Roundup of arts and entertainment events happening in Fredericksburg and surrounding areas.
11 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 through April 21. $23–$28. 540/654-1111; fredtix.com.
Glenelg High School Music Department, National Museum of the Marine Corps, 1775 Semper Fidelis Way, Triangle. Noon–1 p.m. Free. 877/653-1775; usmcmuseum.com.
Film: “Two For the Road,” Library of Congress Packard Theater, 19053 Mt. Pony Road, Culpeper. 20th Century–Fox, 1967. 7:30 p.m. Free. 540/827-1079, ext. 79994; loc.gov/programs/audio-visual-conservation.
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12 friday
Albert Einstein High School Band & Orchestra Performance, National Museum of the Marine Corps, 1775 Semper Fidelis Way, Triangle. 11 a.m.-noon. Free. 877/653-1775; usmcmuseum.com.
“Shrek the Musical,” Chancellor High School, 6300 Harrison Road. With live orchestra. Through Saturday. Runs approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes with an intermission. 7 p.m. $12 adults and $10 students (K-12). Tickets can be purchased at the door. Box office opens at 6 p.m.
“They’re Playing Our Song,” Riverside Center for the Performing Arts. See April 11 listing.
“Twelfth Night” by William Shakespeare, UMW Theatre. See April 11 listing.
Film: “In the Mood For Love,” Library of Congress Packard Theater. Paradise Films, 2000. See April 11 listing.
13 saturday
34th annual Multicultural Fair, University of Mary Washington. Featuring multicultural entertainment, children’s activities, international and American food, and ethnic craft vendors. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 540/654-1044; students.umw.edu/multicultural/multicultural-fair/
Dog Days, Ferry Farm, 268 Kings Highway. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. All well-mannered pooches on leashes welcome. $5 adults; free for children 17 and under. Tickets can be purchased in the Visitor Center upon arrival. kenmore.org.
“Everything, Everywhere, All at Once,” Fredericksburg Baptist Church, 1019 Princess Anne St. Chamber Chorale of Fredericksburg performs music from around the world. 2 and 7 p.m. $15 adults, $5 students. ccfbg.org.
Virginia Osprey Festival, Colonial Beach. Presentations, trolley tours and bird walks. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets required for some activities. virginiaospreyfoundation.org/program.
Family Day: Combat Art, National Museum of the Marine Corps, 1775 Semper Fidelis Way, Triangle. Learn about a variety of artistic principles, create different pieces of art, and experience the Museum through the lens of a combat artist. 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Free. 877/653-1775; usmcmuseum.com.
“The Great Gatsby — A Live Radio Play,” Country Club of Culpeper, 2100 Country Club Road. 6-9:30 p.m. Dinner at 6 p.m., with show at 7 p.m. Dress up in roaring ‘20s attire. windmorefoundation.org.
“Seussical Jr.,” Courtland High School, 6701 Smith Station Road. ASL (American Sign Language) interpreting will be offered during performances. $15 general admission. stepva.org.
“Shrek the Musical,” Chancellor High School. See April 12 listing.
“They’re Playing Our Song,” Riverside Center for the Performing Arts. See April 11 listing.
“Twelfth Night” by William Shakespeare, UMW Theatre. See April 11 listing.
14 sunday
Fredericksburg Ballet Centre: “Peter Pan,” James Monroe High School auditorium, 2300 Washington Ave. 3 p.m. $20 in advance; $25 at the door. 540/373-0978; fredericksburgballet.com.
Gospel Sing: Ronnie Williams and The Carter Family Sound, Marshall Center, 8800 Courthouse Road, Spotsylvania. Special guests Randy Sheads, Julia Carter and others. 2 p.m. Free; offering will be taken to support the Spotsylvania County Woman’s Club. Food and desserts will be served. 540/273-3724 or email SCWC.VA@gmail.com.
NNK250 Signature Speaker Series, Rice’s Hotel/Hughlett’s Tavern, 73 Monument Place, Heathsville. Julie King presents “Finding Leedstown: What Archaeology Reveals about this Remarkable Place.” 2 p.m. Free. nnk250.us.
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community Day, Historic Kenmore, 1201 Washington Ave. 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. $12 adults, $6 ages 6-17, free for ages 5 and under. reservations are encouraged as space is limited. kenmore.org.
Virginia Osprey Festival, Colonial Beach. See April 13 listing.
Woodstown High School Band & Choir Performance, National Museum of the Marine Corps. 10-11 a.m. See April 11 listing.
“Seussical Jr.,” Courtland High School. See April 13 listing.
“They’re Playing Our Song,” Riverside Center for the Performing Arts. 3 p.m. Lunch served at 1 p.m. See April 11 listing.
“Twelfth Night” by William Shakespeare, UMW Theatre. See April 11 listing.
17 wednesday
“They’re Playing Our Song,” Riverside Center for the Performing Arts. 1:30 p.m. Lunch served at 11:30 a.m. See April 11 listing.
18 thursday
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.
“They’re Playing Our Song,” Riverside Center for the Performing Arts. See April 11 listing.
“Twelfth Night” by William Shakespeare, UMW Theatre. See April 11 listing.
Film: “Strawberry Blonde,” Library of Congress Packard Theater. Warner Bros, 1941. See April 11 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 talk April 13, 2-4 p.m.; 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. Second Friday Art Walk 6-9 p.m. Spring art workshops available; $75, supplies included for all classes. artgallerycolonialbeach.com.
Beach Paws Boutique: Works by local artists. Second Friday Art Walk 6-9 p.m.
Brush Strokes Gallery: “Cuba,” featuring photography by Penny 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. Second Friday Art Walk 6-9 p.m.
Coldwell Banker Elite: 223 N. Irving Ave. Works by Colonial Beach Artists’ Guild. Second Friday Art Walk 6-9 p.m. Music and refreshments.
Colonial Beach Chamber of Commerce: Works by photographer Randy West. Second Friday Art Walk 6-9 p.m.
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. Second Friday Art Walk 6-9 p.m.
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. Second Friday Art Walk 6-9 p.m.
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. Open for Second Friday Art Walk.
RMS Designs: Works by Jessica Jewel. Second Friday Art Walk 6-9 p.m.
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. Second Friday Art Walk 6-9 p.m. Refreshments.
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; opening reception and awards April 11, from 5-7 p.m. Ridderhoff Martin Gallery: “Levitt by the sea,” April 11-June 2; opening reception April 11, 5-7 p.m. 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
Altria Theater: Black Panther Live in Concert, with the Richmond Symphony, April 13. altriatheater.com.
The Birchmere: Marcus Johnson, April 12; Najee, April 13; Norman Brown, April 18; SGGL (Speidel, Goodrich, Goggin & Lille), April 21; The Stylistics, April 26. birchmere.com.
Blue Ridge Chorale of Culpeper: “An Evening in Song” April 20 at 5 p.m. at Chancellor High School. Joint community choir concert featuring the Blue Ridge Chorale of Culpeper, the Orange Community Chorus, the Rappahannock Choral Society and The Spotsylvanians Chorus. brcsings.com.
Dominion Energy Center: Legends On Grace: Crystal Monee Hall, April 13; Andrew Lloyd Webber — Symphonic Suites, with the Richmond Symphony, April 20. dominionenergycenter.com.
Folger Shakespeare Library: Folger Consort: “Ovid’s Metamorphoses,” April 12-14. folger.edu.
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.
The Heist: One Night Only, an intimate night of song and story hosted by Jon Tyler Wiley, April 11, 6–9 p.m. theheistbg.com.
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.
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 Marshall Center: Ronnie Williams and The Carter Family Sound gospel concert. April 14 at 2 p.m. Free; offering will be taken to support The Spotsylvania County Woman’s Club. Food and refreshments will be available.
MGM National Harbor: Smokey Robinson, April 12. mgmnationalharbor.com.
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.
Warner Theatre: Joe Satriani and Steve Vai, April 11. birchmere.com.
Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts: Richard Thompson, April 11; An Evening With Shawn Colvin and KT Tunstall, April 12; Madison Cunningham and Juana Molina, April 16; 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: Richmond Comedy Festival, April 13; “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.
Ford’s Theatre: “Little Shop of Horrors,” March 15-May 18. Recommended for ages 8 and older. fords.org.
Fredericksburg Ballet Centre: “Peter Pan,” April 14 at 3 p.m. at James Monroe High School. $20 in advance and $25 at the door. 540/373-0978; fredericksburgballet.com.
GMU Center for the Arts: Martha Graham Dance Company, April 13. cfa.gmu.edu.
Hylton Performing Arts Center: Reduced Shakespeare Company, April 13; Virginia National Ballet: “Led Zeppelin,” April 20. hyltoncenter.org.
The Kennedy Center: Opera House: “Message In A Bottle,” April 9-21. 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 by William Shakespeare,” April 10–13 and April 18–20 at 7:30 p.m.; April 14 and 21 at 2 p.m. $23–$28. AfterWords post-performance discussion April 14. 540/654-1111; fredtix.com.
Virginia Rep: “On Air,” through April 14 at Hanover Tavern. va-rep.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.
The Kennedy Center: Jacqueline Woodson’s Block Party! featuring free performances, fun-filled games and various activities. 1 p.m. Saturday at Reach Plaza. Pre-registration has closed, but the Block Party is free and open to anyone who attends. kennedy-center.org.
Library of Congress: April Family Day: National Library Month, April 13 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Learn about America’s national library by exploring the significance of libraries in their own lives. Free; passes are required for the Jefferson Building. Register online. loc.gov.
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.
STEP VA: “Seussical Jr.” April 13 at 6 p.m. and April 14 at 3 p.m. at Courtland High School. $15 and color show programs also available in advance for $5; free for children under 5. stepva.org.
Virginia Rep: “Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed,” April 12-May 5. 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.
Caledon State Park: annual “Trash to Art” Earth Day event, April 20, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Collect beach litter and create sculptures at the park pavilion with prizes awarded. 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.
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.
Earth Day Festival on the Rappahannock: Local vendors, live music, food trucks, interactive and educational EcoTalks, scavenger hunt, sensory tent and more. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 20 at Old Mill Park. Admission is free. Presented by City of Fredericksburg Parks, Recreation & Events Department. 540/372-1086; earthdayfred.com.
Ferry Farm: Dog Days at Ferry Farm, April 13, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. All well-mannered pooches on leashes welcome. $5 adults; free for children 17 and under. kenmore.org.
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. 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.
Historic Kenmore: Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community Day, April 14 at 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.; reservations are encouraged as space is limited. kenmore.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.
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.
Stafford Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary: Third annual BUNCO at the Stafford County Rowser Building has been postponed until the fall. stafford-volunteer-firemans-association.square.site.
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.
University of Mary Washington: 34th Annual Multicultural Fair, April 13 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Featuring multicultural entertainment, children’s activities, international and American food, and ethnic craft vendors. 540/654-1044; students.umw.edu/multicultural/multicultural-fair/