5 Things

A thousand clowns, a serial killer, a foot race, an outdoor festival, and a secret agent work together to make quite a fantastic weekend. (Those first two will fit in a bit better once you read this — trust me.)

March 10, 2011; 6:00 AM • by Valerie Catrow

1. A Thousand Clowns

I realize the name of this play is absolutely terrifying to some of you, but I think you’ll probably be OK. Richmond’s favorite comedic actor Scott Wichmann takes the stage as Murray Burns, an unemployed comedy writer and uncle and guardian to the precocious Nick. Dubbed by New York Daily News as “One of the quintessential New York comedies,” A Thousand Clowns is sure to bring some laughs — and with Wichmann in the lead role, you really can’t lose.

• Opens Friday, March 11th and runs through April 23rd (8pm and 2pm performances scheduled)
• Barksdale Theatre: Hanover Tavern (13181 Hanover Courthouse Road)
• $38; seniors (65+) $35; ages 18 and under $19 (discounts can sometimes be found via Barksdale’s Twitter)

2. Insomnia Theater: Silence of the Lambs

All together now: “It rubs the lotion on its skin or else it gets the hose again.”

…

Well, that was creepy. So sorry.

• Friday, March 11th and Saturday March 12th (11.30pm)
• Movieland (1301 N. Boulevard)
• $5.50

3. Inaugural Free to Breathe 5K Run/Memorial Walk

The Monument Avenue 10k is right around the corner, so those of you planning to run might as well put your training time to good use. This event provides an opportunity for lung cancer advocates, survivors, and community members to come together to raise awareness and support to fight this disease. All proceeds will benefit the National Lung Cancer Partnership.

• Saturday, March 12th (registration begins at 7am, walk/run starts at 8.30am)
• Short Pump Town Center (11800 W. Broad Street)
• $35 for the run, $30 for the walk

4. Shamrock the Block

Not only does this event promise a day full of great music, food, beers, and Irish-y times had by all, it’s also the first outdoor festival of the season. Take THAT, dumb old winter. Kids are welcome — especially since they’ve expanded the children’s area this year to include jugglers, face painters, and “bouncies.”

• Saturday, March 12th (12pm to 6pm)
• 100 N. 17th Street
• Free, but food and drink cost extra (benefits Stop Child Abuse Now)

5. Genworth Financial Symphony Pops – The Music of James Bond

Confession: I have never actually seen a James Bond movie all the way through. But I get it! James Bond! Sean Connery! Shiny cars and guns and stuff! Love interests with sometimes vaguely offensive names! Join the Richmond Symphony for an evening of music from classic James Bond films like Goldfinger, Casino Royale, Dr. No, and others.

• Saturday, March 12th (8pm)
• Carpenter Theatre (600 E. Grace Street)
• $17-$77

Valerie Catrow is the former editor of RVANews who now spends her days raising her son, reading young adult fiction, and watching really bad television. When she’s not contributing to our parenting column or ranting and raving on her personal blog, Made in Richmond, you can probably find her abusing the caps lock key on Twitter.

March 10, 2011 6:00 AM 2