5 Things

The Folk Festival is about to FINALLY kick off, Less than Jake plays a smaller festival on Broad, I contemplate my female derby alter-ego in anticipation for the ‘Nightmare on 3rd Street, plus MUCH MORE that’s happening this weekend that proves why living in Richmond so does NOT suck!

October 13, 2011; 6:00 AM • by Nathan Cushing

OK. If you can take a minute to pull yourself away from iCloud and iOS 5 for just a few minutes, there are other things happening in the world, people! I have the run down of a really great weekend that’s shaping up. So, before our iPhone 4S’s arrive, and non-digital productivity ceases to exist, let’s take a moment, hold hands, and venture into the weekend TOGETHER.

1. Folk Festival

If you didn’t know that the Folk Festival was this weekend, you’ve probably been a resident of the International Space Station. There are over 30 musical acts from around the world that will be in Richmond this weekend to give us a taste of folk music from some of the most distant peoples and cultures. We have answers to your FAQ, bios of the performers, and a whole host of other Folk Festival articles do get you excited for this very awesome, and very FREE, event!

Fri., Oct. 14 – Sun., Oct. 16 • All Day
Various locations
FREE Admission

2. Fantoberfest

If folk music isn’t your thing, there’s still another awesome music event happening. Fantoberfest is a Microbrew and Music festival that will benefit Connor’s Heroes, a nonprofit with the aim of lessening the burdens of childhood cancer. Local and regional breweries such as Starr Hill, Legend, Devil’s Backbone, Hardywood Park, Southern Tier, and more will be in attendance. There will also be food from Star-lite, Lady N’awlins, F.W. Sullivans, and DeLux.

Less than Jake and No BS! Brass Band will be among the bands playing, along with local groups Long Arms, The Gill, and Good Birds, among others.

Sat., Oct. 15 • 12pm – 10pm
2053 W. Broad Street
$12 in advance; $15 at the door

3. Nightmare on 3rd Street – River City Rollergirls Roller derby

If I was a girl, and I played roller derby, my name would be Nation Crushing and I would TOTALLY look like THIS!

I went to my first roller derby event roughly one year ago. The only reason I kick myself for that decision is that it took me so long to actually see an event in person! Richmond has some really amazing roller derby girls that put on one helluva show. This Saturday features a derby double header. The first match features the Uncivil Warriors vs. DC Rollergirls Capitol Offenders. The second match will be Poe’s Punishers vs. Boston B Party.

Sat., Oct. 15 • 6pm
Greater Richmond Convention Center, 403 N. 3rd Street
$10 in advance; $12 at the door

4. Feast RVA

FEAST began in Brooklyn, and since 2009, the Brooklyn FEAST has raised over $15,000. Now, Feast is moving south.

This is a cool idea. Simply donate $25, have dinner and drinks, and listen to short presentations by local creatives who have ideas that they want to make happen. You then chat with these creatives, as well as other attendees. Then you vote for your favorite idea, and watch as your money helps reify that idea.

These events can really show how sound the creative pulse of Richmond truly is. You can also see–and fund–the next big idea while you are at it.

Fri., Oct. 14 • 7pm
Quirk Gallery, 311 W. Broad Street
Tickets are $25, and includes dinner

5. Belly Dance Brunch

If the idea of Sunday brunch, I dunno…bores the living hell out of you like it does me, and you need an injection of pizzaz to make the whole affair not suck so much, then I think some belly dancing is exactly what you need. While you eat your eggs and waffles, watch some first-class dancing of the bellies to help the food in your belly digest.