5 Things

January soldiers on! And we’re in a brand new kind of vortex—the one that involves a million things being scheduled now that the holidays are out of our hair.

January 9, 2014; 6:50 AM • by Susan Howson

January soldiers on! And we’re in a brand new kind of vortex—the one that involves a million things being scheduled now that the holidays are out of our hair. Root for VCU, catch some solid classical music, dance around like an idiot, and think hard about what you’d say to your 15-year-old self.

Family-oriented? Check out 5 Things for Families. You won’t be sorry, and you won’t miss naptime.

1. VCU Rams vs. George Mason

I interviewed someone who knows something about VCU basketball, which includes everyone but me, and they informed me that this game is not to be missed. “It’s an old rivalry from when VCU used to be in the CAA,” this person said. “And it’s the first Atlantic 10 game of the season.” I was then patiently informed that a basketball season first involves playing “rando teams” and then a “conference schedule” full of the “Important Ones,” and then this person told me to get my act together and finish up this column so he could publish it.

Thursday, January 9th • 7:00 PM
Stuart C. Siegel Center, 1200 W. Broad Street (or CBS Sports Network)
$45

2. Dear Me

Fifteen is probably the weirdest/worst/best year of most people’s lives. My memories of being a freshman in high school are so distinct, yet also messed up and kind of shaming. But if I had to go back and talk to myself, what would I say? Besides “you’re doing your eyeliner wrong,” I mean. Or hey, if I did want to say that, then the folks at Art 180 would probably turn it into a really sweet and poignant project. This exhibit, which opens with a reception on Friday, is a year-long community art project involving people writing letters to their 15-year-old selves, even if that self would respond with a withering look. The sentiments will be turned into trading cards, which is the coolest idea, and then we can all buy them for the teens in our lives. Or just drop them from airplanes onto every high school parking lot.

Friday, January 10th • 6:00 – 9:00 PM
Art 180, 114 W. Marshall Street
Free!

3. The Legwarmers

Remember back when the 80s were vintage? Now the 90s are vintage, get with it—and the next crop of high schoolers is going to get super into the Postal Service and The Strokes and defy us to do anything about it. But in the meantime, it’s still fun to dance around like an idiot to the songs of what many call “The Greatest Decade.” The 80s cover band, The Legwarmers, are super popular, and every time a show is announced, there are many squeals among my coworkers, who then start planning their outfits out loud. It’s supposed to be a crazy, sweaty, heady time.

Saturday, January 11th • 7:00 PM
The National, 708 E. Broad Street
$16

4. Richmond Symphony Altria Masterworks: Don Quixote

Strauss’s famous Don Quixote represents both the Don himself as well as his trusty servant Sancho in the form of solo cello and viola, respectively. The ol’ symphony has cleverly made “swords” their theme for the night, including George Walker’s “Foils for Orchestra,” a tribute to St. George the Dragon-Slayer as well as talented fencer Chevalier de St. George. Also on the program: Wagner! Wagner! Wagner!

Saturday, January 11th • 8:00 PM
Carpenter Theatre, 600 E. Grace Street
$10 – $76

5. NT Live: The Habit of Art

Art! It can DESTROY YOU! Or, rather, it can become the sole purpose of your life, which may cause you some struggles in your personal relationships etc. This play, of which this is a simulcast not a live production (at least, not live right in front of you), is about Benjamin Britten and W. H. Auden and the imaginary meeting of these two difficult geniuses. They discuss their “habit of art,” which is a much better title than the one I’d give it: “Jerks Meet.” Anyway, it’s highly acclaimed, and the National Theatre of London is about as fantastic as it gets.