5 things

Well, hello there, November. Nice of you to join us ALREADY. Seriously, it feels like just days ago we were all dropping from heat exhaustion. Things are downright crisp around here! Here are 5 things to encourage you to get out and enjoy it.

November 4, 2010; 6:00 AM • by Valerie Catrow

Well, hello there, November. Nice of you to join us ALREADY. Seriously, it feels like just days ago we were all dropping from heat exhaustion. Things are downright crisp around here! Here are 5 things to encourage you to get out and enjoy it.

1. Pretty Lights

Going by Susan Howson’s review of the Pretty Lights show in April, this is sure to be an experience. If you’re not familiar with Pretty Lights, they’ve got quite a few free downloads available on their (its? his?) website. Go get yourself acquainted. Chali 2na will also be performing.

• Thursday, November 4 (8:30pm; doors open at 7:30pm)
• The National (708 E. Broad Street)
• $25 in advance; $28 the day of the show

2. 2010 Holiday Shoppers Fair

Halloween was days ago; it’s OBVIOUSLY time to start getting ready for Christmas. This weekend, 15 local museums will set up shop in the Virginia Historical Society to sell some of the goodies available in their stores. And not only will you get a chance to start stocking up on those holiday gifts (Ha! Get it? Stocking, Christmas, see what I did there?), you’ll be supporting some of Richmond’s most beloved organizations while you’re at it. Featured museums include the VMFA, St. John’s Church, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Old Dominion Railway Museum, and more. Several local authors (including Elizabeth Thalhimer Smartt who we profiled last month) will also be on hand to sign books.

• Friday, November 5 and Saturday, November 6 (9:30am to 5pm)
• Virginia Historical Society (428 N. Boulevard)
• Free admission!

3. 2nd Annual Latino Film Festival: Cine De Mi Gente (Films Of My Culture)

I’m sure there are some people who are stoked to see Saw 3D: The Final Chapter (don’t believe that title, I bet you $17,000 there are more to come), but then there are others who might be looking for a cinematic experience that is not as in your face with the blood and the dying. Richmond’s chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is bringing you four films that examine and celebrated the Latino experience: The Secret In Their Eyes (El Secreto De Sus Ojos); Alamar (To The Sea); La Casa Por La Ventana (Burning Down The House); and Entre Nos (Between Us). The festival will conclude with a Q&A session with the filmmakers.

• Friday, November 5 and Saturday, November 6 (see website for show times)
• Byrd Theatre (2908 W. Cary Street)
• $5.99 per film ($3.99 for students); $20 for a full-festival pass; $30 for VIP pass (includes reception on Friday); kids 10 and under are free

4. Dane Cook

Full disclosure: I’m not exactly a huge fan of Dane Cook, but I know tons of people are. Plus, the bit below makes me giggle. I am a huge fan of giggling, ask anyone in the RVANews office.

• Friday, November 5 (8pm)
• Richmond Coliseum (601 E. Leigh Street)
• $34.75-$69.75

5. 11th Annual Brunswick Stew Festival

It’s gonna be CHILLY this weekend. The only solution? Eating lots and lots of this Southern staple. Seriously. Stock up. Freeze it. Rejoice.

• Saturday, November 6 (11am to 4pm)
• 17th Street Farmers’ Market (100 N. 17th Street)
• Free admission

As the editor of RVANews, Valerie Catrow spends most of her time wrangling people over email and muttering to herself about the content calendar. She also contributes to our parenting column while maintaining her own blog, Made in Richmond. It should be noted that she loves tots, both the potato and child varieties.

November 4, 2010 6:00 AM 7