Emilio's

Used to be a great fun bar where I went to see friends perform. Apparently will be reopened as a whiskey bar soon. Not sure how I feel about that.

Historic Jazz spot for Friday nights. If you haven't had a chance to head down and check it out. Richmond has always been a city for music and this little place is the heart of blues and r&b. Cheap drinks, good people with great stories, and something beautiful to Bob your head to.

Crazy, beautiful Thursday nights. If your soul is playing hooky, you'll probably find it here... My experience with Emilio's is limited to Thursday nights for music and drinks. I don't know about the food but order it anyway just to show your patronage of a very special place. The evening kicks off with Roger Carroll on sax and vocals with his band of Stable Geniuses. It's a jazz/blues sound that could not be more contemporary in its sentiments. If you're not an old, white person, please don't be put off by the abundance of them. It's all good. The music and the attitude that goes with it will give you hope and give you new life. Grab some of that, stay longer or come back later and you're likely to hear some of the best Rap free-styling that Richmond spits. One DJ controls the beats as participants one-by-one do their honest best to create the rhymes to go with it.

In one evening you get to not just hear but experience two radically different musical forms delivered by folks with talent and heart. Buy the food even if you're not hungry. Tip the bartender even if you're not drinking. Just please, keep this wonderful stuff alive. Some day, it may keep you alive.