The first weekend in April promises a wide variety of events and activities in Richmond Virginia for both visitors and residents alike.

Virginia Commonwealth University makes it to the Final Four!

First Friday Art Walk is on – with galleries, boutiques, and restaurants supporting Richmond’s fabulous art scene. Now in its tenth season, first Friday plays a vital role in downtown Richmond, with opening receptions at downtown galleries making the event a cultural destination.  Event takes place rain or shine and features nearly 40 diverse galleries, cultural organizations, shops and restaurants — along historic Broad Street, east of Belvidere and into Jackson and Monroe Wards.  INFO.

Saturday, April 2 is the annual Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10K, providing the opportunity to run Richmond’s most beautiful boulevard.  Registration is now closed for the 10K; it has reached its capacity of 40,000 participants.  But you can still enjoy the music along the route, party with the other spectators, watch the costumed runners competing in the Dress-Up and Run, and join the runners and spectators in Monroe Park for the awesome post race party.  Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10K was named one of the best running races in the country by USA Today!  INFO.

Saturday afternoon, Real Richmond Food Tours and More, navigate the culture and cuisine of “The Wards: The Art and Soul of Richmond” beginning at 2 PM.  Tickets are limited and sell out quickly – so make your plans immediately.   The 2 1/2 hour tour will stop at local eateries to sample delicious treats and meet the owners and chefs. In between a leisurely 1 1/2 mile stroll/walk will acquaint you with the best of both sides of Broad Street in the heart of Jackson Ward and Monroe Ward. INFO.

Studio 3 of the Richmond Ballet’s Studio Series continues at the Richmond Ballet Canal Street Studio with a ballet honoring the trio of muses who inspired Marcel Marceau: French mime Debureau, Charlie Chaplin, and Arthur Marx.  Its light-hearted and refreshing, just an enjoyable way to spend an evening. INFO.

And, of course, “Picasso: Masterpieces from the Musee National Picasso, Paris” continues at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. If you haven’t seen it yet, you better catch it before it’s gone! VMFA.  The is the only east coast venue for this special exhibition of 176 of the famed artist’s works. TIP: Download the audio file FREE to your smartphone, take your earbuds, and skip the audioguide.  Save $5 and be guaranteed the tour.  Download INFO.

And, next weekend Virginia Commonwealth University’s Rams will play in the Final Four of the NCAA Basketball Tournament.  Though the game is in Houston, VCU fans will be gathering at eateries and neighborhood bars all over the historic Fan District to watch the outcome. You, too, could be in the middle of it all in Richmond’s liveliest neighborhood.  And, if you’d rather walk than drive, there’s always the Fan District’s premier bed and breakfast for an in-town getaway!

February 22 through February 28, 2011 finds a week packed with exciting events and things to do in VIrginia’s capitol city, Richmond.

Full Calendar of Events in Richmond VA This Week

1. VMFA presents the exhibition “Picasso: Masterpieces from the Musee National Picasso, Paris” featuring 176 works in various media chronicling the famed artist’s entire career. See our other blog post for details! Open 7 days a week, hours 10 AM to 6 PM, extended to 9 PM on Thursdays and Fridays. World class art – not to be missed!

2. Michael Flatley’s “Lord of the Dance” the powerful Irish Dance phenomenon takes the stage at the Landmark Theater  on February 22 at 7:30 PM. Blog Post.

3. John Mellencamp, American rock singer/songwriter known for his own brand of rock that favors organic instrumentation not synthesizers and artificial sounds, will appear as part of his “No Better Than This Tour” on Thursday, February 24 at 7 PM at Richmond’s Landmark Theater. Mellencamp has sold over 40 million albums worldwide and his latest album “No Better Than This” was released to widespread acclaim August, 2010. Tickets from Ticketmaster entitle ticket holder to download one copy of the album. Past hits include “Hurts So Good” and “Jack and Diane.”

4. The Virginia Wine Expo opens Thursday, February 25 with the Virginia Governor’s Cup Grand Tasting at 6 PM at the Greater Richmond Convention Center , 403 N Third Street, in downtown Richmond.  The Virginia Wine Expo is a showcase of wines, featuring over 350 Virginia wines from over 60 of Virginia’s top producers. Friday’s event, in addition to the Virginia Governor’s Cup Grand Tasting, features Chef Michael Hall; Saturday evening features “Sparkling and Sweets” presented by “Richmond Magazine” with sparkling and dessert wines accompanying desserts from Virginia pastry chefs and chocolatiers.  Also on Saturday there are seminars covering topics from pairing wine and chocolate to sushi and wine. Sunday there’s even a seminar about Burgers and Wine! Sunday is also open to walk-around tastings. Don’t miss this chance to try so many of Virginia’s finest wines!  More Info and Tickets. The Virginia Wine Expo benefits the Virginia Wineries Association, the Central Virginia Food Bank and Meals on Wheels.

5. Real Richmond Food Tours and More offer a tour to navigate the culture and food of Richmond’s own Carytown/Museum District on Saturday February 26 between 2 PM and 4:30 PM. The tour will stop in “intimate bistros, bustling lunch spots with Southern favorites, and specialty food retailers featured in national magazines while passing through quirky Carytown.” The tour is called “Butchers, Bakers & Beyond;” but space is strictly limited and tickets must be purchased in advance. Tickets!

6. The Children’s Museum of Richmond teaches children to play every day – and, now, on Thursday February 25, 2011 adults are invited to a grownups only evening featuring good food and drink, entertainment and a special auction to raise funds to provide museum visits for children in need.  The theme for this year’s Twilight Carniball is Destination Rio with Brazilian cuisine, entertainment by Bio Ritmo, samba dancers and live Brazilian entertainment. Tickets are $75 per person, available by phone (804)  474-7005 or online.

7.  The Royal Ballet School and the Richmond Ballet trainees and apprentices present four joint performances in the Richmond Ballet Studio Theatre, 407 E Canal Street in downtown Richmond.  Performances start Friday, February 25, 2011 at 7 PM with a special children’s matinee on Saturday afternoon, an evening performance Saturday evening and another matinee on Sunday afternoon. This is your chance to see the stars of tomorrow perform.

8. Virginia Opera performs Richard Wagner’s “The Valkyrie” on February 25 at 8 PM and a matinee on Sunday February 27 at 2:30 PM at the Carpenter Theatre at Richmond CenterStage.  Virginia Opera offers a free pre-opera discussion 45 minutes before each opera performance.  Dr. Glenn Winters, Virginia Opera’s Community Musical Outreach Director , conducts the discussion and provides insights into the upcoming performance.  Running time is a little over 3 hours including a 25-minute intermission.

9. The Richmond Symphony performs “Reflections” at Bon Air Baptist Church on Friday February 25 at 8 PM in part of the Metro Collection. Composers on the program include Elgar, Schreker, Strauss, and Poulenc.  Sunday, February 27 the performance is repeated in a matinee at Randolph-Macon College.

And, just in case you don’t want to drive home, we’re the bed and breakfast closest to downtown and truly “a better way to stay!”

There’s only one more day to catch Richmond Ballet performing “Giselle” and that is Sunday February 13. The ballet, a classic love story, full of romance, betrayal, and even death is performed at the CenterStage’s Carpenter Theater.  Saturday evening’s performance was sold out and attended by many couples celebrating Valentine’s Day a little early by experiencing the hauntingly romantic tale of love and devotion.  The Richmond Ballet‘s performances are executed by corps of talented dancers worthy of widespread acclaim not only on a regional scale but a national level as well. Richmond is very fortunate to be home to this talented company!

Bale Folclorio da Bahia brings its explosion of color, music, and dance to the Carpenter Theater at Richmond's CenterStage on Valentine's Day, February 14, 2011

If you can’t make today – on Monday, Valentine’s Day, February 14th Centerstage will welcome Bale Folclorico da Bahia, the only professional folk dance company in Brazil.  The troupe consists of 38 dancers, singers, and musicians and will perform selections from their repertory based on “Bahian” folklore, whose roots are in dances of African origin.  You’ll see the samba, slave dances, dances that celebrate Carnival – and, yes, even capoeira, a form of martial arts.  Show begins at 7:30 PM. Tickets ($25) are available at the CenterStage box office or Ticketmaster.  Discounted tickets are only available at the box office (seniors, military and students).

So, if you forgot to make plans for Valentine’s Day, check with Richmond Ballet to see if you can squeeze in for Giselle’s love story today, or check to see if seating is available for the exciting folk dances of Brazil on Monday.  You’re bound to get a few points for choosing culture for your Valentine!

Studio 2 of the Richmond Ballet is on stage tonight and the Ballet will premiere a new ballet by Colin Connor, his fifth commissioned choreography for the Richmond Ballet.

Here’s a preview from Julie Young of the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Performances are November 4,  5,  6, and 7th, as well as November 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14th.  More Information.  The Richmond Ballet Studio Theatre is located at 407 E. Canal Street, Richmond, Virginia less than one mile from our Richmond bed and breakfast.  Make it a ballet, bed and breakfast special event by making a reservation for one of our guest rooms and buying your tickets now.  This is bound to be a great dance event!

A lovely crisp Fall weekend is in store for central Virginia!  And, along with great weather for walks in the park, strolls down Monument Avenue, there are several happenings on the schedule.

The fun and excitement starts Friday night, October 22 at 7:30 PM in Shockoe Slip! 1708 Gallery is hosting the third annual InLight Richmond, an outdoor art extravaganza.  Until midnight, streets, walls, facades and interiors along Cary Street between 12th and 14th Streets and along 13th Street between Main and Canal will be transformed by 37 light-inspired art installations.  Recently, we were in Paris for their Nuit Blanc, they had fewer light art installations and it required a Metro ride to see them all. A Community Lantern Parade beginning at the James center Atrium will kick off the evening. Many of the restaurants will feature inLight Specials – some even $17.08 dinner specials!  For more information, see 1708 Gallery’s website.

Want some exercise to enjoy this Fall Friday? How about 5K Race for Change, a race benefitting Freedom House soup kitchen and shelters begins at 3 PM at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College-Parham Campus, 1651 E Parham Road.  For information, call (804) 523-5083.

More into Music?  Delight in Richmond premiere of “side by Side” by Michael Colgrass, featuring a single soloist Joanne Kong of the Richmond Symphony on piano and harpsichord, 7:30 PM in Camp Concert Hall at the University of Richmond’s Modlin Center.  The event is Free, but does require a ticket, call (804) 289-8980. If opera is more your style, “Rigoletto” opens the Virginia Opera season at 8 PM at the Carpenter Theatre at Richmond’s CenterStage. Too many conflicts on Friday? It repeats on Sunday. TICKETS.

How about a dance option? The Latin Ballet of Virginia interprets Latin-American rhythms in “Alma Latina” at the Cultural Arts  Center at Glen Allen through Sunday.  For more information call (804) 379-2555 or the Latin Ballet of Virginia’s website.

Saturday is a busy day, too! At Virginia Commonwealth University’s Singleton Center, pianist Charles Rosen with tenor Christoph Genz present an all-Schumann program at 8PM. Singleton Center’s Vlahcevic Hall is located at 922 Park Avenue, just two blocks from our Fan District bed and breakfast! For more information about the program, call (804) 828-6776.

There’s the Powhatan Festival of the Grape with samples from 25 Virginia wineries, food, juried arts and crafts and live entertainment. Opening at 11 AM, event will run until 6 PM at Powhatan Courthouse Square, 3880 Old Buckingham Rd.  Tasting tickets, $25 at the gate, non-tasting $20. This event is in its 8th year! INFO.

The Meadow Highland Games and Celtic Festival includes traditional highland athletic competition, Celtic music and dancing, Celtic food, marketplace, clan exhibitors and more from 9 AM to 6 PM at the Meadow Event Park in Doswell. Info and tickets. This event in its 16th year, features two days of “Music. Food. Large Men Throwing Stuff.”

On Sunday, a Valentine History Center guide will lead a walking tour titled “Canal Boats and Cobblestones’” focusing on the history, architecture and preservation efforts of Shockoe Slip.  Meet the guide at 2PM at 10th and Cary Streets at the James Center Clock Tower. $10, $5 for History Center members. Info.

Some coming attractions:

Thursday, October 28th: “America’s Got Talent” live stage show with season five winner Michael Grimm, Virginia Tech’s Fighting Gravity and other finalists and fan favorites beginning at 7:30 PM at the Landmark Theatre, just three blocks from our downtown inn.  Stay with us and solve your parking problem!

Friday, October 29th: smooth soul concert at the Landmark Theatre at 8 PM.

Thursday, November 4th: American Idol winner Fantasia Barrino kicks off her first tour at 7:30 PM at the Landmark.

Nov 4,5,6,7,10,11,12,13: The Richmond Ballet Studio 2 revives “After Eden” by John Butler, George Balanchine’s classis “Valse Fantasie” and world premiere of a new ballet by Colin Conner at the Richmond Ballet Studio Theatre – not even a mile from Richmond’s premier bed and breakfast. Richmond ballet website.

Friday Nov 5: Veteran pop crooner, Tony Bennett performs at the Carpenter Theatre, Richmond CenterStage for a step back in time.

Planning a getaway to the city? Include a stay at our bed and breakfast for its central location and known for its hearty gourmet breakfast!

The last weekend in March is a weekend full of great activities to enjoy in Richmond Virginia and most are within a mile or two of our historic Fan District bed and breakfast.

The 11th Annual Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k, with its kids’ Fun Run, and Dress-Up and Run contest will take place Saturday March 27.  The run takes participants up and down Monument Avenue, one of America’s most beautiful boulevards. The morning is slated to be cool – perfect running weather and this forecast for sun is the first time for sunny weather since 2007!  As of now, somewhere around 37,000 participants have registered and registration is now closed, but there are plenty of opportunities to cheer the participants on, listen to the bands along the route, check out the Party Stops along the way, and take part in the festival in Monroe Park.

The 2010 Downtown Loft Tour takes place on March 27 between 10 Am and 5 Pm.  Sponsored by Venture Richmond, this is the opportunity to meet the owners, hear their stories,  and tour their spaces. Seeing is believing downtown’s lofty lifestyle.

Friday March 26 hosts the Fourth Friday Art Walk with new exhibits at Art Works, 320 Hull Street, and Reception at Russell Projects at Plant Zero Studio 44.  Of course, “Wicked: The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz” continues until Sunday March 28 at Richmond’s Landmark Theater, ending its 19 day run here in Richmond.  The Richmond Ballet performs the two three-piece programs they will take to New York City’s Joyce Theater in April this Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday and then again on Tuesday March 30 through Thursday April 1.  Lisa Lampanelli, the Queen of Mean, appears Saturday at the Carpenter Theatre at CenterStage.  Thursday, March 25, the Firehouse Theatre Project presents “Epiphany50 – One for the Road” a one man show written and performed by Bill Patton.  On Saturday, March 27, attend the 2010 Fire Ball, food, drink, raffle, auction to support the Firehouse Theatre. Attire is theatrical black-tie, tickets $65 per person.  Assorted live music options are also available at Richmond’s many venues.

Weekends are lively, upbeat, and fun in Richmond Virginia and a bed and breakfast stay is bound to create one-of-a-kind memories.

Less than a mile east of our Richmond lodging in its top floor studio, The Richmond Ballet will give locals the opportunity to enjoy the two three-ballet programs the company will perform at the Joyce Theater  in New York City April 6th through the 11th. The preview runs at 407 East Canal Street, Richmond, Virginia beginning March 23 and extends to March 28th.  Tickets are only $40. Here’s what Zachary Reid, a Richmond Times-Dispatch staff writer, wrote in Sunday’s newspaper.

One mile west of our Fan District bed and breakfast, at the Byrd Theatre, 2908 West Cary Street, the French Film Festival  opens Thursday March 25 and continues through Sunday March 28.  This popular event offers French films presented by their actors and directors at various times.  The films will be shown with English subtitles and click on the link for  the schedule for the festival. Ticket prices are $12 per feature; but a festival pass is only $65 – $115.  Top off a French excursion with dinner or lunch at Richmond’s own French brasserie, Can Can, also in Carytown. Reservations are a must during this francophile attracting event.

Upcoming concerts at the National present Amos Lee (Tuesday), Spoon (Wednesday), Pat McGee Band (Friday), The National Country Showcase (Saturday March 27), Wilco (Monday, March 29), Pretty Lights (Thursday April 1), Tea Leaf Green (Friday April 9), SOJA (Saturday April 10), and Third Eye Blind (Sunday April 11).  The National is located in downtown Richmond at Broad and 7th.  The schedule at the Hat Factory, just off Canalwalk, includes Sister Hazel (Tuesday), EOTO (Saturday March 27), and Uncle Kracker with Rehab (April 6th).  Leon Russell will appear on April 17th.

The Carpenter Theatre at CenterStage has scheduled Lisa Lampanelli, comedy’s Queen of Mean, for Saturday March 27th.

The Virginia Opera has announced its plans for the 2010-11 season.  Performances will include Verdi’s “Rigoletto,” Mozart’s “Cosi Fan Tutte,” Wagner’s “The Valkyrie,” and Puccini’s “Madame Butterfly.”  Subscriptions at this season’s prices are now on sale. Click here for more details. Generally, each opera is offered on Friday evening and then again at a Sunday matinee; both performances will take place in the Carpenter Theater at Richmond’s CcnterStage.

Coming into Richmond for a performance? Pick your room from one of ours at our Richmond inn and stay in the middle of it all!

The Richmond Ballet will perform Romeo and Juliet at Richmond’s newly renovated CenterStage less than one mile from our  Fan District inn.  The widely-acclaimed Richmond Ballet will perform Malcolm Burns’ version of William Shakespeare’s tale of star-crossed lovers, with music by Prokofiev beginning at 7 PM today and continuing through Sunday. Here’s what the Richmond Times-Dispatch had to say..WHAT LIGHT

The Carpenter Theater at Richmond CenterStage, located at 600 E Grace Street is a superb setting for Romeo & Juliet, the romantic tragedy that is the very essence of love, the spirit of Valentine’s Day. Tickets range from $15 to $125, ticket info.  The performance is bound to please and is the perfect reason to plan an in-town getaway.

If ballet is not your cup of tea, you can always make plans to visit the West Grace Street Candlelight Home Tour.  The West Grace Street Association has arranged a tour of six stately homes with food and beverage pairings at each stop between 4 PM and 8 PM on Saturday, February 13. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 day of the tour. Tour Details

All in all, Valentine’s weekend – or any other weekend for that matter – is the perfect time to check into our Richmond Virginia B&B and be in the middle of it all.