Neighborhood Concerts
Upcoming concerts
Concerts in Reed Square
110 N. 26th St., Richmond (Church Hill)
First Creatures invites you to linger this summer with Concerts in Reed Square! Every Sunday evening in August, bring a chair or a blanket and enjoy a free concert featuring an array of local musicians. (In the event of rain these concerts will be moved to the parish hall of St. John’s Episcopal Church.)
These concerts are presented by First Creatures and sponsored by the Church Hill Association, with generous support from Amy Beem. All concerts are free to attend, but donations in support of the musicians are encouraged.
Aug. 2, 7:30pm - Schuyler Slack
This solo cello concert will include Joe Jaxson’s “Mountain Stars”, Cello Suite No. 5 by Johann Sebastian Bach, and a new collaboration between songwriter and composer Paul Willson and Richmond Symphony cellist Schuyler Slack called “From Suffering to Freedom”, a solo cello suite which explores Buddhist principles through the voice of the cello.
Aug. 9, 7:30pm - The George Cruz Trio
The George Cruz trio (George Cruz, keys; Randall Pharr, bass; Kofi Shepsu, drums) specializes in straight ahead jazz with influences from soul, gospel, and modern harmony, with a focus on swing, beauty, and honesty. They will be playing music from their recent album “Maybe Tomorrow” (now available on all streaming platforms!), along with selections from the jazz tradition, unreleased original music, and more.
Aug. 16, 7:30pm - Caroline Scruggs
Caroline Scruggs is a world-traveling songbird who reimagines the theremin with uncommon warmth and expressivity, combining it with her voice and loop station to create new sonic landscapes. Equally at home in symphonic and experimental settings, she collaborates with composers and ensembles across the U.S. and travels the globe to play the air of breathtaking natural environments.
Aug. 23, 7pm- Laura Ann Singh + Bruno Alcalde
Laura Ann Singh and Bruno Alcalde present an evening of Brazilian music featuring original songs alongside works by iconic composers of Música Popular Brasileira, including Tom Jobim, Chico Buarque, Moraes Moreira, and Joyce Moreno. The program moves between samba, bossa nova, and contemporary Brazilian song with warmth, intimacy, and energy.
Aug. 30, 7pm - Rosette
Rosette is a Richmond-based string quartet made up of four women (Ellen Cockerham Riccio and Treesa Gold, violins; Kimberly Ryan, viola; Steph Barrett, cello) who love to make meaningful connections through music. Their innovative So Hot Right Now series has brought the music of living composers to audiences across the city since 2021. This program will feature music written by women–from 16th century Italy to present day USA— including a world premiere from Richmond composer, Betsy Podsiadlo.
OTHER NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERTS
Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026 at 6pm
5916 Watch Harbour Rd., Midlothian (Brandermill)
Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026 at 5:30pm
1114 N. 24th St., Richmond (Church Hill)
Sponsored by Colin and Cristina Baumgartner
Neighborhood Concerts
Neighborhood Concerts are an excuse to meet your neighbors; a way to welcome newcomers; a chance to deepen connections beyond a quick hello; the pause in your individual pursuits that makes community possible. Consider sponsoring one in your neighborhood in 2026! Here’s how it works:
These are 45-minute outdoor solo violin performances of mostly classical music given by Ellen Cockerham Riccio (a.k.a. Principal Second Violinist of the Richmond Symphony, the Backyard Violinist, and the creative force behind First Creatures). These concerts are open to EVERYONE - you’ll invite your neighbors, and we will also announce it publicly.
The concert is free to attend, but donations will be accepted. To book a date, a sponsorship fee of $125.00 must be paid. This fee may be split between people.
You and Ellen will find a date that works for both of you. If it rains, the concert will be rescheduled. (Or, if you have access to an indoor space that is open to the public, the concert may be moved inside.) Front porches, front yards, balconies, and cul-de-sacs are all great locations for this. Tell your neighbors to bring camp chairs or a blanket to sit on.
Most importantly, use this opportunity to get to know your neighbors and build your community, whether that means creating an email/phone number list, planning a potluck for after the concert, or simply sharing this special experience with everyone.
It started in the backyard.
In April of 2020, Richmond Symphony violinist Ellen Cockerham Riccio began offering concerts in backyards during a time of isolation, uncertainty, and digital overload. Although she became known as “the backyard violinist”, many of the concerts took place in front yards and cul-de-sacs, with friends, family, and neighbors in attendance (well-distanced, of course!). For many, these concerts brought a much-needed sense of connection with others, as well as hope and even joy during a difficult time.
Fast-forward to today, and times are still difficult (though not quite so weird), and people still need this sense of connection, hope, and joy in their lives. Through neighborhood concerts, we can carry with us an important lesson we learned in those early months: that our time together is precious.
Interested in a Backyard Concert?
Yes, you can still hire these same musicians to play a private concert! Contact Ellen at backyardviolinist@gmail.com to book.
