5 things

Concerts! Plays opening! Races! Festivals! Crazy moms! What a weekend this is shaping up to be! Come take a look (and take part in a fun giveaway quiz).

May 6, 2010; 6:00 AM • by Valerie Catrow

Concerts! Plays opening! Races! Festivals! Crazy moms! What a weekend this is shaping up to be! Come take a look (and take part in a fun giveaway quiz).

1. Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings

Groovin’ in the the Garden (and the whole summer concert season, really) kicks off tonight with Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings. I wasn’t super-familiar with them before seeing them on the concert schedule, but, woo, that lady has got some pipes on her:

Remember, even though the concert is part of Lewis Ginter’s Groovin’ in the Garden series, the show will actually be taking place at Maymont (more on that here).

• Thursday, May 6, 6pm
• Maymont (Hampton Street entrance)
• $20

2. A Doll’s House

This play caused quite the stir when it was first performed because it dared to criticize the traditions of 19th-century marriage — a BIG no-no back then. The play remains a favorite of theatre-goers, and we’re lucky enough to have a performance of it opening right here in Richmond this week. The folks at Henley Street kindly bestowed us with a pair of tickets to give away, good for any performance during the run of the show. But! You have to answer a related trivia question correctly to be eligible to win. I know, we like to make you work for it. Answer the question and enter to win the tickets here. The contest closes at noon on Friday.

• Runs Friday, May 7 through Saturday, May 29 (Show times vary, so see website for details.)
• Pine Camp Cultural Arts Center (4901 Old Brook Road)
• $20 (with discounts for students and seniors)

3. Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure

The most important risk factor of getting breast cancer? Being female. The next most important risk factor? Getting older. Meanwhile, women in the United States have the highest incidence rates of breast cancer in the world. So ladies, it’s hard to say that this event doesn’t have an impact on your life. If you’re not planning on running race, at least consider heading out to support those who are. And remember, even if you don’t have boobs, I’m sure you love someone who does.

• Saturday, May 8, 7am
• Brown’s Island (S. 7th Street)
• Free to watch, registration ranges from $30 to $35 and can be completed in person at these locations

4. Movies & Mimosas: Mommie Dearest

As I was thinking about what to say about this gem of a film, I thought I could simply include a YouTube clip of the “No. Wire. Hangers. EVARRRR.” scene, but that’s a bit played out. Instead, allow me to present my other favorite scene in which 1) we see exactly HOW off her rocker Joan Crawford was and 2) we get to witness some epic “acting.”

Man, that was great. It just makes me want to holler at people.

• Saturday, May 8 and Sunday, May 9 (doors open at 10:30, movie starts at 11am sharp)
• Movieland (1301 N. Boulevard)
• $5.50, $4.50 with your Criterion Club Card

5. 31st Annual Strawberry Street Festival

Who doesn’t love strawberries??? Well, my son, but quite frankly, this fact makes me wonder if they, perhaps, sent me home from the hospital with the wrong baby. Anyway, head over to Strawberry Street on Saturday for games, rides, food, art, and samplings of that delicious fruit sent straight to us from the heavens. Proceeds benefit William F. Fox Elementary.

• Saturday, May 8, 12pm to 4:30pm
• Fox Elementary (2300 Hanover Avenue)
• Admission is free, but treats cost extra

Not feeling especially jazzed about any of these? Perhaps I can interest you in our Events Calendar for more ideas? Or, if you’re looking for something honor Mom in particular this weekend (you do remember that Sunday is Mother’s Day, right?) stop by our Mother’s Day Guide for related events around town.

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.

May 6, 2010 6:00 AM 4