Your Community Calendar February 2016 features a selection of special events for a month of special dates — Black History Month, Chinese New Year (February 8), Mardi Gras (February 9), Valentine’s Day (February 14), Presidents Day (February 15), and Leap Year (February 29).
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All Month
Rodin: Evolution of a Genius
Through March 13 at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA)
The exhibit of nearly 200 works by Auguste Rodin — one of the greatest 19th and early 20th century sculptors — is organized by the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and the Musee Rodin in Paris, and features works presented for the first time in the United States. Entry is timed. Tickets are $10 – $15; children six and under are free.
UMW’s Chappell Great Lives Lecture Series 2016
Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.
University of Mary Washington, Dodd Auditorium, George Washington Hall, 1301 College Ave., Fredericksburg
Each lecture concludes with an audience Q&A session with the speaker and a book-signing. Books are available for purchase in the Dodd foyer the night of the lecture. Free admission.
February 2 – Alexander Graham Bell
February 4 – Johnny Cash
February 9 – Eddie Rickenbacker, James Doolittle, and Charles Lindbergh — three extraordinary Americans who between the two world wars pushed the limits of flight.
February 11 – Matthew Fontaine Maury
February 18 – Jesse Owens
February 25 – Ethel Payne
February 1 – 8, 2016
Mardis Gras Fredericksburg
Friday, Feb. 5, 7 – 10 p.m.
Costumes, Zydeco, dancing, Jambalaya and Crepes are on tap for Fredericksburg Sister City’s Mardi Gras party at Dorothy Hart Community Center, 408 Canal St., Fredericksburg. It’s a fundraiser for Fredericksburg Sister City Association programming, including student exchange. Hors d’oeuvres, dinner, wine, dancing and foolery are included in the price.
$35/members; $45/non-members. fredericksburgfrejus.com, or email [email protected]
Ninth Annual EOD Warrior Foundation Polar Bear Plunge
Saturday, Feb. 6, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. (Registration 9 – 10:45 a.m. Costume Walk at 10:45 a.m. Plunge begins at 11 a.m.)
Join the annual plunge into the frigid waters of the Rappahannock River at City Dock, 207 Sophia St., in downtown Fredericksburg, to raise money for the EOD Warrior Foundation. Plunge registration is $50 after January 17. Free for spectators.
Downtown Culpeper Carnival
Saturday, Feb. 6, 9 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
An all day New Orleans themed winter festival in downtown Culpeper, ending with Grammy award winning artist Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience at the State Theatre at 7:30 p.m.
Eagle Tours at Caledon State Park
Saturday, Feb. 6, and Feb. 21, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
The tour begins with a brief talk on the biology and history of the eagle and why so many can be found at Caledon State Park, 11617 Caledon Rd., King George, At the river, watch eagles soar and perch over the shoreline. Caledon is proud to announce that there is a new eagle’s nest that is visible on the tour. $3/person or $8/family. Call for more information and to make the required reservations: 540-663-3861.
Smithsonian Black History Month Family Day
Saturday, Feb. 6, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) presents a collection of guided family activities and story times on the themes of the Civil Rights Movement. The free event is at the NMAAHC gallery in the National Museum of American History, 1400 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. The NMAAHC Gallery is located on the second floor in the East wing.
Potomac Point Winery Mardi Gras Gala
Saturday, Feb. 6, 5:30 – 11 p.m.
The Potomac Point Winery Mardi Gras Gala benefits Guadalupe Free Clinic in Colonial Beach. Dinner and wine in the Ballroom, with a live and silent auction, raffles, music and dancing. Tickets are $130 each or $240 for two, and can be purchased online at guadalupefreeclinic.org.
Convenience, a musical by Gregg Coffin
February 5 and 6 at 7:30 p.m. and February 7 at 2 p.m.
Stage Door Productions presents the Virginia premier of Convenience, a sung-through musical by Gregg Coffin about family, the ties that bind, and the ones we struggle to break. “A single mom and her estranged twenty-six-year-old son have news for each other, but neither can find the words nor the courage.” The show is not recommended for small children due to theme and some strong language. It will be staged in the theatre at Central Rappahannock Regional Library Headquarters Branch, 1201Caroline St., Fredericksburg.
Tickets are $15
February 9 – 15, 2016
George Washington’s Birthday at Ferry Farm
Saturday, Feb. 13, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Celebrate George Washington’s 284th birthday at his boyhood home with fun activities for the whole family, including games, crafts, exhibits, the Stone Throw Challenge (weather permitting), history theater, and birthday cake. “General Washington” will attend the Birthday Celebration to talk about his youth on the farm. $5 adults; 17 and under free. Ferry Farm is located at 268 Kings Hwy. in
Fredericksburg,
ChinaFest! Year of the Fire Monkey
Saturday, Feb. 13, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) invites you to artist demonstrations and performances, including a Lion Dance and Galapagos Puppets’ rendition of the adventures of the Monkey King. Learn about traditional Chinese arts by creating your own Peking opera mask, a dragon puppet, a decorative scroll, and a New Year lantern. The event is free and open to the public, no registration required. VMFA is located at 200 N. Boulevard, Richmond.
Fredericksburg Kids Expo
Saturday, Feb. 13, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 14, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Activities for the kids include Fredericksburg’s Largest Sandbox, inflatables, police and fire meet-and-greet and a petting zoo. Vendors will be on hand with information about everything kid related. The Kids Expo, presented by Fredericksburg Parent and Family magazine, will be held at the Fredericksburg Expo Center, 2371 Carl D. Silver Pkwy. Kids 3 and under are free. Admission prices range from $2 to $8.
President’s Day at Mount Vernon
Saturday, Feb. 13, and Sunday, Feb. 14, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., admission is $17 adults, $9 ages 6 to 11, 5 and younger are free.
Monday, Feb. 15, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., FREE ADMISSION
Honor President George Washington on Presidents Day by attending Mount Vernon’s events, including 18th century dancing demonstrations, costumed characters sharing stories about Washington, demonstrations, and free birthday cake. Mount Vernon is located at 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy., Mount Vernon, Va.
Archaeology Day at Ferry Farm
Monday, Feb. 15, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Celebrate Presidents Day with Archaeology Day at Ferry Farm, 268 Kings Hwy. in Fredericksburg. Learn about archaeology at George Washington’s boyhood home and enjoy crafts, theater performances, tours of the archaeology lab, a scavenger hunt, and the Archaeology Artifact Challenge. Free.
February 16 – 22, 2016
George Washington’s Birthday Celebration
Sunday, Feb. 21, 12 – 4 p.m.
Celebrate George Washington’s Birthday at Mary Washington House, 1200 Charles St. in downtown Fredericksburg. The $5 admission includes a tour of Mary Washington House and the opportunity to decorate your own cupcake in honor of George’s birthday.
Free Admission to Mount Vernon for George Washington’s Birthday
Monday, Feb. 22, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Tour Mount Vernon on George Washington’s birthday and for partake in special events throughout the day, including wreath laying ceremonies and newly naturalized Americans taking the oath of citizenship. Mount Vernon is located at 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy., Mount Vernon, Va.
February 23 – 29
11th Annual Fredericksburg RV Expo
Friday, Feb. 26, 1 – 8 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 27, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 28, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
RVs , campers, gear, accessories, campgrounds, services and supplies at the Fredericksburg Expo Center, 2371 Carl D. Silver Pkwy. Tickets $8 – $10. Children 12 and under are free.
Gaye Adegbalola & The Wild Rutz
Saturday, Feb. 27, 7 p.m.
Fredericksburg native and internationally recognized blues artist, teacher and civil rights activist Gaye Adegbalola will perform at Germanna Community College (GCC) as part of the school’s 2016 Black History Month events. The free concert by Gaye Adegbalola & The Wild Rutz is at Germanna Community College’s Daniel Technology Center, 18121 Technology Dr. in Culpeper.
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