Weekend Calendar

Thursday 4/16

Third Thursdays: A night of salsa, rumba and cha-cha dancing, traditional food and cocktails. 6-9 p.m. $5-$10.The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. 200 N. Boulevard. 340-1405.

End Hunger Slam: Monthly poetry showcase featuring Tavis Brunson with proceeds benefiting an impoverished family for an entire year. 7 p.m. $5. Gallery5. 200 W. Marshall St. 644-0005.

What Is This Thing Called Love? Vocalist and storyteller Denise Bennett and pianist Jim Bennett perform classic love songs of Cole Porter, Gershwin and others. 7 p.m. $6. Henrico Theatre. 305 E. Nine Mile Road. 328-4491.

The Dave Pillsbury Toot Sweet Jazz Ensemble: 7-10 p.m. $5. Curry House. 4032 Cox Road. 762-4411.

Robert Kelly: 7:30 p.m. $15. Funny Bone. 11800 W. Broad St. 521-8900.

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” Presented by Richmond Shakespeare Theatre. Rendition of the bard’s classic comedy of fairies, misdirected love and men turned into asses. 8 p.m. $13-$26. Through May 10. Thursdays-Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. Second Presbyterian Church. 5 N. Fifth St. 866-227-3849.

Friday 4/17

MoDebree: 5 p.m. Free. Jamie McLean Band: 10 p.m. $5. Capital Ale House. 623 E. Main St. 780-2537.

Grinding Stone: 6 p.m. $10-$13. The National. 708 E. Broad St. 612-1900.

“What is Africa to Me?-Exploring Virginia-Mali Connections” Featuring various cultural artifacts, textiles, jewelry and musical instruments. 6 p.m. Free. Through June 20. Black History Museum and Cultural Center. 3 E. Clay St. 780-9093.

Big John Bates and the Voodoo Dollz: A night of zealot roots noir, hot-rod blues and costumed spectacle and the Sugar Shack Burlesque show. 8 p.m. $12. Gallery5. 200 W. Marshall St. 644-0005.

“Well” Presented by the Barksdale Theatre. A funny exploration of the mother-daughter dynamic following a woman named Lisa as she desperately tries to organize a theatrical retelling of her childhood, only to be constantly interrupted and corrected by her mom, sitting only a few feet away, watching everything from her La-Z-Boy chair. 8 p.m. $32-$38. Through May 17. Thursday-Saturday at 8 p.m. and select Wednesdays. Theatre IV. 114 W. Broad St. 282-2620.

CPR: 8:30 p.m. Free. Grandpa Eddie’s Alabama Ribs and BBQ. 11129 Three Chopt Road. 270-7427.

Saturday 4/18

Dog Days of Spring: An afternoon celebrating spring and canine companions. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Adoptions, grooming, treats and accessories. Dogs encouraged to attend. The 43rd Street Gallery. 1412 W. 43rd St. 233-1758.

French Food Festival: Featuring renowned chef Paul Elbling, Little Sisters of the Poor holds a day of desserts, pastries, chocolates, breads and wine. Live entertainment and children’s activities including the create a crepe corner. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. $2. Food $1-$8. 1503 Michael’s Road. 288-6245.

102.1 the X Chili Cook-Off: A day of chili tastings and tunes featuring performances by Trapt, Framing Hanley, Pop Evil, Anberline and Hollywood Undead. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. $20-$25. Rain or shine. The Richmond Raceway Complex. 600 E. Laburnum Ave.

Record Store Day: Plan 9 Music and Style Weekly celebrate independently owned music shops with a day of exclusive giveaway merchandise and in-store musical performances by Hex Machine, No BS Brass Band, Cinemasofia and the Recliners. 1 p.m. Free. Plan 9 Music. 3012 W. Cary St. 353-9996.

Brad Yoder: 7 p.m. Free. Daily Grind. 11655 W. Broad St. 360-1565.

The Neon Man and Me: Playwright and performer Slash Coleman presents his PBS special and off-Broadway production about coping with the death of a friend. 7 p.m. $10-15. The Camel. 1621 W. Broad St. 353-3799.

Haze and the Transients: 9 p.m. $5. Que Pasa. 623 N. 25th St. 402-7502.

Sunday 4/19

Spring Bada-Bing! The Richmond Craft Mafia presents “the boss of all craft shows.” Featuring handmade wares of over 60 artists and designers from all over the country. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. Plant Zero, 0 E. 4th St. 340-3132.

Fresh Ink: Literary series continues with more than a dozen poets reciting their respective works. 1-5 p.m. Free. The Visual Arts Center of Richmond. 1812 W. Main St. 353-0094.

Jennifer Hudson and Robin Thicke: Special performances by these Grammy-winning recording R&B artists. 7:30 p.m. $40-$60. The Landmark Theater. 6 N. Laurel St. 800-745-3000.

Cashmere Jungle Lords: 8 p.m. $10. Plaza Bowl. 521 E. Southside Plaza. 233-8799.

Southeast Engine, The High Street Lowlifes: 8:30 p.m. Free. The Triple. 3306 W. Broad St. 359-7777.