Brandi Carlile, Trampled By Turtles, RVA Noise Fest, Fireworks on the James, More Fireworks!

Two good shows to choose from tonight. Brandi Carlile comes to Groovin in the Garden at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden tonight. Gates open at 5:30, show starts around 6 with a national act opening, The Lumineers. General Admission Lawn- $25 in advance (Children 9 and under admitted free), General Reserve Seating- $45. Stephen Stills recently gave Brandi some props on an interview on CBS This Morning. Here's her latest video, "That Wasn't Me", starring Kris Kristofferson:




Also tonight at the final Friday Cheers of the season :-( , newgrass band Trampled by Turtles will perform for your pleasure. Tix are $10. Tonight, Cheers will be honoring Ralph White, who was the caretaker of the James River Park System until he passed away [UPDATE: Ralph is not dead! Reports of his death were greatly exaggerated. He's just retiring. So say hello to him tonight and tell him you're glad he's not dead. Sorry, Ralph.]and tonight's show will benefit the James River Park System. The show gets underway at 6:30 with opener Goldrush. TBT is quite the road warriors right now, with lot of their own shows, folk festivals, Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits fest and a tour of the UK and Ireland coming up over the next few months. Looks like they are really working it and starting to take off. Here's TBT's latest video, "Alone":


If you like your music a little (OK, a lot) louder, check out the RVA Noise Fest going on this weekend at Strange Matter. It'll go down both Saturday and Sunday. Doors open at 5 PM and music starts at 6 PM. The show will feature 10 - 20 minute sets from a whole buncha bands. Check the link above for the full listing of show times. It'll get weird, noisy, psychedelic and experimental.

Tuesday night, July 3, RVA Fireworks on the James will happen on Brown's Island. The island opens at 6, entertainment from the Richmond Youth Symphony Orchestra, SPARC and Richmond Ballet's Music In Motion, starts at 7:30 (was heavy on the show tunes last year) and the fireworks launch from Belle Isle and Lee Bridge around 9:30. Was a really good fireworks show last year. It's all FREE and you can go HERE for more info.

For info on fireworks all over Virginia, go HERE.

See you down at Friday Cheers and at the fireworks on Brown's Island (I love the island!). Have a safe and happy Independence Day!  I'll leave you with this thought which is NSFW.



Tony Jordan