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The East Coast Triathlon is taking place Sunday, May 1, at Innsbrook. (Photo courtesy East Coast Triathlon)
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The East Coast Triathlon is taking place Sunday, May 1, at Innsbrook. (Photo courtesy East Coast Triathlon)
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The East Coast Triathlon is taking place Sunday, May 1, at Innsbrook. (Photo courtesy East Coast Triathlon)
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The East Coast Triathlon is taking place Sunday, May 1, at Innsbrook. (Photo courtesy East Coast Triathlon)
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The East Coast Triathlon is taking place Sunday, May 1, at Innsbrook. (Photo courtesy East Coast Triathlon)
An Obie Award-winning Best New American Play, Arts in the Park, and the East Coast Triathlon Festival are in this week's Seen & Heard, plus a rundown of what's onstage and in galleries around town.
Johnny Day and Irene Zeigler in "4000 Miles" (photo by Jason Collins Photography)
In "4000 Miles," opening Saturday and running through May 21, a woman and her 21-year-old grandson (played by Richmond stage veteran Irene Zeigler and newcomer Johnny Day) form a bond while seeking respite from a recent life-changing event. The Obie Award-winning play by Amy Herzog is directed by Gary C. Hopper and presented by Cadence Theatre Co. in partnership with Virginia Repertory Theatre in the Theatre Gym. $30. 282-2620 or va-rep.org.
For the 45th year, more than 450 artists from around the country will gather in Byrd Park at the Carillon Arts in the Park, kicking off this weekend. Everything from weavings to paintings and original work to fine art can be found at this nationally rated, juried art show. 358-2711 or richmondartsinthepark.com.
Now in its fourth year, the East Coast Triathlon Festival on Sunday, May 1, brings top professional triathletes from around the world to Richmond for what has been selected as just one of three U.S. races in the International Triathlon Union world-wide elite series. Plus the junior elite race is one of four in the U.S. and amateur adult and kid’s triathlons will also be held. 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Innsbrook Office Park. 4600 Cox Road. 741-1599 or endorphinfitness.com.
Here's a look at some of the other happenings around town this weekend and into next week:
MUSIC
Vexine's Paul Pearce, Sarah Frances Gleason, Michael Skiffington (photo by PJ Sykes)
Vexine 4/30
The moody-noir lounge rock group performs Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Ashland’s Center of the Universe Brewing Co. The occasion is the release of Vexine’s latest recording and Center of the Universe Brewing’s small batch beer named after it, "Little Sin," described by the brewer as “a black ale brewed with oats and rose hips that is smooth and sultry just like Vexine's music.” To find out more, see Harry (The Hat) Kollatz Jr.'s interview with lead singer Sarah Frances Gleason. 368-0299 or cotubrewing.com.
Spyro Gyra 5/4
A delightful blend of soul, Latin, and pop, jazz ensemble Spyro Gyra has sold more than eleven million records and accrued nine Grammy nominations. Catch them at The Tin Pan. 8 p.m. $55. 8982 Quioccasin Road. 447-8189 or tinpanrva.com.
Trampled by Turtles and The Devil Makes Three 5/4
Trampled by Turtles hybrid folk sound is paired with the bluegrass, folk and country tunes of The Devil Makes Three at The National. 8 p.m. $23. 612-1900 or thenationalva.com.
Bullet For My Valentine 5/5
Following the release of their new album, “Venom,” Bullet For My Valentine brings their heavy metal sound to The National’s stage. 7:30 p.m. $35. 612-1900 or thenationalva.com.
STAGE
Lewis Black 5/5
Stand-up comic Lewis Black hits the Carpenter Theatre during The Emperor’s New Clothes: The Naked Truth Tour. 8 p.m. $39.50 to $59.50. 800-514-3849 or richmondcenterstage.com.
'Venus in Fur' through 5/7
A beleaguered playwright/director is desperate to find an actress to play the female lead in his adaptation of the classic sadomasochistic 1870 novel by the Austrian author Leopold von Sacher-Masoch. Co-produced by TheatreLab and Spin, Spit & Swear. $30. 505-0558 or theatrelabrva.org.
Richmond Dance Festival through 5/8
Performances continue at Dogtown Dance Theatre, featuring dancers from around the country. Adults $15, students $10, groups of 10 or more $8. 109 W. 15th St. 230-8780 or dogtowndancetheatre.com. For details, see Holly Speck's preview.
'The Lion King' through 5/8
The winner of six Tony Awards including Best Musical, Disney’s Broadway spectacle is back in Richmond (after a sold-out run in 2012) with its menagerie of animals from the Serengeti coming to life on stage, with music by Elton John and Tim Rice. $28 to $175. 800-514-3849 or altriatheater.com. For a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to bring all those characters to the stage, see Nicole Cohen's interview with puppet supervisor Michael Reilly.
House guest Frank (Daniel Moore) disrupts the regular supper plans for partners Joyce (Melissa Johnston Price) and Phyllis (Sara Heifetz) and their son Jared (Chandler Hubbard) with an improvised Seder dinner in Annie Baker’s comedy “Body Awareness”, a co-production of Richmond Triangle Players and 5th Wall Theatre. (Photo by John MacLellan)
“Body Awareness,” through 5/14
This comedy by Obie Award winner Annie Baker — also a 2014 Pulitzer Prize winner for her play "The Flick" — is set during Body Awareness Week at Vermont's Shirley College. The story pits partners Phyllis and Joyce against their possibly autistic son, stirring up issues of sexuality, identity, role modeling and political correctness. The 5th Wall Theatre show starring Sara Heifetz, Chandler Hubbard, Melissa Johnston Price and Daniel Moore is co-produced with Richmond Triangle Players at 1300 Altamont Ave. $30. 359-2003 or 5thwalltheatre.org.
'Summer and Smoke' through 5/15
Unrequited love, longing, suppressed desire — that's territory Tennessee Williams knew well, and he might have expressed it best in “Summer and Smoke,” running at Virginia Repertory Theatre through May 15. The production concludes Bruce Miller’s 41-year career as the company’s founding artistic director, and brings it full circle to the theater's origins. A longtime admirer of the 1948 play, Miller feels it’s the best of Williams’ work. In Glorious Hill, Mississippi, during the first part of the 20th century, preacher's daughter Alma Winemiller (Carolyn Demanelis) contends with her spiritual and sexual dilemmas and her attraction to bad-boy physician John Buchanan Jr. (Alexander Sapp). $30 to $46. 282-2620 or va-rep.org.
“Maple and Vine” through 5/21
Yuppie power couple Katha (McLean Jesse) and Ryu (Xander Wong) have achieved most of their dreams but Katha can't get a good night's sleep. When they're invited to join the Society for Dynamic Obsolescence, they decide to give it all up to pursue more traditional values. Firehouse Theatre. $35. 355-2001 or firehousetheatre.org.
"Little Shop of Horrors" through 5/21
Swift Creek Mill Theatre’s 1986 production of the horror-comedy rock musical became the theater’s longest-running show. Now, Audrey II returns to consume the theater once again. $38 or $55 (with buffet). 748-5203 or swiftcreekmill.com.
ART EXHIBITIONS
"Salvador Dalí: The Argillet Collection" through 4/30
In Carytown, Chasen Galleries is playing host to an exhibition of the renowned surrealist’s work, including special appearances by Christine Argillet, daughter of Dali's publisher and confidante, Pierre Argillet. Read Rebecca Fradkin's interview with Christine Argillet here. 204-1048 or chasengalleries.com.
'Homeland: New Works by Louis Poole and Ellen Delaney' through 4/30
This show at Glave Kocen Gallery pairs local favorite Poole with newcomer Delaney, who was an architect before becoming a full-time professional artist. Their work focuses on rural homes and landscapes. "We always strive for visually arresting pairings brought together by common ground, but I think this show has gotten us closer to the bull's eye than maybe ever before," says gallery co-owner BJ Kocen. 358-1990 or glavekocengallery.com.
“The Authentic Death of Vincent Van Gogh,” through 4/30
When he was a young man, artist Bernard Martin, 82, read a cowboy book titled “The Authentic Death of Hendry Jones.” Marlon Brando in 1961 made a film from the novel called “One-Eyed Jacks” — a fact that Martin, a movie lover, enjoys contemplating. This is the thought behind “The Authentic Death of Vincent Van Gogh,” exhibited through April 30 at the ADA Gallery. See Harry Kollatz Jr.'s full story here.
'Fine Art and Furniture' through 4/30
This show at Ashland’s Gallery Flux pairs paintings by a variety of artists with artisan-made furniture and pottery. 307-B England St. 752-3540 or galleryflux.com.
Senior Thesis Exhibition through 5/5
This annual student art sale is held at the University of Richmond’s Harnett Museum of Art. Selected by the faculty of the Art and Art History Departments, graduating senior studio art majors present their work. 289-8980 or modlin.richmond.edu.
"Autumn Kiss" by Sharon Guyton Lalik (Courtesy of the artist)
'Hyperrealism: Beyond the Photograph' through 5/15
Artist Sharon Guyton Lalik says in an artist’s statement that “painting in a photographic style allows me to showcase an ordinary subject in an extraordinary way, revealing its intricate details, blemishes, and irregularities.” See her work in the Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen’s Gumenick Family Gallery. 261-2787 or artsglenallen.com.
VCU Graduate MFA Thesis Exhibitions through 5/15
Round one continues through April 24; round two starts with a reception April 29 at the Depot Gallery (814 W. Broad St.) and continues through May 15. Work will also be shown at VCU’s Anderson building (907 1/2 W. Franklin St.). 828-7720 or arts.vcu.edu.
'{D}Light: Works in Copper by Cathy G. Vaughn' through 5/21
The Richmond-based artist's show at the Iridian Gallery at Diversity Richmond is installed as garden, dining and bedroom-themed rooms featuring copper works interacting with light and shadows. It runs through May 21. 1407 Sherwood Ave. 622-4646 or diversityrichmond.org.
'Practice' through 5/22
The VCUart Craft/Material Studies Candidacy Exhibition, "Practice," at Artspace, featuring work by Fumi Amano, Grace Kubiluis, Chelsea Lee, Jubee Lee, Stephen Nunes and Shannon Slaight-Brown. A reception for the artists is set for 7 to 10 p.m. 0 E. Fourth St., 232-6464 or artspacegallery.org.
Five Exhibitions through 5/22
Art Works Studios and Galleries will present five new exhibitions of work by Jessica Sims, John Dale Best, Mark Best, Curt and Debbie Palat, and Jill Ward. A reception for the artists is planned for 7 to 10 p.m. 320 Hull St. 291-1400 or artworksrichmond.com.
Conor Backman, "Untitled," 2016, oil on canvas (Image courtesy of the artist and Reynolds Gallery)
Conor Backman and Jiha Moon through 5/27
A Hudson, New York-based artist and VCU alumnus, Backman draws on his education in sculpture and painting to incorporate three-dimensional elements in “Circular Garden” at Reynolds Gallery. The second exhibition, by Korean-born, Atlanta-based artist Jiha Moon, features paintings that explore cultural identity by combining imagery from both Eastern and Western cultures. VCUarts Fountainhead Fellows Whitney Oldenburg (an adjunct faculty member in VCUarts' Painting and Printmaking department) and Zachary Trow, are exhibiting in the upstairs gallery. 1514 W. Main St. 355-6553 or reynoldsgallery.com.
'Push Me Pull You' through 5/29
Maine-based artist Anna Hepler’s exhibition at the Visual Arts Center of Richmond will feature wire and fiber sculpture, ceramics, woodcuts, etchings and cyanotypes. In conjunction, Quirk Gallery will present “Alphabet,” an exhibition of Hepler’s work on paper and small sculptural models in mixed media, through May 8. VisArts: 353-0094 or visarts.org; Quirk: 644-5450 or quirkgallery.com.
'Different Trends' through 5/31
Works by Ugandan artist Hassan Mukiibi at Elegba Folklore Society. 101 E. Broad St., 644-3900 or efsinc.org.
“Thomas R. Schiff: Virginia 360°' through 6/19
Contemporary photographer Thomas R. Schiff made these 40 panoramic images in Virginia between 2004 and 2013. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Free. 340-1400 or vmfa.museum.
Butterflies Live! through 10/9
Get up-close and personal as hundreds of butterflies flutter around you in the conservatory. Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. Included with garden admission, $12 for adults. 262-9887 or lewisginter.org.
