Artsline: Virtual Edition || March 7, 2022
“With patience, it is possible to dig a well with a teaspoon.” ~ Ukranian Proverb
So much is going on around us and around the world. Cries of justice and pain are not only heard from those in dire straits, they are heard, seen, and experienced in art. If art represents the history of our culture, then in necessarily mirrors us in good times and in bad. This week our arts and culture community offers a bit of both – from art that brings out the difficult feelings we need to process to art that expresses the hope we need to give us strength.
To list your events on Artsline, go to vpm.org/artsline.
1. JANE FRANKLIN DANCE PRESENTS: HERE
Dance
Saturday, March 12, 7pm
Dogtown Dance Theatre, 109 West 15th Street, Richmond, 23224
$20 General Admission | $15 Children, Students, Military
Jane Franklin Dance presents HERE. New works share a leitmotif of optimism for improving our footprint on the planet and in connection with one another. Experience the real, personal journeys of the people and ecosystems in our midst in an exciting evening of dance performed by some of the DMV’s finest movement artists. Experience new and recent works by Krystal Collins, Jane Franklin, Horizon Miguel, Robert J. Priore and Philip Baraoidan. Purchase tickets online.
2. RECLAMATION
History
Thursday, March 10, 6pm
Online and at Virginia Museum of History & Culture, 428 North Arthur Ashe Boulevard, Richmond, 23220
The Virginia Museum of History and Culture brings Gayle Jessup White, Public Relations & Community Engagement Officer at the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, the non-profit organization that owns and operates Monticello. She is the first descendant of Jefferson and the families he enslaved to be employed by the Foundation. Growing up in Black middle-class Washington, DC, Jessup White was 13 when she first heard the family lore. Fueled by personal loss and professional angst, she devoted herself to uncovering the truth, a commitment that ultimately led her to Monticello, where she became the Thomas Jefferson Foundation’s first community engagement officer. Her book, Reclamation, is an intimate exploration race, class, and redemption in a country that continues to struggle with its complicated and painful origins. Register online to attend this free event in person. Streaming is also available on the VMHC Facebook page and YouTube channel.
3. 2022 CELTIC FESTIVAL
Culture
Saturday, March 12
The Montpelier Center for Arts & Education, 17205 Mountain Road, Montpelier, 23192
$5
Join The Montpelier Center for Arts & Education as they celebrate the best of Celtic, Irish, and Scottish culture, including LIVE MUSIC, food trucks, whiskey tastings, axe throwing, and much more! Purchase tickets online.
4. ISOLATION, DIVERSITY & HOPE
Music
Sunday, March 13, 4pm
Pre-concert talk at 3pm
St. Christopher’s School, 711 St. Christopher's Road, Richmond, VA 23226
After what will have been nearly two years without performing as a full orchestra together due to the pandemic, the Richmond Philharmonic will return with their concert, Isolation, Diversity and Hope. Featuring music to prompt reflection and inspiration, the concert begins with “Lament for Victims of COVID-19,” written and performed by the Philharmonic’s own John Turner, ten-time National Scottish Fiddling champion. Other works include the theme from the movie “Cast Away,” a piece by African-American composer George Walker, and a symphony by Estonian composer Arvo Pärt. Maestro Peter Wilson will give a pre-concert talk at 3:00 p.m., where audience members can learn more about the composers and the music on the program. No registration required.
5. CYANOTYPE PRINTING
Visual Art
Saturday, March 12, 11am – 4pm
The Branch Museum of Architecture and Design, 2501 Monument Avenue, Richmond, 23220
$95
In this workshop, participants will explore the medium of cyanotypes and photographic contact printing at The Branch Museum of Architecture and Design with Liz Zhang, a Virginia-based artist. Zhang will lead a workshop using India ink on mylar to create “negatives” for cyanotype printing outside in the sun. During the workshop, participants will be able to discuss the relationship between image and surface, as well as the traditional function of cyanotypes as the architectural “blueprint.” Purchase tickets online.
6. YES! DANCE FESTIVAL
Dance
Friday, March 11, 7:30pm
Saturday, March 12, 3pm & 7:30pm
Firehouse Theatre, 1609 West Broad Street, Richmond, 23220
$25
K Dance presents the 2022 edition of YES! Dance Festival features a combination of live and digital works by 2nd Best Dance Company (Hannah Garner, NYC, NY - live), slowdanger (taylor knight and anna thompson, Pittsburgh, PA - digital), RE|dance group (Lucy Riner, Chicago, IL - live), Jacob Gomez (Barcelona, Spain - digital), K Dance (Kaye Weinstein Gary, Richmond, VA - live), Rogue Wave (Catherine Messina, NYC, NY - live), Jamal Jackson Dance Company (Jamal Jackson, Brooklyn, NY - digital), and Ballare Carmel (Lillian Barbeito, Carmel, CA - live). Purchase tickets online.
7. COMMEMORATING K-9 VETERANS DAY: AN INTERVIEW WITH VETERAN ROBERT MAY
History
Thursday, March 10, 10:30am
Online
Each year, on March 13, Virginia and the nation commemorate the service of American military and working dogs. Join The Virginia War Memorial as they begin our multi-day commemoration of K-9 Veterans Day with an interview of Vietnam veteran and former dog handler Robert May. May is the driving force behind the creation of a plaque at the VWM to honor canines who have served. Register online for this free event.
8. WRITERS WEDNESDAY
Literary Art
Wednesday, March 9, 5:30pm
Online
Writers Wednesday brings together writers of every experience level and genre in a casual atmosphere to connect, laugh, and revel in a well-deserved break. While hosting this program online, James River Writers creates rotating, intimate groups of 3-5 people in breakout rooms, to allow attendees to have manageable conversations with others. And JRW staff is always on hand to answer any questions you may have about their organization or writing in general. Registration closes at midnight, March 8.
9. UNSILENCED
Film, History
Saturday, March 12, 4pm
The Byrd Theater, 2908 West Cary Street, Richmond, 23221
$8
Based on true events, Unsilenced follows Wang, a student at an elite university in Beijing, and Daniel, a jaded American reporter, as they attempt to navigate the 1999 order that banned Falun Gong in China and remains in effect to this day. Audience Award Winner, Austin Film Festival 2021. Live Q&A after the show with Peabody Award-winning director, Leon Lee. Via video. Purchase tickets online.
10. COMPULSORY MEASURES
Visual Art
Saturday, March 12, 2pm
The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen, 2880 Mountain Road, Glen Allen, 23060
Join The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen for an artist talk with curator, Reni Gower and artist, Jorge Benitez. They will discuss the backstory, as well as historical precedents for their exhibition Compulsory Measures, while also revealing insights about each artist and their work. The gallery talk is free and open to the public. No registration required.
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, Virginia Museum of History and Culture, and the Virginia War Memorial are sponsors for VPM.
