Music & Performing Arts

Join us every Wednesday for in-person performances by some of the area’s best jazz musicians. 

This Hampton Roads–based jazz combo returns to Dominion Energy Jazz Café with their signature blend of traditional and modern jazz standards played with a whole lot of soul. Enjoy the unique, personal touch that the Christian Mitchell Project adds to every performance. Featuring bandleader Christian Mitchell on drums, Josh McDonald on trumpet, Evan Shackley on guitar, Josh Smith on bass guitar, and Joel Sanford on piano.

Know Before You Go

• Seating is limited and provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Early arrival is strongly recommended.
• Saving seats for others is discouraged.
• Seats can no longer be saved once the performance begins.
• Please do not move the chairs and tables.
• No outside chairs or gallery stools are permitted.
• No outside alcohol is permitted.
• Harassing, discriminatory, or threatening behavior is strictly prohibited.

Maintaining a free, safe, and accessible experience for all is our priority. Come and enjoy the music! 

This event is part of our Dominion Energy Jazz Café program series.

Join us every Wednesday for in-person performances by some of the area’s best jazz musicians. 

Modern Totem is an exciting jazz fusion ensemble that will delight your ears and cast a spell over your feet! These members of The Afro Zen Allstars, Fatback, Monk’s Playground, and The Danktet like to infuse their cookin’ performances with flavors of swing, reggae, Afropop, blues, Brazilian, Latin, and contemporary grooves. Featuring Forrest Young on drums, Sean Yeskoo on bass, Chris Vasi on guitar, and Pete Anderson on trombone.

Know Before You Go

• Seating is limited and provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Early arrival is strongly recommended.
• Saving seats for others is discouraged.
• Seats can no longer be saved once the performance begins.
• Please do not move the chairs and tables.
• No outside chairs or gallery stools are permitted.
• No outside alcohol is permitted.
• Harassing, discriminatory, or threatening behavior is strictly prohibited.

Maintaining a free, safe, and accessible experience for all is our priority. Come and enjoy the music! 

This event is part of our Dominion Energy Jazz Café program series.

After 5 Fridays is the perfect way to kick off the weekend. Relax with a beverage, visit the galleries for an art escape, and take part in the evening’s featured attraction. 

Now in its sixth year, the Sol Skool Arts Festival brings together music, live entertainment, poetry, and artistic expression in one inspiring setting. This singular event is hosted by Jamil Jasey and Friday Love, with music by DJ Real True Poet setting the vibe throughout the evening. Experience culture, connection, and unforgettable performances in a fun-filled event for the whole family. 

This event is part of our After 5 Fridays program series.

Join us every Wednesday for in-person performances by some of the area’s best jazz musicians. 

Back at VMFA by popular demand, Lady E has been sharing her participatory performances in RVA for too many years to count. She always brings two bands featuring some of the area’s finest musicians to Dominion Energy Jazz Café. The result? An experience of pure joy through music. This evening's first set features Lady E and the jazzy, bluesy Synsation Big Band. The second set will showcase Lady E and the all-female “Bluez Sir-Not-Us” blues band. Fasten your seatbelts! “Hey, hey! The blues is all right!”

Know Before You Go

• Seating is limited and provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Early arrival is strongly recommended.
• Saving seats for others is discouraged.
• Seats can no longer be saved once the performance begins.
• Please do not move the chairs and tables.
• No outside chairs or gallery stools are permitted.
• No outside alcohol is permitted.
• Harassing, discriminatory, or threatening behavior is strictly prohibited.

Maintaining a free, safe, and accessible experience for all is our priority. Come and enjoy the music! 

This event is part of our Dominion Energy Jazz Café program series.

Maintaining a free, safe, and accessible experience for all is our priority. Come and enjoy the music! 

This event is part of our Dominion Energy Jazz Café program series.

Join us every Wednesday for in-person performances by some of the area’s best jazz musicians. 

Presenting a night of swing, jazz, blues, and other musical mashups, Claudia Carawan is a vocalist and alto saxophonist whose heartful sound has been described as positively soulful.  Featuring Lucy Kilpatrick on piano, Donald Faye on woodwinds, Carter Blough on bass, and Todd Woodson on drums. 

Know Before You Go

• Seating is limited and provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Early arrival is strongly recommended.
• Saving seats for others is discouraged.
• Seats can no longer be saved once the performance begins.
• Please do not move the chairs and tables.
• No outside chairs or gallery stools are permitted.
• No outside alcohol is permitted.
• Harassing, discriminatory, or threatening behavior is strictly prohibited.

Maintaining a free, safe, and accessible experience for all is our priority. Come and enjoy the music! 

This event is part of our Dominion Energy Jazz Café program series.

Join us every Wednesday for in-person performances by some of the area’s best jazz musicians. 

Debra Dean and her AllStar Band are favorites at Jazz Café. These veterans of the music scene are sure to swing with great music for another unforgettable night. Featuring Patrick Lawler on guitar, Lucy Kilpatrick on keyboards, Jonathan Wheelock on bass, and Todd Woodson on drums. 

Know Before You Go

• Seating is limited and provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Early arrival is strongly recommended.
• Saving seats for others is discouraged.
• Seats can no longer be saved once the performance begins.
• Please do not move the chairs and tables.
• No outside chairs or gallery stools are permitted.
• No outside alcohol is permitted.
• Harassing, discriminatory, or threatening behavior is strictly prohibited.

Maintaining a free, safe, and accessible experience for all is our priority. Come and enjoy the music! 

This event is part of our Dominion Energy Jazz Café program series.

After 5 Fridays is the perfect way to kick off the weekend. Relax with a beverage, visit the galleries for an art escape, and take part in the evening’s featured attraction.

 DJ Zulu will be on the spin on the Pauley Center patio, so join us in the Robins Sculpture Garden, bring a blanket or lawn chairs, and come ready to dance. Beer, wine, and snacks are available for purchase in the Best Café. In case of inclement weather, we'll move the party to the Cochrane Atrium. 

This event is part of our After 5 Fridays program series.

After 5 Fridays is the perfect way to kick off the weekend. Relax with a beverage, visit the galleries for an art escape, and take part in the evening’s featured attraction.

 DJ Jungle Brother will be on the spin on the Pauley Center patio, bringing a mix of hip-hop and Latin rhythms to help us finish out Hispanic Heritage Month in style! Join us in the Robins Sculpture Garden, bring a blanket or lawn chairs, and come ready to dance. Beer, wine, and snacks are available for purchase in the Best Café. In case of inclement weather, we'll move the party to the Cochrane Atrium.

This event is part of our After 5 Fridays program series.

After 5 Fridays is the perfect way to kick off the weekend. Relax with a beverage, visit the galleries for an art escape, and take part in the evening’s featured attraction. 

Join Richmond Indian Dance Academy for a fun, upbeat, and lively evening of Bollywood dance! Rooted in rich cultural tradition, Bollywood dance is a vibrant fusion of classical Indian, folk, and modern styles—blending storytelling, expressive movements, and high-energy choreography into an unforgettable experience.

This event is part of our After 5 Fridays program series.

After 5 Fridays is the perfect way to kick off the weekend. Relax with a beverage, visit the galleries for an art escape, and take part in the evening’s featured attraction. 

This is your invitation to move, connect, and have fun—no experience needed!
Polina Kravchuk of Fred Astaire Dance Studios Richmond will lead guests through the timeless beauty of waltz, a dance known for its graceful movement, soft rotation, and elegant partnership. This lesson captures the Impressionist world of light, color, and social dancing to help guests feel the joy of moving together.

Polina is known not only as a decorated professional, but also as a beginner specialist for her encouraging teaching style and ability to make ballroom dance feel both approachable and special. 

Whether you are brand new to dance or simply ready for a beautiful evening at the museum, this experience offers a chance to step onto the floor with confidence, connection, and a little bit of Parisian charm.

This event is part of our After 5 Fridays program series.