5 Things

True statement: Richmond’s last two weekend are hard acts to follow. But move over, Rams and Squirrels! The delightfully diverse events taking place over the next few days prove that RVA has still got it.

April 14, 2011; 6:00 AM • by Valerie Catrow

1. Vertical Gardens

Where do you go in a city for green space? Well, according to the Virginia Center for Architecture, we should all be looking…up. Their latest exhibit features an 8-by-13-foot “living wall”, along with more than 20 projects showcasing ideas for bringing a little more green to city life.

• Opens Thursday, April 14th and runs through June 26th • Opening reception on Thursday is from 5.30pm to 7.30pm
• Virginia Center for Architecture (2501 Monument Avenue)
• Opening reception is free (RSVP preferred); regular admission is $2

2. Civil War & Emancipation Day

This marks the 150th anniversary of Virginia’s secession from the Union. To commemorate this huge moment in Richmond’s (and America’s) history, museums and sites all over town have coordinated an all-day, city-wide event featuring special exhibits and tours (on foot, by bus, or even via Segway!), canal boat rides, cannon firings, period music, historic interpreters, and so, so much more. (For more about the Civil War Sesquicentennial, stop by 150 by RVANews.)

• Saturday, April 16th • 9.30am
• All over the place! (check the website for details)
• Free (for the most part; again, check the website for details)

3. Eggstravaganza

Update: Oh noes! Sautrday’s forecast is calling for some serious rain. Eggstravaganza has been rescheduled for April 30th. Plan accordingly!

Sure, Easter isn’t until the 24th, but the City of Richmond has decided that your children simply CANNOT WAIT any longer to search frantically for eggs whilst decked out in their Sunday best. There will be three separate egg hunts for children ages 4 to 6, ages 7 to 9, and ages 10 to 12, with a total 20,000 candy and prize-filled eggs. For those 3 and under, there is some sort of “Bunny Town” situation that could either be adorable or terrifying. Face painting, crafts, music, basketball games, and other various forms of merriment will commence as well.

• Saturday, April 16th 30th • 10am to 2pm
• Pine Camp Arts and Community Center (4901 Old Brook Road)
• Free!

4. Shockoe Bottom/Church Hill: Shock & Awe

Sample cuisine from the likes of Julep’s, Globehopper, new hotspot Boom Boom Burger, and more as you take a 1.5 mile stroll through one of Richmond’s most beloved neighborhoods. And see, all the walking totally cancels out all the eating, so you win on multiple levels.

• Saturday, April 16th • Meet at 1.55pm
• Starts at Cafe Gutenberg (1700 E. Main Street)
• $39 (with small ticketing fee)

5. Neil Young

I don’t know about you, but I have a hard time remembering that this is NOT Neil Young:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N799R_mDx_U

While that song isn’t likely to pop up in Mr. Young’s set, he is promising an evening of new hits and old favorites. I GUESS THAT WILL DO.

• Sunday, April 17th • 8pm
• The Landmark Theatre (6 N. Laurel Street)
• $57-$202

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.

April 14, 2011 6:00 AM 2