Artsline: Virtual Edition || June 28, 2021
“First, freedom is never free; in fact, it has always been bought at great cost, whether on the battlefield, in the legislative assembly, in the law courts, in the schoolroom, or in synagogues, temples or churches. Also, it is never self-perpetuating, but has had to be re-won again and again...” ~Author unknown, 1960s
Independence Day means so much more this year as we celebrate our freedom to be with each other and enjoy the amazing art, culture and history this region has to offer. Let us, too, remember the sacrifice that has gone before us – this past year and in years gone by. And also remember there is so much work left to do in order to bring our community back to a place of health and wholeness. We will recover, and it will take vision and team work to make it happen. It all starts with us.
1. CARMAX FREE FOURTH OF JULY
Landscape Art
July 4
Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens, 1800 Lakeside Avenue, Richmond, 23228
Celebrate CarMax Free Fourth of July with free admission to Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens. Enjoy the gardens and the educational display, M&T Bank RESTORE: The Healing Power of Nature. Feel free to wear red, white and blue and bring your decorated wagons and strollers. Go to their website for social distancing information.
2. LOOKING BACK, LOOKING FORWARD: THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE VIRGINIA CONSTITUTION
History
July 1, 3:30pm
Online and at the Library of Virginia Lecture Hall, 800 East Broad Street, Richmond, 23219
Limited seating is available for this special program commemorating the 50th anniversary of Virginia’s current constitution, the seventh in the state’s history, which went into effect on July 1, 1971. Join the Library of Virginia for a stimulating conversation about the advances made possible by this constitution and the work that still remains. Moderated by A. E. Dick Howard (Warner-Booker Distinguished Professor of Law at the University of Virginia), the panel will include Henry L. Chambers Jr. (professor of law, University of Richmond), Catherine Ward (University of Virginia School of Law, Class of 2022), and Brian Cannon (director of campaigns, Institute for Political Innovation). This event will also be live-streamed. Free but registration is required.
3. TOMATO MONTH CELEBRATION - TUNES & TASTY TOMATOES
Music
July 1, 6pm
Pole Green Park, 8996 Pole Green Park Ln, Mechanicsville, VA 23116
$10/advance, $15/gate, children under 12 are free
Enjoy a summer evening with us as the Hanover Tomato Festival celebrates the Hanover Tomato by bringing live music from the band En'Novation, playing RB & Soul that will be sure to get you up and dancing! This event includes delicious Hanover Tomato cuisine from RoseMary's, select agricultural and artisan vendors and tomato tastings. Pre-registration required.
4. AMREV QUIZZO: SYMBOLS OF INDEPENDENCE
History
July 1, 6pm
Online
Stars and stripes, parades and fireworks: what did American independence look like to people who witnessed the Revolutionary War and Civil War? Join staff from the Museum of the American Revolution and the American Civil War Museum online for a lively history quizzo competition! Register online for this free event.
5. MANCHESTER MANIFEST FIRST FRIDAYS
Visual Art, Music
July 2, 5pm
Outside of Brewer’s Café, 13th-14th Street, Hull Street, Richmond, VA 23224
First Fridays is now booming on the Southside of Richmond! Join Manchester Manifest for Live Music, Food Trucks, Drinks, Artwork, Family Fun and more. Free each and every First Friday!
6. THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED)
Theatre
July 2 & 3 - 8:30pm
Dogwood Dell Amphitheatre, 600 S Arthur Ashe Blvd, Richmond, VA 23220
Sit out under the stars and watch the irreverent, fast-paced romp through the Bard’s plays, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged). The show was London’s longest-running comedy having clocked a very palpable nine years in London’s West End at the Criterion Theatre. Join these madcap men in tights as they weave their wicked way through all of Shakespeare’s Comedies, Histories and Tragedies in one wild ride that will leave you breathless and helpless with laughter. Presented by Quill Theatre as a part of the City of Richmond’s Festival of the Arts at Dogwood Dell.
7. THE WRITING SHOW - FAMILY MATTERS: TELLING YOUR STORY, YOUR WAY
Literary Arts
June 30, 6pm
Online
$15
You have a personal story to tell, but you’re not sure where to start. Should it be poetry, fiction, nonfiction? Indie pub, small press, or big five? How do you make it stand out if you want it to sell? Do you have to tell the whole truth? The experts at James River Writers will give you a road map for preserving those family memories. Register online.
8. TO BE PURCHASED AND POSSESSED: SLAVERY IN THE JOHN MARSHALL HOUSE VIRTUAL TOUR
History
June 29, 7pm
Online
This online program explores the presence, lives and labors of the individuals John Marshall enslaved in his Richmond home between 1790 and 1835. By reinterpreting the historic collections objects on display in the John Marshall House, Preservation Virginia hopes to help return agency to the individuals Marshall enslaved, such as Henry, Robin Spurlock, Agnes and many others. Register online for this free event.
9. RED, WHITE, AND LIGHTS 2021
Music, Circus Arts
July 4, 4pm
Meadow Farm Museum at Crump Park, 3400 Mountain Rd, Glen Allen, VA 23060
Join Henrico County Recreation and Parks for their annual July 4th celebration at Meadow Farm Park! Bring your lawn chairs or picnic blanket and enjoy music, food trucks, and roving entertainment from Jonathan Austin, Miss Sheri the Clown, and Uncle Sam on Stilts. The evening will conclude with a concert from the Richmond Symphony and a laser light show finale.
10. COPYRIGHT LAW FOR ARTISTS - THE EXCHANGE SESSIONS
Visual Art, Music, Literary Art, Dance, Theatre
June 29, 6pm
Art Works, 320 Hull St, Richmond, 23224
$10
Meet arts and entertainment lawyer, Joan Davis, and hear her presentation on copyright and trademark for artists. Presented by Art Works as a part of their series The Exchange – an Educational Forum for Artists. Purchase tickets at the door or register online.
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.
