5 Things for Families

The phrases “is this real life?” and “it’s on like Donkey Kong” both appear in this week’s column. Those are pretty good indicators that the coming weekend is gonna be great, guys.

October 22, 2014; 7:07 AM • by Valerie Catrow

1. $5 Pancake Breakfast

Enjoy a stack of pancakes (blueberry, chocolate, or regz) and your choice of bacon, sausage, or fruit. Kids under seven eat free with the purchase of an adult entree. Is this real life?

  • Saturday, October 25th (and every other Saturday) • 7:30 — 10:00 AM
  • Southerly Restaurant & Patio, 2250 Staples Mill Road
  • $5 (hence the name)

2. The Little Mermaid

I love “Part of Your World” as much as anyone, but I think it’s good for kids to be exposed to alternatives to the Disney-fied versions of classic stories. The Whistle Stop Theatre Company presents this (also musical) adaptation of Hans Christian Anderson’s original tale for this weekend only. (Recommended for ages five and up).

3. Beethoven Lives Upstairs

Union First Market Bank’s Lollipops Series returns to the Richmond Symphony with an on-stage production of Beethoven Lives Upstairs, an absolutely delightful story1 of the friendship between a young boy named Christoph and a boarder in his parents’ house…a very eccentric boarder who also happens to be a well-known musical genius. The production features more than 25 excerpts of Beethoven’s work, including the Moonlight Sonata, Für Elise, and the Fifth and Ninth Symphonies.

  • Saturday, October 25th • 11:00 AM
  • Carpenter Theatre at CenterStage, 600 E. Grace Street
  • $10-$12

4. Food Allergy Friendly Trunk or Treat

Get the little ones decked out in their Halloween costumes and let them fill their trick-or-treat buckets with allergy-free and non-food treats. Excluded allergens include: milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, and wheat.2 Kids without food allergies are also welcome to participate!

  • Saturday, October 25th • 4:00 PM
  • Cheswick Park, 1798 Forest Avenue
  • Free

5. Goblins and Gourds

Personally, I find it difficult to turn down any chance to see the Richmond Indigenous Gourd Orchestra. Throw in a pumpkin painting contest, costume parade, and hoop dancing, and it’s on like Donkey Kong.

Photo by: ninacoco

  1. I can personally attest to this fact. Back when I taught fifth grade, a version of this story was part of our reading curriculum. It was always enjoyable to teach. ↩
  2. All those offering food treats are required to bring packaging to be checked by the event’s organizers. ↩
  • error

    Report an error

Valerie Catrow

Valerie Catrow is editor of RVAFamily, mother to a mop-topped first grader, and always really excited to go to bed.

October 22, 2014 7:07 AM 0

Notice: Comments that are not conducive to an interesting and thoughtful conversation may be removed at the editor’s discretion.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked with an asterisk (*).

Or report an error instead