Weekend musts

Veggie focused

For a special occasion

• VCU vs. Liberty | Tuesday, April 16 | 6-9 p.m. | The Diamond, 3001 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd., Richmond | $7-$10 | Get there early for Black & Gold Happy Hour from 5 to 7 p.m.
• Varina Community Conversations | Tuesday, April 16 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Seven Pines Elementary School, 301 Beulah Rd., Sandston | Free | Join Varina Supervisor Tyrone Nelson and Henrico County Manager John Vithoulkas as they discuss highlights from the FY25 approved budget.

• “The Art of Presidential Persuasion” | Wednesday, April 17 | 5:30-6:30 p.m. | Virginia Museum of History & Culture, 428 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd., Richmond | $38 | Historian Talmage Boston will discuss the persuasive powers of several former presidents.
• Marielle Kraft | Wednesday, April 17 | 7 p.m. | Richmond Music Hall, 623 E. Main St., Richmond | $15 | The indie pop artist will play with Tyler Meacham.

• Spring Blooms & Brews | Thursday, April 18 | 6 p.m. | CraftedRVA, 4900 Libbie Mill East Blvd., Unit 151, Richmond | $50 | Sip on a beverage and create a seasonal flower arrangement with the help of The Freckled Flower Farm.
• “High Fidelity” | Thursday, April 18 | 7 p.m. | The Byrd Theatre, 2908 W. Cary St., Richmond | $9 | John Cusack stars in this music-filled romantic comedy-drama.
• Bumpin Uglies | Thursday, April 18 | 7-10 p.m. | Ember Music Hall, 309 E. Broad St., Richmond | $20-$35 | Get ready for a night of reggae-rock with the Maryland band.

• Heated infinity pool, game room, outdoor fireplace

• Pickleball court, bikes, paddleboards, and kayaks

• Ocean-view bedrooms, cliffside sauna, hot tub

• Vegan restaurant Yummvees, which closed its Courthouse Road location in August, is opening a new takeout spot at ChefSuite RVA on West Broad. It plans to start taking orders on Wednesday, April 24.

• A new coffee shop and bookstore will debut in Highland Park this summer. Owner Mo Karnage is opening By Any Beans Necessary, which will include a cafe with seating for 30-40 people and a retail space with goods from local artisans. (Richmond BizSense)

• Henrico is hosting a reopening celebration in honor of the $2.1 million renovation of Cheswick Park, which was completed in January. Head to the park this Friday, April 19 from 5 to 7 p.m. for games, music, crafts, a library mobile station, and food trucks.

• Local hoagie emporium Stanley’s will transform into Dinner at Nina’s on Monday evenings. The concept launched yesterday. Stop by the Fan restaurant from 5 to 10 p.m. each week to try it out.

• Jonathan Young has resigned as the Richmond School Board representative for the 4th District. Young is stepping down after an investigation about alleged inappropriate behavior around a student. The School Board will appoint a replacement to fill the seat through the end of 2024. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

• Mark your calendar for the Fan Arts Stroll on Thursday, May 16 and Friday, May 17 from 4 to 8 p.m. Artists, musicians, and vendors will set up on several blocks of Hanover and Grove. Know someone in the neighborhood? The group is still looking for a few home hosts.

• The Ashland Book Festival will return for a third year May 3-4 with the theme Read Broadly. Festival guests will include A.J. Finn, bestselling author of “The Woman in the Window,” and Senator Tim Kaine. General and student tickets are available.

• Been thinking of visiting the world’s largest natural habitat zoo? This is the year to go. Celebrate the North Carolina Zoo’s 50th Anniversary with these 50 Fabulous Finds in Randolph County. Bonus: Snag a free 2024 travel guide, too.*

• Lower your energy bills before summer. Renewal by Andersen^® will replace old windows with beautiful, energy-efficient windows — get a free quote and shop a limited-time spring savings event.*

• “Between the Seasons” by Maeve O.
• “Fading Ink” by Miles M.
• “Fiery Tanka for a World on Fire” by Dan W.
• “Write Richmond” by Jonathan S.