This week's top 5 (just kidding... more like 6 or 7)

Gallery5 After 5: A free-to-the-public lecture series

Wed Feb 9, 5:30pm

FREE FREE FREE

This month's lecture is about the comic book industry!

Dynasty and Divinity: Ife Art in Ancient Nigeria at VMFA

Member preview Fri Feb 11, open to general public Sat Feb 12

A beautiful exhibition you don't want to miss!

Pick up a $10 student membership to see the show for free!

(The student membership is a FANTASTIC deal, cheaper than most tickets. You'll also get FREE parking, discounts on lectures, food, and merchandise from the gift shop!)

VMFA's African galleries will be opening in conjunction with this exhibition, so you'll really be in for a treat!

Dog Sees God: Confessions of a teenage blockhead

Firehouse Theatre Project

Directed by the wonderfully talented Billy Christopher Maupin

Runs through Feb. 26

Student tickets: $10!!

Richmond Ballet: Giselle

Fri Feb 11 - Sun Feb 13

Student tickets: $20!! (For the 7pm performances only)

After seeing their public rehearsal last week, I really can't wait to see the real thing!

Richmond Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliette

Thurs Feb 10 - Sat Feb 26

Student tickets: $15!!

Science Museum of Virginia: Arctic Adventure

Now open

You think it's cold here? Check out what's going on in the arctic!

Tickets: $10 (for the entire museum)

or $15 for exhibits AND the IMAX theatre

If you get the $15 ticket, be sure to check out Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs, now showing!

For an even BETTER deal, join the Universe Society for only $25. This is a fundraising, social and networking group for young professionals!

I'd love to hear back from anyone who attends these events! Let me know what you thought by emailing: findculturerva@gmail.com or just posting a comment below!

50 cents can go a long way!

My favorite brunch place has always been Joe's Inn, with their delicious breakfast-anytime dishes and of course, $2.50 mimosas.

And I thought that was cheap!

Head down over the Manchester bridge, and you'll find 50 cent mimosas at Plant Zero Cafe. Oh yes, that's right, two quarters will get you a mimosa, but only on Saturdays. The food is pretty good as well (though maybe not as good as Joe's)....but hey, you can't beat that price!

Spontaneity cures it all!

I tend to get a little obsessed with planning. I like to have a detailed schedule of all the things I do and want to do (this is just the way I am, an organizator, if you will). Sometimes, however, a dash of spontaneity here and there really doesn't hurt. On the contrary, it can really pick you up on a blue day.

This evening was one of those... It's been a long week and I needed to relax.

The plan was: get a drink with a friend, go to Eurotrash for a fancy "wishlist" event, and then go home to do more work.

I followed through with most of the plan, but spiced it up a little.

I've been reading a lot about Xtras, that new spunky bar/restaurant that's popped up (literally - it's on the second story of the building) in Carytown. So I decided that's where we should go.

The atmosphere is quite nice, with an art nouveau flare that truly hit the spot. I ordered their bruschetta and wooooow, delicious!

Definitely check this place out. It will be fabulous in the spring since they have a nice little balcony that oversees all of Carytown!

Then, I headed over to Eurotrash and invited a new acquaintance of mine who I figured would enjoy such an outting (it was a "wishlist" event that included free champagne... who can resist?!). The clothes are gorgeous, but a little over my budget.

My friend asked if I wanted to get dinner, and at first I was hesitant because I'm really trying to be careful about spending the $$. We figured we would just split a dish somewhere. Where oh where should we go?

We decided to try out Off the Hookah, which we'd been to once for dancing, but not for eating.

We sat down and low and behold Thursday night is Ladies' Night.

But this Ladies' Night is like no other: half-off apitizers AND a free hookah. Oh yes, you read that right: a FREE hookah. We even had to ask the server if we had understood the menu right. But yes, it's free.

Now, I was very skeptical about what the food would be like. The decorations are on the gaudy Egyptomania side (but hey, I'm not complaining. I love hanging out with Tutankhamun!) and so I questioned how good the food could really be in a place like this.

We ordered 4 different appetizers (they only cost about $3 each) and oooooooooooooooh wow, it was heaven! I really can't describe how delicious the food was - fresh ingredients, quite a variety of spices, and just an all and all delectable dinner!

For once, a perk to being a lady ;) I know where I'll be Thursday nights!

This week's cultural excursions

There's lots to do this week! Check it out:

Monday and Tuesday:
Merce Cunningham Dance Company
Monday, January 31 at 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, February 1 at 7:30 p.m.

Opening Thursday:
Dog sees God
Directed by the fabulously talented Billy Christopher Maupin
Feb. 3rd, 8pm. Runs till Feb. 26th
Student tickets: $12

Friday:
First Fridays Giselle Rehearsal Viewing
5pm, Richmond Ballet, 407 East Canal Street
FREE
Look it up on Facebook, it's not on their website.
BUT you should go see the real thing starting Feb. 11th!

Saturday and Sunday:
Richmond Symphony Masterworks: Brahms Piano Concerto #1
Feb. 5th, 8pm and Feb. 6th, 3pm
Their best kept secret: Student tickets are ONLY $8!!!

If you've got an event you want to share or just a suggestion of other great cultural activities in the area, feel free to email: findculturerva@gmail.com

RVA on Ice!

Grab a friend (or a bunch!) and head on down to Richmond's outdoor skating rink right behind Center Stage.

The rental skates may be a bit [very] uncomfortable, and the ice a little bumpy, but all in all, it's a great time! It's so nice to have this right in our backyard.

Season pass for $15, rentals are $5. (If you do go, it's cash only, fyi!)

http://richmondcenterstage.com/content/rva-on-ice

You can then warm up with a hot chocolate right in Shockoe Bottom at Shockoe Espresso and Roastery

A wonderful little coffee shop with a great atmosphere!

Pyramids in Richmond?!

If you haven't been to Hollywood Cemetery yet, you're definitely missing out - especially on a beautiful day like today!

Next time the sun comes out, take a stroll through this amazing gem hidden right here in Richmond.

You'll even stumble upon a pyramid!

Review: Pilgrimage and Faith: Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam

I attended the lecture "HOLY LAND, HOLY BONES, HOLY IMAGE: Byzantine Pilgrimage Art," accompanied by a most diverse group of friends: a bio professor, three poli-sci majors, an ancient art curator, an art history professor, and quite a few art history majors.

To be honest, I was a bit nervous about what kind of lecture this would be and if this varied group of friends would hate me forever for having dragged them to something horrid. My fears were appeased as soon as the speaker, Dr. Gary Vikan, took the stage. His energy and enthusiasm instantly filled the room, and for the next hour we were all completely enthralled by his fascinating presentation about Byzantine Pilgrimage Art. His talk was clear, precise, to the point, and at some times even entertaining!

I don't think I've ever attended an art history lecture where the audience was so responsive. The presentation took an unexpected turn when he began discussing Elvis - but that was rather entertaining as well. All in all, I left the auditorium wishing I could have been a student of his...I also left with quite a solid foundational knowledge of the basic principles of Byzantine pilgrimage art, even after only 40 minutes.

The reception and preview following the talk were equally great (even though I made the mistake of going into the gallery first and THEN to the food... which left me with only three cubes of cheese!) The exhibit "Pilgrimage and Faith" was very well curated and it was truly fascinating to see the ways in which three separate and quite different religions all have pilgrimage in common.

I strongly encourage all of you to go see this exhibit! I'll definitely be going back soon to spend more time in the galleries!

The exhibit runs till May 20th, so don't miss out!

http://museums.richmond.edu/exhibitions/museum-of-art/pilgrimage-and-faith.html