Roundup of arts and entertainment events happening in Fredericksburg and surrounding areas.
18 thursday
“They’re Playing Our Song,” Riverside Center for the Performing Arts, 95 Riverside Parkway. 7:30 p.m. Dinner served at 5:30 p.m. $55–$82 plus processing fee. Through May 12. 540/370-4300; riversidedt.com.
“Twelfth Night” by William Shakespeare, UMW Theatre, Klein Theatre, 1301 College Ave. Runs Thursdays–Sundays. $23–$28. 540/654-1111; fredtix.com.
Film: “Strawberry Blonde,” Library of Congress Packard Theater, 19053 Mt. Pony Road, Culpeper. Warner Bros, 1941. 7:30 p.m. Free. 540/827-1079, ext. 79994; loc.gov/programs/audio-visual-conservation.
Key of G Live, Culpeper County High School, 14240 Achievement Drive, Culpeper. Garth Brooks tribute. 7:30 p.m. $25 adult, $5 student. stagealive.org.
People are also reading…
19 friday
Aubrey Rodgers High School Choir & Orchestra Performance, National Museum of the Marine Corps, 1775 Semper Fidelis Way, Triangle. 9:30-10:30 a.m. Free. 877/653-1775; usmcmuseum.com.
Soundwaves Chorale: “All Things Can Sing,” Colonial Beach Baptist Church, 10 Garfield Ave., Colonial Beach. 6 p.m. Tickets available online. studioswanson.com/soundwaves.
“They’re Playing Our Song,” Riverside Center for the Performing Arts. See April 18 listing.
“Twelfth Night,” UMW Theatre. See April 18 listing.
Film: “Somewhere In Time,” Library of Congress Packard Theater. Universal, 1981. See April 18 listing.
20 saturday
“Trash to Art” Earth Day event, Caledon State Park. Collect beach litter and create sculptures at the park pavilion with prizes awarded. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Transportation provided to and from the Potomac River beach. Trash bags and safety gloves provided. Bring a bag lunch. Register by calling 540/663-3861 or email Caledon@dcr.virginia.gov. Provide name, phone number, email and number in party.
Earth Day Festival on the Rappahannock, Old Mill Park. Local vendors, live music, food trucks, interactive and educational EcoTalks, scavenger hunt, sensory tent and more. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. Presented by City of Fredericksburg Parks, Recreation & Events Department. 540/372-1086; earthdayfred.com.
Historic Garden Week: Orange County. Tour inspired private landscapes, public gardens and historic sites across Virginia April 20–27. Advance tickets for individual tours are discounted until the day of tour. vagardenweek.org.
Tavern Wine Fest, Heathsville Farmers Market at Rice’s Hotel / Hughlett’s Tavern, 73 Monument Place, Heathsville. Wineries include Triple V Farms Vineyard, General’s Ridge Vineyard, Mattaponi Winery, Zoll Vineyards, and Estate at White Hall Vineyard. 11 a.m to 4 p.m. Tickets will be sold at the gate for $12, which includes a free etched wine glass for tastings. Other events: Heathsville Farmers Market and Crafts Fair, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and Earth Day celebration, featuring a number of environmental-related organizations. 804/580-3377; RHHTFoundationinc.org.
Rappahannock Area YMCA: Healthy Kids Day, celebration at four locations from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. For more information, register for a color run, or volunteer opportunities, visit family-ymca.org. At Massad Family: Meet and greet with Mrs. Virginia, Kelly Dierberger, who will share her health and wellness journey and kick off the color run (registration required). Other activities: information booths, live demos of Family Bootcamp, tennis demos and drills, obstacle course bounce house and bounce house just for “littles,” activity/craft stations. Free admission.
Hands On History Day, Stratford Hall, 83 Great House Rd, Stratford. Explore the historic area while participating in special activities provided by education and interpretive staff. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. $15, $9 for ages 6-18, free for ages 5 and under; free for Friends of Stratford Members. stratfordhall.org.
Classical Ballet of Fredericksburg: “Peter and the Wolf” and “Awakening of Flora,” James Monroe High School, 2300 Washington Ave. 7 p.m. $23 at the door. balletfredericksburg.com.
Blue Ridge Chorale of Culpeper: “An Evening in Song,” Chancellor High School, 6300 Harrison Road. Joint community choir concert featuring the Blue Ridge Chorale of Culpeper, the Orange Community Chorus, the Rappahannock Choral Society and The Spotsylvanians Chorus. 5 p.m. Free; donations appreciated. brcsings.com.
Ronnie Williams and The Carter Family Sound, Shady Grove United Methodist Church, 11007 W. Catharpin Road, Spotsylvania. Other performers: Richard and Ramona Morris and Randy Sheads. 6 p.m. Admission is free; an offering will be taken. Food and other refreshments will be available after the show.
Westridge Elementary School Choir Performance, National Museum of the Marine Corps. 2-3 p.m. See April 19 listing.
Soundwaves Chorale: “All Things Can Sing,” Colonial Beach Baptist Church. 6 p.m. See April 19 listing.
“They’re Playing Our Song,” Riverside Center for the Performing Arts. See April 18 listing.
“Twelfth Night,” UMW Theatre. See April 18 listing.
CANCELED: Spring Fling with the Capital Wing, scheduled for April 20-21, has been canceled due to the forecast. capitalwingcaf.org.
21 sunday
The Portand Guitar Duo, St. George’s Episcopal Church, 905 Princess Anne St. Classical guitar. 3 p.m. Free; donations accepted at the door. stgeorgesepiscopal.net/music/concerts/chamber-music-series.
Soundwaves Chorale: “All Things Can Sing,” Colonial Beach Baptist Church. 2 p.m. See April 19 listing.
“They’re Playing Our Song,” Riverside Center for the Performing Arts. 3 p.m. Lunch served at 1 p.m. See April 18 listing.
“Twelfth Night,” UMW Theatre. See April 18 listing.
23 tuesday
Historic Garden Week: Fredericksburg. See April 20 listing.
24 wednesday
Historic Garden Week: Northern Neck. See April 20 listing.
“They’re Playing Our Song,” Riverside Center for the Performing Arts. 1:30 p.m. Lunch served at 11:30 a.m. See April 18 listing.
25 thursday
Central Bucks High School Band, Choir, & Orchestra Performance, National Museum of the Marine Corps. 2:30-3:30 p.m. See April 19 listing.
“They’re Playing Our Song,” Riverside Center for the Performing Arts. See April 18 listing.
“Twelfth Night,” UMW Theatre. See April 18 listing.
Film: “Annie Hall,” 7:30 p.m. MGM, 1977. See April 18 listing.
Local roundup
Days and hours of operation may vary.
art
810 Weekend Gallery: New works by Beverley Coates (watercolors), Robyn Ryan (acrylics) and Lynn Abbott (acrylics and oils). 540/371-4099.
ARTFactory: “Pathways & Precipices: An Artist’s Return to Awe and Wonder,” works by Robyn Ryan, March 21–April 28. Artist demonstration April 20, 2-4 p.m. virginiaartfactory.org.
Art First Gallery: “Skies the Limit,” works by Joel Simpson, April 4-28. Acrylic, assemblage, collage, drawing, oil, photography, printmaking, textiles, three-dimensional objects such as jewelry and sculpture, and watercolor. artfirstgallery.com, pamhicksart.com.
Artful Dimensions Gallery: “April Showers make Beautiful Painted Flowers,” painting on silk creations by Janey Harrington, through April 28. artfuldimensionsgallery.com.
Artists’ Alliance at Jarrett Thor Fine Arts: 100 Taylor St. “All Things Spring,” plus jewelry, sculpture, photography, potter and paintings. Spring art workshops available; $75, supplies included for all classes. artgallerycolonialbeach.com.
Beach Paws Boutique: Works by local artists.
Brush Strokes Gallery: “Cuba,” featuring photography by Penny A. Parrish, through April 28. Handcrafted jewelry, unique glass art, charcoal drawings, pastels, photography, paintings in oils, watercolors, acrylics, metal sculpture and mixed-media. brushstrokesfredericksburg.com.
Canal Quarter Arts: Works by guest artists Dorian and Cade Lemasters. Through April.
CoBe Workspaces: Mixed media artwork by Renee Sessions.
Coldwell Banker Elite: 223 N. Irving Ave. Works by Colonial Beach Artists’ Guild.
Colonial Beach Chamber of Commerce: Works by photographer Randy West.
Darbytown Art Studio: Works by guest artist Ted Nelson, photographer. Through April. facebook.com/DarbytownArt.
Dockside Realty: 104 Taylor St. Collection of art work from all grades (elementary through high school) presented by Colonial Beach Public Schools.
Fredericksburg Area Museum: “Lafayette’s World: Revolutionary Ideals and the Limits of Freedom,” curated by Dr. Gaila Sims, curator of African American History and Special Projects. “STEM Trailblazers Dr. Gladys and Ira West,” through April. Event: Evening with an Expert lecture: “The Marquis de Lafayette, a True Friend of the Cause,” led by Gaila Sims, May 9 from 7- 8:30 p.m. with a light reception; $20 nonmembers and $10 for members. Reserve spot at eventbrite.com. famva.org.
Fredericksburg Center for the Creative Arts: Frederick Gallery: “Artist Choice” all-media regional juried exhibit. Members Gallery: David Boyd, Judy LaFratta, Dorothy Stout. Through April 26. fccagallery.org.
Gari Melchers Home & Studio: “Toulouse-Lautrec and Ukiyo-e Prints from the Melchers’ Collection,” through April 30. garimelchers.org.
GMU Mason Exhibitions: “Faces & Figures: Identity Through Printmaking in South Africa,” through April 19 at Gillespie Gallery in the Art and Design Building. “Roots & Reflections: Contemporary Chinese Artists in DC,” through April 19 at Buchanan Hall Atrium Gallery. masonexhibitions.org.
Hawthorn Mercantile: Featuring Finklepotts Fairy Hair.
LibertyTown Arts Workshop: “Blossom, a Regional Juried Show,” through April 28. libertytownarts.com.
Library of Virginia: “Indigenous Perspectives,” a multimedia exhibition that explores voices and experiences of Virginia’s tribal communities, as well as related items from the Library’s collections. Through Aug. 17. lva.virginia.gov.
Mary Washington Hospital: New works by local artists on display in the Main Floor hallway gallery; works by new featured artist Suzi Bevan will hang through June. A percentage of each sale is donated to cancer care. Art may be purchased through the gift shop.
Meyer Fine Art (new gallery): “Robert Duncanson and His Southern Travels,” works by Black 19th-century landscape artist. meyerfineart.gallery.
National Building Museum: “Building Stories,” an immersive exploration into the world of architecture, engineering, construction and design through hands-on activities, media installations, sketching and reading. nbm.org.
National Museum of the Marine Corps: “Full Metal Jacket,” featuring images taken on set by actor Matthew Modine. Through September 2025. “Go to War … Do Art,” 80 years of the Marine Corps Combat Art Program features 80 works on paper by 29 combat artists, through Aug. 9. usmcmuseum.com.
Ponshop Studio and Gallery: “Motion and Pictures,” juried exhibit celebrating the impact and inspiration that cinema has in our contemporary culture, April 5-28. Fine art, ceramics and handmade jewelry and accessories. ponshopstudio.com.
Port Royal Museum of American History: New additions to White House China collection. Open every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free; donations appreciated. 804/370-5285.
Riverboat on the Potomac: Works by local artists.
RMS Designs: Works by Jessica Jewel.
Sophia Street Studios: “A Moment in Time,” featuring a collection of plein air paintings from around the country by Catherine Hillis.
St. Mary’s Parish Hall: Works by local artists.
Tappahannock Art Gallery: “Lee Butler,” featuring paintings, prints and drawings. Through April 28. tapparts.org.
UMW Galleries: duPont Gallery: Annual Student Art Exhibition 2024, April 11-28. Ridderhoff Martin Gallery: “Levitt by the sea,” April 11-June 2. umwgalleries.org.
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts: “Producing the Picturesque: Watercolors and Collaborative Prints by Kawase Hasui,” through May 27; “Jennie C. Jones: High as the Listening Skies and The Edges of Heaven, Rest,” through June 1; “Willie Anne Wright: Artist and Alchemist,” through June 9; “Picture Windows: Photographs from the Collection,” through July 28; “Theaster Gates: Wonder Working Power,” through Jan. 1; “Samurai Armor from the Collection of Ann & Gabriel Barbier–Mueller,” April 20 to Aug. 4. vmfa.museum.
Virginia Museum of History and Culture: “Julia Child: A Recipe for Life,” through Sept. 2. virginiahistory.org.
music
The Birchmere: Norman Brown, April 18; SGGL (Speidel, Goodrich, Goggin & Lille), April 21; The Stylistics, April 26. birchmere.com.
Blue Ridge Chorale of Culpeper: 7:30 p.m. May 3 at Lake of the Woods Church and 3 p.m. May 5 at United Methodist Church in Culpeper. brcsings.com.
Carlyle Room: A Tribute to the Music of Motown, featuring the Brencore Allstars. April 26. $40 in advance, $50 day of event. brencore.com.
Dominion Energy Center: Andrew Lloyd Webber — Symphonic Suites, with the Richmond Symphony, April 20. dominionenergycenter.com.
GMU Center for the Arts: Mason Artist-in-Residence: Small Island Big Song, April 20; pre-performance discussion with Small Island Big Song co-founders, BaoBao Chen and Tim Cole, 45 minutes prior to curtain; Bamberg Symphony with Hélène Grimaud, April 27. cfa.gmu.edu.
Hylton Performing Arts Center: The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own”: Red, White, and Blue, April 19; Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen, April 20; Bridging the Gap, April 24. hyltoncenter.org.
The Kennedy Center: The Rakim & DJ Jazzy Jeff & Ravi Coltrane Project, April 19. kennedy-center.org.
Jazz and a Mission: Final JaM concert with special performances by Matt Little, David Bronston, Malanna Henderson and Friends. 7 p.m. April 26 at Fredericksburg Presbyterian Church. Celebrating work of Loisann’s Hope House.
The Spotsylvanians Chorus: Earth, Wind, and Choir! Concert, 7 p.m. May 4 at Resurrection Lutheran Church. $10; students and younger children are free. Tickets available online or at the door. spotsylvanianschorus.com.
Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts: North Mississippi Allstars, April 18; Alan Doyle, April 28. wolftrap.org.
theater
Altria Theater: Chelsea Handler: Little Big Bitch, April 19. altriatheater.com; broadwayinrichmond.com.
Arena Stage: Kreeger Theater: “Unknown Soldier,” March 29-May 5. arenastage.org.
Dominion Energy Center: “Churchill,” starring David Payne, April 19-21; Women Take the Stage, presented by Richmond Performing Arts Alliance, April 30. dominionenergycenter.com.
Fauquier Community Theatre: “Tuck Everlasting,” May 3-19. 540/349-8670; fctstage.org.
Folger Theatre: “Metamorphoses,” May 7-June 16. folger.edu.
Ford’s Theatre: “Little Shop of Horrors,” March 15-May 18. Recommended for ages 8 and older. fords.org.
Hylton Performing Arts Center: Virginia National Ballet: “Led Zeppelin,” April 20. hyltoncenter.org.
The Kennedy Center: Opera House: “Message In A Bottle,” April 9-21. Family Theater: “Asian AF,” featuring Asian American actors, stand-up comedians, improvisers, sketch performers, storytellers and more, April 19-20. Theater Lab: “Shear Madness,” through Sept. 29. kennedy-center.org.
Museum of the Bible: C.S. Lewis’ classic “Prince Caspian,” through April 27. museumofthebible.org.
The National Theatre: “Peter Pan,” April 9-21. broadwayatthenational.com.
Riverside Center for the Performing Arts: “They’re Playing Our Song,” story by Neil Simon and music by Marvin Hamlisch, April 3-May 12. $70–$82 dinner and show; $55–$65 show only. 540/370-4300; riversidedt.com.
Shakespeare Theatre Company: “Macbeth,” starring Ralph Fiennes and Indira Varma, April 9-May 5. Sold out; limited number of $20 lottery tickets will be available every performance. shakespearetheatre.org.
Signature Theatre: Max Theatre: “Hair,” April 16–July 7. Ark Theatre: “Penelope,” extended through April 28. sigtheatre.org.
UMW Theatre: “Twelfth Night,” April 18–20 at 7:30 p.m.; April 21 at 2 p.m. $23–$28. 540/654-1111; fredtix.com.
Westmoreland Players Theatre: “The Diary of Anne Frank,” April 26-May 12. 804/529-9345; westmorelandplayers.org.
family
Altria Theater: “Bluey’s Big Play The Stage Show!” April 23-24. $31.50 and up. BroadwayInRichmond.com.
Children’s Museum of Richmond: “Bug Squad,” a hands-on exhibit exploring the unique abilities of bugs, May 14-Aug. 25. cmorva.org.
Fredericksburg Area Museum: Spring Homeschool Investigators Program, featuring hands-on learning through teamwork, collaboration, and problem-solving STEAM activities. Schedule: Journey with Lafayette, April 24, ages 8-12. $8. All attendees over age 2 must purchase a ticket. Tickets available at eventbrite.com. famva.org.
Gari Melchers Home & Studio: Preschool Palette classes nurtures child’s inner artist through engaging books, garden walks and colorful process-based sensory and art explorations. Themes change monthly. Open daily with family-friendly, interactive tours, scavenger hunts and sketching bags. 540/654-1015; garimelchers.org.
GMU Center for the Arts: Family Series: The Okee Dokee Brothers, April 21 at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. cfa.gmu.edu.
King George High School: “Newsies the Musical,” May 1-4 at 7 p.m. Tickets available only online at showtix4u.com. Pre-show barbecue dinner is cash only and supports senior scholarship program. Includes sandwich, beans, coleslaw and a drink OR hot dog, chips and a drink all for $5.
National Building Museum: BIG DRAW, a free daylong festival that invites visitors to discover the world we design and build through drawing. Includes drawing workshops with Caldecott Medal award-winning author and illustrator David Macaulay; community mural; Positive Chalk’s “Chalk Walk”; lightning talks with engineering, architecture, and design professionals. Visitors are welcome to bring their own sketchbooks or use materials provided by the Museum. April 20, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free with registration. nbm.org.
Science Museum of Virginia: “Discover Steampunk,” interactive exhibit featuring stories of 19th-century visionaries who dreamed of what life would be like today. Through Aug. 18. Included with Science Museum admission. smv.org.
Virginia Rep: “Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience,” April 12-May 5. Most appreciated by ages 5-10. va-rep.org.
etc.
Ashland Train Day: Street festival and railroad extravaganza featuring freight and passenger trains, touch-a-truck, model trains, railroad history, live music, kiddie rides, festival food, dance music and gift shopping. April 27. ashlandtrainday.com.
Bingo, American Legion Post 320, 8456 Brock Road, Spotsylvania. Games start at 6:30 p.m. Thursdays; doors open at 5 p.m. Food available for purchase. Proceeds benefit veterans, their families and the community. 540/548-8069.
Bingo, St. Michael High School, 6301 Campus Drive, Spotsylvania. Games start at 6:30 p.m. Thursdays and Saturdays. Doors open 1.5 hours prior. 540/907-9736; facebook.com/saintmichaelbingo.
Busch Gardens: Sesame Street Kids’ Weekends, Fridays through Sundays March 29-April 21. Themed scavenger hunts, dance parties, games, storytime, crafts and a colorful flower maze. buschgardenswilliamsburg.com.
Culpeper Regional Airport: The Capital Wing of the Commemorative Air Force will offer docent-led tours of its WWII warbird hangar Saturdays through April 27. Tours offered 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. $10 per person or $30 for a family; parking is free. Reservations for large groups may be made at capitalwingwarbirdrides.org.
Curitiba Art Café: Latin Dance Night with Elle Jay, every third Friday of the month from 6–9 p.m. Free Latin dance lesson followed by open dancing.
The Fredericksburg Lafayette Bicentennial Commemoration: Lecture Series focuses on aspects of Lafayette’s life, his world, and his influence on the American Revolution and the early Republic. March–November. May 2: Ça ira: Lafayette, La Musique de la Garde Nationale Parisienne, And the Dissolution of the Ancien Régime. fxbg.com/lafayette.
Historic Garden Week: Tour inspired private landscapes, public gardens and historic sites across Virginia. April 20–27; local dates: Orange County, April 20; Fredericksburg, April 23; Northern Neck, April 24; Middle Peninsula—Essex County, April 26. Advance tickets for individual tours are discounted until the day of tour. See complete schedule at vagardenweek.org.
Pickers Supply: Salsa Dance, 6–7 p.m. Sunday. $20 per class, or $120 for all seven. No partner required. 540/847-4581; olddominionhis@yahoo.com. Swing Dance, beginner lesson at 7:30 p.m. Saturdays; dancing 8–11 p.m. No partner or previous dance experience required. $10 per person. 540/847-4581; DanceFXBG.com.
Poppy Patch Craft and Gift Show: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at American Legion Post 290, 1141 Mountain View Road. Hosted by The American Legion Auxiliary Unit 290 and the Legion Family. Free admission; donations accepted. Donations will go to MK9s Service Dogs Organization, whose mission is to supply highly trained service dogs to maximize the independence and quality of life for veterans. For more information, mk9servicedogs@gmail.com.
Railroad Museum and Rail Excursion: Museum is open 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays. Visitors planning on riding the train should arrive by 10:30 a.m. Train rides conducted weather permitting. Free; donations accepted to support operations. 11700 Main St., Fredericksburg. 301/653-7983; rrmuseum.org.
Stratford Hall: Wine Thyme Spring Festival, featuring locally crafted food and beverages, live music, artisan vendors and Colonial history. May 11. $20 early bird; $30 day of event; children ages 6-12 $10; 5 and under free. stratfordhall.org.