Artsline: Virtual Edition || February 7, 2022
“I like funny valentines and solemn ones, with paper frills all over and a little cupid peeping out from behind a tree. I like all kinds of valentines — red and yellow, blue and pink, and especially chocolate cream color.” ~John Kendrick Bangs
Valentine’s Day is upon us and it’s time to pay homage to what we love – in red and yellow, blue and pink! Take in a show or an exhibit, explore untold stories, or find inspiration in an ancient tune. Whatever puts you in the space of love – do it. Then spread that feeling all around!
To list your events on Artsline, go to vpm.org/artsline.
1. STONEWALLIN’
Theatre
Wednesday & Thursday, February 9 & 10, 8pm Preview
Runs thru March 5, Thursdays – Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 4pm
Richmond Triangle Players, 1300 Altamont Avenue, Richmond, 23230
$10 - $35
Richmond Triangle Players presents the world premiere of Stonewallin’ – the winner of their inaugural So.Queer Playwriting Festival. Synopsis: The witches are up to something in the small-town South. When Marsha moves from Berkeley to Virginia to reconnect with her family’s roots, she finds a barista with an astrology obsession, a Confederate monument gone missing, and the makings of a bisexual love story — if she wants it. With humanity, humor, and as many layers as a biscuit, this new play explores the families we choose, the families we don’t, and the folks making magic in a changing South - a queer coming-of-age story full of witchcraft, war re-enactors, and ghosts. Purchase tickets online.
2. VIRGINIA IN LOVE: CELTIC MUSIC FOR VALENTINE'S DAY
Music, Culture
Friday, February 11, 7:30pm at Trinity Episcopal Church, 214 W Beverley Street, Staunton, 24401
Saturday, February 12, 7:30pm at All Saints Episcopal Church, 8787 River Road, Richmond, 23229
Sunday, February 13, 4:00pm at Grace Episcopal Church, 5607 Gordonsville Road #43, Keswick, 22947
$25/general admission, $10/youth 18 & under
With dance music, Shakespeare songs, and storyteller Sarah Walker, Three Notch’d Road explores romantic ballads & legends of the British Isles, including Robin Hood & Maid Marian. Early harp specialist Christa Patton is the featured guest artist. Purchase tickets online.
3. THREE DECEMBERS
Opera
Friday, February 11, 8pm
Sunday, February 13, 2:30pm
Dominion Energy Center, 600 East Grace Street, Richmond, 23219
$15 - $90
In Virginia Opera’s Commonwealth Premiere of Three Decembers, follow a family through three decades of life – 1986, 1996, 2006. Become immersed in their struggles to connect as old secrets emerge to thicken the drama and tension. The story follows a Broadway Diva in the twilight of her career, portrayed by real life Tony Award winning actor Karen Ziemba!! Purchase tickets online.
4. THE RECORD OF MURDERS AND OUTRAGES: RACIAL VIOLENCE AND THE FIGHT OVER TRUTH AT THE DAWN OF RECONSTRUCTION
History
Thursday, February 10, Noon
Online and at Virginia Museum of History & Culture, 428 N. Arthur Ashe Boulevard, Richmond, 23220
The Virginia Museum of History & Culture brings author Dr. William A. Blair to discuss his book, The Record of Murders and Outrages: Racial Violence and the Fight over Truth at the Dawn of Reconstruction. Military officers led by Ulysses S. Grant and Oliver Otis Howard led an effort by Freedmen’s Bureau officers to document that Black Americans faced little justice for atrocities committed against them. In doing so, they leaked information to Congress that embarrassed the president, their commander, as a concern for civil rights overrode constitutional norms. The resulting Record of Murders and Outrages helped justify military occupation of the South, exposed the rise of the Klan, and shined a light on voter suppression through terrorism that otherwise may have gone unreported. 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.
5. CHARLOTTESVILLE SYMPHONY MASTERWORKS 3: TCHAIKOVSKY & COPLAND
Music
Saturday, February 12, 8pm at Old Cabell Hall, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, 22903
Sunday, February 13, 3:30pm at MLK Performing Arts Center, 1400 Melbourne Rd, Charlottesville, 22901
$8 - $45
Charlottesville Symphony Music Director Benjamin Rous conducts a string orchestra in one of the most familiar works in the symphonic repertoire, Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s elegant Serenade for Strings in C Major, Op. 48. Memorable melodies abound throughout this four-movement homage to Mozart – one of Tchaikovsky’s idols. Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring was first performed as a modern ballet with choreography by the legendary Martha Graham. Her dance company’s premiere performance at the Library of Congress was accompanied by just thirteen instrumentalists. The popularity of the chamber suite on the Charlottesville Symphony’s February program is due in large part to Copland’s inclusion of the familiar Shaker tune Simple Gifts. Purchase tickets online or by calling 434-924-3376.
6. A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM
Theatre
February 11-20, Fridays & Saturdays at 7pm, Sundays at 3pm
Perkinson Center for the Arts & Education, 11810 Centre Street, Chester, 23831
$8 - $20
Broken Leg Theatre, Inc. brings their production of A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare. Magic, fairies, romance, and a Love Potion run wild in Shakespeare’s beloved comedy. The lives of an acting troupe, four teenagers, and the Fairy Royal Court are turned upside-down when they cross paths with a mischievous sprite called Puck. Smiles, and laughter await ticket-holders who come to dream. Purchase tickets online.
7. GELLMAN ROOM CONCERT: MARK VALENTI
Music
Saturday, February 12, 2pm
Main Branch, Richmond Public Library, 101 East Franklin Street, Richmond, 23219
The Richmond Public Library brings Mark Valenti on piano in Something for Everyone--Romantic, Impressionistic, Modern Virtuoso Piano Music, with works by Schubert, Rachmaninoff, Debussy, and Barber.
8. BONSAI: FOR THE LOVE OF TREES
Landscape Art
Thru February 25
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, 1800 Lakeside Avenue, Richmond, 23228
Free with admission, $8 - $14
Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens brings the art of Bonsai with a unique opportunity to view specimen pieces from private collections including conifer, deciduous and tropical trees. The display includes yamadori (trees collected from the wild) and urbandori (trees collected from urban settings) as well as imports from fine nurseries across Asia and America. On view will be trees that have been under cultivation for more than 30 years with ages that range well over 100 years old. The exhibition includes about 25 specimens at any given time and with new selections weekly, so visit often to see the full display! Purchase tickets online.
9. RESEARCH STORIES FROM VIRGINIA UNTOLD: THE AFRICAN AMERICAN NARRATIVE
History
Wednesday, February 9, 7pm
Online
Join The Library of Virginia for a virtual panel discussion on Virginia Untold: The African American Narrative, a digital project that provides access to records of enslaved and free Black people in the Library's collections. Project manager Lydia Neuroth will introduce the project, describe the scope and document types, and moderate a 45-minute discussion between genealogists, researchers, and scholars on how they have used the platform to enhance their work. A Q&A session at the end will allow audience members to ask questions and offer their own feedback. Register online for this free event.
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 Institute of Contemporary Art at VCU, The Library of Virginia, Richmond Triangle Players, The Virginia Museum of History & Culture, and Virginia Opera are sponsors for VPM.
