Artsline || Jun 20, 2022
“But you'll never find peace of mind
'Til you listen to your heart.”
~George Michael
Don’t miss out on the great performances, exhibits, and talks for Pride Month! This week, even Edgar Allen Poe gets into Pride fun! Plus, there’s lots of outdoor music, history, and art befitting for June weather in RVA – and many of these opportunities are family-friendly and are free or at very low cost. Enjoy all the local arts this region has to offer!
To list your events on Artsline, go to vpm.org/artsline.
1. PRIDE UNHAPPY HOUR
Literary Art, Music
Thursdays, June 23, 6pm
The Poe Museum, 1914 E Main Street, Richmond, 23059
$10
Desperate for an evening of thrills, chills, and high heels? Join The Poe Museum for a night of fearful pride festivities. See live performances from Chicki Parm and Veronica Venom, as well as live music from Deau Eyes. Adult libations for sale and snacks provided. Come explore the Poe Museum after-hours and see special pieces from our collection. It’s a miserable time from six to nine! Purchase tickets online.
2. MAMMA MIA!
Theatre
Thursday, June 23 – Sunday, August 7
Times vary
Virginia Rep’s November Theatre, 114 West Broad Street, Richmond, 23220
$36-$67
Exploding with the harmonic hit songs made famous by the popular 1970s group ABBA, Mamma Mia! is beloved the world over. Synopsis: Sophie, a bride-to-be, plots to discover the true identity of her father by inviting three of her mother’s former suitors to her wedding. When Donna, former lead singer of Donna and the Dynamos, discovers what her daughter is up to, the wild ride begins. Set on a colorful Greek island, this intoxicating musical will have you singing and dancing in the aisles as the mystery is solved. Presented by Virginia Rep. Purchase tickets online.
3. FRONT LAWN FUN
History
Tuesday, June 21, 10:30am
Virginia Museum of History & Culture, 428 North Arthur Ashe Boulevard, Richmond, 23220
How did kids play in the past? Toys like Jacks, Jacob’s Ladders, and YoYos have been found around the world for thousands of years. The Virginia Museum of History & Culture offers the chance to play with colonial-era replicas of these games, as well as take part in slinky races down our front steps, giant checkers on the lawn, and even try your luck in getting George Washington back home to Mount Vernon in a 19th century version of chutes and ladders. This event is fun for all ages but recommended for elementary – middle school. This event is free, and no registration is required.
4. 4TH FRIDAY ART SHOWS
Visual Art
Friday, June 24, 6pm – reception
Exhibits run through July 16
Art Works, 320 Hull Street, Richmond, 23224
Summertime exhibits at Art Works are full of variety. Emily Baker, inspired by the rolling landscapes of the Blue Ridge Mountains, presents an exhibit of the tangible and obscure. The Richmond Photography Meet Up Group (RPMG) hold their annual photography exhibit and abstract painter, Dan Thompson offers up COVID 2021. Local artists participate in the monthly All Media Show. Meet the artists at the reception featuring music and refreshments. This event is free and open to the public. No registration required.
5. LIVE ART: I’VE GOT YOU
Film
Sunday, June 26, 2:30pm & 5pm
The Byrd Theatre, 2908 West Cary Street, Richmond, 23221
$20
Join SPARC as they present an afternoon of creative magic coming to life in front of the youth who created it. The theme “I Got You” drives the creative direction behind this 45-minute film. The youth involved in this performance spent months exploring ways to express, through movement, performance, and music, how we all take care of each other. Shot and edited by Emmy Award-Winning filmmaker Martin Montgomery, SPARC youth worked with local musicians to write and produce each piece. Attend the event RED CARPET READY and sit side-by-side with the actors and creators of Live Art as they experience the film for the first time. Purchase tickets online.
6. THE BARBER OF MOVILLE
Theatre
Thursday, June 23 – Sunday, July 17
Times vary
Firehouse Theatre, 1609 West Broad Street, Richmond, 23220
$30
Firehouse Theatre brings the U.S. premiere of The Barber of Moville by Ronan Carr and directed by Nathaniel Shaw. Synopsis: Molly and Dommo are finally ready to fulfill their plan to take a long-awaited trip. Dommo has a round trip ticket. Molly's ticket is one-way. They're closing up their barbershop in Derry City, Ireland for a week so they can travel to Zurich, treat themselves to a fine hotel, a fancy meal, tickets to a production of The Barber of Seville, and then.... This darkly comic and enormously powerful play examines the depth of true love and poses difficult questions about end-of-life issues. Purchase tickets online.
7. COMMON GROUND VIRGINIA HISTORY BOOK GROUP | THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL
History, Literary Art
Tuesday, June 21, 6pm
Online
Read and discuss compelling nonfiction books handpicked by Library of Virginia staff that explore Virginia history, society, and culture. This month, they will discuss The Appalachian Trail: A Biography by Philip D’Anieri. For the second half of the evening the author will join in for a short Q&A. Registration is required for this free event.
8. VMFA SUMMER BREEZE – DJ NOBE
Music, Visual Art
Friday, June 24, 5:30pm
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, 200 North Arthur Ashe Boulevard, Richmond, 23220
It’s Summertime! Join the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in the Robins Sculpture Garden for an evening of music. DJ Nobe on the spin will be coming at you live from the Pauley Patio. Grab a drink and enjoy. Remember to bring your lawn chairs and blankets. Dancing is encouraged. No registration required.
9. 11TH ANNUAL HONEY BEE FESTIVAL
History, Music, Visual Art
Saturday, June 25
Rockwood Park Nature Center, 3401 Courthouse Road, Richmond, 23236
Rockwood Park Backyard Beekeepers Association celebrates the 400th anniversary of bee keeping in America with the 11th annual Honey Bee Festival. After a 2-year absence the festival is back with lots of fun for the whole family, including live music from the Bee Flats, an assortment of food trucks, guest speakers for Buzz Talks, children’s activities, and opportunities to see the important role that honey bees play in our food production. In addition, there will be vendors selling a wide variety of items inspired by nature, including a large assortment of honey bee and beeswax related items. Come see our local pollinators, and their importance in our environment. No registration required for this free event.
10. MUSIC UNDER THE STARS: NATALIE BROOKE
Music
Friday, June 24, 6pm
The Montpelier Center for Arts & Education, 17205 Mountain Road, Montpelier, 23192
$5 (12 & under free)
The Montpelier Center’s outdoor concerts feature local and up & coming bands here on their beautiful Village Green, along with several food trucks that rotate out each concert! This week, Natalie Brooke comes to rock the stage, bringing her own style of funk & dance jams for all to enjoy! This concert series celebrates local music & all things community. Your ticket purchase goes directly towards supporting live music & the mission of The Montpelier Center. Lawn chairs & blankets encouraged! Purchase tickets online.
11. COALITION JR.
Comedy, Theatre
Friday, June 24, 10pm
Coalition Theatre, 8 West Broad Street, Richmond, 23220
$10
Coalition Theatre brings a wholesome improv variety show, featuring music, audience participation, and a cast of human and puppet performers. Hiya friends! Come out and join the Coalition Jr. Crew for a wholesome, fantastical, improvised comedic journey featuring everything from puppets to music, all inspired by the COOL and SMART suggestions that YOU come up with! Isn’t the human brain a wonderful thing? We’ll laugh, learn, and shake off all the unpleasant emotions from the work week. Why? Because you deserve it! Purchase tickets online.
12. BACH TO THE BEATLES
Music
Sunday, June 26, 2pm
Good Luck Cellars, 1025 Good Luck Road, Kilmarnock, 22482
$30 (Students free)
The Northern Neck Orchestra presents Bach to the Beatles, a concert of chamber music reimagined for string quartet, featuring compositions by Johann Sebastian Bach, John Lennon and Paul McCartney. The playlist includes Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 and Art of the Fugue as well as Lennon and McCartney’s I Want to Hold Your Hand, Eleanor Rigby, Blackbird, Yesterday and more. The music will be performed by Northern Neck Orchestra Concertmaster and Principal Violinist Moises Cunha, violinist Elizabeth Crute Cunha, cellist Jake Fowler and violist Alexander Smith. 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.
The Library of Virginia, the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, and Virginia Rep are sponsors of VPM.
