Weekend Events Planner
March 31 – April 3
24th annual French Film Festival is March 31-April 3rd, Byrd Theatre, details www.frenchfilmfestival.us or call 804-827-FILM. According to organizers “All films are presented by their directors and/or starring actors. A question-and-answer session with directors and actors follows each film. All movies have English subtitles, and discussions are in English or in French with an interpreter. Films are screened at the historic Byrd Theatre in Carytown, in Richmond, Va. An official reception with the French celebrities is held each year during which festival attendees have even more time to meet and speak with the French stars”. Details at http://frenchfilmfestival.us/.
April 1-3
Virginia Horse Festival, April 1-3, Friday 11am – 8pm, Saturday 9am-8pm, Sunday 9am 5pm at Meadow Event Park, Doswell. The Parade of Breeds will be held at 6 p.m. on Friday, April 1, in the First Bank & Trust Company Pavilion. Experience some incredible horses and witness a diversity of breeds in the Parade of Breeds Friday. There will be clinics, competitions, demos, seminars, and entertainment. The annual Secretariat Birthday Celebration at the Virginia Horse Festival will honor not only “Big Red,” but also his birthplace, 2016 marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of Meadow Stable in 1936. It will also mark the debut of Groundshaker, who is the last horse bred and raced by Penny Chenery, owner of Secretariat. For more information visit http://www.virginiahorsefestival.com/.
April 2
KLM Foundation’s 8th annual Black & White Affair, Saturday, 7pm -11pm, at the Science Museum of Virginia, Heavy Hors D’oeuvres, gaming, raffles and prizes. Food served from 7pm – 8:30pm, music by DJ Flava hosted by Shelby Brown, for tickets visit http://www.theblackandwhiteaffair.com/ or http://www.klmfoundation.org/.
April 2-3
The annual Gloucester Daffodil Festival takes place in the county’s historic courthouse and celebrates the flower. Because of wet weather, the parade has been canceled and festival hours have been changed to 11 a.m. to 6 pm. However, Sunday will go on as planned from noon to 5 p.m.
Additionally, vendor check-in for Friday night has been canceled. Check-in will be on Saturday morning at 8 am.
2nd Annual Friends of Richmond k-9 “5K FOR K-9’S”, Saturday, 9am in Byrd Park, this is a 5K run/walk to support the Richmond K-9 Police. In addition to the 5-K there will be vendor tables and light food and drinks and a Police K-9 demonstration at the end of the race with the Police drug and patrol dogs. There will also be opportunities to take photos with the police K-9. Dogs are welcome with owners. Registration on-line https://runsignup.com/Race/VA/Richmond/FriendsofRichmondK9s5KforK9s, for more details visit http://www.rvak9.com/events/.
April 1-3
24th Annual Bizarre Bazaar at Richmond Raceway Complex, Friday & Saturday 10am -7pm, and Sunday 10am -5pm. The Spring show features vendors with unique offerings including seasonal gifts and decorative accessories for the home and garden, designer women’s and children’s clothing, gourmet food and cookbooks, toys, furniture and jewelry. For more details visit http://www.thebizarrebazaar.com/.
Future Events:
The Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10-K is fast approaching, Saturday, April 9th, Registration is $45 for adults and $35 for runners 14 and under. You can also sign up and join Team CBS 6, members will get motivational messages and tale part in a photo-op with Nikki-Dee Ray and Kristen Luehrs. The Anthem Health & Fitness Expo/Packet Pick-Up at the Arthur Ashe Athletic Center, Thursday, April 7, 3pm-9pm; Friday, April 8, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Race Day, Saturday, April 9 -6:45 – 9:30 a.m. Times-Dispatch Dress Up & Run Contest check-in at Monroe Park 7:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Bike Valet service available in Monroe Park near Laurel and Main Street.
7:30 a.m. – Blessing of the Runners at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart.All are welcome and you don’t need your “Sunday Best” for this worship service! For more info, contact the Office of Vocations, Catholic Diocese of Richmond (804-359-5661).
7:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. – Bag Check available in Monroe Park (Laurel & Main St.).Leave your personal items in a safe spot at Bag Check! Just tear the tag off your bib and attach it to your bag for easy identification upon pick up.
8 a.m. Virginia 529 Kids Run starts on Cathedral Place near Laurel St.
8:30 a.m. – Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k START – in waves at Broad St. & Harrison St.
9 a.m. – 1 p.m. – SUBWAY Post Race Festival at Monroe Park
10 a.m. – Awards Ceremony for overall race winners, to register and for more details visit http://www.sportsbackers.org/events/monument-ave-10k/10k-schedule/.
Friday, April 8
TEDx events are community versions of the larger TED talks that are produced globally, TEDxRVA began 4 years ago will be held for the second time at the Carpenter Theatre at Dominion Arts Center. Like previous years, the 2016 conference will have a central theme to guide its speakers and organizers. This year’s theme is “ARTFUL” providing a stage for international, national, regional, and local speakers to communicate about innovations in Technology, Entertainment, and Design. The 4th Annual TEDxRVA 2016 “Artful” is Friday, April 8, from 9am – 5pm at the Carpenter Theatre at Richmond CenterStage. For tickets and more information about speakers visit http://tedxrva.com/.
Saturday, April 9
Henrico Humane Society 16th annual Pet Expo Saturday, April 9, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Richmond International Raceway, 600 E. Laburnum Avenue. CBS 6 Greg McQuade, will emcee dog contests, puppy races and a parade of adoptable dogs. Vendors selling animal-related goods and services, as well as many rescue groups. Activities include puppy races, dog contests, dog adoptions, an inflatable obstacle course for kids, training/trick/agility demonstrations, an agility course, and a silent auction. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children (2-12); children under 2 and pets are free. Participants who run or walk in the Monument Avenue 10k earlier in the day, a $2 discount will be given with proof of participation (race bib, medal or t-shirt). All proceeds benefit Henrico Humane Society. For more information visit www.henricohumane.org.
Cool Pit Learning Center’s Multi-vendor/Multi-family Outdoor Yard Sale, Saturday, April 9, 8am-2pm, at Columbian Center Parking Lot, 2324 Pump Road, Henrico. Providing children from low-income families educational skills, for more information or to reserve a space call 804-364-4970.
How Smart is your home, The Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing presents: “The Accessible Home”, Saturday, April 9, 9am – 12:30pm at the VDDHH, 1602 Rolling Hills Drive, 2nd floor, Richmond. The event will talk about Hearing Loss – Home Modification Checklist. For more details email Christine.Ruderson@VDDHH.Virginia.gov or call 804-662-9710 V/TTY.
A Celebration of the Vine is hosted by the Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce is Saturday, April 9, from 11am-6pm at The Millworks at the Green, 13872 Coalfield Parkway, Midlothian. The festival showcases Virginia wines, regional entertainment and community involvement from a cultural and economic standpoint. The festival is again at The Millworks at the Green located at the intersection of Woolridge and Coalfield Roads in the Village of Midlothian. There will be free shuttles from JTCC and Midlothian HS. Handicap parking is available and organizers ask that you leave your pets at home. Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy an afternoon at the Millworks at the Green. Free wine check will be available so guests can purchase from the wineries they like and then pick them up at the end of the day. Taster Ticket – $25, Non-Taster Ticket – $10, for more information visit http://www.acelebrationofthevine.com/index.html.
The U.S. Trust Life is a Cabaret Series finale features Nationally-renowned jazz performer Ann Hampton Callaway in her one-woman show “Diva Power” in Rhythm Hall at Dominion Arts Center on Friday, April 8 at 7:30pm and Saturday, April 9 at 8pm. The show celebrates iconic women in American music, including Barbra Streisand, Judy Garland and Ella Fitzgerald. Tickets range $25 – $50 at the Dominion Arts Center Box Office, 600 East Grace Street, Richmond or at www.RichmondCenterstage.com or by phone at 1-800-514-3849.
Sunday, April 10
The 2nd annual Support Virginia Green Tourism Oyster Roast & Festival is Sunday, April 10th from 2:30 to 6 pm at Tredegar on the James River in Richmond. Enjoy sustainably-harvested Virginia Oysters served raw, roasted, and fried. There will be Oyster Shucking demonstrations, featuring award-winning shuckers Deborah Pratt & Clementine Macon-Boyd, Amateur Oyster Shucking Contest, Wines & brews from Virginia Green certified wineries and breweries, Small plates from Virginia Green certified restaurants, Silent auction featuring great deals on green travel packages all over the state and more Bluegrass by Smokehouse. Tickets include unlimited tastings of wine and beer, oysters and small plates from 4 local Virginia Green Restaurants and 2 full drink tickets and a complimentary wine glass. A portion of the proceeds will be donated directly to the Virginia Oyster Shell Recycling Program. Tickets are $60 per person or 2 tickets for $100, while available. For more information visit http://www.virginiagreentravelalliance.org/support-virginia-green-tourism-oyster-roast-.html.
Even More Events
The Beacon Theatre, 401 North Main Street Hopewell, Virginia. April Concerts – Average White Band, Wednesday April 13, Doors open 6pm; Brian Owens sings Marvin Gaye, Friday April 15, Doors open 6:30pm (THIS SHOW HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED FROM IT’S ORIGINAL DATE JANUARY 23RD.); The Drifters, Wednesday April 20, Doors open 6pm; The Time Jumpers Featuring Vince Gill, Kenny Sears, “Ranger Doug” Green, and many more, Thursday April 7, Doors open 6pm. For details visit http://thebeacontheatreva.com/shows-2/ or call Box Office: (804) 446-345.
Butterflies LIVE! At Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, April 15 – October 9, open Daily 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. An opportunity to experience hundreds of tropical butterflies in the Conservatory. Butterflies LIVE! is an indoor exhibit filled with fun family activities for all ages. Explore the origins, preferred habitats and lifecycles. Photos are permitted, with respect to other guests. For more details visit http://www.lewisginter.org/visit/visit-planner/butterflies-live/.
Lace up and leash up for the Richmond SPCA at the 14th Annual Dog Jog and 5K Run on Saturday, April 16, presented by Holiday Barn Pet Resorts! A day packed full of fun for the whole family, including your four-legged friend! Run or walk our 5K and one-mile Dog Jog and visit the vendor fair at the Robins-Starr Humane Center, located at 2519 Hermitage Road in Richmond. All events are pet friendly except for the 5K Run, which is for people only. Participants can register individually or as part of a team. For more information, call Lauren Keisler at 804-521-1318 or lkeisler@richmondspca.org, visit http://dogjog5krun.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=1140832 for more details.
“Struttin’ 4 Domestic Violence Fashion Show” is Saturday, April 16, 6pm at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College Lipmann Auditorium, 1651 East Parham Road, Henrico. Fashion show and self-esteem builder, funds benefit the Carol Adams Foundation. For tickets and more information visit http://www.thecaroladamsfoundation.org/ orhttps://www.eventbrite.com/e/cafi-5th-annual-struttin-4-domestic-violence-fashion-show-tickets-20993972537.
Southern Women’s Show, Richmond April 15 – 17 at Richmond Raceway Complex. Show hours Friday: 10am-8pm, Saturday: 10am-7pm and Sunday: 11am-5pm. Adults tickets: $10.00 at the Door, Youth: (6-12) $5.00, Children Under 6 FREE with Paying Adult. Advance Discount Tickets: Discount Tickets Available at Walgreens for $7.00 each, advance discount tickets and can be purchased at Walgreens store. Click here for store locations. Celebrity guests include pop/soul singer Rayvon Owen, Gizelle is the breakout star of Bravo’s The Real Housewives of Potomac, The BIG Burly Project Burlesque and Danee musical group performs. For more information visit https://southernshows.com/wri.
The Richmond engagement of DISNEY’S THE LION KING will leap onto the Altria Theater stage Tuesday, April 19 to Sunday, May 8. THE LION KING will play Tuesdays through Thursdays at 7:30pm, Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 2pm and 8pm and Sundays at 1pm and 6:30pm with one weekday matinee on Thursday, May 5 at 2pm. Premium Ticket Packages, which include prime seat locations, a commemorative souvenir program and an exclusive merchandise item, are also available. Tickets are available at Altria Theater and Dominion Arts Center box offices, at 1-800-514-3849 or at www.BroadwayInRichmond.com. Orders for groups of twenty (20) or more may be placed by calling (804) 592-3401 from 10am to 5pm.
