5 Things for Families

With the FALL LINE FEST sure to dominate the weekend for many, here are a few picks for some other happenings of note for the family.

September 4, 2013; 7:24 AM • by Kelly Gerow

1. Steamrolled RVA: Community Carving

As part of the upcoming RVA Street Art Festival, Studio Two Three is making a giant woodcut map of Richmond to be printed during the festival…with a steamroller! This Friday, as part of First Fridays, the public is encouraged to stop by and help carve the map (with supervision).

Friday, September 6th • 6:00 – 10:00 PM
Studio Two Three, 1617 W. Main Street
Free

2. Shape Note Singing Lecture and Performance

Masters of shape note singing–singing by reading the shape of the note instead of the traditional method (also called Sacred Harp)–present a lecture and demonstration, with audience participation encouraged.

Friday, September 6th • 6:00 – 7:30 PM
Library of Virginia, 800 E. Broad Street
Free

3. Family Fest RVA

There is so much happening at the Family Fest RVA that it makes me smile just reading about it. Come out to Abner Clay Park for food and produce vendors, face painting, music, games, puppet shows, Taiko drummers, and two yoga classes (a 3:30 PM session is for families with children age eight and under, and the 4:45 PM class is for families with children age nine and older). Can we have more events that feature Taiko drums? I will write a letter to the city about it.

Sunday, September 8th • 2:00 – 6:00 PM
Abner Clay Park, 200 W. Clay Street
Free

4. Gatsby Afternoon Picnic

Presented by the Art Deco Society of Virginia, this 1920s-themed afternoon encourages vintage garden party attire to go with the garden party activities including croquet, Paper Moon photos, and vintage bicycle rides. Entertainment includes ragtime music, a flapper act, and Broadway melodies. Bring your own picnic. Giggle water is permitted (that’s “alcohol” for those of you who didn’t just do a search for 1920s slang).

Sunday, September 8th • 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Wilton House Museum, 215 S. Wilton Road
$15 for adults, $5 for children (12 and younger)

5. Music in the Park

Music in the Park continues with Trongone Band, a bluesy jam band (jammy blues band?). I think everyone is going to come back around on the Grateful Dead and Phish, so just get it over with and stop pretending you don’t like the occasional 12-minute song.