Artsline || December 5, 2022
“Winter, a lingering season, is a time to gather golden moments, embark upon a sentimental journey, and enjoy every idle hour.” ~ John Boswell
Music is the theme this week – so many holiday concerts, big and small, and with a great variety. There’s jazz and baroque, classical and show tunes. Whether you are celebrating the holidays or the changing of the season, there’s plenty of opportunity to warm your heart with local art!
To list your events on Artsline, go to vpm.org/artsline.
1. THREE NOTCH'D ROAD BAROQUE: WESTERN NOËL
Music, Culture
Monday, December 5, 11 AM
Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, 823 Cathedral Place, Richmond, 23220
Three Notch'd Road kicks off the holiday season with baroque music from countries of Western Europe in this Christmas luncheon concert presented by the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. The program features soprano Sheila Dietrich and lutenist Cameron Welke and includes festive carols, wassails & dances, and a selection from Handel's Messiah. Airs of Britain such as "Lute-book lullaby," improvisations on "Greensleeves," and the Irish "Wexford carol" join the work of composers Henry Purcell, Robert de Visée, Josquin des Prez, John Dowland & Jean-Philippe Rameau. Reserve a spot online for this free event.
2. 13TH ANNUAL IMPROV FESTIVUS
Comedy
Thursday, December 8 – Sunday, December 11
CSz Richmond Theatre, 8906 West Broad Street, Richmond, 23294
$10 per show advanced | $12 per show at the door | $50 all access pass
Improv Festivus features eight shows over four days, with over 100 improvisers and 30 troupes from across the country and Richmond! In the spirit of Festivus, CSz Richmond Theater has its own Festivus Pole (a great place to take a selfie), as well as the improv games “Feats of Strength” and the “Airing of Grievances'' exclusively at the ComedySportz® All-Star Match on Saturday. Purchase tickets online.
3. 35TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY GALA
Music
Friday, December 9, 7 PM
Singleton Performing Arts Center, 922 Park Avenue, Richmond, 23284
$10 adults | $5 kids under 12
The VCU Music Holiday Gala benefits the Doorways, with expected performances by Jazz Orchestra One, the student Guitar ensemble, the Community Guitar ensemble, Kenneth Wood (tenor) and Colleen Thorburn (harp), the Saxophone ensemble, Vocal Chamber Ensemble, Symphonic Wind Ensemble, the Flute ensemble, and the Commonwealth Singers. Purchase tickets online.
4. DANCESCAPES
Dance
Friday, December 9 – Saturday, December 10, 8 PM
Sunday, December 11, 2 PM
Forbes Center for the Performing Arts, 147 Warsaw Avenue, Harrisonburg, 22801
$16
JMU’s Virginia Repertory Dance Company performs work by guest artists from across the country, including Monique Haley from Western Michigan University, Floyd McLean, Jr. from the Philadelphia-based PHILADANCO! and Los Angeles-based choreographer Katherine Helen Fisher. The company also presents pieces by ensemble artistic director Matt Pardo and dance faculty member Suzanne Miller-Corso. This exciting concert explores contemporary dance at its finest and features all 18 company members. Purchase tickets online.
5. TEST PATTERN 06: DORIAN WOOD
Visual Art
Friday, December 9, 7 PM
The Institute for Contemporary Art, 601 West Broad Street, Richmond, 23220
As part of the ICA at VCU’s Test Pattern series, multi-disciplinary artist Dorian Wood presents Mares Ocultos, a new composition that centers on themes of erasure, anxiety, and transgression. Register online for this free event.
6. ANYTHING GOES
Theatre
Thursday, December 8 – Sunday, December 18
Times and dates vary
Weinstein Jewish Community Center, 5403 Monument Avenue, Richmond, 23226
$25 Non-members | $20 Members
Weinstein JCC’s Jewish Family Theatre is proud to present the 50th anniversary production of Anything Goes! in the 2022-2023 Arts + Ideas Season lineup. This hilarious shipboard romp features the magical music and lyrics of the great Cole Porter. Jerry Williams, who directed the show 50 years ago at the JCC as part of the Vicki Shapiro Drama workshop, returns as director for this special production. Purchase tickets online.
7. SWEET POTATOES LIVE AT THE GELLMAN ROOM
Music
Saturday, December 10, 2 PM
Main Branch, Richmond Public Library, 101 East Franklin Street, Richmond, 23219
Richmond Public Library brings the Richmond-based jazz band, Sweet Potatoes, with members Johnny Hargrove, guitar, Reyna Pannell, vocals, Stephon Larue, drums, and Brian Cruise, bass. All concerts are free, in-person, and open to the public. Live-streaming will be available through the Richmond Public Library YouTube channel.
8. WINTER WANDER
History
Sunday, December 11, noon
Court End Neighborhood, Clay Street, Richmond, 23219
Celebrate the winter holidays in the Court End neighborhood! Historic sites will open their doors for a day of free admission and holiday festivities, and Clay Street will be filled with carriage rides, live music, crafts, and more. Participating this year are The Valentine, The Valentine First Freedom Center, St. John’s Historic Church, Mason Hall, Virginia Executive Mansion, John Marshall House, and The American Civil War Museum’s White House of the Confederacy. Winter Wander is free and open to the public – no registration required.
9. THE NUTCRACKER
Dance
Friday, December 9 – Friday, December 23
Times and dates vary
Richmond Ballet, 407 East Canal Street, Richmond, 23219
$25 - $130
Presented by Richmond Ballet with brand new scenery designed by Alain Vaës, a new Chinese dance choreographed by Ma Cong, and refreshed costumes make their much-anticipated debut this December. While these stunning designs will delight with their vibrant colors and fantastical imagery, they extend from the same storybook vision for which Stoner Winslett’s production is so beloved. Music performed by the Richmond Symphony. Don’t miss your chance to experience this next magical evolution to The Nutcracker this holiday season! Purchase tickets online.
10. KEEPING CHRISTMAS: 200 YEARS OF TRADITIONS IN VIRGINIA
History, Culture
Friday, December 9 & Saturday, December 10, 6 PM
Wilton House Museum, 215 South Wilton Road, Richmond, 23226
$15
Join Wilton House Museum for a journey through Christmas traditions of ages past. Enjoy a candlelit house tour, take in the festive decorations, and enjoy a cup of hot cider. These tours will focus on Christmastide as celebrated on Virginia plantations by families such as the Randolph's and enslaved and freed people of color, as well as traditions in the Victorian period and early 20th century. By the end of the evening, you will have learned an 18th century curtsy at a Christmastide Ball and how to make your own syllabub! 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, the Richmond Ballet, and VCUarts are sponsors of VPM.
