Richmond area arts and entertainment event calendar

VALENTINE'S ROMANCE

The Love Tour: Victorian-style romance, interpreted by costumed ladies and gentlemen, in tours noon-5 p.m. today (every half hour, last tour at 4:30) at Maymont Mansion, 1700 Hampton St. $3-$5. 358-7166, ext. 329.

Valentine's Cabaret: Richmond Men's Chorus and Richmond Women's Chorus in songs about the ups and downs of love, 7 p.m. today at Richmond Triangle Players Theatre, 1300 Altamont Ave. $15. 346-8113.

ON TAP THIS WEEK

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus: "Dragons" is the 2012 version of the "Greatest Show on Earth" stopping in Richmond, with showtimes at 7 p.m. Wednesday; 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Thursday, 3 and 7 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m., 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday and Feb. 19 at Richmond Coliseum, Sixth and East Leigh streets. $15-$85. 780-4970 (coliseum) or (800) 745-3000 (Ticketmaster).

"The Lion King," Broadway in Richmond touring production of the Tony Award-winning musical megahit stops for a 3½-week run, opening at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and continuing in 31 more matinee and evening performances through March 11 at Richmond's Landmark Theater, 6 N. Laurel St. $25-$127.50. www.broadwayinrichmond.com or (800) 514-3849 (etix).

CONCERTS

Music for Weddings & Other Festive Occasions: Trumpeter Michael Davison, flutist Anthony Smith, vocalist Michele Orr and organist-pianist Patrick Carlin, 2 p.m. today at Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, North Laurel Street and Park Avenue. Free. 359-5651.

Second Sunday South of the James: Pianist Sonia Vlahcevic in music by Ligeti and Chopin and commentary, 4 p.m. today at Bon Air Presbyterian Church, 9201 W. Huguenot Road. Donation requested. 272-7514.

Modlin Center (Camp Concert Hall unless noted), University of Richmond, 289-8980. Today: Arlo Guthrie with his band and The Burns Sisters for the "Journey On" tour, 7:30 p.m., $20-$40. Wednesday: Shanghai Quartet with guest pianist Stephen Prutsman for a world premiere of a piano quintet by Prutsman and music by Mozart and Brahms, 7:30 p.m., $17-$34.

VCU Singleton Center (Vlahcevic Hall unless noted), 922 Park Ave., 828-6776. Wednesday: VCU Symphonic Wind Ensemble with guest saxophonist Bob Mintzer, 7 p.m., $5. Thursday: VCU Jazz Orchestra I with guest saxophonist Bob Mintzer, 8 p.m., $5.

American Youth Harp Ensemble previews its Carnegie Hall tour with a concert at 7 p.m. Friday at Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, 800 S. Cathedral Place. Donations welcome. 837-9355.

DANCE

Richmond Ballet's "Coppélia": Comic ballet featuring a romantic triangle involving a life-size doll, 2 p.m. today at Carpenter Theatre, Richmond CenterStage, 600 E. Grace St. $17-$127. 344-0906.

VCU Dance NOW: 30th anniversary concert of student dancers in new work by VCU dance faculty and guest artists, 8 p.m. Thursday to Saturday at VCU Grace Street Theater, 934 W. Grace St. $20. 828-2020.

OPERA

"Orphée," Virginia Opera's Virginia premiere of Philip Glass' contemporary opera rooted in ancient Greek myth, 8 p.m. Friday and 2:30 p.m. Feb. 19 at Carpenter Theatre, Richmond CenterStage, 600 E. Grace St. $29-$111. 592-3400 or (800) 514-3849.

THEATER OPENINGS

"Conversations With My Father," Jewish Family Theatre's Acts of Faith Festival production of Herb Gardener's play about first- and second-generation Russian Jewish immigrants, opens at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Weinstein JCC, 5403 Monument Ave. $8-$15. 545-8610. Through Feb. 26.

"August: Osage County," Acts of Faith Festival collaboration between Cadence Theatre Company and Barksdale's Theatre Gym of Tracy Letts' drama about a dysfunctional American family, previews at 8 p.m. Thursday at November Theatre, 114 W. Broad St. $19-$26. 282-2620. Opens Friday; through March 10.

"You Don't Know Me," a trio of one-act plays about prejudice — "What Strong Fences Make," "Beirut Rocks" and "Ohio State Murders" — produced by Firehouse Theatre Project in collaboration with VUU Theatre for the Acts of Faith Festival, opens at 8 p.m. Thursday at Firehouse Theatre, 1609 W. Broad St. $12-$26. 355-2001. Through March 11.

"The Stinky Cheese Man," Theatre IV's family production based on the book by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith that turns fairy tales on their heads, opens at 7 p.m. Friday at the November Theatre, 114 W. Broad St. $14-$18. 282-2620. Through March 19.

"Topdog/Underdog," Sycamore Rouge production for Acts of Faith Festival of Susan-Lori Parks' Pulitzer Prize-winning drama, opens at 8 p.m. Friday at Sycamore Rouge, 21 W. Old St., Petersburg. $18-$22. 957-5707. Through March 11.

"The King and I," Theatre Company at Fort Lee production of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, opens at 8 p.m. Saturday at Lee Playhouse, Mahone Avenue, Fort Lee. $6-$12. 734-6629. Through March 4.

DIVERSIONS

The Elbys: Awards named for renowned French chef and Richmonder Paul Elbling recognize food-industry professionals in nine categories, 6-10 p.m. today at Virginia Historical Society, 428 N. Boulevard. $65; group packages available; benefits Tricycle Gardens. 794-6700.

"Desdemona, A Play About a Handkerchief," Richmond Shakespeare's Second Tuesdays Staged Reading that's a modern look at Shakespeare's characters Desdemona, Emilia and Bianca, and what might happen if they were left to their own devices, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Gottwald Playhouse, Richmond CenterStage, 600 E. Grace St. $9-$17. 592-3400 or (800) 514-3849.

Go Red for Women Luncheon with Katherine Busser, executive vice president of bank operations at Capital One Financial Corp. as keynote speaker, 10:30-1:30 p.m. Friday at the Jefferson Hotel, 101 W. Franklin St. $125, reservation required; benefits American Heart Association. 965-6529.

The MIX International Short Film Festival: 39 short films from 16 countries in screenings beginning at 11:15 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Friday; noon, 2 and 4 p.m. Saturday; 1:30 p.m. Feb. 19; and awards program at 3:15 p.m. Feb. 19 at the Byrd Theatre, 2908 W. Cary St. Some screenings include Q&A with attending filmmakers. Individual screenings, $7; $20 weekend pass (excludes award ceremony); red carpet award ceremony $15. (404) 281-3748. Through Sunday.

Richmond Boat Show: Boats of all types and sizes plus information about nautical goods and services, noon-8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 19 at Richmond Raceway Complex, 600 E. Laburnum Ave. $9; 16 and younger free. 425-6556.

Pet Expo: Pet-related vendors, demonstrations by canine athletes and acrobats, adoptions, petting zoo and more, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday at The Showplace, 3000 Mechanicsville Turnpike. $5-$10; benefits Henrico Humane Society. 262-6634.

Ezibu Muntu African Dance Group in Black History Month program of music and dance, 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday at Children's Museum of Richmond-Central, 2626 W. Broad St. Included in museum admission of $7-$8. 474-7000.

Family, Friends, February — Celebrate Black History: Entertainment, gallery tours, book signings, contests and more honoring black history makers, 4-7 p.m. Saturday at Elegba Folklore Society Cultural Center, 101 E. Broad St. Free. 644-3900.

ZestFest: FeedMore's signature fundraiser offers samples of dishes from the region's best chefs and tastings of Virginia wines, live music and dancing, silent and live auctions and raffles for travel packages, 6-11 p.m. Saturday at Greater Richmond Convention Center, 403 N. Third St. $150; table packages available. 549-5668.

Richmond Symphony Orchestra League Mardi Gras Gala: New Orleans cuisine, live auction and music by the Jack Winn-tet, 7-11 p.m. Saturday at West Broad Village Clubhouse, 2201 Liesfield Parkway, Glen Allen. $125; benefits Richmond Symphony. 233-1799.

Masquerade Rumba: Party to support Latin Ballet of Virginia's educational programs, with dance lesson, entertainment by the Latin Ballet dancers, and travel, art, and culture silent auction, 8 p.m.-midnight Saturday at Gallery5, 200 W. Marshall St. $45; $80 couple. 379-2555.

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