5 Things for Teens: More like 5 things plus 1 more thing…but who’s counting?

The weather this week has been like that teacher that always give pop quizzes at least twice a week, and you know that you’re going to get a pop quiz, but you can never predict the day early enough…and then you get soaked in rain. Anyway, here are four things to do plus one more thing to know.

February 26, 2016; 9:18 AM • by Chris Bolling

Photo by: WilliamMarlow

1. The Makers Series

The Makers Series is a series of talks led by three individuals (a visual artist, a writer, and a musician). Whose hope is to become catalysts of creativity in their communities at large. Now this isn’t your average meet and greet of “important” people in the community. Well it is, but nonetheless it’s always good to do some networking with individuals in the community, some of whom may have connections and (snap) possibly free college education or internships. Boom!

Friday, February 26th • 6:30 – 9:30 PM
Third Church, 600 Forest Hill Avenue
This is free. This is good, right?

2. Open Mic Night @ ATLAS

So when I think of open mic nights, I first imagine my raspy voiced uncle talking in a speakeasy (If you don’t know what that is ask your parents or maybe your grandparents) telling me about the time that he had his first drink and how that’s a metaphor for being an adult and freedom blah blah, mistakes blah blah, and some other lofty metaphor. Anyway. This open mic is quite different. And in fact there is a writing workshop that includes Roscoe Burnems (Great guy) and will be lead by Teens in the community.

Friday, February 26th • the workshop is from 4:00 – 6:00 PM and the open mic is from 6:00 – 8:00 PM
ART 108’s ATLAS Gallery • 114 W. Marshall Street
This is also free. This is great, right?

3. EEF Story Swap, Chalk Art Co-op

So, if you love chalk, art, and saying words, then you’re gonna love this. The EEF
(East End Fellowship) story swap chalk art co-op (it kinda has a jingle to it, right?) is a group of teens and adults coming together with chalk, creativity, and open ears with hopes to brighten your day. This is the first in what will hopefully be a series, so support is much needed and wanted. It should be a decent, partially sunny day on Sunday compared to the rest of this week. It is a BYOC (bring your own chalk) event, so feel free to bring some if you have any.

Sunday, February 28th • 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM or until they run out of chalk
Libbie Hill Park, 2801 E. Franklin Street
This is also also free. So really great, right?

4. Afrikana Film Festival: An Evening with an Icon, Sonia Sanchez

The Afrikana Film Festival presents: An Evening with an Icon, Sonia Sanchez and the RVA premiere of BaddDDD Sonia Sanchez. Sanchez has played a major role for the world or poetry, especially African American poetry within the last decade. The Afrikana Film festival is a pro-black¹ film festival that premieres and shows documentaries and movies produced and created by African Americans. Similar to the Makers Series, the artists that are featured have the hope of becoming a catalyst and inspiration for the community at large. There will even be a post-documentary discussion with the actual Sonia Sanchez. So, yeah. Who said learning isn’t awesome?

Saturday, February 27th • 7:00 PM until food or questions run out.
Grace Street theatre, 634 W. Grace Street
Tickets are $20 at the door, $15 each or $25 in advance (Totally worth it though)

5. Tin Can Fish Band, The Atkinsons

Ya know, despite our often saddening history as a City, one thing that Richmond does well is music. Alongside food, and coffee and art, and more music. Anyway. We have another live shows hosted by the Tin Pan. Tin Can Fish Band is a six man band whose musical soundings have been described as “easy to listen to, but difficult to make sense of.” I like to think that a Richmond can be described similarly. And Richmond is still a great place, and I would imagine seeing Tin Can Fish Band perform live would be great as well.