5 Things

This weekend’s tagline is “Beer. It’s not just a sticky coating on dorm room floors anymore.”

May 3, 2012; 6:30 AM • by Susan Howson

This weekend’s tagline is “Beer. It’s not just a sticky coating on dorm room floors anymore.”

1. Dessa Rose at the Firehouse Theatre

You could say Richmond has a little bit of a chip on its shoulder about slavery — a little “YES, these hallowed streets were walked upon by people with some terrible, unforgivable ideas,” mixed with a little “Lay off, we’re not our great-grandfathers” and seasoned with a dash of “Why, sure, I’d love a crabcake!” Look, my point is that there’s still some healing to be done, and a play like Dessa Rose is full of nourishing goodness. And it’s compelling, too.

• Fri. May 4 – Sun. June 3 • 8:00 PM (Sun. May 13 and Sun. May 20 at 4:00 PM)
• Firehouse Theatre, 1609 W. Broad St.
• $12 – $26

2. RVA Beer Fest – Locals Only

Besides having a flipping gorgeous website, the RVA Beer Fest sounds like a flipping fun way to spend a weekend. This Friday, the RVA-Magazine-sponsored brew-haha (HAHA!) kicks off with a free party down at Gallery5 that celebrates and educates about local beers. BUT WAIT. There’s more. Those fire people (Party Liberation Front) will be there and beer will flow both inside AND OUTSIDE. So if you’re in the Art Walk neighborhood, keep an ear out for the kinds of sounds that people caught up in a firey, hedonistic frenzy would make. Then walk towards those sounds as fast as you can.

• Fri. May 4 • 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
• Gallery5, 200 W. Marshall St.
• Free!

3. 8th Annual Strawberry Fields Festival

I have some early memories of picking strawberries with my mom, and I’m not going to lie to you, those are some sweet, sweet memories. I’m going to take a wild guess that you want to construct a memory lane paved with fun times for your own family? It’s like I’m a mind-reader! Get rememberizin’ this Saturday at Gallmeyer Farms, where the good people have promised hay rides, local craft vendors, lots of berry-picking, and pony rides for the little ones. REPEAT: PONY RIDES. Nothing is more delicious than a super fresh strawberry (something you may or may not have ever had before), and as Gallmeyer’s slogan says, “If it were any fresher, it would still be growing.” For the record, I tried really hard to make a TWSS joke out of that, but couldn’t get it to work. I’ll leave my gun and badge on your desk.

• Sat. May 5 • 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Gallmeyer Farms, 3622 Darbytown Ct.
• Free!

4. Secco Beer Breakfast

Enough of this wholesome berry-pickin’, BACK TO THE BEER. Maybe you didn’t know, but Secco Wine Bar isn’t just about swirling wine around and discussing its various nuances. Oh, hell no! It gives wine AND beer the swirly treatment! This Sunday, Secco hosts its second Beer Breakfast, and you, pal, are invited. Take a tour of their inspired special occasion brunch menu and marvel at the lack of prix fixe restrictions. A la carte status is like an enormous, warm hug for those of us who don’t care for beer but love someone who does. For once, we won’t be forced to stand outside, looking in at a beer-pairing meal, drinking nothing but our own bitter tears.

• Sun. May 6 • 10:00 AM
• Secco Wine Bar, 2933 W. Cary St.
• Prices a la carte!

5. Secretly Y’all Presents: Work: Boss Stories

In the tradition of The Moth and other such storytelling institutions, Secretly Y’all gives the glib a platform for rappin’ about something interesting that’s happened to them and provides those who just like listening to stories with an opportunity to do so. Storytelling is the oldest art form (I just made that up) and one of the most interesting to consume (that one is true), so gather your courage and sign up for a slot. Or, just show up to be entertained. May’s theme is Work: Boss, and I just know you’ve got some good material up your sleeve.

• Mon. May 7 • 7:30 PM
• Balliceaux, 203 N. Lombardy St.
• Free!

May 3, 2012 6:30 AM 2