I promised myself that this week I would not write a lame intro about the weather, because that's what I've been falling back on, week after week. But then I checked the weather and saw that the temperature this weekend was finally going to fall on an a nice moderate 70-75 degrees, a vast improvement over the hot-and-cold days we've been having for the past few weeks. So, here it is, another lame intro about the weather. It's going to be the perfect temperature to go out and do all the things on this list, plus all the things on the calendar too! But seriously, don't let this intro get you down, it's 4/20 weekend and there really is a lot of great art and music happening, so get out there and have some fun!
Friday 4/19: Odonis Odonis @ Strange Matter
This Friday night at Strange Matter, Toronto's Odonis Odonis are back after a crowd-pleasing set opening for White Hills last fall. Fans of everything from Big Black to The Cure should find something to enjoy in their drum-machine fuzz-rock. Also on the bill is the awesome all-girl Raleigh garage punk band Barren Girls, who just signed to Merge Records and count at least one local musician within their ranks who should be familiar to knowledgeable fans. Rounding out the bill is a double-shot of up-and-coming local indie rock from two different RVA teen sensations--early-REM style guitar slingers Herro Sugar and the pensive, violin-infused sounds of Strumpet. This is gonna be a great night for fans of rock music, so come out and be a part of it!
Saturday, 4/20: National Poster Retrospecticus @ Gallery 5
This seems pretty cool to me, Gallery 5 is hosting a free art show of super-famous and well-done show posters from across the country. It will feature 75 artists, with subject material ranging from huge acts like Wilco and Modest Mouse to lesser known underground acts. There will also be free musical performances by Little Master, First Creature, Home Body, and Fordists. Legend Brewery's brown ale and barley wine will be on tap, and you should be able to afford a lot of it since everything else is free. Check this out if you aren't sure what you're in the mood to do this weekend, but you know you want to check out a variety of art and music!
Saturday, 4/20: Aaron Carter @ Kingdom
I usually don't waste time here with jokey stuff--we all know terrible shows come to Richmond and everywhere else, and it really isn't that amusing. But I felt a certain moral obligation to point out that one-time teen idol Aaron Carter is coming to Kingdom and playing a show with a bunch of people I haven't heard of. The even stranger thing about this? There are two prices listed for the show, fifteen dollars for entry, and SIXTY-FIVE for a meet-and-greet with Tha Carta himself. It's like whoever put the show together is accepting the fact that Aaron isn't a million-dollar heartthrob anymore, but they are still holding out for the few who were crazy enough about him at the age of eleven that they will dish out serious money now to meet him in person. And who knows, maybe someone is. I know if the Spice Girls were doing a meet-and-greet I'd be the first in line, even if it cost sixty-five bucks.
Saturday, 4/20: 4/20 Banger @ Strange Matter
Of all the stuff going on this weekend, this is one event I'm definitely not going to miss. My friends in awesome local death metal band Necrobeast are playing this 4/20 death metal party show, along with well-known tech death guys Cyaegha, Pyschosomatic (thrash from California), Hammer Fight (thrash from New Jersey), and Gravelord (thrash from here). Two death metal bands and a lot of thrash make for a fun time anytime, and entry is only seven bucks. If you are a metal fan in any capacity, you should check this out.
Sunday, 4/21: Art 180 Benefit Show @ The Camel
All the proceeds from this show will benefit the charity efforts of Art 180, a group dedicated to bringing visual art to Richmond public schools. This not only seems like an awesome cause to support, but also a very appropriate one to support with art and music. The show takes place at The Camel, and Downbeat Switch, Toxic Moxie, and the Northerners will be playing. There will also be a sweet raffle with great prizes, and plenty of beer on tap, as usual. Come out to hear some music, buy some raffle tickets, and support a great cause.
To check out all the awesome events happening this weekend in Richmond, check out our very thorough calendar. If you want your band/venue/etc.'s events to be posted to our calendar, email me at addison@rvamag.com and I will make it happen.