The Latin Ballet of Virginia's Legend of the Poinsettia will return to The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen for performances Jan. 5-8.

The Legend of the Poinsettia is based upon a Mexican legend and traditional story in the Latin American holiday season about a pure hearted girl who discovers the true spirit of giving.

Q: What legendary couple resided at the site of the present-day Varina Farm in the early 1600s?

A: Of course you know that. Everyone has heard the legend of Pocahontas and John Rolfe.

But there is a lot more to Henrico history. The county is wrapping up a year-long celebration of its 400th anniversary with a look at both everyday life and major events.

Out of the Wilderness: The History of Henrico County, a small but comprehensive exhibit at Meadow Farm Museum’s orientation center, highlights some of the people, places and events that contributed to the county’s vibrant past.

The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen will host a reception to celebrate the opening of the exhibition “Ning Lee’s Landscape Painting” featuring paintings by internationally known artist Ning Lee Nov. 3 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Gumenick Family Gallery. Lee, a native of China, will be present at the opening.

Photographs that span more than a century and help tell the stories of everyday life in Henrico County during that span are on display as part of a new exhibit at the Valentine Richmond History Center downtown.

"Into Focus: Henrico County through the Camera" – a collaborative exhibit with Henrico County featuring about 50 photographs of the county from as far back as 1899 – opened Oct. 13 and will continue through March. Photos in the exhibit document each of the county's five magisterial districts and are arranged by district, curator Meg Hughes said. The exhibit is designed to celebrate Henrico's 400th anniversary this year.

A quasi-independent arm of the Barksdale Theatre and Theatre IV, Bifocals offers older adults the allure of the footlights, creativity and plenty of jovial companionship. And a paycheck – albeit small – doesn’t hurt either.
“It’s a very welcoming environment” said Walker, a retired state assistant superintendent of education. “It draws you in.”

LOV – Lyric Opera Virginia – has a home in Henrico County for its inaugural season.

The new company was formed earlier this year by Maestro Peter Mark, founder and artistic director of Virginia Opera for 36 years (Mark left that company last season).

Grand opera, a Broadway favorite and a Jewel Box production of an operatic classic will delight diehard opera fans and, organizers hope, attract new fans in the new venues.

One can catch a glimpse of everyday Haitian life in a single painting’s vibrant colors and exotic scenery at “The Colors of Haiti” exhibition.

The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen partnered with Midwives for Haiti to bring a taste of Haiti’s fighting spirit and distinctive culture to the Richmond community.

“The Colors of Haiti” exhibition opened July 14 in the Gumenick Family Gallery and will continue until Sept. 11.

The displayed art pieces are meant to emphasize Haiti’s strength and perseverance despite the devastating after-effects from the earthquake.

The laughs are back.

ComedySportz Richmond Improv Theatre reopened last month after a lengthy hiatus to re-charge and re-group.

With a new location in the Gold’s Gym Plaza on West Broad Street, an expanded team of owner/managers and two years’ worth of pent-up energy, the improvisational show again is ready to entertain Richmond.