5 things

Chocolate, learning, parties, and lots of music. All good ways to distract you from the mess that could be this weekend.

February 4, 2010; 6:00 AM • by Valerie Catrow

Chocolate, learning, parties, and lots of music. All good ways to distract you from the mess that could be this weekend.

1. CHOCOHOLIC!

Anyone else really feeling the Seasonal Affect Disorder lately? I’ve found that the best remedy for such ailments comes in two forms: chocolate and wine. Partake in both while supporting CHIP of Greater Richmond, an organization dedicated to enriching the lives of local children and their families. Thursday, February 4, 6pm to 9pm, Virginia Holocaust Museum (2000 E. Cary Street), $35 (includes entry, food, wine sampling, and entertainment).

2. Take Our Stand: The African American Military Experience in the Age of Jim Crow

The Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia has partnered with the American Civil War Center to bring you something that is just across-the-board fascinating. Take Our Stand: The African American Military Experience in the Age of Jim Crow chronicles the Black military experience from the Spanish-American War to the desegregation of the US military in 1948. The exhibit runs through May 29, but all are welcome to attend an opening reception featuring a keynote address from professor Kimberley Phillips and a visit from the Tuskegee Airmen. Friday, February 5, 6pm to 8:30pm, Black History Museum (00 Clay Street), free.

**UPDATE: Due to (predicted) inclement weather, Take Our Stand has been rescheduled for February 19.**

3. WRIR: Party for the Rest of Us

Join the staff and supporters of 97.3FM, Richmond’s independent radio station as they celebrate being five years old (and always awesome). The evening will include food, beverages, performances from the likes of Amazing Ghost and the Hot Damns (among others), and birthday cake, of course! Friday, February 5, 7pm to midnight, Renaissance Ballroom (107 W. Broad Street), $10 suggested donation.

4. RVAJazzfest

I’ve started calling this “The Little Event That Could,” because seriously. First the original featured performer had to back out due to a death in the family (although, Jazz Editor Dean has managed to secure a wonderful replacement) and now Richmond is gearing up to be walloped yet again by winter weather. But by hook or by crook this show is going to happen. Dammit. Learn more about the lineup and purchase your advance tickets over at the RVAJazzfest Guide. Saturday, February 6, 8pm, The Camel (1621 W. Broad Street), $10 in advance, $15 day of.

5. Live at Ipanema: Zac Hryciak and the Jungle Beat

It’s been a couple months since we’ve posted anything about Live at Ipanema, (you’ll see more about that tomorrow), but rest assured, it’s still going down. Stop by everyone’s favorite basement watering hole this weekend to catch a show from Zac Hryciak and the Jungle Beat, a great local band known for their soulful sweet harmonies and whirlwind of sound (according to my sources, at least). Sunday, February 7, 10pm, Ipanema (917 W. Grace Street), free!

If none of these look particularly compelling (although I can’t imagine why), perhaps I can interest you in our Events Calendar for more ideas?

And as usual, if you’d like to give special shout-outs to happenings this weekend, leave them in the comments!

(Don’t forget: If you’ve got an event in the works that you’d like to see featured, send it our way.)

As the editor of RVANews, Valerie Catrow spends most of her time wrangling people over email and muttering to herself about the content calendar. She also contributes to our parenting column while maintaining her own blog, Made in Richmond. It should be noted that she loves tots, both the potato and child varieties.

February 4, 2010 6:00 AM 4