June 19, 2023
“Everything good, everything magical, happens between the months of June and August.” ~ Jenny Han
It’s officially summer and the magic of this region’s arts and culture is upon us! Our week is filled with daytime festivals, library summer learning programs and evenings on lush lawns listening to music or watching plays. RVA is bursting with performance and ripe with colorful galleries. You don’t want to miss it!
To list your events on Artsline, go to vpm.org/artsline.
1. 4TH FRIDAY ART SHOWS AND OPENING RECEPTION
Visual Art
Friday, June 23, 6 PM reception
Exhibits continue through July 22
Art Works, 320 Hull Street Road, Richmond, 23224
In June, abstract artwork takes center stage in the Art Works galleries with paintings and sculptures by John Wagoner, John Van Zandt and Jasmine Mills. Each artist approaches their craft from different points of view and techniques providing a variety of form and contemplation for the viewer. And there’s always a special place for landscape fine art. In the Port Gallery, Adam Reinhard brings the Blue Ridge Mountains to our doorstep. Plus, there’s the mix, the monthly All Media Show featuring Virginia artists. Meet the artists and enjoy live music, refreshments and libations sponsored by RVA Thriving Artists. Parking is free. No registration required for this free event.
2. TEEN MAKER NIGHT
Visual Arts
Tuesday, June 20, 3 PM
Powhatan County Library, 2270 Mann Road, Powhatan, 23139
The Powhatan County Library offers an afternoon and evening of creating Pokemon cross-stitching, felt succulents, and more! For ages 12-18. Register online for this free event.
3. SOUND OF THE GUNS
Music, Theatre
June 22 – July 14
Fridays & Saturdays, 7:30 PM
Sundays, 3 PM
Firehouse Theatre 1609 West Broad Street Richmond, VA 23220
$30 general | $25 military & student
The title of this unique concert production comes from a military saying that if you get lost on the battlefield you should move toward the sound of the guns. Based on writer/composer Jim O'Ferrell's personal experiences, Sound of the Guns takes place over two long days in a soldier's life -- one in 2006 as an active-duty U.S. Army Sergeant in the Iraq War, and ten years later as a veteran back in the United States. Sound of the Guns is a rock concert experience with The J.O.B. performing songs that O'Ferrell wrote while four actors perform the story. Presented by Firehouse Theatre. Purchase tickets online.
4. LUX RADIO THEATER PRESENTS "MRS. MOONLIGHT"
Radio Theatre
Tuesday & Wednesday, June 20 & 21, 7:30 PM
Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen, 2880 Mountain Road, Glen Allen, 23060
On the Air Radio Players performs Lux Radio Theater Presents Mrs. Moonlight. Mrs. Moonlight tells the story of a bride who makes a wish on her wedding day to never look a day older than she does at that moment. Her wish becomes a curse as everyone and everything around her ages and she stays as youthful as ever. No reservations required for this free event.
5. ERYKAH BADU COVER TO COVER FEATURING TRUNK SHOW
MusicFriday, June 23, 7:30 PM POSTPONED to Sunday, June 25, 8 PM
Dogwood Dell, 600 South Arthur Ashe Boulevard, Richmond, 23220
POSTPONED due to weather to Sunday, June 25, 8 PM.
Yes And Theatrical Company is pleased to present Trunk Show Band playing a full-album cover performance of Erykah Badu's '97 concert album, LIVE. This event is free to attend. Enjoy the powerhouse vocals of Katrinah Carol Lewis, Jessi Johnson Peterson, and Zakiyyah Jackson backed by Trunk Show Band and special guests from Weekend Plans. This show will feature the entire LIVE album followed by an encore of greatest hits by Erykah Badu. No registration required for this free event.
6. DESIGN RVA: AN ANNUAL COMMUNITY DAY
Visual Art, Architectural Art
Saturday, June 24
Branch Museum of Architecture & Design, 2501 Monument Avenue, Richmond
Join Storefront for Community Design, a nonprofit design center in Richmond, for the first-ever DesignRVA, a hands-on community day where children and their families can imagine and build elements of a neighborhood to create Richmond spaces to live, learn, work, and play. Children and families engage with volunteers from community-based organizations and design professions like architecture, engineering, urban planning, and construction to build elements of a neighborhood. Children will take their built elements to a neighborhood map that will evolve throughout the day. No registration required for this free event.
7. REVENGE OF THE 80S: LIVE IN CONCERT
Music
Thursday, June 22, 7 PM
Henrico Theatre, 305 East Nine Mile Road, Highland Springs, 23075
$10
Come join The Miller Studio for a celebration of all things 80s. From the music to the commercials to the major events of the decade, this concert at Henrico Theatre is sure to satisfy your 80s fix! Purchase tickets online.
8. NATIVE GARDENS
Theatre
Wednesday, June 21 – Monday, June 26, 8:30 PM
Wilton House Museum, 215 South Wilton Road, Richmond, 23226
$40
Cadence Theatre presents Karen Zacarías’ play, Native Gardens. Synopsis: Pablo and Tania, a high-powered lawyer and doctoral candidate respectively, have just moved into their dream home in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. With it being a fixer upper and all, they decide to transform their yard into a lovely native garden. Their next-door neighbors, Frank and Virginia give a hearty welcome to Pablo and Tania, however these pleasantries soon vanish when Pablo discovers that their property line is 2 feet into Frank’s beloved garden. Friction ensues, then an all-out border dispute erupts as the two couples show their true colors. Purchase tickets online.
9. MUSIC AT MAYMONT PRESENTS LETTUCE WITH STEEL PULSE
Music
Wednesday, June 21, 5:30 PM
Maymont, 1700 Hampton Street, Richmond, 23220
$40
Haymaker Productions is proud to present Lettuce with Steel Pulse and special guest Makua Rothman as a part of Music at Maymont. This is a co-headlining tour for Lettuce and Steel Pulse. Lettuce is supporting their 8th studio album, Unify, while Steel Pulse will play songs from their 12th album, Mass Manipulation. Purchase tickets online.
10. ALEXANDER PALEY PLAYS CHOPIN
Music
Friday, June 23, 7:30 PM
St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, 7757 Chippenham Parkway, Richmond, 23225
Piano virtuoso Alexander Paley visits Richmond to play an all-Chopin program.
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.
Cadence Theatre, the Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen, Haymaker Productions, the Maymont Foundation, and Wilton House Museum are sponsors of VPM.
