5 Things

Sometimes, while writing this column, I stop and start texting babysitters. This weekend is one of those weekends. Get weird at the Fair, buy some beautiful things, see some innovative dancing, and ABBA ABBA ABBA.

September 25, 2014; 7:20 AM • by Susan Howson

1. Richmond Ballet’s Studio One: iNVERSION

I have seen and heard the latest Richmond Ballet world premiere with mine own eyes and mine own ears. And I shed more than one tear with mine own tear ducts! Studio One features a new work by Darrell Grand Moultrie, who uses the voices and images of the dancers themselves as a truly inspiring backdrop to a beautifully danced work that is funny and sad and poignant and just…so impressive. Can’t recommend it enough. Also: Val Caniparoli’s Swipe, which I have seen thrice and always enjoy.1

  • Through Sunday, September 28th • see site for times
  • Richmond Ballet, 407 E. Canal Street
  • $21 – $41

2. State Fair of Virginia

Our state fair is a grand state fair! Where else can you get fried Coca-Cola (wish I were joking) (no wait, I’m thrilled I’m not joking), board a borderline-dangerously fast ride, and then worry about barfing all over the bearded lady? My favorite parts are the quilts and cakes and giant pumpkins and such. If you’re lucky, you’ll be there on a day after tiny piglets are born. Farms! Fear! Fat! The Fair!

  • Friday, September 26th – Sunday, October 5th • 10:00 AM – 9:00/10:00 PM (see site for specific times)
  • Meadow Event Park, follow signs from Exit 98 off I-95
  • $15 with various discounts and plans available

3. RVA Makerfest

OK, so the whole “Meet Your Makers” slogan is a little ominous, but basically this is like Etsy in the flesh. More than a craft fair and only slightly less than a fine art museum, the new RVA Makerfest is a chance to get to know real, live, artisanal artisans. There are faces behind Pinterest pins, and these could very well be those faces.

  • Saturday, September 27th • 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Science Museum of Virginia, 2500 W. Broad Street
  • Free to attend, but the wares will cost ya

4. All the Hops

This week’s stroll through a figurative field of hops brings us to various events at Hardywood, most notably the release of their pumpkin ale this Saturday, featuring one of my new favorite bands-to-see-live, Diamond Center. Also up: the very intense Capital Ale House Oktoberfest as well as the Off the Rails craft beer fest in Hanover. Dress up in your best (or, like, regular) duds and go get you some suds!

  • See all the sites • see all the times
  • See those places, too
  • Usually free to attend, but beer doesn’t grow on trees. Pony up.

5. ABBA – The Concert

The closest thing you can get to this:

Without having to resort to this:

Who’s with me??

  • Saturday, September 27th • 8:00 PM
  • Carpenter Theatre, 600 E. Grace Street
  • $10 – $78 with discounts available

Photo by: theloushe

  1. I would also like to issue a correction. Many of the dancers expressed much mirth at me calling them “superhoes” in a related piece. I meant, of course, superheroes. No one in the company is a superho. Quit giggling about it, graceful, toned, and very patient beings! ↩
  • error

    Report an error

Susan Howson

Susan Howson is managing editor for this very website. She writes THE BEST bios.

September 25, 2014 7:20 AM 1

There is 1 reader comment. Read it.