ARTSLINE: VIRTUAL EDITION || NOVEMBER 23, 2020
“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them.” ~President John F. Kennedy, Thanksgiving Day Proclamation, 1963
Thanksgiving is here at last. And while this year our celebrations may look different and may have fewer people around the table, there is still much to be thankful for. Let us offer appreciation for our arts and culture community and the way they found ways to connect with us throughout the year. During the holiday, reach out and explore - online or in a socially-distanced way - the many fun experiences that are popping up in our region. Here are just a few opportunities for Thanksgiving - and for the holiday season just beyond.
MOVIE MYTHBUSTING: THANKSGIVING EDITION
History, Film
November 24, 7pm
Online
For this special Thanksgiving edition of Movie Mythbusting, the Virginia Museum of History and Culture Education team will mythbust some misconceptions and share fun facts about the history of Thanksgiving. Tune in to the pre-recorded premiere on VMHC’s YouTube channel, or watch with friends and family whenever works for you over the holidays! Then, the VMHC recommends that you take a look at the PBS documentary, The True Story of the First Thanksgiving. No registration required.
RICHMOND SCIENCE MUSEUM MODEL RAILROAD SHOW
Visual Art, Makers
November 27-29
Science Museum of Virginia, 2500 W Broad St, Richmond, 23220
Free with admission: $15.50/adults, $13.50/youth & seniors, $10/preschool-age children
The Science Museum of Virginia’s 43rd Annual Model Railroad Show presented by Dominion Energy is a great time for family and friends to make memories and discover that science is everywhere – even in model trains! While the event looks different this year due to capacity limitations, the Science Museum is thrilled to continue this nearly half century Virginia holiday tradition. Go to their website for details and social-distancing guidelines. Be sure to get your tickets in advance! No day-of tickets will be sold this year.
DOMINION ENERGY GARDENFEST OF LIGHTS
Visual Arts, Landscape Arts
November 23 - January 10, 4-10pm nightly
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, 1800 Lakeside Ave, Richmond, 23228
Seasonal Tickets $8-$18/person
A favorite tradition at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens featuring lights, decorations, outdoor model trains, dinners, hot chocolate (for purchase) & more! All displays are outdoors with social-distancing measures in place. Masks required. Tickets for pre-purchase only, with 30-minute arrival window. Closed Thanksgiving and December 24-25.
THE SANTA CLOSET
Theatre
Through December 18
Streaming and at Richmond Triangle Players, 1300 Altamont Ave, Richmond, 23230
$10-$35
This hilarious – and at times touching -- one-man show is Richmond Triangle Player’sholiday fare similar to The Santaland Diaries. Little Gary's gender-atypical gift request, sent to the North Pole, is denied. A series of subsequent heart-felt letters from the child nudge Santa Claus out of the closet and right into the center of a heated culture war. Only 27 seats per performance. Streaming options available. Purchase TICKETS online.
CHRISTMAS IN THE WIND WOODWINDS QUINTET CONCERT
Music
November 29, 4pm
Online and at Tabernacle Baptist Church Community Life Center, 418 Halifax Street, Petersburg, 23803
$10
Come ring in the holidays with the Petersburg Symphony Orchestra Woodwind Quintet. Featuring a collection of favorite Christmas carols for kids of all ages. Tickets for in-person concert as well as online available HERE.
THE LOOKING GLASS
History
November 27-28
IX Art Park, 522 2nd Street Southeast, Charlottesville, 22902
$15/adult, $12/children age 4-13
Step into an otherworldly enchanted forest at this immersive and interactive art space created by 14 Charlottesville artists. Every corner packed with sound, light and color for a dreamland that ignites all your senses. This one-of-a-kind interactive art museum has limited capacity. Find more information and purchase tickets online.
ATLANTIC UNION BANK LOLLIPOPS: THE SNOWMAN
Music, Theatre
November 28, 11am
Online and at Dominion Energy Center, 600 E Grace St, Richmond, 23219
$10-$48
Kick-off the holiday season with the Richmond Symphony! Hear the charming story of a young boy’s magical friendship with a snowman and enjoy other holiday favorites during this program as well. Join them for a safe, socially-distanced in-person concert OR watch from home via their online livestream option. Online digital festivities included! See their website for information regarding the Richmond Symphony’s COVID-19 health & safety procedures.
DECONSTRUCTING AN ICON: NATURAL BRIDGE
Visual Arts
November 27 - January 16
Art Works, 320 Hull St, Richmond, 23224
Natural Bridge in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley is one of the world’s most iconic geological formations. It has been visited by hundreds of thousands, and its image has been photographed and reproduced in countless ways. Art Works’ show presents ten new paintings of Natural Bridge by RVA artist Donna Frostick; some are readily recognizable as the iconic bridge formation, while others are highly abstracted and stylized. Taken together, they form a presentation of the entire formation in space and time.
FRIENDSHIP, TRADE, & FEAST
History
November 28
Henricus Historical Park, 251 Henricus Park Road, Chester, 23836
$9/adult, $7/children ages 3-12
From 1607-1622, the English and Powhatan people had moments of what the English called “Thanksgiving” characterized by trade, gift giving, and the sharing of food and drink. Several colonial English and Powhatan Indian recipes are faithfully recreated by Henricus interpreters and volunteers. Visitors observe how food was prepared and examine typical items that would have been exchanged between the two cultures. In addition to historical programming, beer will be available for purchase from Dancing Kilt Brewery as part of Henricus’ History by the Pint series starting at noon.
LOCAL LOVE HOLIDAY MARKETS
Visual Arts, Makers
November 28 - December 19, Various Dates
Alma’s RVA, 224 W Brookland Park Blvd., 1st Floor Richmond, 23222
Made in RVA Holiday Gift markets from Alma’s RVA. Keep your money in Richmond this holiday season by supporting a diverse range of local artists.
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.
