Artsline: Virtual Edition || December 7, 2020
"The darkness of the whole world cannot swallow the glowing of a candle." ~Robert Altinger
As we move toward the darkest day of the year, our holidays light up the nights. Whether our candles celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas, Yule, or another holiday, share the light with each other in safe and celebratory ways. RVA and Charlottesville have several opportunities to enjoy twinkling lights, music, dance, and more. Check out our curated list of holiday fun this week - and even some non-holiday offerings!
1. WINTER WONDER WALK
Visual Arts
Through December 31, 7am-10pm
IX Art Park, 522 2nd St SE, Charlottesville, 22902
A festive forest is coming to the IX Art Park in Charlottesville. In lieu of large events, IX Art Park is filling the outdoor mural park with seasonal art, lights and decorations for safe outings this December. Wear a mask and observe social distancing on a leisurely walk through our winter wonderland.
2. ASHLAND THEATRE HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR
Theatre, Music
December 12, 5pm
Online
Join The Ashland Theatre for a virtual holiday event. Enjoy musical performances, Ashland Theatre memories, a telethon, Silent Auction, “Live” Auction, story time with Santa, and a “live” performance of the “Don’t Ask Ned” band! Go ONLINE to sign up, sign in, and check out the silent auction items and schedule of events.
3. BLACK FREEDOM COMMUNITY TO BE LECTURE TOPIC
History
December 13, 4pm
Online
The Middlesex County Museum and Historical Society presents a Zoom lecture by William and Mary professor Dr. Melvin Patrick Ely about his book, Israel on the Appomattox: A Southern Experiment in Black Freedom from the 1790s through the Civil War. The book tells the story of Israel Hill, a community of liberated African Americans in Prince Edward County, Virginia. Although slavery cast its grim shadow, even over the lives of the free, Israel Hill’s story is one of hardship and hope that defies expectations of the Old South. To request the Zoom link or telephone dial-in number for this lecture, please email the Middlesex Museum at [email protected], call 804-758-3663, or sign up on the Museum’s website.
4. FADED EMPIRES: PAINTINGS BY DAVE MOORE
Visual Art
December 11, 4-7pm & December 12, 1-6pm
Online and at The Highpoint 3300 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23230
Eric Schindler Gallery in collaboration with The Highpoint will host Faded Empires: Paintings by Dave Moore with an open house, Dec 11th Friday 4pm-7pm and Dec 12th Saturday, 1pm-6pm. We'll have a virtual livestream on the Eric Schindler Gallery facebook page, Friday evening starting at 7:15pm. Only ten people are allowed in the gallery at a time. Masks covering nose and mouth required.
5. FESTIVAL OF ADVENT LESSONS AND CAROLS
Music
Reception December 13, 11am
Online
Grace & Holy Trinity Episcopal Church presents a pre-recorded Festival of Advent Lessons and Carols, including music by Cooman, Handel, Holst, Praetorius, Rutter, and Thomas, with the Adult Choir and the James River Brass on their YouTube page and website. Music will be conducted by Dr. Elizabeth Melcher Davis and Hope Armstrong Erb. Featured music will include “Adam Lay Ybounden” by Carson Cooman and the hymn “Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending.”
6. LIFE AT SEA IN THE AGE OF THE RANDOLPHS OF WILTON
History
December 10, 6 pm
Online
$10 donation
Wilton House Museum’s December installment of their lecture series features Tyler Rudd Putman, Gallery Interpretation Manager at the Museum of the American Revolution. Many members of the Randolph family of Virginia were as familiar with life at sea as life on land, like most Americans in the 18th and early 19th centuries. In this talk, using period images, original artifacts, and his own sailing experience, Tyler Rudd Putman will take us below decks on sailing ships to consider what ships look like as living spaces. What did sailors and passengers eat? Where did they sleep? How could you make yourself at home at sea?
7. A VIRTUAL MOVEMENT CLASS WITH KAYE
Dance
December 8, 6pm
Online
Turn your device on, grab a chair and a mat! Firehouse Theatre and K Dance offer a free class in stretching, bending, swinging, & twisting. Enjoy a holiday WORKOUT! No dance training/experience necessary. Join the class on Facebook or YouTube.
8. A BAROQUE HOLIDAY
Music
December 12, 8pm
Online and at Dominion Energy Center, 600 E Grace St, Richmond, 23219
$10-$82
George Manahan returns to The Richmond Symphony for a unique holiday concert full of old world charm. Experience Vivaldi’s Winter from The Four Seasons and favorite orchestral movements from Handel’s Messiah. This performance is presented in a safe, socially-distanced in-person concert OR you can watch from home via a online livestream option. Both In Person and Watch from Home attendees can enjoy the concert online through January.
9. YES, VIRGINIA, THERE IS A SANTA CLAUS
Theatre
December 11, 7 pm
Online
$15/stream
Bring the heartwarming holiday classic, Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus into your home this season. Join the students of Mechanicsville High School's Mechanicsville Theatre Company by streaming this classic play for one night only.
10. VIRTUAL LITERARY VIRGINIA BOOK GROUP
Literary Arts
December 9, 6pm
Online
Read and discuss the best of today's Virginia literature—books by Library of Virginia Literary Award winners and finalists in fiction and nonfiction. This month, they discuss The Substitution Order by Martin Clark (a 2020 People’s Choice Fiction finalist). Loaner books are unavailable at this time, but check your local public library for curbside checkout or digital download. This book is also available at the Virginia Shop online and other online retail outlets.
11. MOVIE MYTHBUSTING: SECRETARIAT
Film, History
December 8, 7pm
Online
Watch the film in advance, whenever or however works best for you, and then log into an interactive Zoom to chat about what’s true, what’s not, and to make some interesting connections to the Virginia Museum of History and Culture’s collection. Feel free to fill out the optional worksheet (emailed out day of the event) to get a sneak peek of the discussion, or just join the Zoom link ready to learn! This program is free, but REGISTRATION is required.
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.
