Artsline || August 8, 2022
"’Always remember,’ the storyteller told the wide-eyed children, ‘once-upon-a-time in a tale also means Now.’" ~ Dr. SunWolf
Richmond is full to brimming with stories – not just once-upon-a-time history, but also stories from other lands, stories set to music, local stories of the here and now. This week boasts narratives told from many places from many voices and in many ways. Find your favorite or venture out and try a new way to listen to RVA.
To list your events on Artsline, go to vpm.org/artsline.
1. BOLLYWOOD MOVIE AS CHOSEN BY ARTIST TSHERIN SHERPA
Film, Visual Art
Friday, August 12, 6:30pm
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, 200 North Arthur Ashe Boulevard, Richmond, 23220
$8 admission | $5 VMFA members
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts offers a screening of the 2009 Bollywood movie Billu Barber (2009) as chosen by artist Tsherin Sherpa whose special art exhibition, Spirits, is currently featured at VMFA. Synopsis: A dashing mega-movie star comes to a small village to make a film. When rumors spread that Billu, a poor haircutter, was the star’s pal in school, he becomes a celebrity overnight. Trouble begins when townsfolk want to meet the star. This sweet comedy-drama delivers with several sensational neo-Bollywood dance numbers. Purchase tickets online.
2. JAMMIN' ON THE JAMES FEATURING POISONED DWARF
Music
Sunday, August 13, 6pm
Wilton House Museum, 215 South Wilton Road, Richmond, 23226
$10 advanced | $15 door
Join the Wilton House Museum this summer for an outdoor concert series on the grounds of Wilton. Bring a picnic dinner and your favorite lawn chair for family-friendly music on our scenic terrace overlooking the James River. Poisoned Dwarf is a Celtic music group that plays virtuosic, innovative and passionate renditions of traditional Irish and Scottish music on acoustic instruments. Five talented musicians create a driving sonic energy that has been captivating audiences for over a decade with whistles, flutes, violin, guitar, percussion, and Uilleann pipes together with exciting and lyrical vocals. Enjoy complimentary evening tours of Wilton before the concert as well as face-painting and games. Purchase tickets online.
3. BOOK BREAK WITH BILL GLOSE | ALL THE RUINED MEN
Literary Arts
Friday, August 12, 12pm
Library of Virginia, 800 East Broad Street, Richmond, 23219
Take a weekday break for a talk, casual conversation, and book signing with award-winning writer Bill Glose. The Book Break series at the Library of Virginia offers the opportunity to connect book lovers to new titles and local authors. The short stories in Glose’s book All the Ruined Men show veterans struggling for normalcy as they return from war to civilian life. Combat takes a different toll on each soldier, as does coming home. As a former paratrooper and Gulf War veteran, Glose is closely bound to these stories. A journalist, poet, and fiction writer, Glose has an extensive list of awards and honors, including finalist for the 2021 Library of Virginia Literary Award for Poetry for his book Postscript to War. Register online for this free event.
4. CLASSICAL BANJO WITH JOHN BULLARD
Music
Saturday, August 13, 2pm
North Courthouse Road Library, 325 Courthouse Road, North Chesterfield, 23236
John Bullard uses the metaphor of the hero’s journey to tell his own story and to introduce a captivating program of classical music on the banjo. In this interactive program presented by Chesterfield County Public Library, John engages the audience and invites them to reflect on their own hero’s journey in life and music. Register online for this free event.
5. THE WHISKEY REBELLION: GRATEFUL DEAD NIGHT
Music
Tuesday, August 9, 7:30pm
Firehouse Theatre, 1609 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23220
$10 advanced | $15 day of
Richmond's The Whiskey Rebellion performs a bluegrass tribute at Firehouse Theatre celebrating the music of The Grateful Dead, on the 27th anniversary of Jerry's death. Purchase tickets online.
6. SELECTED SCENES FROM THE OPERAS OF RICHARD WAGNER
Music, Theatre
Saturday, August 13, 7pm
Grace & Holy Trinity Episcopalian Church, 8 North Laurel Street, Richmond, 23220
$15
Commonwealth Concert Opera offers an evening of Scenes and Arias from the operas of Richard Wagner, including arias “Dich teure Halle” from Tannhäuser, “Notung, neidliches schwert” from Siegfried, “In fernem Land” from Lohengrin, and the Liebestod from Tristan und Isolde. Also duets from Tannhäuser and the epic "Love Duet" from Die Walkűre. Promising young professional singers join seasoned veterans, soprano Caroline Whisnant and tenor James Taylor, accompanied by pianist Charles Staples and narrator Reese Williams. Join in an evening of great music made more accessible with narration providing context for each scene. Purchase tickets online.
7. AUGUST MUSICALES | CHRISTOPHER MARTIN
Music
Wednesday, August 10, 7pm
Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, 1627 Monument Ave, Richmond, 23220
Christopher Martin, organist at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, performs works of Widor, Mendelssohn, Bach, Debussy, Vierne, and Dupre. No registration required for this free event.
8. POURS AND PASTIES BURLESQUE AND VARIETY SHOW
Comedy, Dance, Theatre
Friday, August 12, 8:30pm
Strangeways Brewing, 2277 Dabney Road, Richmond, 23230
$12 advanced | $15 door | $20 VIP
Burlesque Right Meow is back at Strangeways Brewing and ready to heat things up for this summer time show! This cast full of fabulous entertainers will excite and delight you all night long! This month's spectacular performers: Darshe Dazzles, Francesca Lyn, Jo'Rie, Tigerlily, Murphy Lawless, Poppy la Fae, Sally Stardust, and Scarlet Starlet. With feature performer Jacqueline Boxxe from MD. Hosted by Ego Von Hubris. Purchase tickets online.
9. STARRY NIGHT CINEMA: A RAISIN IN THE SUN
Film
Friday, August 12, 8pm
Institute for Contemporary Art at VCU, 601 West Broad Street, Richmond, 23220
Join the Institute for Contemporary Art and Afrikana Independent Film Festival under the stars (and a full moon) at the ICA’s Thinking Field for the big-screen presentation of the 1961 film A Raisin in the Sun, staring Sidney Poitier. Written and adapted by Lorraine Hansberry, the first Black woman to have a play featured on Broadway, the film follows the Youngers, a Black family from South Side Chicago that is grappling with how to best use a large sum of money left by the family’s recently deceased patriarch. Register online for this free event.
10. SUMMER CONCERT SERIES INTERLUDE TWO
Music
Sunday, August 14, 3pm
Bon Air Presbyterian Church 9201 West Huguenot Road North Chesterfield, 23235
$30 adults | Free for aged 18 and under
The Richmond Chamber Players offer the second in a series of three concerts for August. This all-Baroque Program features the works of Telemann and several works by Bach. Special Guest Joanne Kong on harpsichord. Purchase tickets via cash or check at the venue.
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, and Wilton House Museum are sponsors of VPM.
