There is so much going on this weekend, you’ll have no problem finding some fun things to do around town! Just take a peek at our suggestions on the best bets for weekend fun right here in W.Y.D, which stands for What You’ll Do, and see if you can come up with the perfect plan.
We pull these ideas off our community calendar, which you can find on the right side of WYDaily.com. Submitting to the calendar is free and easy, so make sure to add upcoming events for your group or organization.
This weekend there are lots of arts events going on, including the opening of the Virginia Shakespeare Festival’s summer season and a singing performance called “Sentirse.” There are a few food and drink events including Colonial Williamsburg’s Pints and Parings for beer lovers, some family and outdoor fun and lots more. Read on!
Film and Theater
It’s opening weekend for A Midsummer Night’s Dream, part of the Virginia Shakespeare Festival! This is Shakespeare’s most popular and most produced play. It’s all about passionate and petulant young lovers, the funniest band of bad actors to grace any stage, royal marriage, and the trickery of the weirdest bunch of forest folk you’ll ever see. All written down by the Bard to prove the play’s most famous line: Lord, what fools these mortals be. There are several showtimes and dates, so look at the calendar to get specifics.
Thursdays, head to the Williamsburg Regional Library for free films! This month is request month, and the flick you’ll see this week is “The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer,” (1947). The plot features a playboy artist (Cary Grant) who is forced to go on a series of disastrous dates with the teenage sister (Shirley Temple) of a stern judge (Myrna Loy). It’s an enjoyable slapstick comedy, and if you’re looking for more information, visit our calendar.
Head down to the Peninsula Fine Arts Center to see “Ai WeiWei: Never Sorry,” a 2012 documentary feature about Chinese contemporary artist Ai WeiWei. The film, which received the 2012 Sundance Film Festival special jury prize, follows the artist as he is labeled a dissident and detained by the Chinese government for 81 days. WeiWei recently designed the June 17 cover of Time Magazine, and his work is currently exhibited at the Venice Biennale. The event will feature poetry from local writers, followed by the screening at 7 p.m. Popcorn is free and wine will be available for purchase – you’ll need to look at the calendar for more information.
Music
“Sentirse”, an evening of music sung by leading classical artists, is coming Friday evening to the Williamsburg Library Theatre. “Sentirse” is Spanish for “to feel.” Music performed by contralto Jennifer Hines and baritone Jose Sacin. The intimate, romantic portrayal of captivating and seductive Spanish, Broadway and operatic songs will be accompanied by Spanish guitar and piano. The calendar has showtime and ticket information.
It’s that time of year again – time for Yorktown’s Shagging on the Riverwalk Concert Series! This Thursday, the fun continues with live beach music by the river. Bring your blankets and chairs, and the whole family. Check out the calendar to get details.
History Happenings
Come by Historic Jamestowne on Saturday and meet Don Diego de Molina, a Spanish commander and an alleged Spanish spy who was captured near a Virginia Fort in 1611. In June that year, a Spanish warship anchored near the English Fort Algernon at Point Comfort near the mouth of the James River. When Don Diego de Molina and two of his crew stepped ashore, they were surrounded by 50 Englishmen and marched off as prisoners. Some of the details we know today about life in the fort come from reports Molina smuggled out of the colony and back to Spain. Check out the calendar to get details.
Family Fun
The Virginia Institute of Marine Science is hosting Inside to Seaside, a hands-on program that gives families an up-close look at animals that live in Chesapeake Bay through a visit to the VIMS Visitor Center followed by an educational collecting and seining adventure. Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult. There is no charge, but reservations are required. The calendar has details.
Join the Virginia Living Museum for Bare Bones Day on Saturday, a fun-filled day devoted to exploring bones smaller than your little fingernail, larger than your leg and all other kinds, shapes and sizes. Explore Riverside’s interactive family health display and get your bones checked by Orthopaedic & Spine Center’s bone density machine. Kids can check out the Backpack Weighing Station by Tidewater Physical Therapy. The event is included in museum admission; get details on our calendar.
Join Yankee Candle Village in Williamsburg on Saturday as they celebrate the grand opening of The Reading Zoo with a miniature farm animal petting zoo, story time with Mrs. Claus and a coloring contest judged by Santa. Here’s the calendar link.
Festivals and Outdoor Goings-On
Friday evening, join in the fun with James River Family FANATICS Summer Kick-Off event! There will be games, crafts, racquetball, board games, snacks and more. Pre-registration is recommended, but not required – check the calendar to find out more.
Fundraisers
Party on the Pier will be held at Jamestown Settlement from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday (WYDaily, 92.3 the Tide and 107.9 Bach FM are some of the several event sponsors). Proceeds will benefit educational programs of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation and its museums, Jamestown Settlement and the Yorktown Victory Center. Slapnationwill play live music, and guests can see views of a James River sunset while enjoying a full barbecue dinner by Beach Bully BBQ of Virginia Beach. The Susan Constant will be open for guests to board, and costumed historical interpreters will be on hand. Tickets sold on the day of the event are $25 for adults and $10 for children 3 to 12. Chairs and blankets are welcome; coolers are not permitted.
Food and Drink
Join Williamsburg Lodge Executive Chef Anthony Frank and his colleague Ken Clasen in Pints and Pairings on Saturday, as they present beers from around the world with pairings that enhance their flavors. Pints and Pairings take place from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Williamsburg Lodge, 310 S. England St. Tickets are $45.50, including tax and gratuity, and are required – call 220-7976 for reservations. More information about Pints and Pairings can be found at colonialwilliamsburg.com.
La Tienda is hosting a Spanish history walk and reception on Thursday. Jamestown Rediscovery staff will lead visitors through the James Fort site and reveal the hidden story of the Spanish at Jamestown during a special walking tour. Afterwards guests will gather for a reception at the La Tienda Retail Store to savor this intriguing story and explore authentic tastes from Spain, including fresh tapas and wines. The event is $45 per person. Visit the La Tienda website for more information.
Don’t forget to try out Busch Gardens’ Food and Wine Festival before it’s gone for good! It runs on Friday through Sunday and this is the last weekend, so if you haven’t gone yet – hop to it! You can get delicious, gourmet foods that the park doesn’t usually serve, along with beer and wine. Here’s the calendar link with details.
Don’t Forget the Farmer’s Markets!
Toano Farmers Market is open year round on Saturdays and features Bob’s Sausage Company, Rainbow Eggs, Heidi’s Home Grown, plus a bunch of produce vendors. It’s at the corner of Forge and Richmond Roads in Toano from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday.
Yorktown Market Days takes place along the waterfront at Riverwalk Landing from 8 a.m. to noon each Saturday, too. It features seasonal fruits and vegetables along with fresh seafood, eggs, poultry, beef and pork, fresh bread, cheese, baked goods, peanuts, organic and gluten free products, coffee, art, live music and much more.
The Williamsburg Farmer’s Market is also going on Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon on Duke of Gloucester Street. You’ll find all kinds of scrumptious produce as well as other gourmet and fresh-from-the-farm foods.
Odds and Ends
Renowned designer and folk artist Jim Shore, whose work includes the popular Heartwood Creek and Disney Traditions collections from Enesco, will make an exclusive personal appearance at Yankee Candle Village on Sunday. Jim Shore is known for his unique and innovative artistry based on elements found in American folk art and quilting. This visit is part of a coast-to-coast tour – check the calendar to find out when to stop by!
Thursday is Open Mic Night at Aroma’s – show off your talent! Here’s the calendar link with details.
Thursday night is also when the Science Fiction and Fantasy book club meets at the College of William & Mary Bookstore. Anyone is invited to attend; check out the calendar to get more information.
At 9 a.m. Saturday, you can join Helen Hamilton on a plant walk to see local aquatic wildflowers and grasses. Participants should meet at College Landing Park, 2100 South Henry Street. For information and to register call (757) 564-4494 or email [email protected]. The walk is sponsored by the John Clayton Chapter of the Virginia Native Plant Society.
