5 Things

The Down Home Family Reunion is jumpin’ and the Social Media Club attendance is high. Oh, the walking tours are rich (in culture), and Gwar is good-looking, so hush, little Richmonder, don’t you cry about having nothing to do.

August 16, 2012; 6:48 AM • by Susan Howson

Summertime, and the weekends are easy. The Down Home Family Reunion is jumpin’ and the Social Media Club attendance is high. Oh, the walking tours are rich (in culture), and Gwar is good-looking, so hush, little Richmonder, don’t you cry about having nothing to do.

1. Social Media Club of Richmond

Do you ever use social media? Have you ever been bullied? Have you been bullied into using social media? Join the always entertaining Social Media Club of Richmond to hear what some qualified tweeters have to say about being a bully online. Things could get real, like real-life real. Besides thought-provoking programming, SMCRVA events are known for spirited networking before and after the presentation, bodacious after-parties, and high volumes of online hilarity during the actual event. That…sounded a lot less nerdy in my head.

Thurs. Aug. 16 • 6:00 – 9:00 PM
Virginia War Memorial, 621 S. Belvidere St.
$20

2. A Dramatic Production at the VA Rep

The very best theatrical companies are the ones who both entertain and take risks–and we’ve got some good drama in town. The newly formed Virginia Repertory Theatre has an exciting season coming up, but they don’t wait for school to start to deliver the goods. Oh no, no, no. Send the summer off with a thespian flourish by catching Nice People Dancing to Good Country Music, Always…Patsy Cline, or In the Next Room or the vibrator play this weekend. If your eyes just popped a little at that last one’s name, it might interest you to know that the first vibrators were used to treat “hysteria” in females. Doctors in the early 20th Century were astounded at how much happier and calmer women were once they were brought to this mysterious spasmodic state, and the electrical device allowed the docs to perform the necessary motions without their hands getting tired. Ladies of Every Century Leading Up to the 20th…our hearts go out to you.

Various times (see site)
Various venues (see site)
$19 – $38

3. GWAR-B-Q

I refuse to describe this because I want you to read the site. It’s so adorably gross that you’ll find yourself canceling your plans to attend this band-studded, meat-sweaty benefit for Ring Dog Rescue.

Sat. Aug. 17 • 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Hadad’s Lake, 7900 Osbourne Tpke
$25 – $35

4. 22nd Annual Down Home Family Reunion

Elegba Folklore Society is here to tell all of you that it’s about time you learned more about the juggernaut of liveliness that is the African American cultural tradition and how it evolved from its West African roots. For the 22nd time in a row, the Down Home Family Reunion weaves stories, food, music, and interactive exhibits together to form an enormously popular party. Children and teens will have tons to do, as will former children and former teens–take-home crafts and whatnot. Oh, and Original P headlines the event, so expect things to get funky.

Sat. Aug. 18 &bull: 4:00 – 11:00 PM
Abner Clay Park, 200 W. Leigh St.
Free!

5. Richmond’s Recycled Neighborhoods Walking Tour

There’s just something about walking tours! You’ve got the wind at your back, the pavement under your feet, and history filling your brain. This particular tour focuses on neighborhoods that have been through the ol’ transmogrifier. Jackson Ward Germans moved to Broad Street, which ended up becoming VCU territory. How in the Sam Dell did it all happen? Find out while you burn calories! Bonus: at some point during the tour you can earn extra cool points by nodding sagely and saying something like, “Our whole city is just one giant museum.” It’ll work, trust me.