“Illuminate Light Show & Santa’s Village,” open nightly 5:30pm – 10pm through January 3, 2015 at The Meadow Event Park. Drive through the park and experience nearly a million LED lights synchronized to music on your car radio. The show features an 80-foot tunnel of lights, 50-foot Christmas trees, dancing snowmen and other twinkling surprises. After the show, spend some time in Santa’s Village for photos with Santa, children’s activities and more. Illuminate Light Show & Santa’s Village is proud to partner with Summit Media and FeedMore, Central Virginia’s regional food bank, to give a gift to the hungry this holiday season, and with Star Radio Group and Toys for Tots to brighten the holiday season for area children. Guests that bring five or more non-perishable food items on Mondays and Tuesdays, November 17 through December 9, or a new, unwrapped toy on Wednesdays, November 19 through December 3, will receive $5 off gate admission after making their donation at the light show entrance. Other features include Military Appreciation Night November 16, Furry friends for Paws and Claus, November 25 and December 9. Open 5:30-10 p.m. nightly, including holidays (Santa’s Village will close after Dec. 24). Advance tickets available online at IlluminateLightShow.com. http://www.illuminatelightshow.com/.
Visual Arts Center 50th Anniversary Craft & Design Show, an intimate, museum, quality show, the finest in contemporary crafts, November 22 & 23 at the Science Museum of Virginia, 2500 West Broad Street, Saturday 11am – 6pm, Sunday 10am – 5pm, $20 admission + tasting with commemorative glass, $25 rise + shine breakfast ticket, $10 general admission, $5 younger than 21, free for children 12 years and under, free parking. For details visit http://www.visarts.org. “Rise and Shine” exclusive art preview Saturday, 9:30am – 11am, includes admission, light breakfast, mimosa and time to shop before it opens to the public, tickets $25, benefits The Visual Arts Center of Richmond’s SOHO and Engage programs.
22nd Annual Richmond Tattoo Arts Festival, November 21st – 23rd, Friday, 3pm – 11pm, Saturday, 12pm – 10pm, & Sunday 12 pm – 8pm at The Greater Richmond Convention Center. Featuring Hold It Down Tattoo, Kingpin Tattoo Supply & Jack Brown’s Tattoo Revival, Shanghai Kate Hellenbrand returns to the River City, one day pass $20, three-day pass $40, ages 12-17 $5, children under 12 free. Details visit http://www.rvatattoo.com.
A first ever for the River City “Virginia Moonshine Festival” is Saturday, November 22, from noon – 6pm, at Richmond International Raceway Old Dominion Barn. It featuring eight different distillers including Belle Isle Craft Spirits, Belmont Farm, Virginia Sweetwater, and Olde Smokey Tennessee Moonshine, live music, food parings and celebrities. Tickets are $25 online, for details visit http://vamoonshinefestival.com/.
1708 Gallery’s annual exhibition “InLight” roving light show and public art installations in Monroe Park, Friday, November 21st, performances, video and interactive projects, sculpture and a community lantern parade that starts at 7:30pm. InLight is free and open to the public, get details at http://www.1708gallery.org/inlight.
Victorian Holidays at Maymont, November 21st – January 4th, Maymont Mansion Tours, wreath Workshops, Deck the Halls Workshop, Old Fashioned Christmas, St. Nick’s Party, Maymont by moonlight, Private Carriage Ride, details http://www.maymont.org or call 804-358-7166, ext. 310.
Richmond Jazz Society’s Guest Educator’s Series featuring Desiree Roots CD “Don’t Ever Stop Dreaming” Release Party, Tuesday, December 9th 2 shows, 7pm & 9:15pm, doors open at 6pm at Capital Ale House Downtown Music Hall, 623 East Main Street, Richmond. Tickets $25 per show or you can order them on-line http://www.vajazz.org or call 804-643-1972.
Richmond Symphony “Come & Play”, The Richmond Symphony invites musicians of all ages and abilities to sign up and play with Richmond Symphony musicians on Sunday, November 23, the concert starts at 6pm, rehearsal will be from 2:30 – 5pm at the Stuart C. Siegel Center. Registration is 410 on-line http://www.richmondsymphony.com. there is no cost to attend the “Come & Play” performance.
Virginia Rep opens with “Mame” starring Tony Nominee Emily Skinner & Singer/actress Desiree Roots, Friday, November 21st – January 2015, Evening performances 8pm on Fridays & Saturdays and 7pm on select Wednesdays and all Thursdays. Matinee performances 2pm, on Sunday and select Wednesdays and Saturdays. Directed and choreographed by Broadway Veteran Patti D’Beck. Details http://www.va-rep.org.
Highland Springs High School PTSA Fall Festival Saturday, November 22nd, 10am- 3pm, at the school’s Hudson Gym, 15 South Oak Avenue, Highland Springs. Vendors, food, a kids’ zone, games, and yard sale all under one roof. Admission is two non-perishable items. For details call 804-267-0500 or visit http://www.schools.henrico.k12.va.us/highlandspringshs.
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts: in conjunction with “Forbidden City: Imperial Treasures from the Palace Museum Beijing” celebrate Chinese cinema with the historical epic “Red Sorghum”, screened at the Byrd Theatre, Sunday, November 23rd 1:30-3:30pm, 2908 West Cary Street, details visit
6th Annual RVA Feed The City 2014 – serving Thanksgiving dinner to Richmond’s homeless and less fortunate citizens, Sunday, November 23, at Monroe Park, 620 West Main Street from 2:00 — 5:00 pm. Donations needed to provide full Thanksgiving courses, non-perishable to-go boxes, winter clothing, haircuts, health screenings, employment opportunities, and other free services to the citizens of Richmond who are in greater need. Last year, we fed over 1,500 men, women, and children. Details visit http://www.RVAFeedTheCity.com or http://www.Facebook.com/RVAFeedTheCity. Email RVA Feed The City at rvafeedthecity@gmail.com.
FUTURE EVENTS:
Legendary Santa at The Children’s Museum of Richmond Central, 2626 West Broad Street, Friday, November 28 – Christmas Eve, Santa’s Hotline 804-474-7009, Museum 804-474-7000. Details http://www.c-mor.org.
GardenFest of Lights at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, 1800 Lakeside Avenue, Friday, November 28 – Monday, January 12, open nightly 5 pm – 10pm, (closed December 24 & 25), details http://www.lewisginter.org or 804-262-9887.
37th Annual Model Railroad Show at the Science Museum of Virginia, Friday November 28 – Sunday, November 30, tickets $11 with $1 discounts for ages 4-12 and 60+, more details at http://www.smv.org or call 804-864-1400.
The Carol Adams Foundation presents a Night of Fashion and Entertainment Fundraiser, Saturday, November 29, 7pm – 11pm at The Trinity Life Center, 3601 Dill Road, , tickets $50 available at http://www.eventbrite.com, all proceeds will aid in emergency assistance to victims of domestic violence. For more information visit http://www.thecaroladamsfoundation.org.
The Giving Heart Community Thanksgiving Feast, volunteers and donations are needed, to volunteer and get more information visit http://www.thegivingheart.org/Volunteerinfo.html or call 804-749-4726. The Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 23 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center.
Grammy Award Winner Tony Bennett performing Thursday, December 18th, 8pm at The Altria Theater, formerly the Landmark, tickets http://www.Altriatheater.com, or 800-514-3849.
