5 Things

VCU lost a heartbreaker on Tuesday (Valentine’s Day, no less!), but it’s alright, team. Hakuna Matata, right!?! This week marks the beginning of the Broadway performance of The Lion King, a short film festival, a tasty benefit, a bracket-busting VCU game, and more!

February 16, 2012; 6:00 AM • by Nathan Cushing

Have you seen Downton Abbey yet? Although I am quite content to sit down for a marathon viewing of British television, there’s a lot of eclectic culture happening right here in RVA this weekend. Disney’s Broadway production of The Lion King is finally in town, VCU tries to rebound from a unnerving loss to George Mason by facing off against Northern Iowa, and is there really a guy named “Stinky Cheese Man” coming to town? Here are this week’s 5 Things!

1. Lion King

Back when I first heard that The Lion King was going to Broadway, I scoffed. But then I remembered: hey, Hakuna Matata, guy! The Lion King is the gift that keeps on giving. I mean, we have this mashup of Lil Wayne and the movie’s theme song, and this deftly created spoof of The Dark Knight Rises trailer. The Lion King is both creative and a cash cow! The Broadway production is now in Richmond until March. This is a very popular production, so I advise that you snag tickets as soon as you can.

Feb. 15 – Mar. 11 • various times
Landmark Theater, 6 N. Laurel Street
$65 – $127

2. VCU Bracketbuster Game

Sigh. What a loss. The Rams were on an eleven-game winning streak before (barely) losing to the George Mason Patriots. However, VCU is looking to get back to their winning ways in their Bracketbuster matchup against a talented Northern Iowa team. The game is a big deal, and will be broadcasted on ESPN2. Tickets may still be available if you hurry.

Fri., Feb. 17 • 7pm
Siegel Center, 1111 W. Broad Street
Tickets are $25, game will be broadcasted on ESPN2

3. MIX International Short Film Festival

MIX stands for Moving Image Xchange, and it rewards short films throughout the world. This year’s festival features over 20 represented countries, with filmmakers from Virginia, D.C., New York, Los Angeles, and more. Short films can be the starting point for future auteurs and lead to cinematic styles later adopted by mainstream filmmaking. Whether you’re looking to see the next big director or just want to see quality films that cater to your short attention span, the short film fest is probably for you.

Fri., Feb. 17 – Sun., Feb. 19 • various times
Byrd Theatre, 2908 W. Cary Street
$7 each, $20 weekend pass, $15 Sunday awards ceremony

4. The Stinky Cheese Man

Back in the early 1990’s, The Stink Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tails came out. To call it a hit would be an understatement. The book as been adapted into a playful play that should suit both kids and adults. It features tales about the Ugly Duckling growing up to become super fugly, Cinderella proving to be not so lady-like to Rumpelstiltskin, and more. Suggested for ages four and up.

Feb. 17 – Mar. 18 • various times
Sara Belle and Neil November Theatre (formerly Empire Theatre), 114 W. Broad St.
$11 – $18

5. Zest Fest

FeedMore (the umbrella organization for Central Virginia Food Bank, Meals on Wheels Serving Central Virginia, and the Community Kitchen) puts on a super duper classy event to raise money for their various feeding programs. Not only is it a good cause benefiting local organizations, but it also lets people sample dishes from the area’s best chefs, as well as the best wine from Virginia wineries. They’re also raffling away prizes like a Walt Disney World package, having a chef from Buckhead’s prepare you a dinner in your home, plus others.