5 things

And a 1, and a 2, and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 things to help you have a fabulous weekend in Richmond. We’ve got a touch of good-deed-doing, a dash of spookiness, and a great big heaping helping of fun. Have a look-see…

July 15, 2010; 6:00 AM • by Valerie Catrow

And a 1, and a 2, and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 things to help you have a fabulous weekend in Richmond. We’ve got a touch of good-deed-doing, a dash of spookiness, and a great big heaping helping of fun. Have a look-see…

1. Gulf Give RVA

Enjoy music from some of Richmond’s favorite bands (No BS! Brass, David Shultz and the Skyline, and Jackass Flats to name a few) while supporting clean-up efforts in the Gulf. The evening will also include a silent auction and raffles for items ranging from restaurant gift cards to jewelry. As co-organizer Beth Petty explained, ““Richmond is both a very philanthropic town, as well as a social one. We are giving people the opportunity to give what they can to help the relief efforts in the Gulf of Mexico. And there is nothing Richmonders like more than to eat, drink, and be merry for a good cause!” Let’s prove her right, k?

• Thursday, July 14 (4pm to midnight)
• Legend Brewing Company (321 West 7th Street)
• $10 suggested donation

2. Edgar Allan Poe Haunted Homecoming Tour

Haunts of Richmond is teaming up with Friends of Shockoe Hill Cemetery (recently profiled on RichmondMagazine.com by none other than the truly wonderful Harry Kollatz) to present this dramatic, nighttime tour of one of Richmond’s favorite cemeteries (because we have those — hey, we’re an old town). The tour will be led by Mr. Poe himself as he “guides visitors through his old haunting grounds and interacts with the ‘spirits’ of those he knew while living in Richmond.”

• Thursday, July 15 through Saturday, July 17 (all tours start at 8pm)
• Shockoe Hill Cemetery (4th and Hospital Streets)
• $15 (only 25 tickets available for each tour)

3. On Golden Pond

Because everyone loves a cranky yet lovable S.O.B. Here’s a nice little summary from the Barksdale:

A retired New England professor and lovable curmudgeon, Norman Thayer, Jr., and his spirited wife, Ethel, decide to spend one final summer at their family’s lakeside cottage in Maine. They are soon interrupted by the arrival of their daughter Chelsea, who, en route to a European vacation, leaves behind her fiancé’s young son. Colliding generations soon forge common ground. On Golden Pond is a heartwarming and hilarious celebration of the everyday struggles and ultimate triumphs of life, love and family.

I’ve never seen a live production of this, but the movie is fantastic. Watch this clip to put you in the mood… to see a really old guy yell at people. But out of love!

• Runs Friday, July 16 through Sunday, August 29 (afternoon performances start at 2pm; evening performances start at 8pm)
• Barksdale Theatre at Hanover Tavern (13181 Hanover Courthouse Road)
• $38

4. Christmas in July

People are all about giving to those in need during the holidays, but organizations like the Central Virginia Food Bank tend to see a dip in donations during the Summer months. Stop by Short Pump Town Center and celebrate Christmas in July with music from local favorites like Susan Greenbaum, a visit from Santa, and activities hosted by Romp ‘n’ Roll, the Children’s Museum, Theatre IV, and more. Words is Nutzy will be there AND they’re raffling off an iPad.

• Saturday, July 17 (10am to 6pm)
• Short Pump Town Center (11800 West Broad Street)
• Free, but guests are asked to bring non-perishable items to be donated to the CVFB

5. Under the Stars Summer Family Film Series: Where the Wild Things Are

Any mention of anything related to Where the Wild Things Are gets me a little choked up because, like many moms and dads, reading the book to my kid is one of my favorite parts of being a parent. I personally haven’t seen the movie, but I love the idea of parents watching it with their kids for the first time snuggled up in blankets under the stars. I also got a little choked up writing that, because I am a giant sap.

• Saturday, July 17 (8:30pm)
• Deep Run Park (9900 Ridgefield Parkway)
• Free! (Concessions are available for purchase)

None of these sound good? Check out our Events Calendar for more fun stuff going on around town.

As always, if you know of something that deserves a shout out, please do so in the comments OR submit it to the calendar yourself!

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.

July 15, 2010 6:00 AM 0