Record sales continue to free-fall—sales are down about 13 percent from last year but that isn’t preventing the labels from unloading a massive amountof big-name product on what has been dubbed Super Monday.  Typically, new releases bow on Tuesdays, but because of Thanksgiving, next week’s superstar crop comes early to still get a four-day sales week.

Have you ever wanted to perform in a show at the Barksdale Theatre? If you attend one of the upcoming productions of the two-act musical “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,“ you might get your chance. “Four members of the audience are recruited to participate in the actual spelling bee, up there on stage with the cast during Act I for each and every performance,“ said Judi Crenshaw, publicist for Theatre IV and Barksdale Theatre. “It’s sort of a combination of being in the spelling bee, but also being in a professional show.“

John Mayer’s new “Battle Studies” album is in stores this week, and the singer/Twitter King will embark on a tour with Michael Franti & Spearhead in February to support the release.  Mayer will first play the Verizon Center in D.C. on Feb. 20 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $42.50-$78 and go on sale Saturday at 10 a.m.

It’s getting close to Tacky Lights tour time, so if you’re lighting up this 20th anniversary year, let us know.  E-mail us at with your street address, name, contact phone number (not for publication) and a description of your lights and special features.

Still going   African American Repertory Theatre, Gottwald Playhouse, Richmond CenterStage, 600 E. Grace St., 355-2187. “Mahalia,“ $38. Through Sunday.  Firehouse Theatre Project, 1609 W. Broad St., 355-2001. “This Is How It Goes,“ $10-$25. Through Saturday.

Dora’s Brazilian Grill expects to be open by today. The new churrasco at 1331 E. Cary St. has been awaiting final city permits.  The restaurant will feature the traditional Brazilian rodizio format of a prix fixe meal ($26.95 for adults, $10.95 for kids 4-9 and 10 percent off for seniors 65 and older).

See you later: Leaving tomorrow are “The Stepfather,“ “Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant,“ “Saw VI”, “The Damned United” “Good Hair” and “A Serious Man.“  Second run: “Night at the Museum: Smithsonian” and “Inglourious Basterds” will continue Saturday at the Byrd. There are no shows tomorrow because of the Radio One Family Comedy Tour performance at 7:30 p.m. The show stars Marcus Wiley, Chinnitta Morris and John Gray Griff. Tickets are $25 at the door or $20 in advance at http://www.byrdtheatre.com.  Movieland features: Bruce Campbell and Embeth Davidtz star in “Army of Darkness” in this week’s Insomnia Theater offering, tomorrow and Saturday at 11:30 p.m. Lucille Ball and William Holden star in “Miss Grant Takes Richmond” for the Movies and Mimosas feature, Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m.  Hello, Cleveland: Satirical actor Harry Shearer will appear at the Byrd for a screening of “This Is Spinal Tap” at 4 p.m. Sunday, presented by indie radio station WRIR. Shearer, who co-starred in the film, will also speak to the audience and engage in a Q&A session before the screening of the classic faux music documentary. Tickets are $22 and can be purchased at http://www.wrir.org and Plan 9 in Carytown.—Melissa Ruggieri

The Jefferson Theater in Charlottesville will reopen Nov. 27 with a performance from Sons of Bill and Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit. The venue has been closed three years for renovations. It’s returning with a lineup including Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, Tea Leaf Green and a New Year’s Eve show with Gogol Bordello. Visit http://www.jeffersontheater.com for details.  . . .  If you haven’t gotten around to checking out Michael Jackson’s “This Is It,“ it’s still in theaters—and has made more than $200 million worldwide. But if you have a lot of patience and don’t want to pony up for the DVD early next year, you can see the film on MTV and its sister channels in 2011 as MTV Networks acquired the exclusive TV rights to air the concert documentary.  . . .  The Dave Matthews Band’s online store (http://www.davematthewsband.com) is giving fans a free “Live Trax” sampler from 2007 with every purchase of a physical item. Also, through Dec. 31, buyers who spend $25 will receive a free subscription to Rolling Stone (along with the sampler).  . . .  Leona Lewis is certainly hoping that “I See You” turns into the next “My Heart Will Go On.“ The British songbird’s tune will play over the end credits of James Cameron’s"Avatar,“ opening Dec. 18. Cameron’s last feature? “Titanic.“  . . .  Liam Gallagher told an Italian radio station that he and the other former Oasis members are starting a new band—without brother Noel.  . . .  Wynonna Judd told Billboard.com that she and mother Naomi are in talks to resurrect The Judds in 2010.

upnext “THE DAUGHTER OF THE REGIMENT”—Nov. 27, 29. Virginia Opera production of Donizetti’s comic opera, 8 p.m. Nov. 27 and 2:30 p.m. Nov. 29 at Carpenter Theatre, Richmond CenterStage, 600 E. Grace St. $29-$99. (866) 673-7282 or 592-3400.  LEGENDARY SANTA—Nov. 27-Dec. 24. Legendary Santa, The Snow Queen, Seymour and classic holiday characters arrive in Santaland to hear Christmas wishes and entertain, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. beginning Nov. 27 at the Children’s Museum of Richmond, 2626 W. Broad St. Visits to Santa are free, but regular admission of $7-$8 applies for museum entry. Santa hot line at 474-7009 or 474-2667. Daily (hours vary) through Dec. 24.

ALLEY KATZ—10 Walnut Alley, 643-2816. Crunk Budder, Cast Upon Blind Eyes, Since 1913 and others, 4 p.m. Friday, $7. Joe Enroughty & His Royal Virginians (big band), 5 p.m. Saturday, all ages, $8-$10. V-Bios, Lil Lee, J Dub and others, 10 p.m. Saturday, $5-$7. Four Letter Lie, Corpus Christi and A Bullet For a Boy, 5 p.m. Sunday, all ages, $10-$12.

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

Corporate & Museum Frame recently opened an exhibition by artist and photographer Katy Bea Martinez Arizala Keller.  The show consists of large-scale photographs of the artist’s numerous projects.  In one, she had groups of schoolchildren paint 2-inch squares, which she assembled into portraits of President Barack Obama, former President Bill Clinton and comedian Jon Stewart.

When it comes to the nuances of dining out, there’s a fine line between casual and unprofessional. For me, the threshold between the two lies just to the right of the dollar sign.  I’m not fazed by service slip-ups or minor seasoning snafus when I’m kicking back at a laid-back barbecue joint.