Artsline | May 8, 2023
“Music acts like a magic key, to which the most tightly closed heart opens.” ~ Maria von Trapp
When the weather is so gorgeous and the world has turned green and lush again, how can we not open our hearts when music plays? This week we have concerts and festivals, music for dance and music for mothers, fiddle music and children’s voices – plus so much more. Check out what happens this week in RVA!
To list your events on Artsline, go to vpm.org/artsline.
1. DELICIOUS: A FEAST OF ART AND SONG
Music
Saturday, May 13, 4 PM
Tabernacle Baptist Church, 1925 Grove Avenue, Richmond, 23220
Enjoy a family and sensory-friendly concert filled with the voices of City Singers Youth Choirs and friends performing gustatory music of food, feasting and other things we hunger for. Featuring percussionist David Chung and pianist Daniel Stipe. Young children and friends with special needs welcome! Reserve a ticket online for this free event.
2. STUDIO FOUR: ERSHTER VALS
Dance, Music
Tuesday, May 9 – Sunday, May 14,
Times vary
Richmond Ballet, 407 East Canal Street, Richmond, 23219
$26-$51
Described in Dance Magazine as “a touching, full-bodied, inventive piece”, Ma Cong’s Ershter Vals weaves folk dance influences with classical technique to carry a penetrating message of redemption. This captivating ballet features music originating in the Jewish ghettos during World War II and uses engaging choreography to portray the light that people find within, even in the darkest of times. Ershter Vals will be paired with a world premiere by Ballet West resident choreographer Nicolo Fonte in Studio Four. Presented by Richmond Ballet. Purchase tickets online.
3. COMPAGNIA TPO, FARFALLE
Dance, Music, Theatre
Saturday, May 13, 11 AM & 3 PM
Sunday, May 14, 1 PM & 3 PM
Modlin Center for the Arts, 453 Westhampton Way, University of Richmond, 23173
$25 adults | $20 senior | $10 students/youth
Compagnia TPO is renowned for interactive performances that bring children into the art—not as a gimmick, but as a central part of the artistry itself. Farfalle combines dance, images, digital design, and the joy and wonder of the young people in the audience. Be a part of a wondrous transformation and an experience to remember. Presented by Modlin Center for the Arts at the University of Richmond. Purchase tickets online.
4. MY MONTICELLO
Literary Art, History
Wednesday, May 10, 6 PM
Online
Read and discuss the best of today's Virginia literature—including books by Library of Virginia Literary Award winners and finalists in fiction and nonfiction. On the second Wednesday evening of each month, join a book group discussion online.This month, the group will discuss My Monticello by Jocelyn Nicole Johnson (winner of 2022 Literary Award for Fiction). Registration required for this free event. The zoom link and password will be automatically sent to you in an email upon registration.
5. MADISON FINKE, MEZZO-SOPRANO AND DANIEL STIPE, PIANO
Music
Friday, May 12, 7 PM
Trinity Lutheran Church, 2315 North Parham Road, Richmond, 23229
Rising star mezzo-soprano Madison Finke and pianist Daniel Stipe perform a program of art song by William Bolcom and others in this concert at Trinity Lutheran Church. No registration required for this free event.
6. LAKE EFFECT
Theatre
Tuesday, May 9, 7:30 PM
Firehouse Theatre, 1609 West Broad Street, Richmond, 23220
$10
Firehouse Theatre presents Lake Effect, a new play by Andrew Gall. Synopsis: Two estranged siblings and their partners encounter each other when they arrive to close up the family lake cabin and scatter their recently deceased father's ashes on the property. As if that weren't enough drama, a loaded pistol is found in the cabin. Chekhov's Law requires that it be shot before the play's end. Purchase tickets online.
7. FAN ARTS STROLL
Visual Art, Music
Thursday & Friday, May 11 & 12, 4 PM
2000-2500 blocks of Hanover & Grove Avenues, Richmond, 23220
Come to the annual Fan Arts Stroll, bringing joy to the community through local art, live music, tasty refreshments and more in RVA’s historic Fan neighborhood. No registration required for this free event.
8. BLUEGRASS AND BREWS
Music
Saturday, May 13, Noon
AlterNatives, 3320 West Cary Street, Richmond, 23221
The Bluegrass & Brews Festival honors the values of highlanders with homegrown music, brews, and local food. Carytown will be alive with the sounds of fiddles, guitars, and banjos! The festival will also have brews and cider from Richmond's leading craft brewers. We will also have a silent auction with funds going towards the Highland Support Project's local programming with Richmond students! RSVP online.
9. THE QUEBE SISTERS
Music
Thursday, May 11, 8 PM
The Tin Pan 8982 Quioccasin Road Richmond, 23229
With over fifteen years of touring to date, The Quebe Sisters have delivered their authentic triple fiddle and three-part harmony sound to the concert halls and festivals of North America and Europe. Grace, Sophia, and Hulda Quebe front an innovative Progressive Western Swing band of archtop guitar, upright bass, fiddles and sibling harmony. The Dallas-based five-piece presents a unique Americana blend of Western Swing, Jazz-influenced Swing, Country, Texas-Style Fiddling, and Western music. Presented by The Tin Pan. Purchase tickets online.
10. MOTHER GOOSE SUITE
Music
Sunday, May 14, 3 PM
Perkinson Center for the Arts & Education, 11810 Centre Street, Chester, 23832
$25 adults | $15 student/child
In honor of Mother’s Day, The Richmond Symphony will showcase mothers, who are strong, tender, smart, and who care deeply for us. The concert features Dvorak ‘s “Things My Mother Taught Me” and Ravel’s Mother Goose Suite. This is a concert for the whole family to enjoy together! 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, Modlin Center for the Arts, Richmond Ballet, and Richmond Symphony are sponsors of VPM.
