“Now forth to fish goes good Saint Valentine,
And baits his gentle hook with tender wishes,
Cupid has lent his bow for rod and line.
Alas! Our time has come — we are the fishes.”
~Oliver Herford
If you’re looking for a great date night for Valentine’s week or a love-ly time with friends, you’ll find it this week in RVA. From a lecture on the history of love to the sweet sounds of baroque instruments to the fiery dance of the Firebird, Richmond (and beyond) has a great line up to put anyone in the mood for love. Check out the offerings below!
To list your events on Artsline, go to vpm.org/artsline.
1. THE LOVE LECTURE
History
Tuesday, February 14, 6 PM
Triple Crossing Beer – Fulton, 5203 Hatcher Street, Richmond, VA 23231
$13.50 - $17
Who wrote the book of love? Why does love have to be so sad? Show your love for learning this Valentine’s Day by hearing such questions fielded by Dr. Laura Papish, associate professor of philosophy at George Washington University and teacher of a seminar on the philosophy of love, sex, and friendship. Papish will explore how love is envisioned in history, modern thinkers, classic novels, recent films, and pop culture. She’ll also discuss the origins of the idea that people have a “soul mate” and how some thinkers have tried to criticize or transform the very concept of love. Hilariously accompanied by her husband, Chris (on guitar), she’ll offer up a delicious assortment of thoughts about the holiday—some dark, some sweet, and some giving you plenty to chew on. Presented by Profs & Pints, Richmond. Purchase tickets online.
2. ROLL 4 LONELY HEARTS
Comedy
Saturday, February 18, 7 PM
Coalition Theatre, 8 West Broad Street, Richmond, 23220
$10
It's Valentine's Day at the Lonely Hearts Assisted Living Retirement Dream Center and one party of saucy seniors is looking for love! In this live tabletop comedy show, the Roll 4 cast will attempt to romance their way through a senior center filled with characters provided by the audience prior to the show. Will the players find true love? It's up to your suggestions, the rolls of the dice, and a li’l bit of Valentine's luck... it's time to Roll 4 Lonely Hearts! Presented by Coalition Theatre. Purchase tickets online.
3. AWADAGIN PRATT
Music
Saturday, February 18, 8 PM
Forbes Center for the Performing Arts at JMU, 147 Warsaw Ave, Harrisonburg, 22801
$39 adults | $37 seniors (62+) | $15 students
Piano virtuoso and recording artist Awadagin Pratt has attracted audiences to classical music around the world in his 30-year career that includes three performances at The White House. Pratt performs an exciting program JMU’s Forbes Center for the Performing Arts, featuring Liszt’s Piano Sonata in B Minor; Rachmaninoff’s Prelude in D Major, Op. 23, No. 4; Chopin’s Nocturne in B Major, Op. 62, No. 1; and more! Purchase tickets online.
4. DISMAL FREEDOM
History
Thursday, February 16, Noon
Virginia Museum of History & Culture, 428 North Arthur Ashe Boulevard, Richmond, 23220
$10 adults | $5 students | members free
The massive and foreboding Great Dismal Swamp sprawls more than 2,000 square miles and spills over parts of Virginia and North Carolina. In the depths of the Dismal, thousands of maroons—people who emancipated themselves from enslavement and settled beyond the reach of enslavers—established new lives of freedom in a landscape deemed worthless and inaccessible by whites. The Virginia Museum of History & Culture brings J. Brent Morris, author of the new book Dismal Freedom: A History of the Maroons of the Great Dismal Swamp, to examine the lives of these maroons and their struggles for liberation, and tells one of the most exciting yet neglected stories of American history. This is the story of resilient, proud, and determined people who made the Great Dismal Swamp their free home and sanctuary and who played an outsized role in undermining slavery through the Civil War. Purchase tickets online.
5. FIREHOUSE RADIO PLAYERS
Theatre
Sunday, February 19, 7:30 PM
Firehouse Theatre, 1609 West Broad Street, Richmond, 23220
$10 advance | $15 day of
The Firehouse Radio Players are back onstage and “on the air!” Join them at Firehouse Theatre for an evening of original comedies performed in the style of an old-time radio show. That means the cast of versatile voice actors will bring dozens of characters to life, and our maestro of sound effects will create every footstep, thunder clap, and slammed door right in front of you. Featuring daffy detectives and spacey science fiction heroes! Purchase tickets online.
6. TODDLER TIME: HISTORY ADVENTURES
History
Mondays in February, 10 AM
Maymont, 1700 Hampton Street, Richmond, 23220
$15 per child
Introduce your little explorer(s) to the joys and wonders of winter at Maymont. Each session provides fun, engaging and active learning through story time, a craft and a guided exploration. Plus, you and your toddler might even make a few new friends! Session available for 18 months – 2 years and 3 – 4 years at the same time; one adult must accompany child. Purchase tickets online.
7. THE VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY CONCERT CHOIR
Music
Saturday, February 18, 2 PM
Richmond Public Library Main, 101 East Franklin Street, Richmond, 23219
The Richmond Public Library presents The Virginia State University Concert Choir under the direction of Patrick D. McCoy performing a variety of choral selections representative of the HBCU choral experience, including music by Carter, Schubert, Clausen and Helvey, among others. Notably, the choir will sing the works of legendary composer Undine Smith Moore, who taught on the VSU faculty for 45 years. Timothy L. Hall will serve as piano accompanist. No registration required for this free event.
8. A LIFE OF ART
Visual Art
Sunday, February 19, 3 PM
Exhibit through March 31
Flippo Gallery, Randolph Macon College, 211 North Center Street, Ashland, 23005
Randolph Macon College’s Flippo Gallery presents an opening reception of A Life of Art: A Retrospective of Charles Sthreshley`s Art. No registration required for this free event.
9. THE ANVIL BROTHERS
Music
Saturday, February 18, 8 PM
The Shady Grove Coffeehouse at the Unitarian Universalist Community Church, 11105 Cauthorne Road, Glen Allen, 23059
$15 advance | $20 door | half price ages 13-18 | 12 & under free
Shady Grove Coffee House welcomes back the Anvil Brothers, a contemporary acoustic band from central Virginia with bluegrass instrumentation with an eclectic approach that extends the boundaries of traditional bluegrass, playing anything from Jimmie Rodgers to Jimi Hendrix. Their shows consist of about 50% original songs and 50% cover tunes on which they have put their own stamp. Purchase tickets online.
10. FIREBIRD WITH SERENADE
Dance
Friday & Saturday, February 17 & 18, 7:30 PM
Sunday, February 19, 2 PM
Carpenter Theatre, Dominion Energy Center, 600 East Grace Street, Richmond, 23219
$25-$130
The Richmond Ballet presents Firebird With Serenade accompanied by the Richmond Symphony. Enter a world of myth and magic as Prince Ivan, the thirteen princesses, and the Firebird battle the evil sorcerer Koschei. Ma Cong’s one-act Firebird, set to Stravinsky’s triumphant score, will make its East Coast premiere. Featuring powerful choreography and striking costumes, sets, and lighting, Cong’s modern take on this classic folktale is not to be missed. George Balanchine’s Serenade will open the program. The first ballet Balanchine choreographed in the United States, Serenade marked a turning point in the history of American ballet. Purchase tickets online.
11. NORTHERN LIGHTS
Music
Friday, February 17, 7:30 PM at Trinity Episcopal, 214 West Beverley Street, Staunton, 24401
Saturday, February 18, 7:30 PM at All Saints Episcopal Church, 8787 River Road, Richmond, 23229
Sunday, February 19, 4 PM at Grace Episcopal Church, 5607 Gordonsville Rd, Keswick, VA 22947
$25 adults | $10 youth/students
Three Notch’d Road presents the third program of its twelfth season, “The Four Corners of Europe,” with a light-filled program of songs and dance music from Northern Europe and Scandinavia. The program will feature soprano Sheila Dietrich and harpist Christa Patton and explore dance music and songs of Denmark, North Germany, Sweden, Norway, and Finland. Instruments will include baroque guitar, säckpipa (Swedish bagpipe), seljefløyte (willow flute), kantele (Finnish psaltery), triple harp, violone & lirone. 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.
Forbes Center for the Performing Arts and Richmond Ballet are sponsors of VPM.
