5 Things

It’s 2013, and if you’re not too busy practicing writing the correct year on all your checks, take a gander at our picks for a weekend of very diverse hangs.

January 3, 2013; 6:46 AM • by Susan Howson

It’s 2013, and if you’re not too busy practicing writing the correct year on all your checks, take a gander at our picks for a weekend of very diverse hangs.

1. Downton Abbey Season 3 Preview Celebration

Everyone’s crazy about Downton Abbey, and public television is still reeling from the news. Our very own Community Idea Stations are making the most of the show’s tremendous popularity by co-hosting a fab premiere party with the historic Byrd Theatre. One hopes costumes will abound. I’d almost certainly choose Downton Sixbey’s butler, but I think it’s safe to expect a number of Dowager Countesses and Daisys. This event is not only open to the public (that means, no tickets), but it’s free! So keep your chin up, your dainty gloves buttoned, and trip on down to the Byrd as early as you can.

• Thurs. Jan. 3 • 7:15 PM
• The Byrd Theatre, 2908 W. Cary St.
• Free!

2. Size Doesn’t Matter: Annual Small Works Show

Many, many industries put great stock in size: the football industry, the jockey industry, the Big Gulp industry. But great art can come in tiny packages and still be larger than life. Join about a million local artistic celebrities including Ed Trask, Chris Milk, and Maggie Siner for a party celebrating the sixth annual event that glories the miniscule. No work is larger than 16×20, and this First Friday, you’re welcome to come admire during a special opening reception. I don’t know about you, but 16×20 sounds like a perfect size for a thing I can actually hang in my house. Thanks, RVA art world!

• Fri. Jan. 4 • 6:00 – 9:00 PM
• Glave Kocen Gallery, 1620 W. Main St.
• Free, but the art’ll cost ya

3. Vicarious Travelers Series – The Frugal Explorer’s Dream Trip to Australia

January is National Wish You Were on Vacation Month and, therefore, a perfect time to kick off the Vicarious Travelers Series. Maybe listening to someone else’s experiences with the vibrant culture of Australia will inspire you to book your own trip on the cheap, or maybe your brain will just spend an afternoon pretending. I mean, we all gotta do what we gotta do to get ourselves through the post-holiday slump, am I right? (Also: refreshments. This event probably cannot be beat?)

• Sat. Jan. 5 • 3:00 – 4:30 PM
• Richmond Public Library – Main Library, 101 E. Franklin St.
• Free!

4. Richmond Famous: The Cheats Movement

Blast, I am such a nerd for not knowing about Marc Cheatham’s blog, The Cheats Movement. Guys, don’t bother visiting it unless you have lots of time to sit and read about a bunch of cool pure-RVA cultural goings-on. I just got trapped in the upbeat vortex of Cheatham’s cheerful arts/music/everything reporting for about an hour–and what a pleasant hour it was! Anyway, the Richmond Comedy Coalition’s Richmond Famous features Cheatham, improv comedy, lots of bands, and Hardywood beer. A good time is sure to be had.

• Sat. Jan. 5 • Doors at 7:00 PM, Show at 8:00 PM
• Gallery5, 200 W. Marshall St.
• $5 in advance, $10 at the door

5. Richmond Wedding Expo

Planning to get married sometime soon? Feeling a little overwhelmed by the details? Ohhh sister (or brother), you don’t know the half of it. I don’t know if the annual Richmond Wedding Expo will help you narrow down your choices, but it WILL give you some doable ideas and introduce you to a lot of people who can help make those ideas into vanilla-frosted reality. You got this, girl, and our local wedding experts will help you scamper down that aisle with a happy heart.

• Sun. Jan. 6 • Doors open at 12:00 PM
• Marriott Richmond, 500 E. Broad St.
• $10

photo courtesy of the Richmond Comedy Coalition

January 3, 2013 6:46 AM 0