Artsline: Virtual Edition || December 27, 2021
“Approach the New Year with resolve to find the opportunities hidden in each new day.” ~Michael Josephson
Richmond is brimming with hidden opportunities – especially throughout our arts & culture landscape! If you are looking forward to ringing in the New Year with parties and merriment, RVA has you covered. But if you are looking for something quieter, more contemplative, we have that too. And there’s also something for the kids this week, as well as the entire family! Enjoy and here’s to 2022!
To list your events on Artsline, go to vpm.org/artsline.
1. CAPITAL CITY KWANZAA FESTIVAL
Culture, Music, Dance, Visual Art
December 30, 6pm
Greater Richmond Convention Center, 403 N 3rd St, Richmond, 23219
$6/adults, $5/students & seniors
Elegba Folklore Society presents the 2021 Capital City Kwanzaa Festival. The festival’s main stage is alive with music, dance and message presented to strengthen families and galvanize the community. The African Market will be open with food and shopping. Children are invited to Watoto Kwanzaa, and the Nia Sessions engage holiday reflections in this nationally recognized observance of the Kwanzaa holiday. The Capital City Kwanzaa Festival is one of the largest Kwanzaa celebrations on the east coast. Purchase tickets online.
2. NEW YEAR'S EVE AT COMEDYSPORTZ
Comedy, Improvisation
December 31, 7pm & 10pm
CSz Richmond Theatre, 8906-H W Broad St, Richmond, 23294
$25/advance, $28/door
Ring in the new year early or late with an interactive, all-ages match at ComedySportz! Both shows will feature special year-end games for the whole family. Tickets include a countdown (even in the early show) and a Twinkie toast (milk for the early show, champagne for the late show’s 21+ crowd). Grown-up drinks and additional snacks available for purchase. Proof of vaccination is required for all Loyal Fan attendees ages 12 and up. Purchase tickets online.
3. DUELING PIANOS NEW YEAR’S EVE + NEW YEAR’S DAY
Music
December 31 & January 1, 8pm
Colonial Downs Racetrack, 10515 Colonial Downs Pkwy, New Kent, 23124
$22.50
From Elton John to Garth Brooks, Billy Joel to Eminem, and Neil Diamond to Sir Mix-A-Lot, come to Rosie's Gaming Emporium and Colonial Downs to sing along as the Dueling Piano players tickle the ivories with all of your favorite hits. Must be 21 or older to attend. Purchase tickets online.
4. THE POETIC WORLD OF MAN RAY
Poetry, Photography
Wednesdays through February 16, 1pm
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, 200 N Arthur Ashe Blvd, Richmond, 23220
$16/Adults, $12/65+, $10/Students (7–17), Members & children under 7 FREE
As a part of the Virginia Museum of Fine Art’s Man Ray: The Paris Years exhibit, enjoy live readings of poetry selections by Gertrude Stein, William Carlos Williams, Virginia Woolf and other writers featured in Man Ray photographs. Selections vary week to week and are presented by Ron Smith, former poet laureate of Virginia, and VMFA staff. Free with tickets to the Man Ray exhibition. Purchase tickets online.
5. BETWEEN THE LINES JUNIOR BOOK CLUB
History
December 29, 11am
Online
Join the Virginia Museum of History and Culture Education team for a virtual student book club! This year they are reading the Virginia Mysteries Series by Steven K. Smith. The books in this series follow brothers Sam & Derek and their friend Caitlin on adventures throughout the Commonwealth with a twist of history mixed in. There are 9 books in the series. This winter the book is Spies at Mount Vernon. This program is recommended for readers ages 7 – 12. The program is free, but registration is required.
6. IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY
Theatre
Through January 2, 2022
Virginia Rep’s November Theatre, 114 West Broad St, Richmond, 23220
$36-$56
Join Virginia Repertory Theatre for this treasured holiday favorite. It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play brings to life the entire town of Bedford Falls, as it tells the beloved story of irrepressible George Bailey, in the form of a live 1940s radio broadcast. It’s the perfect holiday experience for the whole family. Purchase tickets online. (Virginia Rep is a sponsor for VPM. Video used with permission.)
7. CONCERT VIOLINIST MICHAEL TROPEPE
Music
January 2, 5pm
Historic St. John’s Church, 2401 E Broad Street,Richmond, 23223
Join Historic St. John's Church to welcome in the New Year with a classical concert performance from Michael Tropepe. Tropepe has performed as soloist with Giovanni Chamber Orchestra, Mainly Mozart Festival, the Symphony of the Americas, and has appeared in halls such as Alice Tully, Symphony Space, Kravis Center, and Carnegie Hall. At twelve, he debuted at the Kravis center with the Palm Beach Orchestra. He won first prize in the Federation of Music Clubs where he was presented with the Irene Muir Memorial Award for most promising musician. The following year, Michael was the youngest first prize winner of the Harid Conservatory of Music Concerto Competition. Among others, he has worked with Andres Cardenas, Joseph Silverstein, Nadja Salerno‐Sonnenberg, Arnold Eidus, and Ruggiero Ricci. Register online for this free event.
8. NEW YEAR'S EVE WATCH NIGHT BURNING BOWL SERVICE
Culture
December 31, 7pm
Unity of Richmond, 800 Blanton Avenue, Richmond, 23221
Unity of Richmond and Unity of Bon Air will host a simultaneously streamed and in person New Year’s Eve Burning Bowl Watch Night service. Watch Night’s origins come from the New Year’s Eve of the Emancipation Proclamation when enslaved African Americans waited and watched for their freedom. Unity’s service will be blended with gospel music, poetry, a reading of the Emancipation Proclamation, a burning bowl ceremony, and meditation and dance. No registration required.
9. RVA WINTER PUPPETFEST 2021
Puppetry, Theatre
December 27 – 30, 10:30am
Richmond Triangle Players, 1300 Altamont Avenue, Richmond, 23230
$12.50/each, $40/Family Four Pack
Join Puppets Off Broad Street for their 7th annual RVA Winter Puppetfest! Enjoy a winter break full of family fun with puppet shows by award-winning performers. There's something for everyone with classic tales such as "The Magic of Hans Christian Andersen," an original take "Little Red & the Gingerbread Man," and even tongue-twisting ventriloquism with Tyrone Travis. You can also join in the evenings to meet the artists over Zoom for a lively demonstration followed by Q&A! Purchase tickets online.
10. MAYMONT MANSION HOLIDAY AUDIO TOURS
History
Through January 2
Maymont, Historic Entrance, 1700 Hampton Street, Richmond, 23220
$6-8
A visit to Maymont isn’t complete without experiencing the Mansion. Delight in the charms of Christmas past as you explore the Gilded Age home of James and Sallie May Dooley. Maymont’s new self-guided audio tour narrates the story of the festively decorated mansion to you as an invited guest. Enjoy learning about the Dooleys and the domestic staff who prepared the home for the Victorian holiday season. Limited capacity, advance reservations recommended. Walk-up tickets available as capacity allows.
11. GARDENFEST OF LIGHTS
Landscape Art
Through January 9
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, 1800 Lakeside Avenue, Richmond, 23228
Through January 2: $18 adults; $12 youth (age 3-12)
January 3-9: $14 adults; $8 youth (age 3-12)
Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights is a holiday tradition featuring lights, decorations, model trains, holiday dinners, hot chocolate (for purchase), and more. The region’s ultimate holiday extravaganza, presented by Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden! Purchase tickets online.
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.
