5 Things

Mark Twain once said that all good things come in fives. He also said, “Suck it, Mason!” OK, he didn’t say that last part. But Twain knew a good thing when he saw it and so do we. Here’s this week’s installment of 5 Things to get you excited about the weekend (as if you weren’t already).

March 1, 2012; 6:00 AM • by Nathan Cushing

Quite a week, uh? The Artist raked in a bunch of Oscars, and the state Senate passed a bill that requires all women who want an abortion to get an external ultrasound. No matter how you come down on any one of these issues, I think we can all get excited about a surfeit of awesome that’s headed to Richmond on the heels of the warm front that just pulled into town. From hot ball action in the CAA Tournament to a sexy beard-on-beard competition, this weekend is looking great for electric eccentricity in true Richmond fashion. 5 Things!

1. CAA Men’s Basketball Championship

Just look at these photos! Even a guy like myself who doesn’t know what a CAA is, can get amped about the CAA Tournament. VCU finished second in the conference after an impressive trouncing of George Mason last week, thus allowing them to bypass the first round and will face either Northwestern or William & Mary on Saturday. The CAA is no league of chumps, with Drexel, VCU, George Mason, and Old Dominion all viable contenders to win the CAA Championship and earn a spot in the NCAA Tournament. The games will be at the Richmond Coliseum, so plan your weekend trips accordingly in light of heavy traffic to be expected downtown. There’s also this handy guide with all you need to know, from tickets, parking, to where you can watch the games on television.

Fri., March 2nd – Mon., March 5th • various times
Richmond Coliseum, 601 E. Leigh Street
Various prices, click HERE for details

2. 36th Annual Richmond Home & Garden Show

If the hoopla about college hoops is lost on you, perhaps something a little more refined might be a better way to fill your weekend. Beginning tomorrow, the 36th Annual Richmond Home & Garden Show will kick off. With lectures on topics as varied as indoor gardening, seed knowledge, and even couponing, even the greenest of green thumbs will get something out of the three-day affair (spoiler alert: the first 200 ladies into the expo each day will receive a free pansy).

Fri., March 2nd – Sun., March 4th • all day
Richmond Raceway Complex, 600 E. Laburnum Avenue
$6 – $9

3. First Ever Mid-Atlantic Beard & Stache Competition

Beards! They are a definitely a thing, especially here in RVA. Whether you go for the kempt look or the I’m just plain ol’ bat shit-crazy vibe, beards are making a comeback in a big way. IFC airs a show devoted to beard competitions called Wisker Wars and beard competitions are sprouting all over the world. Being that Richmond is a cache of catchy-looking facial follicles, it makes sense that we have our own competition. This Saturday, the first ever Mid-Atlantic Beard & Stache Competition will take place at Strange Matter. Not only will you get to see some bitchin’ facial hair, but all proceeds go to benefit the Central Virginia Food Bank. Should be fun.

Sat., March 3rd •
Strange Matter, 929 W. Grace Street
$5 for admission ($10 to compete)

4. WRIR presents Japanther

Their name is Japanther. What more do you need to convince you to see them!?! Well, if you say so…

The band is a two-piece from New York City. They’ve been called “art-rock installation paratroopers” and “super hard, incredibly fast and overall inspiring.” WRIR is helping to bring them to Strange Matter for a performance Friday night. If you’re in the mood for a performance that will dazzle your eyes along with your ears, you should definitely go. Here’s a taste:

Fri., March 2nd • 9pm
Strange Matter, 929 W. Grace Street
$7 (18+)

5. LolliPops: The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra

If fast art rock isn’t really your thing, being that you have kids and don’t feel it appropriate to escort them into Strange Matter on a Friday (or any other) night, you have at least one other music option. This Saturday, the Carpenter Theatre will feature a program that’s geared toward imparting orchestral appreciation to young ears. Using Benjamin Britten’s The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra as a template, The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra will give kids (and probably a few adults) an entertaining survey of orchestral music. Relying on humor and storytelling rather than pedantic professing, this is a good way to learn a bit about music without being bored to tears.