5 Things

We’re learning, we’re eating, we’re bonding, and we’re drinking. Always, we’re drinking. This weekend is as pleasantly cool as the daily high temperatures, and I want you to take advantage of one of my top-3 favorite seasons.

October 24, 2013; 7:25 AM • by Susan Howson

1. Restaurant Week

Restaurant Week, Restaurant Week. Lord knows it’s Restaurant Week. Twice each year, hungry Richmonders kind of go insane, shredding menus, jostling for seats, and (this one is real) calmly enjoying a very, very underpriced meal that benefits a worthy cause. Try a new spot, rekindle the flame with an old fave, and just get out of the house already. It’s Restaurant Week time, you fools! Check out our menus before it’s TOO LATE.

Through Sunday, October 27th • See individual restaurant sites for hours
Eateries around town
$25.13

2. Walkable City

My mother walks six miles every single morning. Around a mall. A MALL. If only Richmond were a more walkable space, we could save her from having to get her post-walk treat from Sbarro. AND we could reduce sprawl and help local businesses out. It makes so much sense! VCU’s Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs hosts nationally-renowned city planner Jeff Speck to learn us all about what RVA could do better. After this (free) lecture by a (really important) dude who probably will refuse to show pictures of my mother sadly eating a piece of limp pizza, you will be inspired to make some change so that we can all walk around more often.

Thursday, October 24th • 7:00 – 8:30 PM
VCU Student Commons, Commonwealth Ballrooms, 907 Floyd Avenue
Free!

3. Boulevard Pumpkin Festival

Is there anything more precious than a newborn festival? That is, not a festival of newborns (gross) (yet magical), but a festival that is unrolling its snaky vine-like tendrils for the first time. You’ll spend time being wowed at this up-and-coming area of the city. There will be pumpkin-themed cook-offs, music, movie trivia contests by Movieland (Winner of this contest: hit me up so we can be besties), and, last but never least, Nutzy!

Saturday, October 26th • 12:00 – 6:00 PM
N. Boulevard
Free!

4. HANGAR 18, A Fundraiser For RVA Street Art Festival & Art On Wheels

GayRVA, RVA Street Art, and Art on Wheels team up with RVA Magazine for a night of light debauchery and gentle hedonism! At the frigging bus depot! In my mind, this is going to turn into a “neon-festooned hoodlums swinging barrels around under blacklights” scene from one of the Joel Shumacher Batman movies. Honestly, if it’s anything other than that, I’m going to be sorely disappointed. There will be DJs, art, beer, and, oh, you should probably wear a costume. I’ve got a blacklight and a perfect idea, so let me know if you need help coming up with a good disguise.

Friday, October 25th • 8:00 PM – 1:00 AM
Old GRTC Depot at Main and Robinson Streets
$5 in advance, $10 at the door

5. Richmond Zombie Walk

If survival isn’t your thing, join the hordes of undead this weekend in Carytown for the ninth annual Richmond Zombie Walk. I understand, sometimes the prospect of living in a post-zombie apocalypse world, fighting each day to scratch out a bleak existence is just too much to bear. So if you feel like giving up, don your best zombie costume and join the rest of Richmond’s walking dead as they shamble down Cary Street (or feel free to spectate for them safety of one of Carytown’s many fine establishments).