Central Virginia Events This Weekend (July 13-15)

July 13, Friday
CHICK-FIL-A'S COW APPRECIATION DAY
Chick-fil-A restaurant will award a FREE combo meal (breakfast, lunch or dinner) to any customer who visits the chain fully dressed as a cow! The offer is part of the chain's third annual "Cow Appreciation Day" celebration. Chick-fil-A. $free. All ages welcome. Special Needs Accommodation: Cow costume Contact: Wyatt Jefferies. Email: wjefferies@co-p.com. For details, please click this link. For more info call: 404-961-2238.

Friday, July 13
FRIDAYS AFTER FIVE at the Charlottesville Pavilion on the Downtown Mall.
Show starts at 5:30pm. ALL AGES. Band is "New Monsoon" http://www.newmonsoon.com

Friday, July 13
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST by The Jefferson Youth Theater
Featuring over 50 local children, presents Beauty and the Beast-- on the Paramount Theater stage! 7pm, $12/adults, $6 children. Downtown Mall. 434/249-2803.

Friday, July 13
ROMEO AND JULIET
With its rapturous language and uproarious comedy, Romeo and Juliet celebrates love's triumphs and its trivialities. In this profoundly human and always surprising masterpiece, Shakespeare puts into theatrical balance the joys of the body and the pleasures of the play's glorious language. 7:30pm. Blackfriars Playhouse. 10 S. Market St., Staunton. 1-877-682-4236.

Friday-Sunday, July 13-15
WINTERGREEN PERFORMING ARTS SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL
Evans Center at Wintergreen Resort. Wintergreen Performing Arts presents its 11th Summer Music Festival. Celebration '07 will honor the 400th Anniversary of Jamestown and the 200th Anniversary of Nelson County with a full roster of chamber and orchestra concerts, lectures, master classes, and open rehearsals. The concert program will include familiar masterpieces such as Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 and Dvorak's Symphony No. 9 ("From the New World"), two chamber music world premieres and what appears to be the American Premiere of Ottorino Respighi's transcription of Claudio Monteverdi's magnificent 1607 opera Orfeo. The festival will conclude with conductor Peter Oundjian and violinist Robert McDuffie performing Bruch's magnificent G minor Violin Concerto, a gem of the German Romantic period. The festival will also include the world premiere of Peter Coy's play A Shadow of Honor about a 1907 murder in Nelson County. Consult the Wintergreen Performing Arts website for a detailed schedule and the Wintergreen Resort website www.wintergreenresort.com for travel packages. For information: (434) 325-8292; (866) 984-6874. Web Site: http://www.wintergreenperformingarts.org

July 13, Friday
PUBLIC NIGHT AT THE OBSERVATORY
UVA McCormick Observatory. Three telescopes at the McCormick Observatory offer amazing views of our galaxy (weather permitting) while astronomy staff and graduate students answer questions. A slide show and tour are also provided. Open every 1st and 3rd Friday. McCormick Observatory. Directions: From Emmet Street (Rt29) near UVA and Ivy Rd (Rt250) turn onto McCormick, follow signs up the hill. 9 to 11pm. $free. All ages welcome. Email: jdh7h@virginia.edu. For details, please click this link. For more info call: 434/924-7494.

Saturday, July 14
FUTURE FARMERS OF AMERICA
Young gardeners have a special place at the table at the Crozet Farmers Market offering special resources and activities just for them. 8am-noon. Free. 1156 Crozet Ave. 434/823-7878.

Saturday, July 14
THE LEWIS AND CLARK EXPLORATORY CENTER
is open at the Keelboat barn in Darden Towe Park teaching the skills of exploration: knot-making, compass reading, and nature observation, as well as carpentry and boat building skills such as chiseling and drilling. The 55-foot replica of the Lewis and Clark Expedition keelboat is on display with some recent additions. 10am-2pm. Free admission. On the north end of Darden Towe Park past the parking lots. 434/979-2425. lewisandclarkeast.org.

July 14, Saturday
COSTUME CHARACTER VISIT: PETER RABBIT
Barnes and Noble Bookstore.Peter Rabbit will be at Barnes & Noble to visit his Charlottesville friends. Storytellers will read some of his adventures in Mr. McGregor's garden, and then he will greet his fans. Bring your cameras! Barnes and Noble Bookstore. Directions: 1035A Emmet Street. 11:30am. $free. All ages welcome. Contact: Allyson Johns. Email: CRM2559@bn.com. For details, please click this link. For more info call: 434/984-6598.

July 14, Saturday
DRAGONFLY WALK AT IVY CREEK
Ivy Creek Foundation. Jim Childress will lead a walk to see the dragonflies and damselflies of Ivy Creek. We will view them with binoculars and catch a few to look at them in hand. Come and learn to identify some of the mid-summer species and their habitats. Ivy Creek Natural Area. Directions: Earlysville Road/Route 743. 11am. $free. All ages welcome. For details, please click this link. For more info call: 434/973-7772.

Saturday, July 14
MEET THE SHUTTERBUGS
Fluvanna County parks and rec hosts a reception today for winners of its annual photography contest. The contest theme-- photography that embodies life in Fluvanna County-- netted over 120 images in 10 categories. Free, 2-4pm. The show is up through July. Fork Union Community Center. 5725 James Madison Highway. 434-842-3150.

Saturday, July 14
GARDEN GATES: The gardens of the Elizabeth Lane property in Batesville
Originally part of the "Maxwell estate," in addition to the gardens, the place offers stunning views of the Blue Ridge. $5, 9am-noon. Dick Woods Road (Rt. 635). 434/872-4580.

Saturday & Sunday, July 14-15
MONTICELLO PLANTATION COMMUNITY WEEKEND
10:00 am - 4:00 pm. Monticello. Plantation Community Weekend. Costumed artisans help bring the sights and sounds of the early 19th century to Mulberry Row, the center of African-American activity at Monticello. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Included in price of general admission. Information: (434) 984-9822. Web Site: http://www.monticello.org

Saturday, July 14
MONTICELLO NATURAL HISTORY OF TREES
9:30 am. Monticello Garden Shop. The Natural History of Trees. This two-hour walking tour focuses on the identification of 50 species of exotic and native trees through an understanding of their ornamental, cultural, and historical character. 9:30 a.m., Garden Shop. $10; reservations required. Information: (434) 984-9822. Web Site: http://www.monticello.org

July 14, Saturday
FAMILY FUN! CREEPY CRAWLY FUN! Charlottesville Northside Library
45 minutes of stories, songs, and crafts your whole family will enjoy. For children of all ages with an accompanying adult. Registration is required. Directions: 300 Albemarle Square. 10:30am. $free. All ages welcome. Email: northside@jmrl.org. For details, please click this link. For more info call: 434/973-7893.

July 14, Saturday
HENNA HAPPENING - Louisa County Library
Experience the ancient art of henna in this hands-on workshop led by local expert Alpana Agarwal. Registration is required and begins on Saturday, June 30. Grades 6-12. Louisa County Library. Directions: 881 Davis Highway, Mineral, VA. 2pm. $free. Email: louisa@jmrl.org. Reservations are required. For details, please click this link. For more info call: 540-894-5853.

July 14, Saturday
INSPECTOR WILD! MAPS N' ME
Wintergreen Nature Foundation. A fun treasure hunt with prizes will introduce basic skills in both reading and making maps. Young naturalists will create their own map and learn to follow those made by the professionals. Wintergreen, VA. Directions: I-64 west to Exit 107 (Crozet, Route 250). Take Route 250 west to Route 151 south, turn left. Follow Route 151 south to Route 664, 14.2 miles. 9 to 11am. $10 members, $15 non-members. Recommended for ages 4 to 6. Email: info@twnf.org. For details, please click this link. For more info call: 434/325-8169.

July 14, Saturday
MASKED MARVELS AND WONDERTALES
Mask and mime master Michael Cooper will bring his heart-warming, family-friendly performance to Charlottesville's Paramount Theatre. Cooper's show combines the mythical and the auto-biographical and features breathtaking original masks, stories of courage and wonder, outlandish stilt dancing, mime and a physical repertoire that ranges from madcap to sublime. If you would like to spend more time with the artist, attend the Mask and Mime Master Class with Cooper earlier that day (ages 9 to 11) at 11am. Paramount Theatre. 3pm. For details, please click this link.

July 14, Saturday
RIVANNA TRAILS FOUNDATION SATURDAY WORKSHOPS
Rivanna Trails Foundation. Volunteer to come out to help with trail maintenance. Great for older kids or the whole family. Tools provided, but bring shears or clippers if you have them. Large groups please call in advance. . Directions: Meet at the trailhead on Melbourne Road just east of the Charlottesville High School football field and caravan to the work site. To drive self, call Diana Foster at 434/964-1022. 9am to 12pm. $free. All ages welcome. For details, please click this link.

July 14, Saturday
THE VIRTUES OF HERBS: LIVING HISTORY WALKING EVENT
Agecroft Hall.Take a walking tour of Agecroft's gardens and learn age-old treatments for ailments such as the common cold, headaches, and upset stomachs. Along the tour you will meet some of the manor's 17th century inhabitants, portrayed by living history interpreters. In the event of inclement weather, the tour will be cancelled. Agecroft Hall & Gardens. Directions: 4305 Sulgrave Road, Richmond, Va 23221. 10am. $5. All ages welcome. Contact: Joy Mouledoux. Email: publicrelations@agecrofthall.com. For details, please click this link. For more info call: 804-353-4241.

July 14, Saturday
WILD! ADVENTURES: ORIENTEERING CHALLENGE
Wintergreen Nature Foundation.Understand your GPS unit by learning the basics of finding your way with a map and compass. Solve fun nature riddles to make your way through the woodland orienteering course. Nellysford, VA . Directions: I-64 west to Exit 107 (Crozet, Route 250). Take Route 250 west to Route 151 south, turn left. Follow Route 151 south to Route 664, 14.2 miles. 1 to 4pm. $15 members, $20 non-members. Recommended for ages 7 to 12. Email: info@twnf.org. For details, please click this link. For more info call: 434/325-8169.

Saturday, July 14
DOWN UNDER, UP CLOSE: DIDJERIDU PERFORMANCE
Enjoy a solo performance by didjeridu master Ash Dargan. 6pm (doors at 5pm), $7/adults, $4/seniors/students. Outdoors at the Kluge Ruhe Gallery, 400 Worrell Drive, Pantops Mountain. (Rain site: Newcomb Hall Theatre, UVA). 434/244-0234.

Saturday July 14
BASTILLE DAY PARTY
6:00pm, ZINC - 420 West Main St - Next to the Main Street Market. Americans have the Fourth of July, the French have Bastille Day; now Charlottesville has both! Authentic French cuisine, delicious desserts, drink specials, DJ spinning through dinner and into the late night, and more surprises to come. Join us at ZINC (right next to Main Street Market) on July 14th for the biggest Bastille Day Party in Charlottesville! Lunch served from 11:30-2:00. Dinner starting at 6pm. www.comptoirzinc.com 434-245-ZINC(9462).

July 15, Sunday
MIDSUMMER BUTTERFLY WALK
Ivy Creek Foundation.Learn to identify Ivy Creek’s butterflies on a walk with Mike Scott at the Ivy Creek Natural Area. Mike will lead a brief identification workshop before the walk. Meet in the Ed Building. Meet in the Education Building. Directions: Earlysville Road/Route 743. 1pm. $free. All ages welcome. For details, please click this link. For more info call: 434/973-7772.

Sunday, July 15
TUBING ON THE JAMES
Float your cares away with members of the Outdoor Adventure Social Club. $10, plus membership. 11:30am. Monticello Visitor Center. 434/760-HIKE.

Sunday, July 15
DOG FRIENDLY HIKE & PICNIC
Fido, food, and fun, with members of the Outdoor Adventure Social Club. $5, plus membership. 9:30am. Fontaine Research Park. 434/760-HIKE.

Sunday, July 15
RIVANNA RIVER CANOE AND KAYAK TRIP
Get paddling with members of the Rivanna Conservation Society. Free with RCS membership. 10am. Location tbd by river level. 434/984-5678.

July 15, Sunday
SUMMER EVENING AT MONTPELIER
Musical Traditions of 18th-Century African-American People. The slaves on James Madison’s Montpelier plantation would have been familiar with the energy and rhythms of West African and Caribbean song and dance. In the colonial period this music would mix with European forms to generate the early African-American sound. In a program designed especially for families, the Chesapeake Atlantic Ensemble, led by Cheick Hamala Diabate, will play instruments including fiddle, banjo and flute to celebrate this musical journey. BBQ/picnicking at 6:30 and program at 7:30 on the Montpelier lawn. Open to both members and the public. Montpelier. Directions: Route 20, four miles south of Orange. 6:30pm. All ages welcome. For details, please click this link. For more info call: 540-672-2728.