If you've lived in Richmond for any extended period of time, you know that with the warm weather comes a plethora of things to do on the weekends.

Festivals start sprouting up all over town. Outdoor concerts have been scheduled and the stages are being prepped. Patios at restaurants turn into after work hot spots, complete with happy hours, local bands and half-priced appetizers.

With all this excitement buzzing around Richmond, it's hard to choose just one event as the thing to do this weekend.

So, we're offering you four choices. Whether you have the need for adventure and competition, want to soak in the beauty at historic gardens, please your palette with some wine tasting or are aching for a little art in your life, this weekend has it all.

Back 2 Back

If you missed the first performance of the Virginia Commonwealth University 2008 Spring Senior Dance Concert, don’t worry, these talented seniors are back for their second round this weekend.

The 2008 Spring Senior Dance Concert is an eclectic mix of works put together by 10 graduating seniors, four of whom presented their projects this previous weekend. The remaining six will take the stage for performances at 8 p.m. Friday, April 25 and Saturday, April 26.

Students were asked to explore works that incorporate both drama and comedy and draw inspiration from works of literature, emotion and, above all, the triumphs and struggles we all face in life.

The result? Ten beautifully crafted performances as unique in theme and direction as the choreographers who designed them.

Among the remaining six, is "Guided Reflection" choreographed by Melany Cash. Cash dives into the world of personal demons, both internal and physical, the effect they have on our lives, and how spiritual guidance can help us in overcoming their negative power.

"Configured Time" from Tony E. Colden Jr. depicts the inverted growth on an individual's self development while Alex Miegel ponders the concept of life after death and what connection the spiritual world may have to the physical world.

Senior Ami Dowden-Fant brings together eight performers in "preSSed" to express the mental state of anger. Contrastingly, Tashara Gavin-Moorehead reflects the sensuality of the female spirit in "Spirit Wrapped in Flesh."

Lastly, Adrienne LaNee' Moody draws her inspiration for "It's Time She Knows" from the book "Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul." Moody sends her four dancers on a journey that exemplifies the beauty that every woman possesses, regardless of her background or past. 

• Back 2 Back, the 2008 Spring Senior Dance Concert, is the final event of the VCU Dance NEXUS 2007-08 season. Performances will be help at 8 p.m. Friday, April 25 and Saturday, April 26 at the Grace Street Theatre. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $5 for VCU students with a valid ID. For tickets and more information, call the Grace Street Theatre Box Office at 804-828-2020.

Historic Garden Week

For the 75th year running, the event heralded as Virginia's springtime tourism event, Historic Garden Week will celebrate four centuries of Virginia's rich heritage with more than 30 tours across the commonwealth, continuing through the week and into the weekend.

"We started the tours in 1929; there were a few years they didn't do the tour because of World War II and the ladies, instead of doing a tour, had what they called 'Victory Gardens,'" said Christine Harris, executive assistant to Historic Garden Week.

"The money we generate from the tours goes to the restoration of historic gardens in Virginia, such as Monticello, Kenmore in Fredericksburg, the older plantations along the James River, the UVA Pavilion Garden, and so on."

During the week, more than 30 tours are available for people to enjoy. Tours specifically located in Richmond began with the Hampton Gardens tour earlier this week.

Today (Wednesday), the spotlight will focus on Seminary Avenue and Ginter Park, while Thursday's tour travels to Windsor Farms, hailed as one of the most popular tours across the state during Historic Garden Week.

Tours in other parts of Virginia range from the Chesapeake Bay all the way to the Blue Ridge Mountains and include rural, urban and suburban settings, presenting gardens from formal 18th century terraces to backyard habitats, walled city spaces and even "secret" gardens.