July 29
SPARC – K.C. @ Bat – Based on Ernest Thayer’s beloved 1888 poem, Casey at the Bat, the fictional baseball legend of Casey and the town of Mudville springs vividly to life in the present day. Family-friendly and perfect for all ages, the SummerStarz Ensemble tours the region with free performances of K.C. @ Bat! Friday, July 29 | 11:00 a.m., Dogwood Dell – Ha’Penny Stage, Byrd Park, 600 S. Boulevard, Richmond. For more information visit http://www.sparconline.org/tickets/ or https://sparc.ticketleap.com/avenue-q-school-edition/dates.
Central Virginia Alumni Chapter of South Carolina State University National Association – Jazzin n’ Jeans Affair III, a night of spoken word and music, Bulldog Scholarship Event, Friday, doors open 7pm, at Hilton Richmond Hotel & Spa/Short Pump, 12042 West Broad Street, Tickets $35.
July 30 & 31
Art on Wheels’ ‘Impressions of Courage’ presented by Massey Cancer Center – a world record (to be) event honoring those affected by cancer (event date 9/10/16 in Scott’s Addition). The non-profit Art on Wheels asked for clothing submissions to be used in a collagraph that will be completed and displayed during a festival-type event to be held in Scott’s Addition. It will be a FREE family-friendly community event. The only deadline for collecting outfits is Sunday, the 31st. The actual event is not until September 10th at Diversity Thrift from 11am – 4pm Saturday. People can come by and pick out clothes for their loved one representing what they might like to wear or liked wearing in the past, (if they have passed away.) For more information visit http://artonwheels-va.org/impressions-of-courage/ or http://wtvr.com/2016/06/16/art-on-wheels-impressions-of-courage/.
July 30, Barrels, Brews & BBQ, live music by Sons of Zebedee and BBQ by The Knights of Columbus benefiting Commonwealth Catholic Charities, Saturday, 3:30pm – 7:30pm, James River Winery, Beer from Loveland Distributing at James River Cellars Winery, 11008 Washington Highway, Glen Allen, Details call (804) 550-7516 or http://cccofva.org/event/barrels-brews-bbq/.
SPARC – Avenue Q – School Edition- Winner of the Tony “Triple Crown” for Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book, Avenue Q – School Edition is part flesh, part felt, and packed with heart. The laugh-out-loud musical tells the timeless story of a recent college grad named Princeton who moves into a shabby New York apartment all the way out on Avenue Q. He soon discovers that although the residents seem nice, it’s clear that this is not your ordinary neighborhood. Together, Princeton and his new-found friends struggle to find jobs, dates, and their ever-elusive purpose in life. Playing at SPARC Center – Sara Belle November Educational Theater, 2106 North Hamilton Street, Richmond through July 31, tickets $14. For more information visit http://www.sparconline.org/tickets/ orhttps://sparc.ticketleap.com/avenue-q-school-edition/dates.
Boats & Bow Ties Regatta & Gala benefiting the Tyler Patnaude Foundation Saturday, Regatta 12 – 3pm, Gala 6:30 -9:30pm at Celebrations at the Reservoir, 4801 Woolridge Road, Mosely. Tyler Patnaude died in a car accident in 2014, in his honor and a way to give back to the community the Tyler Patnaude Foundation was established. The 2nd Annual event celebrates a life and love of the water and will feature dinner, music, live and silent auctions, and more to raise funds for the Tyler Patnaude Foundation, which will partner with the United Network for Organ Sharing. For more information contact info@tylerpatnaude.com and visit www.tylerpatnaude.com.
VMFA – The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts will debut the newest exhibition of works by the Legendary African-American photographer Gordon Parks through October 30. The exhibit houses 42 photographs of “Gordon Parks: Back to Fort Scott” the body of work takes a look at the realities of life under segregation during the 1950’s. Parks was the first African-American photographer hired full-time by Life magazine. As part if the exhibit, the museum will also offer a series of related programs on the history of documentary photography, and discuss race and representation as revealed in Parks’ work. The museum, 200 North Boulevard, opens 10am Saturday, For more information on Gordon Parks: Back to Fort Scott and other exhibitions at the museum call 804-340-1400 or visit www.vmfa.museum.
Virginia Repertory Theatre presents “Dreamgirls” Winner of 6 Tony Awards starring Desiree Roots, Courtney Jamison and Felicia Curry continues through August 7, 2016. Performances at the Sara Belle and Neil November Theatre, 114 West Broad Street. Directed by Chase Kniffen has reassembled many of the designers and cast members from the 2014 “The Color Purple” and is thrilled to be working with many of them again. Tickets range from $48 – $60, student $15, discount for groups. For more information visit http://va-rep.org/show_dreamgirls.html or call 804-282-2620.
Caribbean Day, Saturday, 12 – 6pm at A Place of Miracles Café, 2124 Willis Road Richmond. A Place of Miracles Cafe feeds the elderly, the homeless and children during the summer serving hot meals Tuesday- Friday 5-7pm. On Fridays Krogers and Chesterfield Food Bank donates food for food boxes for families and elderly in need. The organization also partners with Chesterfield food bank to do the Kids summer food program weeks of food to children who are in need of breakfasts and lunches while school is out. When school starts children under 4 years old who are not in school will receive free breakfast and lunches and there is a baby/toddler program diapers, formula, baby food, toys, sip cups, clothes and more. Also, at the Caribbean Day event, funds will be raised for “Hope for William Hudson” an 8 month old boy recently diagnosed with SMA1 which takes away the babies by 2 years old. For details visit Facebook https://www.facebook.com/events/1758393041064868/.
You don’t have far to go for some great music, at Pocahontas State Park Heritage Amphitheater, Pocahontas Live Concert Series Season -Dark Star Orchestra returns Thursday August 4th and continues the Grateful Dead concert experience. Gates open at 5:30pm, show begins at 6pm. General admission lawn only: Advance $21.50, door $25 (if available.) Thursday August 18th it’s UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell, Astro and Mickey Virtue, all founding members of the original UB40. Advance $65, door $70 (if available.) Gold Circle general admission seating: Advance $45, door $50 (if available.) General admission lawn: Advance $25, door $30. Gates open at 6pm, show begins at 7pm. George Thorogood and The Destroyers bring their blues-rock classics to the Heritage Amphitheater stage Sunday September 25th. Advance tickets $37, door $42 (if available.) General admission lawn: Advance- $25, door $30. Gates open at 5:30pm, show begins at 6:30pm. For more details visit http://pocahontaslive.com/schedule-of-shows/.
The Historic Beacon Theatre, 401 North Main Street, Hopewell – Southern Rock legends The Marshall Tucker Band at The Beacon with special guests East of Hollywood Saturday. Doors open at 6:30pm, with music starting at 7:30pm. The Marshall Tucker Band, Saturday July 30, Tickets: $30-$50 Advance/$35-$55 Door. Ronnie Milsap, Thursday August 4, Doors: 6:30pm, Performance 7:30pm. Tickets: $30-$50 Advance/$35-$55 Door. Larry Gatlin Solo -Thursday August 11. On sale this Friday is Lez Zeppelin, the New York based all-girl all-Zeppelin tribute band plays The Beacon Friday September 30th! The band has gained worldwide critical acclaim for the musicianship, passion and gender-bending audacity they bring to the music of Led Zeppelin. For tickets and more information visit http://thebeacontheatreva.com/schedule-2/ or http://www.myticketstobuy.com/ or call 804-446-3457. The Beacon is 5 Minutes East Of I-295 Exit 15A – 10 Minutes East Of I-95 Exit 61A – Route 10 Hopewell – Free Parking.