Free and cheap things to do in Richmond this weekend

VCUarts Dance + Choreography is delighted to present VCUarts Dance NOW 2021, new work in the virtual space by students, faculty, and featuring a collaborative re-staging of “Artist Journal” by guest artists Urban Bush Women. Rotating programs will be screened online for four weeks: Fridays, February 19, 26, and March 5 and 12, at 7:00 pm EST. All performances are FREE and available to the public. Links will be shared within 24 hours of each show. February 19 zoom: https://vcu.zoom.us/j/96330156020

Let the good times roll at this ALL-NEW limited-capacity special event with big thrills from immersive live entertainment, delicious Cajun-inspired cuisine, festive cocktails, coasters & attractions, eight decorated villages, and more. For more information and to make a reservation click here: http://spr.ly/6008HwJP8 Admission is included with Membership, Annual Pass, Fun Card, Preschool Pass, Waves of Honor tickets, Military Pass and 2021 Friends & Family Pass. All guests must make a reservation to visit in advance in order to manage park capacity and maintain physical distancing. Requiring reservations allows the park to limit the number of guests on property each day, further enhancing the park’s rigorous safety protocols.

⭐️ Want to hit the slopes on a budget? Check out how to access ski lift ticket and winter resort discounts. Photo credit: Snowshoe Facebook

The Heritage Ensemble Theatre Company presents a new play by Margarette Joyner. As African American females begin to shine all over this country, we would like to acknowledge those women who have paved the way. What They Did for Us follows the lives of four heroic women. Learn about the situations that Phillis Wheatley, Wilma Rudolph, Cathay Williams and Queen Nzinga had to overcome in order to move from tragedy to triumph. This production will feature a reduced capacity of 20 seats per performance, in accordance with CDC guidelines. Please contact the Box Office for any specific seating requests, including handicapped seating. A streaming version will also be available.  Buy your tickets here.

⭐️ Sign up for skating lessons at SkateNation Plus and Richmond Ice Zone starting this week.

Big Brains: Neurons on display teach about mental health at the Mind Matters exhibit at the Science Museum of Virginia.

Elegba Folklore Society will present the Black Book Expo, Saturday, February 27, 3p – 7p, and Sunday, February 28, 3p – 6p, at the Society’s Cultural Center. 101 E Broad St Richmond, VA 23219.  The Black Book Expo will feature a vast display of literature featuring topics including black history, politics, science, health, African Diasporic culture, African spirituality, personal development, novels and children’s books. The public is invited to meet authors and browse and buy books to complement personal collections. Celebrity guest authors will make presentations and sign their books. Independent writers will also speak. Saturday evening will feature entertainment, and refreshments will be available. Follow Elegba Folklore Society on Facebook and Instagram for updates and to enjoy pre-event interviews with selected authors and other surprises. Strict Covid Protocols.

For the first time ever, Carter Mountain Orchard will be open throughout the winter, Fridays through Sundays. You can now enjoy the crisp air, fresh cider donuts, and their spectacular mountain views all year long. Carter Mountain is located at 1435 Carters Mountain Trail, Charlottesville, VA 22902, tel: 434.977.1833

SUN. Feb. 28-3 PM-MLK/FBI documentary film at The Byrd Theatre, 2908 W Cary St Richmond, VA 23221 – Tickets · $10

Join Richmond Triangle Players and Black Theatre Association this Sunday, February 28th at 7:00 pm on Facebook (and on Zoom) for a talkback. Trinitee Pearson and Obadiah Parker will facilitate a conversation entitled “A Bitter Conversation” as they are joined virtually with members of the cast and crew to discuss the themes in “This Bitter Earth”.  If you have any questions for the Q&A portion of the talkback, comment on Facebook. Those in the Zoom meeting and Facebook Live will also get a chance to ask questions in realtime. The link to join the Zoom meeting is forthcoming. Please be on the look out for more information in the coming days. If you didn’t see the production of “This Bitter Earth” by Harrison David Rivers either in person or virtually you can  still view the video on demand performance available through the end of the month. Please visit the website www.rtriangle.org or email resv@rtriangle.org for more information.

Eloise Garrison poses by the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden LOVEworks sign: All Garden visitors enjoy half-price admission through Feb. 28, 2021. During this time only, Garden admission is $6 for adults and seniors and $4 for children. Advance tickets are required: https://www.lewisginter.org/visit-planner/  Please note the Garden is open Wednesday-Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., and the Garden Cafe and Tea House will be closed during this time. Photo credit: Lindsay Garrison.