5 Things

Guys, I’ve found so many free things for you this weekend—some inspiring talks, leaps off buildings, and ways to feel radical about yourself. With all that money you’ll save, there will be plenty of time to buy, like, 20 theater tickets. That’s good, because you have about that many dramatic options.

October 17, 2013; 6:51 AM • by Susan Howson

1. TED TalkWalk

Sometimes it’s like, “Man, I really like cruising down Broad Street on First Fridays like the kickass pedestrian art lover that I am, but I really wish there were some inspirational talks along the way!¹ Well, you’re out of luck…is what I’d say if I were joshin’ you! TED brings you the TalkWalk, which takes the Art Walk and turns it on its ear. Or, rather, replaces its ear with a mouth that says all sorts of interesting things. And, those silly gooses, it’s on a Thursday! Oh, TED!

• Thursday, October 17th • 6:30 – 9:30 PM
• See site for venues
• Free!

2. Over the Edge

Watch people who have raised all sorts of money for the Special Olympics plummet nearly to their death off the side of one of Richmond’s biggish skyscrapers! It’s certainly something you don’t see every day, and these fine folks have sacrificed not only their Saturday but their feeling of personal safety as well as the contents of their stomachs in order to bring you a weird spectacle that, as weird spectacles do sometimes, also raises funds for a worthy cause. You may even see some local celebs take the plunge, who can say??

• Friday, October 18 • 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• SunTrust Center, 919 E. Main Street
• Free to witness! (Event is closed for registration)

3. HandsOn Day 2013

HandsOn Day, which makes me tear up every time I even think about it, is Richmond’s very own day of service. Join a THOUSAND volunteers as they devote four hours of their lives doing good for other folks. Four hours! Judging from your tweets, you’ve spent longer stretches watching Duck Dynasty. Check the site for opportunities (registration closes Friday morning, so get cracking) and sleep well tonight knowing that you’re about to have one of the most fulfilling Saturdays of your life.

• Saturday, October 19 • 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
• See site for venues
• Free!

4. Become a Theatergoer

This weekend is surely one of the most chock-full, as far as Richmond theater goes. Choose from one, two, three, or as many plays as you can make room in your schedule for. Get deep with the Pulitzer-winning drama ‘night, Mother at the Firehouse and chase it with a more lighthearted look at death at the Hanover Tavern with Say Goodnight Gracie. You’re unlikely to go wrong with To Kill a Mockingbird, duh, but also consider branching out with Good People. But seriously folks, if you’re going to do anything this weekend, go see one of the best comedies ever written, The Importance of Being Earnest. The time is now to lose yourself in fiction.

• Various dates and times
• Various venues
• Various amounts of money

5. talk20: 9th Edition

C3, that powerhouse of collective creative knowledge, presents talk20, a worldwide event in which creative types have 6.5 minutes and 20 slides to inspire you. And see if they don’t! This year’s lineup includes a brewer, a blacksmith, and a candlestick maker. I’m kidding about the candlestick maker, but there IS a court jester, so I think you’ll forgive me for getting your hopes up.

• Tuesday, October 22 • 6:00 – 8:00 PM
• Visual Arts Center, 1812 W. Main Street
• Free (cash bar)!

Future Things

• Walkable City – October 24th
• Boulevard Pumpkin Festival – October 26th
• Innsbrook’s Great Pumpkin Palooza – October 26th

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Photo by: Judy **

October 17, 2013 6:51 AM 0