5 things…

The weather is going to AMAZING this weekend, and everyone is sure to be jonesing to get the mess out of the house. Try taking the fam or the friends to one of these… 1. CAA Tournament Dudes, Richmond is PUMPED for some Rams basketball. Even though VCU doesn’t make an appearance until Saturday afternoon, […]

March 5, 2009; 11:43 AM • by Valerie Catrow

The weather is going to AMAZING this weekend, and everyone is sure to be jonesing to get the mess out of the house. Try taking the fam or the friends to one of these…

1. CAA Tournament

Dudes, Richmond is PUMPED for some Rams basketball. Even though VCU doesn’t make an appearance until Saturday afternoon, all of the action starts Friday at noon. Check out the schedule here. Not sure of the ticket situation at this point, but call (804) 828-RAMS for info. Friday, March 6th through Monday, March 9th, Richmond Coliseum, 601 E. Leigh St. If you can’t make it to the games, be sure to check back with RVANews for our coverage of the tournament throughout the weekend.

2. First Fridays

I know we seem to plug this one whenever it comes up, but it’s such a Richmond-y fun time. And the forecast for Friday is in the 60s, so the evening is sure to be fairly pleasant. Friday, March 6th, 6pm, up down Broad Street, FREE!

3. Geek Festival 3.0 at the Science Museum

Rock Band contests! Speed texting competitions! ROBOTS! How could you *not* want to be at this jam? I also hear that they are raffling of a Wii as a door prize. W00t! Saturday, March 7th, 10am to 4pm (registration begins at 9:30am), 2500 W. Broad Street, FREE!

4. Give What You Can Sunday at the Valentine Richmond History Center

The economy may suck, but we still need to get cultured. Recognizing this, the Valentine has a great thing going on each Sunday where you give what you can to get in the door. Go here for a list of their current exhibits. Every Sunday, 12pm to 5pm, 1015 E. Clay St.

5. Flogging Molly at The National

It’s almost St. Patrick’s Day, so OBVIOUSLY it’s time to listen to Irish music at all times. I personally had never heard of these guys until recently… but I’m lame, so maybe you have. Anyway, here’s a wee blurb from their website:

What makes a band truly remarkable? Insightful lyrics? Memorable melodies? Blow-your-mind live performances? The truth is that it takes all of those things along with a boundless enthusiasm, an infectious energy and a supreme devotion to the fans. With this rare combination, a band may ascend past “good,” – or even the record industry’s Holy Grail, “marketable” – and reach sublime. Drawing on the hardships and joys of their own lives and a musical history ranging from old world Celtic to modern day punk rock, the seven members of Flogging Molly do just that, and they do it with a charm and an ease that makes them one of the most accessible bands performing today.

Sounds promising, I’d say. Monday, March 9th, 708 E. Broad St., $23.50 in advance, $25 on the day of the show. Go here for tickets.

March 5, 2009 11:43 AM 5