5 Things

If politics and capricious weather have got you down, then here are a few things that will lift your spirits and make you want to grab the weekend by the proverbial…um…horns!

January 12, 2012; 6:00 AM • by Nathan Cushing

Who else is super excited about presidential primary season!?! Yeah, me neither. But don’t worry! While South Carolinians ready themselves for the polls next week, Richmonders are readying themselves to run wild in the streets. Why??? Because we are so AWESOME, that’s why! If you’re itching to do things this weekend, here are 5 Things that are ready to scratch you silly.

1. VCU vs. JMU

Despite a couple of recent losses to conference teams, the VCU men’s basketball team is by no means out of contention this early in the season. They’re a young team with players that could bust-out any game now. Later this evening, they will take on conference rivals JMU. The Rams are in need of a solid win against a fellow CAA team, and there’s no better place to do it than the Siegel Center. If you can’t make it to the game, you can watch all home games free online at ESPN 3. Tonight’s game will also be on ESPN-U (although, I’m not sure if the game will be on ESPN 8, aka ‘the ocho’).

• Thur., Jan. 12 • 6pm
• Siegel Center, 1200 W. Broad Street
• $15 – $20 (student get in FREE). Watch on ESPN-U

2. Feast RVA

If you haven’t heard of RVA Feast, you probably want to take off your shoes…because I’m about to knock your socks off. The idea is simple: you donate $25. You then get to enjoy dinner and drinks while listening to short presentations by local people who try to win you over with their new ideas. You talk among the other attendees and then vote for the best locally-grown idea for the city. It’s a great way to have fun, and to help fund the next big thing in RVA.

• Sun, Jan. 15 • 6:30pm
• 1708 Gallery, 319 W. Broad Street
• $25

3. Friday Art & Wine at the VMFA

If you’re looking to impress a date (or you want to stoke the home fires a bit) then I recommend you take a look at the VMFA. Sure, it’s known for exhibits ranging in subjects from Elvis to whales, but the museum is also a good place to spend an early Friday evening. How so, you ask? Each week, they offer discounted beverages and free half-hour gallery tours at 7pm and 7:30pm. Get drunk and cultured!

• Fri., Jan. 13 • 5pm – 8:30pm
• Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, 200 N. Boulevard
• FREE to attend

4. West End Comedy Downtown

Did you know that some people in the West End are actually funny? Yeah, it’s a new one for me too. Turns out West End Comedy is a troupe of improv comedians. This Friday, they’re coming to downtown Richmond to perform their Who’s Line is it Anyway?-style show. Although funny, their show isn’t for the little ones.

Here’s an episode from their web series to give you a taste of their talents:

http://youtu.be/Gt04hYXW9AA

• Fri., Jan. 13 • 8pm
• CenterStage Comedy Club, 600 E. Grace Street
• $10

5. Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates

Did you know that former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates gave up his government gig to become a full-time, one-man comedian that also smashed fruits at the end of his set, launching juicy entrails into the first several rows of his audience? Wait…I’m thinking about another guy.

Any who, the former Defense Secretary will be in town this weekend. The guy spent nearly 27 years as a CIA intelligence professional. He most recently served under both presidents Bush and Obama, and notably pushed for the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” While tickets are hard to come by at the Richmond Forum, there are a few available. He’s an interesting guy, which should make for an interesting forum.

• Sat., Jan. 14 • 8pm
• Richmond Forum, 6968 Forest Hill Avenue
• $36 – $70

 

photo by billaday

January 12, 2012 6:00 AM 0