5 Things

Inspired by the MLK day that just was, we are no longer settling for not being involved. There are plenty of events that need help just like there are plenty of events that need you, specifically, to start a rewarding career of philanthropy.

January 22, 2015; 7:37 AM • by Susan Howson

1. Made in Church Hill

If there’s one thing that Church Hillians have in common, it’s that we all have one very favorite neighborhood: The Fan. JK, Fan! You wish! The Valentine thinks like we do, at least for a few months, and features a new exhibit on Church Hill’s past and present. Tonight is the only chance to get in there for free, so let’s all put our differences aside and celebrate maybe-the-coolest-neighborhood-of-all.

• Community open doors tonight, January 22nd! (Exhibit open through June 28th) • 6:00 – 8:00 PM
• The Valentine, 1015 E. Clay Street
• Free tonight! ($10 with discounts thereafter)

2. A Night at the Ski Lodge

The weather this weekend looks a little frightful, and for many, there is no cozy hearth to be delightful. Housing Families First (formerly Hilliard House) put 68 homeless families into houses last year, and with your help, they can top it in 2015. This fundraising event involves everything warm: sweaters, fondue, s’mores, and bands (they do always seem to be a little sweaty, don’t they?). If you care about homelessness and the idea of your family having nowhere to live makes your throat constrict, gather up your gently used hats and scarves. Also: one prize is a sled full of wine. Gah!

• Thursday, January 22nd • 7:00 – 10:00 PM
• The Boathouse at Sunday Park, 4602 Millridge Parkway
• $95 for a truly excellent cause

3. VCU Rams vs. St. Louis Billikens

The Billikens! It isn’t a type of bat, as one might think, judging from the mascot’s pointy ears and slitty nostrils. No! It’s like a good luck doll, you idiot! Get those bats outta here. Our very own Aaron Williams, 2035 mayor of Richmond, tells you what to expect when the Rams take on the not-bats.

• Friday, January 23rd • 7:00 PM
• ESPN2, ESPN3
• Whatever it takes!

4. Arena Racing USA: BB&T 200

Little cars with big hearts! I can’t figure out why the Cars franchise hasn’t come out with an Arena Racing sequel, even just a straight to Netflix one. Zoomberg, the reigning champ, is given a run for his money by Sheena, a FEMALE 1/2-scale stock car! At the end, they learn that only one can win the BB&T 200. It was going to be Zoomberg, but Sheena set him on fire, quite literally. Only a couple of people were seriously injured in the process!

• Saturday, January 27th • 7:00 – 9:00 PM
• Richmond Coliseum, 601 E. Leigh Stret
• $7 – $14

5. Voices of Survival

This enormously important and also just enormous event at Carpenter Theater commemorates and celebrates the spirit of survival in observance of International Holocaust Remembrance Day. It’s a day when no one, and I mean no one, will be allowed to complain on Twitter about anything going on in their dumb lives. I need your help enforcing this, btw. Anyway, the Richmond Symphony will be performing works by composers who suffered during the Holocaust. There will also be video interviews, and the whole thing will be broadcast statewide on WCVE. 

• Tuesday, January 27th • 7:00 PM
• Carpenter Theater, 600 E. Grace Street
• $20

Photo by: Jeff Self

January 22, 2015 7:37 AM · in East End Daily and Shockoe News 1