Artsline || January 16, 2023
“Sometimes truths are what we run from, and sometimes they are what we seek.” ~ R.D. Ronald
There’s something about January that invites self-reflection. Perhaps it’s the long nights and short days. Perhaps it’s the cold weather and cozy sofas. Or maybe it’s the post-holiday drudge. Whatever the reason, reflection weaves through this week’s arts and culture offerings for RVA. From film to history, from theatre to poetry, we have ample opportunity to dive deep into our collective psyche. Plus, there’s comedy and the Poe Birthday Bash to lighten the mood! Enjoy!
To list your events on Artsline, go to vpm.org/artsline.
1. KRONOS QUARTET
Music
Artist conversation - Friday, January 20, 12 PM at University of Richmond, Weinstein International Center, 52 Richmond Way, Richmond, 23173
Concert - Saturday, January 21, 7:30 PM at Modlin Center for the Arts, 453 Westhampton Way, Richmond, 23173
Artist Talk - Free
Concert - Adult $35 | Senior $30 | Student/Youth $10
The University of Richmond’s Modlin Center for the Arts brings the internationally known Kronos Quartet in an artist talk and concert. For the artist talk, the Kronos Quartet will discuss and feature an excerpt of Maduswara by visiting Fulbright artist scholar Peni Candra Rini with the Department of Music. The concert, “At War With Ourselves – 400 Years of You,” features a libretto by National Book Award-winning poet Nikky Finney inspired by her 2013 poem “The Battle of and for the Black Face Boy.” Music was composed by Michael Abels, composer for the Jordan Peele films Us and Get Out. This powerful new work explores race relations, social justice, and civil rights in 21st century America. Registration not required for the artist talk. Purchase concert tickets online.
2. MEMORIES OF JANUARY 6: A CONVERSATION WITH TWO US CAPITOL POLICE OFFICERS WHO WERE THERE
History
Thursday, January 19, 4 PM
VCU Commons Theatre, 907 Floyd Avenue, Richmond 23284
Virginia Commonwealth University and Randolph-Macon’s Political Science Department bring Capitol Police Officers Harry Dunn and Danny Hodges to have a conversation about their experiences on January 6, 2021, moderated by Dr. Jatia Wrighten and Dr. Alex Keena. Register online for this free event.
3. GHOST QUARTET
Theatre
Thursday – Saturday, January 19 – February 4, 8 PM
Saturday matinees, 4 PM
Firehouse Theatre, 1609 West Broad Street, Richmond, 23220
$35 general | $40 VIP two-top | $20 students
Everyone loves Dave Malloy. This New York-based composer/playwright/performance-maker has got an international fan base and his shows and their songs have achieved cult status. If you follow contemporary musical theatre you've probably heard of Malloy's Broadway hit Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812. If you're a musical theatre geek, Octet. And if you follow Firehouse Theatre you may have seen or heard about their seminal 2018 hit Preludes that Malloy subtitled "a musical fantasia set in the hypnotized mind of Sergei Rachmaninoff." Firehouse is thrilled to finally share Malloy's song cycle about love, death, and whiskey. Purchase tickets online.
4. EDGAR ALLAN POE'S BIRTHDAY BASH & POE MUSEUM CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
Literary Art, History
Saturday thru Monday, January 21-23, times vary
Birthday Bash – The Poe Museum, 1914 E Main Street, Richmond, 23223
Centennial Celebration – Dominion Energy Center, 600 E Grace Street, Richmond, 23219
Museum Admission for Birthday Bash – $10 adult | $7 seniors & youth | children under six free
Centennial Celebration – $38-$103
Happy 214th birthday, Edgar Allan Poe! Join the Poe Museum for three days of festivities as they celebrate Poe's birthday and mark the end of their 100-year anniversary. This extraordinary event will feature live music, readings, food trucks, beer, wine, entertainment, programs and much more. This is a party to die for! Saturday offers a party for the ages with libations, live music, performances, virtual tours, and more. Sunday is dedicated to younger fans. This family-friendly event will have a magic show, reading workshops, entertainment and more. Can't make it in person? Enjoy virtual tours on Saturday. Join them for the Poe Museum Centennial Celebration on Monday with authors R.L. Stine (Goosebumps) and Nnedi Okorafor (Who Fears Death, Black Panther) to celebrate the Poe Museum's 100-year anniversary. Purchase museum admission for Birthday Bash and/or purchase tickets for the Centennial Celebration.
5. SUITES FOR STRINGS
Music
Friday, January 20, 7 PM at Perkinson Center for the Arts & Education, 11810 Centre Street, Chester, 23831
Saturday, January 21, 7:30 PM at Louis F. Ryan Recital Hall, 711 St. Christopher’s Road, Richmond, 23226
Sunday, January 22, 3 PM at Blackwell Auditorium at Randolph-Macon College 204 Henry Street, Ashland, 23005
$25 adult | $15 youth ages 3-18
Valentina Peleggi leads the sumptuous strings of the Richmond Symphony in three poetic works from our time by Martin Bauer, Steven Snowden, and Christopher Theofanidis at three different venues throughout RVA. Plus, the gripping Divertimento of Bartok, composed in 1939 and anticipating the world’s immediate future. Purchase tickets online.
6. JANUARY OPEN HOUSE + ARTIST RECEPTION
Visual Art
Friday, January 20, 5 PM reception
Exhibit runs through March 4
Crossroads Art Center, 2016 Staples Mill Road, Richmond, 23230
Join Crossroads Art Center for their January Open House + Artist Reception celebrating Black History Month and featuring excerpts from Mending Walls: The Documentary, a film produced by 19RED and presented by VPM. Explore new exhibitions and discover your next favorite artist. No registration required for this free event.
7. ROLL 4 CASINO
Comedy
Saturday, January 21, 7 PM
Coalition Theater, 8 West Broad Street, Richmond, 23220
$8
All bets are off as Coalition Theater’s Roll 4 tabletop crew attempts to hit the jackpot in this live, improvised, casino heist! A motley crew of gambling schemers will rise and fall based on the rolls of the dice and suggestions provided by the audience prior to the show. Purchase tickets online.
8. THE 14TH ANNUAL ISRAELI & JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL
Film, History
Thursday – Sunday, January 19-29, times vary
Check website for venues and online options
$12
The Weinstein JCC is proud to host the 14th Annual Israeli and Jewish Film Festival as part of their Arts + Ideas season. On screen this year are Fiddler’s Journey to the Big Screen, Perfect Strangers, The Levys of Monticello, Valiant Hearts, Cinema Sabaya, Berenshtein, and America. Visit website for venues. Don't miss these flicks! Purchase tickets online.
9. REMEMBERING THE VIETNAM WAR FIFTY YEARS LATER
History
Thursday, January 19, 2 PM
Online
The Vietnam War was one of the most divisive events in recent American memory. By looking at why America got involved, how things evolved, the protests, and the wartime experiences of veterans, we can gain valuable insight into the conflict, as a whole. Join Virginia War Memorial Director of Education Jim Triesler as he looks back on the conclusion of the Vietnam War 50 years later and examines important questions about American involvement, the outcome, and what the last 50 years have meant. Registration required for this free event.
10. AND SO WE WALKED: AN ARTIST'S JOURNEY ALONG THE TRAIL OF TEARS
Theatre
Friday & Saturday, January 20 & 21, 8 PM
Forbes Center for the Performing Arts, 147 Warsaw Ave, Harrisonburg, 22801
$40
Cherokee actor and activist DeLanna Studi embarked on a six-week, 900-mile journey with her father along the Trail of Tears to retrace the path her great-great-grandparents took during the forced relocation of 17,000 Cherokee from their homelands in the 1830s. The result: her memoir and critically-acclaimed solo play And So We Walked. Presented by JMU’s Forbes Center for the Performing Arts. Purchase tickets online.
11. RICHMOND FILM NETWORK SHORT FILM SERIES
Film
Wednesday, January 18, 7 PM
Bow Tie Movieland at Boulevard Square, 1301 N Arthur Ashe Boulevard, Richmond, 23230
$12 advance | $15 day of
From the producer of the Richmond 48 Hour Film Project and creator of the VHSL Film Festival comes the Richmond Film Network Short Film Series. This recurring monthly event seeks innovative short, independent film submissions from diverse cinematic creators for public, theatrical screenings. A slate of films is selected for screening at each event, and each screening is followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers in attendance. An award featuring Richmond Film Network official selection laurels is presented to the films selected each month to screen in this exclusive series. 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, Modlin Center for the Arts, and VCUarts are sponsors of VPM.
