“Ours is not the struggle of one day, one week, or one year. Ours is not the struggle of one judicial appointment or presidential term. Ours is the struggle of a lifetime, or maybe even many lifetimes, and each one of us in every generation must do our part.” ~ John Lewis
It's the last full week of Black History Month for 2023. If you haven’t had the opportunity to learn something new or support some amazing Black art & culture, this week is your chance! You’ll also find theatre, music, and some great writing workshops and challenges! Get out and into RVA for great history, story and art!
To list your events on Artsline, go to vpm.org/artsline.
1. THE FIRST CIVIL RIGHTS: BLACK POLITICAL ACTIVISM AFTER CLAIMING FREEDOM
History
Thursday, February 23, 6 PM
Library of Virginia, 800 East Broad Street, Richmond, 23219
Join the Library of Virginia and Virginia Humanities to celebrate Black History Month and the completion of a signature project to document the lives and achievements of Virginia's first Black legislators. Panelists for the program, moderated by Virginia Humanities executive director Matthew Gibson, will include the Honorable Viola Baskerville, one of the founders of the project; University of Richmond professor Lauranett Lee; Ajena Rodgers, supervisory park ranger at the National Park Service's Maggie L. Walker Historic Site and a descendant of Black legislator James A. Fields; and historian and author Brent Tarter, a retired editor with the Library of Virginia. Registration is required for this free event.
2. PROOF
Theatre
Thursday – Saturday, February 23-25, 7:30 PM
Sunday, February 26, 3 PM
Kimball Theatre, 428 West Duke of Gloucester Street, Williamsburg, 23185
$15 adults | $7 students & children
The William & Mary Department of Theatre brings the show Proof by David Auburn. On the eve of her twenty-fifth birthday, Catherine has spent years caring for her brilliant but unstable father, a famous mathematician. Now, following his death, she must deal with her own volatile emotions; the arrival of her estranged sister; and the attentions of her father’s former student who hopes to find valuable work in the 103 notebooks that her father left behind. Over the long weekend that follows, a burgeoning romance and the discovery of a mysterious notebook draw Catherine into the most difficult problem of all: How much of her father’s madness—or genius—will she inherit? Purchase tickets online.
3. VERY SCARY FEBRUARY
Literary Art
Thursday, February 23, 6 PM
Online
$25 viewer | $50 competitor
Podium RVA hosts A Very Scary February for all writers and readers out there! Join them digitally from the comfort of your home to participate in or watch a competition you’ll never forget! Writers are challenged to create a spooky flash fiction piece in just one hour. Competing flash fiction authors have a chance to win prizes plus digital showcases of their stories! Not the writing type? Then join their Really Creepy Reading competition. Choose from one of several predetermined short stories to perform a dramatic reading, all to compete for the chance to win prizes! Purchase tickets online.
4. 4TH FRIDAY ART SHOWS AND OPENING RECEPTION
Visual Art
Friday, February 24, 6pm – reception
Exhibits run through March 18
Art Works, 320 Hull Street, Richmond, 23224
Art Works bring four artists, four mediums, four different styles. Cary Loving shows us how to view nature in a different way. Lizzie Brown, using color and portraiture, deconstructs the false perceptions associated with African Americans. Scott Tilghman provides an exhibit with a new style of mosaics. And Paul Rosner’s exhibit is a visual of the universe in flickering possibilities. The monthly All Media Show features Virginia artists—a juried show. Join them for the opening reception. Meet the artists. There will be music and door prizes. No registration required for this free event.
5. SCHOOL GIRLS; OR, THE AFRICAN MEAN GIRLS PLAY
Theatre
Thursday – Saturday, February 23-25, 7:30 PM
Saturday, February 25, 2 PM
Sunday, February 26, 3 PM
W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts, 922 Park Avenue, Richmond, 23220
$5-$15
VCUarts Theatre presents this funny and fast-paced comedy centered around schoolgirls competing for the Miss Ghana Pageant in 1986. Paulina, the reigning queen bee at the Aburi Girls’ boarding school, has a squad of minions and her sights on pageant glory…but the arrival of Ericka, a new student with undeniable talent and beauty, captures the attention of the pageant recruiter—and Paulina's hive-minded friends. Plans are foiled, secrets are spilled, and feelings are hurt as the girls navigate high school social dynamics infused with colorism, classism, and bullying. Purchase tickets online.
6. GELLMAN ROOM CONCERT: RICHMOND CHILDREN’S CHOIR
Music
Saturday, February 25, 2 PM
Main Branch, Richmond Public Library, 101 East Franklin Street, Richmond, 23219
The Greater Richmond Children's Choir presents "Lyrics & Laughter in the Library!" Invite your young and young-at-heart friends to enjoy this performance by GRCC’s training choirs under the direction of Crystal Jonkman, Pete Curry, and Jordan Garrett. Presented by Richmond Public Library. No registration required for this free event.
7. AND YOU THOUGHT IT WOULDN'T HURT
Theatre
Sunday, February 26, 3 PM & 5 PM
Firehouse Theatre, 1609 West Broad Street, Richmond, 23220
$10
Firehouse Theatre presents a world premiere new musical about bullying by Dreamers Theater. Dreamers Theater is a group of young adults with various disabilities such as Aspergers Syndrome and other high functioning disorders or differences. Established in 2004, it was formed to create opportunities for young adults with disabilities to get involved with the arts and make theatre with their peers. Purchase tickets online.
8. BRAHMS THIRD SYMPHONY
Music
Saturday, February 25, 8 PM
Dominion Energy Center, 600 East Grace Street, Richmond, 23219
$10-$85
When she took the gold at the 2021 Menuhin Competition, the audience stood and roared. María Dueñas is already acclaimed as one of the leading virtuosos of her generation. See her play Lalo’s mesmerizing Symphonie espagnole with the Richmond Symphony. (VPM featured Dueñas and other competitors in Making Menuhin: The Documentary.) Also, Valentina Peleggi conducts a new work by young Mexican sound-shaper Juan Pablo Contreras, and Brahms’ haunting Third Symphony. Purchase tickets online.
9. THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM: THE STORY OF THE 1800 SLAVE REBELLION
History, Storytelling
Saturday, February 25, 2 PM
Historic St. John’s Church, 2401 East Broad Street, Richmond, 23223
$12
Gabriel Prosser led the 1800 rebellion in Virginia. His devoted wife Nan knew of his plans. Come to Historic St. John’s Church and listen to award-winning storyteller Valerie Davis as she embodies Nan's spirit and shares the story of the night before the rebellion was to begin. Nan will take you on a journey in search of freedom for the enslaved population mapped out by Gabriel. The story of Gabriel and Nan is inspiring. A gifted actor, storyteller, playwright, and producer, Valerie Davis uses her talents to promote awareness of lesser-known historical events and people. Purchase tickets online.
10. HISTORIC FICTION WRITING WORKSHOP
Literary Art, History
Saturday, February 25, 1 PM
Virginia Museum of History & Culture, 428 North Arthur Ashe Boulevard, Richmond, 23220
$25
Join author and professor Margaret Marangione at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture to discuss her work researching and writing historic fiction and take part in some writing exercises to get your own creative juices flowing. During this three-hour workshop, Professor Marangione, will talk about her newest book, Across the Blue Ridge Mountain, and walk participants through the process of balancing historic fact with engaging storytelling. This program will also include writing activities accessible for all levels of experience, as well as entrance to the museum, where the Shenandoah Valley region is heavily featured in our newest permanent exhibition, Our Commonwealth. 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.
