Richmond area arts and entertainment event calendar

MARTIN LUTHER KING COMMEMORATIONS

"The Meeting," stage play about an imagined meeting between the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, presented at 2:30 and 4 p.m. today at Valentine Richmond History Center, 1015 E. Clay St. $15. Also, actor Tony Cosby performs the "I Have a Dream" and "Memphis" speeches on the steps of the center at 2 p.m. 218-6870.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute Celebration: Guest speaker Jamelle Wilson, Hanover County public schools superintendent, and others in program at noon Monday at Blackwell Auditorium, Randolph-Macon Center for the Performing Arts, Ashland. Free. 752-3712.

Day of Celebration: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: Tribute readings and reception beginning at 2 p.m. Monday at Sycamore Rouge, 21 W. Old St., Petersburg. Free. 957-5707.

"Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration of Unity Concert": Greater Richmond Children's Choir and choirs from Grace and Holy Trinity Episcopal Church and Ebenezer Baptist Church, 7:30 p.m. Monday at Grace and Holy Trinity, 8 N. Laurel St. Free. 359-5628.

WEEKEND WATCH

Richmond Fishing Expo: Fishing gear, equipment and services, boat vendors, seminars with experts and more, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Jan. 22 at the Meadow Event Park, 13039 Dawn Blvd., Doswell. $5-$8. (336) 855-0208.

Richmond Symphony Pops: Patti Austin in "For Ella," songs of Ella Fitzgerald, 8 p.m. Saturday at Carpenter Theatre, Richmond CenterStage, 600 E. Grace St. $12-$76. 788-1212.

Ensemble Appassionata: The Montreal-based chamber orchestra performs for the Mary Anne Rennolds Chamber Concerts, 8 p.m. Saturday at VCU Singleton Center, 922 Park Ave. $28-$32. 828-6776.

ART OPENINGS

Crossroads Art Center, 2016 Staples Mill Road, 278-8950. Reception 6-9 p.m. Friday for "All Media Show," "Members Show" and works by featured artist Liz Wallen, by members of James River Art League and by students of Susan Stuller. Through March 6.

Page Bond Gallery, 1625 W. Main St., 359-3633. Artists' reception 7-9 p.m. Friday for "Nothing to be Done," recent work by Clover Archer Lyle, and "View Find" group photography exhibit. Through Feb. 25.

VCUarts Anderson Gallery, 907½ W. Franklin St., 828-1522. Reception 6-8 p.m. Friday for "you, your sun and shadow," contemporary sculpture exhibition curated by Michael Jones McKean. Through March 11.

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, 200 N. Boulevard, 340-1400. Opens Saturday: "The Mourners: Tomb Sculptures from the Court of Burgundy," 37 works from the collection of the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Dijon, France. Through April 15.

CONCERTS

Soprano Anne O'Byrne and baritone Michael Renninger with accompanist Patrick Carlin in music by Saint Saëns, Brahms, Verdi, Berlioz and others, 2 p.m. today at Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, North Laurel Street and Park Avenue. Free. 359-5651.

Richmond Symphony Masterworks: "Piazzolla & Rodrigo" with guest guitarist Jason Vieaux, 3 p.m. today at Carpenter Theatre, Richmond CenterStage, 600 E. Grace St. $12-$73. 788-1212 or (800) 514-3849.

Garrick Ohlsson: International award-winning pianist in concert at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Modlin Center, University of Richmond. $20-$40. 289-8980.

Gellman Room Concerts: Pianist Ron Alig and guitarist Andrew McEvoy in music by Mario Castelnuovo-Tedescho, J.S. Bach, John Dowland and other works, 2 p.m. Saturday at Richmond Public Library, First and East Franklin streets. Free. 646-4740.

DANCE

Winter Jazz at the Modlin: River North Dance Chicago in contemporary works, 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Modlin Center, University of Richmond. $20-$40. 289-8980.

OPERA

"The King and I": Lyric Opera Virginia stages the Rodgers & Hammerstein favorite about the 19th-century English woman who tutors the King of Siam's children, 8 p.m. Friday and 2:30 p.m. Jan. 22 at Richmond's Landmark Theater, 6 N. Laurel St. $20-$85. 646-0546 or (800) 514-3849.

Virginia Opera in "Opera for People Who Don't Like Opera," a humorous and interactive introduction to the art form, 2 p.m. Saturday at Henrico Theatre, 305 E. Nine Mile Road. Free; reservation required. 328-4491.

THEATER OPENINGS

"To Whom It May Concern," a warm and tuneful take on what goes on in peoples' minds during a church service, opens as an Acts of Faith Fringe offering at 7 p.m. Wednesday at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 12291 River Road. $10-$20. 784-5678, ext. 18. Through Jan. 22.

"Marriage Can Be Murder," Mystery Dinner Playhouse's latest whodunit featuring dinner and audience participation, opens at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Mystery Dinner Playhouse, Crowne Plaza Hotel-Richmond West, 6531 W. Broad St. $43.95 for dinner and show. 649-2583. Through June 23.

"Always ... Patsy Cline," Barksdale Theatre production for the Acts of Faith Festival, opens at 8 p.m. Friday at Barksdale Theatre-Hanover Tavern, 13181 Hanover Courthouse Road, Hanover. $19-$38. 282-2620. Through April 29.

"Almighty Bob," Chamberlayne Actors Theater Acts of Faith Festival production about a delusional (or not) assisted-living home resident, opens at 8 p.m. Friday at Chamberlayne Actors Theatre, 319 N. Wilkinson Road. $18. 262-9760. Through Feb. 5.

DIVERSIONS

Richmond Wedding Expo: More than 100 professionals offering goods and services, noon-5 p.m. today at Marriott Richmond Hotel, 500 E. Broad St. $10. 789-9110.

"Social Life in the Confederacy," Sesquicentennial Brown Bag Lunch Talk on the movers and shakers of Richmond's wartime society at noon Friday at Museum of the Confederacy, 1201 E. Clay St. Free. 649-1861.

LiveSky — A Star That Might Have Been: Planetarium show ($5) about the giant planet Jupiter, 6 p.m. Friday at Science Museum of Virginia, 2500 W. Broad St., followed by telescope observation of the night sky (free) on the lawn. 864-1400.

"Shock & Awe" Real Richmond Food Tour of Shockoe-area eateries, 2-4:30 p.m. Saturday from the 17th Street Farmers' Market, 1700 E. Main St. $44.46. 840-5318.

"An Evening with Mark Twain," Michael Maudlin's one-man-show portraying the literary and humor icon, 7 p.m. Saturday at Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen, 2880 Mountain Road. $25. 261-2787.

Arena Racing: Half-scale stock cars race on an indoor track, 7 p.m. Saturday at Richmond Coliseum, Sixth and East Leigh streets. $7-$12 general admission; $14 reserved seating. 780-4970.

Israeli Film Festival, at Weinstein JCC, 5403 Monument Ave., unless noted, 545-8605; $8.50-$10 per film; $28-$36 four-film program. Saturday: "Three Mothers," 7:30 p.m. Jan. 22: "Precious Life," 10 a.m.; "Salsa in Tel Aviv," 1:30 p.m. at Byrd Theatre, 2908 W. Cary St.; "The Matchmaker," 7 p.m.

Pat Row