Artsline: Virtual Edition || May 16, 2022
“Here are my songs, O child, O sage:
Come, bring your heart and let me win it.
You'll find my heart on every page:
The book is yours, with the heart that's in it!”
~Edwin Markham, "To All Friends," Gates of Paradise and Other Poems, 1920
As we count down the days when school is dismissed and summer in the eyes of every child, old and young, RVA turns to literary arts – books, articles, live readings – in support of education for the old and the young. You will find fiction, history, journalism, poetry and even books supporting STEM/STEAM education in our public schools. In addition, there are visual arts exhibits and music performances to round out a spring week full of arts and culture. Check it out below!
To list your events on Artsline, go to vpm.org/artsline.
1. WHAT MAKES A FACT TRUE: LOCAL JOURNALISM AND AMERICAN DEMOCRACY
Literary Arts, History
Tuesday, May 17, 6:30pm
Main Branch of Richmond Public Library, 101 East Franklin Street, Richmond, 23219
Live streaming available.
What does it mean to be informed? What do truth and falsehoods in media mean - and how can we tell the difference? The Richmond Public Library brings Pulitzer Prize-winning Richmond Times-Dispatch journalist Michael Paul Williams and Pulitzer-nominated journalist Chip Jones, to highlight the importance of local journalism as a critical and trusted voice in a healthy democracy and in turn how that voice supports an informed and engaged citizenry. Moderated by local scholar Mallory Perryman, Ph.D., discuss how one becomes media literate amid a barrage of truth, falsehoods, and the degrees between, in local and national news, and why it makes a difference. Register online for this free event. Attend in person or stream online at RPL’s YouTube channel.
2. THE QUEBE SISTERS
Music
Wednesday, May 18, 7pm
Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen, 2880 Mountain Road, Glen Allen, 23060
$35
Singing in multi-part close harmony, triple-threat fiddle champions The Quebe Sisters take the stage for an evening of song and Western Swing! Along with headlining their own shows to ever-growing audiences, they’ve shared the stage with American music legends including Willie Nelson, George Strait, Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder, and Ray Price. The Dallas-based five-piece presents a unique Americana blend of Western Swing, Jazz-influenced Swing, Country, Texas-Style Fiddling, and Western music. Presented by the Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen. Purchase tickets online.
3. HARI KONDABOLU
Comedy
Thursday-Saturday, May 19-21, 8:30pm
Sandman Comedy Club, 401 East Grace Street, Richmond, 23219
$25
Brooklyn-based comedian, writer, and podcaster Hari Kondabolu brings a new hour of stand-up to Sandman Comedy Club. The New York Times called Hari “one of the most exciting political comics”. His Netflix special "Warn Your Relatives" was named on many “Best of” lists. A public radio favorite, Hari has been guest on Fresh Air, Morning Edition, Code Switch and he is a regular on NPR’s hit game show Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me! Purchase tickets online.
4. FAN ARTS STROLL
Visual Art, Music
Friday, May 13, 7pm
Thursday & Friday, May 19 & 20
1900-2600 blocks of Hanover & Grove Avenues, Richmond, 23220
Inspired by an artist from Richmond’s Historic Fan District during the early month of the pandemic, The Fan Art Stroll has become a 12-block annual festival bringing joy to the community through local art, live music, tasty refreshments & more. Vendor registration and sponsorship fees of this year’s event will go to the reestablishment of Fox Elementary School. This event is free. Donations encouraged for musicians.
5. HOPE AND RECOVERY: BEETHOVEN OPUS 132 AND ELIOT FOUR QUARTETS
Music, Literary Art
Friday, May 20, 7:30pm at Trinity Episcopal Church, 214 W Beverley St, Staunton, 24401
Saturday, May 21, 7:30pm at All Saints Episcopal Church, 8787 River Road, Richmond, 23229
Sunday, May 22, 4pm at Grace Episcopal Church, 5607 Gordonsville Rd, Keswick, 22947
$25 Adults | $10 youth
Virginia Baroque Ensemble Three Notch’d Road offers their final concert of the season in Richmond, Charlottesville, and Staunton with a performance of Beethoven's moving late string quartet Opus 132 paired with a reading of T. S. Eliot's iconic Four Quartets. Purchase tickets online.
6. A ROYAL BREW-HAHA: THE QUEEN COMES TO AGECROFT HALL
Dance, History, Music
Sunday, May 22, 5pm
Agecroft Hall & Gardens, 4305 Sulgrave Road, Richmond, VA 23221
$10
The year is 1601, and Queen Elizabeth and her courtiers have arrived at Agecroft Hall in Lancashire, England, for the Queen’s Royal Progress. This Renaissance “romp” takes a humorous look at world events, as costumed members of the Richmond Renaissance Dancers portray the Queen and her courtiers, and provide period dancing. Garden Grove Brewing and Urban Winery will be here with beer and wine available for purchase. This event will be held outdoors in the Courtyard, weather permitting. Purchase tickets online.
7. RICHMOND CYCLING CORP SHORT FILM
Film
Monday, May 16, 7pm
The Byrd Theater, 2908 W Cary St, Richmond VA 23221
$20
The Byrd Theater will offer the world premiere of Shimano Cycling Corporation’s short film about the Richmond Cycling Corp (RCC). Snacks and drinks are available for purchase and a silent auction will be on site to benefit RCC. Shimano sent much needed- equipment last year to RCC, including bikes, helmets, new shoes, and more. They also sent Anthill Films, award-winning filmmakers behind Return to Earth, to produce this short film. All proceeds from the evening will go directly towards the RCC cycling programming. Purchase tickets online.
8. ACOUSTIC CONCERT SERIES: THE COMPANY STORE BAND
Music
Wednesday, May 18, 7:00pm
Perkinson Center for the Arts & Education, 11810 Centre Street, Chester, 23831
Chesterfield County Public Library brings an evening of old-time music that lies at the roots of bluegrass. The Company Store Band offers fiddle melodies from Virginia's Appalachians, tight harmonies from Kentucky's bluegrass and moving spirituals from the Carolina hills, mixed with a bit of country humor. Register online for this free event.
9. NIGHT OF 1,000 LAUGHS
Comedy
Wednesday, May 18, 7:30pm
Firehouse Theatre, 1609 West Broad Street, Richmond, 23220
$8
Nick Leveski and Eric Gordon are up to their improv comedy hijinks again at Firehouse Theatre. With stand-up by Francesca Lyn to open. Featuring sketch comedy from Leveski & Gordon and Ketchup Taco. Purchase tickets online.
10. JAMES RIVER ART LEAGUE EXHIBIT AT THE SWIFT CREEK MILL THEATER
Visual Art
Wednesday, May 18, 7pm Reception
Exhibit runs through June 25
Swift Creek Mill Theatre, 17401 Emancipation Highway, Colonial Heights, 23834
The James River Art League brings a member exhibit to Swift Mill Creek Theater. The exhibition includes 21 artists from Central Virginia with a goal to encourage the creation and appreciation of the visual arts. Mediums exhibited include a wide range of art media including oil, acrylic, watercolor, pastel, graphite, pen & ink, collage, and more. Join JRAL and the cast of Swift Creek Mill’s production of Love/Sick for an Opening Night Reception. The art will exhibit in the Historic Mill Room through the run of Love/Sick. No registration required.
11. CHIMBO-CHELLA
Literary Art, Music, Visual Art
Thursday, May 19, 5:30pm
3000 East Marshall Street, Richmond, 23223
Chimbo-chella is a community festival to support music and arts programs at Chimborazo Elementary School. Come celebrate with the school’s best artists and musicians at the corner of 31st and Marshall Streets. There’ll be a food truck, a silent art auction, interactive art making, and live performances by General Music, the Chimborazo Band, Chimborazo Harp, and the full Chimborazo Orchestra! All funds directly support Chimborazo Elementary. Little kids, big hearts. No registration required.
12. A CELEBRATION OF PSALMS CONCERT TO COMBAT HUNGER
Music
Sunday, May 22, 7pm
Reveille United Methodist Church, 4200 Cary Street Rd, Richmond, 23221
This year's Mission Benefit Concert will feature musical Psalm settings by Reveille United Methodist Church’s Chancel Choir and the Reveille Ringers. The Chancel Choir will join forces with local orchestral musicians to perform Mozart's "Vesperae solennes de Confessore" and will collaborate on pieces with Reveille's Youth Choir and singers from Love Center of Unity and Koinonia Christian Church. Proceeds will benefit Reveille's partner ministries who are currently addressing food insecurity and hunger crises, including the food pantries at Love Center of Unity and Koinonia Christian Church, Friends of the Homeless, Shalom Farms, and Rise Against Hunger for Ukraine. No registration required.
RESCHEDULED: THE RICHMOND BOOK FESTIVAL
Literary Arts
Saturday, May 21
John B. Cary Elementary School, 3021 Maplewood Avenue, Richmond, 23221
Come join John B. Cary Elementary School as they bring attention to literacy at their first annual Richmond Book Festival. Books for all ages will be on sale for $2. The festival will also feature readings from local authors, live music, food trucks, an artisan market, silent auction, and more! 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 Library of Virginia and Swift Creek Mill Theatre are sponsors of VPM.
