5 Things

Spring! SPRING! There is so much spring right now that I don’t know how we stand it. This weekend there are plenty of chances to go outside and spring it up all over town. Smell the tulips, eat the funnel cake, and watch your winter blues melt away. It’s April, y’all!

April 5, 2012; 6:00 AM • by Susan Howson

Spring! SPRING! There is so much spring right now that I don’t know how we stand it. This weekend there are plenty of chances to go outside and spring it up all over town. Smell the tulips, eat the funnel cake, and watch your winter blues melt away. It’s April, y’all!

1. Tea and Tulips at Agecroft Hall

Listen. I have discovered what sounds like the perfect spring afternoon. Are you ready? Tea on the terrace at Agecroft Hall before a walk through their amazing gardens. That’s some frigging enchanting stuff right there. If you haven’t been to Agecroft (gasp!), now’s your chance to discover the Olde English magic (seriously, take a tour of the house, it’s really neat). And if you have been to Agecroft, well…then you know how delightful it would be to kick back on their terrace and destroy some Earl Grey.

• Thurs. Apr. 4 • 5:30 – 7:00 PM
• Agecroft Hall, 4305 Sulgrave Rd.
• $10 for adults, $7 for students (advance payment required – call (804) 353-4241)

2. Black Girls at The Camel

Everyone I know who stumbles upon Black Girls¹ spends the next couple days talking about how amazing they are. Here are some actual quotes: “They’re super earnest. Everyone sings.” “It’s kind of like choral indie pop, but really weird and manic.” “They sure are enthusiastic.” Guys! Weird and manic? Let’s do this thing!

• Fri. Apr. 5 • 9:00 PM
• The Camel, 1621 W. Broad St.
• $7

3. Fourth Annual Collegiate Regatta at Rocketts Landing

Regattas are so fun! Photo finishes, capsized boats (that never happens), and I love listening to coxswains yell at rowers. And I love typing that word “coxswains.” Coxswains. I’ll do it again. Coxswains. VCU hosts the fourth annual Collegiate Regatta at Rocketts Landing. There will be 11 races overall, featuring premiere rowing talent from colleges and universities all over the state. Bring your kids and teach them about sportsmanship! Lesson one: Every time you win something, throw a very small person into the water!

• Sat. Apr. 6 • 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
• Rocketts Landing, 5000 Old Osborne Tpke
• Free!

4. G40 Art Summit 2012

Did you miss our piece on the G40 Summit? Why, we’ve never missed any of YOUR pieces! We’ll agree to let bygones be bygones if you promise to attend some G40 events. This celebration of lowbrow art by DC-based gallery Art Whino involves mural painting, art battles, weapon repurposing, and more. Check it out during Friday’s Art Walk and hit the reception on Saturday night.

• Fri. Apr. 7 – Sat. Apr. 8 • see site for schedule
• See site for locations (G40 Reception at 115 W. Broad St.)
• Free!

5. Easter on Parade

Here’s how to explain Easter on Parade (known colloquially and misleadingly as The Easter Parade) to an out-of-towner: “OK, well, it’s a ton of people walking around aimlessly. Kind of milling about. Ambling, if you will. Many of them have dogs. Many of the dogs have hats. Many of the hats are covered in funnel cake sugar. Various vendors vend, various entertainers entertain, and sometimes there’s a petting zoo that’s a little awkward. It’s a tradition that we do every year, and we’ll keep doing it as long as we damn well please.” (Use the last sentence if they start looking skeptical when you get to “petting zoo.”)

• Sun. Apr. 8 • 1:00 – 5:00 PM
• Monument Ave., between Allen and Davis
• Bring a dog in a costume, get in free (JK, it’s free for all)

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