12 About Town

Kings Dominion hosts End of Summer Music Festival

By Karla Redditte

I have two words for you-

Jason. Derulo.

Now that I have your attention, keep reading.

The handsome pop star kicks off four days of the "End of Summer Music Festival" at Kings Dominion this Labor Day weekend! The festival features different genres of music each day for people of all ages.

Jason Derulo takes the stage Friday night, August 29, at 6:30. He'll perform at the Kingswood Amphitheatre. (If you don't know where that is, just listen for all of the squealing young girls...) Tickets are still available through Ticketmaster or at the park's gates. Park admission is included in the price.

Other performers throughout this weekend include Kings of Swing, Diggity Dudes, and several bluegrass bands. (Saturday, Sunday, and Monday concerts are free to park guests!)

Click here for more information.

Enjoy!

Copyright 2014 WWBT NBC12. All rights reserved

Virginia Opera presents 2nd annual Opera in the Park in Richmond

By Karla Redditte

There are lots of things to do in a park - walk, run, eat...you get my drift.

This Saturday, you can add "enjoy opera music" to the list!

The Virginia Opera kicks off its 40th aniversary season with the 2nd annual "Opera in the Park." It will be held at Dogwood Dell, and the concert begins at 7:30. Expect to hear some of opera's most beloved works such as "La donna e mobile" from Rigoletto, as well as a few Broadway favorites.

Did I mention that this family-friendly event is free? Parking will be free as well. FREE. That word alone makes me sing like an angel!

Feel free (there I go using that word again) to bring your lawn chairs, picnic baskets, and coolers - filled with non-alcoholic beverages, of course.

Click here for more information.

Enjoy!

 

Copyright 2014 WWBT NBC12. All rights reserved

Robin Williams tribute Wednesday and Thursday at the Goochland Drive-In Theater

The Goochland Drive-In Theater is holding a charitable Robin Williams Tribute movie presentation.

Tonight and tomorrow, the theater is showing a double feature: "JUMANJI" and "PATCH ADAMS".

The cost is $15 per carload, and 30% of proceeds will benefit two charities close to Robin's heart:

- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (pediatric cancer)

- Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation (paralysis research) 

Gates open at 6:00 p.m. and the shows start at 8:10 p.m. - show up early, because tickets are expected to sell out!

Celebrate community at Richmond's annual WE CARE Festival this Saturday

I care. You care. They care. We care.

I just made up this slogan, but it sums up the idea behind the annual WE CARE Festival. WE CARE is an acronym for Wellness, Education, Community Awareness,, and Resident Empowerment. The one-day event highlights the importance of community, showing that we can and must care about each other.

This year's festival will be held at the Hotchkiss Community Center on Saturday, August 23, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Organizers guarantee lots of fun with moon walks, good food, back-to-school giveaways, and more!

 

Copyright 2014 WWBT NBC12. All rights reserved

Elegba Folklore Society presents Down Home Family Reunion

Music. Dance. Stories. Food. Vendors. You can find these and more this weekend at the 24th annual Down Home Family Reunion!

Elegba Folklore Society presents this two-day cultural arts festival that takes visitors on a journey of heritage and folklore from West Africa into the Americas.

The fun begins Friday at the Double Tree Hotel in downtown Richmond, and ends Saturday at Abner Clay Park.

Click here for more information.

 

Copyright 2014 WWBT NBC12. All rights reserved

Latin jazz and salsa fill the air in Richmond on Saturday

The smooth sounds of jazz remain in the air above Richmond!

The 7th annual Latin Jazz and Salsa Festival kicks into high gear on Saturday afternoon at the Dogwood Dell Amphitheatre.

It is always action-packed! If you don't believe me, check out this video from a few years ago:

 
Organizers guarantee this year's festival will be even better than previous festivals, with performances by Grammy Award winner Marlow Rosado, Ismael Rivera, Jr., Herbie Martinez, and more. There will also be dance performances by Latin Vintage and All America Dance!

Details:

7th annual Latin Jazz & Salsa Festival
Saturday, August 16, 3 - 8pm
Dogwood Dell Amphitheatre
6000 S. Boulevard, Richmond

 

Copyright 2014 WWBT NBC12. All rights reserved

5 Things To Do: Weekend of August 9 -10

Lots of people will be heading to the Richmond Jazz Festival this weekend. And I mean LOTS. However, if that's not your thing, or you just want to see what other spots are jumpin', here are five "smooth" alternatives:

Henricus Historical Park Presents “A Stitch in Time: 17th-Century Colonial and Virginia Indian Fashion”
Saturday, August 9, 10 am- 5 pm
Henricus Historical Park, 251 Henricus Park Road, Chester
Website

Photo courtesy: Henricus Historical Park

Did Sir Thomas Dale and John Rolfe wear underwear? What kind of deerskin would Pocahontas have worn? Well, come and join the Henricus Historical Park staff and their guests for a unique presentation to find out! This event will be conducted in the cozy environs of the 1613 hospital, Mt. Malady, where visitors will experience the fashions of both the English colonists and the native Powhatan people. Interpreters will demonstrate and explain everything that was worn; including how and why different classes, occupations, genders, and races wore one thing versus another. Visitors will be comfortably seated and light cool refreshments will be available as a courtesy of Henricus Historical Park. This is a great family event for ages 7 and above. Cost: $8 Adults, $6 children aged 3 – 12/ Henricus Patrons free.

Celebrate National Bowling Day with Free Bowling at Uptown Alley
Saturday, August 9
Uptown Alley, 6101 Brad McNeer Parkway, Midlothian
Website

Uptown Alley will recognize National Bowling Day on Saturday, August 9 by offering a free game of bowling with shoes from 9 until 11 a.m. During that time, a delicious breakfast menu will be available. Visitors are invited to beat the heat and enjoy a game of bowling with family and friends at Uptown Alley which features 38 lanes of bowling, arcade, upscale restaurant, patio and lounge.

2014 Hanover Book Festival
Saturday, August 9, 10 am - 2 pm
Liberty Christian School Gymnasium, 8094 Liberty Circle, Mechanicsville
Website

The 2014 Hanover Book Festival, to be held on Saturday, August 9, will include workshops and seminars of interest to writers and the general public. In the past, all workshops have been geared toward authors and writers, but this year there are several general topics being presented.

Summer Splash Down
Saturday, August 9, 10am - 1pm
The Armour House and Gardens, 4001 Clarendon Road, Henrico

Caution: You will get wet! Escape to the Armour House and Gardens as the grounds are transformed into a backyard water park. Sprinklers, slides, and snow cones will help you beat the heat and celebrate the end of summer. The best part? The event is FREE! For more information, call 270-2161.

Carytown 31st Annual Watermelon Festival
Sunday, August 10, 10 am - 6 pm
Website

Imagine - 115,000 people, over 3000 watermelons and you! With 60 musicians, over 100 exhibitors, one of the largest kids areas of any festival on the east coast and all of the great Carytown style, the Carytown Watermelon Festival presented by Martin's has become the largest one-day festival in the state of Virginia! 

 

Copyright 2014 WWBT NBC12. All rights reserved