Artsline: Virtual Edition || June 22, 2020
"When the winds of change blow, some people build walls and others build windmills." ~Chinese Proverb
Times they are a-changing - especially in Virginia. As we move into the Commonwealth's Phase Two reopening during the COVID-19 pandemic, we have more opportunities to be with each other and enjoy all that our region has to offer in arts, performance, and culture. Dig into these new events - some online, some in person - and take caution to follow social distancing guidelines as you attend.
1. UNION FORUM: WHY DO RACIST SYMBOLS HAVE TO GO?
History
June 23, 7pm
Online
The removal of statues honoring Confederate heroes and Christopher Columbus, and the Confederate flag has long been viewed by some as an infringement upon freedom of speech and erasing history. But what happens when that same freedom of speech is not afforded equally to all? What does it mean for monuments and markers that bear witness to America’s tragic racial history to remain in public places and sacred spaces? How do these symbols continue to shape the identity of our national and local communities? Join Union Presbyterian Seminary as they seek answers from a panel of theological scholars, clergy, and journalists. This event is free, but registration is required.
2. MENDING WALLS, RVA
Visual Art
Ongoing
Throughout RVA
Donate your wall to Mending Walls! This initiative, created by local artists, pairs public artists from different cultures and backgrounds to create murals that address where our society is now and how to move forward. Mending Walls hopes to bring about healing through collaborative and connective public art while adding something meaningful to the conversation of Black Lives Matter. Go HEREto learn more about donating your wall and to be considered as a potential site for the Mending Walls project.
3. RVA VIRTUAL PRIDE EVENT & MARKET
Visual Art, Performance, Culture
June 27 & 28, 8am - 11:30pm
Online
RVA Virtual Pride Market is a shopping + awareness event to support, celebrate and promote the visibility of Richmond's LGBTQ+ makers, artists, small business owners, and organizations doing important work for the LGBTQ+ RVA community. This Artists market + Pride event is organized by and for folks who wish to celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride together in a safe way that specifically recognizes and honors the community's unique talents, creativity, diversity, and contributions.
4. A SANKOFA EXPERIENCE - CELEBRATING JUNETEENTH
History/Culture
June 24, 6pm
Richmond’s African Burial Ground, 1540 East Broad Street, Richmond, VA
Join We Stand Undivided in a Sankofa experience to commemorate Juneteenth, known as African American Independence Day. Originating from the Akan tribe of West Africa, “Sankofa” represents the importance of looking back to the past while standing in the present, which births the future. The program includes a remembrance of Juneteenth and the African Burial Ground, a water ritual to acknowledge the past in connection with the future, a time of listening in relationship with the land, and an opportunity to honor the ancestors within us. In consideration for the health and safety of others, they require everyone to social distance and wear a facial mask.
5. 4TH FRIDAY ART SHOWS AND OPENING RECEPTION
Visual Arts
June 26, 6pm
Art Works Richmond, 320 Hull St, Richmond, Virginia 23224
What’s happening this summer? Is it a dream? No, it’s real and times are changing. For the All Media exhibit, Art Works asked artists to record history, past, present, and project into the future. The theme is Midsummer Dream: Where I’ve Been, Where I Am, Where I’m Going. The gallery will hold a small reception for 50 guests from 6-7 pm, and 50 guests from 7-8pm. Registration is required to attend.
6. OUTDOOR DANCE CLASSES WITH RVA SWING
Dance
Tuesdays in June, 6pm & 7pm
Lakeside Farmers Market, 6106 Lakeside Ave, Henrico, VA
RVA Swing is excited to dance together again...at a safe social distance! They will be at the Lakeside Farmers Market Pavilion for some outdoor classes this June. Advance registration required. (No walk-ins.) At 6pm they offer Dance Fitness - a 45 minute class for all fitness levels, featuring 30 minutes of cardio dance, plus some strength training and stretching. And at 7pm they offer an All-Levels Jazz - Weekly Choreo where participants will learn a short piece of original choreography each week in this 45 minute class. No dance experience needed.
7. M AYMONT
Gardens/History
Daily, 10am - 7pm
Maymont, 1700 Hampton St, Richmond, VA
While indoor exhibits remain closed, Maymont’s outdoor parkland and gardens are open for fresh air, open spaces and natural beauty. They also have robust online offerings to experience the beauty, nature, and wildlife at Maymont from home - including live animal cams, downloadable craft projects, and virtual tours.
8. JUNE 2020 ONLINE WRITING SHOW: STARTING STRONG
Literary
June 24, 6pm
Online
A great book starts so strongly that it’s immediately un-put-downable. How do you pull in readers without exposition overload? Using personal and well-known examples, James River Writers brings panelists who will provide options and tips for writing, revising, and experimenting with poetry, prose, and structure to make those first pages grab your reader’s attention. $10 – Members; $12 Non-members ($5 for students). Registration for their online Writing Show closes on June 23.
9. SOUTH HILL BANKS (STREAMING) LIVE FROM THE BROADBERRY
Music
June 24, 8:30 pm
Online
Miss the stages? Miss the lights? Miss GOOD audio?!?! The Broadberry in RVA brings a FULL PRODUCTION live stream with South Hill Banks! This is a free, live-streaming event from The Broadberry in Richmond, VA with a multi-camera HD set up alongside full stage production and a full light show!
10. AGECROFT HALL HOUSE AND GARDEN TOURS
Architectural Arts/History
Thursdays - Sundays, noon-5pm
Agecroft Hall, 4305 Sulgrave Road, Richmond, VA
Agecroft Hall's gardens and house has reopened for tours! Tickets are $10/person, and are limited and timed, so to maintain social distancing requirements and to ensure the comfort and safety of all visitors. Discounts are available: Seniors (65+) and AAA members receive a 10% discount with the promo code AAA65, and families with children under the age of 10 receive a 20% discount with promo code FAMILY20.
11. PAINT THE LILIES
Visual Art
June 27, 9:30am
Don Bright’s Lily Farm, corner of Lucks Lane and Courthouse Road, North Chesterfield.
CALLING ALL ARTISTS! This Art for the Journey Plein Air painting event helps raise funds for deliveries of art supplies to incarcerated women, people living with dementia, veterans living with PTSD, and underserved school children. Come enjoy the beauty, paint the lilies, be socially distant, have fun, and help AFJ raise funds to transform lives through art! $25/artist - scholarships available.
If you are an arts or cultural organization with social-distance-safe events such as online classes, virtual exhibitions or concerts, or even book readings, submit your events to Artsline here. If you are an artist or an arts or cultural organization in need of resources and tools during the COVID-19 pandemic, check out the list of local and national resources from Richmond CultureWorks.
