5 Things

Ok, party people. It’s supposed to be AH-mazing this weekend so you best get your sweet bippies out to enjoy it before Richmond decides to be a jerk and give us one more cold snap before Spring. Here are 5 things to keep you and your aforementioned bippies busy while soaking up the sunshine.

February 17, 2011; 6:00 AM • by Valerie Catrow

Ok, party people. It’s supposed to be AH-mazing this weekend — we’re talking highs in the 60s and 70s — so you best get your sweet bippies out to enjoy it before Richmond decides to be a jerk and give us one more cold snap before Spring. Here are 5 things to keep you and your aforementioned bippies busy while soaking up the sunshine.

1. America’s Next Top Model Casting Call

Full disclosure: I audibly gasped when I heard about this. That’s right, ladies! The ANTM casting crew is coming to RVA, and YOU have a chance to make the show — if you’re between the ages of 18 and 27 and 5’ 7” or taller, that is. My 29-year-old, 5-foot-3-inch self resents this deeply. Download PDFs of the eligibility requirements and the application right over here. And don’t forget to smize!

• Thursday, February 17 (11am to 6pm)
• The Shops at Willow Lawn (1601 Willow Lawn Drive)
• Free

2. Perly’s 4th Annual Spaghetti Dinner

I also audibly gasped when I heard about this one. Not because I was starstruck but because I have the appetite of a 17-year-old boy. Enjoy all-you-care-to-eat spaghetti with your choice of marinara or meat sauce, salad and a non-alcoholic beverage (coffee, tea or fountain soft drink). And then take a nap.

• Thursday, February 17 (5:30pm)
• Perly’s (111 E. Grace Street)
• $15

3. The BFG

Roald Dahl’s classic book of the same name comes to the stage in what Theatre IV is calling a “fantastical and faithful adaptation.” Can’t do better than that. The show runs at about 90 minutes and is recommended for ages 3 and up.

• Opens Friday, February 18 and runs through March 6 (morning, afternoon, and evening performances available)
• Empire Theatre (114 W. Broad Street)
• Single tickets are $14-$18 (group rates available)

GIVEAWAY ALERT!

We’ve got a pair of tickets good for any performance during BFG’s run. Enter to win by filling out the form below. You have until 3pm today!

4. Picasso: Masterpieces from the Musée National Picasso, Paris

If the VMFA were a person, I think she (something so pretty is OBVIOUSLY a she) would be patting herself on the back right now. Talk about impressive: a 176-piece exhibit showcasing work from every period of Picasso’s 80-year career. And the VMFA is the only place on the East Coast where you can see the exhibit. Richmond: 1, The Rest of the East Coast: YOU LOSE.

• Opens Saturday, February 19 and runs through May 15 (museum open daily until 5pm and until 9pm on Thursdays and Fridays)
• Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (200 N. Boulevard)
• $20 for adults; $16 for seniors and kids ages 7 to 17; free for members and kids under 6

5. Richmond Forum: Anderson Cooper

Oh just the recently-returned-from-Egypt-where-he-got-attacked-but-thankfully-is-ok-and-don’t-you-DARE-touch-those-blue-eyes-they-are-a-national-treasure-CNN anchor right here in Richmond. NBD. The Saturday evening event is sold out, but we hear there are tickets available for Sunday afternoon.

• Saturday, February 19 (8pm) and Sunday, February 20 (2pm)
• Landmark Theater (6 N. Laurel Street)
• $36-$70

(Feeling a bit “meh” about these suggestions? Stop by our events calendar for more ideas.)

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.

February 17, 2011 6:00 AM 4