5 things

It’s that time of year again! The universities are gearing up to start a new semester, everyone is trickling back into town from the beach, local residents find themselves speaking on an endless loop of “It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity.” Ahhh, Richmond. Here’s what’s going on this weekend…

August 20, 2009; 6:00 AM • by Valerie Catrow

It’s that time of year again! The universities are gearing up to start a new semester, everyone is trickling back into town from the beach, parents are counting the minutes until school starts, local residents find themselves speaking on an endless loop of “It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity.” Ahhh, Richmond. Here’s what’s going on this weekend…

1. William Byrd Community House Carnival

This event used to just be for WBCH participants and their families, but this time it’s open to the public. Bring the whole fam around for kids’ games, arts and crafts, snacks, and… SLIDES AND A MOONBOUNCE. Booy-ah! This is a great opportunity to learn more about what this local organization does to provide educational, support, and emergency services to families in need around Richmond. And it also gives you the chance to get in some final summertime fun with the wee ones before school starts. Thursday, August 20th, 4pm to 7pm, 224 South Cherry Street, free (thanks to sponsorships from Kiwanis Club of Richmond and Capital One).

2. Evening Bat Search at Maymont

Because nothing says “Family Togetherness” like a night spent scoping out flying rodents with spotlights. No, seriously, this will probably even spark the interest of your pain-in-the-butt slightly harder to please tweens who want to do nothing but sit around watching iCarly or whoever the heck she is, gabbing about the Jonas Brothers, while they text their friends using only random groupings of consonants and why the mess do they even HAVE cell phones they’re 11 AND GET THEM OFF MY LAWN. Ahem. Like I said, fun for the whole family, but with a slightly more exciting spin, because, hello, BATS. Friday, August 21st, 7:30pm to 9pm, 1700 Hampton Street, $15 per parent/child pair, $12 for members. Go here to register.

3. Subaru Summer Fin Day at The Science Museum of Virginia

Do you see what they did there? Summer Fin? Like instead of Summer Fun? Puns! I don’t care what anyone says about you, you are THE BEST kind of humor. Anyway, this is a great time to check out SMV’s sharks exhibit if you haven’t already because the kids will get a chance to meet “Sharky,” the Discovery Channel’s Shark Week mascot (I didn’t know there was one either, but I find this very exciting. Although I think they could have gone a bit more out-of-the-box when it came to naming him.) There will also be lots of prizes up for grabs, including a telescope. Yay for smart-time fun! Also, if you’re really into saving some bucks, stop by Subaru any time before the 22nd to take a test drive and you’ll get a free pass to a special Shark Lab demonstration. Saturday, August 22nd, 10am to 2pm, 2500 West Broad Street, ticket prices vary depending on how much of the museum you want to see. Go here to check out admission prices.

4. Best Friends Day at Hadad’s Lake

Ok, I know we’ve kind of talked your ear off about Best Friends Day 8: The Ocho (and there’s more coming later today), but, guys, it’s always such a good time. Although they’ve got events going on Thursday through Sunday, this is THE BIG ONE because it involves a full day of swimming, hang outs, and musical performances by:

Good times will be had by all. Saturday, August 22nd, 12pm, 1140 Mill Road, $18 for a whole day of fun.

5. Michael Franti & The Spearhead at The National

Michael Franti’s story is pretty interesting. He was adopted at birth by white parents into the predominantly black neighborhood of Oakland, CA. In 1986 he joined the industrial punk band The Beatnigs before moving on to The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy, an industrial hip-hop band active in the 90s. In 1994 he formed The Spearhead which draws more from soul and funk. Quite the hodgepodge of musical contributions. Another notable point: I hear Mr. Franti doesn’t wear shoes unless he absolutely has to. And in those cases? He wears Crocs. Sunday, August 23rd, 8pm, 708 East Broad Street, $23.50. Get tickets here.

None of these up your alley? 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!)