What You'll Do: Feb. 26-28

By WYDaily Staff Friday, February 26, 2010

People, by the time this weekend is over we will be safely into March. That’s the month we usually get snow in the Virginia, by the way. If you were interested. (That is completely made up, although we do know snow has surprised us in February. Click here to immerse yourself in the history of Virginia’s Bad Weather, according to the state Department of Emergency Management.

Cool stuff for kids (and hot deals for parents) at the big co-op preschool sale
It’s that time again to get some great stuff for the kids while spending less and supporting the co-op preschool programs. Friday and Saturday are the days, St. Martin’s Episcopal Church is the place. Get all the details right here.

If you can hum the theme to Star Wars (and we know you’re doing it right now)
You do need to make plans for Saturday at the Kimball Theatre. That’s where the Williamsburg Symphonia will be for two shows - a real multimedia extravaganza with the Symphonia taking the audience to the movies. They’ll be playing the score to some favorite family movies while accompanied by the artwork of some talented local artists. Click here for details.

Black History Month wrapup
Many local venues have been hosting Black History Month programs during February. And since the end of February is this weekend, this is your last chance to partake of the special events (although most of the venues have integrated the black American experience into programming). Check the Talk of the town calendar for details about Colonial Williamsburg events and Jamestown Yorktown Foundation events.

The movie that could change the way you eat
This is quite a film, Food, Inc. The Unitarian Church is sponsoring its screening Friday at 7 p.m. The documentary film is based partly on a book we read recently, Michael Pollan’s “The Omnivore’s Dilemma,” which basically explains how everything we eat (unless we grow it ourselves) contains corn. The screening is free, but they’ll be accepting a freewill donation. Click here for details.

Funeral music never sounded so good
The man who gave us The Messiah, Handel, also wrote the Funeral Anthem for Queen Caroline – perhaps not a Handel piece that would roll off the tip of your tongue. But you can experience the anthem Friday from 8 to 9 p.m., as performed by the College of William and Mary Botetourt Chamber Singers. It’s at the Great Hall of the Christopher Wren Building on the College campus. This was rescheduled – click here for details.

Get beguiled by the wild
It’s at the Virginia Living Museum, a real treat of the artwork from the personal collection of VLM Executive Director Page Hayhurst. It’s the first exhibit of Charley Harper, a master illustrator and artist. Learn more right here.

Get in on the Virginia Arts Festival at Colonial Willamsburg
If you’ve waited till now to get on board with the Virginia Arts Festival’s first show at CW you may have regrets instead of  memories. The Pints and Dwarves event (a pairing of Irish food and ales, along with Celtic music from Poisoned Dwarf) Friday night at the Lodge is sold out, and the Kathy Mattea concerts on Saturday are nearing capacity. Make your plans now – click here to find out how.

Support the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Va. Peninsula
This is one of the good values that will make your heart feel good when it’s over: a benefit concert by the H.I.S. Big Band. It’s Saturday at 6:30 p.m. in the York High School auditorium and the music will cover all the bases – from gospel to jazz to country to big band. Just $10 gets you in. Click here for details.

The Gurleys return to the WRL for a concert
Father Bill and daughter Macon will  be at the Williamsburg Regional Library Theatre Saturday night at 7:30 for a concert featuring their “lush harmonies and hot picking.” They’ll be backed by jazz bass guitarist Jimmy Masters. Click here for details.

The Honey Dewdrops drop in at the Bena Country Store
Who are the Honey Dewdrops? Well, just the winners of A Prairie Home Companion’s “People in Their Twenties Talent Show” two years ago. We bet they’re even better now, and they’re just a short drive away from Williamsburg (even closer from Yorktown!) on Saturday night at the Bena Country Store & Almost Square Picture Framing. We love these multitasking businesses! Get all the details right here.

Not half as hard, just half as long – the 31st Annual Colonial Half Marathon and 5K
William and Mary Athletics sponsors its 31st Annual event, which takes off at the very reasonable hour of 1 p.m. Sunday. There is still time to register (and maybe get a jump on that New Year’s resolution to do a race like this). Click here for more.

Still time to tour the Air & Space Center for free
The Virginia Air & Space Center is hosting Neighborhood Appreciation Days where all Williamsburg, York County and Poquoson residents receive free exhibit admission to the Center through February 28. The free exhibit admission includes admission to the new traveling exhibit Animal Grossology, 10% off in the Imagination Station – One Stop Science Shop, 10% off in the Cosmic Café and $10 off a Family Membership. Williamsburg, York County and Poquoson residents must provide proof of residency. The Neighborhood Appreciation Days discount is not valid with any other discount or for IMAX films.