5 things

This time next week it will September and the kids will be *thisclose* to starting school. Feels like the last weekend of the summer, doesn’t it? Let’s do it up right, folks. Here are 5 things to help you do just that.

August 26, 2010; 6:00 AM • by Valerie Catrow

This time next week it will September and the kids will be *thisclose* to starting school. Feels like the last weekend of the summer, doesn’t it? Let’s do it up right, folks.

1. Richmond Comedy Coalition presents: CHEAP LAUGHS

Here’s what the event description says on their website:

The Richmond Comedy Coalition presents: CHEAP LAUGHS, live improv & stand-up comedy that cares about what’s in your pants. Pockets. Pants pockets.

I’m not sure what that means, but if just the blurb has me giggling, I figure that’s a good sign. The evening’s line-up includes Bill Metzger, Middle Management, and… The Checkout Girl. That’s right, our very own pop culture expert will be taking the stage to tell her stories with the help of the RCC folks. We’re so proud we can’t stand it.

• Thursday, August 26 (doors open at 7:15pm; show starts at 8pm)
• Gallery 5 (200 W. Marshall Street)
• $7 or $5 with a student ID

2. Chesterfield County Fair

Recipe contests! Carnival rides! Craft competitions! Little Miss/Little Mister County Fair Competition! It’s so wholesome!

• August 27 through September 8 (Monday through Friday: 4pm to 11pm; Saturdays: 11am to 11pm; Sundays: 1pm to 11pm)
• Fairgrounds (10300 Courthouse Road)
• $7 for adults; $4 for senior citizens (60 and over); $3 for kids age 6 to 12; kids under 5 are free!

3. Images of Hope: What would you buy with $50?

Remember the lovely story our summertime intern Erica wrote back in June about Joanita Senoga, a UR employee who is working to raise funds to help the Circle of Peace School she started in her native Uganda? Well, Ms. Senoga is working to raise some SERIOUS cash to make the final payment on land needed to expand the school. St. Andrew’s Church will host a photo exhibition showcasing how the students of the school responded to the question “What would you buy with $50?” None of these children have ever seen $50 in their entire life.

• Friday, August 25 (6:30pm to 8:30pm)
• St. Andrew’s Church (236 S. Laurel Street)
• Free to get in, but the photos will be on sale for $50 with funds going to the Circle of Peace School. Donations will also be accepted.

4. Virginia Rocks! The History of Rockabilly in the Commonwealth

For some reason I’m completely geeking out over this one. Stop by the VHS to learn about how Virginia represented in the Rockabilly movement — includes photographs, rare recordings, stage costumes, a jukebox, and musical instruments. I bet this one will bring with it some great people-watching opps, too. Those Rockabilly enthusiasts go all out.

• August 28 through December 12 (Tuesday through Saturday: 10am to 5pm; Sunday: 1pm to 5pm)
• Virginia Historical Society (428 North Boulevard)
• Free!

5. Movies & Mimosas: 12 Angry Men

If you don’t take the opportunity to see this movie on the big screen, you are a failure at life. It’s just…I mean…Henry Fonda…Jack Klugman…go see it.

• Saturday, August 28 and Sunday, August 29 (doors open at 10:30am; movie starts at 11am)
• Movieland (1300 N. Boulevard)
• $5.50 ($4.50 with your Criterion Club Card; booze costs extra)

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!

And just for kicks, tell us what you’re planning to do this weekend. Will you be stopping by any of these shin-digs or do you have other excellent plans?

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.

August 26, 2010 6:00 AM 1