5 Things

I have reached deep into the murky waters of the event pool and produced this careful assortment of sparkling gems—a hilarious play, a beautiful sight, a thought-provoking conference, a collaborative storytelling craft circle, and a one-of-a-kind performance. All you have to do is show up.

November 7, 2013; 6:57 AM • by Susan Howson

Looking for things to do with the smaller versions of yourself? Fire up the family wagon and take a looksee at 5 Things for Families.

1.The Taming of the Shrew

The Taming of the Shrew, or as I like to call it, 10 Things I Hate About You, is one of Shakespeare’s most delightful comedies. And Henley Street Theatre/Richmond Shakespeare is one of Shakespeare’s most delightful troupes! This production evokes the glam, glam feel of a 1930s feature film. Or as we called them back then, “the pictures.” I can’t get enough of the Henley/Richmond Shakespeare combo, lately, and the adventures of a sassy broad and a guy who really, really wants to kiss her are pretty much guaranteed to please.

• Nightly with one matinee • see site for times
• The Steward School, 11600 Gayton Road
• $10 – $20

2. InLight

InLight, the festival of non-seasonal lights! Light-based art, that is. Or is it…art-based light?!?!! Who can tell!? You, your family, and all of your closest friends, when you bring them down to the Canal Walk this Friday to gaze upon the splendor that Thomas Edison, like Prometheus before him, handed down to the wretched crowd. It’s a beautiful event full of exhibits you don’t see every day (and, in fact, can’t really see during the day).

• Friday, November 8th • 7:00 PM – 12:00 AM
• Riverfront Canal Walk between Turning Basin and 17th Street
• Free!

3. bill conference 3: bill hard with a vengeance

Come say your truth (or even your lie, they don’t care) at the third iteration of bill conference, an all-encompassing, all-lowercase gathering of, well, anyone who wants to show up. The idea is that you volunteer to talk about something you’ve been working on or that you’ve worked on in the past or even that you’ve failed on, and the rest of us can listen, interrupt, whatever the heck we want! And if you just want to sit back and make faces at speakers all day without saying a word, that’s cool, too.

• Saturday, November 9th • 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
• 804RVA, 1657 W. Broad Street
• $5 (plus fees)

4. The People’s Sewing Circle

So, The People’s Library has teamed with Girls Rock RVA just to, you know, create a SUPERENTITY built on a sturdy foundation of cool. Basically, you’re going to bring some fabric in (three feet, please) and incorporate it into a giant rag rug with a bunch of fascinating people who you will learn all about. Everyone will share memories of “home.” I can’t make it, but here’s mine: It took me exactly one full 90-minute mix tape to mow our lawn, and now when I hear Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in the Wall” I feel hot and grass-stained. I fully expect to see that memory woven into the rug somehow, people!

• Saturday, November 9th • 12:00 – 4:00 PM
• Richmond Public Library – Main Branch, 101 E. Franklin Street
• A three-foot long piece of fabric

5. An Evening with Kate Lindsey

Enjoy the considerable vocal talents of someone who, personally, is not only one of my favorite people in the world, but is also a FAMOUS OPERA SINGER. The Richmond Symphony couldn’t care less about the former, but they do really, really care about the latter. So they’ve brought Richmond native Kate Lindsey back to town to sing us a beautiful program of arias and such. You’d be smart to catch this performance before she jets off to Europe for a full year. Read my interview with Kate to learn more/fall in love.

• Saturday, November 9th • 8:00 PM
• Carpenter Theatre, 600 E. Grace Street
• $10 – $76, with discounts available

Future Things

• Strategi.e.* – Tuesday, November 12th
• Hard Cider Celebration – Saturday, November 16th
• Well Worn Market – Holiday Shopping Edition – Sunday, November 17th
• The Bizarre Bazaar – December 5th – 8th

Photo by: Spigoo

November 7, 2013 6:57 AM 1