July 3, 2023
“A farewell is necessary before we can meet again, and meeting again, after moments or a lifetime, is certain for those who are friends.” – Richard Bach
In April 2020, VPM began the Artsline blog as a deep commitment to our local arts and culture community reeling from a pandemic that closed galleries, cancelled performances, and shuttered museums. Three years later, this blog goes on, mirroring the resilience of our creative community. And now, I am stepping away. Thankfully, Artsline will continue and will remain in good hands.
It has been a joy and a privilege to lend my words and voice to this platform in order to broadcast the amazing work RVA’s artists, historians, performers, and cultural gurus create every day. I encourage you to be an art adventurer and cultural explorer amid our rich and diverse landscape of theatre, music, history and more. And even as I say goodbye, I look forward to the time when we shall meet again.
To list your events on Artsline, go to vpm.org/artsline.
1. ASHLAND JULY 4TH PARADE & CELEBRATION
Culture
Tuesday, July 4, 11 AM
Hanover Arts & Activities Center, 500 South Center Street, Ashland, 23005
A beloved Ashland tradition, come on July Fourth for a day of fun celebrating our country’s independence! Featuring an endearing small town walking parade and a patriotic concert by the Hanover Concert Band on our lawn. There are old fashioned lawn games, a Patriotic Pet Contest, cold snow cones, hot dogs and hamburgers and of course our famous Apple Pie Baking Contest and Pie Auction all in the Center of the best little town in the Universe! Want to join in the parade? Start a themed parade brigade! Information on our website. New brigades must submit a form for approval. No registration required for this free event.
2. A CELEBRATION OF VIRGINIA FOLKLIFE
History, Culture
Friday, July 7, 5:30 PM for reception, film screening & program
Saturday, July 8, Noon for performances, displays & activities
Library of Virginia, 800 East Broad Street, Richmond, 23219
The Library of Virginia and the Virginia Folklife Program of Virginia Humanities present a two-day celebration of Virginia’s rich folklife heritage! On Friday, enjoy a reception, the premiere of eight short documentary films, and a stage program honoring five artist teams in the Virginia Folklife Program’s apprenticeship program. Come back on Saturday from for displays, performances and activities highlighting Virginia musical traditions. Both events are free. Registration required for Friday evening’s programming.
3. SIGNS OF THE TIMES: PUBLIC AND COMMERCIAL ART IN RVA BUS TOUR
Architectural Art
Tuesday, July 4, 9 AM
The Valentine, 1015 East Clay Street, Richmond, 23219
$50
From colorful murals, to ghost signs and vintage neon, Richmond’s landscape boasts an impressive collection of public and commercial art. Join The Valentine for a three-hour bus tour of some favorite examples of signage and public art in the city. Ticket includes same-day admission to the Valentine. Purchase tickets online.
4. APOLLO: WHEN WE WENT TO THE MOON
History
Through December 31
Virginia Museum of History & Culture, 428 North Arthur Ashe Boulevard, Richmond, 23220
Admission: $10 adults | $8 seniors, educators, military | $5 youth ages 6-17
Children 5 and under are free
A time when the U.S. and Soviet Union competed over their accomplishments in space exploration – to the collaborative culture of the International Space Station program and beyond. Through objects and artifacts from the U.S. Space & Rocket Center’s archives that set the scene for the era, the Virginia Museum of History and Culture’s exhibit explores the social and political forces that pushed these nations to sacrifice man and machine in order to be the first humans to set foot on the moon. Purchase tickets online.
5. ISAAC JULIEN: LESSONS OF THE HOUR— FREDERICK DOUGLASS
Film, Visual Art
Through July 9, 2023
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, 200 North Arthur Ashe Boulevard, Richmond, 23220
Lessons of the Hour—Frederick Douglass is an immersive and poetic meditation on the great 19th-century abolitionist. The poignant 10-screen film installation collapses time and space to bridge persistent historical and contemporary challenges of the day. In this profoundly resonating art experience of arresting visuals and sound, internationally renowned London-born artist and filmmaker Sir Isaac Julien brings the historical figure to clear focus for the next generation. Presented by the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. No tickets required for this free exhibit.
6. MURRMUR: MISREAD UNREAD READ RE-READ MISREAD UNREAD RE-READ
Visual Art
Through July 16
Institute of Contemporary Art at VCU, 601 West Broad Street, Richmond, 23220
Misread Unread Read Re-read Misread Unread Re-read (MURRMUR) is a ten-month exhibition series at the ICA at VCU that expands how we think about reading, publishing, and distributing art, books, and ideas. A research framework developed in conversation with participating artists and educators, MURRMUR opens up traditional forms of education into collective, self-publishing environments, in which reading becomes a non-linear act. No tickets required for this free exhibit.
7. JAMMIN' ON THE JAMES WITH REBECCA FRAZIER
Music
Saturday, July 8, 5 PM
Wilton House Museum, 215 South Wilton Road, Richmond, 23226
$5 presale | $10 at gate | children under 8 are free
Join the Wilton House Museum to welcome bluegrass artist Rebecca Frazier for an outdoor concert on their grounds. Bring a picnic dinner and your favorite lawn chair for family-friendly music on our scenic terrace overlooking the James River. Enjoy complimentary evening tours of Wilton before the concert begins as well as face-painting, games, and King of Pops! Purchase tickets online.
8. SCIENCE AFTER DARK: MISSION STEMPOSSIBLE
Crafts, Games
Friday, July 7, 5 PM
Science Museum of Virginia, 2500 West Broad Street, Richmond, 23220
$17 adults | $14 youth (6-12) & seniors | $10 children (3-5) | free for children under 2, educators, military and college students
Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to uncover all the STEM involved in detective work. From gadgets to intelligence gathering, dig into the top-secret science behind being a special agent at the Science Museum of Virginia's July Science After Dark Event. Purchase tickets online.
9. INDEPENDENCE DAY LIBERTY OR DEATH REENACTMENT
History, Theatre
Tuesday, July 4, 11 AM
Historic St. John’s Church, 2401 East Broad Street, Richmond, 23223
$10 general | $7 ages 7-15 | free for ages 6 and under
Go back in time. Since 1976, St. John’s Church Foundation has presented historical reenactments of the Second Virginia Convention of March 1775 at its original location. Professional actors portray nine delegates — including Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington — who engage in the arguments of the Second Virginia Convention, leading to Patrick Henry’s immortal words "Give me liberty or give me death!" See this special show for our nation’s birthday! Purchase tickets online.
10. SOUND OF THE GUNS
Music, Theatre
Through 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 U.S. 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.
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, The Valentine, and VCUArts are sponsors of VPM.
