Events
RVA MakerFest 10/3
Join more than 100 local Richmond creatives as they offer hands-on demonstrations in art, engineering, science, technology and other disciplines. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Science Museum of Virginia. Free. rvamakerfest.com.
Arts Around the Lake 10/4
During the 36th annual event, about 75 artists display and sell juried artwork around Westhampton Lake on the University of Richmond campus. Proceeds benefit a scholarship fund. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free. 289-8000 or richmond.edu/arts-around-lake/index.html.
State Fair through 10/4
*Note: Due to the threat of severe weather, organizers closed the event Oct. 1 for the remainder of the season.
Catch the demolition derby, concerts and pro rodeo, plus midway rides, animal exhibits and blue ribbon-winning crafts and baked goods. Meadow Event Park in Doswell. Ticket options and event details at 994-2800 or statefairva.org.
“God’s Acre: Why African-American Cemeteries Matter” 10/8
Lynn Rainville of Sweet Briar College’s Tusculum Institute will discuss her research into forgotten African-American cemeteries of Central Virginia. Virginia Historical Society. Noon to 1 p.m. $6. 358-4901 or vahistorical.org.
Sandra Lim Poetry Reading 10/8
The winner of the VCU English Department’s 2015 Levis Reading Prize, Sandra Lim will read from poetry collection The Wilderness. Grace Street Theater. 7 p.m. Free. english.vcu.edu/mfa/levis/.
Rugged Maniac Obstacle Race 10/10
Head to Virginia Motorsports Park in Petersburg and run a three-mile obstacle course featuring towers of shipping containers, a massive water slide, underground tunnels and fire. $100 the day of the event; free for spectators. 9:45 a.m. 862-3174 or virginiamotorsports.com.
Nancy Kerrigan’s Halloween On Ice 10/11
See the two-time Olympic medalist and a cast of well-known skaters in one of the longest-running shows in figure skating. The Richmond Coliseum. 5 p.m. $25 to $85. 780-4970 or richmondcoliseum.net.
Olate Dogs Rescue Tour 10/11
Catch the high-energy, acrobatic canines that won Season 7 of NBC’s America’s Got Talent at The National. 6 p.m. $20 to $25. 612-1900 or thenationalva.com.
James River Writers Conference 10/16-10/18
Things may get a little steamy at the James River Writers Conference, Oct. 16 to 18 in the Greater Richmond Convention Center. A panel on writing erotica will be led by authors (pictured from left) Kristina Wright (Seduce Me Tonight) and Alexis Anne (The Storm Inside). Korean-American young adult novelist Ellen Oh, who initiated the #WNDB (We Need Diverse Books) movement, will lead another talk. In a Pitchapalooza session, writers will have a chance to pitch manuscripts to a panel made up of Arielle Eckstut and David Henry Sterry, co-founders of The Book Doctors, and literary agent Rebecca Podos. Non-member registration is $185 (one day) or $305 (two days) and includes the Library of Virginia Literary Awards Luncheon, featuring an interview with Mitford series author Jan Karon, this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award winner. jamesriverwriters.org. (By Alexa Nash)
Read an interview with Rage Against the Dying author Becky Masterman, one of the JRW conference speakers, here.
Mid-Lothian Mines Day 10/17
This festival at Mid-Lothian Mines Park in Chesterfield County features music, games, coal mining displays and tours of the stone ruins of the mine. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free. 796-7075 or midlomines.org.
They Closed Our Schools 10/22
The Virginia Historical Society will screen a segment of the in-production documentary chronicling Prince Edward County’s resistance to integrating public schools. 6 to 9 p.m. Free. 358-4901 or vahistorical.org.
Craftsmen’s Classic Art & Craft Festival 10/30-11/1
Hundreds of artists and crafters will showcase items to fit every style, taste and budget. Richmond Raceway Complex. $8 adults, $1 children, free parking. gilmoreshows.com.
Enough to Live On: The Arts of the WPA 10/30
The Michael Maglaras documentary highlights the 1935 Federal Art Project that fostered jobs for thousands of creatives. Maglaras will introduce and discuss the film. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. 6:30 to 9 p.m. $8. 340-1400 or vmfa.museum.
Music
Audra McDonald 10/1
The multiple Tony- and Grammy-award winner will perform show tunes and original pieces at the Carpenter Theatre. 7:30 p.m. $52 to $62. 592-3400 or richmondcenterstage.com.
SOJA 10/1
The Grammy-nominated group brings its blend of reggae, go-go, D.C. hardcore, Latin, rock and hip-hop to Innsbrook After Hours. 6 p.m. $15 to $79. innsbrookafterhours.com.
Lucinda Williams 10/4
The soulful, Grammy-winning singer-songwriter performs at The National. 7:30 p.m. $28. 612-1900 or thenationalva.com.
Dan + Shay 10/10
The rising country music duo stop at The National during their “Just the Right Kind of Crazy Tour.” 7:30 p.m. $25. 612-1900 or thenationalva.com.
Gladys Knight 10/10
The legendary pop, gospel and R&B singer pairs with R&B favorites The O’Jays at the Altria Theater. 7 p.m. $77.50 to $117.50 (800) 514-3849 or altriatheater.com.
The Hot Club of Cowtown 10/17
On the heels of their seventh studio album release, Rendezvous in Rhythm, this Western swing trio will be at the Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen . 7 p.m. $32. 261-2787 or artsglenallen.com.
Nielsen’s Fourth Symphony 10/17
Join the Richmond Symphony Orchestra for a performance of Danish composer Carl Nielsen’s Symphony No. 4, Opus 29 “The Inextinguishable.” Carpenter Theatre. 8 p.m. $10 to $78. 592-3400 or richmondcenterstage.com.
Kim Richey 10/21
The two-time Grammy nominated country artist takes the stage at The Tin Pan. 8 p.m. $23. 447-8189 or tinpanrva.com.
Gangstagrass 10/22
Described as “a dirty fightin’, gator wrestlin’, foot stompin’ bluegrass-hip-hop project,” Gangstagrass created the theme song to the FX series Justified. The Broadberry. 9 p.m. $10. 353-1888 or the broadberry.com.
Regina Carter 10/24
The jazz violinist performs songs from her critically acclaimed album Southern Comfort. University of Richmond’s Camp Concert Hall. 7:30 p.m. $40. 289-8980 or modlin.richmond.edu.
Exhibitions
“Peter Max: A Retrospective” 10/2-11
The artist returns to Chasen Galleries after two years to share his unmistakable graphic artwork. The show includes newer pieces with looser styles, different brushwork and more variety, gallery director Jeff Timlin says. Max will be at the gallery for receptions on Oct. 10 and 11 (RSVP required). 204-1048 or chasengalleries.com.
Ben Greenberg 10/8-11/2
The Virginia native partners with The Nature Conservancy to showcase a collection of landscapes captured through photography. Sara D. November Art Gallery, Weinstein JCC. 285-6500 or weinsteinjcc.org.
“Dressing Downton” 10/18-1/10/2016
The Virginia Historical Society’s first special exhibition inside the new Virginia Sargeant Reynolds Gallery features nearly 40 costumes from the PBS period drama Downton Abbey. $20. 358-4901 or vahistorical.org.
“Hoss Haley: Yield” through 10/31
North Carolina-based sculptor Hoss Haley’s work at the Visual Arts Center of Richmond includes art developed from a machine that utilizes a stylus unknowingly triggered by onlookers. 353-0094 or visarts.org.
“Old School, New Rules Celebrate Diversity” through 11/21
The inaugural show at Diversity Richmond’s new Iridian Gallery contains art in a variety of mediums that symbolize both the talent of Richmond creatives as well as the LGBT community. 622-4646, ext. 205, or diversityrichmond.org.
Stage
“Page to Stage” Dance Series 10/1-4
Produced by the Starr Foster Dance Project, the series interprets eight works of fiction into dance performances. Grace Street Theater. 8 p.m. (Oct. 1-3); 2 p.m. (Oct. 4). $20. 828-2020 or showclix.com.
Suit Cases 10/2
Produced by the Chesterfield County Domestic and Sexual Violence Resource Center, these monologues depict mature renderings of domestic and sexual violence and survival. Destination Theatre in Hopewell. 5 to 6:30 p.m. $10. 318-8283 or chesterfield.gov/DSVRC/.
Buyer & Cellar 10/7-31
Inspired by Barbra Streisand’s book My Passion for Design, the play follows the story of Alex More as he takes a job working in the Malibu basement of a famous actress. Richmond Triangle Players. $28 to $30. 346-8113 or rtriangle.org.
American Buffalo 10/8-11/1
Directed by Daniel Moore, the David Mamet play follows three would-be burglars as they plan a heist to gain fast cash. TheatreLab’s The Basement. $30. 340-0115 or quilltheatre.org.
Orpheus in the Underworld 10/9, 10/11
In Jacques Offenbach’s parody, an unhappy married couple become victims of meddling Olympian gods. Virginia Opera, Carpenter Theatre at Richmond CenterStage. 8 p.m., 2:30 p.m. 592-3400 or richmondcenterstage.com.
Craig Ferguson 10/17
The former host of CBS’ The Late Late Show stops in at the Altria Theater. 7:30 p.m. $32 to $65. (800) 514-3849 or altriatheater.com.
The Blues Project 10/22
Dorrance Dance, with musical collaboration from Toshi Reagon and BIGLovely, will bring a tap dance experience to the Carpenter Theatre. 7:30 p.m. $38. 592-3400 or richmondcenterstage.com.
A Second Helping through 10/24
Swift Creek Mill Theatre opens its 50th season with this comedic sequel to The Church Basement Ladies. $38 ($55 buffet and theater). 748-5203 or swiftcreekmill.com.
The Fabulous Lipitones through 10/25
This comedy about a barbershop quartet whose recently deceased lead singer is replaced by a Sikh is a regional premiere of a work by John Markus and Mark St. Germain. $40. 282-2620 or va-rep.org.
The Rocky Horror Show 10/30-11/15
The cult classic is performed at VCU’s W.E. Singleton Performing Arts Center, with Halloween performances at 7:30 p.m. and midnight. $25. 828-6026 or vcutheatre.showclix.com.
