Party Music

What better way to celebrate a birthday than to throw a party and invite everyone? The Richmond Symphony has been making beautiful music for 50 years, and on Saturday, February 2, they’ll host family festivities at the Main Branch of Richmond Public Library.
Come hear and make merry noises with a special day of musical activities, classes, stories and concerts. Activities for the day are designed to embrace the natural curiosity of children and allow them to take a close look at the Richmond Symphony and its many parts.
For children who have had limited access to orchestral instruments, the “Instrument Petting Zoo” will be a real treat. A beginning Suzuki class will be offered at 1 and 2:30 p.m. and violins are provided.
Those with musical experience may be interested in the instrument care and tuning session at 1 p.m. or the composition classes at 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. in the library computer lab. Everyone can enjoy the musical demonstrations and youth performances throughout the library, as well as the craft projects and musical children’s stories presented during the day.
This wonderful day will wrap up at 4 p.m. with a concert featuring the Richmond Symphony Orchestra, local guest musical acts, and Associate Conductor Erin Freeman. The performance will feature the music of Mozart, Copland, Joplin and others.
The Main Library is located at 101 E. Franklin St. For more information and a complete schedule of events, call Shelby Murphy at (804) 788-4717, ext. 131, or visit www.richmondsymphony.com.
Spend the afternoon getting to know your Richmond Symphony. They’re 50 and fabulous!

The Business of Being Born

If giving birth is a natural process, why does a healthy woman go to the hospital to do it? Many women have asked this question to themselves or out loud. Two women made a movie about it.
Actress Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein produced and directed, respectively, “The Business of Being Born.” They explore various angles of birthing and its relationship to the hospital and insurance industries, to families and health professionals—and to themselves. Epstein became pregnant during the making of the documentary, bringing a new level of personal investment in the project.
The movie was pre-screened twice in Richmond in November to sold-out audiences. Although it has a limited theatrical release, it is being shown at the community level at dozens of venues across the U.S. and Canada. On Sunday, February 3, “The Business of Being Born” returns to Richmond for a showing at the Byrd Theatre in Carytown.
Doors open at 12:30 p.m. for a 1 p.m. showing. Small, facilitated group discussions will follow for those interested. The organizers request that children older than 6 months not attend. Tickets are $2, with a $.99 fee if purchased in advance at thebusinessofbeingborn.eventbrite.com.

Be a Class-y Family

So much to learn, so little time! The world is full of interesting, artistic and helpful things to know. Taking a class in a new subject is exciting and motivating, but not always easy to fit into the busy family schedule.
Classes For You wants to solve that problem. It is a new business begun by two stay-at-home moms who understand your desire for enrichment and your busy schedule. They offer more than 90 extended learning classes each week at their Short Pump location. Adults and children have plenty of choices, including classes in drawing, ceramics, persuasive writing, jewelry making, CPR, gardening, foreign languages, music, yoga and so many more.
There are ongoing classes and single-event morning workshops and seminars, as well as evening and Saturday classes. If you can’t decide on one class, you can try a sampler to experience the wide variety of offerings. Contact Classes For You at (804) 864-0604, or look at the web site, classesforyou.org, for more information.

Somewhere Over a Story

Your youngsters are forever coming up with great “stories” for how mom’s favorite vase got broken, or who fed melted crayons to the cat. They draw beautiful pictures on the living room wall and their own skin.
Good news! Those creative minds are sure to be full of great ideas for the 14th annual “Reading Rainbow” Young Writers and Illustrators Contest.
Don’t let any of that creative energy go to waste; get out the crayons and paper and encourage your kids to write and illustrate their own stories or poems. Then, fill out the entry form and send it all to your local PBS station.
All children who enter will be rewarded with a certificate signed by LeVar Burton, host of “Reading Rainbow.” Those chosen as local winners, and their families, will be honored with an award celebration at the WCVE PBS studios.
The contest is open to children in grades K-3. Entries must be received by March 7. For complete rules and entry forms, go to www.plugn2learn.org or call (804) 560-8135.

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