The Weekend {list}

Top 'o the weekend to ya!  If you've been waiting 364 days for green beer and have a penchant for leprechaun's, then you're in luck, dear readers.  St.Patrick's Day is upon us, and we foresee gobs of green garb and over-served patrons in your future.

FRIDAY:

Image via Need Supply Co. 

Meet the Maker: Cause & Effect
Head to Need Supply tonight to meet the designer and maker behind the brand Cause & Effect. Billy Moore of Cause and Effect makes the majority of his products by hand his home is in Tennessee. He draws inspiration from his father and grandfather, who made things that were meant to last.
Need Supply Co., 6p - 8p | free
RSVP on Facebook here.

Bio_Diversity > Art + Architecture + Design Inspired By Nature
Celebrating the diversity of Richmond’s creative culture, Bio-diversity is an assemblage of painting, sculpture, architecture, and furniture exploring the influence of nature in art and design. Featuring our good pal, Amrit Singh!
Eric Schindler Gallery, 7p - 9p | free
RSVP on Facebook here.

Canary Oh Canary, Ocean Vs Daughter, and Marionette
Strange Matter, 10p | $5
RSVP on Facebook here.


SATURDAY:

O'Toole's get's things started early on Saturday morning by opening at 11am, and they've got a full itinerary for the entire day.  Get there early if you want a table!

Dogwood Dell Trails Grand Opening 
Join Richmond-MORE and the City of Richmond Trail Care Crew for a grand opening celebration. Head to the shelter next to Barker Field (Dog Park) for a cookout and presentation of the new trails. Ride and hike on the new trials will follow!
Dogwood Dell Picnic Shelter, 2p | free

Image via Shamrock the Block Facebook.

Shamrock the Block
Music all day at two stages, beer trucks galore, and at least 25,000 of your closest Irish friends.
17th & 18th Streets in Shockoe Bottom, 12p - 6p | free

Need more green beer options? Check out Richmond.com's St. Patrick's Day Bar Guide.

Soulpower Dance Party
Balliceaux, 10:30p | free
RSVP on Facebook here.

Wild At Heart
It's the last in this series of midnight movies at the Byrd!
The Byrd, 12am | $5


Bring it on, bring on the weekend!

Emily Smith, Emily Jones, & Christie Thompson

The Weekend {list}

Welcome to the weekend!

FRIDAY

Richmond Famous ft. The RVA Beard League
The Richmond Comedy Coalition's all-improvised monthly show series, Richmond Famous, features live and totally unscripted comedy, created on the spot, inspired by the true stories of some of RVA’s most interesting people.
Gallery5, 8p | $7
RSVP on Facebook here.



VCU Southern Film Festival: Margaret Mitchell: American Rebel (2011)
5p - reception
6p - film critic Molly Haskell
7p - film screening
8p - discussion with John Wiley, Ellen Brown (authors of Margaret Mitchell’s Gone with the Wind, & Molly Haskell
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts | $8 non-VMFA, $4 VMFA, free to VCU students & faculty

Black Girls (Vinyl Release) NO BS! White Laces! Trillions!
Kingdom (formerly Alley Katz), 9p | $12
RSVP on Facebook here.

Eternal Summers / White Laces / Peace Beast / Navi
9p | free
RSVP and get secret location (message event creator) on Facebook here.

Dank D and Friends - Live at Bonvenu!
Richmond's freshest hip hop, featuring Brian McDaniel of Dirty Richmond.
Bonvenu, 10:30p | free

SATURDAY



Reel Rock Tour
As a part of the climbing festival, see a collection of short films that showcase amazing climbing adventures from around the world!
VCU Life Sciences Building, Room 155, 8p | free

Dead Fame EP Release Party
Balliceaux, 10p | $5
RSVP on Facebook here.

SUNDAY

5th Annual Crafters Anonymous Craft Swap
Gather a bag of your unused or slightly used craft supplies that you no longer need or want and bring them to the craft swap this Sunday. All proceeds benefit Art 180 - a Richmond based non-profit organization that creates and provides art-related programs to young people living in challenging circumstances.
Art Works Richmond, 1p - 4p | $6 (or $1 if you bring a bag of goodies to swap)
RSVP on Facebook here.

Sticky Rice Iron Chef Masters Classic - The Final Round
Sushi chefs from all three Sticky Rice locations will compete for top honors. Specials and door prizes will be featured during the event.
Sticky Rice RVA, 9p |free
RSVP on Facebook here.

What else is going on Richmond? Let us know in the comment section!

The Minimalist Team

The Weekend {List}

Once you finish your re-organizing with Kristen's tips below, check out these awesome events happening around town this weekend!

Friday:

The annual and infamous J.Crew  warehouse sale starts today! Running daily until January 22, head to 9750 W. Broad Street (Former Borders Books location) in Glen Allen for up to 60% off retail prices. The sale will be open daily from 10 AM to 8 PM. You can find more info here and here.

January's First Fridays Art Walk
Just because it's cold outside doesn't mean the art should be lonely. Put on your mittens and hats and enjoy a less crowded first First Fridays of 2012. And by cold, I meant practically balmy, temps will not even drop below 40 tonight.

Saturday:

Wilderness First Aid Certification Course
Course Title: Casual Hiker, Rural Living or Urban Disaster

This course will cover hands-on learn how to care for an injured / ill person during the critical minutes or hours before ambulance / hospital hand-off. It will be a blend of classroom instruction & hands-on rescue scenario practice and no prerequisites are necessary. The course counts as recertification for WFA, AWFA, WFR and wilderness part of W-EMT and is approved by the Boy Scouts of America and the American Camping Association.

The class is a little pricey ($175 for two days, 8:30 AM - 6 PM) but if you're an avid hiker, mountain biker or camper, this is an awesome resource to take advantage of! Check out WFA on Facebook here for more info and links to register.




Dance off your wilderness surviving skills at BEARD - A queer Dance Party at Balliceaux on Saturday night. Party starts at 10:30 PM and is free to 21+.

Sunday:

Check out the Elvis at 21 exhibit at the VMFA and celebrate Elvis' birthday on Sunday with Barbara Gray (the mystery woman in the photo above, revealed in 2011 by Vanity Fair). The celebration starts at 1 PM and lasts until 3 PM; free to all.

If you're lookin' to get hitched in 2012, you're in luck! The Richmond Bridal Showcase is in town this Sunday at the Greater Richmond Convention Center from 11am-5pm.  The event provides brides-to-be an opportunity to preview services from local caterers, bands, and photographers as well as meet representatives from many central Virginia venues.  You can purchase tickets in advance or at the door. Also, be sure to check out their blog for many resourceful and helpful tips as you plan your big day!

Christie Thompson

The Weekend {List}

Have a lovely, holiday weekend everyone!!

TONIGHT



Christmas Party BLOW-OUT w/ Amazing Ghost, Sleazy DJ Elves and J Kanizzle!
When: 10p
Where: Balliceaux
21+, free!

TODAY THROUGH MONDAY

photo courtesy of Richmond Times Dispatch

Richmond Ballet's The Nutcracker
When: see website for times and tickets
Where: Carpenter Theatre at Richmond Center Stage

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY

The Byrd Theatre presents Its A Wonderful Life featuring Bob Gulledge and the Byrd Christmas Sing-Along!
When: see website for times
Where: Byrd Theatre
$1.99 for holiday cheer!

and after the weekend...

WEDNESDAY

photo courtesy of CNN Sports

University of Richmond Spiders take on the Liberty Flames in men's basketball
When: 7p, see website for tickets
Where: Robins Center
$12 - $22 for adults, $5 for kids

On a completely related note, if you see our lovely Miss Emily Jones out and about make sure to congratulate her - she and Brett just got engaged!!!

Emily Smith

The Weekend {list}

Weekend happenings, curated by us for you.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9



Decayed Richmond - A Collection of Photographs
Where: Tantrum Gallery
Tonight there's a $3 cover and Navi, Vulture, Shy Low and Brother Wolf will be playing! RSVP here.


Image via Equality Virginia.

No BS! Brass Band
When: 9p to 12a
Where: Balliceaux
Free! RSVP here.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10


Drawing by Leslie Herman, via 1708 Gallery.

Monster Drawing Rally
When: 12:30 to 6p
Where: 1708 Gallery
$5 donation goes to 1708 Gallery, a non-profit dedicated to bringing new, local art to Richmond. Lamplighter is providing food and beverages in addition to there being a cash bar. Kids get in for free. Come watch and if you like what you see, be prepared to purchase! RSVP here.



Hardywood Park Illumination
When: 4 to 8p
Where: Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, 2408 Ownby Lane, Richmond, VA
Free entry to enjoy some fantastic local food, great tunes, and a lineup of extremely rare, illuminating brews from Virginia's leading craft brewers. RSVP here.

Exclusive Beers from Hardywood available for tasting:
Hardywood Imperial Milk Stout (8.8% ABV)
Hardywood Belgian Stout with Vanilla Beans and Fresh Local Raspberries (7.2% ABV)
Hardywood Toasted Almond Stout (7.2% ABV)
Hardywood Gingerbread Stout aged on Reservoir Bourbon Barrels (9.4% ABV)
Hardywood Coffee Stout with Vanilla Beans (8.8% ABV)
Hardywood Peppermint Stout (fresh peppermint leaves and cocoa nibs) (8.8% ABV)

Guest Beers available for tasting:
Devils Backbone Kilt Flasher Scotch Ale (7.6% ABV)
Starr Hill The Gift Winter Bock (6.5% ABV)
Starr Hill Amber Lights Anniversary Beer (6% ABV)
Legend Barleywine (14.5% ABV)
Legend Chocolate Porter (6% ABV)



Ghost of Pop 7!!!!!!!
When: 8 to 11p
Where: Gallery5
Featuring My Old Ways, Young Adult Fiction, The Trillions, Goldrush, Kid Is Qual, and The Druthers. $5 proceeds to benefit Home Again. RSVP here.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11



Jonathan Vassar + The Speckled Bird
When: 9p to 12a
Where: Balliceaux
$5. RSVP here.

Emily Smith & Christie Thompson

Bike Sharrows in the Fan!

Bike sharrows on Harrison Street at Broad, image via James River News Hub.

If you've been traveling around the Fan lately, you've probably noticed the new bike sharrows painted on Meadow Street and Harrison Street. While I'm really excited to see the city moving forward with this project so quickly, I realized that a lot of folks aren't even sure what these symbols mean for bikers and motorists. I thought it might be helpful to give a little clarification for those of us that aren't familiar with this safety measure.

Bike sharrows are shared lane markings that are utilized to improve bicycling conditions on roads where designated bike lanes are either infeasible or inappropriate due to traffic conditions. The sharrows are meant to encourage cyclists to ride closer to the middle of the lane, steering clear of the "door zone" of parked cars. While it is the responsibility of the driver of a parked car to check their mirrors before opening doors, the sharrows help encourage a safer distance between the two to lessen potential accidents. The sharrows are also meant to remind motorists to expect cyclists on certain roadways. Lastly, the sharrows let motorists know that bicycles have an equal right to be in the driving lane, encouraging cars to pass cyclists at a safer distance.

I hope this might help clear up any confusion about the new safety measure and also encourage all of you to get out there on your bikes!

Stay safe and happy biking everyone!

Christie Thompson

The Moveable Type Truck in RVA!

This Thursday, the Visual Arts Center and Studio Two Three will be hosting the Moveable Type Truck as it passes through Richmond for a free open studio event! What is the Moveable Type Truck you may ask? It's the incredibly awesome 1982 Chevrolet step van that has been converted into a fully functional and mobile letterpress print shop by Kyle Durrie.


Photo by Derek Fagerstrom, via Type Truck website

The Moveable Type Truck has been on tour around the country since June and will be parking at the Visual Arts Center this Thursday from 4 pm to 7 pm. Stop by to create a 3-color "free range creativity" poster. You can pull one color at each location: the truck, the VAC's letterpress studio, and Studio Two Three.

Kyle launched her fundraising campaign in November of 2010 with the help of Kickstarter. She was able to raise enough to fully convert the back of the 1982 Chevy with cabinets, workspace, a sign press from the mid-20th century, and an 1873 Golding Official No. 3 tabletop platen press. Her goal is to travel the country teaching and spreading the word about the awesomeness of printing the old fashioned way.

This is honestly one of the coolest things I've ever seen. Kudos to you Kyle for making this happen. Send us pictures of your prints to post if you make it out to this event!

Christie Thompson

The Weekend {list}

This weekend, Richmond will be full of runners, walkers, joggers, and exercisers galore. The bad part, traffic and parking will be jammed up all day Saturday; the good part, there will be an excess of seriously toned legs in the city. Whether you're into that runner's high or not, there is plenty going on to help you savor the weekend.

On Friday, the James River Film Society will be hosting a juried competition of short films (30 minutes or less) at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. The James River Shorts competition will bring the best in short films from all over the globe, competing to win $2,000 in prizes. Noted filmmaker Roger Warren Beebe will be judging the competition. The films begin screening at 6:30 pm and the event will run you $8 for admission.

Saturday morning bright and early, the Richmond Marathon will be taking over the city... we're not kidding! Runners from 48 states and 15 countries (including our very own Emily Jones) will be racing down Broad Street, through the Museum District, down Riverside Drive, across the Belvidere Bridge, up towards Bryan Park... pretty much all over the place. Emily, my legs hurt just thinking about this. For all of you that are running, good luck! For the rest of you lazy types (myself included), camp out with your booze and radios and cheer on these brave souls - they will definitely need it. You can also visit the designated "party zones" for official race spectating. If you're planning on being out along the race course, leave your location in the comments - Emily sure will appreciate the extra support and fans! And if you really must know how that special runner in your life is progressing as the marathon unfolds, the event is offering free runner tracking through RaceIt.


Look for Emily as she sets out to complete her first ever marathon! P.S. - How awesome is that bib number? 2621... 26.2 with an extra 1/100th of a mile!

If you aim to completely avoid all marathon-related activities on Saturday, there is a comprehensive list of all road closures provided by the event coordinators; if you're more of the visual type, see the chart below, courtesy of RVANews.



After you buy your exhausted, noodle-legged amigos a round for finishing the marathon, head over to the Empire Theatre to see Richmond's own Jennifer Lemons, also known as The Checkout Girl, premiering her solo show, Loosely Based on a Real Girl. Her show tells the story of her backwards journey into a world where women in telephone headsets pretend to be anything you want them to be, for only $4.99 per minute. Jennifer Lemons currently writes the weekly column Off the Clock for RVAnews.com and is one of the best tweeter's of all time (seriously, she was voted the best by Style Weekly and Richmond Magazine). The doors and bar open at 8 pm and the show starts at 9. Tickets are $10 in advance, and $15 at the door.

Later on Saturday night, hit up Balliceaux to dance off the extra calories from your day drinking. Starting at 10:30 pm, DJs Mike Albrecht and Alan Smith will be hosting BEARD, a new alternative queer dance party. Beats will include indie, new wave, dance, electro, punk, riot-grrl, and everything inbetween. Show is free for 21 and up.

Happy Friday!

Christie Thompson

Thoughts of a Long Distance Runner: The 20 Miler

This morning, at around mile eight, we hit the Nickel Bridge. It was still early, about 8:45, and the sun had not yet burned off the dense, blizzard-like, white-out fog that was hanging above the James. My friend Liz and I descended the quarter mile or so to the base of the bridge, and the fog enveloped us. We could see no more than 10 feet in any direction yet we could hear the river slapping the rocks some 100 feet below. The air was cool, crisp, very much the type of fall morning that defines what a “fall morning” is as long as you live. To our left, the east, was the rising sun, by my guess about four fingers above the horizon. I say “guess” because there was no outline of the sun, just the suggestion of one, and it’s bright, radiating aura illuminating the mist.

I've experienced this mystical feeling fog once before in my life - it was at Mario Botta’s Angeli Chapel at the top of Monte Tamaro in Switzerland. That day, I was accompanied by my camera, so I have photographic assistance in recalling the details of that day - the spacial relationships your mind tends to forget as the memory slips farther into your past. But what I've found is that, looking at these photographs now almost five years later, they will never recreate that feeling. In fact, they almost take away from it; flattening the exhilaration I had standing there in the mist, cantilevered out over the edge of the chapel.



I thought of those photos as I ran deeper into the fog this morning, and for the first time in my life I was thankful I was camera-less. I was free of feeling I had to encapsulate the entirety of that experience in a photograph.

. . . . . .

And there we were, floating through the clouds, literally gliding across the bridge on our runner’s highs.

Liz turned to me and said, nearly breathless, “This is our church. This is why we run.”

She was right. That was the type of run that stays with you forever, the kind that reminds you of the blood pumping through your veins; the type of run that makes you feel alive.

As we reached the end of the bridge I could start to see the outline of the rocks, the trees, the shoreline start to appear - our time in this fleeting moment was drawing to a close. I used every ounce of my memory to try and etch that experience in my head; I threw my hands in the air, took a deep, deep breath, and picked up the pace. 8 down, 12 to go.


Emily Jones

- - - - -

Emily is currently training for the Richmond Marathon, which will take place on Saturday, November 12, 2011.

Richmond 2015: Cycling Championship!

Whether you're a cyclist in this city or not, this is some HUGE news for everyone! Richmond has been selected to host the World Road Cycling Championship, an event that is televised worldwide and at the caliber of the Tour de France! The nine day event will take place in September 2015 and is expected to draw thousands of international spectators, create over $130 million in revenue, and be viewed by 450 million people across the world - that's some serious publicity for the River City!

So if you can just hang tight for another four years, this event is sure to knock your socks off!


Photo credit James C. Hill

Emily Jones

Weekend Events!

Somewhere between a hurricane and a monsoon, it's turned into fall. Hello hats, scarves and the coveted boot-wearing weather! This weekend is full of awesome events and great music to help you celebrate the changing season.


Rufio sporting his new Fall duds: a cream and tan houndstooth scarf.

Antiques in Manchester

Antiques in Manchester's first Saturday market, image via AIM's flickr.

This past Saturday I had the pleasure of visiting the first Antiques in Manchester (AIM) Saturday market. Antiques in Manchester is an upscale, open-air antique market co-sponsored by Micheal Sparks Design, Ghostprint Gallery and Maurice Beane Studios. From AIM's Facebook page, "Located in a covered walkway between period brick buildings, the venue has a distinctly European flavor. Exhibitors will be displaying a wide variety of quality goods including Mid-Century Modern, 18th and 19th century antiques, architectural elements, Art Deco, Primitives, etc." Each Saturday they will be open from 9 am to 4 pm under the covered walkway beside 205 Hull Street in Richmond's Manchester district.

I was excited to check out the market but honestly was skeptical about how affordable any of the items would be. I was pleasantly surprised at the variety of items and relative affordability of most of them. Furniture pieces ranged from $40 to $350, clothing items from $20 to $80, and small antiques were anywhere from $5 to $400. I imagine if you are a better haggler than me, you could probably talk some of these prices down too. There was something in practically every price range and some incredibly beautiful furniture pieces worth saving for. I will definitely be making a trip out there again soon.



Check out AIM's website and Facebook for previews of items they will have available each week.

Christie Thompson

Matt Brotka & Salvation Tattoo

Artist profile of Matt Brotka, tatoo artist at Salvation Tattoo

You can't live in Richmond and not have a constant nagging desire to get more tattoos. We are the third most tattooed city in the country, and I'm honestly pretty proud. With such a high demand for ink in this city, it's no surprise that choosing the right artist and shop for your next permanent piece can be pretty overwhelming. There are literally dozens of incredibly talented tattoo artists in the city, but I wanted to share my experience with a particularly awesome guy and shop.

I spent a fair amount of time researching different artists in the area and when I came across Matt Brotka's work, I stopped looking and picked up the phone. I came in for a consultation appointment and went over my ideas and left him with some artwork. The consultation requires a $50 deposit that will go towards the total price of your tattoo. It also guarantees that Matt, or the other artists, will get compensated for their design time, in case you choose not to get the tattoo. Matt was incredibly kind and listened carefully to my ideas and concerns. He was understanding and patient when I changed my mind about a few things last minute and I ended up with an amazingly detailed graphic line drawing of an owl. His precision and professionalism was amazing. I am beyond happy with the final product and would recommend Matt and the Salvation Tattoo shop without hesitation.


Still high from the pain and excitement

If you are thinking about your next (or first) tattoo, make sure to check out Matt's website and Salvation's portfolio as well. There are many other talented artists that also work out of the shop. Thanks again Matt!

Christie Thompson

RVA Music Fest

Image via RVA Music Fest Facebook page

Two weeks from now, the first annual RVA Music Fest will be taking over Richmond with a two day music festival celebrating our city's amazing culture. On Saturday, September 10, a multitude of local and national acts will be playing all across the city at various bars and venues, including The Camel, Balliceaux, NY Deli and Strange Matter. Headlining the show on Sunday, September 11, will be Girl Talk and Best Coast (!!!). 18th Street will be closed off between Grace Street and Main Street to host the two large stages as RVA Music Fest takes over Shockoe Bottom from 2 pm to 10 pm. Tickets for Saturday's shows will be available at the various venues, but you can purchase advance tickets for Sunday's show here. In addition to Girl Talk and Best Coast, the two main stages will feature The Diamond Center, No BS Brass Band, Black Girls and more. There will also be a DJ tent all day on Sunday to keep your dancin' shoes happy.



I'm driving all the way back from a wedding in Maryland on Sunday just to make sure I see this show! Hope to see you there too!

Also, if you haven't already, be sure to check out RVA Mag, the driving force behind this incredible music festival and Richmond celebration. They have great articles, not to mention a pretty comprehensive list of what's going on in Richmond every weekend on their website.

Christie Thompson

RVA is for Bike Lovers

Image via Christ Cycles website

A little over a year ago when I was looking for a simple, light-weight, affordable bike to get around the city, I came across Ed Edge (pictured above) and Christ Cycles. Ed and his amazing team of bicycle building vegans created a completely custom bike for me for only $200. A year later, Ed and his team have expanded to offer even better custom bikes (higher quality parts, more light-weight, and more options) starting at $299. You get to choose the colors, gears, wheels, handle bars, the whole deal - and it's yours to ride in less than three weeks. You honestly cannot beat this deal anywhere else in Richmond. Christ Cycles also offers high quality bike parts for affordable prices under the company Cute Bikes.

The whole process is done online (check out the ORDER tab on their website), but if you have any questions, just shoot them an e-mail (shop@christcycles.com). They are very responsive and super helpful. Not to mention, if you purchase one of their custom bikes, you get FREE maintenance for LIFE. I just took my bike by there the other day and they replaced my pedals for free and in under 20 minutes. (Thanks guys!) Their shop is in the Museum District, on the corner of Franklin and Cleveland, but shoot them an e-mail if you plan to stop by. Since their business is mostly online, they rarely keep regular hours at the shop.

Ed Edge started Christ Cycles in 2008 as a non-profit with the selfless goal of offering quality bikes at cost (and sometimes even below cost) to anyone who needed one. Ed works as an EMT for at least 70 hours a week and puts almost 80% of his income into this incredible company. From their website, "Christ Cycles is a small not-for-profit company dedicated to blessing people with good bikes and good health. We want people to love their bike and use it more often. For this reason, we offer people the ability to customize their very own bike. Regular bike use will in turn, help people financially, improve their health, and is far better for the environment." Richmond Magazine also wrote a great article on Ed and Christ Cycles back in March.

Seriously think about checking out Christ Cycles if you're in need of a new ride. I promise you won't be disappointed. And if all of that still isn't enough, one more reason to meet the Christ Cycles crew is these two furry friends who hang out at the shop:


Wallee and Bubbles: customer service experts, images via Christ Cycles website

Christie Thompson

Balls, Beer and Babe's

Sorry, I couldn't really help myself with that title. Every Wednesday for the past few weeks I have spent my evenings playing pick-up volleyball in the backyard oasis of Babe's of Carytown. At the corner of Auburn and Cary, Babe's hosts laid back pick-up volleyball in their backyard sand court every Wednesday night. Not to worry if you have little to no skill - everyone is awesomely friendly and happy to teach. Still not interested in playing? Have a seat on the deck and enjoy $6 pitchers of PBR. It doesn't really get much better.

Christie Thompson

Best Friends Day 10

'Tis the season to celebrate friendship! Tonight starts off Best Friends Day 10: a weekend full of bands, friends and half naked pool partying.

Best Friends Day is a Richmond tradition that started in 2002 with a group of kids celebrating friendship at Hadad's Lake. Over the past 10 years, it has exploded into a weekend long extravaganza of music and community, with the culminating event still at Hadad's Lake on Saturday.

There will be shows all around the city Thursday through Sunday. On Saturday, $25 will get you into Hadad's for some lake swimming and more music-packed action (including No BS Brass Band and Against Me!). To top if off, the To the Bottom & Back bus will be providing free transportation to and from Hadad's!

Hope to see you there friends!

Christie Thompson

Island Fun!

Check it out: The Ol' Power Plant on Belle Isle is being turned into a concert venue this afternoon! A small group of amazing people have organized a day of music that begins at noon and goes till around 8 pm. BYOB, BYOdog and acoustic sets only! It's free to all and accessible by the foot/bike trails on Belle Isle. If you're unfamiliar with this little island in the middle of the James River, you can park at the parking lot on Tredegar Street (north side of the river) and cross to the island via the pedestrian foot bridge. Of course, you can also bike this way. Today's Summer Solstice Jam line up lists 12 bands including my favorites Canary Oh Canary and Diamond Center!

Emily Smith

Happenings This Week, Part I

Tonight, Tuesday June 21, behold the wonder that is The Listening Room! The Firehouse Theatre hosts one or more bands as a part of this monthly music series and never charges a cover (donations always appreciated). With a focus on singer/songwriters and an intimate setting, it's an opportunity to get to know some of our region's musical talent! The show begins at 7:30 pm.

Also tonight, Could Richmond Be the Next Portland? brings internationally known author Mia Birk, the former Bicycle Program Manager of Portland, Oregon, to Richmond to discuss the driving force behind Portland's efforts to make the change from four wheels to two. Eric Weis, Trail Coordinator for the East Coast Greenway (ECG), will also be presenting his vision on developing the 3000 mile route from Maine to Florida. Now over 25% complete, this off road facility - which passes through the heart of Richmond – will connect the 25 major cities along the East Coast. Be at the Science Museum of Virginia by 7 pm and make sure to register for your free ticket!

Discoveries at Texas Beach

Yesterday I realized something pretty profound about myself.

I don't hate the outdoors, after all.

Being a minimalist, one might think, "Obviously, she likes the outdoors." Hello, Henry Thoreau? Walden? Nope. When I was a little girl, I had several negative Girl Scout camping and hiking experiences that have lead me to believe in my adult life that I dislike outdoorsy activities (with the exception of things involving water and and lounging, of course). I kind of like skiing, but not really. Playing in the snow has always been cool with me. But hiking? Camping? Being in the woods? No way!

I've always disliked this aspect of myself, because everyone I enjoy spending time with seems to like the outdoors. After yesterday, I realize I do too. I finally understand the draw.