Weekend Calendar

THURSDAY 1/29

The Beaded Prayer Project Gallery Talk department of craft and material studies professor Sonya Clark. 2-3 p.m. Free. Anderson Gallery. 907 1/2 W. Franklin St. 828-1524.

Art After Hours Live music, art tours, dancing and wine tasting. Art auction by Friends of Art’s Fifth. 6-9 p.m. $10. Through Feb. 19. The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. 200 N. Boulevard. 340-1400.

“Of Mice and Men” Dramatic adaptation of John Steinbeck’s Depression-era story of two wandering farmhands. 8 p.m. $35. Through March 14. The Swift Creek Mill Theatre. 17401 Jefferson Davis Highway. 748-5203.

Poetry Reading American poet and memoirist Katy Lederer reads from her most recent work, “The Heaven-Sent Leaf.” 8 p.m. Free. Weinstein Hall. University of Richmond. 28 Westhampton Way. 289-8287.

FRIDAY 1/30

Mary Anne Rennolds Chamber Concerts String Master Class Rachel Barton Pine.

4-6 p.m. Free. Sonia Vlahcevic Concert Hall.
W. E. Singleton Center. 922 Park Ave. 828-1169.

“Music in Times of Civil Unrest” Inspired by Abraham Lincoln’s legacy as a wartime president and led by the Richmond Symphony, the University of Richmond’s Schola Cantorum and James River Singers perform various musical compositions. 7:30 p.m. Free. Modlin Center for the Arts. University of Richmond. 28 Westhampton Way. 289-8980.

“Human Maps” The department of dance and choreography presents two nights of artistic material developed by 10 of the college’s dance majors. 8 p.m. $5-$10. Continues Jan. 31. The Grace Street Theatre. 934 W. Grace St. 828-2020.

“The Words of Wendy Wasserstein” performs this original theater-dance collaboration inspired by the late Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning playwright, presenting stage adaptations of her short plays “Workout,” “Boy Meets Girl” and “Medea,” as well as selections from her collection of essays. 8 p.m. $10-15. Continues Jan. 31. 8 p.m. and Feb. 1 at 2 p.m. The Firehouse Theatre. 1609 W. Broad St. 355-2001.

SATURDAY 1/31

Chinese Lunar New Year Featuring traditional sights, tastes, dance, martial arts demonstrations, music and calligraphy by the Organization of Chinese Americans. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $8. The Children’s Museum of Richmond. 2626 W. Broad St. 474-7000.

“The African American Image in Virginia” Four centuries of African-American history in Virginia through pictorial representation. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $3-5. Through Dec. 30. Virginia Historical Society. 428 N. Boulevard. 358-4901.

“Mindbender” Find hidden clues, collect passwords and solve brain-teasing puzzles with a new exhibit produced and placed on tour by the Oregon Museum of Science. Through Sept. 7. $9-$10. 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. The Science Museum of Virginia. 2500 W. Broad St. 864-1400.

Virginia Dance Festival In its tenth year, the Jessica Morgan School of Dance hosts its annual production benefiting the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Richmond, featuring more than 300 dancers performing traditional and cultural dances. 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. $10-$15. James River High School. 3700 James River Road. 739-7600.

Rachel Barton Pine This virtuoso violinist performs the work of Dvorak, Brahms, Bauer, Gilbert and Liebling with pianist Matthew Hagle. 8 p.m. $28-$32. Sonia Vlahcevic Concert Hall. W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts. 922 Park Ave. 828-6776.

SUNDAY 2/1

The Garden is for Lovers Valentine’s display in the conservatory, featuring tulips, daffodils and hyacinths in full bloom. 9-5 p.m. $6-10. Through Feb. 28. The Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. 1800 Lakeside Ave. 262-9887.

“Blood is the Same” As part of its fifth annual film series, welcomes Awer Bul, a Sudanese Lost Boy, to present his documentary and discuss his experiences during the Sudanese Civil War. 2 p.m. Free. The Virginia Holocaust Museum. 2000 E. Cary St. 257-5400.

Book Swap Book People Discuss favorite reads and exchange material. 3-5 p.m. Free. 536 Granite Ave. 288-4346.

“Best of 2008 Photo Show” Featuring a range of styles and subjects from local artists. 6-9 p.m. Free. Through March 1. Harrison St. Café. 402 N. Harrison St. 359-8060.