Artsline: Virtual Edition || June 7, 2021
“I am Summer, come to lure you away from your computer... come dance on my fresh grass, dig your toes into my beaches.” ~Oriana Green
Summer is here and so are the arts! This week you’ll find festivals, outdoor music, and dance performances. While there still may be social distance requirements remaining, many of the events our arts and culture community offers this week are live and in-person. You may also find some wonderful virtual performances as well. Stay in or go out – how wonderful to have the choice!
1. RDF 21 - RICHMOND DANCE FESTIVAL
Dance
June 11 & 12 | June 18 & 19, 7pm
Virtual and at Dogtown Dance Theatre, 109 W 15th St, Richmond, 23224
$20/adults, $10/students
This two-weekend festival, presented by Dogtown Dance Theatre, features exceptional local and regional dance artists, as well as international dance film artists in the heart of RVA’s historic Manchester neighborhood. The festival includes live performances, as well as screenings of dance on film. This year, Richmond Dance Festival will showcase the work of 16 choreographers and 8 film artists, to include modern dance, American Tribal Style belly dance, contact improvisation, African dance and Filipino dance, representing Richmond Dance Festival’s commitment to bringing diverse audiences together to enjoy the art of movement. Purchase tickets online.
2. MILE OF MUSIC: FOREST HILL PARK
Music
June 12, 2pm
Forest Hill Park, 4021 Forest Hill Ave, Richmond, 23225
The Richmond Symphony offers Mile of Music, where over the course of two hours, participants will hear several performing groups set-up along an approximate 1-mile route within Forest Hill Park. Take your time to enjoy some music and movement. This event is free and open to the public!
3. FLEETING LIGHT
Visual Art
June 10, 5pm – Reception
Runs through July 23rd
Reynolds Gallery, 401 Libbie Avenue, Suite 3, Richmond, 23226
Reynolds Gallery offers the opening reception for Fleeting Light, an exhibition of Alex Nyerges’ photographs and the inaugural solo exhibition. The show will benefit the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, with the proceeds used to support the photography curatorial efforts through a paid fellowship at the museum. As Director and CEO of the VMFA, Nyerges has led the museum for over 15 years and is an established photographer, curator, and author.
4. UNPACKING: NOMADLAND
Film/Television
June 8, 7pm
Online
Join The Conciliation Lab for UNPACKING - a free monthly event series where Co-Artistic Director Deejay Gray and Education Director Jasmine Eileen Coles unpack the themes and ideas from significant arts and cultural offerings. This month, they unpack the 2020 film, Nomadland. (Originally scheduled for May 11th.)
5. CONCERT UNDER THE STARS FEATURING JOE LALUNA
Music
June 11, 7pm
The Hermitage, 1600 Westwood Ave, Richmond, 23227
The Hermitage, Richmond offers Concert under the Stars on their Front Lawn for an evening of live music, featuring Jo Laluna’s mixture of jazz, American Standards, and popular contemporary music. Bring a picnic dinner and chairs/blankets. Social distancing and masks required.
6. FIGURES OF FREEDOM DOWNTOWN WALKING TOUR
History
June 12, 10am
The Valentine First Freedom Center, 14 South 14th Street, Richmond, 23219
$20/adults, Children under 18/Free
Step into the past in Shockoe Bottom, one of Richmond’s oldest historic districts, to explore the struggles for freedom that helped shape America. Join Richmond’s most experienced guides from The Valentine as you discover stories of Richmond’s earliest Indigenous inhabitants, enslaved people fighting to be free, Thomas Jefferson’s historic Statute of Religious Freedom, Dr. Mary Walker’s demands for equality for women and more. The tour visits Richmond’s Canal Walk and the Henry “Box” Brown monument. This is a family friendly, easy one-mile walk includes a scavenger hunt for kids. Purchase tickets online.
7. LEGENDS ON GRACE: 8-TRACK GROOVIN’ WITH THE TATERS
Music
June 11, 7:30pm
Online
$30/stream
The Richmond Performing Arts Alliance (RPAA) brings Billboard Magazine’s award-winning Richmond band The Taters for the next in RPAA’s Legends on Grace series! The Tater’s 70’s infused performance will have you reminiscing about your 8-Track collection with songs from The Eagles, Elton John, Bee Gees, Paul McCartney and more. This performance will be live-streamed via YouTube from the Sara Belle November Theatre at Westminster Canterbury Richmond. Purchase tickets online.
8. 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY
Film
June 8, 7pm
The Byrd Theater, 2908 W Cary Street, Richmond, 23221
$10
The Byrd Theater offers this Stanley Kubrick classic science fiction film. Synopsis: Humanity finds a mysterious object buried beneath the lunar surface and sets off to find its origins with the help of HAL 9000, the world's most advanced super-computer. Purchase tickets online.
9. CELEBRATION OF THE ARTS
Visual Arts, Makers, Music
June 12, 10am
Montpelier Center for the Arts, 17205 Mountain Road, Montpelier, 23192
The Montpelier Center for the Arts celebrates all things art at the 24th Annual Celebration of the Arts festival. With local art vendors, live music, food trucks, live art demonstrations, and activities for all ages, this event will be fun for the whole family! The Center for the Arts will unveil their Community Art Garden.
10. LETTERS FROM A KOREAN WAR SOLDIER
History
June 10, 2pm
Online
Take a journey back 70 years to experience the war in Korea through the eyes of Wyman Taylor, an American soldier who was serving his country, missing his wife and fighting to stem the tide of Communism from North Korea and China. Join the Virginia War Memorial’s Education Director Jim Triesler for this unique presentation focused on “Letters from a Korean War Soldier.” Register online for this free event.
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.
