5 Things: Pets, a play, trees, another play, and salsa salsa salsa!

You’ve been working for the weekend and now the weekend is here. What do you do? WHAT DO YOU DO?

July 9, 2015; 12:00 PM • by Susan Howson

Photo by: Augusto De Luca – Naples

1. Hamlet

If you didn’t catch my interview with Jan Powell and Molly Hood yesterday, I beseech you to drop whatever you’re doing (let’s be honest, you’re sitting around) and give it a look-through. Powell’s decision to turn Hamlet into a strong and confused female is a fascinating one, and the Powell/Hood director/actor matchup never fails to disappoint.

• Opens Thursday, July 9th • 7:30 PM
• Agecroft Hall, 4305 Sulgrave Road
• $30 with discounts available

2. Arbor Day Redux

Were you majorly bummed when that Saturday dawned in April and you realized it was going to pour rain the entire day? I was. I got brunch instead with some friends and some three-year-olds, and it was FINE, but I’d much rather have watched those three-year-olds dance around to Prabir Mehta and co. covering Tom Petty. I get it, the trees need water to live, but did it have to happen when we were about to celebrate them? At any rate, this concert will finally be happening this Saturday at Pump House Park, and it will benefit the James River Park System. And yes, yes, make your jokes about how this column keeps being 5 Prabir Things, but if you put on cool events that we wanted to go to, we’d make it 5 You Things. So get to it.

• Saturday, July 11th • 12:00 – 4:00 PM
• Pump House Park, 1708 Pump House Dr.
• $5 donation

3. Richmond Pet Expo

Chances are, you have a pet. Chances are, you probably have always dreamed about getting another type of pet but didn’t want to push it with the people and animals that already occupy your house. Chances are, you’d like the Richmond Pet Expo, which features a slew of animals who…probably are wondering what in the hell is going on and who are all these people and what is this annoying costume I am wearing and where is my bed and am I under attack and I guess this is my new reality. But, as long as WE are having fun and pretending they are little children who are all stoked to meet each other, we’ll be OK.

• Saturday, July 11th • 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Richmond Raceway Complex, 600 E. Laburnum Avenue
• Free parking AND admission, and you can bring your pet (with proof of vaccinations, of course)

4. Carrie: The Musical

I just said the words “Carrie: The Musical” out loud, and an unnamed person in this office instantly sang a song that could maybe be in the production! I haven’t seen it, so who knows, but I think this sounds like something that is DEFINITELY worth everyone’s while. They’re all going to sing at you!

• Friday, July 10th – Saturday, August 8th • see site for times
• RVA Event Space, Plant Zero, 1 E. 3rd Street
• $32 with discounts available

5. 8th Annual Latin Jazz & Salsa Festival

Founded by “Sweet Lou” Hidalgo of WCLM 1450’s Latin Jazz & Salsa Show, this may just be the most energetic festival you will attend this summer. Instead of slow-moving sweaty Richmonders, trying not to melt, you’ll have sweaty Richmonders who have burst into fiery flames of rhythm! This festival truly needs your help if you want it to succeed, providing free music to Richmonders-who really are SO sweaty. Consider donating to the cause.

• Saturday, July 11th • 3:00 – 8:00 PM
• Dogwood Dell, Byrd Park
• Free!

July 9, 2015 12:00 PM 0