1 Sunday

• Learn about Carytown’s history from 2-4 p.m. in a tour sponsored by the Valentine Richmond History Center. The tour includes Cary Court Shopping Center, restored to its 1930’s art deco splendor, and a "behind the scenes" tour of the Byrd Theatre (1928). Cost is $10/ $5 for History Center members. For more, go to richmondhistorycenter.com.

• Richmond Flying Squirrels vs. Altoona Curve at 5:05 p.m. at The Diamond.

2 Monday

• Community Night Out. Henrico County is sponsoring this free event for all ages from 6-9 p.m. at the Hidden Creek Recreation Center, in conjunction with National Night Out. Registration is required. For more details, call Sheila Cunningham at 795-2334.

• "Ride the winning wave" at this year’s Retail Marketing Expo. Learn about updated marketing tools ranging from cutting-edge advertising options to the newest technology from 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. For details, visit retailmarketingx.com.

4 Wednesday

• Dinwiddie County Fair. The fair will be held Wednesday through Saturday, Aug. 7, at Virginia Motorsports Park, 8018 Boydton Plank Rd. It will feature carnival rides, live music, food, fireworks, a mechanical bull, petting zoo, pony rides, helicopter rides, racing exhibitions and more. For details, visit dinwiddiecountyfair.com.

5 Thursday

• "Off the Wall: Intersections Between Art + Architecture." Join Tektonics, a firm featured in the Virginia Center for Architecture’s "Off the Wall" exhibit for a 6-7 p.m. lecture on the collaboration between artists, designers, and craftsmen. Learn more about the integration of fabrication and design, and the blurred lines between art and architecture. Cost is $5; free for center members. Registration required.

• Free Classic Movies. Come out for free movies, popcorn and bottled water in the courtyard of Richmond’s First Baptist Church, 2709 Monument Avenue, Thursday nights in August. Movies start at dark. Bring your own lawn chair. Featured movies are: Casablanca, Aug. 5; Star Wars, Aug. 12; Chariots of Fire, Aug. 19; Old Yeller, Aug. 26.

7 Saturday

• Carib Culture Unity Festival. This free carnival celebrating Caribbean culture will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Shockoe Bottom Marketplace, presented by Island Venture Restaurant & Lounge. This festival will be a grass-roots cultural event, a community-at-large celebration with music, live performances, arts, crafts, dance, foods and even specialty talents.

• Hanover Book Festival—Racing to Read. This free family festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Liberty Christian School, 8094 Liberty Circle, Mechanicsville. It will feature over 50 of Virginia’s authors and latest books, a concert by singer songwriter Kari Smith, bicycle races, gift bags and face-painting for the kids. There will be a pace car on display by Richmond International Raceway and lots of giveaways. For details, visit hanoverbookfestival.com.

8 Sunday

• Carytown Watermelon Festival. This popular event, to be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., has become the largest one-day festival in Virginia. It will feature 80 musicians, over 100 exhibitors, loads of watermelons, and a large kids’ area. For more information visit carytownrva.org.

• Wonderful Watermelon. Learn about the heritage varieties of watermelon from 1-3 p.m. at Meadow Farm Museum. For more details, call Anna Truong at 501-2130. Free.

9 Monday

• Richmond Shakespeare Festival comes to Dogwood Dell with a performance of "Twelfth Night" at 8:30 p.m.

10 Tuesday

• Greater Richmond Golf Classic with 144 competitors will begin Aug. 10 and continue through Aug. 15 at the Richmond Country Club. This 54-hole tournament will be the 16th stop on the Duramed FUTURES Tour. Proceeds from all ticket sales will go to the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women campaign. For more details, go to richmondgolfclassic.com.

• Richmond Flying Squirrels vs. New Hampshire Fisher Cats at 7:05 p.m. at The Diamond.

• Ban Caribe. Celebrate the summer with an outdoor concert by Ban Caribe at 6:30 p.m. at the Twin Hickory Library in Henrico. They’ll perform an exciting blend of Latin, Caribbean and R&B music. There will also be balloon sculptures, face-painting and refreshments. For more information, call 290-9200.

• The Continentals in Concert. Enjoy the best of the big band sound at this 39th annual summer concert from 7-9 p.m. at Hermitage High School. For more details on this free family event, call Amy Perdue at 501-5859.

11 Wednesday

• Richmond Flying Squirrels vs. New Hampshire Fisher Cats at 7:05 p.m. at The Diamond.

12 Thursday

• 2010 Stamp Show/Convention. The American Philatelic Society will be hosting its 2010 Stamp Show at the Greater Richmond Convention Center from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 12-14, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 15. For more details, visit stamps.org.

• Free Classic Movies. See Aug. 5.

• Richmond Flying Squirrels vs. New Hampshire Fisher Cats at 7:05 p.m. at The Diamond (fireworks).

• Greater Richmond Golf Classic. See Aug. 10.

13 Friday

• Richmond Flying Squirrels vs. Portland Sea Dogs at 7:05 p.m. at The Diamond.

• Greater Richmond Golf Classic. See Aug. 10.

• 2010 Stamp Show/Convention. See Aug. 12.

14 Saturday

• Richmond Flying Squirrels vs. Portland Sea Dogs at 6:35 p.m. at The Diamond.

• Fourth annual Latin Jazz Festival. This free event will be held from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Dogwood Dell. It will feature a lineup of live entertainment and presentations. For more details, click on the festival tab at thelatinjazzshow.net.

• Ahoy Matey! It’s a Pirate’s Paradise! This free event for all ages will be held from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Deep Run Park in Henrico County. Be prepared to walk the plank, hunt for pirate treasure, or get an airbrushed temporary tattoo. Bring the kids in their best pirate attire for the costume contest and games. For more information, call Alicia Boggs at 290-0305.

• Pocahontas Premieres Summer Concert Series continues at Pocahontas State Park with Casper at 6 p.m. Tickets are $8/$10 day of show, with kids 12 and under free. Buy one ticket, get one half off concert ticket with coupon in this issue (no photocopies accepted). Parking is $5/free with season pass and for advance ticket holders. For details, visit virginiastateparks.gov.

• Greater Richmond Golf Classic. See Aug. 10.

• 2010 Stamp Show/Convention. See Aug. 12.

15 Sunday

• Greater Richmond Golf Classic. See Aug. 10.

• Richmond Flying Squirrels vs. Portland Sea Dogs at 5:05 p.m. at The Diamond.

• Old School Reunion. Invite your fave five high school or college alumni and reminisce for old time’s sake from 3-5 p.m. at the Dorey Recreation Center. This event is for those 50 and up. Wear your alma mater clothing, and bring your yearbook, and other memorabilia to share. There will be line dancing, volleyball, horseshoes, card games, and other fun recreational activities. Food will include grilled hamburgers or barbecued chicken, pasta, greens, and a dessert. For more information, call Sheila Cunningham at 795-2334. Cost is $7.50 per person.

• 2010 Stamp Show/Convention. See Aug. 12.

17 Tuesday

• Bon Air Book Talks. "Heat Wave" by Richard Castle will be discussed from 7-8 p.m. at the Bon Air library, 9103 Rattlesnake Rd. Call 320-2461 for more details.

• Composting Basics Class. Learn about one of the fundamentals of a sustainable garden: successful composting to recycle kitchen and garden waste and enrich your soils. This class will be taught by Henrico County Extension Agent Karen Carter from 6-8 p.m. at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, 1800 Lakeside Ave. Cost is $30 non-members/$20 members. For details, call 804-262-9887.

19 Thursday

• Skate Night 2010 will be held from 6-8 p.m. at Laurel Skate Park in Henrico County. Participate in skate contests for prizes, or simply enjoy the professional skate demonstration by Virginia Beach’s own Coastal Edge Skate Team. There will be free hot dogs, and ice cream for sale. Call Rachel Leyco at 501-5134 for more details.

• Free Classic Movies. See Aug. 5.

21 Saturday

• Anthem Moolight Ride. Celebrate the joy of cycling at this event which both starts at 8 p.m. and finishes at Sports Backers Stadium and features a short "Half Moon" (8 miles) or a longer "Full Moon" (17 miles) route. After the ride, enjoy a free concert, plus there will also be plenty of exhibitors, food, and interactive activities with the event winding up at midnight. Registration is $25-$35. For more details, visit sportsbackers.org/events/moonlight/moonlight_ride.htm

• Gourmet Cheese Sampling. Spend a beautiful evening at The Armour House and Gardens while sampling a variety of cheeses, fruits, and sparkling ciders from 6-8 p.m. Have fun pairing different items to find which combinations suit your palate. Enjoy socializing and live entertainment at this special occasion for 50+ adults only. For details, call Aaron Reidmiller at 501-5137. Cost is $7.50.

• The Vegetarian Society of Richmond will meet at the Friends Meeting House, 4500 Kensington Ave., at 5 p.m. with a potluck beginning at 6 o’clock. Rob Murphy, a practicing vegan for seven and raw vegan for almost three years, will present "Making Green Smoothies and Blended Salads." For more details, visit vegetarianrichmond.org. Free to members and $3 for non-members.

• Shockoe Bottom Walking Tour. Explore Main Street Station, the Farmers’ Market, Tobacco Row and current revitalization efforts from 2-4 p.m. Cost is $10/$5 for members of the Valentine Richmond History Center.

23 Monday

• Central Brown Bag Page Turners. "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" by Mary Ann Shaffer will be discussed from 1-2 p.m. at the Central Library in Chesterfield. Please call 748-1603 for details.

• Richmond Flying Squirrels vs. Reading Phillies at 7:05 p.m. at The Diamond.

24 Tuesday

• Richmond Flying Squirrels vs. Reading Phillies at 7:05 p.m. at The Diamond.

• Make Copper Plant Markers in this workshop from 7-8:30 p.m. at The Armour House. The durable markers will last year after year and bring character and style to your garden. For details, call Elaine Olay at 343-3506. Cost is $5.25.

25 Wednesday

• Richmond Flying Squirrels vs. Reading Phillies at 7:05 p.m. at The Diamond.

26 Thursday

• John Winn Jazz. This free concert by John Winn will be held 7 p.m. at the Henrico Theatre. Winn’s lush vocal timbre has been compared to that of Harry Connick, Jr., and his scat singing follows the traditions of Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, and Mel Torme, and his repertoire spans from Frank Sinatra to Sting. Reservations required. For details, call 328-4491.

• Free Classic Movies. See Aug. 5.

27 Friday

• Picture the Heart of America Gallery Show. Explore American art, history and culture at this show from 6-8:30 p.m. at the Central Library in Chesterfield. For the first time Chesterfield County Public Library’s entire collection of images of great American art from the Picturing America grant will be on display together. Visitors can view all 40 images paired with information about the artists while enjoying music and refreshments.

• Adam Lambert will perform at 8 p.m. at The National. For more details, visit thenationalva.com.

28 Saturday

• 2010 K95 Buick GMC Country Fest. Gates will open at 2 p.m. for this event at the Innsbrook Pavilion, with headliners Gretchen Wilson and Montgomery Gentry. Tickets are $25-45. Visit k95counrty.com for more details.

• The Under the Stars Summer Family Film Series continues with National Treasure, Book of Secrets, presented outdoors at 8:30 p.m. at Walkerton Tavern. There is no charge, and concessions will be available for purchase. Bring a blanket to sit on. For details, call Jeannie Murray at 501-5121.

• Chesterfield County Fair. See Aug. 27.

• Pocahontas Premieres Summer Concert Series continues at Pocahontas State Park with Page Wilson at 6 p.m. Tickets are $8/$10 day of show, with kids 12 and under free. Buy one ticket, get one half off concert ticket with coupon in this issue (no photocopies accepted). Parking is $5/free with season pass and for advance ticket holders. For details, visit virginiastateparks.gov.

29 Sunday

• Downtown Churches Walking Tour. Tour four historic churches on this 2-4 p.m. tour including Centenary Methodist, St. Peter’s Catholic, St. Paul’s Episcopal and Second Presbyterian. Meet at Second Presbyterian Church on 5th Street. Cost is $10/$5 for members of the Valentine Richmond History Center. For more, go to richmondhistorycenter.com.

• Chesterfield County Fair. See Aug. 27.

30 Monday

31 Tuesday