5 Things

If you haven’t heard already, Richmond was just awarded the hosting privileges for the 2015 UCI World Road Cycling Championship. Excited? Great. Not sure how to kill the time until 2015? Well, I’ve got you covered for this weekend, at least.

September 22, 2011; 6:00 AM • by Nathan Cushing

Ah, yes. It seems that we are vast approaching a whole new weekend. I will be moving into Church Hill, my first inner-Richmond living quarters that has been outside of the Fan and Museum District. Although I’m going to be busy moving box after box after box, that doesn’t mean you can’t go out and have a good time. We’ve got a little bit of Disney, cancer ka-powing, Belgium brew tasting, green thumbin’, and some free peace, love, and harmony.

1. Disney on Ice: Dare to Dream

Disney is trying it’s hand at adult content, with this X-rated musical on ice…

Ha. FOOLED YOU!

Disney is doing NO such thing, and this Dare to Dream production will feature wholesome family entertainment. Featuring Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen from The Princess and the Frog, this is sure-fire way to win some points with the kids. To make matters even MORE enticing, we’re giving away four FREE tickets! Simply fill out the form below to enter. All you have to do is swing by our office before 5pm on Friday to pick up your winnings.

– Thursday, Sept. 22 – 7pm
– Friday, Sept. 23 – 7pm
– Saturday, Sept. 24 – 11am & 3pm
– Sunday, Sept. 25 – 1pm & 5pm

• See dates and times above
• Richmond Coliseum, 601 E. Leigh Street
• $16 – $79

2. Massey on the River

I think we can agree on two points: 1) having fun is great, and 2) cancer sucks. So why don’t we combine the two? That’s what Massey on the River is all about. In addition to supporting the Massey Cancer Center, there will be music, beverages, and dinner by Ukrops Homestyle Foods. Not only that, but there will be a silent auction, featuring such prizes as original art, spa packages, exotic vacations, and four tickets for VCU men’s first 2011-2012 basketball game, and an autographed Final Four “Countdown to the Championship” poster. Oh, yeah!

• Sat., Sep. 24 • 6pm – 10pm
• Rock Bottom Island, 5995 River Rd.
• $35 in advance, $45 at the door

3. Old Belgium Beer Tasting

With a population just over 500 million, and sharing a border with China, Belgium’s chief exports are wheat, diamonds, and dijon mustard. If you believed what you just read, then I recommend that you double down on your daily dose of smart pills, because only ONE of the factoids that I pompously put forward is actually accurate (care to guess which one it is?).

If thinking makes your head hurt (which is why I seldom partake in that fruitless intellectual exercise) then perhaps we can turn to something that unites both American and Belgian alike: beer. Needing a little pick-me-up, what better way than indulging in a liquid depressant! Later this evenin, Tobacco Co. will host a Belgium Beer tasting. Among the featured beers will be all three styles of Chimay—being that I don’t drink, I have NO idea what that means…but is sure SOUNDS cool! If Belgium beers aren’t your thing then bear in mind that regular Happy Hour goes from 3pm-9pm, which is mighty generous time frame to indulge in discounted libations.

• Thur., Sep. 22 • 5:30pm
• Tobacco Company Restaurant, E. Cary & South 12th streets
• $20 per person

4. Go Green Virginia Garden Festival

If you forgot what rain looks like, prepare to get a fist full of it for the next several days. But don’t let that dissuade you from tending to your garden. Fall is actually a good time to plant and shrubs and bushes (garlic is great to plant in November!). So don’t write-off the autumn, folks. The expo will feature fall flowers for sale at great prices, and there will also be local VA growers will have perennials, flowering shrubs, and much more. Organizations and projects that support green living will be on hand to inspire and answer questions.

There will be food provided by Boka Taco Truck and Buzz & Ned’s Barbecue, and wine tasting by James River Cellar. There will also be wreath making, pumpkin painting, rabbits (and more) for the kids. At $3, this is perhaps no better way to spend a rainy Saturday.

• Sat., Sep. 24 • 9am – 4pm
• Science Museum of Virginia, 2500 W. Broad Street
• $3

5. Family Peace Festival

Alright, I’ve gotta be honest. The name for this festival is pretty gosh-darn hokey and twee. But, at least it’s FREE! Some of the intentions behind the event are rather noble:
* understand each other through art, music, devotions, dance, and other cultural expression
* promote self-esteem in children through age-appropriate activities
* encourage cooperation and collaboration among the diverse communities of Richmond

The festival is also inter-Faith, so Westboro Baptist Church members should probably not attend (maybe they should protest another Foo Fighters concert).

• Sun., Sept. 25 • 11am – 5pm
• Byrd Park, 600 S. Boulevard
• FREE

September 22, 2011 6:00 AM 1