Artsline: Virtual Edition || January 11, 2021
“The challenges we face are far too big to be solved by a few chosen people. It’s all of our jobs to work for each other now. To believe in our own efficacy to help our communities. Not to solve the problems of the world, but to help the people around us in any and every way we can. That feels right to me.” ~Jeb Dickerson, 2019
As we are navigating historic times, keep in mind that it’s our people who matter - our families, our neighbors, our communities. The new year deepens our responsibility to support each other and see each other through the crises that have swept our nation. Local arts and culture is doing what it can to support us all in this time - and in turn we have the opportunity to do the same for them. Check out this week’s ways to connect and keep each other strong.
1. GENWORTH LIGHTS UP! YOUTH SERIES: LET ME BE YOUR STAR!
Theatre
January 11-15, 10am -5pm
Online
There's a budding performer in everyone, the Richmond Performing Arts Alliance provides an opportunity to let your star rise in the next installment of the Genworth Lights Up! Youth Series! Join them as they explore the world of theatre through online dynamic workshops and performances from local stage performers you know and love! These free workshops are offered through their FaceBook and Instagram pages.
2. SELF-GUIDED WALKING TOURS FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM DAY
History
January 16 & 17, Noon - 4pm
The Valentine First Freedom Center, 14 South 14th Street, Richmond 23219
Join The Valentine First Freedom Center for a family-friendly and socially distanced celebration of Religious Freedom Day! Enjoy a self-guided walking tour of the historic Shockoe Bottom neighborhood, exploring the struggles for freedom that helped shape America. The walking tour route is an easy one-mile loop. Self–serve hot chocolate and tea and a fun eye-spy activity for kids will be available. Face masks required when visiting the First Freedom Center and strongly encouraged for the self-guided walking tour.
3. FREE ADMISSION TO LEWIS GINTER BOTANICAL GARDEN
Landscape Art
January 13-17, 10am - 5pm
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, 1800 Lakeside Ave, Richmond, 23228
All Garden visitors enjoy FREE admission to Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden for the above dates. Advanced tickets and masks are required. The Garden Café and Robins Tea House are closed during this time.
4. JOE LOSCHIAVO IN CONCERT AN EVENING AT THE PIANO
Music
January 16, 7pm
Online
$10/stream
Virtually enjoy Joe Loschiavo’s multifaceted piano stylings in a dynamic, dramatic, and memorable musical experience in your own home, presented by Firehouse Theatre. Joe’s use of the grand piano provides a multiplicity of tonal emotion as he performs classic standards, popular tunes, original music, love songs, and more. Purchase tickets online.
5. VIRTUAL MUSIC & MOVEMENT STORYTIME
Dance, Music, Storytelling
Wednesdays in January, 10:30am
Online
Join Ms. Caroline from Powhatan County Library’s for Virtual Music & Movement storytimes on Facebook Live! You and your little one will sing and move along with stories at this interactive program.
6. INTO THE LIGHT BY MONICA RAO
Visual Art
January 14, 6pm Opening Reception; Exhibit thru March 14
The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen, 2880 Mountain Road, Glen Allen, 23060
Join The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen for the grand opening of Into the Light by Monica Rao, featuring vibrant abstracts inspired by meditative intuition following Rao’s near-death and out-of-body experiences, and the wisdom that followed. This is a socially distanced event. Mask will be required inside the building at all times.
7. EGYPTIAN PLACES WITH HENRY AYON
Architectural Art, History
January 11, 5:30pm
Online
Pay what you can
Join The Branch Museum of Architecture and Design as they celebrate the beauty and mystery of ancient Egypt! Henry Ayon, local architect and author of Egyptian Places, will share his commentary and stunning illustrations from his exploration of 12 ancient sacred sites, as well as his insights on the art of drawing and sketching by hand in the architectural profession. Register online.
8. LES DANSES FRANÇAISES
Music
January 16, 8pm
Online and at Dominion Energy Center, 600 E Grace St, Richmond, 23219
$10-$82
French arabesques and the magic of the harp solo will bring you to a golden world from the Richmond Symphony. Ravel and Debussy are paired with Germaine Tailleferre, a wonderful French composer, student of Ravel and the only female member of the group of composers known as Les Six. Lynette Wardle, our principal harp, will delight in the first half of the concert with Tailleferre’s Concertino and Debussy’s Dances. Join the Symphony for a safe, socially-distanced in-person concert OR watch from home via their online livestream option. Both In-Person and Watch from Home attendees can enjoy the concert online through March 2. Purchase tickets online.
9. COMMUNITY DANCE CLASS WITH CLAVES UNIDOS
Dance
Saturdays, 9am
Online
Free, weekly African Roots Reunion community dance class on Zoom with Kevin LaMarr Jones of CLAVES UNIDOS. Come get your groove on and share in the fun of dances with African roots between your couch and the Caribbean. Space is limited. Register online with Dogtown Dance Theatre.
10. READING OLD HANDWRITING
History
January 11, 4pm
Online
Whether you’re using the Library of Virginia’s collections for research or transcribing archival documents on Making History: Transcribe, tune in to this free event for tips on deciphering the past. Please join their experts to learn about special characters, common abbreviations, and other challenges to reading old handwriting.
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.
