Up Next

upnext

GUITAR & OTHER STRINGS -- July 10, 17, 24, 26. VCU's 17th annual paean to stringed instruments opens with hammered dulcimer player Maggie Sansone & Friends in music with a Celtic flavor, 7:30 p.m. July 10, $10. Series continues July 17 with harp guitar legend Stephen Bennett, July 24 with bossa nova band Quatro na Bossa and July 26 with VCU Community Guitar Ensemble. All take place in Vlahcevic Hall, VCU Singleton Center, 922 Park Ave. 828-6776 or 828-1166.

TOBY KEITH -- July 10. Trace Adkins joins the country star, 7:30 p.m. (gates at 6:30) at Virginia Beach Amphitheater, Virginia Beach. $33.75-$73.75. (757) 368-3000.

HANOVER TOMATO FESTIVAL July 11. Celebrate Hanover's notable fruit with tomato treats, contests, exhibits and demonstrations, games, music, arts and crafts and more, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. in Pole Green Park, 8996 Pole Green Park Lane, Mechanicsville. Free. 779-7948 or 365-4695.

SHOCKOE TOMATO -- July 11. Festival at the height of tomato season, packed with vendors, "Tastiest Tomato" costume contest, kids' stuff, music and tomatoes any way you want'em, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at 17th Street Farmers' Market, 17th and East Main streets. Free. 646-0477.

THE '80S WAS THE GREATEST July 11. "Old skool" festival with Naughty By Nature, Doug E Fresh, Slick Rick, Chubb Rock and Trouble Funk Go-Go Band with '80s costume and dance contests, concessions and more, 4:30 p.m. on Brown's Island, Tredegar and South Seventh streets. $25. 646-0546.

DEF LEPPARD -- July 11, 12. Poison and Cheap Trick join Def Leppard for new-wave metal, 7 p.m. at Virginia Beach Amphitheater, Virginia Beach; $41-$181; (757) 368-3000. Tour stops at 7 p.m. July 12 at Nissan Pavilion, Bristow; $29.50-$125; (703) 754-6400.

JOHN LEGEND -- July 14, 15. Neo-soul singer-pianist with India.Arie and Vaughn Anthony, 7:30 p.m. July 14 at nTelos Pavilion, Portsmouth; $25-$53.75; (757) 393-8181. Tour stops at 7 p.m. July 15 at Charlottesville Pavilion, C'ville; $38-$58; (877) 272-8849.

JOYFEST -- July 18. Gospel festival with Kirk Franklin, Marvin Sapp, Tye Tribbett, Crystal Aikin, Martha Munizzi and Bone Hampton, 6:30 p.m. at Kings Dominion, Doswell. $49.99-$59.99 (includes park admission; $19.99-$24.99 season passholder). 876-5561.