5 Things for Families

I’ve tried to prepare you, and now it’s here. The holidays have hit the events calendars about town.

November 13, 2013; 7:11 AM • by Kelly Gerow

I’ve tried to prepare you, and now it’s here. The holidays have hit the events calendars about town–and hard. But I promise this to you, dear readers: for every tree lighting ceremony I propose you attend, I will have a lecture on cannibalism that you can choose to go to instead. OK, I can’t really promise that, but I will try.

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1. Cannibalism in Jamestown

There’s a saying in my family that “Friday night is Party Night!” That usually means there’s a movie and someone dumps a bag of M&Ms into popcorn, but I understand these are sensational times and party night for one family could mean learning about cannibalism in Jamestown in the 1600s. I’m sure there’s an extra credit opportunity in there somewhere for a young student.

Wednesday, November 13th • 5:00 PM
J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, 1651 E. Parham Road (Lipman Auditorium)
Free

2. Santa’s Arrival and Magical Tree Lighting

Christmas arrives in Short Pump before it happens in Richmond. I don’t know why, and I don’t know how people get home from work, pack up kids, and get there by 6:00 PM, but I do know that it is a pretty, pretty tree, and that your social media pages will be clogged up with selfies of it in the background all season long. Santa and other holiday characters arrive via parade to light the tree.

Friday, November 15th • 6:00 PM
Short Pump Town Center, 11800 W. Broad Street
Free

3. Improv-A-Copia

West End Comedy’s Thanksgiving show features a night of improv for general audiences, followed by a Saturday night with a “mature” theme (is it improv if you know that ahead of time?). According to its Facebook page, donate five canned goods and the admission is free! Get some laughs about Thanksgiving, even if your mom is sitting next to you and the bit is totally about something she does. She’ll think it’s about her mom.

Friday, November 15th • 7:00 PM
HATTheatre, 1124 Westbriar Drive
$7

4. Stories at the Museum

Bring your kids of all ages (but probably just the ones who like being read to) for a reading of a historical book, and then participate in a craft related to it. This month’s theme is Native American Heritage Month, just in time for Thanksgiving.

Saturday, November 16th • 11:00 AM — 12:00 PM
Virginia Historical Society, 428 N. Boulevard
Free

5. YA Recyclable Craft Mafia

Teens are invited to make crafts at the Main Library location to sell at the TAG (Teen Advisory Group) Recyclable Craft & Bake Sale on December 13th. Items sold at the upcoming craft sale raise money for Chromebook computers for teens to use in the library. Call ahead to reserve a spot at 804-646-7223.