Artsline: Virtual Edition || August 30, 2021
“He had been waiting impatiently for the autumn. He looked forward eagerly to going back to school. He was homesick for his friends.” ~Willa Cather
As school begins and the summer draws to a close, no matter the anxiety and the excitement this particular year brings, let’s look to our community for strength and support. We’ve come a long way in the past eighteen-or-so months and we've found ways to stay connected even in the midst of a pandemic. The RVA arts and culture community is no exception. They have continued to provide stellar educational opportunities for young and old alike – in dance, music, drama, history, and visual arts. So as the school year begins for our children, perhaps take a class of your own – safely, and with the same giddiness you had on that first day back.
1. 14TH ANNUAL LATIN JAZZ & SALSA FESTIVAL - FUEGO EN EL PARQUE
Music
September 4, 2pm – 7pm
Dogwood Dell Amphitheatre, 600 South Arthur Ashe Blvd, Richmond, VA 23220
The Latin Jazz & Salsa Show presents a free concert featuring Orchestra Fuego, Miss Yaya, Hip Hop Jibarito, Rafael Ortiz Y Tumbao Urbano All-Stars. Presented at the Dogwood Dell Amphitheater as a part of the City of Richmond’s Festival of the Arts. Enjoy the music, food, salsa dancing and all that Latin jazz with Sweet Lou Hidalgo and the team of the Latin Jazz and Salsa Show. Don’t forget your lawn chairs and blankets!
2. TREASON TRIAL OF AARON BURR
History
September 3 & 4, Times vary
The John Marshall House, 818 East Marshall Street, Richmond, 23219
$18
Join Preservation Virginia’s John Marshall House and The Valentine’s Wickham House for a look at the homes of the presiding judge of the Aaron Burr trial, John Marshall, and one of Aaron Burr’s attorneys, John Wickham, during the 214th anniversary weekend of the famous legal battle. Purchase tickets online.
3. SONIC BUTTERFLY
Music, Visual Arts
September 3, 1pm & 7:30pm
Perkinson Center for the Arts and Education, 11810 Centre Street Chester, VA 23831
$25 - $35
Sonic Butterfly is a two-octave, acoustic, chromatic, long-string harp created and performed by acclaimed musician and installation artist, Andrea Brook. The two resonating chambers have butterfly-shaped projection screen or LED wings adding to the visual, musical experience. Presented at the Perkinson Center for the Arts and Education. Purchase tickets online.
4. INTRO INTO GLASSWORK - THE EXCHANGE SESSIONS
Visual Arts
August 31, 6pm
Art Works, 320 Hull St, Richmond, 23224
$10
This session will feature a local glass maker, Gina Aiken, and share the tools and basic skills needed to work in the art of hot glass. Presented by Art Works as a part of their series The Exchange – an Educational Forum for Artists. Register online and pay at the door.
5. COLUMBIA PIKE: THROUGH THE LENS OF COMMUNITY
History, Culture, Photography
August 31 – January 8
Library of Virginia, 800 East Broad Street, Richmond, 23219
The Library of Virginia offers this unique photographic exhibit celebrating the extraordinary cultural diversity found within a single community in Northern Virginia. Columbia Pike originated in the 19th century as a toll road connecting rural Virginia with the nation's capital. Today, the Columbia Pike corridor is one of the most culturally diverse communities in the nation, and possibly in the world. Columbia Pike Documentary Project photographers, whose personal connections to the community allowed them to capture the strength, pride, resilience, elegance, and beauty of so many overlapping cultures, created the works on view. As the nation seems more divided than ever, this collection shows how one community is making diversity work. No registration required.
6. FREEDOM FRIDAYS
History, Culture
September 3, 5pm
Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia, 122 West Leigh Street, Richmond, 23220
Freedom Fridays returns to the Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia on the first Friday of the month with free admission to the museum's exhibitions. Plus special activities and entertainment. On exhibit now is Virginia Jazz: The Early Years.
7. ESCAPE!: THE STORY OF THE CONFEDERACY'S INFAMOUS LIBBY PRISON AND THE CIVIL WAR'S LARGEST JAIL BREAK
History, Literary Arts
September 2, Noon
Online
Author Robert Watson provides the definitive account of the Confederacy’s infamous Libby Prison, site of the Civil War’s largest prison break in this online presentation from the Virginia Museum of History and Culture. Libby Prison housed Union officers, high-profile foes of the Confederacy, and political prisoners. Watson captures the wretched conditions, cruel guards, and the story of the daring prison break, called “the most remarkable in American history.” No registration required to watch online at the VHMC Facebook page and YouTube channel.
8. TERRY LACY - CONTEMPORARY REALISM: A CELEBRATION IN COLOR
Visual Arts
September 1 – October 31
Perkinson Center for the Arts and Education, 11810 Centre Street, Chester, 23831
The Gallery at the Perkinson Center for the Arts and Education exhibits the art of Terry Lacy, an American artist, living in central Virginia. Having recently retired from her 40-year career as a jewelry designer and maker, Terry now works exclusively with oil paints, as did her mother and grandmother. Terry is a representational painter, with bold color and contrast ever present in her work. No registration required.
9. THE FAMOUS DUO: ANOTHER RESURRECTION
Visual Arts
September 3, 6pm Opening Reception
Black Iris Gallery, 321 West Broad Street, Richmond, 23220
Two of Richmond’s long-standing artists, Darryl Starr and Wolfgang Jasper, are having another dual show. As is their custom, Starr and Jasper relish showing their art in unusual venues. This show is no exception. The Black Iris Gallery is the perfect venue to showcase the art they have each been working on during the pandemic. After the reception, the exhibit is open by appointment only.
10. MANCHESTER MANIFEST FIRST FRIDAYS
Visual Art, Music
September 3, 5pm
Outside of Brewer’s Café, 12th and Bainbridge Streets, Richmond, 23224
First Fridays is 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!
If you are an arts or cultural organization with lectures, 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.
