5 Things

Whoa, did anyone else think it was Wednesday? News flash! It was a short week! The weekend approacheth, and it is festival time in the land of plenty (…of festivals).

May 31, 2012; 6:54 AM • by Susan Howson

Whoa, did anyone else think it was Wednesday? News flash! It was a short week! The weekend approacheth, and it is festival time in the land of plenty (…of festivals).

1. Greek Festival

We are not messing around here. This weekend starts off with the @$*% Greek Festival! Guys, I have lived in this town most of my life, and I have never seen Richmonders swarm a festival with such lusty hunger in their eyes as they do to this tented heaven of spinach, lamb, feta cheese, and baklava baklava baklava! If you’ve never had a chance to attend the Greek Festival (now in its 36th year!), heed my advice. Wear comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather. Be patient about parking. Fast for 24 hours prior. And hold fast to your place in line–it’s every man for himself out there.

• Thurs. May 31 – Sun. Jun. 3 • see site for times
• Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 30 Malvern Ave.
• Free to attend, see online menu for food prices

2. Strawberry Hill Races at Colonial Downs

I know, guys, I know! It’s a little weird that the Strawberry Hill Races are at Colonial Downs. However, horse racing is a good time. A LITTLE STORY, if you’ll indulge me. My parents took me to the SHR when I was 10 or 11. I was the only kid there and in my boredom, I convinced my parents to let me join the friendly betting going on in our tent. I won so much cash that my mom insisted on keeping it all, I became convinced that I was psychic, and a year later, my parents’ friends asked them not to bring me again. I know that traditionally, it’s all fancy hats and whatnot, but I’m living proof that you can show up in a sweatshirt with a kitten on it and clean up.

• Sat. Jun. 2 • 11:00 AM
• Colonial Downs, 10515 Colonial Downs Pkwy, New Kent
• $9-$20

3. Stone Soul Music and Food Festival

Soul fans! This festival sounds like the best thing ever? Sponsored by iPower 92 FM, the Stone Soul Music and Food Festival features such acts as Boyz II Men, who are still kicking it just for you, and George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, who are…still kicking. Plus! A ton of other R&B bands performing from early afternoon until lateish night. There’s a “Soul Food Kitchen” with 12 of your fave comfort food restaurants pitching in, a kids’ area, and just everything that sounds awesome in the world.

• Sat. Jun. 2 • 12:00 – 8:30 PM
• Brown’s Island
• $30-$40

4. 5th Annual Broad Appetit

I sure hope next weekend is another Weekend of a Thousand Fitness Events, because this one is all about wearing pants with stretchy waistbands. As you’re planning your Journey of Gluttony, leave room for the Broad Appetit food festival, where you can buy plate after plate of RVA’s best chefs’ most delectable creations. A panel of judges decides which $3 offering is the “To Die For” dish (good idea, Richmond magazine!), while you try desperately not to literally die of overeating.

• Opens Sun. Jun. 3 • 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• 100-300 W. Broad St.
• Free to attend, $3 per plate

5. SPARC Presents: Live Art

The culmination of SPARC’s 20-week program for students of all need-levels, Live Art is a very vibrant, very cool performance of local favorites like Robbin Thompson, Susan Greenbaum, and Josh Small. But more importantly (and more cutely), lots of students. It’s inspiring, it’s fun, and all that hand-clapping might actually help you burn calories, which is more than I can say about any of the other events this weekend.

• Sun. Jun. 3 • 5:00 PM
• Carpenter Theatre, 600 E. Grace St.
• $35-$80

May 31, 2012 6:54 AM 1