this week’s RDN calendar

open mic @ Poe’s Pub, Book Reading & Signing, Art Karma, The Blind Boys of Alabama Christmas Show, Holiday Market @ 17th Street Farmer’s Market, James Center’s Grand Illumination, FREE Horse and Carriage Rides, Canal Boat Rides at the Turning Basin, Action Patrol and Pink Razors @ Alley Katz, AND MORE…

open mic @ Poe’s Pub

Tue Nov 27 2007 8:00 PM: acoustic open mic at Poe’s Pub on East Main, hosted by Jim Daab. Sign up is at 8:30, music starts at 9, goes until closing @2AM

Richmond Regional Forum on Career and Technical Education

Wed Nov 28 2007 7:30 AM: @ Plant Zero, 0 E. 4th St.
Mayor L. Douglas Wilder, Richmond City Council, and the Richmond Public School Board host Minuteman Tech of Lexington, Mass.; Georgia Central Educational Center of Newnan, Ga.; and Manchester Craftsmen?s Guild of Pittsburgh, Pa., to discuss the creation of regional, comprehensive technical high schools for vocational education in Richmond. To register or for more information, call 646-7955 or email felicia.craighead@richmondgov.com.

Book Reading & Signing

Wed Nov 28 2007 7:00 PM: @ Cafe Gutenberg
Carolyn Kreiter-Foronda, Virginia’s respected Poet Laureate, reads selections of her poetry in the upstairs lounge…

The Blind Boys of Alabama Christmas Show

Wed Nov 28 2007 7:00 PM: @ Toad’s Place, all ages

Art Karma @ Plant Zero

Thur Nov 29 2007 7-10PM
Art Karma, ART 180’s 4th annual fundraiser and good karma party will be at Plant Zero on Thurs.Nov.29 from 7-10PM. Get there early, last year the place was overflowin’. They’ve got even more auction items (170+??), karmatinis and psychics will return in a command performance, and there’ll be lots of other fun things to keep you happy and entertained. All for only $5!

Holiday Market @ 17th Street Farmer’s Market

Fri Nov 30 2007 5:00 PM: @ 17th Street Farmers Market, Free admission, 5pm-9pm
Avoid the mall rush! This annual holiday shopping extravaganza features holiday wreaths, fresh cut mistletoe, gourmet desserts, handcrafted jewelry, hand-carved wooden toys, handmade ornaments, vintage collectibles, one-of-a-kind gifts and so much more! Coinciding with the Grand Illumination and the Main Street Station Open House, this last evening of the market season is the perfect destination for finding unique gifts for the holidays!

Main Street Station Holiday Open House

Fri Nov 30 2007 5:00 PM: @Main Street Station and new Plaza at Main Street Station, 15th & E.
The City of Richmond welcomes all for an Open House witha Polar Express and holiday characters theme, free Kiddie train rides, hot chocolate and cookies, decorations, tree lighting, entertainment and more.

Tree Lighting and Governor’s Executive Mansion Open House

Fri Nov 30 2007 5:00 PM: @ Capitol Square, Free admission, 5pm-7pm
Be there for the lighting of the state Christmas tree and tour Virginia’s Governor’s Mansion in its holiday finest on Capital Hill.

James Center’s Grand Illumination

Fri Nov 30 2007 6:00 PM: @ 10th & E. Cary Streets, Free admission
Come down to see Legendary Santa and Snow Queen! The night begins at 6pm with a live countdown hosted by Lite 98 to turn on the outline lighting for fifteen downtown office buildings. The Sugar Plum Fairy from the Richmond Ballet will make a magical appearance! The VMI Marching Band will perform holiday favorites leading up to the lighting of the REINDEER at 6:25pm. Legendary Santa will give the countdown, the lights will come on and the VMI band will lead followers into Shockoe Slip and down to the Canal Walk’s Turning Basin. At 6:30pm the three caroling bears: The MOPO Bears will sing entertain children with a 25 minute performance. Don’t miss Tuba Christmas, harpist Rickie Denton, the Handbell Choir from FBC Richmond, the Virginia Piedmont & Central HO Model Railroaders exhibit, Nutcracker character appearances by the Richmond Ballet, enormous local high school ‘Greeting Cards’ and much more! This event is provided by James Center Pro

SPARC Carols for the Community

Fri Nov 30 2007 6:00 PM: @ Canal Turning Basin – Dock and 14th Streets, Free admission, 6pm and 7pm
PARC students, families and SPARC’s STAGES students from Swansboro Elementary School will join together to sing your favorite Holiday Carols at Richmond?s Historic Canal Walk Turning Basin.

FREE Horse and Carriage Rides

Fri Nov 30 2007 6:00 PM: Friday-Saturday, November 30th-December 1st FREE Horse and Carriage Rides
Rides start and end in Shockoe Slip at the fountain at 13th and E. Cary Streets, 6pm-10pm

Canal Boat Rides at the Turning Basin

Fri Nov 30 2007 6:00 PM: @14th & Dock Streets, $2 per person (children 4 and under free), 6pm-9pm
Celebrate the Season on Richmond?s Historic Canal! Ring in the holidays on decorated canal boats while enjoying a historic tour on the James River & Kanawha Canal. Enjoy a leisurely 25 minute tour in one of our covered boats. Santa will even join you for a ride on Friday night from about 6:30-7:30pm!

Governor’s Executive Mansion Open House

Sat Dec 1 2007 1:00 PM: @ Capitol Square, Free admission, 1pm-4pm
ome tour Virginia?s Governor’s Mansion in its holiday finest on Capital Hill. For more information call 804-371-2642.

FREE Horse and Carriage Rides

Sat Dec 1 2007 6:00 PM: Friday-Saturday, November 30th-December 1st FREE Horse and Carriage Rides
Rides start and end in Shockoe Slip at the fountain at 13th and E. Cary Streets, 6pm-10pm

Canal Boat Rides at the Turning Basin

Sat Dec 1 2007 6:00 PM: @14th & Dock Streets, $2 per person (children 4 and under free), 6pm-9pm
Celebrate the Season on Richmond?s Historic Canal! Ring in the holidays on decorated canal boats while enjoying a historic tour on the James River & Kanawha Canal. Enjoy a leisurely 25 minute tour in one of our covered boats. Santa will even join you for a ride on Friday night from about 6:30-7:30pm!

Action Patrol, Pink Razors

Sat Dec 1 2007 7:00 PM: @ Alley KatzAll Ages Show 7:00PM-11:00PM www.rvamag.com/actionpatrol