5 things

Hey, guys, remember how it was Summer for a while? That was weird. The weather is looking to be less wack-a-doo this weekend, allowing us to enjoy Richmond without without feeling so sticky. Take a gander at some great things you could be up to whilst out and about…

April 8, 2010; 6:00 AM • by Valerie Catrow

Hey, guys, remember how it was Summer for a while? That was weird. The weather is looking to be less wack-a-doo this weekend, allowing us to enjoy Richmond without without feeling so sticky. Take a gander at some great things you could be up to whilst out and about…

1. Transportation Innovation in the Richmond Region

The Richmond Regional Planning District Commission cordially invites Richmond residents to come spend an afternoon learning about transportation technologies currently in use or planned for our area. The event will include interactive displays and attendees will get the chance to test drive a Segway (!!!) and board a new GRTC bus. A presentation from Sustainable Transportation Initiative of Richmond (STIR) focused on the future of multi-modal transportation in the Richmond Region will close out the day.

• Thursday, April 8, 11am to 1pm
• Regional Planning District Commission (9211 Forest Hill Avenue, Suite 200)
• Free!

2. Congo/Women

Sure, quite heavy for a Spring weekend, but this is just so very important. Congo/Women is an international photography exhibit and educational campaign to raise awareness of the widespread sexual violence facing women and girls in Congo. Expect powerful, life-sized images of Congolese women paired with essays describing the circumstances of the region from a range of perspectives.

• Runs Friday, April 9 through Friday, April 30 (Museum hours are 9am to 5pm on weekdays, 11am to 5pm on weekends)
• Virginia Holocaust Museum (2000 E. Cary Street)
• Free!

3. Butterflies Are Free

Anyone in the mood for a fresh, sunny comedy? That’s what this show is being called and, oh dear, it just sounds delightful…

Butterflies are Free tells the story of Don Baker, an ambitious young man who, though sightless from birth, moves into an apartment in New York City, leaving his protective family in Scarsdale for the freedom and independence (and romance) he has always craved.

Features original music from Stephen Schwartz, composer of Wicked. ZOMG!!!!

• Runs Friday, April 9 through Sunday, May 16 (showtimes vary)
• Barksdale Theatre at Hanover Tavern (13181 Hanover Courthouse Road)
• $38

4. Condoleezza Rice: The U.S. and the World

Whether you’re a fan of her or not, this is sure to be an interesting discussion. Ms. Rice will share stories of her experiences as Secretary of State during the Bush administration, providing important insight into current world affairs.

• Saturday, April 10, 8pm
• Landmark Theatre (6 N. Laurel Street)
• $36-$70 (call 804-330-3993 for details)

5. Third Eye Blind

I have no idea if I’m categorizing myself as forever lame in your eyes for including this, but I CAN’T HELP MYSELF! I love this song and I don’t care who knows it: Also FYI: My 1997 self is semi in love with 1997 Stephan Jenkins.

• Sunday, April 11, 8pm (Joshua James opening)
• The National (708 E. Broad Street)
• $25

If none of these look particularly compelling (although I can’t imagine why), perhaps I can interest you in our Events Calendar for more ideas?

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.

April 8, 2010 6:00 AM 6