Artsline || November 28, 2022
“I prefer winter and fall when you feel the bone structure of the landscape – the loneliness of it, the dead feeling of winter. Something waits beneath it; the whole story doesn’t show.” ~ Andrew Wyeth
RVA in winter is a story waiting to be discovered. Will you find your favorite events during First Fridays or perhaps at the theatre? Maybe it’s our amazing music scene? Or perhaps you’d like tp prepare for the holidays with chocolate and a good book. Whatever your pleasure, Richmond (and beyond) has it. Check out this week as we kick off December!
To list your events on Artsline, go to vpm.org/artsline.
1. SHOCKOE SESSIONS LIVE: RODNEY STITH EP RELEASE
Music
Tuesday, November 29, 6 PM
Hippodrome Theater, 528 North 2nd Street, Richmond, 23219
$25-$100
Celebrate the release of his new album The Soul Chronicles of Rodney Stith from Rodney Stith & The Soul Foundation with special guests Chance Fischer and Weldon Hill. Guests are invited to dress in their retro finest for the event of the year! A portion of the proceeds from this event will benefit The Historic Jackson Ward Association and RIFF Art Institute (Richmond International Film Festival). Presented by Shockoe Records. Purchase tickets online.
2. CHOCOLATE MAKING DEMONSTRATIONS
History
Saturdays in December, 11 AM - 1 PM
Virginia Museum of History & Culture, 428 North Arthur Ashe Boulevard, Richmond, 23220
Join the Virginia Museum of History & Culture on a journey through history and discover the ways in which chocolate was prepared and enjoyed in 18th-century Virginia. Guests will have the opportunity to observe chocolate being made using reproduction cooking tools and equipment appropriate to the 18th century. Sample American Heritage Chocolate and purchase some to take home or enjoy a hot chocolate in the Museum Cafe! Free; no registration required.
3. HOPE - IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME COMING
Music
Saturday, December 3, 8 PM
Forbes Center for the Performing Arts, 147 Warsaw Avenue, Harrisonburg, 22801
$51
Vibrant and inspirational, the three-time Grammy Award-winning Soweto Gospel Choir from South Africa returns to the Forbes Center to sing, dance and drum in this tour-de-force performance! In this concert of hope and joy featuring music of South Africa’s Freedom Movement and the American Civil Rights Movement, the Soweto Gospel Choir will perform African gospel, spirituals and freedom songs by artists and activists including Aretha Franklin, Mahlia Jackson, Harry Belafonte, and more. Purchase tickets online.
4. FIRST FRIDAYS EXHIBIT AT THE RICHMOND PUBLIC LIBRARY
Visual Arts
Reception Friday, December 2, 6:30 PM
Main Branch, Richmond Public Library, 101 East Franklin St., Richmond, 23219
The Richmond Public Library’s Main Branch offers three new exhibits for First Fridays RVA: Abstract expressionism from William Parrish; "Photo Distinctions" from Martin Edwards and Venkat Santosh, black-and-white images from Focus Group Camera Club; and the continuation of "Flower Fantasy" featuring dreamy and iridescent acrylics by Richmond-based Ukrainian-American Olga Rokhmanyuk. No registration required for this free event.
5. HOLIDAY CONCERT
Music
Saturday, December 3, 8 PM
Shady Grove Coffeehouse at the Unitarian Universalist Community Church, 11105 Cauthorne Road, Glen Allen, 23059
$10 advance | $15 door | Age 13-18 half price | 12 & under free
Join Shadygrove Coffee House to kick off the holiday season as they rekindle the tradition of Shady Grove holiday concerts: a celebration in song and story from across the ages. The evening includes carol singing as well as choir presentations that are timeless and touch us all at the holiday season. Now is the season to gather and share the best of what the community has to offer us all. Reserve tickets by sending e-mail to [email protected] or by calling (804) 323-4288.
6. COFFEE + CONVERSATION WITH JUSTIN SMITH
Visual Art
Saturday, December 3, 10 AM
Branch Museum of Architecture & Design, 2501 Monument Avenue, Richmond, 23220
Justin Smith is an artist-curator, writer-researcher, theorist and designer from Richmond, VA. He is the founder and curator of Afrovisualism - his curatorial platform and continual studio practice that provides curation, visual direction, and creative development for artists and creatives. He constellates frameworks of Black aesthetic formulations in a harmonious arrangement of curatorial and design projects, visual essays, collages, and moodboards. Presented by the Branch Museum of Architecture & Design. No registration required for this free event.
7. GROSS INDECENCY: THE THREE TRIALS OF OSCAR WILDE
Theatre
Thursday, December 1 – Sunday December 4
Times vary
Singleton Center for the Performing Arts, 922 Park Avenue, Richmond, 23284)
$5 - $15
VCUarts Theatre presents Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde by Moisés Kaufman, a thrilling courtroom drama based on the true events surrounding the downfall of celebrated poet and playwright Oscar Wilde in Victorian England. Expertly interweaving 1895 courtroom trial testimonies with excerpts from Wilde’s writings and the words of his contemporaries, Gross Indecency unveils its subject in all his genius and human frailty, his age in all its complacency and repression. Purchase tickets online.
8. MINI HOLIDAY COZY-CON
Literary Art
Sunday, December 4, 12 PM
Ashland Theatre, 205 England Street, Ashland, 23005
Fountain Bookstore is proud to partner with Kensington Publishing to bring you SEVEN authors! This fun panel will talk about cozy mysteries at the beautiful historic Ashland Theatre. Your ticket gets you admission and $10 towards the book(s) of your choice! Attendees will also receive a cozy-themed goody bag. Authors in attendance: Krista Davis, Valerie (V. M.) Burns, Ellery Adams, Libby Klein, Sherry Harris, Winnie Archer, and Maya Corrigan. Purchase tickets online.
9. 24TH ANNUAL TREE LIGHTING
Music, Culture
Sunday, December 3, 4:30 PM
Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen, 2880 Mountain Road, Glen Allen, 23060
The Cultural Arts Center welcomes you to this beloved holiday event featuring magical holiday music performances, a toasty bonfire, and of course, a special visit from Santa to light our iconic cedar Christmas tree at The Center’s entrance! No registration required for this free event.
10. LEGENDS ON GRACE: GREY GARRETT
Music, Theatre
Saturday, December 3, 8 PM
Dominion Energy Center, 600 East Grace Street, Richmond, 23219
$42.50 - $52.50
Come kick off the holidays with Richmond musical theatre star, Grey Garrett. Join Grey as she jingles and mingles your favorite holiday songs inspired by televised holiday specials from the golden age of television. This show is sure to warm your heart and fill you with joy, hope, and nostalgia like only the season can! Presented by the Richmond Performing Arts Alliance. 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 Forbes Center for the Performing Arts and VCUarts are sponsors of VPM.
