5 Things

No indoor events to keep you from the humidity this weekend, sorry, but one of this week’s 5 Things involves being submerged in water, so that’s close, right? Shakespeare, records, food, pigs, and of course…alcohol.

June 12, 2014; 8:57 AM • by Susan Howson

1. A Midsummer Nights Dream

I say this with absolutely no irony and no exaggeration: there is not a place in the entire towne of Richmond that is as charming as Agecroft Hall. I mean, sure, maybe if you’re into things other than history, imagination, literature, picturing yourself as Rapunzel, that kind of stuff. What other kinds of things are there, anyway? The Richmond Shakespeare Festival kicks off this weekend with A Midsummer Nights Dream, the most magical and wonderful of plays in the most magical and wonderful of settings.

• Thursday, June 12th – Sunday, July 6th • see site for times
• Agecroft Hall, 4305 Sulgrave Road
• See site for prices

2. River City Magnolias – Summer Opening Performance

WE HAVE A WATER BALLET TEAM! How cool is that? Has there ever been anything that seems more difficult to pull off? Or should I say…pool off?? The River City Magnolias kick and dive and hold their breath for incredible amounts of time for you, the public. Their inaugural public show benefits the young folks that use Randolph Pool, and they’ve even promised to show you a move or two before and after their show, so bring your suit!

• Saturday, June 14th • 4:00 PM
• Randolph Pool, 1401 Grayland Avenue
• Free!

3. Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival

Every year, I look forward to startling myself with the header of the Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival’s website. Don’t ever change, terrifying pig! Don’t ever change, weird tagline! (Pork it!) Don’t ever change, marathon drinkers! This traveling festival promises you the best of all three of your favorite things: history, literature, and picturing yourself as Rapunzel¹–JK! Beer, bourbon, and barbecue. You guessed it.

• Saturday, June 14th • 12:00 – 6:00 PM
• Richmond Raceway Complex, 600 E. Laburnum Avenue
• $35 in advance, $40 at the door, with some VIP and DD options available

4. Richmond Record Fair

When I was a kid, someone or other in my family put the fear of God in me about taking records ANYWHERE near the sunshine. Much like a vampire, a vinyl record is no match for the sun’s rays (and also could possibly bleed you to death, if used in the manner suggested by the hit 1990s film, Swing Kids). So it makes me nervous that all these local record purveyors will be in one, hot, open-air parking lot, but I have to assume that as professionals, they know what they’re doing. Grab a cold beverage from Lamplighter (across the street) and stroll over to peruse the selection of the musical format that WILL NOT DIE.

• Saturday, June 14th &bull 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
• Yesterday’s Heroes Vintage, 105 S. Addison Street
• Free to attend!

5. Downtown Service Festival

I just gave you an intense Saturday, but following up on Sunday will be no problemo if you just roll over to the Downtown Service Festival, which celebrates the non-profits and service groups that tirelessly and thanklessly work to better our city. THANKLESS NO MORE! We will and we shall support them by buying stuff from food trucks and listening to bands at the greatest block party of all time or at least this weekend.

• Sunday, June 15th • 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM
• Grace Street, between 5th and 7th Streets
• Free to attend!

Photo by: KRHamm

June 12, 2014 8:57 AM 0