5 Things

Feeling a little light in the wallet? Almost each Thing this weekend is entirely free to attend. And with festivals, movies, and music galore, you’re not going to want to go anywhere more spendy.

August 7, 2014; 8:36 AM • by Susan Howson

1. Plymouth Fife and Drum Corps

I’ve got an enormous soft spot in my skull–I mean…my heart, of course–for both fifes and drums. Well, to be fair, the combination of fifes and drums, particularly when they’re in a corps. The Plymouth Fife and Drum Corps makes St. John’s Church even MORE historic-feeling with a mega-impressive performance tonight. Here’s the deal: they’re youth, they’re from Michigan, and they’re making a special stop to hit you in all your history-loving spots. Oh yeah, give me liberty or give me fifeanddrums! I mean, AND fifeanddrums! They all go hand in hand!

Thursday, August 7th • 6:00 PM
Historic St. John’s Church, 2401 E. Broad Street
$5

2. Happily Natural Festival

Guys, Happily Natural Festival is the coolest thing I’ve read about in a long time. It’s about loving yourself (particularly if you are of African descent) and spreading all that love outwards from you to benefit your community! Awha?? Have you ever heard anything more beautiful in your life? There are herbs and yoga, kindness and music, and tons of stuff about hair. I challenge all of you to come up with something that sounds more posi and peaceful.

Friday, August 8th – Sunday, August 10th • see site for schedule
Plant Zero, Hull and 3rd Street
Free!

3. The Real Inglorious Bastards

If you loved the Quentin Tarantino Holocaust spectacular, you’ll maybe really like The Real Inglorious Bastards! It’s a one-hour part-documentary, part-dramatization of the real Jewish-American soldiers dedicated to exacting revenge on Nazis. Sounds fascinating to me, and the Virginia Holocaust Museum is a powerful, powerful place.

Saturday, August 9th • 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM
Virginia Holocaust Museum, 2000 E. Cary Street
Free!

4. RVA Design Competition Final Revealing

Did you know that various artists were called upon to design the newest Richmond-inspired T-shirt?? I know you think I’m scoffing or whatever, but I’m being serious! How much are you going to want that T-shirt!? Kind of a lot, I think! The grand unveiling will involve food and music and such, and should blow your socks off. And maybe next time they’ll design you some new socks!

Saturday, August 9th • 2:00 – 6:00 PM
F.W. Sullivans, 1001 Haxall Point
Free!

5. Watermelon Festival

The Watermelon Festival. Oh, the Watermelon Festival! Thou sweaty, teeming, several-block mass of Americans. With your vendors and your fruit, you capture the heart of thousands each year. New this year: the weather isn’t supposed to be too hot!