5 Things: Comedy, Juneteenth, vegetables, dogs, and bodily locomotion

There is literally nothing on this list that is not a fest, in one way or another. It’s fest time, RVA, and that means fests. Many fests. Fests.

June 18, 2015; 12:00 PM • by Susan Howson

Photo by: Satrina0

2nd Best Comedy Fest

A comedy fest of our very own! Thank you, Coalition Theater, thank you! For more on what to expect, check out our interview with Matt Newman. At least one person in this office read this story and cleared their weekend schedule.

• Thursday, June 18th – Saturday, June 20th • see site for schedule
• Coalition Theater, 8 W. Broad Street
• $10 per show, $10 per workshop

Juneteenth, a Freedom Celebration

Elegba Folklore Society presents the annual Juneteenth celebration–honoring freedom, self-determination, and Black lives mattering. Song, dance, food…the regular festival stuff. But do regular festivals have Bobby Seale, the founding chairman of the Black Panther Party to give a probably fascinating talk? Do other festivals have a torchlit walk? Do other festivals recreate rituals at the African Burial Ground? I think not. Juneteenth involves lots of family fun (in addition to all the kind of intense things I just mentioned), and should not be missed.

• Friday, June 19th – Sunday, June 21st • see site for schedule
• See site for locations
• Free to attend!

Richmond Vegetarian Festival

Experts agree on one thing only–vegetables are good for you. And delicious. Some of us feel that they are more delicious and more interesting than meat. If you’re scoffing right now, come on by, and find out that there are a lot more flavors to be had with flora rather than fauna. Plus, it is the only summer festival I find bearable, due to the abundance of shade and greenery. More on this fest tomorrow!

• Saturday, June 20th • 12:00 – 6:00 PM
• Azalea Gardens at Bryan Park
• Free to attend!

Virginia Kennel Club Dog Show

Ever wanted to experience the thrill of seeing beautiful creatures at their most beautiful and beautifully behaved? Or are you…a cat person. Not sure what you should do all weekend if you’re the latter (maybe stay indoors and sleep?), but if you’re the former, bring your pup to the VKC Dog Show. Usually your own dogs aren’t allowed, but this time around, you can bring them by some experts who will evaluate them for agility skillz! Guys, my dog is literally the best but I would be up for playing with yours as well! (The fun continues on Monday and Tuesday, with the Gloucester Kennel Club of Virginia; the cumulative shows are the first ever Colony Cluster, which is a phrase that makes me feel weird!) More info on dog shows and how you can enjoy them later today.

• Saturday, June 20th – Sunday, June 21st • 8:00 AM – approximately 4:00 PM
• Richmond International Raceway Complex, 600 E. Laburnum Avenue
• Free admission ($5 for parking)

Streets Alive

Streets Alive! is back! Everything around Byrd Park shuts down, and you are invited to walk, bike, jog, unicycle, what-have-you. Just move without using an automobile. There will be all sorts of vendors and performers and participants, and you can all relish in the idea that we are exercising our bodies and saving gas. A very good relish!

• Saturday, June 20th • 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
• Byrd Park and check out the vendor map (PDF)
• Free to attend!

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