Weekend Event Picks: Richmond Roots Festival, Opera In The Park, Food Truck Rodeo & More

West End Comedy at HATTheatre

Tonight, improve group West End Comedy is the obscure (everything has a holiday now) “Admit You’re Happy Month” in August with the “Don’t Worry Be Happy Show” at HATTheatre. The hilarious, zany antics this group puts on are reminiscent of “Whose Line Is It Anyway.” The troupe takes suggestions from the audience, so each show is unique and unpredictable. This particular show is appropriate for all ages.

When: Friday, August 26th; 7:30 PM | Where: HATTheatre, 1124 Westbriar Drive in the Far West End | Cost: $7 for adults; $5 for children, students, & military | Event page

Richmond Roots Festival

The Richmond Roots Festival returns this Sunday for its second year at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery. This all-day all-ages celebration highlights musical styles that draw from an eclectic array of worldwide inspiration, from Chicago blues and R&B to folk and Turkish pop. Along with Hardywood beer on tap, attendees can enjoy food from Shamasuki, Happy Empanada, Arroz RVA, & Dank Eats. The fun kicks off at 2:00 PM with this lineup of talent:

• 2:15 PM: – Yeni Nostalji (Vintage Inspired Turkish Pop from Amerika)
• 3:15 PM: Zion #5 Dub Squad (Crucial dub)
• 4:15 PM: Andrew Alli and The Mainline (Reminiscent of traditional Mississippi and Chicago style blues)
• 5:15 PM: Araya Woldemichael Ethio-Jazz Quartet (Merging R&B and jazz with traditional Ethiopian songcraft)
• 6:30 PM: Janka Nabay & the Bubu Gang (A potent mind meld of off-kilter polyrhythmic folk tunes and high-octane psychedelia)
• 7:45 PM: Black Masala (A dance groove packed with funk, gypsy-punk and soul)
• DJ Graybeard from WRIR 97.3 FM will spin tunes between sets.

When: Saturday, August 27th; 2:00 – 9:30 PM | Where: Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, 2408 Ownby Lane in the Hermitage Road Warehouse Historic District | Cost: FREE to enter; pay for beer and food as you go | Event page

Opera In The Park

The Virginia Opera will perform a free concert at Dogwood Dell in Byrd Park Saturday evening, known as Opera In The Park. Enjoy classical tunes from Mozart, Rossini, Puccini and more under the stars. Patrons are welcome to bring picnic dinners, but you’ll need to sneak in your alcohol (kidding, that’s on you; we can’t condone it–it’s prohibited). There will be food trucks and prizes as well.

When: Saturday, August 27th; 7:30 PM | Where: Dogwood Dell in Byrd Park | Cost: FREE | Event website

Central Virginia Food Truck Rodeo

Nearly 30 Richmond-area food food trucks will once again descend upon Chesterfield Towne Center on August 28th for the Central Virginia Food Truck Rodeo. Nosh on tasty food from your favorite (or new-to-you) food trucks, enjoy live music and arts and crafts vendors, and more in the mall’s parking lot.

When: Sunday, August 28th; noon – 6:00 PM | Where: Chesterfield Towne Center, 11500 Midlothian Turnpike in Midlothian | Cost: Food priced individually by truck | Event website