Artsline: Virtual Edition || August 24, 2020
“Nobody is bored when he is trying to make something that is beautiful, or to discover something that is true.” ~William Inge
For many of us, 2020 has become a time soup - days blending into months and now the summer is nearly over. The RVA creative community hasn’t been boring by any stretch, and our local arts and culture groups have offered us wonderful performances, exhibits, and experiences for our region to enjoy safely. If you are feeling the end-of-summer doldrums, there are plenty of great ways to find fun while at the same time supporting local art. Here are just a few.
1. THE ZOMBIE MONOLOGUES
Theatre
August 19-30, 4pm release
Online
Firehouse Theatre presents the ZOMBIE monologues, a fully virtual prequel to their postponed world premiere of Chris Gavaler's THE ZOMBIE LIFE. Monologues premieres at 4pm each day. View new and previous monologues at Firehouse’s YouTube channel or on their Facebook page.
2. CORA ARMSTRONG FOR 2020 FESTIVAL OF ARTS
Music
August 28, 7pm
Online
Join Richmond Parks and Recreation for the 2020 Festival of Arts VIRTUALLY! Tune in on the Festival of the Arts Facebook page for a bonus performance from Cora Armstrong.
3. INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE DAY!
Literary Arts
August 29, 9:30am-7:30pm
$5/virtual access
Online
Spend Independent Bookstore Day online with Fountain Bookstore! Tickets are $5, which includes all-day virtual event access to multiple programs and $5 one-time coupon code for use on Fountain Bookstore’s website. Check out the SCHEDULE of events for the day and go HERE for tickets.
4. OPEN AIR OPEN MIC: POETRY NIGHT
Spoken Word
August 28, 7pm
Cafe Zata, 700 Bainbridge St., Richmond, VA 23224
River City Poets’ Poetry night returns on 4th Fridays at the Cafe Zata patio in Manchester. No language or theme restriction and new voices are always welcome! Masks will be required except when at the mic (or actively eating/drinking), and social distancing will be enforced at all times. Go HERE to learn more about signing up to read/perform.
5. KDENTSTV SUMMER PALOOZA MUSIC FESTIVAL
Music
August 28-30, 10am-10pm
Online
Making music this summer? Cadence Theatre Company wants to hear it and SEE it. Submit your original music video or at home performance for inclusion in the Summer Palooza Music Festival, airing August 28 through 30, on KdentsTV and Cadence’s social media channels. Entrants are eligible to win cash prizes and the grand prize winner will receive an opportunity to spend two hours of in-studio time with an engineer at Red Amp Audio. Categories will be juried by Marna Bales and Jody Boyd, owners of Red Amp Audio, and David "Sully" Sullivan. High school musicians, up to rising college freshmen, are invited to submit. Everyone is invited to tune in. Go HERE for submission and eligibility requirements.
6. THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR IN CHESTERFIELD COUNTY
History
August 28, 7pm
Lecture Free with $20 Admission
Henricus Church, 251 Henricus Park Road, Chester, VA 23836
Chesterfield County was invaded by two different British armies in 1781. The first in April was by a combined force led by British generals Benedict Arnold and William Phillips. The second was by Lord Cornwallis and his veteran army coming from the Carolinas. In each incursion the results were devastating, as eastern Chesterfield was burned, robbed, and destroyed. For the civilian population, it was the ultimate in terror. Henricus presents a glimpse into those relatively little-known incidents. Space is limited. Please check HERE for social distancing guidelines. TICKETS available online only.
7. RAKU FRIDAYS
Visual Art
August 28, 5:00pm
$25 for the class - see below for extra fees
Visual Arts Center of Richmond, 1812 W Main St, Richmond, VA 23220
Head over to VisArts' courtyard for Raku Fridays in August, where you can learn raku pottery firing—an exciting approach to pottery surface design! Participants will glaze their pieces, help load them into the kiln, grab a beer or snack across the street, then return to enjoy the campfire-like atmosphere with friends on their back patio. Outdoor wheel throwing demos available while pots are in the kiln. Bring your own piece of pottery to fire or buy a piece to fire from VisArts for $5. Bring extra pieces in case there's more kiln space and pay an extra $5 to fire them. See firing specs and register HERE and check out social distancing guidelines on their WEBSITE.
8. 4TH FRIDAY ART SHOWS AND OPENING RECEPTION
Visual Art
August 28, 6pm & 7pm
Art Works, 320 Hull St, Richmond, VA 23224
It’s August and the dogs are back for the Dog Days of Summer. With two new exhibits: Passion Passage by Joe DeIulio and Intersection by Sharon Denmark, Art Works raises funds for FURS, a local animal shelter. Bring your dog to show-off and compete for prizes like best-tail wagger, most friendly and, most debonair. Look forward to live music, doggie treats, and free parking. Don’t forget to wear your face mask. You must REGISTER to attend this free event.
9. ARTISAN MAKER'S MARKET AT BRAMBLY PARK
Visual Arts/Music
August 30, 12pm
Brambly Park, 1708 Belleville Street, Richmond, VA 23230
Artisan Events presents The Artisan Maker's Market at Brambly Park. A fun, outdoor event for the whole family, including fur-children, with music, food, wine, & local artists and makers selling handmade items.
10. CHALK ART PARTY
Visual Art
August 29, 1pm
17th Street Market, 100 N. 17th Street Richmond, VA
17th Street Market wants you to bring some color to Shockoe Bottom! They will provide chalk and you bring the art. Please be mindful of social distancing and every child who wishes to participate must RSVP.
11. BEYOND BACH
Music
August 30, 4pm
Online
The Garth Newel Music Center presents Johnny Come Kiss Me Now from the Playford Division Book, featuring Francis Yun on harpsichord.
12. AUGUST - OCTOBER GALLERY EXHIBITIONS
Visual Art
August 30, 7pm
Online
A virtual opening for Artspace exhibitions from Cristin Millett, "Coronal Plane," Lisa DeLoria Weinblatt, "As We Are,” and Artspace Artist Members, "Needs and Wants," live-streamed from the Artspace Facebook page. The public is invited to visit in person beginning September 3rd. Check HERE for hours and social distancing protocol.
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.
