Shall we dance? Julius Jackson, left, and Tristan Albers perform the tango Monday at the Dancing Classrooms GRVA Colors of the Rainbow Team Match. The youngsters from Richmond’s Chimborazo Elementary School learned more than ballroom dance moves in the 10-week program. Please see more photos on A5.

In memory and tears // About 200 people gather at a prayer vigil Sunday in Mosby Court for Mikkaisha D. Smoot, 16, and Taliek K. Brown, 15. The two were found fatally wounded shortly after 1 a.m. March 29 in front of an apartment building in the 1900 block of Accommodation Street in Mosby Court. A third person, an adult, is expected to recover from her non life-threatening gunshot wounds. An investigation continues into their deaths, which police have ruled as homicides. Mothers of the slain teens were joined at the vigil by family, friends and classmates of their children. The group joined hands, prayed and then released balloons in their memory following the vigil.

In memory and tears // Danielle Bugg, left, mother of Mikkaisha, and Kennecia Williams, mother of Taliek, embrace. Taliek’s funeral will be 1 p.m. Thursday, April 6, at Walter J. Manning Funeral Home, 700 N. 25th St., while services for Mikkaisha will be 1 p.m. Friday, April 7, at Worship & Praise Church, 3006 E. Laburnum Ave. Anyone with information about the shootings is asked to call Richmond Police Detective Joe Fultz at (804) 646-3929 or contact Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000.

Cityscape // Wayne Floyd, left, and Jordan Wiles from Empire Granite work on the pedestal where the new statue of Richmond great Maggie L. Walker is to stand. The plaza at Broad and Adams streets is expected to be complete in four to six weeks. The bronze statue of Mrs. Walker “is finished,” sculptor Tony Mendez said Wednesday. It was completed two weeks ago, he said. He’s now awaiting instructions from the city about when it is to be delivered to the site. So far, City Hall has yet to announce a date for the dedication as officials work with the Mrs. Walker’s descendants on the timing. Mr. Mendez said there has been talk about holding the program on Saturday, July 15, Mrs. Walker’s birth date. This year would be the 153rd anniversary of the birth of the founder and president of the first bank to be chartered by an African-American woman. The total project cost: About $900,000.

Masters of the dance // Fifth-grader Martierane Epps adjusts her medal, while Jahsai Fife admires his following Chimborazo Elementary School’s Blue Team winning 1st place Monday in the Dancing Classrooms GRVA Colors of the Rainbow Team Match. Students from Broad Rock, J.L. Francis, Falling Creek and E.S.H. Greene elementary schools in Richmond and Chesterfield County competed in the merengue, foxtrot, rumba, tango and swing at the event held at Huguenot High School in South Richmond.

Masters of Dance // The 10-week social development program for students in fifth, seventh and eighth grades uses dance to boost students’ social awareness, cooperation, communication, self-esteem and confidence, and respect and treatment of others. The teams were cheered on by family, friends, other students and soldiers from Fort Lee.

Springtime along the James River

Rocking the Runway // Models and rocked the runway last Sunday at the 2nd Annual Legacy Media Institute Spring Fashion Showcase in the city’s Manchester District. Nearly 200 people attended the fundraiser that highlighted the creations of nine fashion designers from around the world. The event was put on by Tim Reid Productions in the Decatur Street headquarters of Mr. Reid’s nonprofit institute that brings together film and television professionals, actors and others to produce documentaries and films. The fashion show was a benefit for the institute. Actor-director-producer Mr. Reid, center, strikes a pose on the red carpet with his wife, actress and clothing designer Daphne Maxwell Reid, right, whose designs also were featured in the show, and international model and event host Salome Autolino.

A model showcases a design by Alphadi Privé, pictured top left, of Niger. His work is inspired by the traditions of the Songhai, Zarma, Mbororo or Wodaabe, Haoussa and Touareg people.

Rocking the Runway // An ensemble by Congolese native and Hampton resident Fanny Mpwo Hickman is modeled on the runway, capturing the attention of the audience.