Richmond Magazine’s annual Best/Worst of Richmond has been on the newstands for a little bit and I finally got around to getting a copy.  Nice to see the following H&H representatives getting some kudos from fellow Richmonders.

• Kathy Graziano was voted Future Mayor and tied for first as Best Local Public Servant.
• Barry Bless was a Staff Pick by Harry Kollatz Jr. for “making Richmond a happier place”.  Accordion artist extraordinaire, Bless is the driving force behind Happy Lucky Combo, which is just one of his many musical efforts.
• Mexico took Best Mexican restaurant. Joe’s Inn was Best Neighborhood Restaurant with O’Toole’s coming in second.
• Plaza Bowl was voted Best Bowling Alley.
• Legend Brewing came in 2nd for Best Outdoor View losing justifiably to The Boathouse. Why aren’t there more restaurants or bars with river views?
• Blanchard’s Coffee while not directly a winner is the coffee served at The Best Local Coffee, Ellwoods Cafe and Crossroads was 2nd.
• Lastly, I am proud to say that Hills and Heights placed second in the Neighborhood Blog Category.

Thanks to all those that voted for our little blog and congrats to other local winners. Buy the magazine to check out some more Southbank & Southside winners that I didn’t cover, such as chains, Stony Point Fashion Park, Martin’s/Ukrop’s and far Southside.

Cost is $5 at Plaza Bowl 523 E Southside Plaza show starts around 8 p.m.

From the Plaza Bowl Duckpin Bowling Facebook Page; We have a fun Summer Bowling League starting this thurs night May 27th at 7pm-10pm the league runs for 10 weeks, we still need a few more teams of 3 people or just some individuals to fill in some teams. So if you want to join just show up this thurs about 6:30pm.

I thought this show would be sold out but just got word that they do have tickets available. I don’t get out to shows as much as I wish but we have a sitter and will be hitting the Plaza Bowl tonight. I recommend you do the same. Tickets are $12 at the door. Check out their song Camel Walk

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The owner of Plaza Bowl is opening his doors to allow a fund raising/awareness event to benefit Ring Dog Rescue! We’ll have live local bands donating their time and talent to the cause as well as bowling, dogs!!!!, beer, delicious concession food, and some enticing giveaways! Bands include: Microjoy – The Nervous Ticks – One Friend and perhaps even some surprises.

What is Ring Dog Rescue?

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A sample of their music and remember it don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing.

I am a big fan of Plaza Bowl and happy to see Richmond BizSense.com ask them some questions. They say there is a slideshow but I can’t see it in my browser.

RBS: What’s your goal for Plaza Bowl?

JS: The facility itself is pretty old, so we’ll continue to upgrade fixtures. The first thing I did when I came in was improve the reliability of the machinery. I purchased used parts so I can keep the machines going. The lanes need some improvement — they’re kind of at the end of their life span. I want to give it a newer look, a cleaner look.

I like that it’s old, as long as I can keep it clean. The problem is when you get into seating that’s old, it’s going to show some wear — no matter how much you scrub it, it does look old. Most people that come in here like it, and get it, but some people, they’re used to several-million-dollar facilities. They’re going to build another big pin house a couple miles from here. I think it’s going to cost $70 million or something.

Show starts at 8:00 and I am hearing from Facebook that it is an all ages show. Sorry I don’t have ticket price information. I will be enjoying New Year’s Eve at Chez Couch featuring the wonderful band Cable TV.

Snow is not powerful enough to stop Rock and Roll. The show planned for tonight is still going to happen (or at least that is what I am being told). The band that shall be rocking are: – Emily Stine Band – View From the Top – Reid Madgette. Show starts at 8:00. Enjoy. I’ll be staying home for this one.

Richmond is in for a treat as Shonen Knife plays at Plaza Bowl. This band is great and you’re not going to find a band like them in RVA. Go to this show. Also playing but under my radar (doesn’t take much) Hex Machine, Hot Lava, and Jeff the Brotherhood. Show starts at 8 p.m. and is all ages. Bonus Shonen Knife video

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also performing will be EL PRESIDENTE and SYNVIOUS. I don’t have the ticket price.

Many folks (myself included) see a run down strip mall when they go past Southside Plaza but that may not be the whole story. Today’s Style Weekly has a different viewpoint. The main focus is the grocery store Farmer’s Foods and manager Rodney Saunders.

Saunders brought back the shuttle service for which Community Pride was known — spend at least $40 and get a ride home — and he passed out flyers to get the community to come back. It didn’t take long. “The secret is catering to the lower-class people,” Saunders says, meaning the mostly lower-income households that make up the surrounding neighborhoods. “You have to be a neighbor.” So far it’s worked: The store’s been profitable for three years, Saunders says, and sales this year have increased 15 percent despite an economic recession.

Success is not limited to Farmer’s Foods.

The out-parcels are healthy, too, including a renovated Radio Shack and a high-performing McDonald’s. Even the old duckpin bowling alley, Plaza Bowl, has seen a revival of late, becoming a popular live music venue.

Check out the full article for a closer analysis of this success.

I know Plaza Bowl will have prizes, candy, music and beer but I don’t know the price of admission.

The music at Plaza Bowl starts at 9:00 roughly. Bowling cost extra, support the Southside music scene.

Boneanchor formerly known as Frog Legs will be rocking out the Plaza Bowl tonight. Show starts at 8:00 and will set you back a 5 spot.

The Richmond Roots Music Sessions is a week of live music around the city in celebration of the upcoming Richmond Folk Festival. There are two Roots Music Sessions in the Hills and Heights area.

Sunday – October 4 – 5:00 pm Legend Brewing will host Eden and John’s East River String Band old timey blues duo from NYC with Slack Family a local bluegrass band.

Tuesday – October 6 – 7:30 pm Plaza Bowl will feature Jesse Lege a cajun dance band with Gypsy Roots bringing you django Jazz and gypsy music. Horo a bulgarian dance troop will also perform.

It will cost you $10 at the door and there will be a drawing at each show to win 2 VIP passes for VIP tent access and backstage access throughout the festival, 1 RFF t-Shirt, 1 RFF hat. All Locations and Artists

Plazabowl is at 521 East Southside Plaza and the duckpin bowling is extra. I haven’t made it out there in awhile due to conflicts but highly recommend you check it out.

Cities for Small Towns, Nakatomi Plaza, Marionette and Landmines at Plaza Bowl $5.

From Community Chest RVA:

Now if you’re looking for gritty, raw, honest, and OH SO libertarian comedy you’ll want to see Doug Stanhope on August 13th. If the name sounds familiar it is, he took over the Man Show after Adam Corolla left and has been on HBO and Comedy Central on numerous occasions. Doug’s return to Richmond has been much anticipated considering every corporate comedy club in America has banned him from returning including the Funny Bone in Richmond! He’s quoted as saying that “The Funny Bone are to comedy what Olive Garden is to authentic Italian food.”
That’s probably why you’re only gonna see Doug’s unapologetic show at Plaza Bowl. Tickets are still available you can find them HERE.

This description is from Community Chest RVA:
Grupo Fantasma – is a GRAMMY nominated band hailing from Austin TX. This is truly the type of band you’d never expect to see in a bowling alley. They are a 10 piece symphony of a band that we are all very excited to host. Please check out what local free publication STYLE WEEKLY had to say: Grupo Fantasma at Plaza Bowl, July 29 You danced to them beneath the tent at the Richmond Folk Festival. Now let this 11-piece Latin funk orchestra from Austin, Texas, put a shimmy in your duckpin bowling stroke. As Jesus Quintana sayeth in The Big Lebowski‚ Wooo! You gotta date Wednesday, baby!

Listen to some samples here.