ones in an ever-changing new world. This festival is a great way to get a glimpse of the many offerings of the subcontinent. Check it out!
Vitals:
The Festival of India / Saturday, September 28th from 11:00 am - 9:00 pm & Sunday, September 29th, 11:00 am - 8:00 pm / free / Greater Richmond Convention Center, 403 North Third Street
Shagwüf at The Camel
Shagwüf rules. While we often rave about our hometown of Richmond (and rightfully so!), let’s not forget Virginia as a whole is bursting with creativity. Charlottesville's Shagwüf is a prime example—a genre-blending, mind-bending rock ‘n’ roll experience. We had the privilege of sharing the stage with them recently, and if you haven’t seen them yet, don’t miss the chance!
Vitals: Shagwüf at The Camel / Sunday, September 29th, doors at 7:00 pm, music at 8:00 pm / $12 - $15 / The Camel, 1621 West Broad Street
*Limited Supply Remaining*
We've brought back one of our most popular Grid shop items, an Old Fashioned glass that is anything but old fashioned! Our collaboration with artist Hamilton Glass continues, and features his signature #Whosham RVA logo laser-etched around these double rocks cocktail glasses. Hamilton, with his architectural background and passion for public art, has been prominently featured in Richmond Grid and Here Weekly. We’re thrilled to present this limited-edition product from Grid Supply Co. that highlights his distinctive style.
If cocktail glasses aren't your thing, Grid Supply Co. carries other locally made gifts and handmade items by some Richmond's favorite makers and artisans.
Meet this week's guest editor, Rachael Deane! Rachael serves as Chief Executive Officer at Voices for Virginia’s Children, a Richmond-based, statewide advocacy organization advancing the interests of children and youth through public policy. A native Richmonder, Rachael enjoys everything the city has to offer, especially urban hikes with her two young children, who attend Richmond Public Schools. Rachael is an attorney and longtime advocate for economic, racial, and social justice, with experience in education and housing policy at several nonprofits in the Richmond area and nationwide. She is a believer in the power of civic engagement to create transformational change in our communities and in the value of honest conversations across lines of difference.
Take it away, Rachael ...
RVA East End Festival
Richmond is lucky to have a vibrant local music community and beautiful public parks. The RVA East End Festival, which will take place in Chimborazo Park this Saturday, will feature local professionals and talented youth artists, including members of the Richmond Symphony and the Armstrong High School drumline. Closing out the evening will be Richmond’s beloved James “Saxsmo” Gates, a gifted musician and music educator who introduced me to jazz when I took his band class in 1998. The event is free, and donations support music, visual arts, and performing arts programs in Richmond Public Schools.
Vitals:
RVA East End Festival/ Saturday, September 21st, 12:00 pm - 9:00 pm / free, donations support Richmond Public Schools / Chimborazo Park, 3215 E Broad Street
Innerwork Center Autumn Equinox Labyrinth Walk
This week marks the start of fall, Richmond’s most beautiful season. Welcome the cooler days, vibrant leaves, and spooky vibes with one of my favorite Richmond experiences, a labyrinth walk hosted by The Innerwork Center. Labyrinth walking is an ancient meditative practice that promotes personal reflection by integrating the mind and the body. If sitting meditations aren’t for you, labyrinth walks can be a great way to find peace and calm.
Vitals:
Autumn Equinox at The Labyrinth / Sunday, September 22nd, 5:00 - 6:00 pm / by donation / The Labyrinth - located in Yaupon Place, across the street from 3318 Loxley Road in Northside
School Board Candidate Forum
Autumn’s arrival also means we’re in election season. While all eyes are on the presidential election, let’s not forget the exciting local races that will help determine the future of our city and our young people. One of our most influential and important local institutions is the Richmond School Board, and all nine seats are up for election. On Monday evening, the League of Women Voters of the Richmond Metropolitan Area and The Richmonder will co-host a School Board candidate forum at Huguenot High School. I’ll spare the soapbox speech on why keeping up with the School Board is so important (even if you don’t have kids). Suffice to say, school boards are major cultural and policy battlegrounds, and public education is good for everyone.
Vitals:
School Board Candidate Forum / Monday, September 23rd, 6:00 - 8:30 pm / free / Huguenot High School, 7945 Forest Hill Avenue
*Limited Supply Remaining*
We've brought back one of our most popular Grid shop items, an Old Fashioned glass that is anything but old fashioned! Our collaboration with artist Hamilton Glass continues, and features his signature #Whosham RVA logo laser-etched around these double rocks cocktail glasses. Hamilton, with his architectural background and passion for public art, has been prominently featured in Richmond Grid and Here Weekly. We’re thrilled to present this limited-edition product from Grid Supply Co. that highlights his distinctive style.
If cocktail glasses aren't your thing, Grid Supply Co. carries other locally made gifts and handmade items by some Richmond's favorite makers and artisans.
Voices for Virginia’s Children is the state’s only nonpartisan, multi-issue youth policy and advocacy organization. Voices uses research, public policy, and deep conversation to knock down the barriers that stand between young people and opportunity. Founded in 1994, the organization recently celebrated 30 years of ensuring that the well-being of young people remains a top priority for Virginia’s legislators. Voices’ “Virginia’s Youth in Action” program brings together young people from across the state for advocacy and leadership development opportunities.
Voices knows that transforming lives requires transforming systems through strong, evidence-based public policy. This month, Voices will launch its new strategic plan, which focuses on five key policy areas: family economic security, early care and education, health equity, youth mental health, and the child welfare system. Voices’ recent policy briefs take on two urgent issues for the Richmond region: supporting the mental health needs of our public schools students, and supporting working parents with a statewide paid family and medical leave policy.
Meet this week's guest editor, Landon Elliott, a singer-songwriter and indie pop artist on a journey to becoming his truest self. As a late-blooming gay man, Landon's music offers a reflective exploration of his past and present, inviting listeners to find solidarity and courage for the future.
Forged within the eclectic music scene of Richmond, Virginia, his sound effortlessly merges the expansive tones of arena rock guitars and synthesizers with the intimate storytelling of folk songwriting.
Originally from the Outer Banks, Landon is also an avid runner, currently training for the Richmond Marathon in November. If you're in the city, you just might spot him hitting the pavement. And if you're wondering about his love language? It's Mexican food.
Take it away, Landon!
VA Pridefest 2024
Join me at one of Virginia’s biggest LGBTQ celebrations, VA Pridefest! Enjoy live performances, 120+ vendors, great food, drinks, and more. Come out for a fun-filled day of music and support the LGBTQ community — my band performs at 2:15 pm!
Vitals:
VA Pridefest / Saturday, September 14, 12:00 - 8:00 pm / free / Bon Secours Training Center, 2401 West Leigh Street
Shagwüf Staff Picks w/ TRAPCRY and Oh Devil! at The Camel
Looking for a way to beat the "Sunday scaries" this weekend? Catching Shagwüf at The Camel sounds pretty perfect! They're a fierce, uncompromising trio with roots in both Virginia and Argentina, blending Latin beats, '60s power pop, gutter-glam, and fuzzed-out psychedelia into pure ear candy. Shagwüf is all about pushing for a more inclusive, intersectional future, and I’m excited to experience their energy live alongside RVA pride and joy, 'TRAPCRY' and my new local obsession, 'Oh Devil!'
Looking forward to hearing Black Pumas at Maymont! This Grammy-nominated duo from Austin is known for their electrifying live shows and their unique blend of psychedelic soul. With their powerful chemistry and diverse backgrounds — Eric Burton, a self-taught musician, and Adrian Quesada, a Grammy-winning producer — they’ve skyrocketed to fame, even performing at the Grammys and President Biden’s inauguration. I can't wait to hear their new album Chronicles of a Diamond live!
Vitals:
Black Pumas at Maymont / Monday, September 16th, 5:30 pm, doors 6:00 pm show / $49.50 - $75 / Maymont, 1710 Hampton Street
More from Landon...
I’m ecstatic to be self-releasing my sophomore album ‘aftermath’ on November 1st, 2024. This collection of music is so dear to me and I’m so excited for it to be out in the world and into people’s ears. In tandem, I’ll be performing my album release show on November 9th at the Broadberry alongside Wilson Springs Hotel with Deau Eyes opening the evening. Should be an incredible evening of celebrating Richmond’s music scene and an exciting kick off to this new musical season.
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