Below are just a few of the arts and culture venues and festivals that Richmonders enjoy. To learn more about weekly events, visit:

• The Richmond Times-Dispatch's Weekender Section published every Thursday and accessible online. www.timesdispatch.com
• Richmond.com - www.richmond.com
• STYLE Weekly - www.styleweekly.com
• The Weekly Rant - www.weeklyrant.com

Arts around the Lake at the University of Richmond

• http://oncampus.richmond.edu/alumni/grac/ArtsAroundtheLake.html
• Held annually in September this event showcases some of Richmond's top artists through displays set up around Westhampton Lake at the University of Richmond.

Arts in the Parks

• www.richmondartsinthepark.com
• Shop for fine and original work produced by top-quality artists and crafts people from all over the country at this classic Richmond event held each May at the Carillon in Byrd Park.

The Barksdale Theatre

• http://barksdalerichmond.org
• This professional not-for-profit theatre company presents area, regional, and world premieres of diverse and contemporary plays, along with some classics.
• Performances held at The Shops at Willow Lawn and occasionally at the historic Hanover Tavern frequented by Patrick Henry, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.

Broadway under the Stars

• Offering Broadway's hottest shows, including Tony Award-winning musicals at the Landmark Theatre.
• Season tickets are available. Call 804-780-0200 for more information.

Dogwood Dell

• www.ci.richmond.va.us/departments/parks/dogwood.aspx
• Catch a free musical or concert during the summer at this 2,400-seat amphitheatre owned and operated by the Department of Parks, Recreation & Community Facilities and located in Byrd Park.
• Its annual July 4th concert and fireworks are a favorite for thousands of Richmonders.

Groovin' in the Garden

• www.lewisginter.org
• This concert series runs Thursdays from May to September at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden.

Landmark Theatre

• www.richmondgov.com/departments/parks/landmark.aspx
• Built in 1926 by Shriners as their Acca Temple Shrine, Richmond's Landmark Theater is one of Richmond's most well-known and unusual buildings. Many of America's greatest entertainers have appeared on stage beneath its towering minarets and desert murals.

National Folk Festival

• www.nationalfolkfestival.com
• Held in Richmond for the first time in 2005, this annual event will be held here each fall until 2007.
• It offers diverse music, food, dance and crafts.

Richmond Ballet

• www.richmondballet.com
• In 1984, Richmond Ballet became the first professional ballet company in the Commonwealth and was designated "The State Ballet of Virginia."
• In 2000, Richmond Ballet moved into a newly renovated state-of-the-art facility at 407 East Canal Street in the heart of downtown Richmond.
• Today the Ballet reaches more than 100,000 people annually in communities throughout Virginia and beyond with a professional repertory that includes 47 original works, educational and outreach programs, and a thriving school that serves more than 700 students.

The Richmond Forum

• http://www.richmondforum.org/
• The Richmond Forum brings internationally known speakers, including scholars, scientists, public officials and journalists to our city each year.
• More than 18,000 people participate in the five annual programs, recognized as "the premier public forum in the United States" according to program officials.

The Richmond Symphony

• www.richmondsymphony.com
• Central Virginia's premier performance orchestra performing year-round.
• Season tickets are available.

Theatre IV

• www.theatreivrichmond.org
• Offers extraordinary theatrical productions including original musical adaptations of classic children's stories.
• Located at 114 West Broad Street in the historic Empire Theatre.

The Virginia Opera

• www.vaopera.org
• The Commonwealth is home to one of America's finest and largest opera companies in the nation.
• The Virginia Opera performs in Richmond at the Historic Landmark Theater, in Norfolk at the Edythe C. and Stanley L. Harrison Opera House, and in Fairfax at George Mason University's Center for the Arts.

Richmond's museums cover a wide span of historical, cultural and artistic topics. From the Virginia Museum of Fine Art's impressive collection of Faberge eggs, to the beautiful halls of the Virginia Historical Society, you'll find much to enjoy in the city's collections.

Beth Ahabah Museum & Archives

• www.bethahabah.org/bama
• The Beth Ahabah Museum & Archives collects, preserves and interprets the history and culture of Richmond's Jewish community.

The Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia

• www.blackhistorymuseum.org
• The Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia was founded in 1981 and presently resides at 00 Clay Street, in the historic Jackson Ward district of Richmond.
• Under the leadership of Maggie L. Walker, the country's first female and black bank president, the Council of Colored Women purchased the house in 1922.

Children's Museum of Richmond

• www.c-mor.org
• Experience one of the East Coast's most exciting, innovative children's museums. It's a museum where you can touch everything!
• Children can chase butterflies with Shadow Play, tinker in an inventor's lab, be a star at the CMOR Playhouse, build sand castles in the backyard and more.

The John Marshall House

• www.apva.org/marshall/
• John Marshall built his Richmond home in 1790, 11 years before he became the fourth Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
• The Federal style brick house is one of the last remaining structures of the neighborhood that existed in what is now downtown Richmond.

Museum of the Confederacy

• www.moc.org
• The museum is the leading center for the study of the Confederacy in the American Civil War.
• A private non-profit educational and preservation organization, the museum is home to the world's largest collection of artifacts, manuscripts and images associated with domestic, military and political life during the Confederacy.

The Poe Museum

• www.poemuseum.org
• The Poe Museum provides a retreat into early 19th century Richmond where Edgar Allan Poe lived and worked. The museum features Poe's life and career by documenting his accomplishments with pictures, relics, and verse, and focusing on his many years in Richmond.

Science Museum of Virginia

• www.smv.org
• Touch, observe and explore fun and interesting aspects of science.
• Watch the Foucault pendulum as it demonstrates how the Earth's rotates.
• See a film in Ethyl Corporation IMAX®DOME & Planetarium.

The Valentine Richmond History Center

• www.richmondhistorycenter.com
• The mission of the Richmond History Center is to engage, educate, and challenge a diverse audience by collecting, preserving, and interpreting Richmond's history.

Virginia Historical Society

• www.vahistorical.org
• Founded in 1831, it collects, preserves, and interprets Virginia's past for the education and enjoyment of all.
• The neoclassical structure that houses the library and headquarters of the Virginia Historical Society was built in five stages over a period of years from 1912 to 1992.
• Virginia House was completed a few months before the stock market crash of 1929. Alexander and Virginia Weddell's home, situated on a hillside overlooking the historic James River in Richmond, was constructed from the materials of a sixteenth-century English manor house.

Virginia Holocaust Museum

• www.va-holocaust.com
• A visit to the Virginia Holocaust Museum transports guests back in time to experience actual Holocaust events through the eyes of those who experienced it.
• At the museum, guests can walk through a ghetto and concentration camp, board the "St. Louis" ship and take a ride in a cattle car. Guests can crawl through a replica of an actual hiding place where 13 people hid during World War II for nine months.

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

• www.vmfa.state.va.us
• Offers a world-class art collection spanning 6,000 years, including French Impressionism, Post-Impressionism and others.
• Hosts one of the world's leading collections of the art of India, Nepal and Tibet.
• Houses the largest collection of Faberge objects outside of Russia.

If you like to get out and see a game or a race from time to time, you've come to the right place! Below are a few of Richmond's sports offerings.

Colonial Downs

• www.colonialdowns.com
• Virginia's premier race track for thoroughbred and harness racing, the track is conveniently located off I-64 East, about a 30-minute drive from the heart of Richmond.
• The racing season runs from early spring through mid fall.

Richmond Bandits

• Richmond's own arena football team, the Bandits are affiliated with the American Indoor Football League and play their home games in the "Hideout" — Richmond Coliseum.
• The season runs from February through June each year.

Richmond International Raceway

• www.rir.com
• The NEXTEL Cup Series and the Busch Series call Richmond International Raceway home with races in May and September. Buy your tickets early as these events typically sell out fast.
• Open-wheel Indy style racing comes to Richmond International Raceway with the IndyCar Series each June.

Richmond Kickers Games

• www.richmondkickers.com
• Richmond's own professional soccer team is a part of the United Soccer Leagues and plays their home games at the University of Richmond Stadium or Sports Backer Stadium.

Richmond RiverDogs

• www.riverdogshockey.com
• This professional minor league ice hockey team plays its home games at the Richmond Coliseum.
• Season tickets are available.

Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10K

• www.sportsbackers.org/10kraceinfo.htm
• This 6.2 mile has become one of the largest 10K's in the country. It is held annually in April along one of America's most famous and beautiful streets.

University of Richmond

• www.richmond.edu
• Ongoing for more than 100 years, it's one of the oldest football rivalries in the country — the University of Richmond Spiders yearly takes on the Tribe of William & Mary.
• Football is a Saturday feature at U of R in the fall. The school also boasts a basketball team, as well as a myriad of other competitive sports.

Virginia Commonwealth University

• www.vcu.edu
• Both the men's and women's basketball teams have made the NCAA playoffs in the past and are very competitive in their play.

Virginia Union University

• www.vuu.edu
• Home basketball games are played at the Arthur Ashe Center and on occasion at the Richmond Coliseum. Football is another popular pastime at Virginia Union. The Panthers play their local games on campus at Hovey Field.

The Richmond region has more shopping centers per capita than any other city.. Richmond is home to six major shopping malls and many unique shopping neighborhoods.

Carytown

• www.carytown.org
• Though it's only one street long, you'll be surprised at the variety of shops, boutiques, restaurants, and food stores in this nine-block shopping area, extending from the Powhite Parkway to the Boulevard.
• More than 25 places to eat - casual bars, sidewalk cafes and formal dining.
• Annual Carytown Watermelon Festival in August and other great events.
• The area's own national historic movie palace, the Byrd Theatre.

Chesterfield Towne Center

• www.chesterfieldcenter.com
• This popular south-of-the-James-River mall features 140 shops, services and restaurants.
• Stores include Barnes & Noble, Sears, Dillard's, Hecht's, Aeropostale, Ann Taylor Loft.

Regency Square

• www.shopregencysqmall.com
• Located in Richmond's West End, Regency Square has a variety of shopping experiences.
• Stores include Hecht's, JCPenney, Abercrombie & Fitch, American Eagle Outfitters, Ann Taylor, Crabtree and Evelyn and Williams-Sonoma.

Shops at Willow Lawn

• www.willowlawn.com
• Highlights of this popular mall include its central location, longstanding reputation and its more than 60 diverse shops.
• Home to the Barksdale Theatre, a professional not-for-profit theater that offers contemporary and classic plays.
• Stores include Old Navy, Ben Franklin Crafts & Frames, Bombay Company, and Tower Books and Records.

Short Pump Town Center

• www.shortpumpmall.com
• This West End mall offers an open-air shopping atmosphere, featuring 120 premier shops and restaurants.
• Stores include Dick's Sporting Goods, Nordstrom, Apple Computer, bebe, Crate & Barrel, Guess, Pottery Barn, and Williams-Sonoma.

Stony Point Fashion Park

• www.shopstonypoint.com
• This open-air shopping center consists of more than 90 specialty stores and restaurants. Many of the stores are pet-friendly, allowing shoppers to bring their pets as they browse — indicated by a sticker on the outside of the store.
• Stores include Saks Fifth Avenue, Galyan's, Dillard's, Anthropologie, Gap, Louis Vuitton, Restoration Hardware, The Sharper Image, and United Colors of Benetton.

Virginia Center Commons

• www.simon.com
• In Glen Allen, Va., Virginia Center Commons offers Macy's, Dillard's, JCPenney, Sears and over 100 specialty stores.

Belle Island

• A hospital for prisoners and an iron factory during the Civil War, this island adjacent to downtown Richmond on the James River is the perfect place for a walk or hike.
• It offers exceptional views of the city from a pedestrian footbridge directly under the Lee Bridge.
• Belle Island is part of the James River Park System and readers of Blue Ridge Outdoors magazine named it the "Best Urban Park" in 2005.

Carytown Watermelon Festival

• www.carytown.org
• Held each August, this fun family festival is in a funky and eclectic shopping area of 250 stores along a nine-block area that extend from the Powhite Parkway to the Boulevard.

Easter on Parade

• www.citycelebrations.org/easter
• This street festival on historic Monument Avenue is one of Richmond's favorite spring celebrations.
• Held annually on Easter Sunday, this event brings out nearly 25,000 people to celebrate Easter with live music, entertainers, food and fun.

James Center Grand Illumination

• Held in early December at the James Center in downtown Richmond at 10th & Cary Streets, you will not want to miss the holiday event.
• The holiday lights are on display through the end of December.

July 4th at Dogwood Dell

• www.ci.richmond.va.us/departments/parks/dogwood.aspx
• Feeling patriotic? Mark your calendar and pack your picnic basket for fireworks and music at Dogwood Dell in Byrd Park.

Kings Dominion

• www.KingsDominion.com
• Located about 20 minutes north of Richmond, this park is one of Richmond's biggest attractions.
• It brings Hollywood entertainment to the mid-Atlantic with one of the largest coaster collections on the East Coast.
• Two children's areas and WaterWorks, a 19-acre water park, make this a family favorite.

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

• www.lewisginter.org
• Offers more than 40 acres of beautiful gardens and the mid-Atlantic's only classically styled conservatory.
• Grab a gourmet lunch at the onsite Garden Café or Tea House.

Maymont

• www.maymont.org
• Take a picnic, take the kids and take the camera.
• This city park operated by the Maymont Foundation offers a petting farm and zoo, acres of rolling hills and lush grounds and beautiful gardens.

Metro Richmond Zoo

• www.metrorichmondzoo.com
• Monkeys, zebras, giraffes, lions, tigers, rhinos, and camels are just some of the more than 600 animals residing here in spacious, naturalistic exhibits.
• Don't forget to buy some giraffe food — they'll eat right out of your hand.

Ukrop's Retail Merchants Christmas Parade

• www.richmondchristmasparade.org
• This 90-minute parade is held on the first Saturday of each December along West Broad Street.

Good viewing spots are available in front of the Division of Motor Vehicles building and at the Virginia Commonwealth University parking deck at the Siegel Center.