Artsline || July 11, 2022
“When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.” ~ Audre Lorde
There are so many opportunities this week to call out your support for RVA – especially for our local arts and culture community. In addition to the music, theatre, and history events listed below, the City of Richmond offers free accessible performances each year at The Festival of the Arts at Dogwood Dell. The Dell is a treasured local tradition, where Richmonders sit beneath the stars, catch lighting bugs, and watch some of the best performing artists in the region. There are lots of great shows still left in the season – running through September 10.
To list your events on Artsline, go to vpm.org/artsline.
1. BLACK PRIDE RVA WEEK
Culture, History
Wednesday, July 13 – Sunday, July 17
Times and Venues vary
Check events for pricing
Us Giving Richmond Connections (UGRC) hosts the Fifth Annual Black Pride RVA week, celebrating the Black LGBTQ communities of greater Richmond. The celebration kicks off with a panel discussion at The Black History Museum, and over the next five days there are galas, awards, parties, and opportunities for service. Check out their calendar for more details.
2. HØLY RIVER ON SHOCKOE SESSIONS LIVE!
Music, Dance
Tuesday, July 12, 7:30pm
Online and at Hardywood Brewery Richmond, 2410 Ownby Lane, Richmond, 23220
In Your Ear Studios brings their weekly Shockoe Sessions live this week from Hardywood Craft Brewery in Richmond! HØly River will perform along with the Concert Ballet of Virginia to benefit the James River Association via the virtual tip jar and on-site donations. Come out in person or stay in and watch via YouTube – no registration required. (Video used with permission.)
3. ART NIGHT AT THE CULTURAL ARTS CENTER
Visual Art
Thursday, July 14, 6pm
Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen, 2880 Mountain Rd, Glen Allen, 23060
Invite a friend or make it a date night for a showcase at The Cultural Arts Center featuring four new exhibits! Enjoy live music and a wine & beer cash bar that helps support The Cultural Arts Center’s outreach programs. Meet the artists behind the exhibits, explore the sculpture garden, and discover items by local makers in the gift shop. New exhibits revealed include: Kind of Blue from Richmond Metropolitan Artist Association, Honoring & Loving Stella Blankenship from Jill Powell, Dear Tala from Tala Poosti, and Love Letters Written from the Old Inky Pen that Is My Heart from Richard Nickel. No registration required.
4. ARTS IN EDUCATION SUMMER CAMP, ENCANTO
Dance, Visual Art, Theatre, Music, Culture
Weekly full-day and half-day camps beginning July 18
Through August 12
Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen, 2880 Mountain Rd, Glen Allen, 23060
and Dominion Energy Center, 600 E Grace St, Richmond, 23219
$450/week full day | $250/week half day
Welcome to our Casita! The Latin Ballet of Virginia’s very own encanto and Colombian, Ana Ines is proud to honor the culture of her country through Disney’s Encanto. The Latin Ballet will celebrate its 22nd year with full and half day camps with two locations to choose from. Days will be filled with art, dance, theater, storytelling, and culture – and students will delve into the magic that is Latin America! Register online.
5. LITERARY VIRGINIA BOOK GROUP | FIRST PRINCIPLES
History, Literary Art
Wednesday, July 13, 6pm
Online
Read and discuss the best of today's Virginia literature—including books by Library of Virginia Literary Award winners and finalists in fiction and nonfiction - on the second Wednesday evening of each month. This month, discussion surrounds First Principles: What America's Founders Learned from the Greeks and Romans and How That Shaped our Country by Thomas E. Ricks (a nonfiction finalist in the 2021 People’s Choice Awards). In August, the Library will take a summer break and be back in September! Registration required for this free event.
6. VCU ALUMNI NIGHT AT THE BOOK BAR
Literary Art
Friday, July 15, 5:30pm
The Book Bar, 1311 East Main Street, Richmond, 23219
$15
Join fellow VCU Alumni book and wine lovers at one of Richmond’s newest social spaces: The Book Bar. Featuring books and bites created exclusively by people of color, The Book Bar is a great spot to meet fellow Rams while supporting local Black- and women-owned businesses. You’ll also have an opportunity to learn more about VCU Alumni’s virtual book club while tasting featured wines and charcuterie samples. VCU Alumni book club members receive a $5 discount. All alumni and their guests are welcome. Register online.
7. CLASSICAL INCARNATIONS
Music
Sunday, July 17, 7pm
Gallery5, 200 West Marshall Street, Richmond, 23220
Join Classical Revolution RVA for our monthly classical variety show featuring your favorite local performers at Gallery5! This event is free, but donations are welcome! No registration required.
8. FRIDAY EVENING HAUNTINGS AT HISTORIC BERKELEY
History, Theatre
Fridays through July 29, 5:30pm
Berkley Plantation, 12602 Harrison Landing Road, Charles City, 23030
$17 adults | $8 for children 6 & under
Each Friday of July, Historic Berkeley Plantation offers a special evening tour with stories of Berkeley’s paranormal activities. Includes a guided tour through the 1726 mansion, museum, and self-guided grounds tour. Reservations required. Purchase tickets online.
9. RVA ROCKS PAINT DAY
Visual Art
Saturday, July 17, 2pm
Art Works, 320 Hull Street, Richmond, 23224
Art Works is partnering with Rock RVA, a nonprofit that paints rocks, shells and earthy things to hide around the RVA area to brighten people’s day! Come to RVA Rocks Paint Day create artful rocks that Art Works will hide in Manchester for a fun scavenger hunt, July 23 – August 5, that includes gift certificates and prizes donated by merchants and businesses in Manchester. Register online for this free event.
10. WORDS ON FIRE: HAPPY HOUR POETRY
Poetry
Sunday, July 17, 6pm
Firehouse Theatre, 1609 West Broad Street, Richmond, 23220
$5 suggested donation
Break out of the work week routine with a dose of hot verse at Firehouse Theatre. Featuring showcase poets and an open mic sign up for those with a verse or two to drop, and a cash bar with happy hour specials. It's a great way to make the most of a long day. Want to get heard yourself? Open mic signup is onsite starting at 5:45. Come catch the night on fire with us! 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 VCU Office of Development and Alumni Relations are sponsors of VPM.
