5 Things

The new “Batman: Arkham City” video game came out this week, and I’ve been dutifully shirking my responsibilities so I can play the game into the wee hours of the morning. But my eyes are shot from all the visual stimuli, so I think a break is in order. Thankfully there’s some pop-punk, punkish productions of Shakespeare, and some goblins to coax me out of the house.

October 20, 2011; 6:00 AM • by Nathan Cushing

I’ve been sick most of the week, so I’ve been rather ‘out of it’ of late. But now that the medication is parting my voluminous mucus like Moses did the Red Sea, I’m ready for some hot weekend action, y’all! There’s pop-punk, beautiful nighttime lights, some free-ass Shakespeare, fashion for a good cause, and some raunchy gourd on gourd action (that’s family appropriate). All this gets going tonight, so let’s get to it.

1. New Found Glory

Who says nothing good comes out of Florida? Formed in 1997, New Found Glory has been making catchy power chord progressions ever since. Their new album Radiosurgery came out last month, and they’re playing the National. There are still some tickets left, so get moving.

http://youtu.be/ZucieuIux4s

• Fri., Oct. 21 • 6:30pm
• The National, 708 E. Broad Street
• $24.50 plus surcharges

2. 1708 Gallery 4th Annual InLight Richmond

The InLight event is one of the coolest visual spectacles that Richmond offers. All sorts of creative light concoctions emit amazing and lovely luminescence. This year, the event is being held along the James River. You can look at a map HERE (PDF). You’ll be able to vote for your favorite piece by texting ‘InLight’ and the number of the artwork to 30364. This is a very cool event. Don’t miss it.

• Fri., Oct. 21 • 7pm
• Tredegar Iron Works, 500 Tredegar Street
• FREE

3. Bootleg Shakespeare

I know what you’re thinking: William Shakespeare…really? Some people like to showboat snobbery by saying (or pretending) that they enjoy the works of the witty Willy. But most people can also be downright afraid to say that they don’t understand his plays because his old, Fancy Shmancy language is so inaccessible to us nowadays. Well, dang it, his work is hard to understand. It really is. But the reason why it’s been around for soooo long because it’s soooo good.

To help make Willy’s work more interesting, Barksdale is putting on a free, ad hoc performance of Troilus & Cressida. Sixteen actors will have NO rehearsals. Free to watch, cash bar, and tasty desserts await. Make sure you get to Barksdale at 6pm this Saturday to get your tickets (no reservations taken and only 2 tickets per person).

• Sat., Oct. 22 • 7:30pm
• Barksdale Theatre at Willow Lawn, 1601 Willow Lawn Drive
• FREE

4. Key to the Cure

Who says that fashion and the sartorial-minded must be vain? Case in point: Key to the Cure. While a $100 ticket may seem like a lot, this event is meant to benefit women’s cancer research at the VCU Massey Cancer Center. With your ticket, you’ll get to sample some fine food from some fine local restaurants, as well as watch a fashion show featuring cancer survivors and researchers as models of lab coats “imaginatively designed by local artists.” T-shirt will also be sold, with 100% of the purchase price going to the VCU Massey Cancer Center.

• Thur., Oct. 20 • 6pm
• Saks Fifth Avenue, Stony Point Fashion Park
• $100 per person

5. Goblins and Gourds

Did you know that Richmond has its own Indigenous Gourd Orchestra? You didn’t? Have you been living under a rock??? This Sunday, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is putting on a Goblins and Gourds event. There will be pumpkin painting, costumes, and whole bunch of other family fun.

• Sun., Oct. 23 • 1pm – 4pm
• Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden,1800 Lakeside Avenue
• Regular garden entrance fees apply

October 20, 2011 6:00 AM 1