With songs such as “Everyone’s a Little Bit Racist” and “The Internet Is for Porn,“ it’s pretty clear that, despite the presence of puppets, “Avenue Q” isn’t for kids.  It is, however, a cheeky, hilarious treat for adults who appreciate clever writing incorporated into sprightly songs about looking for meaning and purpose in life.

What makes a restaurant stand out (in a good way) isn’t usually what it’s lacking.  However, in the case of Plaza Mexico, the new south-of-the-border eatery on Main Street in the Fan District, the lack of almost anything Mexican-themed is exactly what caught my eye.  Thank goodness it did. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have given this place a second glance.

Still going   Chamberlayne Actors Theater, 319 N. Wilkinson Road, 262-9760. “I’m Not Rappaport,“ $15-$20; reservation required. Through Sunday.  Firehouse Theatre Project, 1609 W. Broad St., 355-2001. “This Is How It Goes,“ $10-$25. Through Nov. 21.

Fans of Frank’s Ristorante in the Stony Point Shopping Center and the late Brother’s Pizza in western Henrico County will soon have a new addition to the family.  Bocca Toscana is slated to open next month in The Village Shopping Center (7021 Three Chopt Road).

Country princess Taylor Swift will keep her “Fearless” tour rolling through next year and swing by John Paul Jones Arena on March 20 at 7 p.m.  Swift, who turns 20 next month, will perform with Gloriana, and “American Idol” alum Kellie Pickler will open the show.

Café Gutenberg 1700 E. Main St.

upnext BILL GAITHER—Nov. 13. Southern gospel superstar brings his Gaither Vocal Band Reunited Tour to town, 7 p.m. at Richmond Coliseum, Sixth and East Leigh streets. $30.50-$40.50. 780-4970.  SUNTRUST RICHMOND MARATHON Nov. 14. “America’s Friendliest Marathon” is off at 8 a.m. from Seventh and East Broad streets; HCA Virginia 8K begins at 7 a.m. on Broad Street between Eighth and Ninth streets; and McDonald’s Half Marathon begins at 7:30 a.m. at Seventh and Broad. Spectator Party Zones with entertainment are at start, finish and along the marathon route. Free to spectators. Marathon $95, Half Marathon $80, 8K $30; no race-day registration. 285-9495 or http://www.richmondmarathon.com.

1708 Gallery in the city’s downtown Gallery District recently opened a show of new works by Richmond artist John Henry Blatter.  Blatter, who teaches at Virginia Commonwealth University, uses sound, video and environment to create his installations, which are customized to the space in which he is working.

See you later: Leaving tomorrow are “Capitalism: A Love Story,“ “Toy Story 1 and 2” and “Tyler Perry’s I Can Do Bad All By Myself.“  Second run: “Funny People” and “Inglourious Basterds” will begin at 7:15 and 9:45 p.m., respectively, tomorrow at the Byrd. There are no shows Nov. 12.  Movieland features: Arnold Schwarzenegger and Linda Hamilton star in “The Terminator” in this week’s Insomnia Theater offering, tomorrow and Saturday at 11:30 p.m. The Marx Brothers star in “Animal Crackers” for the Movies and Mimosas feature, Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m.  Silent classics: Richmond Moving Image Co-op presents: “The Black Pirate” at 2 p.m. today at the Main Library, 101 E. Franklin St. Admission is free.  Features at the Byrd: FETCH a Cure presents: “The Canine Film Festival” on Saturday with “Milo & Otis” at 10 a.m., “Cats & Dogs” at noon, “Where the Red Fern Grows” at 2 p.m. and “Best in Show” at 4 p.m. On Sunday, features are “Best in Show” at 1 p.m. and “An American Opera” at 3 p.m. Tickets are free.—Trudy Knight

Congrats to Richmond singer-songwriter Susan Greenbaum, whose song “Spin Like a Top” last week won the People’s Choice Award at the Songwriters Showcase at the Smithsonian. Greenbaum was among 12 candidates selected to perform at the event, and she was presented with the award from guest speaker Lamont Dozier, of the famed songwriter trio Holland-Dozier-Holland (“Baby Love,“ “You Keep Me Hangin’ On,“ “Reach Out [I’ll Be There]“ to name a very few).  . . .  A new music site, http://www.livekick.com, gives fans the ability to customize their concert updates by city, ticket price, artist and genre.  . . .  ABC will air a Janet Jackson special Nov. 18 at 10 p.m., the day after her “Number Ones” album arrives.  . . .  If you weren’t one of the 10 million people who tapped into YouTube to watch U2’s performance from the Rose Bowl in Pasadena last week, the concert is now streaming at http://www.u2.com.  . . .  Chris Brown will Brownhelp resurrect Vibe magazine, which abruptly shuttered this summer. Advertising Age magazine reports that Brown will split the distributed covers with rapper Drake for the Dec. 8 return of the publication.  . . .  Rihanna’s interview with Diane Sawyer will air on “Good Morning America” today and tomorrow, as well as “20/20” tomorrow night.  . . .  Eminem and Lady Gaga have been added to the performers list for the 2009 American Music Awards. Previously announced acts include Jay-Z, Kelly Clarkson, Adam Lambert and The Black Eyed Peas. The show airs live Nov. 22. Online voting is happening now at http://www.amavote.com.  . . .  The Black Crowes will release the DVD “Cabin Fever” on Nov. 24. On TV

You’ll know what to expect from “Motherhood” even before the opening credits.  A camera pans over a topsy-turvy apartment, two sleeping children and a snoring husband, then settles on Eliza Welch’s to-do list, which includes this entry: “Blog?“  We can add Eliza, a Manhattan mom played by a harried and wild-haired Uma Thurman, to the fictional Carrie Bradshaws and all-too-real Julie Powells of the world, trying to turn their lives into sassy prose (and perhaps a movie deal).

Science Museum IMAX “Sharks”: 11 a.m., 4 p.m. Thursday-Friday; 4 p.m. Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday. $8.50.  “Journey Into Amazing Caves”: 2 p.m. Thursday; 5 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m., 2, 5 p.m. Saturday; 2, 5 p.m. Sunday; 11 a.m., 2 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday. $8.50.

Look for these new DVD releases, now on store shelves. “Aliens in the Attic”: An extended family gathers in a big Victorian rental home in the country. They stumble across four diminutive aliens (animated) that have landed in the attic at the vanguard of a Zirconian invasion force. 1:26. Rated PG.

Richard Shindell with Antje Duvekot, 8 p.m. at Ashland Coffee & Tea One Love Reggae Festival featuring Capleton, Anthony B and Cocoa T, 8 p.m. at Hat Factory Robert Fleishman (former lead singer in Journey) and The Sky with The Sharp Comfort and Mistaken Identity, 9 p.m. at Alley Katz