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Artsline - New stories, music & theatre take the chill off February!

Wildblood Launch Party Fountain Book Store
Image used with permission
The Fountain Bookstore brings author Lauren Blackwood for the launch of her new book, Wildblood. See details below.

Artsline || February 6, 2023

“Good morrow, Benedick. Why, what's the matter,
That you have such a February face,
So full of frost, of storm and cloudiness?”
~William Shakespeare, Much Ado about Nothing

There’s no reason to have a February face this month with all the amazing local arts and culture at our fingertips! This week we have opera and two new book launches, plus Black History Month celebrations and a chocolate, wine, and whiskey festival! So beat those cold February blues by warming up to some great performances, talks, and exhibits!

To list your events on Artsline, go to vpm.org/artsline.


1. FELLOW TRAVELERS
Opera
Friday, February 10, 8 PM
Sunday, February 12, 2:30 PM
Dominion Energy Center, 600 East Grace Street, Richmond, 23219
$20-$130

Fellow Travelers Virginia Opera
Image used with permission

The 1950s had its own sense of style, and its very real problems. Fellow Travelers follows the story of a love affair between two men caught in the turbulent moment of Senator Joseph McCarthy’s “Lavender Scare” – an overt policy to drive homosexuality out of government service. The very real struggles resulting from this witch-hunt end in a stunning act of betrayal. Presented by Virginia Opera. A Commonwealth premiere by Virginia-native, composer Gregory Spears. Based on the 2007 novel Fellow Travelers by Thomas Mallon. Sung in English with English surtitles. Purchase tickets online.


2. THE HOUSE OF EVE LAUNCH PARTY WITH SADEQA JOHNSON
Literary Art
Tuesday, February 7, 6 PM
Richmond Public Library Main, 101 East Franklin Street, Richmond, 23219

House of Eve Launch Party Richmond Public Library
Image used with permission

Celebrate the release of Richmond-based author Sadeqa Johnson's new book, The House of Eve, with the author at Richmond Public Library! Ms. Johnson will talk about the new work, answer questions and sign copies for attendees. This event will be held in person as well as livestreamed on the Library's YouTube channel.


3. BLACK HISTORY MONTH AT VMFA
Visual Art, Film, Literary Arts
Through February 28
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, 200 North Arthur Ashe Boulevard, Richmond, 23220

Black History Month VMFA
Image used with permission
Town of Hope by Archibald J. Motley, Jr.

Celebrate Black artists, the stories they tell, and the depth and breadth of the museum’s collections and exhibitions. Virginia Museum of Fine Art hosts programs for all ages throughout February and beyond. Visit the museum 365 days a year for up-close experiences with extraordinary works of art by African American artists. Many events and exhibitions are free. Learn more at the VMFA website.


4. CONTROVERSY/HISTORY: PUBLIC SPACES – ENVIRONMENTAL RECKONING IN RICHMOND
History
Tuesday, February 7, 5:30 pm
Science Museum of Virginia, 2500 W Broad Street, Richmond, 23220

Controversy History Valentine Public Spaces
Image used with permission

Join The Valentine in person as they explore the impact of the environment on quality of life from a historical, scientific, and political perspective. “Public Spaces – Environmental Reckoning in Richmond” will include panelists: Dr. Jeremy Hoffman, David and Jane Cohn Scientist The Science Museum of Virginia; Christopher Frelke, Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities for the city of Richmond; Queen Shabazz, Executive Director of United Parents Against Lead (UPAL); and Dr. Mary Finley-Brook, Associate Professor of Geography, Environmental Studies, and Global Studies at The University of Richmond. No registration required for this free event.


5. OPERA SPOTLIGHT: MUSICAL GEMS
Opera
Wednesday – Thursday, February 8-9, 7 PM
Forbes Center for the Performing Arts at JMU, 147 Warsaw Ave, Harrisonburg, 22801
$16 Adults | $14 Seniors (62+) | $8 Students

Opera Spotlight Forbes Center for the Arts JMU
Image used with permission

Enjoy a memorable evening of scenes, arias and duets from your favorite operas! Students from the James Madison University Opera Theater are poised to launch their careers, and this concert is your opportunity to see an incredible core of future stars perform songs from operas like Puccini’s La Bohème and Madama Butterfly, Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro, Verdi’s Rigoletto and La Traviata, and Rossini’s The Barber of Seville. These musical gems are sure to shine brightly in this sparkling performance. Purchase tickets online.


6. MENOKIN: A REVOLUTIONARY RESTORATION
History, Architecture
Thursday, February 9, 6 PM
Wilton House Museum, 215 S Wilton Rd, Richmond, 23226

Menokin Wilton House Museum
Image used with permission

Join The Wilton House Museum as they welcome Calder Loth, retired Senior Architectural Historian with Virginia’s Department of Historic Resources as he presents, "Menokin: A Revolutionary Restoration." This talk will focus on Menokin’s Glass House Project, which centers on the unique treatment of a historic ruin, the National Historic Landmark home of Francis Lightfoot Lee. Using numerous illustrations, Calder Loth will describe the Menokin Foundation’s concept of a high-tech, 21st century exposition of a long-neglected cultural resource. Wine reception to follow event. Purchase tickets online.


7. THE LIGHTNING THIEF - THE MUSICAL
Theatre
Thursday & Friday, February 9 & 10, 6 PM
Richmond Community High School, 201 East Brookland Park Boulevard, Richmond, 23222
$5

Lightning Thief The Musical Richmond Communi
Image used with permission

Richmond Community High School presents The Lightning Thief - The Musical based on the Percy Jackson book series by Joe Tracz. This is a family friendly event. Purchase tickets online.


8. RICHMOND CHOCOLATE, WINE & WHISKEY FESTIVAL
Culinary Art
Saturday, February 11
Main Street Station, 1500 East Main Street, Richmond, 23219
$40-$85

Richmond Chocolate Wine & Whiskey Festival
Image used with Permission

Hey Richmond - Your Chocolateest Festival is Here... Unlimited tasting of chocolates/wine/craft spirits inclusive. Enjoy Chocolate in a multitude of decadent presentations – from sweet hand-rolled truffles to oooey goooey marshmallowey crunchy S'mores and an amazing selection of bean-to-bar artisan chocolates. More than just a Chocolate Festival, included in your ticket price is a tasting glass to enjoy unlimited wine and whiskey – we’ll have a nice selection of craft beers, ciders and non-alcoholic beverages as well. Hey, and buy some to take home – why not, you deserve it! Purchase tickets online.


9. WILDBLOOD LAUNCH PARTY WITH LAUREN BLACKWOOD!
Literary Art
Wednesday, February 8, 6 PM
Fountain Bookstore, 1312 East Cary Street,Richmond, 23219

Wildblood Launch Party Fountain Book Store
Image used with permission
The Fountain Bookstore brings author Lauren Blackwood for the launch of her new book, Wildblood. See details below.

Young Adult Fantasy lovers, you won't want to miss this! Lauren will be chatting with Emily Thiede about her follow up to the bestselling Within These Wicked Walls! A fierce, lush fantasy by New York Times bestselling author Lauren Blackwood, Wildblood tells the story of a girl who must find the strength to defeat the demons of the jungle as well as her own to find where she truly belongs. Register online for this free event.


10. RICHMOND’S FINEST: TRIBUTE GOSPEL ENSEMBLE AND THE RICHMOND SYMPHONY
Music
Saturday, February 11, 7 PM
Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen, 2880 Mountain Road, Glen Allen, 23060
$40

Richmond's Finest Tribute Gospel Ensemble Richmond Symphony Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen
Image used with permission

Gospel and symphony fans unite! The Cultural Arts Center pairs the Tribute Gospel Ensemble and the Richmond Symphony in this popular, annual concert series. The Tribute Gospel Ensemble is a Richmond based Gospel group out of First African Baptist Church, one of the oldest Black churches in the region celebrating its 242nd anniversary in 2022. This choir was formed over 20 years ago by its dynamic music director, Ms. Michelle Lightfoot. 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 Virginia Opera are sponsors of VPM.

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