“You have to act as if it were possible to radically transform the world. And you have to do it all the time.” ~ Angela Davis
Art not only reflects our world, but it also works to transform our world as well. RVA celebrates women artists, women leaders, and women activists this month for Women’s History Month. Lean into the fabulous history programs our museums offer and look for exciting exhibits and performances highlighting women’s contributions to transforming our world.
To list your events on Artsline, go to vpm.org/artsline.
1. COURTING THE QUEEN: THE ROYAL ROMANCES OF ELIZABETH I
History
Thursday, March 9, 7 PM
Agecroft Hall & Gardens, 4305 Sulgrave Road, Richmond, 23221
$15
Agecroft Hall & Gardens brings scholar Carol Ann Lloyd to look at the men who tried to marry the Queen Elizabeth I and explore the monarch's possible motives for claiming and keeping her title of Virgin Queen. Only the second crowned regnant Queen of England, Elizabeth I’s love life was no private matter. It was serious political business. According to Count de Feria, the Spanish Ambassador, “Everything depends upon the husband this woman may take.” Purchase tickets online.
2. RICHMOND CURIOUS: MURALISTS
Visual Art
Friday, March 10, 8 AM
Gather - Arts District in Downtown, 313 East Broad Street, Richmond, 23219
You think you know Richmond? There’s so much more to discover. Richmond Curious is a Friday networking opportunity based out of Gather Arts District. For this event, we will have light breakfast bites and plenty of hot coffee or tea for you to enjoy. This month's theme is "muralists" and they bring local muralists Jake Van Yahres, Emma Scarvey, and Emily Herr to share their stories. They will talk about the industry and about their work in Richmond. Register online for this free event.
3. WINGS: A CELTIC DANCE CELEBRATION
Dance
Thursday – Friday, March 9-10, 8 PM
Forbes Center for the Performing Arts, 147 Warsaw Avenue , Harrisonburg, 22807
$45
Direct from Ireland, Dublin Irish Dance is flying high with its brand-new groundbreaking show Wings: A Celtic Dance Celebration that features dazzling Irish and world champion dancers performing with Ireland’s finest musical and vocal virtuosos. Discover Ireland’s rich heritage in this powerful production featuring original choreography and music, infused with world dance and musical influences. Presented by JMU’s Forbes Center for the Performing Arts. Purchase tickets online.
4. AMERICAN MASTERS
Music
Sunday, March 12, 4 PM
Pre-concert talk at 3 PM
St. Christopher’s School, 711 St. Christopher's Road, Richmond, 23226
Celebrate the American spirit that explores inner landscapes and worlds beyond with the Richmond Philharmonic. Still’s Afro-American symphony radiates hope and strength, while John Williams’ “Excerpts from Close Encounters of the Third Kind” delivers universal wonder. Come along as Copland’s “Quiet City” takes listeners on an intimate tour of New York and Gershwin’s jazzy “American in Paris” whirls everyone through that busy city! Maestro Peter Wilson and Mike Goldberg, classical host at VPM Music, give a pre-concert talk. No registration required for this free event.
5. PUNJABI MELA: A CELEBRATION OF VIBRANT PUNJABI INDIAN CULTURE
Music, Dance, Culture
Saturday, March 11, 11 AM
Main Street Station, 1500 East Main Street, Richmond, 23219
If you enjoy delicious traditional food, Bollywood/Bhangra music, energetic performances and are curious about Indian clothing and jewelry, this is the event for you! No registration required for this free event.
6. 5TH ANNUAL WILD AND SCENIC FILM FESTIVAL
Film
Thursday, March 9, 6:30 PM
Science Museum of Virginia, 2500 West Broad Street, Richmond, 23220
$30 advance | $15 student | $35 at door
The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay hosts the 5th Annual Wild and Scenic Film Festival! The festival screens 10 short films that inform and inspire audiences on topics ranging from conservation, wildlife, adventure, and more. The films will be shown in the Dome Theater of the Science Museum of Virginia, with proceeds benefitting the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay. Food, drinks, and raffle items will be on sale. Purchase tickets online.
7. CENTRAL VIRGINIA BLACKSMITH GUILD 25TH ANNIVERSARY HAMMER-IN
Visual Arts
Friday - Sunday, March 10-12
Chesterfield County Fairgrounds, 10300 Courthouse Road, Chesterfield, 23832
$35 day pass | $50 weekend pass | Free 12 & under
The Central Virginia Blacksmith Guild celebrates 25 years with a hammer-in of epic proportions. The Hammer-In has three tents of blacksmithing and bladesmithing demonstrations all weekend long. Roy Adams demonstrates traditional blacksmithing, Andrew Molinaro demonstrates artistic blacksmithing. Judge Ben Abbott and three contestants/winners from the hit show on History Channel, Forged In Fire, are in the blade-maker tent. Enjoy vendors, tailgate sales with tools, Iron in the hat, special raffles for items/knives made by demonstrators, nail tree, camping on site, hotels nearby, fun events. Register online.
8. CELTIC CELEBRATION!
Music
Sunday, March 12, 3 PM
Chester Presbyterian Church, 3424 West Hundred Road, Chester, 23831
GreenSpring International Academy of Music’s American Youth Harp Ensemble, directed by Trey Nunnally, is pleased to present Celtic Celebration! Enjoy a delightful afternoon concert inspired by the rich tradition of harp music from Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and England! With repertoire ranging from lively to introspective, sacred to secular, this collection of familiar and beloved music will transport you overseas and through time. In lieu of tickets, a free-will offering will be collected to support GreenSpring's community outreach music education programs. No registration required for this free event.
9. DOCUMENTING AND PRESERVING THE ROSES OF HOLLYWOOD CEMETERY
History, Landscape Art
Thursday, March 9, 6 PM
Wilton House Museum, 215 South Wilton Road, Richmond, 23226
$10
Calling all gardening lovers & perusers of historic cemeteries! Join the Wilton House Museum for a lecture with heritage rose expert, Connie Hilker. This program provides a taste of the history of Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, its famous landscape and collection of historic roses, and what has been done to identify, document, and preserve the roses that grow there. Register online.
10. HOW LONG MUST WE WAIT: VIRGINIA’S SUFFRAGE MOVEMENT
History
Wednesday, March 8, 2 PM
Online
Gaining the right to vote was a long, protest-laden fight for American women. Virginia itself has had a lengthy and tumultuous road that led to women’s suffrage. As World War I came and went, women’s involvement in the war effort would prove instrumental in gaining their place at the polls. Join Virginia War Memorial Assistant Director of Education Crystal Coon on International Women’s Day as she looks at the women’s suffrage movement and how Virginia and the military impacted the fight for the right. Registration required for this free event.
11. PECHAKUCHA RVA DESIGN: THE CREATIVE PROCESS
Visual Art, Architecture
Thursday, March 9, 6 PM
The Branch Museum of Architecture and Design, 2501 Monument Avenue, Richmond, 23220
Join the Branch Museum of Architecture and Design for the second installment of PechaKucha RVA. The theme for the night will be Design: The Creative Process. Presenters within Richmond’s art and design community have the opportunity to speak on their approach to the creative process from a design perspective. PechaKucha’s format is 20x20, meaning each presenter will have 20 slides with 20 seconds for each slide. Cheer on the presenters and find out if they are up for the PechaKucha presenting challenge! Reserve your tickets for this free event.
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 is a sponsor of VPM.
