Artsline || April 17, 2023
"Despite everything, I believe that people are really good at heart."~ Anne Frank
This week marks Yom Hashoah, the International Day of Remembrance for millions of Jewish victims of the Holocaust. To commemorate the day, you will find a ceremony to honor the victims and an evening exploring the story of famed “Nazi Hunter,” Simon Wiesenthal. April is also National Poetry Month and National Deaf History Month, and we have events surrounding those celebrations as well. Plus, there’s music, dance, and film to round out a meaningful week for local arts and culture!
To list your events on Artsline, go to vpm.org/artsline.
1. WIESENTHAL
Theatre, History, Culture
Tuesday, April 18, 7:00 PM
Weinstein Jewish Community Center, 5403 Monument Avenue, Richmond, 23226
In commemoration of Yom Hashoah, author and playwright Tom Dugan comes to the Weinstein JCC to read excerpts and discuss his one-man play, Wiesenthal, about Simon Wiesenthal, the famed “Nazi Hunter.” Wiesenthal was a Jewish Holocaust survivor who relentlessly pursued and brought nearly 1,100 Nazi war criminals to justice. He is best known for his role in capturing Adolf Eichmann, the architect of the Final Solution. A book signing will follow the presentation. No registration required for this free event.
2. POETRY FESTIVAL
Poetry, Literary Art
Saturday, April 22
Appomattox Regional Governor’s School, 512 West Washington Street, Petersburg, 23803
Join Appomattox Regional Governor’s School for a free day of poetry readings, book sales, prompts, and more! Virginia Young Poet in the Community 2023, high school sophomore Fairouz Bsharat, is putting together this festival to bring people together to celebrate poetry. The event is open to all ages and will feature readings, workshops, and even poetry crafts! Interested in reading, selling your books, or presenting a workshop? Visit online to express your interest. Our intention is to include everyone that we possibly can. No registration required for this free event.
3. NAKED SONGS
Music
Tuesday, April 18, 7:30 PM
Sound of Music Studio, 1511 Brook Road, Richmond, 23220
$10-$20
Naked Songs is a singer-songwriter showcase presented by Hazy Shade Productions and hosted by local songwriter Kirsten "Haze" Hazler. With a nod to Rickie Lee Jones' album of the same name, original songs are stripped down to the bare essence, performed with just one voice and one instrument. Each show features four invited songwriters presenting their original works in the round. For this show, we have Susan Paulette DePhillip, Ray Woodruff, Steve Fisher, and Kirsten Hazler performing. The audience is requested to respect the listening room atmosphere and to refrain from conversing during performances. Purchase tickets online.
4. ANAHITA: A MOTHER’S JOURNEY PREMIERE
Film, History
Sunday, April 23, 7 PM
The Byrd Theater, 2908 West Cary Street, Richmond, 23221
$10
Join Belltower Pictures for the premiere screening of a powerful film that shares a story of courage, resilience, and hope as a mother escapes from the Taliban to begin a new life in America. Anahita was a police officer in Kabul. This documentary is her first-person account of escaping from Afghanistan in August 2021 with her five children, after being tipped off that the Taliban was looking for her. Anahita tells the harrowing story of getting into the airport, climbing over barbed wire, almost being shot by the Taliban, and the challenge of keeping her children safely by her side throughout the ordeal. She arrived at Fort Dix in New Jersey, where immigration officials began her resettlement process. Shortly after arriving, Anahita discovered something that would change her life and impact her family forever. Purchase tickets for the premiere screening online. (VPM will air Anahita: A Mother’s Journey on Thursday, May 11 at 9 PM.)
5. RICHMOND FILM NETWORK SHORT FILM SERIES
Film
Wednesday, April 19, 7 PM
Movieland At Boulevard Square, 1301 North Arthur Ashe Boulevard, Richmond, 23230
$12
Presented by Wheelhouse Productions, this event showcases innovative short, independent film submissions from diverse, new and emerging cinematic creators from Richmond and beyond. Films featured for April: Mother of Martian by Will Dorney, Hingham, MA; Ask for Help by Gina DeAngelis, Williamsburg, VA; Time Spent by Rob Daniel Hutt, Oxfordshire, UK; Flicker by Chris Abaya, Yorktown, VA; Loved by David Joseph Higgins, Asbury Park, NJ; Her Mother’s Eyes by Sawyer Macres, Denver, CO; Naked Zombie Girl is Back! by Rickey Bird, Bakersfield, CA. Screening followed by filmmaker Q&A. Purchase tickets online.
6. YOM HASHOAH COMMEMORATION
History, Culture
Sunday, April 23, 2 PM
Virginia Holocaust Museum, 2000 East Cary Street, Richmond, 23223
Yom HaShoah, the annual Day of Remembrance to honor the memory of millions of Jewish Holocaust victims, will be observed in an in-person ceremony at the Virginia Holocaust Museum. The program features the lighting of the Holocaust Memorial Candles, the awarding of the Carole Weinstein Prizes for Tolerance and Justice in the Visual Arts, a violin performance by Jocelyn Vorenberg, and remarks by Meredith R. Weisel, Regional Director of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). Weisel will share insights regarding the alarming rise in antisemitic incidents nationally and in Virginia over the past year. No reservation required for this free event.
7. 2023 RICHMOND BLUEGRASS JAM
Music
Saturday, April 22
American Legion Post 354, 4800 Welby Turn, Midlothian, 23113
This family-friendly event features twenty of the region’s best bluegrass and Americana bands playing on multiple stages, all to raise money for our military veterans and their families through the Richmond Fisher House and Liberation Veteran Services. There is no charge for admission, but donations are encouraged. There will also be local food trucks and craft beverage vendors, as well as family-friendly activities. Several open jam areas will be available, as well as an instrument check station. Parking is available at nearby James River High School with free shuttles running all day. No registration required for this free event.
8. THE LANTZ MILLS SHARED SIGNING COMMUNITY
History
Saturday, April 22, 10 AM
Library of Virginia, 800 East Broad Street, Richmond, 23219
In honor of Deaf History Month, join the Library of Virginia for a talk exploring the history of the Lantz Mills Deaf Village in Shenandoah County, Virginia, presented by deaf historian and advocate Kathleen Brockway, who is also a Lantz Mills Deaf Village descendant. During Deaf History Month in April, the Library’s lobby will display a panel exhibition on the Lantz Mills Deaf Village. This program is made possible in part with federal funding provided through the Library Services and Technology Act administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Register online for this free event.
9. KAYLA HANVEY, FLUTE AND DANIEL STIPE, PIANO
Music
Friday, April 21, 7 PM
Trinity Lutheran Church, 2315 North Parham Road, Henrico, 23229
Trinity Lutheran Church is proud to offer a series of high-quality classical concerts as part of its outreach to the community and its commitment to musical excellence. Now in its tenth season, has consistently featured some of the finest musicians from Richmond and beyond. This concert features Flute virtuoso Kayla Hanvey, known for her unusual and inventive programming, playing works by Guillaume Connesson, Franz Schubert and Wissam Boustany. Concerts are free and open to the public. They are also offered through livestream on Trinity’s website and Facebook page; as well as in an archive.
10. K DANCE YES! DANCE FESTIVAL
Dance
Friday, April 21, 8 PM
Saturday, April 22, 4 PM & 8 PM
Firehouse Theatre, 1609 West Broad Street, Richmond, 23220
$25 admission | $70 VIP couples’ package
K Dance presents the 24th annual YES! Dance Festival with Kaye Weinstein Gary, Artistic Director. The 2023 YES! Dance Festival features performances by Li Chiao-Ping (Madison, WI), Leslie Dworkin & Kent De Spain (Dayton, OH), K Dance (Richmond, VA), Mayu Nakaya (New York, NY), SHA Creative Outlet (Brooklyn, NY), and Takehiro Ueyama (New York, NY). As in past years, the festival reflects current trends in contemporary dance and theatre. 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.
Terry Menefee Gau's voice is briefly heard in Anahita: A Mother's Journey.
The Library of Virginia and The Weinstein JCC are sponsors of VPM.