EVENTS
RVA Fireworks on the James 7/3
The largest fireworks show in the area will feature food vendors and music simulcast on WRIR-FM 97.3. Brown’s Island. Grounds open at 6 p.m. and fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m. Free. 788-6466 or venturerichmond.com.
Independence Day Celebration and Superblast 7/4
Watch as the Richmond Flying Squirrels take on the Akron RubberDucks, and stay for a post-game fireworks show. The event usually sells out, so there’s a second chance to catch a game and fireworks on July 5. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. $9 and up. 359-3866 or squirrelsbaseball.com.
37th Annual Hanover Tomato Festival 7/11
Looking for a family-friendly scene? Celebrate the versatility of summer's juiciest fruit at the with live music, roughly 200 vendors, savory dishes featuring the Hanover Tomato, and a long list of activities, including the crowning of Little Miss Tomato and Tiny Miss Tomato. Catch this free event at Pole Green Park from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Science of Cycling 7/15
Craig Dodson of Richmond Cycling Corps will talk about how bicycles changed the direction of his life and the science behind the unique, yet simple machine. Noon to 1 p.m. at the Science Museum of Virginia. Free. 864-1400 or smv.org.
Capital Ale House National Beer Expo 7/16 - 7/18
At the Capital Ale House National Beer Expo, you’ll not only taste more than 200 of today's finest craft beers — you’ll shake the hands that brewed them. Sit in on seminars such as the “Brewers of Virginia” or the “The Rise of Sour Beer” to refine your palate, then guzzle down unlimited tacos and beer at Friday’s Taco Throwdown. And don’t miss the main event: the Walk-Around Grand Tasting, where VIP ticket holders now get additional access to rare and vintage brews. Event venues and schedules vary, so check nationalbeerexpo.com for details and ticket info.
100th Anniversary of Hull Street Station 7/18
Opened in July 1915 and active until 1957, Hull Street Station was used by Southern Railway passengers to shorten their commutes from Chesterfield County to Richmond. Triple Crossing Jazz Project and Markiss Blowfish will perform, and historical interpreters will be on hand. Richmond Railroad Museum. 1 p.m. Free. 231-4324 or odcnrhs.org.
Canning & Preserving class at Lavender Fields Herb Farm 7/25
Utilize those leftover Mason jars from your DIY/Pinterest phase by signing up for the Canning & Preserving class at Lavender Fields Herb Farm, where you’ll learn the techniques of canning, freezing and drying kitchen herbs in a hands-on class at 10:30 a.m. Purchase your $50 ticket online in advance at lavenderfieldsfarm.com. Busy that morning? There’s a second class scheduled for Aug. 1.
48 Hour Film Project 7/25-8/2
Filmmakers from around the Richmond region will compete to see who can create the best short film from July 17 to 19. Premiere screenings and a “best-of” screening take place at The Byrd Theatre on July 25-26 and Aug. 2. 48hourfilm.com.
MUSIC
Buddy Guy 7/1
Legendary blues and rock musician, Buddy Guy, performs at Innsbrook After Hours. 6 p.m. $15 to $99. 423-1779 or innsbrookafterhours.com.
Latin Jazz & Salsa Festival 7/11
Join host Luis “Sweet Lou” Hidalgo from The Latin Jazz Show & Salsa Show on WCLM-1450 AM and check out salsa artist Carlos Mojica, jazz musician David Gonzalez and singer Wito Rodriguez at the Dogwood Dell. 4 p.m. Free. 646-3355 or richmondgov.com/parks.
Stephen Stills 7/15
Best known as a member of Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, the two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Famer plays at Richmond CenterStage, 7:30 p.m. $37 to $77. 592-3400 or richmondcenterstage.com.
The Barefoot Movement 7/17
The Nashville-based bluegrass group takes the stage at the Tin Pan. 8 p.m. $15. 447-8189 or tinpanrva.com.
Richmond Summer Reggae Jam 7/18
Hear the signature harmonies of Jamaican vocal group The Itals as they headline this reggae festival at The Broadberry. 8:15 p.m. $15. 353-1888 or thebroadberry.com.
American Idol Live! 7/21
Richmond native Rayvon Owen is among the top five American Idol performers from Season 14 who will take the stage at the Carpenter Theatre. 7:30 p.m. $49 and $59. 592-3400 or richmondcenterstage.com.
EXHIBITIONS
“Radius 250” through 7/19
Artspace gallery’s biennial exhibition invites artists within 250 miles of Richmond to submit their work across the varied disciplines — from ceramics to multimedia, textiles and paintings. 232-6464 or artspacegallery.org.
Group Show at Art Works through 7/19
Carol Anne McErlean showcases mixed media artwork, Robert Pfeifer displays photography and Cathy Magill, M.W. Maynard and Ray Stinnette offer renditions on distraction. 291-1400 or artworksrichmond.com.
“10 x 10: Richmond Takes the Gallery” through 8/9
Ten artists and community organizations will occupy 1708 Gallery for one week each over a period of 10 weeks. 643-1708 or 1708gallery.org.
“New Faces II” through 8/30
Presented by 1708 Gallery, the exhibition is the second installment in which works by young Richmond artists are featured. 643-1708 or 1708gallery.org.
“Nikolai Sergeyev (1908–1989)” through 8/31
Paintings by one of Russia’s most revered masters of 20th-century realism, Nikolai Sergeyev, are on display at Lazare Gallery in Charles City as part of its Masterworks Series. By appointment. 829-5001 or lazaregallery.com.
“A Passion for Nature at Maymont” through 9/8
This exhibition features nature-inspired decorative and fine arts — from Art Nouveau lilies and dragonflies to realistic sculptures of lions and owls — pulled from James and Sallie Dooley’s collection, with additional items on loan. Maymont Mansion. $5 suggested donation. 358-7166 or maymont.org.
“Bikes: Science on Two Wheels,” through 9/27
Visitors can see the evolution of the bicycle, from the historic penny-farthing (with a huge front wheel) to modern sporting bikes. Included with general admission of $11. 864-1400 or smv.org.
“Japanese Tattoo: Perseverance, Art, and Tradition” through 9/27
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts’ photography exhibition features work by seven renowned tattoo artists. 340-1400 or vmfa.museum.
“Butterflies Live!” through 10/11
Hundreds of tropical butterflies feed, flutter and take flight in the north wing of Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden’s Conservatory. Included with regular garden admission of $12. 262-9887 or lewisginter.org.
“Beard Wars” through 11/30
Visit the Valentine to view portraits photographed by Richmond’s own Terry Brown. Inspired by images of Civil War generals in the Valentine’s collection, the pictures feature members of the RVA Beard League. 649-0711 or thevalentine.org.
“Auschwitz/Oświęcim” through 12/30
More than 2,000 square feet of exhibit space illustrates how three large camps of the Auschwitz complex embraced the entire range of Nazi policies and atrocities. Virginia Holocaust Museum. 257-5400 or va-holocaust.com.
“Classical Allure: Richmond Style” through 1/31/2016
The exhibition explores themes related to the four Roman goddesses that adorn the Virginia state seal, featuring items from the Valentine’s 40,000-piece costume and textile collection. 649-0711 or thevalentine.org.
“RIDE: Public Transit in Richmond Since 1888” ongoing
The new Transit Museum presents a historical transit exhibit curated by University of Richmond students. GRTC Transit System Headquarters. Free 358-3871, ext. 354, or ridegrtc.com.
Virginia Voices (ongoing)
A documentary incorporating crowd-sourced footage and featuring stories and perspectives from people all across the state will begin daily screenings at the Virginia Historical Society this month. Free. 358-4901 or vahistorical.org.
STAGE
Carrie the Musical 7/9-8/8
In this Off-Broadway adaptation of the Stephen King novel, 5th Wall Theatre brings actress Brittany D. Simmons back to town for the title role and casts Broadway leading lady Andrea Rivette as her mother. RVA Event Space. $32. 5thwalltheatre.org.
Bill Maher 7/10
The political comedian and host of HBO’s Real Time will be at the Carpenter Theatre. 7:30 p.m. $46 to $75. (800) 514-3849 or richmondcenterstage.com.
Goodnight Moon 7/10-8/2
The classic bedtime story comes to life as part of Virginia Rep’s Children’s Theatre at Willow Lawn. $16. 282-2620 or va-rep.org.
The Boy in the Bathroom 7/16-31
The Michael Lluberes play at Firehouse Theatre follows David, who has OCD and has not left the bathroom for a year as he tries to write his thesis. $15 to $35. 355-2001 or firehousetheatre.org.
Last of the Red Hot Lovers 7/17-8/30
In Neil Simon’s play, middle-aged and married Barney Cashman is determined to join the sexual revolution while he still can. Hanover Tavern. $38. 282-2620 or va-rep.org.
Psycho Beach Party 7/22-8/15
Described as Gidget crossed with The Three Faces of Eve and Mommie Dearest, the play takes place in 1962 at Malibu Beach, where a perky teenager contends with split personalities. Richmond Triangle Players. $28 to $30. 346-8113 or rtriangle.org.
Man of La Mancha 7/24-26, 8/1
Dogwood Dell Festival of the Arts’ summer musical is based on Miguel de Cervantes’ classic novel Don Quixote. 8:30 p.m. Free. 646-1437 or richmondgov.com/parks/programming dogwooddell.aspx.
South Pacific through 8/9
The Rogers & Hammerstein musical is set during World War II as an American nurse falls in love with a French plantation owner. Virginia Rep’s Sara Belle and Neil November Theatre. $36 to $60. 282-2620 or va-rep.org.