Artsline: Virtual Edition || October 26, 2020
“October, tuck tiny candy bars in my pockets and carve my smile into a thousand pumpkins.” ~Rainbow Rowell
Staying safe during the pandemic doesn’t mean we have to give up on our Halloween fun! Several arts and culture organizations - as well as museums and historic parks - have put together a spooky good time for the week of All Hallows. And if you want more than skeletons and jack-o-lanterns, you will find music and galleries that provide a deep dive into our local art scene. Enjoy!
1. CHRIS HESTER: A NIGHTMARE ON ALTAMONT AVENUE
Theatre, Music
October 30-31, 8pm
Richmond Triangle Players at the Robert B. Moss Theatre, 1300 Altamont Avenue, Richmond, 23230
$10-$30
Chris Hester returns to the Richmond Triangle Players’ stage for a hair-raising cabaret performance. Let the ghoul times roll! This limited run will feature a reduced capacity of 27 seats per performance, in accordance with CDC guidelines. A streaming version will also be available. Reserve your tickets now.
2. POE MUSEUM OPEN AFTER HOURS
Literary Arts
October 29, 5pm
The Poe Museum, 1914 E Main Street Richmond, 23223
$7-$9 admission
Come see The Poe Museum in the evening! They have extended hours of 5pm to 9pm, but will still follow COVID-19 Visiting Procedures, including timed entries to the exhibits filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Any youth visiting will receive a special ghoulish goodie! Get tickets online.
3. SHE KILLS MONSTERS: VIRTUAL REALMS
Theatre
October 28 - November 6, 7:30pm
Online
$4.99 - $25
VCUTheatre presents She Kills Monsters: Virtual Realms which follows Agnes Evans, a high schooler in Ohio who thinks of herself as the world’s most average teenager—until her little sister, Tilly, suddenly dies. Agnes finds Tilly’s Dungeons and Dragons notebook and decides to play the campaign her sister created, learning more about her sister than she could have in real life. Playwright Qui Nguyen approaches the relationship and loss between these two sisters with a light, comedic voice that leaves you mostly laughing, but sometimes in tears. In this drama-comedy filled with D&D monsters and high school friends and bullies, Nguyen pays homage to the warrior and geek in us all. Purchase tickets online for these virtual performances.
4. MEMORIES & INSPIRATION IN ART COLLECTING: A CONVERSATION
Visual Art
October 26, 5pm
Online
University of Richmond Museums presents a conversation about art collecting with University of Richmond President Ronald Crutcher, Dr. Betty Neal Crutcher, and Atlanta-based couple Mr. and Mrs. Kerry Davis.
5. OPERA UNDER THE GAZEBO
Music
October 26, 5:30pm
The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen, 2880 Mountain Road, Glen Allen, 23060
Join Virginia Opera’s Stayin’ Alive artists at The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen for Opera under the Gazebo, featuring opera arias, Broadway favorites, and more, sung by soprano Symone Harcum, mezzo-soprano Whitney Robinson, baritone Nicholas Martorano, and bass-baritone Eric McConnell.
6. MOVIE MYTHBUSTING: ABRAHAM LINCOLN, VAMPIRE HUNTER
Film
October 27, 7pm
Online
The Virginia Museum of History and Culture presents an online, interactive conversation, myth-busting the 2012 film Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter. Watch the film in advance, whenever or however works best for you, and then log into a Zoom presentation where a museum expert will chat about what’s true, what’s not (hint: it’s the vampires), and make some interesting connections to the museum’s collection. Feel free to fill out the optional worksheet (emailed out day of the program) to get a sneak peek of our discussion. Tickets are free but you must register to participate.
7. ATLANTIC UNION BANK LOLLIPOPS: DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS
Music, Dance
October 31, 11am
Online and at at The Carpenter Theatre at the Dominion Energy Center, 600 E. Grace Street, Richmond, 23219
$0-$10 online, $10-$48 in person
The Richmond Symphony will celebrate the Mexican holiday Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) by performing works honoring the tradition, in collaboration with a performance by the Latin Ballet of Virginia. The concert will be presented in both English and Spanish. This is a family friendly event! Tickets available for purchase to the livestream and in-person options.
8. ROSA D. BOWSER: VIRGINIA PROFILES IN COURAGE, LEADERSHIP, AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
History
October 27, 5:30pm
Online
The Richmond Public Library presents an opportunity to learn more about the life and work of civic leader and educator, Rosa L. Dixon Bowser in this engaging lecture by public historian and author, Elvatrice Belsches. Registration for this free virtual event is required.
9. THE CAMPAIGN FOR WOMAN SUFFRAGE IN VIRGINIA
Literary Arts, History
October 29, noon
Online
The Library of Virginia celebrates the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment by presenting a talk with the authors of The Campaign for Woman Suffrage in Virginia, a new book that explores the remarkable achievements of women who fought for the right to vote in the Commonwealth. Brent Tarter, Marianne E. Julienne, and Barbara Batson—whose research unearthed new information and discovered women who have never before appeared in history books—are also the curators of the Library of Virginia’s exhibition We Demand: Women’s Suffrage in Virginia, running through May 28, 2021 at the Library of Virginia. You must register to participate.
10. HAXAN: WITCHCRAFT THROUGH THE AGES
History
October 30, 6:30pm
Henricus Historical Park, 251 Henricus Park Road, Chester, 23836
$5-15
Henricus Historical Park offers a unique, creepy, and disturbing silent film for outside viewing to start All Hallows weekend. Haxan: Witchcraft Through the Ages is a 1922 silent docudrama exploring the history of witchcraft, demonology and satanism. It shows representations of evil in a variety of ancient and medieval artworks, offers vignettes illustrating several superstitious practices and presents a narrative about the persecution of a woman accused of witchcraft. From pagan worship to satanic rites to hysteria, the film takes you on a journey through the ages with highly effective visual sequences. Henricus offers a lecture beforehand to address the historical perspectives and topics related to this movie and those attending have first choice on seating. Not intended for children under 16. Purchase tickets online.
11. ARCHITECTURE IN DIALOGUE: COMMUNITY NEEDS AND REVITALIZATION IN RICHMOND’S EAST END - THE KITCHENS AT REYNOLDS
Architectural Arts, History
October 28, 6:30pm
Online
Richmond’s East End consists of the city’s oldest neighborhoods, as well as some of its most under-resourced. A multi-partner revitalization initiative seeks to address the issues of poverty, social justice, and access to healthy food, education, and opportunity that have impacted the area for decades. The Branch Museum of Architecture and Design offers this webinar, wherein panelists will discuss how these community needs led to the recent completion of one part of the initiative, The Kitchens at Reynolds. This is a free event, but you must register to participate.
12. HOLLYWOOD CEMETERY HIKE
History, Culture
November 1, 10am
Belle Isle Pedestrian Bridge, Tredegar Street, Richmond, 23219
The Central Virginia Trailblazers offer an easy 2-3 mile unguided and informal walk through Oregon Hill and historic Hollywood Cemetery. With stunning views, the cemetery overlooks the James River and serves as the final resting place of two American presidents, six Virginia governors, two Supreme Court justices, 22 Confederate generals, and thousands of Confederate soldiers. Hollywood’s paths wind through 135 acres of valleys, over hills, and beneath stately trees of natural beauty and tranquility. This is a free event but you must register. Donations accepted.
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.
