Community CalendarCommunity Calendar week of July 25

Check out the night sky with SKY WATCH at the Science Museum of Virginia every 3^rd Friday of the month.  Join members of the Richmond Astronomical Society on the museum's front lawn as they share their powerful telescopes for a look at the night sky. The next Sky watch is on August 20^th at 8:30 pm.  For more information contact the Science Museum at 864-1400.  The museum is located at 2500 West Broad Street downtown.

Equality Virginia presents its first Annual Benefit Art Exhibition.  Noted artist John Moon will have an opening reception entitled: "Contrast, Collaboration, Transcendence" on August 5, 2010 from 6-9pm at Corporate and Museum Frame in Downtown Richmond at 301 West Broad Street. The exhibit benefits Equality Virginia.  For more information, contact .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  or call 804-643-4816.

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, in conjunction with the Richmond Jazz Society, presents the Jazz Café, a musical event open to the public every Thursday evening through September. A variety of jazz trios will perform in the VMFA's Best Café on Thursday evenings, from 6 – 9 pm.  Take a break and relax after work with great jazz.

VMFA is located at 200 North Boulevard in Richmond. For more information visit www.vmfa.state.va.us

Galleries, on an off Historic Broad Street downtown, will open new exhibits on Friday August 6th as part of the First Fridays Art Walk in Richmond.  Galleries include 1708, Quirk, Ghost Print, The Visual Arts Studio, and Gallery 5 plus many more.  There is food, street entertainment, and shopping too!  For more information visit http://www.firstfridaysrichmond.com

The Virginia Center for Architecture is featuring an exhibit called “Off the Wall” through August 25th.  The exhibit investigates the interaction between art and architecture.   The Center is located at 2501 Monument Avenue.  For more information visit www.virginiaarchitecture.org

Through August, the Richmond Festival of Arts at Dogwood Dell in Byrd Park features an eclectic mix of old and new, becoming one of Richmond's cultural treasures. A variety of shows can be enjoyed at the "Dell" including classical music and dance; drama, comedy, and musical theatre; reggae, pop, swing, rhythm and blues, rock, jazz and contemporary music concerts. Come early for a seat in the amphitheatre or bring a blanket to sit in the surrounding park.  For more information visit http://www.richmondgov.com/parks

On Thursday, August 5th at 4:30 pm author Adam Elenbass will be at Chop Suey Books to read from and sign copies of his memoir Fishers of Men. This memoir traces Adam's life as a rebellious minister's son to his participation in South American shamanic ceremonies and change of life.  Chop Suey Books is located at 2913 W. Cary Street in Carytown.  For more information contact 422-8066.

On Tuesday and Thursday, August 17 and 19 the Richmond Peace Education Center will conduct a two-day Conflict Resolution training for Educators from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day; recertification points are available.  The training will be held at Friends Meeting House, 4500 Kensington Avenue.   For more information or to pre-register contact 232-1002 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

The Richmond Hope Foundation presents “Lose the Training Wheels” on Monday, Aug 9 through Friday August 13^th from 8:15am to 4:50pm each day at The Weinstein Center for Recreation and Wellness at the University of Richmond. Lose the Training Wheels is a program designed to teach children with special needs to ride bikes without training wheels. A total of two volunteer spotters are required for each participant.  For more information contact 747-4673.