5 things

How is it mid-July? How? HOW. Well, at least it’s not sweltering, and we’ve got a lovely selection of events to keep you busy on this lovely weekend. IN FACT we even have FREE tickets to one of them that we’re all set to give away. But you have to read on to find out which one.

July 9, 2009; 6:00 AM • by Valerie Catrow

How is it almost mid-July? How? HOW. Well, at least it’s not sweltering, and we’ve got a lovely selection of events to keep you busy on this lovely weekend. IN FACT we even have FREE tickets to one of them that we’re all set to give away. But you have to read on to find out which one.

1. Busta Rhymes and Biz Markie at Friday’s at Sunset

Ok, I know most people are all “Oh man! Busta Rhymes! That’s awesome!” But, I’m thinking “Awwwww SNAP, Biz Markie!” I think I spent 93% of my time in college singing this song to and with my roommate. Friday, July 10th, 6pm, Kanawha Plaza, 8th and Cary Streets, $30. Buy tickets here. And please watch this.

2. Community Heroes Day at the Children’s Museum of Richmond

Three words for you: McGruff the Crimedog (I didn’t know “crimedog” was one word either). Join me for a brief jaunt down memory lane:

I personally don’t understand how McGruff is still alive, considering that video is 28 years old, making McGruff over 196 years old in dog years, but whatevs. Stop by the Children’s Museum on Saturday to meet the trench-coat-wearing canine, along with local firefighters, police officers, and EMS staff. Saturday, July 11th, 10am to 4pm, 2626 West Broad Street, $8 (kids under 1 are free!).

3. Shockoe Tomato Festival

You need to go to this mainly because of this sentence featured on the 17th Street Farmers’ Market website:

In glorious plentitude, you’ll find tomatoes in every conceivable form!

EVERY conceivable form? That is quite a promise. I hope to see cars made of tomatoes, and pillows made of tomatoes, and maybe even SHOES made of tomatoes. Let’s see if you can live up to all this big talk, Shockoe Tomato Festival. And if not, some booths hosted by local artists, bakers, and a few tomato-themed activities for kids will do, I GUESS. Saturday, July 11th, 11am to 5pm, 17th Street Farmers’ Market, FREE!

4. Richmond Varietease! presents “Burlesque Beach Party”

Congratulations! You’ve located our giveaway! That’s right. I’ve got two tickets to this sure-to-make-you-blush-but-in-the-best-possible-way event in my grubby little paws AS I TYPE THIS. Ok, I not really. I mean, I can’t hold tickets and type. But they’re sitting next to me right now. I’m looking at them, I swear. So! If you’re interested in taking yourself and a friend to the latest production put on by Richmond’s only burlesque variety show, you should enter to win now. The contest runs until 10pm Thursday night – we’ll announce the winner Friday morning. And even if you don’t win, you should think about heading out. I hear it will be bawdy, hilarious, and just a good time all around. Saturday, July 11th, doors open at 8pm, show begins at 9pm, Canal Club, 1545 East Cary Street, $10. Enter to win two tickets to “Burlesque Beach Party”now!

5. “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?” at Movies & Mimosas

Who *wouldn’t* want to spend a couple hours staring at a gigantor-sized Bette Davis as she sports creepy, blond ringlets and carries around a doll version of her younger self? Perhaps those mimosas were never really needed before now. Saturday, July 11th and Sunday, July 12th, 11am, 1301 North Boulevard, $5.50 for general admission, $4.50 for Criterion Club Members. You’ll need to fork over a couple extra for the booze. And you will want to because this movie will give you the shudders.

Of course, if none of those appeal to you (Really? NONE of them? Well.) see what else is going on around town this weekend.

Did we miss anything? Leave it in the comments.

(If you have an event coming up that you want help promoting, let us know. We’ll add it to the calendar AND it just might end up making this list!)

July 9, 2009 6:00 AM 5