Artsline || July 25, 2022
“Writing to me is an advanced and slow form of reading. If you find a book you really want to read but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it.” ~Toni Morrison
From poetry to prose, from stage to museum – Richmonders have a rich story to tell in history, music, and literature. Check out this week’s opportunities to dive deeper into a summer read, expand your understanding of intersecting history, or find a community that supports your own story. There are so many ways to experience the written word this week!
To list your events on Artsline, go to vpm.org/artsline.
1. WEINSTEIN AUTHOR SERIES – RITA DOVE | PLAYLIST FOR THE APOCALYPSE
Literary Art
Thursday, July 28, 6pm
Library of Virginia, 800 East Broad Street, Richmond, 23219
Join the Library of Virginia in person for a special evening of poetry with Pulitzer Prize winner and former U.S. Poet Laureate Rita Dove, who will read from her latest book, Playlist for the Apocalypse. In her first volume of new poems in 12 years, Dove investigates the vacillating moral compass guiding America’s, and the world’s, experiments in democracy. Whether depicting the first Jewish ghetto in 16th-century Venice or the contemporary efforts of Black Lives Matter, a girls’ night clubbing in the shadow of World War II or the doomed nobility of Muhammad Ali’s conscious objector stance, this extraordinary poet never fails to connect history’s grand exploits to the triumphs and tragedies of individual lives. Virginia is lucky to claim Dove, who lives in Charlottesville, and she teaches creative writing at the University of Virginia. Register online for this free event.
2. THE WRITING SHOW | INDIE PUBLISHING MYTHS: GET THE TRUTH ABOUT SELF-PUBLISHING
Literary Art
Tuesday, July 26, 6pm
Firehouse Theatre, 1609 West Broad Street, Richmond, 23220
MOVED ONLINE
$12 Members | $17 Non-members | $5 Students
Bypassing the traditional Big Five (Four?) publishing houses is easier and more profitable than ever, but what can you really expect if you go the self-publishing route? Is it true only certain genres are successful? Can you make it work on a shoestring, or is it more expensive than traditional publishing? Will your book be available in brick-and-mortar stores? James River Writer experts shed light on the more puzzling aspects of self-publishing. This panel discussion will include speakers Hollee Freeman, David Kazzie, and Sharvette Mitchell. Advanced registration required to attend. No walk-ins.
3. HISTORIC ST. JOHN’S CHURCH GRAVEYARD TOUR
History
Saturday, July 30, 11am
Historic St. John's Church, 2401 East Broad Street, Richmond, 23223
$10 Adults | Free for age 6 and under
Learn about life in early Richmond as Historic St. John’s Church leads a tour of the pathways of Richmond's first cemetery. Meet fascinating people like Elizabeth Arnold Poe, George Wythe, and other Revolutionary-era Virginians. See their oldest visible grave and learn about early business and trade in RVA. From wigmakers to gunsmiths, to writers and actors, our graveyard is full of life. Purchase tickets online.
4. SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER
Theatre
Thursdays – Sundays through July 31, 7:30pm
Agecroft Hall & Gardens, 4305 Sulgrave Road, Richmond, 23221
$33 adults | $28 seniors | $20 students
Quill Theatre presents one of the greatest romantic comedies of manners ever written as a part of the Shakespeare Festival at Agecroft Hall. Synopsis: A young man comes to the country to court the daughter of a friend of his father's. Although well-bred, he is shy and awkward around women of his own standing, but a rake around 'women of another sort.' He is fooled into thinking that the old-fashioned house he is to visit is actually an inn, his father's friend is the Innkeeper, and his potential betrothed a barmaid. Since its first performance in 1773, this has been in perpetual production all over the world! Don't forget your lawn chair! Purchase tickets online.
5. DAVID ESLECK TRIO IN CONCERT
Music
Saturday, July 30, 6pm
Second Baptist Church, 9614 River Road, Richmond, 23229
Join Second Baptist Church as they bring the David Esleck Trio and guests for a special outdoor concert! Bring a picnic and a lawn chair for a great summer evening! No registration required.
6. SUMMER CHAMBERFEST 4: THE GENIUS OF MOZART
Music
Thursday, July 28, 6:30pm
Dominion Energy Center, Rhythm Hall, 600 East Grace Street, Richmond, 23219
$30
While Mozart’s String Quartets are masterworks, his Quintets with their aching, exquisite extra middle voice are transcendent, particularly the C major Quintet. And from our own time, String Circle by Kenji Bunch. Presented by the Richmond Symphony. Purchase tickets online.
7. DIVINI-TEASE: A BURLESQUE TRIBUTE TO THE DIVINE BEHINDS OF MYTHOLOGY
Dance, Comedy, Theatre
Saturday, July 30, 7:30pm
Firehouse Theatre, 1609 West Broad Street, Richmond, 23220
$20 Advance | $25 Day of | $30 VIP
18+
Burlesque Right Meow pays tribute to one of the oldest rituals of humankind, passed down throughout the ages of history: shakin’ that butt and cheering about it. Their performers will entertain as they explore ancient legends, myths, lore, astrology, and much more! Come see what The Fates have in store for you. For audiences 18 and older. Purchase tickets online.
8. THE OASIS: A SUNDAY MUSIC MATINEE
Music, History
Sunday, July 31, 2pm
The Valentine, 1015 East Clay Street, Richmond, VA 23219-1527
The Valentine offers a free performance by The Funk Masters. Relax in their historic green space and enjoy some live funk music at this special Oasis concert. This special concert closes out The Valentine’s Oasis: A High Noon Summer Concert Series offered at noon each Wednesday in June & July. No registration required.
9. A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S SCREAM UNHAPPY HOUR
Music, Literary Art
Thursday, July 28, 6pm
The Poe Museum, 1914 East Main Street, Richmond, 23223
$10 Adults | Free for children and museum members
A Midsummer Night’s Scream is the party of your dreams… or nightmares! Join the Poe Museum for a night of mad revelry complete with live music, libations, lawn games, merriment, and more. Triple Crossing Beer, Bryant Cider, and a selection of wines will be available for purchase. Love potions meant for Titania, the queen of the fairies is unavailable. Live music from the Jen Tal Band. Purchase tickets online.
10. INTERSECTING HISTORY: MUSEUM CRAWL
History, Visual Art
Sunday, July 31, 10am
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, 200 North Arthur Ashe Boulevard, Richmond, 23220
Initiatives of Change USA is joining together again with many of the fine arts and history institutions in Richmond to showcase our Second Annual Intersecting History Museum Crawl. Intersecting History is a coalition of museums and community historians that seek to intersect diverse histories to form a more just and inclusive public memory in an increasingly polarized society. Attendees can go to their trusted museum of choice free of charge and get a free bus ride to all of the participating museums to intersect with new narratives they may not typically experience regarding race, justice, and public memory. This year’s participating museums include the American Civil War Museum, the Virginia Holocaust Museum, The Valentine, Virginia Museum of History and Culture, and Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Registration required 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 Library of Virginia, Quill Theatre, The Richmond Symphony, The Valentine, and The Virginia Museum of History & Culture are sponsors of VPM.
