Artsline: Virtual Edition || January 31, 2022
“Good morrow, Benedick. Why, what's the matter,
That you have such a February face,
So full of frost, of storm and cloudiness?
~William Shakespeare, Much Ado about Nothing
With February faces all around us, why not turn up the heat with a bit of RVA art & culture this week? There are online opportunities as well as safe, in-person events that span music, history, and theatre. There’s even the Chinese Lunar New Year to celebrate! Chase those February clouds away and with some lively local fun!
To list your events on Artsline, go to vpm.org/artsline.
1. FIRST FRIDAYS EXHIBIT AT THE RICHMOND PUBLIC LIBRARY
Visual Arts
Friday, February 4, 6:30pm reception
Exhibit through March 3
Main Branch, Richmond Public Library, 101 East Franklin St., Richmond, 23219
The Richmond Public Library’s Main Branch offers two new exhibits for First Fridays RVA: In the Medina brings intimate streetscapes from within the medieval city walls of Fes and Marrakech, Morocco, by Richmond photographer Patricia Munford, and Growth offers graphite on paper artwork by artist Craig L. Jones. Live music provided by Michael G. Hawkins, flautist. No registration required.
2. CONTROVERSY/HISTORY: COVID: TWO YEARS LATER
Culture, History
Tuesday, February 1, 5:30pm
Online
Join The Valentine virtually for the next program in their Controversy/History series: “COVID 19: Two years later,” exploring the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the Richmond community. Panelists are Gonzalo Bearman (VCU Division of Infectious Diseases), Greg Gallup (The Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond) Reggie Gordon (Chair of Board of Trustees, Richmond Memorial Health Foundation), and Margo Webb (Richmond City and Henrico County Health Districts) as well as from the Valentine Museum on how the pandemic has changed how we live, work, and record history. Register online for this free event.
3. A DOLL’S HOUSE, PART 2
Theatre
Thursday, February 3 preview, 7pm
Opens Friday February 4, 8pm
Runs through February 27, times vary
Virginia Rep November Theatre, 114 W Broad St, Richmond, 23220
$36-$56
This riveting play is a sequel to Henrik Ibsen's famous A Doll’s House, a revolutionary 1879 portrait of marriage as a woman’s prison. It ended with Nora Helmer walking out on her husband and their three young children, slamming the door behind her. You don't need to have seen Ibsen's original work to appreciate the drama and humor of A Doll’s House, Part 2. Set in 1894, it explores Nora’s return home after 15 years away. She's now a career woman, having become a successful and controversial writer, but her husband, Torvald, never divorced her, so she must confront him. The mood is lifted by humorous and emotional moments with her daughter, Emmy, and the Helmer family's nanny, Anne Marie. Presented by Virginia Rep. Purchase tickets online.
4. HISTORIES AND STORIES: A SPECIAL PROVINCE
Visual Arts
Saturday, February 5 opening, 3pm
Exhibit runs through April 2
Perkinson Center for the Arts & Education, 11810 Centre Street Chester, 23831
The Black American Artists Alliance of Richmond bring the works of thirteen local artists creating distinctive and recognizable culturebased art forms in the show Histories and Stories – a 39-piece exhibit with themes from the artists’ African heritage and/or distinctive American experiences. No registration required.
5. 3 REDNECK TENORS: BROADWAY BOUND
Music
Saturday, February 5, 7pm
The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen, 2880 Mountain Road, Glen Allen, 23060
$42
The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen brings everyone’s favorite trailer park singing sensations with a new production. Join the 3 singing cousins as they stampede their way through Broadway's greatest hits. You'll hear them belt out their versions of tunes from such favorite shows as Phantom of the Opera, The Sound of Music, Annie, Les Misérables, A Chorus Line and many others. Whether you love food on a stick or a salad from the Waldorf, this show has something for you. Purchase tickets online.
6. A HOTEL ON MARVIN GARDENS
Theatre
February 4-12, Fridays & Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 2:30pm
Dogtown Dance Theatre, 109 W 15th St, Richmond, VA 23224
$24/general, $20/senior
Each April Fool's Day, K.C., the powerful owner of ME, a magazine blatantly devoted to "self-help, self-promotion and self-gratification," holds a marathon Monopoly game party at her island retreat in Long Island Sound. This year, the game players are K.C. herself, her obedient lover and publisher Bo, the magazine's emotional, about-to-be-fired editor Henry and the magazine's eccentric new restaurant critic Erna. As the Monopoly game progresses, the four players engage in a real-life struggle for position and power that mirrors their game tactics. By play's end, K.C. may win her board game - she must - even if she's a loser in the game of life. Presented by Chamberlayne Actors Theatre. Purchase tickets online.
7. GANGSTAGRASS
Music
Friday, February 4, 7:30pm
Perkinson Center for the Arts & Education, 11810 Centre Street, Chester, 23831
$20
“There are a lot more people out there with Jay-Z and Johnny Cash on their playlists than you think,” says Gangstagrass Mastermind Rench, who previously made a name for himself as an in-demand Brooklyn country and hip-hop producer and singer/songwriter. He should know – he toured the country and abroad with a band of bluegrass pickers and hip-hop MCs to the delight of standing-room crowds everywhere. With MCs R-SON and Dolio the Sleuth trading verses, Dan Whitener on banjo, Brian Farrow on fiddle, Rench on guitar and beats, and frequent three-part harmonies, the Gangstagrass stage show has garnered a reputation among fans for its dynamism and spontaneity. Presented by Perkinson Center for the Arts & Education. Purchase tickets online.
7. LEGENDS ON GRACE: NIGHTCAPS & STORIES WITH ROBBIE SCHAEFER
Music, Theatre
Saturday, February 5, 8pm
Rhythm Hall at Dominion Energy Center, 600 East Grace Street, Richmond, 23219
$42.50 - $52.50 in-person
$32.50 on-demand
The Richmond Performing Arts Alliance brings musician, songwriter and playwright Robbie Schaefer for a 90-minute, up close and personal cabaret-style conversation and performance. Schaefer is the founder, songwriter and guitarist of the acclaimed indie folk-rock band Eddie from Ohio, and has written musicals for the stage, including Light Years which is currently in development as a feature film. Robbie also founded the international nonprofit, OneVoice – working with youth around the world to create social change through music and the arts. Hosted by Daniel Clarke – Musician/Songwriter/Producer. Purchase tickets online.
9. VIRTUAL CHINAFEST: THE YEAR OF THE WATER TIGER
Culture, Visual Art
Saturday, February 5, 10am
Online
Learn about the Chinese Lunar New Year as The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts celebrate VIRTUAL ChinaFest: Year of the Water Tiger Family Day! Families can virtually explore artwork from the museum’s collection, make their own art, and watch incredible and vibrant performances and presentations. The event will remain the VMFA website until the end of February. Stop by the VMFA Visitor Services desk the day of the event to pick up an art bag that contains the supplies for activities highlighted during the virtual event. No registration required.
10. LECTURE: THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF EMILY WINFREE: FROM ENSLAVEMENT TO CARNEGIE HALL
History
Thursday, February 3, 6pm
Online and at Virginia Museum of History & Culture, 428 N Arthur Ashe Boulevard, Richmond, 23220
The Virginia Museum of History & Culture brings authors Jan Meck and Virginia Refo for a thoughtful talk and discussion of their new book, The Life and Legacy of Enslaved Virginian Emily Winfree which tells the true story of an African American woman who was the embodiment of courage, love, and determination. A book signing and a light reception will follow the talk. This program is free and open to the public, but tickets are required. The lecture will also stream live on Facebook and YouTube for public viewing.
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.
The Library of Virginia, The Richmond Performing Arts Alliance, The Valentine, The Virginia Museum of History & Culture, and Virginia Rep are sponsors for VPM.
