Artsline: Virtual Edition || February 22, 2021
“One day our descendants will think it incredible that we paid so much attention to things like the amount of melanin in our skin or the shape of our eyes or our gender instead of the unique identities of each of us as complex human beings.” ~Franklin A. Thomas
As we wind down Black History Month, make sure to check out Black stories and images that our arts and culture community continue to offer - and not just one month a year. Black history is American history. Black stories are American stories. Black images are American images. Black arts and culture weave throughout our community because it is our community. Find ways to celebrate all year long!
1. WHAT THEY DID FOR US
Theatre
February 25 - March 6, 8pm (4pm matinee March 6)
Richmond Triangle Players, 1300 Altamont Ave, Richmond, 23230
$25/adult, $10/student
As African American females begin to shine all over this country, The Heritage Ensemble Theatre Company acknowledges those women who paved the way. What They Did for Us, follows the lives of four heroic women. Learn how Phillis Wheatley, Wilma Rudolph, Cathay Williams and Queen Nzinga overcame hardship to move from tragedy to triumph. This production will feature a reduced capacity of 20 seats per performance, in accordance with CDC guidelines. Purchase tickets online.
2. MLK/FBI
Film, History
February 28, 3pm
The Byrd Theater, 2908 West Cary Street, Richmond, 23221
$10
The Byrd Theater offers this newly released documentary Based on newly declassified files, exploring the US government’s surveillance and harassment of Martin Luther King, Jr. This showing will offer Bob Gulledge on the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ. This public screening is limited to 50 attendees for social distancing. Tickets only sold online.
3. THEIR VOICES OUR POWER
Spoken Word
February 27, 6pm
Online
Greedy Vegans presents an eclectic offering of artistry featuring poetic performances paying tribute to the life and works of historic icons from the Black Power movement.
4. THE WRITING SHOW – MAKING A SCENE: MAPPING OUT A PLAN FOR EFFECTIVE SCENE BUILDING
Literary Art
February 24, 6pm
Online
$12/Members, $15/Non-members, $5/Students
No matter what you’re writing, you need to understand the building blocks and how they fit together. A series of strong scenes can lead to an engaging larger work. What should your scene accomplish, and how can you get in and get out with the maximum impact? The literary professionals on James River Writers’ panel discuss mapping out a plan for effective scene building. This panel discussion, moderated by Terry Menefee Gau, will include Paula Michelle Gillison, Brandon Lamont Hughes, and Lana Krumwiede. Registeronline.
5. THE LIVES OF ISAAC STERN
Music
February 24, 7:30pm
Online
$20/stream
The Weinstein JCC presents a very special evening in celebration of the centennial birthday of violin virtuoso, Isaac Stern - Behind the Music: The Lives of Isaac Stern. Author and historian, David Schoenbaum, along with VPM’s classical music host, Mike Goldberg, will explore Stern’s myriad of careers: musician, activist, public citizen and cultural leader of the Jewish community, through conversation and music. The program will incorporate Isaac Stern’s pre-recorded musical performances along with a live violin performance by Dr. Jocelyn Vorenberg. Get tickets online.
6. DROP-IN BACHATA FOOTWORK
Dance
Tuesdays, 8:30pm
Online and at Dogtown Dance Theatre, 109 West 15th Street, Richmond, 23224
$10/class
Bachata is a popular dance that originated in the Dominican Republic. This class, offered by Salsa Connection Dance Company, is open to all skill levels of dancers. Footwork will start out easy and become progressively more challenging throughout the hour. In-person spots are limited to 18 people so don't wait to REGISTER if you want to attend in person!
7. SAVE THE MUSIC: CATHERINE THE GREAT & AMY ANDREWS
Music
February 24, 8pm
Online
Join The Front Porch for Save the Music, a live-streamed concert series, bringing music from our venue to your home, featuring Catherine the Great and Amy Andrews. Proceeds will benefit Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society. Tune in to the concert on The Front Porch’s Facebook or YouTube to watch and listen! Kick back, relax and enjoy the music!
8. 4TH FRIDAY ART SHOWS AND OPENING RECEPTION
Visual Art
February 26, 4pm
Art Works, 320 Hull St, Richmond, VA 23224
Inge Strack and Danny Trent present a collaboration of abstract art entitled: The Things We Say When We Break the Line in Art Works’ main gallery. The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) requested artists to exhibit artwork that shows the devastation and results of floods and high water for Virginia Flood Awareness Week. Also opening are two solo shows by artists Kirsten Schneider and Patricia Spoon. Exhibits continue through March 20. Register online for a time slot to this free event.
9. MAKING HISTORY WITH THE LIBRARY OF VIRGINIA
History
February 27, 12pm
Online
The Library of Virginia acquires, preserves, and promotes access to unique collections of Virginia’s history and culture. With more content and research moving online, they seek to make digital documents as accessible as possible by crowdsourcing their contents. Volunteers will transcribe handwritten pages and historical newspapers by reading the text and typing it into digital form. Join them for a virtual volunteer session to learn how to make historical documents more searchable and usable for researchers now and in the future. Registration required.
10. RVA COMMUNITY MAKERS 2021
Visual Art, Music
February 24, 6pm opening
Online
RVA Community Makers returns for the third year with a new mixed-media public art mural at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts that celebrates Richmond-area artists. In anticipation of the upcoming exhibition The Dirty South: Contemporary Art, Material Culture, and the Sonic Culture opening May 22, this year’s project will honor five musicians who have been selected for their creativity and impact on the RVA community. Five local visual artists have been selected to create an artwork inspired by one of the musicians. Miss Community, Clovia of KISS Richmond and Praise 101 interviews the musical and visual artists participating in Richmond Community Makers. Watch live on VMFA’s Facebook page.
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.
