5 things

It’s going to be absolutely beautiful in Richmond this weekend, and luckily this town has given you lots to do while you’re out and about enjoying the sunshine and cooler temperatures. Here are 5 things that are sure to please — including a giveaway!

September 9, 2010; 6:00 AM • by Valerie Catrow

It’s going to be absolutely beautiful in Richmond this weekend, and luckily this town has given you lots to do while you’re out and about enjoying the sunshine and cooler temperatures. Here are 5 things that are sure to please — including a giveaway!

1. Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

This Edward Albee classic was quite the scandal when it came out in the early 60’s, primarily because of its then-controversial profanity and sexual themes. While it probably won’t seem particularly shocking to today’s audiences (what will that confounded media desensitizing us and what not) it’s still a fabulous play that everyone should see performed live. Here’s the gist, courtesy of the Firehouse Theatre website:

George and Martha invite a new professor and his wife to their house after a party. Martha is the daughter of the president of the college (believed to be based on Trinity College, Connecticut) where George is an associate history professor. Nick (who is never addressed or introduced by name) is a biology professor (who Martha thinks teaches math), and Honey is his mousy, brandy-abusing wife. Once at home, Martha and George continue drinking and engage in relentless, scathing verbal and sometimes physical abuse in front of Nick and Honey. The younger couple are simultaneously fascinated and embarrassed. They stay even though the abuse turns periodically towards them as well.

Not exactly the most upbeat of premises, but worth a watch.

• Opens Thursday, September 9 and runs Thursdays through Saturdays through October 2 (8pm with selected pay-what-you-will matinees at 4pm)
• Firehouse Theatre (1609 W. Broad Street)
• $22 to $25

But wait! The folks at Firehouse have generously given us two tickets to Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? to pass along to one lucky winner to be used at the performance of his/her choice. Enter to win them here. The contest closes at noon today. We’ll contact the winner via email shortly thereafter.

2. NASCAR: Virginia 529 College Savings 250 & Air Guard 400

You know the drill: lots of fans having lots of fun and causing lots of traffic in the Laburnum Avenue area.

• Friday, September 10 (7:30pm) and Saturday, September 11 (7:30pm)
• Richmond International Raceway (600 E. Laburnum Avenue)
• Various ticket packages available — see website for details

3. Public Enemy

Two words for you: FLAVOR FLAV!!! Two more words for you: YEAH BOYYYYYYY!!!

• Friday, September 9 (7pm)
• The Hat Factory (140 Virginia Street)
• $30 in advance (plus convenience and handling fees); $35 at the door

4. Movies & Mimosas: Annie

Tim Curry, Carol Burnett, Bernadette Peters, Albert Finney, Edward Hermann as a speak-singing FDR — you can’t beat it. Plus, this is a great opportunity to show your tweens that musicals existed before Zac Efron (although the eye candy might not have been as prevalent because GOOD GOD — he’s legal, it’s fine).

• Saturday, September 11 and Sunday, September 12 (doors open at 10:30; movie starts at 11:00)
• Movieland (1301 N. Boulevard)
• $5.50 or $4.50 with the Criterion Club Card

5. Live at Ipanema: The Cinnamon Band

Stop by Ipanema Cafe for a Sunday evening spent with The Cinnamon Band. If you’re not familiar with their music, you’re in for some good harmonies, loud guitars, and big drums (which are a lot louder in person, as their myspace page warns).

• Sunday, September 12 (10pm)
• Ipanema Cafe (917 E. Grace Street)
• Free!

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.

September 9, 2010 6:00 AM 0