VMFA proudly announces After 5 Fridays, presented by Chase. The one name says it all and includes VMFA’s popular Friday-night events:
First Fridays Dance After Work Taste of Art Summer Breeze
After 5 Fridays Presented by Chase is the perfect way to kick off the weekend. Relax with a beverage, pick up a complimentary coozie and metal cup, visit the galleries for an art escape, and take part in the following featured attractions.
May 27, 2022
5–9 pm
Taste of Art – O’Connor Brewing
Location: Best Café
Free; no registration requiredFunerary Vessel, AD 700–800, Mayan, terracotta with polychrome pigments, Adolph D. and Wilkins C. Williams Fund, 77.98
For this Friday’s Taste of Art, try out El Guapo Agave IPA from Norfolk’s O’Connor Brewing. Then, visit the Pre-Columbian galleries to check out this Mayan drinking vessel.
Jun 3, 2022
6–8 pm
First Fridays – JayWhit & On The Spot Band
Location: Sculpture Garden
This First Friday in the Robins Sculpture Garden is a tribute to Lady Gaga! Come out in all the colors of the rainbow and enjoy JayWhit & On The Spot Band as we celebrate Pride.
Jun 17, 2022
6–8 pm
Dance After Work – Hip-Hop Line-Dancing
Location: Sculpture Garden
Get your body moving with Gerald Andrews. Following up on our previous conversation on hip-hop’s collision with line-dancing, Gerald brings his energy and passion for the dance to VMFA’s Robins Sculpture Garden.
Jun 24, 2022
5:30–8:30 pm
Summer Breeze – DJ Nobe
Location: Pauley Center Patio
It’s Summertime! Join us in the Robins Sculpture Garden for an evening of music. DJ Nobe on the spin will be coming at you live from the Pauley Patio. Grab a drink and enjoy. Dancing is encouraged.
Jul 1, 2022
6–8 pm
First Fridays – Plunky and Oneness
Location: Sculpture Garden
Celebrate First Friday with an absolute legend from our own backyard. Jazz saxophonist James “Plunky” Branch and his band, Oneness, will electrify the Robins Sculpture Garden. Enjoy drink specials from Best Café and a cool serenade of smooth unity on a hot summer night.
Jul 15, 2022
6–8 pm
Dance After Work – Tango
Location: Cochrane Atrium
The long-standing tradition of tango dancing at VMFA returns to the Cochrane Atrium for another exciting Dance After Work. Enjoy drink specials from Best Café. Come with or find a dance partner for an evening of social dancing.
Jul 22, 2022
5:30–8:30 pm
Summer Breeze – Markus Gold
Location: Pauley Center Patio
It’s Summertime! Join us in the Robins Sculpture Garden for an evening of music. Markus Gold on the spin will be coming at you live from the Pauley Patio. Grab a drink and enjoy. Dancing is encouraged.
Aug 5, 2022
6–8 pm
First Fridays – Rhythm on the River
Location: Sculpture Garden
First Friday at VMFA invites you to a relaxing summer evening in the River City. Enjoy a range of musical genres, from R&B to metal, our own fresh and seasoned artists of sight and sound bring their stories to the Robins Sculpture Garden. and DJ Jay Dion brings this musical collage to the evening. Enjoy drink specials from Best Café.
Aug 19, 2022
6–8 pm
Dance After Work – Hip-Hop and House
Location: Cochrane Atrium
It’s a summertime two-hour EDM outdoor dance party in the Sculpture Garden. DJ Jay Dion will help you party your summer blues away with an evening of electronic music—bringing the club to the garden! Best Café has drink specials.
Aug 26, 2022
5:30–8:30 pm
Summer Breeze – DJ Marc J
Location: Paulet Center Patio
It’s Summertime! Join us in the Robins Sculpture Garden for an evening of music. DJ Marc J on the spin will be coming at you live from the Pauley Patio. Grab a drink and enjoy. Dancing is encouraged.
Sep 23, 2022
5:30–8:30 pm
Summer Breeze – Shanel the DJ
Location: Sculpture Garden
It’s Summertime! Join us in the Robins Sculpture Garden for an evening of music. Shanel the DJ on the spin will be coming at you live from the Pauley Patio. Grab a drink and enjoy. Dancing is encouraged.
Dance After Work – Tango
Location: Cochrane Atrium
Back to back in-person dancing at VMFA in the Cochrane Atrium. Our long-running and ever popular tango night returns for this exciting Dance After Work! Drink specials will be available from Best Café.
Apr 22, 2022
5–9 pm
Taste of Art – Väsen Brewing Company
Location: Best Café
Free; no registration requiredCormorant Fishing, Nagara River, 1954, Kawase Hasui (Japanese, 1883–1957), carved by Namikawa Siezo, printed by Horikawa Shōzaburō, published by Watanabe Shōzaburō (Japanese, 1885–1962), ink and color on paper. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, René and Carolyn Balcer Collection
Beer here! Friday night, visit Best Café for a glass of Radapils, a Väsen Brewing Company pilsner made with Czech hops. This malty brew is named after Radagast, the old Slavic god of hospitality, fire, and the evening sky. To your “Taste of Art” experience, add a visit to the nighttime scenes featured in Landscapes and Architecture: Japanese Woodblock Prints by Kawase Hasui.
Apr 15, 2022
6–8 pm
Dance After Work – Tango
Location: Cochrane Atrium
Free; no registration required
Come back to in-person dancing at VMFA in the Cochrane Atrium. Our long-running and ever-popular tango night returns for this exciting Dance After Work! Drink specials will be available from Best Café.
Apr 8, 2021
6 pm
Taste of Art – Early Mountain Vineyard
Location: Aumse Restaurant
Free; no registration required
This Friday’s special in Amuse Restaurant is the 2018 vintage of Five Forks, by Virginia winery, Early Mountain Vineyard. Before or after enjoying this Sauvignon Blanc, visit the dazzling Schlumberger necklace nicknamed “Breath of Spring.”
Dec 3, 2021
First Fridays – The Reveille Ringers
Location: Cochrane Atrium
Free; no registration required
Get into the holiday spirit with a performance by the Reveille Ringers. Robert Phanord, VMFA’s Performing Arts Coordinator, welcomes the group for an evening of hanbell music. Stop by for a festive and relaxing night that kicks off the weekend just right.
Nov 19, 2021
6 pm
Dance After Work – Flamenco inspired by Prou del Pilar
Location: Cochrane Atrium
Free; no registration required
Man Ray’s 1934 photograph of Prou del Pilar depicts the Spanish flamenco dancer encircled by the billowing ruffles of her dress, just after she has completed a dynamic performance. Join us for an evening of flamenco dance (baile) inspired by the portrait of Prou del Pilar in the Man Ray exhibition.
Nov 5, 2021
6 pm
First Fridays – Classical RVA
Location: Cochrane Atrium
Free; no registration required
Join us for this month’s First Friday, as we welcome Classical Revolution RVA back to VMFA as part of After 5 Fridays presented by Chase. Grab a glass of wine from Best Café if you wish or simply enjoy the sounds of chamber music in the museum’s Cochrane Atrium.
Oct 22, 2021
Taste of Art – The Virginia Beer Company Video
Free, no registration required
Get ready for Halloween with a look at artists’ imaginings of the supernatural and spooky. Enjoy watching a past Taste of Art program that features the Virginia Beer Company. Then visit VMFA’s Best Café to grab a glass of their Elbow Patches Oatmeal Stout, which is highlighted in the video, and visit the Decorative Arts Galleries to find two of the haunting works from the video. If you make it to the Decorative Arts Galleries between 5 pm and 7 pm, we’ll greet you with a free gift to take home!
Selected works of art to find:
The Sorcerers Necklace, 1900, designer Eugène-Samuel Grasset (Swiss, active in Paris, 1845–1917), gold, enamel, carnelian, chrysoprase. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Sydney and Frances Lewis Endowment FundSelf-Portrait as a Sphinx, 1880, Sarah Bernhardt (French, 1844–1923), bronze, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Gift of the Fabergé Society of VMFA
Elbow Patches Oatmeal Stout | 6.2% ABV
Williamsburg, VA
Roasty, Creamy, Chocolatey. An Oatmeal Stout to be enjoyed with breakfast, lunch, dinner, or anytime in between. A smooth, velvety base sets the stage for pronounced aromas of Chocolate and Coffee.
Oct 15, 2021
6 pm
Dance After Work – Salsa
Location: Cochrane Atrium
Free; no registration required
Join us in-person in the Cochrane Atrium for a salsa dance party that begins with a 30-minute lesson led by the multitalented Adele Broom.
Oct 1, 2021
6 pm
First Fridays – Kadencia
Location: Cochrane Atrium
Free; no registration required
Maurice “Tito” Sanabria returns to VMFA to help celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Groove in the start of the fall season with a mix of Afro-Puerto Rican rhythms and learn a bit about the history that brings them to VMFA.
Sep 10, 2021
5:30 pm
Summer Breeze in the Sculpture Garden
Free; no registration required
It’s Summertime! Join us back in the Sculpture Garden for an evening of music featuring DJ Marc on the spin! Grab a drink and enjoy. Visit the Chase Lounge on the Pauley Patio to relax, cool off, and enjoy complimentary snacks and water. To learn about VMFA’s COVID-19 safety protocols, please click here.
Aug 27, 2021
5:30 pm
Summer Breeze in the Sculpture Garden
Free; no registration required
It’s Summertime! Join us back in the Sculpture Garden for an evening of music featuring DJ Mikemetic on the spin! Grab a drink and enjoy. The Pauley Patio is open for dancing.
Aug 20, 2021
6 pm
Dance After Work – Hip-hop Line Dancing
Location: Cochrane Atrium
Free; no registration required
Come get your body moving at VMFA with Gerald Andrews. Following our previous conversation on hip-hop and its colision with line-dancing, Gerald brings his energy and passion for the dance to VMFA’s Robins Sculpture Garden.
Aug 6, 2021
6 pm
First Fridays – Rhythm on the River
Location: Sculpture Garden Free, no registration required
Artists from around the River City come together in VMFA’s Robins Sculpture Garden to celebrate home-grown talent and help us welcome the community back to concerts at the museum. Dj Jay Dion brings a full line-up of artists to showcase some of Richmond’s hidden talent and VMFA’s performing arts coordinator talks live with esteemed guests about the impact of music on our town.
