5 Things: GWAR B-Q, BrewBQ, Wedding Experience, Down Home Family Reunion, and Commonwealth of Notions Presents

Many places spell and abbreviate “barbecue” in many different ways. Often two different ways in each paragraph!

August 13, 2015; 12:08 PM • by Susan Howson

Photo by: engyles

1. GWAR B-Q

If you’re a person who has never heard of GWAR–maybe you’re my mother, who lives in a blissful Victorian wonderland over there in Bon Air, surrounded by a force field that prevents her brain from retaining any information she might accidentally read about Pustulus Maximus and co.–you should probably read up before deciding whether or not you want to attend this event, which is actually a huge weekend of events. I…really don’t have the Internet space here to do it justice. There’s a bunch of gore and a lot of kinda violent sex jokes, just what you’d expect from a bunch of fictional alien male warriors? OK this sounds very weird when I write it out like that, and I’m now aware that it doesn’t seem like something I would normally support, but it’s GWAR. They are essentially a force of good, I think?? (See today’s Food News for a good write-up, and then see Andrew Cothern’s live music pics for August for ANOTHER good write-up.)

2. BrewBQ

More beer, more barbecue, and more friendly friends to hang out with! Providing your friends like barbecue and/or beer. And if they don’t, fine. Make new friends at this festival, which is back for its fourth year. Honestly, too, summer is coming to a close, and your body needs a nice comfy layer of fat to get it through what is sure to be another unbearable winter. NOTE! BrewBQ is put on by Enrichmond at “17th Street Farmers Market,” which is currently under construction. It will be held “adjacent” to the farmers market, which has gotta mean the parking lot behind it, because otherwise you’re just on Havana 59’s rooftop. That’s fine with ME, but Havana’s management will probably balk.

  • Sunday, August 16th • 12:00 – 5:00 PM
  • 17th Street Farmers Market and adjacent grounds (?), 17th and Main Streets
  • Free to attend! $2 beer samples, $6 full pours, and other food and beverages available for sale

3. Richmond Wedding Experience-B-Q

What! You don’t have time for all this GWAR and beer nonsense! You’ve got a wedding to plan. You do still like barbecue though, so it’s a good thing this wedding expo still gives you a chance to combine your two hobbies. Take a step away from the Internet and wedding magazines (they will drive you insane), and come experience it all in person. People can help you, answer your questions, and generally not make you feel like you MUST hand-forge personalized horseshoes out of reclaimed iron as favors. NOTE! This event does not actually contain barbecue.

  • Sunday, August 16th • 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Greater Richmond Convention Center, 403 N. 3rd Street
  • $10

4. Down Home Family Reunion-B-Q

Elegba Folklore Society does it again, 25 times in a row in fact! This mega-popular festival celebrates African American traditions and talent with a market of cool stuff to buy, a bunch of art, a gaggle of performing youths, a swarm of world dance and music, and a shload of food. You’ll learn about how West African culture became blended with that of the American South, and how it added an important and thriving part to the American landscape today. Learning! While having fun! And eating barbecue. NOTE! I do not know if there is barbecue at this event.

  • Saturday, August 15th • 4:00 – 8:00 PM
  • Abner Clay Park, Brook Road and W. Clay Street
  • Free to attend!

5. WRIR and the Commonwealth of Notions Presents: Volume Five-B-Q

Shannon Cleary is one of the most hardworking people in town, taking his love of local music to such a fantastic and generous level that it is impossible not to catch the enthusiasm from him. I really enjoyed Andrew Cothern’s interview with Shannon about his local music showcase, now in its fifth year. In case you don’t have time to peruse it, here’s a summary: Shannon hosts a radio show on WRIR 97.3 called Commonwealth of Notions, both of the above put on this event every year, this year involves a bunch of exciting band reunions, and Brandon Peck is a charming fellow. The bulk of the showcase is next weekend, but it kicks off this Saturday at Gallery5 with GoldRush, Anousheh, Positive No, Lady God, Various Eggs, Way, Shape or Form, and Manzara! NOTE! NO BARBECUE! IT IS ALL A BIG JOKE!

  • Saturday, August 15th • 5:00 PM – 1:00 AM
  • Gallery5, 200 W. Marshall Street
  • $5 (proceeds benefit WRIR)
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Susan Howson

Susan Howson is managing editor for this very website. She writes THE BEST bios.

August 13, 2015 12:08 PM · in , , and more 1

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