What You'll Do: Jan. 26-29

By Kim Lenz Thursday, January 26, 2012

It's not even February and there's so much to do. We thought January was a grace period for activity as we settle down from the holidays and into our self-improvement routines (it is a new year, right?)

Should you find yourself wondering where we find all this great stuff to do – or maybe even why your fabulous, don’t-miss-it event isn’t listed - here’s the answer: We rely on our calendar (it’s called Talk of the Town, and it’s on the right-hand side of the WYDaily.com homepage) for our best bets. All are welcome to post their events on it, for free. So use it, please, and for events happening this weekend please share them below in the comments. To the weekend!

You’ve read “The Help,” now talk about it
Stimulated by the powerful book and movie “The Help,” this event Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Williamsburg Regional Library Theatre continues the work of All Together to bring together the people of the Greater Williamsburg area across racial, ethnic and cultural lines. All Together encourages neighbors to communicate and engage in activities that foster unity, inclusiveness and equal opportunity, and thereby, to improve the quality of life of all people. The event is free and open to the public. Reading the book and/or seeing the movie are NOT prerequisites to participate. Christine Jordan, Chon Glover, Hermine Pinson, John Marsh, Leslie Revilock  and Barbara Watson created the program for the event. Click here for details.

Whole lotta shaking going on
Join W&M geology professor Chuck Bailey for an After Hours lecture as he explores the nature and history of earthquakes in Virginia and the probability of future temblors. His talk is called “Earthquakes in Virginia: Past, present, and future” and you can hear it at 7 p.m. Thursday at Watermens Hall at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, just across the bridge at Gloucester Point. Click here for more information about this free event.

Fundraisers, and the good people having them
Williamsburg Moose Lodge – The Order of the Moose is having a spaghetti dinner and line dance Friday night to raise funds for a new building on Riverview Road. Cost for dinner and dancing for adults is just $15, with discounts for young children. Click here for more info.

Norge School Wolfgang Relay for Life – The Relay folks are having a big yard sale and bake sale Saturday at the school. They’ll have booths to rent, stuff to buy and lots of fun guaranteed, so head over starting at 8 a.m. Click here for details, including a map that will get you there.

Hospice House – Enjoy the annual Hospice House fundraiser, An Elegant Culinary Affair, Sunday at 6 p.m. at Kingsmill Resort and Spa. The black-tie event features a meal prepared by the area’s top chefs: Chef Travis Brust - The Williamsburg Inn, Chef Thomas Power, Jr. - Fat Canary, Chef David Everett - Blue Talon Bistro, Chef Daniel Ibid - Le Yaca, Chef Hans Schadler - Waypoint Seafood & Grill, and Chef Uwe Schluszas - Kingsmill Resort & Spa. Plus, after dinner you’ll be able to dance to the Smith-Wade Band. Tickets are $150 apiece and must be purchased in advance. Click here for more info.

Williamsburg Women’s Chorus to rehearse
Catch the sounds of the wonderful Williamsburg Women’s Chorus on Thursday morning as they rehearse selections from Baroque to Broadway. They’ll begin at 9:45 a.m. at the Bruton Parish House. Within the chorus, a small ensemble appears locally and during chorus concerts. The Choraliers have developed a wide variety of performance styles to suit the many venues where they sing. The Chorus and Choraliers are sustained by membership dues, public donations, grants, program ad sales, and ticket sales. You’ll see them in special performances locally and afar. All interested women who sing are invited. Click here for details.

Experience life at James Fort
Meet Anas Todkill and learn about his experiences as one of the first English settlers at Jamestown during this family-friendly program at the Voorhees Archaearium at Historic Jamestowne. Todkill will provide opportunities to explore many unique objects such as arms and armor, ceramics, tools, and trade items that were important to a settler’s survival. With Todkill as a guide, learn about explorations of the area, the settler’s relationships with the new world and the Virginia Indians who lived in it. This program is presented by Historic Jamestowne and the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. Click here for details.

Walsingham is on TV
Tune in Thursday at 11 a.m. to The Hampton Roads Show on WAVY-TV10 and you’ll see Walsingham Academy's student audience and meet Walsingham's President Sister Mary Jeanne Oesterle, along with Walsingham's family owned restaurateur, Mickey Chohany of Second Street Bistro and Executive Chef Chris Long, who will be cooking up his specialty. The show is a kick-off to the school’s  “A Taste of Walsingham Open House” this Sunday from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Click here for more info.

The play’s the thing
Hampton Roads Academy presents Alice in Wonderland, Jr. this weekend at the Svein J. Lassen Auditorium. Showtimes are: 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, . Admission is $10 for adults; $5 for students. Click here for directions.

Learn how to shoot (pictures of) wildlife
Ever wonder how some photographers manage to get the perfect shots of waterfowl? Join a York River State Park ranger and staff photographer Saturday morning at 8 for a trip to waterfowl habitats along Taskinas Creek and the York River. Some of the species found here include buffleheads, canvasbacks, golden eyes, and mallards. Don’t be surprised to see adult and juvenile bald eagles as well. The walk will begin at Croaker Landing. There’s no charge for the walks and tips; just a $3 entry fee to the park. Click here for more info.

 

Get a taste of Walsingham
Visit a Taste of Walsingham on Sunday from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. to learn the school’s “recipe for success.” During this unique Open House experience you’ll learn all about Walsingham Academy's pre-Kindergarten through 12th-grade programs while you enjoy tasty foods that complement each grade’s curriculum. Visit the classrooms, meet the faculty and savor the possibilities at Walsingham Academy, where staff will nourish their minds and hearts, quench their thirst for knowledge and savor the possibilities. Click here for details.

What is Montessori?
It’s the time of year when families are considering options for the school year that begins in the fall. For those who may have heard about Montessori but aren’t quite sure what it is, there’s an informational session Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m. at Williamsburg Montessori. The Williamsburg Montessori School is an independent school dedicated to creating confident, self-reliant and self-motivated children from toddlers to adolescents who are prepared for the adventure of life. Click here for details.

It’s a bellydancing Sunday
American Tribal Style Bellydance, known as ATS, is hosting its first quarterly ATS Faire from 2 to 6 p.m. in Hampton. The Faire attracts dancers from all over who love to dance, dance and dance some more. Cost is $5 and dancers of all abilities are invited. Click here for more info, including links to the Angora Tribal website to learn more about the art of bellydance.

Get on your bikes and ride
Put your bicycle-riding skills to the test Saturday at 10 a.m. with the Eastern Virginia Mountain Bike Association on a group ride on some of the most challenging trails east of the Blue Ridge, which are located in York River State Park. Marl Ravine passes through a rare shell-marl habitat and is a favorite of experienced competition and weekend riders. Beginner and intermediate riders can build their abilities on Laurel Glen and the new Bobcat Run trails. The EVMA is instrumental in maintaining our bike trails and promoting fun and safety in the sport. Visit their website http://www.evma.org for more biking opportunities. Click here for details about Saturday morning’s ride.

Jazz vespers at Williamsburg United Methodist
The second annual Jazz Vespers honors Black History Month. This event – on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. at Williamsburg United Methodist Church - will feature the Harris Simon Trio and pay tribute to hymns and songs that represent the history and spirit of the African American hymn tradition. Senior pastor Bill Jones will preach at this event, which is free and open to the public. Click here for info.