ART
Graffiti Workshop: Local graffiti artist Clinton Jones hosts a slide show of murals and discussion about graffiti. A demonstration follows. Free and great for kids and adults of all ages. Ourspace. 414 E. Main St. beneath the Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar. 2-3pm. Free, but donations appreciated.
WALKABOUT
Celebrate Spring: See Friday, May 16.
XtremeFest of the Blue Ridge: Join Waynesboro Parks & Rec as they introduce festival goers to activities like rock climbing, kayaking, mountain biking, and hiking in an effort to promote a healthy, active outdoor lifestyle. Climb on the mobile climbing wall, kayak the South River, marvel at the high flying BMX stunt show, register for giveaways and enjoy great food and fun for the whole family. Rounding out the day will be the open-air showing at dusk of the award winning climbing film, King Lines, featuring climber Chris Sharma. 10am-5pm, free. Ridgeview Park, Waynesboro. Info: waynesboro.va.us or 540-942-6735.
Starting Your Business: A seminar presented by Score, counselors to America's small business, at the Jefferson-Madison Library downtown. 9:30am to 12:30pm. $25. Register at score-494.org or call 434-295-6712.
Mornings in the Mountains: Join a Wintergreen Nature Foundation naturalist for an interpretive hike. Explore the many aspects of Wintergreen's natural environment. Register by 9:30 for the 10am hike. $3 members, $5 resort guests, $6 non-members. Wintergreen. 325-8169
Spring Fling: Whether you're a first-time college student, looking for a career change, or just want to explore opportunities for personal enrichment, Piedmont Virginia Community College holds Spring Fling 2008 today to introduce programs and opportunities. 9am-noon. Register online at pvcc.edu or call 961-5275.
DANCE CARD
Darth Sketchy: Transmissions from the Dark Side: dance rock/ hip-hop, reggaeton, and dancehall at R2 behind Rapture on the Downtown Mall. 10pm, $10.
Swing Dance: DJ Kristin Wenger teaches beginner nightclub two-step at 6:30pm, followed by an intermediate lesson at 7:15pm, included with admission. Refreshments available at this smoke- and alcohol-free event. Singles and couples welcome; no partner needed. 8-11pm. $12 general admission, $6 students (with ID), $9 members. Greek Orthodox Church Fellowship Hall, 100 Perry Drive (off McIntire Road). Info: 980-2744 (24-hour) or cvilleswingdance.com.
G-A-Y Fetish Night: Body airbrushing from 11pm-1 am. Come dressed in leather, latex, vests, uniforms, boots, collars, cuffs, corsets, costumes, pajamas, etc. No areolas showing for women. No bare bottoms for men or women. This event will be filmed for a local and possible national production, so your attendance constitutes your agreement to be filmed. Club 216. Water Street. Membership required.
The Dawning: DJ Audiorapture & friends. 18+, $5, 10pm. Outback Lodge.
Spring Dance Gala: The Albemarle Ballet Theatre and the Studio for the Performing Arts present 50 local dance students at PVCC's Dickinson Theatre. The centerpiece is "Little Red Riding Hood," an original comic ballet created by Sally Hart. New ballet, modern, and jazz works round out this dance extravaganza. 7pm tonight, 2pm Sunday, May 18. $7 Tix: aballet.org/tickets or 823-8888.
Jazz Master Class: Piedmont Virginia Community College's 2007-08 dance master class series concludes tonight with a jazz class led by Suzanne Miller-Corso, associate professor of dance at JMU. The intermediate-level class will be held from noon-2pm on the main stage of the V. Earl Dickinson Building and will focus on the West Coast jazz dance style. $10. Info or register at 961-5376.
PERFORMANCE:
Lend Me A Tenor: This Tony Award-winning farce by Ken Ludwig portrays the follies of a small-time opera company in its attempt to accommodate a world-class tenor. Chaos reigns offstage and on for the Cleveland Grand Opera Company, which has imported world-famous tenor Tito Morelli to launch its season with a performance of Verdi's Otello, only to discover their special attraction has passed out cold in his dressing room from taking too many tranquilizers. Performances Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sunday matinees at 2:30pm through May 24. $12, $10/senior citizens and students, $8/children. All Friday night tickets are only $5 each. This show is appropriate for children ages 10 and older. Four County Players, Barboursville Playhouse. Info: 540-832-5355 fourcp.org.
CHS Dessert Theater: See Friday, May 16. Today there are two shows: 2 and 7pm.
The Taming of the Shrew: See Thursday, May 15.
Henry V: The story of England's hero-king and of the greatest upset in European military history, Henry V is Shakespeare's conclusion to his great history plays. At once touching, heroic, brutal and comic, the play is the master's exploration of the nature of greatness and its connection to theater. Here the audience becomes part of the story. 2pm, $20-$32. Blackfriars Playhouse. 10 S. Market St., Staunton. 877-682-4236.
FAMILY
Spring Hike: Tree huggers and others can enjoy spring beauty in the Piedmont, learn more about our natural resources, and improve their health when they join Rivanna Master Naturalist volunteer guides for a 90-minute hike along the Rivanna Trail. Today's hike wanders from Greenbrier Elementary to CHS. Meet at Greenbrier Elementary School. 1pm. Free. No registration required. 970-3585.
If You Build It: Wee ones can put on their hard hats and enter the exciting world of construction at the Virginia Discovery Museum's latest Back Gallery exhibit "Busy Builders." Kids can use blocks or pipes to build a house, dig with a backhoe, and lots more. Opens today through October 19. Included in the price of admission. East end of the Downtown Mall. 977-1025.
Y'All Come: Batesville Day celebrates hometown happiness starting at 8am (registration at 7am) with a 10K race known across the state as one of the most scenic and challenging races. At 11am, folks can dress up their tractors, bikes, or themselves and be part of the Batesville Day Parade. Food, entertainment, and activities follow in the Batesville Day Field on Plank Road. Sponsored by the Batesville Ruritan Club. 540-456-7321.
Let's Go Fly a Kite: Fluvanna County Parks and Recreation celebrates the wind with the second annual Quetzal Kite Festival. Kite flyers from the Richmond Air Force and Wings over Washington kite clubs join``````````` forces to provide a fun, free day of kite flying demonstrations, kids games, kite related events and lots of fun for the whole family. Kite designs from all around the world will be flown, along with Kite Fighting at the end of the day when expert kite flyers pit their skills and kites against each other in a battle to control the sky. There will also be live music and food vendors. The first 100 children get a free kite. 10am-5pm. Free. Pleasant Grove Park, 1730 Thomas Jefferson Parkway, Palmyra. 842-3150.
Healing Hearts: Hospice of the Piedmont offers "Journeys through the Seasons," a free bereavement camp for children and teens (6-15) who are affected by the serious illness or death of a loved one. The winter camp takes place at Triple C Camp from 8:45am-5pm. Activities include art therapy, challenge course, lunch, and a closing ceremony. Free. For more information and an application call 817-6900 or 800-975-5501.
Science Saturday: Today is Medicine Day at the Science Museum of Virginia. Visitors can take their blood pressure at noon and 2pm; identify bones on X-rays at 1 and 3pm; see the giant screen film Grand Canyon Adventure: River at Risk. Included in the price of admission (film extra). 2500 W. Broad St., Richmond. 800-659-1727.
Native Culture: See Friday, May 15.
TUNES
Bob Williamson: Dinnertime pianist at Fellini's #9. Free, 6pm.
Holly Near: A politically active singer, sometimes known for her theatrical edge. Opening act Emma's Revolution is... well, two politically active singers, and favorites of no less than Pete Seeger. Gravity Lounge. $25-$30, 7pm. [Video]
Mongrel: Texas swing, Allman Brothers, and whatever lies between at Rapunzel's. $5 donation, 7:30pm.
The Domino Effect: The last Tea House show by this local teenage duo ended up with the bass player freaking out on a tuba and the drummer simultaneously playing a toy keyboard. This time, your $5 entry fee also gets you a copy of the EP so you can take the magic home when it's all over. Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar. $5, 9pm. [Video]
The Virginia Glee Club: Songs for seniors in a special final concert that includes Ave Maria, Russian folk tales, and selections from Leaves of Grass. Old Cabell Hall. $5-$15, 9:30pm.
Bootsie Daniels: Motown at Fellini's #9. $5, 10pm.
Jim White: Off-beat alt-country at Gravity Lounge. $15, 10pm.
Travis Elliott: Local singer-songwriter and J Roddy and the Business play classic rock at Miller's. Free, 10pm. [Video]
One Slack Mind: Nasty detuned hard rock. Also featuring Chalkline Beauty and Sciatic. Outback Lodge. $6, 10pm. [Video]