5 Things

So much food–and not the typical foodstuffs this weekend. Plus, a celebration of only one of the most nationally defining moments in our cultural history. What could you possibly be doing that would top any of the above?

June 19, 2014; 8:24 AM • by Susan Howson

1. Band of Horses

I wouldn’t lead you to a musical act that I didn’t personally think was great. And I also wouldn’t lead a horse to water if I didn’t think I could make it drink. Eff that! Band of Horses is so good, guys. Especially if you like such acts as My Morning Jacket or Local Natives, you should look this gift horse in the mouth. I’d say more but it would be like flogging a dead…you get the picture.

• Thursday, June 19th • 8:00 PM
• The National, 708 E. Broad Street
• $25 advance, $30 at the door

2. Juneteenth 2014

An Emancipation Celebration! This event, sponsored by the Elegba Folklore Society, is also significant for things other than rhyming opportunities (email me if you can think of one that works with “Elegba” or even “folklore” or, now that you mention it, “society.”) They’ve got historical stuff, contemporary stuff, and lots of fun for the whole family in this series of events that you can pick and choose from.

• Thursday, June 19th – Sunday, June 22nd • see site for times
• See site for venues
• See site for prices

3. RVA Streets Alive!

Sakes alive! It’s RVA Streets Alive! The event that insists, nay, DEMANDS, that we take the streets back to where they belong–under the feet or wheels of people who don’t drive cars. “Oh, are you talking about PATHS, you underevolved hippie humans?” you say. WRONG, automobile snobs, I say. The streets are for all of us, and during these few hours, we get to explore other options of…exploring them.

• Saturday, June 21st • 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
• Broad Street from 2nd Street to Henry Street, Brook Road from Adams Street to Leigh Street
• Free!

4. Richmond Vegetarian Festival

You may have noticed that I don’t throw this compliment around lightly: this is my favorite Richmond food festival. It’s verdant and lush and shady and wonderful–a great setting for a festival that celebrates vegetables. SORT of. There are plenty of this-happens-to-be-vegetarian-but-really-it’s-still-fried-goodness-sans-meat cuisine for those of you who are stuck on brownish food. Give vegetarian food and the world of flavors it brings a big, big chance at the most pleasant of all food gatherings.

• Saturday, June 21st • 12:00 – 6:00 PM
• Bryan Park, 4308 Hermitage Road
• Free to attend!

5. 11th Annual Taste of India

Haha, wow, this is a little embarrassing, India–considering the glowing praise I gave the festival above you. BUT! Indian food is one of the easiest to eat whilst vegetarian, as a huge part of their culture is religiously so. One of the greatest and most creatively flavorful world cuisines, Indian food should not be underrated for one second. And if you sometimes find yourselves yearning for a really-super-great Indian food option in Richmond, this is the place to be, with delicious food at reasonable prices and all sorts of cool cultural things happening in a way that is so beautiful we can’t even truly understand it. Sigh, America.

• Saturday, June 21st – Sunday, June 22nd • 12:30 – 8:30 PM
• Cultural Center of India, 6641 Ironbridge Parkway
• Free to attend! (And free parking!)

Bonus Thing

USA plays Portugal this Sunday night at 6pm on ESPN, or join your fellow humans at the outdoor viewing party hosted by the Richmond Kickers. I BELIEVE THAT WE WILL WIN!!

Photo by: avrene

June 19, 2014 8:24 AM 0