5 Things

You’ve been partying hard lately, and that’s great. But, as there are lots of new flowers to stop and smell, let’s slow down this weekend and work on expanding our horizons. Well, our horizons and our waistlines. We’re not Spartans, over here.

April 28, 2011; 6:00 AM • by Susan Howson

You’ve been partying hard lately, and that’s great. But, as there are lots of new flowers to stop and smell, let’s slow down this weekend and work on expanding our horizons. Well, our horizons and our waistlines. We’re not Spartans, over here.

1. Restaurant Week

Hungry? I thought so, fatty! JK, we are all fatties during Restaurant Week. If you haven’t been following our Restaurant Week coverage, maybe “>now is the time to check it out. You get a prix-fixe menu with a couple of choices here and there, and a percentage of the profits goes towards the food bank (hey, don’t look at me like that, it’s possible that somebody honestly didn’t know about it). So find your hustle and make a reservation, because seriously, we didn’t want to have to be the ones to tell you this, but you should get out more.

• Through Sunday, May 1
• Tons of restaurants around town
• $25.11 (plus tip)

2. Journey Into Life: Aftermath of a Childhood in Auschwitz

We’ve been having a lot of fun eating things and parading around and Eastering it up, but sometimes we need something to ground us. The Virginia Holocaust Museum does a heck of a good job making one of our planet’s most bewildering tragedies accessible on a personal level. If we don’t educate ourselves, we don’t progress, and this film (directed by Thomas Mitscherlich) brings us three first-hand stories of what it was like to grow up in the most notorious concentration camp of all time. It’s like the VHM is giving you a wonderful gift. In return, you could give a small donation…or just think twice next time you’re tempted to complain about the humidity.

• Friday, April 29 • 7pm (the film series continues on Saturday at 2pm with The Man Who Scattered Eichmann’s Ashes Into the Sea)
• Virginia Holocaust Museum (2000 E. Cary St.)
• Free!

3. Family Energy Festival

Keeping within the theme of self-betterment (a theme we could all do well to keep within), pop over to the Science Museum of Virginia and learn about energy’s role in our lives while having the kind of fun that the Science Museum never fails to deliver. Seriously, do they know how to keep kids entertained, or what? You’ll learn how to save energy at home and how alternative energy is coming along. You’ll even get to witness Edison and Tesla get into a long-overdue fight to the death! OK, maybe not “to the death,” but certainly “to the point at which harsh words may arise.”

• Saturday, April 30 • 10am – 4pm
• Science Museum of Virginia (2500 W. Broad St.)
• $11 for ages 13-59 and $10 for ages 4-12 and 60+. Members are free

4. Arts in the Park

It’s the 39th time that you can walk around Byrd Park and admire the work of local and national artists! And these guys and gals don’t just express themselves on canvas. No way! It’s 2011! They’re making jewelry and crafts and all sorts of stuff. Plus, the people-watching is an art form in itself. Bring your wallet, bring your walking shoes, just don’t bring your pets, please.

• Saturday April 30, 11am – 6pm, and Sunday May 1, 11am – 5pm
• Byrd Park (free parking and shuttle service is available at the City Stadium, formerly known as the UR Stadium, but don’t go to the actual, new UR Stadium, as that would be an extremely long walk)
• It’s free to look, but bring cash to spend!

5. Little Sisters of the Poor – French Food Festival

Helping out those less fortunate is a tasty endeavor for attendees of the Little Sisters of the Poor French Food Festival. Chef Paul Elbling lends his culinary talents to offer the public a gourmet menu at a diner price. It’s like you’re traveling the world while helping out others…and also getting a little thicker. It’s OK! It’s more of you to love…for your generosity! Bring the kids, as there will be lots of activities for the younger set — including crepe-making, just in time to put those skills to use for Mother’s Day? Learn, little ones, learn!!

• Sat. April 30 • 11am – 7pm
• Little Sisters of the Poor (1503 Michaels Rd, in the West End. Free parking in the Forest Office Park.)
• Prices vary per dish, but seem to all be under $10

April 28, 2011 6:00 AM 0