Weekend calendar

Thursday 9/25
State Fair of Virginia: Beginning an 11-day run, this event will include rodeo shows, tractor pulls, rides, a demolition derby, technology and robotics demonstrations, animal races and musical performances by Phil Vassar, Kellie Pickler and Miranda Lambert. Runs through Oct. 6. $8-$49. Richmond Raceway Complex. 600 E. Laburnum Ave. 569-3232.

Banner Lecture: Helen McGehee “To Be a Dancer: Helen McGehee on Modern Dance” 12 p.m. $3-$5. Virginia Historical Society. 428 N. Boulevard. 358-4901.

Flowers After 5: Stroll through the flowers and plants for dining and wine tasting as live VCU Jazz plays. 6 p.m. $6-$10. Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. 1800 Lakeside Ave. 262-9887.

Concert Ballet of Virginia: Led by artist and director Robert Watkins, this dance company begins a new season with its Fall Gala. 8 p.m. Continues Sunday. $15-$18. Women’s Club of Richmond. 211 E. Franklin St. 798-0945.

VCU Music Faculty Recital: Bryan Hooten, jazz trombone. Featuring the music of Hooten’s Ombak. 8 p.m. Free. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts, Sonia Vlahcevic Concert Hall. 922 Park Avenue. 828-1169.

Friday 9/26
Ginger Levit Atelier: “Frankly French: Paintings with Provenance from Paris.” Reception from 6-9 p.m. Free. Art Works. 419 Dellbrooks Place. 740-1471.

“Living Yoga: The Life and Teachings of Swami Satchidananda”: Educational film about Yoga and its benefits plus post-film discussion. 7 p.m. Free. Student Commons, Forum Room. 658-0528.

“The September All Media Show”: Richmond Men’s Chorus, works by Dorothy Ellis and Martin McFadden, and “The Art of Survival.” Reception at 7 p.m. Free. Through Oct. 19. Art Works. 320 Hull St. 291-1900.

“The Clean House”: Directed by Steve Perigard and written by Sara Ruhl. This contemporary play about a couple and their newly hired housekeeper. Wednesdays-Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. $35-$38. Through Nov. 2. Barksdale Theatre at Willow Lawn. 1601 Willow Lawn Drive. 282-2620.

“Mute Communiques from Open Fields”: Art by Suzyn Hutton Kelley and Danny Finney, “Re-Creations,” painting by Irving Aronowitz and works by Santa De Haven. Reception from 7-10 p.m. Free. Through Oct. 19. Artspace Gallery. 0 E. Fourth St. 232-6464.

VCU Guitar Series: Dennis Koster, flamenco guitar. 8 p.m. $5. Free for VCU ID holders by calling the VCU Music Box Office. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts, Sonia Vlahcevic Concert Hall. 922 Park Avenue. 828-1169.

Scoot In Movie: Scoot Richmond, in conjunction with Fourth Fridays and Manchester United, hosts a drive-in movie for scooters, pedestrians and otherwise, screening the classic mockumentary “This Is Spinal Tap.” 9 p.m. Free. Scoot Richmond. 217 W. Seventh St. 230-1000.

Saturday 9/27
Gay Pride Virginia Festival: Featuring its first Gay for a Day 5K race, with numerous other indoor and outdoor activities. 2-10 p.m. Free. Gay Community Center of Richmond. 1407 Sherwood Ave. 353-8890.

Music for Silent Films: Musicians Lewis Barnes, Chris Becker, Paul Watson and Lynn Wright present an evening of live improvised soundtracks to popular silent films. 7:30 p.m. $5. ADA Gallery. 228 W. Broad St. 644-0100.

NanoHz No. 15: HzCollective presents an evening of experimental and avant garde electronic music. 8 p.m. $3. Ghostprint Gallery. 220 W. Broad St. 317-1938.

Sunday 9/28
Third Annual Dancing in the Vineyard: Presented by Z Mullins Dance Company, an afternoon of dancing, wine tasting, and a silent auction. 2-5 p.m. $12-$15. James River Cellars. 11008 Washington Highway. 513-3976.