5 Things

Which of you doubting Thomases thought we couldn’t pull together a FOURTH weekend of insanely worthwhile holiday cheer!? Pssht.

December 20, 2012; 6:49 AM • by Susan Howson

Which of you doubting Thomases thought we couldn’t pull together a FOURTH weekend of insanely worthwhile holiday cheer!? Pssht. We’re like the snow on the feast of Stephen. We’re deep. We’re crisp. Oh and you better BELIEVE we’re even.

1. Winter Solstice at the Labyrinth

The holidays aren’t all sugarplums and hot latkes. Sometimes they’re Short Pump traffic and jewelry store ads. Shipping delays and bonus disappointments. Burglaries and brokeness. Five extra pounds. Trans-Siberian Orchestra. My point: it would be convenient right about now to indulge in a little soul-seeking. A little spiritual cleansing. A little silence. Repeat yourself in the best possible way on a silent pilgrimage through the Chrysalis Labyrinth. This ancient tool spirals back upon itself over and over to remind you of…well, all sorts of things.¹ You’ve earned the right to rebalance and refocus with the folks who know how. Happy holidays, indeed!

• Thurs. Dec. 20 • 4:30 – 6:30 PM
• Chrysalis Labyrinth at Union Theological Seminary, 3318 Loxley Rd.
• Free!

2. The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe

Seen it you haven’t. Liked it we did. Time to get with the program it is.

• Thurs.-Sun. through Dec. 31 • see site for times
• 600 E. Grace St.
• $35 for adults, $30 for seniors, $20 for students

3. Richmond Shakespeare presents A Child’s Christmas in Wales

Item! William Shakespeare and Dylan Thomas were never seen in the same room together. You’re probably thinking what I’m thinking: they’re the same person. Which is why clever old Richmond Shakespeare is putting on Thomas’s (or should I say THOMSHAKASPEARE’S) A Child’s Christmas in Wales. It’s a holiday classic, after all, and the version they’re doing is brand frigging new! Start a new Yuletide tradition for your family and take them all to see this beloved yet often overlooked work, but make sure they don’t expect this tradition to last more than a couple of days, because, sadly, it’s the show’s last weekend.

• Thurs. Dec. 20 – Sun. Dec. 23 • see site for times
• Theatre Gym at Virginia Repertory Center, 114 W. Broad St.
• $12-$22 for adults, $17 for seniors, $7-$12 for students/children

4. Balliceaux Holiday Party

All right. Plays, ballets, walks, talks, tours, s’mores,² history, mystery.³ You’ve done all your holiday stuff and you sort of just want to get loose like a Christmas goose. You and me both, friend! Don an awkward sequined strapless dress and sparkly platform pumps like this way overdressed girl I saw at The Nutcracker, stuff three buckaroos down your bra and groove your way over to Balliceaux for a night of festive DJ intensity. For a low, low price you can get down and boogie all around with someone in a nightgown and ballet shoes (also spotted at The Nutcracker). There will be food, drink, and music loud enough so that you won’t have to worry about making any of that pesky conversation crap.

• Sat. Dec. 22 • 10:00 PM
• Balliceaux, 203 N. Lombardy Ave.
• $3

5. Family time!

I don’t know which Christmas story is funnier: the time when we woke my brother up by parading through his room with the instruments from my toy marching band set or the time when my sister didn’t get the black spandex stretch pants she wanted and spent the rest of the day sulking in her room with her NEW WALKMAN that some of us really coveted even though we tried to stay cool so lest we ruin the hip, laid-back look our new black spandex stretch pants gave us. And this is why you spend time with families over the holidays. Not to get stuff or to give stuff. Not to eat and drink. But to make a sibling spit out mulled wine over tales that are only funny to your finite little club. Family, you’re OK by me.

• This weekend
• Your relative’s house
• A gift or two, and a bottle of wine wouldn’t hurt

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December 20, 2012 6:49 AM 0