Artsline: Virtual Edition || July 26, 2021
“Take a music-bath once or twice a week for a few seasons, and you will find that it is to the soul what the water-bath is to the body.” ~Oliver Wendell Holmes
This week there are many opportunities to bathe yourself in music and sound throughout the RVA. From Gospel sounds to healing vibrations, from subversive remixes to a fresh look at traditional Americana – you will find music in our city’s summer days and nights.
1. THE AFRODIXIEREMIXES: A VMFA LISTENING SESSION
Music, Culture
July 30, 6:30pm
Online
John Sims’s audio-visual-poetic presentation subversively confronts the song “Dixie” (the anthem of the Confederacy). He remixes, remaps, and cross-appropriates a collection of 14 tracks of the song performed in the style of the following Black-music genres: spiritual, blues, gospel, jazz, funk calypso, samba, soul, rhythm & blues, house, and hip-hop. This program is inspired by the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts’ special exhibition The Dirty South: Contemporary Art, Material Culture, and the Sonic Impulse, and the music featured in the program can be heard in the Confederate Memorial Chapel in VMFA’s E. Claiborne and Lora Robins Sculpture Garden.
2. GOSPEL FEST WITH SHEILAH BELLE
Music
August 1, 4pm
Dogwood Dell Amphitheatre, 600 S Arthur Ashe Blvd, Richmond, VA 23220
City of Richmond’s Festival of the Arts brings this Gospel Fest with Sheilah Belle to Dogwood Dell. Bring a lawn chair, some blankets, and a picnic to enjoy live music and some spiritual renewal. No registration is required for this free event.
3. THE PINK UNICORN
Theatre
July 28 – August 15, 8pm (Sunday matinees at 4pm)
Previews: $10-$18
Performances: $10-$35
Richmond Triangle Players presents The Pink Unicorn, an award-winning show that traces one mother’s journey from apprehension to tolerance to acceptance. Synopsis: Trisha Lee considers herself to be open-minded and accepting, that is, at least compared to the other mothers in her conservative hometown of Sparkton, Texas. But Trisha’s values are called into question when her teenager Jo comes out as genderqueer and attempts to start a Gay Straight Alliance. Faced with opposition from her family, church, and the local high school, Trisha embarks on a journey to meet her child with love. The Pink Unicorn is an award-winning show that traces one mother’s journey from apprehension to tolerance to acceptance. Purchase Tickets online.
4. FAMILY DAY AT THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR MUSEUM
History
July 31
The American Civil War Museum in two locations: 480 Tredegar Street, Richmond, 23219 and 159 Horseshoe Road, Appomattox, 24522
$16/adults, $14/seniors/retired military/teachers/students, $8/children 6-17, active military and kids under 5 are free.
The American Civil War Museum invites you to their annual Family Day. Dive into the Civil War with your family at The American Civil War Museum. Crafts, family-friendly tours, and youth programs await at their Richmond and Appomattox sites. Special programming is free with museum admission. Purchase Tickets online.
5. THE WRITING SHOW: THE FUTURE OF SPECULATIVE FICTION
Literary Art
July 28, 6pm
Online
$15
With all the changes we’ve seen in the world lately, it sometimes feels like the future is now. But what is really in store for fiction that shows us alternate worlds? The expert panel from James River Writers help you explore what’s new, what’s back, and what’s next. This discussion, moderated by John Glover, will feature speakers M.K. England, Stephanie Toliver, and Nghi Vo. Register online.
6. THE OASIS: A HIGH NOON SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
Music
July 30, Noon
The Valentine, 1015 East Clay Street, Richmond, 23219
Come to The Valentine Garden noon to 1 p.m. every Wednesday through August, to enjoy free, informal and physically-distanced performances from a diverse mix of local musicians. The Valentine opens their garden to neighbors, guests and visitors for the opportunity to relax in an historic green space, enjoy some live music and take a break from the daily grind. This week they bring Kevin Davis & Ben Caribe to the veranda for some clave soul music. No registration needed.
7. FROM THE ARCHIVES: THE KOREAN WAR
History
July 27, 2pm
Online
National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day is acknowledged every July 27. On the 68th anniversary of the armistice, Virginia War Memorial Archivist Heidi Sheldon takes a closer look at materials from the Virginia War Memorial Archives related to those service members who fought in the “Forgotten War.” Register online for this free event.
8. CHILLIN' AT UNITY: ELEMENTAL SOUND MEDITATION
Music
July 29, 6:30pm
Unity of Bon Air, 923 Buford Rd, Richmond, 23235
Unity Church of Bon Air brings Julian Desta to broaden the natural healing experience through sound meditation. Closing the eyes while opening the ears allows one to access a deeper level of healing and relaxation. Julian uses singing bowls , Gongs, Didgeridoos, and various other instruments to take the listener on a Magical Journey within. Bring a folding chair or a mat to enjoy this wonderful outdoor experience. No registration required – just show up!
9. BETTMAN & HALPIN
Music
July 30, 7pm
Perkinson Center for the Arts and Education, 11810 Centre Street Chester, VA 23831
$30-$40
The award-winning duo Bettman & Halpin performs a fresh and enduring combination of Americana, folk and bluegrass. The perfect blending of Stephanie Bettman’s angelic voice and exquisite fiddle playing with Luke Halpin’s adept musicality on mandolin, fiddle, and banjo result in mesmerizing performances filled with irresistible lyrics, transcendent harmonies and roof-raising instrumentals. Presented at the new Perkinson Center for the Arts and Education. Purchase tickets online.
10. E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL
Film
July 26, 7pm
The Byrd Theatre, 2908 West Cary Street, Richmond, 23221
$10
The Byrd Theatre brings the Steven Spielberg 1982 classic E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial. Synopsis: After a gentle alien becomes stranded on Earth, the being is discovered and befriended by a young boy named Elliott. Bringing the extraterrestrial into his suburban California house, Elliott introduces E.T., as the alien is dubbed, to his brother and his little sister, Gertie, and the children decide to keep its existence a secret. Soon, however, E.T. falls ill, resulting in government intervention and a dire situation for both Elliott and the alien. Purchase ticketsonline.
If you are an arts or cultural organization with local classes, exhibitions, performances, 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, check out the list of local and national resources from Richmond CultureWorks.
