Artsline: Virtual Edition || November 30, 2020
“If instead of a gem, or even a flower, we should cast the gift of a loving thought into the heart of a friend, that would be giving as the angels give.” ~George MacDonald
The holiday season is finally upon us - but this year our holidays look a little different. Rather than despair at the loss of many of our holiday traditions, let’s focus on what we do have - each other for one. We also have a creative community of artists and cultural gurus who have provided ways to experience holiday fun in new and different ways. Get out there (or stay in) and enjoy the magic that is still around us this season!
1. LEGENDS LIVESTREAM
Music, Theatre
December 1, 7:30 pm
Online
$20/stream
Join Richmond Performing Arts Alliance this holiday season for four weeks of Legends Livestream! This week Katrinah Carol Lewis and Jerold Solomon bring you an evening of songs celebrating hope, love, and dreams for our world! Purchase TICKETS online. Each performance will be lives-treamed via YouTube and also available for viewing for one week after each performance.
2. THE JOY OF ILLUMINATION
Music, Theatre, Visual Arts
December 5 & 6, 4pm
The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen, 2880 Mountain Road, Glen Allen, 23060
The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen presents their annual tree lighting, the Joy of Illumination, with artisan-decorated trees and wreaths, all joyfully illuminated for the season. Take a one-way stroll through The Center and marvel at the trees. They will also offer outdoor carolers, indoor dancers performing the Nutcracker's Sugar Plum Fairy dance, and virtual concerts in their lobby monitors. Plus, Santa will read “Twas the Night before Christmas." Masks are required and social-distancing measures will be in place.
3. GELLMAN ROOM CONCERT: RICHMOND BOYS CHOIR
Music
December 5, 2pm
Online
The Richmond Boys Choir performs their 24th annual concert at the Richmond Public Library - a wonderful holiday tradition.
4. RENEWAL - JUDGED SHOW & GALLERY TALK
Visual Art
Reception December 4, 5pm
Uptown Gallery, 1305 West Main Street, Richmond, VA 23220
A new year always brings thoughts of change and improvements, but this year Richmonders need and are looking forward to some sort of renewal. Richmond-area artists present their vision of Renewal at Uptown Gallery. Judged by Doug Mock, exhibit runs through January 30, 2021. Social distancing guidelines are in place.
5. WINTER WANDER
History
December 6, 12pm
The Valentine, 1015 East Clay Street, Richmond, 23219
Join the Valentine for a physically-distanced Winter Wander! Grab a free, warm beverage before you begin their special, self-guided walking tour of the historic Court End Neighborhood, and don’t forget to grab one of their take-away children's crafts before you go!
6. BLACK LIVES ON STAGE MATTER SERIES
Performing Arts
December 5, 10pm
Online
$15/Adults, $10/Students
DMR Adventures presents the new Black Lives On Stage Matter (BLOSM) Livestream Series, a recurring livestream series that will create discussions on how to decolonize white theatre and give viewers an exciting look at Black contribution to theatre – past and present. The goal of BLOSM is to build up Black and Brown students in the performing arts for the restoration of culture. In tandem with the concert series, DMR Adventures has created an all new BLOSM Scholarship Fund. This scholarship fund will help bring performing arts education to BIPOC students in the Charlottesville area.
7. LET IT SNOW! THE BRASS EDITION
Music
December 5, 8pm
Online and at Dominion Energy Center, 600 E Grace St, Richmond, 23219
$10-$82
Join the Richmond Symphony for this annual holiday tradition the whole family will love. This year the Brass musicians polish their instruments and take center stage for a concert featuring the sounds of the season. Enjoy a safe, socially-distanced in-person concert OR watch from home via our online livestream option. Both In Person and Watch from Home attendees can enjoy the concert online through January. Purchase TICKETS online.
8. AN EVENING WITH DANEZ SMITH
Literary Arts
December 4, 7pm
Online
The Richmond Public Library offers an evening with Danez Smith - a Black, Queer, Poz writer & performer from St. Paul, MN, and author of the award-winning Don’t Call Us Dead. They are a member of the Dark Noise Collective and the co-host of VS with Franny Choi, a podcast sponsored by the Poetry Foundation and Postloudness. Registration is required for this free event.
9. GARDENFEST FOR FIDOS
Landscape Art
December 3, 4-10pm
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, 1800 Lakeside Ave, Richmond, 23228
Seasonal Tickets $8-$18/person
Dogs can enjoy Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden’s holiday lights at GardenFest for Fidos! Leashed dogs are allowed on special Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights nights. All dogs must be leashed and current on rabies vaccinations. Please read their rules and guidelinesfor visiting Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden with dogs. Tickets for pre-purchase only, with 30-minute arrival window. Masks are required.
10. THE LAST MUSTER: IMAGES OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR GENERATION
History
December 1, 2pm
Online
The Virginia War Memorial hosts special guest Maureen Taylor, the “Photo Detective” as she celebrates the ten year anniversary of her book, “The Last Muster.” As unbelievable as it seems, many individuals who participated in the American Revolution lived beyond the advent of photography in 1839. Learn about the detective work involved in uncovering these “misplaced” pictures. Hear the stories of the men and women who were members of the first photographed generation. REGISTER for this free event.
11. THE BRANCH HOUSE: ROOF, TRIM AND WINDOWS
Architectural Arts
December 2, 6:30 pm
Online
The roof and windows are defining features of the Branch House. The diamond patterned windows enhance the medieval character of the building, the exterior woodwork relied on skilled craftsman to make adjustments on-site like medieval carpenters, and the roof system is a series of pitches with slate and flat surfaces now with modern coatings. But these features are more than beautiful; they have to keep water out and their wear is showing. The Branch Museum’s panel of experts will discuss the challenges of repairing building elements that pose the greatest risk to water infiltration that can either be highly visible or obscured.
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.
