Artsline || January 9, 2023
“Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.” ~ Charles W. Eliot
As the winds and rain blow, when the sleet hits our windowpanes, our hearts turn to hearth and home – as well as a good book. This week, you will find great opportunities to discover new authors and conversations about their writing. The author events and several other conversations are online where you can learn something new from the comfort of your own sofa. But if you’re itching to get out, try a new exhibit, a short film showcase, or a comedy show! There’s much to enjoy this week in RVA!
To list your events on Artsline, go to vpm.org/artsline.
1. LITERARY VIRGINIA BOOK GROUP | YELLOW WIFE
Literary Art, History
Wednesday, January 11, 6 PM
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, online every second Wednesday evening of each month. This month, they will discuss Yellow Wife by Sadeqa Johnson (winner of 2022 People’s Choice award for Fiction). Registration required for this free event.
2. WORLD WAR II: VOICES OF PROPAGANDA
History
Thursday, January 12, 2 PM
Online
During the 1940s, radio was a key method for transmitting information, including propaganda. Mildred Gillars, Iva Toguri D’Aquino, and William Joyce, were three radio personalities who broadcasted propaganda in English, on behalf of the Axis Powers during World War II. Virginia War Memorial Director of Education, Jim Triesler, explores the work of “Axis Sally,” “Tokyo Rose,” and “Lord Haw-Haw,” among others, and the roles each played during the war. Register required for this free event.
3. VCU COMMONWEALTH SINGERS & YALE GLEE CLUB CONCERT
Music
Saturday, January 14, 3 PM
Grace and Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 8 North Laurel Street, Richmond, 23220
The VCU Commonwealth Singers and the Yale Glee Club will perform a concert at Grace & Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. After a year in which nearly all the Glee Club’s activities were virtual, the 2021-22 season saw them return to in-person singing, public concerts, and even a concert tour to California. To kick off 2023, the Glee Club is touring the mid-Atlantic, with concerts in Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA. A local performance by Yale's principal undergraduate mixed chorus and oldest musical organization happens only once in a blue moon. No registration required for this free event.
4. EXHIBITIONS: DEEP PARTS & ARRIVE
Visual Art
Deep Parts reception: Friday, January 13, 5 PM
Arrive reception: Friday, January 20, 5 PM
Both exhibits run through March 3
Reynolds Gallery, 1514 West Main Street, Richmond, 23220
Reynolds Gallery brings two new exhibitions: Deep Parts , a group showing of artworks employing and exploring negative space; and Arrive, a solo exhibition of new watercolor and ink drawings from Paul Ryan. No registration required for the reception or to view exhibits.
5. AN EVENING WITH KRIS SPISAK
Literary Art
Monday, January 9, 6:30 PM
Online
Chesterfield Count Public Library brings author Kris Spisak as she discusses her novel The Baba Yaga Mask, her Ukrainian heritage and the Ukrainian history and folklore behind the story. Registration required for this free event.
6. MOVIE MYTHBUSTING: RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK
History, Film
Tuesday, January 10, 7 PM
Online
Join the Virginia Museum of History and Culture for a discussion of Raiders of the Lost Ark (PG, 1981). Watch the film in advance, whenever or however works best for you, and then log into an interactive Zoom presentation for a talk about what's true, what's not, and make connections to the museum’s collections. Registration required for this free event.
7. BUTCHER BROWN WITH THE RICHMOND SYMPHONY
Music
Saturday, January 14, 8 PM
Dominion Energy Center, 600 East Grace Street, Richmond, 23219
$15-$85
Butcher Brown hears the history of jazz. Then fuses it with funk, hip-hop, rap, rock, soul, and now the sound of the Richmond Symphony. Butcher is Richmond’s own progressive jazz master, with internationally acclaimed recordings made here at Jellowstone Studios. Purchase tickets online.
8. PICTURES OF RESISTANCE: THE WARTIME PHOTOGRAPHS OF JEWISH PARTISAN FAYE SCHULMAN
Visual Art, History
Through March 31
Virginia Holocaust Museum, 2000 East Cary Street, Richmond, 23223
Pictures of Resistance: The Wartime Photography of Jewish Partisan Faye Schulman, a compelling traveling exhibition produced by the Jewish Partisan Educational Foundation (JPEF) and curated by Jill Vexler, Ph. D. Schulman's rare collection of images captures the camaraderie, horror, loss, bravery, and triumph of the rag-tag, resilient partisans—some Jewish, some not—who fought the Germans and their collaborators. Presented by Virginia Holocaust Museum. No registration required for this free exhibit.
9. NIGHT OF 1,000 LAUGHS
Comedy
Wednesday, January 11, 7:30pm
Firehouse Theatre, 1609 West Broad Street, Richmond, 23220
$8
Firehouse Theatre brings comedy three-way: stand up, sketch, improv. Stand up from Brandon Beswick. Sketch from Leveski & Gordon, Attorneys at Law. And improv from Ketchup Taco. Purchase tickets online.
10. SHORT FILMS SHOWCASE
Film
Friday, January 13, 6:30 PM
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, 200 North Arthur Ashe Boulevard,Richmond, 23220
$8 admission | $5 for VMFA & JRFS members
As the longest-running juried film competition in Virginia, this event spotlights the year’s best short videos/films (20 minutes or less). Finalists are selected from international entrants. A special guest judge chooses the top entries at the screening and awards approximately $2,000 in cash prizes. Many of the filmmakers will be on hand for Q&A, and the audience will have the opportunity to vote for their favorites. Co-presented by Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and the James River Film Society. 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 Library of Virginia and VCUarts are sponsors of VPM.
