COMMENTARY: My Richmond ‘Bucket List’

As winter, if we can call it that,
marches on with spring nipping at its
heels and midterms on the horizon, for
many, the upcoming seasonal change
will bring more than just blooming
flowers and warmer weather.

For those who have filled out
their graduation applications and are
fashioning creative responses to the
inevitable questions inquiring about
their post-graduation plans, spring
might usher in a close to the Richmond
chapter of their lives.

With graduation on the horizon
(I’m keeping my fingers crossed, you
should, too), I’ve naturally become
more introspective about the time I’ve
spent in this city.

Richmond is an entity in itself, a
living creature that rarely sleeps – just
ask anyone who has ever lived on
“Hell Block” – and is in a constant
state of change. Hailing from Northern
Virginia, I am no stranger to residing
in a place where one can practically
choke on the inundation of culturally
enriching opportunities that are readily
available each day. Washington,
D.C. is a 10-minute drive from my
parents’ house and was often a “last
resort” for weekend plans.

Richmond, I’ve found, has just as
many opportunities – possibly more
– and with the invaluable asset that
most are within walking distance.

Only recently, upon really beginning
to take advantage of the resources
that Richmond provides, I realized that
a veritable to-do list was starting to
manifest. With the end to my, ahem,
five-year journey through college
rapidly approaching, the urgency of
my project was augmented. I immediately
was reminded of the movie “The
Bucket List,” starring Jack Nicholson
and Morgan Freeman. The movie,
released last month, chronicles two
men who escape from a cancer ward
to try and do everything on their life’s
wish-list before succumbing to their
terminal illnesses.

This is my “bucket list.” This list
isn’t comprehensive, nor is it solely
for those whose Richmond sojourn
is seeing its last days. It simply will
serve as a gentle weekly reminder to
all Richmonders to take advantage
of the artistic riches this city has to
offer and not to take for granted the
time in which we have to experience
them. Someone once aptly noted to
a friend that was thinking of seeing
“The Bucket List” that, although
probably humorous and heartfelt, the
movie almost certainly would end
sadly, given the nature of its subject
matter.

This “Richmond Bucket List” is
intended to do quite the opposite,
possibly ensuring that the day in
which you decide to embark finally on
that next chapter, that your suitcase
is full of souvenirs and your head is
full of fond, vivid memories of our
River City.

And now, in absolutely no order
.

See a movie at the Byrd
Theatre

Since its opening in 1928, the Byrd
Theatre has been one of Carytown’s
and Richmond’s main attractions.
The theater, which seats 1,400, has
an admission fee of only $1.99 for
afternoon and matinee shows and
usually shows a wide variety of popular
and independent movies. Special
events at the theater throughout the
year include a live Christmas show, a
ball drop on the roof on New Year’s
Eve and the French Film Festival in
the spring. Also, check out midnight
movies – “Fear and Loathing in Las
Vegas” was, personally, an amazing
experience.

The Byrd is located at 2908 W.
Cary St.

Go to a house show

Although many are unaware of it,
there is a huge, underground musical
faction in Richmond. A group of
individuals have opened their homes
to throngs of bands and strangers that
come to listen to them. Boasting names
like “Full Slurpee” and “Fortress of
Solid Dudes,” these homes – some of
which have been disbanded for one
reason or another – have hosted a
wide variety of genres. From screamo,
to punk, to hip-hop to acoustic sets,
there is something for everyone. Its
underground nature, although adding
to its intrigue, might prove a slight
disadvantage for some. Given that
loud, musical events are notoriously
not a favorite of the Richmond police,
shows are found on MySpace.com or
by word-of-mouth. My advice? Ask
around but don’t miss out.

Check out the music
department

VCU has a wealth of musical talent
and much of it can be found at 922 Park
Ave. The W.E. Singleton Center for the
Performing Arts hosts a different, free,
musical event almost daily. Junior and
senior recitals are common, especially
in the latter part of the semester, with
performances on a number of different
instruments offered. VCU’s
internationally renowned faculty, along
with ensembles such as the Symphony
Orchestra, two Jazz orchestras and the
Symphonic Wind Ensemble, provide
a chance to whet anyone’s musical
appetite. A daily calendar of events can
be found at http://www.pubinfo.vcu.
edu/artweb/music/index.html.

To be continued.