5 Things

This weekend is all about people who are good with their hands. Playing the piano, inking up a pectoral, chopping up vegetables, and braiding a beard–time your weekend well and you could take advantage of it all.

November 15, 2012; 7:25 AM • by Susan Howson

This weekend is all about people who are good with their hands. Playing the piano, inking up a pectoral, chopping up vegetables, and braiding a beard–time your weekend well and you could take advantage of it all.

1. I Love a Piano: The Music of Irving Berlin

There are two kinds of people. People who don’t like musicals and people who don’t like to enjoy life. Irving Berlin, composer of a trillion famous songs in a trillion famous musicals, is now the subject of his own musical (finally). This production brings about 1% of them all together (that’s still a ton) in a wild romp that’ll have your feet tapping. And, to be honest, maybe it’s time that you spent the holiday season interacting with real live human beings instead of sitting around watching White Christmas over and over again.

• Thurs. Nov. 15 – Sat. Dec. 29 • 8:00 PM
• Swift Creek Mill Theatre, 17401 Jefferson Davis Hwy.
• $35

2. The Producers

If you’re like me, you saw the ad for the Virginia Rep’s production of The Producers and thought, “Hey, Jason Marks! He was in my theatre class in high school!” Sometimes, guys, it just feels good to see someone doing what they were obviously meant to do. We’ll assume he’s reading this right now and thinking about how I was always striding around the hallways, telling kids what to do every weekend with an air of unfounded arrogance. Anyway, I hear The Producers is amazing, I trust the Rep to put on a good show, and that dude was pretty talented, if I remember correctly through my surly haze. See you there?

• Fri. Nov. 16 – Sun. Jan. 13 • see site for times
• November Theatre, 114 W. Broad St.
• $30 – $60

3. Richmond Tattoo Arts Festival

There are two kinds of Richmonders. Richmonders who have tattoos and Richmonders who are my mother. JK, Mom! You’re not alone. But you should seriously consider taking a stroll through the Richmond Tattoo Arts Festival this weekend. You should attempt to get an appointment with these big-deal inkers while you can, Ma, or just show up to learn more about an ever-growing art.

• Fri. Nov. 16 – Sun. Nov. 18 • see site for times
• Greater Richmond Convention Center, 403 N. 3rd St.
• $5 admission, $20 for one-day pass, children 12 and under are free, but we urge you to ask yourself the really tough parenting questions before bringing them, like “Shall I permanently brand my young and trusting child?”

4. MATTHEW! E! WHITE! at The Camel

Listen, young readers, and read on our site of a now erstwhile writer we then called Matt White. He helped found this news rag–not lying, it’s true. ‘Twas five years ago when his beard was still new. He’s since been too busy becoming a star to descend to our level (just kidding, har har). But for real, dudes, he’s famous, and we like to say that Matt White got his start here in Richmond, VA.

• Fri. Nov. 16 with The Trillions • 9:00 PM
• The Camel, 1621 W. Broad St.
• $8 in advance/$10 at the door

5. Shuck You, Sandy!

Six Richmond chefs who feel emotions about Sandy’s devastating effects to Amazing Restaurant Island are throwing a tasty bash this Sunday to benefit victims. Eat the humble offerings from celebrated culinary minds behind Comfort, Pasture, Culinard, The Magpie, Millie’s, and Balliceaux. They’ll donate 100% of their proceeds to the Red Cross, as well as the stuff you bring to help our northern brothers and sisters out. See site for suggested items. Even if you can’t make it, you can still help out by donating cash.

• Sun. Nov. 18 • 5:00 – 10:00 PM
• Pasture, 416 E. Grace St.
• $75 – $100

November 15, 2012 7:25 AM 1