5 things

We’ve got quite the selection for you this weekend: some shopping, a little theater, a touch of the arts, even sports. I know! There’s also a mind-blowing giveaway. Have a look-see…

November 19, 2009; 6:00 AM • by Valerie Catrow

We’ve got quite the selection for you this weekend: some shopping, a little theater, a touch of the arts, even sports. I know! There’s also a mind-blowing giveaway. Have a look-see…

1. REI Grand Opening Weekend

I don’t usually plug shopping things here, but this one is pretty exciting. REI is coming to Richmond! Well, Short Pump, specifically, but it works. They’re celebrating their Grand Opening this weekend with all kinds of good stuff: limited edition water bottles filled with gift cards ($5 to $100 value) for the first 200 people in the door each day, complimentary breakfast provided an hour before the store opens, and raffles for family camping and backpacking trips. Friday, November 20th through Sunday, November 22nd, doors open at 9am on Friday and Saturday, 10am on Sunday, 2020 Old Brick Road, free to get in.

And here’s the giveaway. After finding out about the opening (and getting a sneak peak of the store last night), I asked the lovely folks at REI if they wanted to hook us up with something to give away to our readers. And hook us up they did. We’ve got four, count ’em four $50 gift cards to hand off. Enter to win here. Contest closes at 10pm Thursday night.

2. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Musical comedy? Adults playing kids? You can’t lose, guys! This much-anticipated performance of the Tony Award-winning show deemed “riotously funny and entirely adorable” by the New York Times kicks off this weekend, and you do NOT want to miss it. Warning: They will be pulling people from the audience to participate. I repeat, they will pulling people from the audience to participate. Either that sold it for you or sent you running for the hills. Friday, November 20th at 8pm (runs through January), 1601 Willow Lawn Drive, $40. See website for show times and ticket information.

3. Craft + Design Show

As Thanksgiving approaches we all inevitably start to panic about Christmas presents. Thankfully, the Visual Arts Center has got your back, setting you up with the chance to score some quality gifts. This two day event will feature one-of-a-kind crafts from 73 artists, all setting up shop in the Science Museum’s Rotunda. Saturday, November 21st (10am to 6pm) through Sunday, November 22nd (11am to 5pm), 2500 Broad Street. $12 general admission, $10 for VisArts members, and $15 for a weekend pass. See website for details.

4. VCU Rams vs. Oklahoma

The Rams face #17 Oklahoma led by none other than former VCU coach Jeff Capel. I’m told that this is A Big Deal. Apparently when one school “steals” your coach they have to agree to play you. Boys! Saturday, November 21st, 7:30pm, Verizon Wireless Arena. Call the box office at (804) 828-RAMS fort ticket details.

5. An Afternoon with Harry Shearer

In celebration of the 25th Anniversary of This Is Spinal Tap, Harry Shearer will be giving a speech and taking part in a Q and A before a screening of the film at The Byrd. He’s also planning to stick around for a meet-and-greet to wrap things up. Soooo, be prepared to hear your fellow Richmonders quoting this scene… over and over again:

Sunday, November 22nd, 3:30pm, 2908 W. Cary Street, $22. Purchase tickets here.

Of course, these aren’t all RVA has to offer this weekend. Stop by our events calendar for more.

And as usual, if you’d like to give special shout-outs to happenings this weekend, leave them in the comments!

(Don’t forget: If you’ve got an event in the works that you’d like to see featured, send it our way.)

As the editor of RVANews, Valerie Catrow spends most of her time wrangling people over email and muttering to herself about the content calendar. She also contributes to our parenting column while maintaining her own blog, Made in Richmond. It should be noted that she loves tots, both the potato and child varieties.

November 19, 2009 6:00 AM 1