5 Things

Famous authors, Earth Day fests, masks, beautiful music, and a big “BOOO” to the Charlotte Independence.

April 16, 2015; 9:00 AM • by Susan Howson

Amy Stewart Personally Presents Wicked Plants

Author and all-around entertaining person Amy Stewart appears at the Science Museum to present the exhibit based on the informative and hilarious book of the same name. I spoke with Stewart herself in a fascinating interview that you shall read more about later this week! Don’t miss this exhibit, which is interactive, full of jokes, full of smart, and full of…Goth culture kind of? As Amy’s press stuff says, “Drawing on history, medicine, science and legend, Stewart will present tales of bloodcurdling botany that will enlighten and alarm even the most intrepid gardeners and nature lovers.” I love it! Amy will speak for 45 wonderful minutes, then sign books. This exhibit is a traveling one, and will not be here forever, so I recommend you catch it while the catching is hot.

Saturday, April 8th • 1:00 – 3:00 PM (the exhibit itself runs through May 17th)
Science Museum of Virginia, 2500 W. Broad Street
Exhibit covered in museum admission ($11 for adults, $10 for kids, Free for members!), but pre-registration is required (see site)

Dueling Earth Fests

What is it about Richmond that makes us like (or at least tolerate) two festivals at the same time, celebrating the same holiday, at the same timbre. Mix it up, people, and spread yourselves out, so that we can party ALL weekend, not just on one super-stressful back-and-forth day. Style Weekly’s RVA Earth Day Festival and Enrichmond’s Earth Day Richmond Festival both feature food, beer, live music and fun. Both are family friendly, too. Read all the write-ups and choose which one looks better to you, OR prepare yourself for a day of festival-hopping.

Saturday, April 18th • see sites for times
See sites for places
Free to attend!

Richmond Kickers vs. Charlotte Independence

Again, we’re faced with a foe that has an unfortunately figurative name, whereas we proudly wear our skills on our jerseys. We KICK and you, Charlotte, you…work best as a bunch of solo acts? Puhlease. What good does a bunch of independents do when they’re supposed to act as a team? Perhaps Joe Lieberman could answer that question, but he’s probably off being alone on and island somewhere, not kicking a ball into a goal. Tune in tomorrow with our very own Richard Hayes and his panel of soccer experts as they break down this home game into actual analysis and relevant trash talk. Also, for this game, the Kickers are offering a special of four tickets, four slices of pizza, and four sodas for $40, because being an independent slice of pizza or soda does not pay.

Saturday, April 18th • 7:30 PM
City Stadium, 3201 Maplewood Avenue
$12 for single ticket

Carnevale Ball

Let’s class it up a notch with the Commonwealth Catholic Charities’ annual Carnevale Ball! Admit it, you have always wanted to go to a fancy masquerade (you can buy a mask there if you don’t have one hanging from your mirror, a holdover from your bachelorette party in New Orleans). And as I always say, “The best time to indulge your masquerade whims is when it’s for charity!” CCC helps out Virginians in poverty and otherwise in need through a bunch of programs, and now you can be a part.

Saturday, April 18th • 6:00 – 11:00 PM
The Westin Richmond, 6631 W. Broad Street
$100

Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra

Going to take Sunday off from all the things happening on Saturday? Big mistake. HUGE. You COULD be sleeping it off in a boring way, or you could be taking in the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra’s free performance. You’ll see kids of all ages who are, probably, more talented than you’ll ever be (unless you’re a member of the Richmond Symphony’s orchestra, in which case, thank you for what you do). Who knows what they’ll play, but it’s bound to be inspiring, and a room of live classical music is seriously, I kid not, a restorative physical sensation. Just trust me.