Switching to Tumblr

Well, it's been fun and all trying out this blog on blogger, but I've decided Tumblr might better suit my needs.

So: follow me here instead: http://findculturerva.tumblr.com/

See you all in Tumblr world!

Get to know Picasso AND Ife art!!

The big day is finally here: tomorrow (Saturday) Picasso: Masterpieces from the Musée National Picasso, Paris will be open to the public!

It has been an amazing experience to be a part of this whole project from the very beginning, when things were still quite hush hush, to the big announcement in September, the sponsor gala event Wednesday night, two member preview days, and tomorrow, the grand public opening!

I've had the privilege to be the "checklist" keeper of the 176 works that would be arriving, and here they are today, beautifully exhibited in the New Market and Altria Group and Center gallery spaces (basically, the entire Lower Lever of the museum). What a SUPERB feeling it is to see these works in real life, drastically different in scale than the tiny 1" x 1" thumbnails I have been memorizing for 6 months.

Check out VMFA's Picasso tab on their Facebook page, pretty cool stuff!!

Picasso is right here in your backyard. Don't miss it.

GET A MEMBERSHIP! You'll save tons of money and you can come back and see all the other exciting exhibits for FREE!!

I'll say it again: student memberships are $10 (TEN DOLLARS) (whereas one ticket to the exhibit is $16... you do the math).

Picasso is not the only cool cat around here. For a truly extraordinary viewing experience, don't forget to visit Dynasty and Divinity: Ife Art in Ancient Nigeria.

If you've got your membership, it'll be FREE!!!

Click here for a great review of the exhibit!

To recap: You've got until mid-May to come visit TWO absolutely brilliant exhibitions. (Picasso ends May 15th, Ife ends May 22nd).

Getting involved at VMFA: apply for the Friends of Art Advisory Council!

Want to have a say with what goes on at VMFA?

If you're between the ages of 21-35, if you love art, culture, and the museum, and want to get more involved you should definitely apply to become a part of the Friends of Art Advisory Council.

VMFA is seeking to develop its membership base of 21-35 year olds, and you can help!

Check this out for more information: http://vmfa.museum/FOA/

If you're a student, this is a great way to get involved, have your voice heard, AND attend fun events specifically designed for our age group. Get your student membership first, and then pay your dues for Friends of Art... you're grand total comes to a meager $25 and you're in for a year's worth of AWESOME.

You do not need a background in art to be a part of this!

And, as an FYI, there are many other support groups you can join based on your interests. These includes Ancient Art, Indian Art, and more!! Wonderful student discounts for all of these as well.

An Arts District in RVA? YES PLEASE!

This would be a dream come true!

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/flair/2011/feb/15/tdmet01-richmond-mayor-proposing-65-block-arts-dis-ar-843342/

African dancing!

On Saturday, I ventured to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts to attend the big family event "Celebrating African Art."

About 2000 people were there, enjoying art activities, delicious food (including some amazing coconut cookies!), wandering through the beautiful galleries and the new Ife exhibit, AND experiencing a superbly up-beat African dance performance.

The performance included drummers and dancers from Ezibu Munto, a local African dance troupe and cultural foundation. Their show was breathtaking and at the same time wanted to make all of us get up and dance! Best of all, you can attend FREE dance classes every first Tuesday of the month at their downtown location.

Don't forget to come see the magnificent exhibition: Dynasty and Divinity: Ife Art in Ancient Nigeria ! While you're here, stroll into the newly installed African galleries and prepare to be WOWED! These galleries are exquisite!

To the Museums and Back!!!

Getting around to cultural destinations just got easier:

2BNB (To the Bottom and Back bus) has announced a new route that will run on Saturdays to take you to a variety of cultural and historic sites around the city: FREE!

They have a great GPS system you can follow on your phone to find out where the bus is located and be able to plan when to catch it!

Why not try it with some friends this Saturday and start off at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts where you can experience Africa during a super fun "Celebrate African Art" Family Day"! (FREE and will include performances by African drummers and more! Noon - 4pm)

Don't forget your Student Membership ($10!) so you can get in to see Dynasty and Divinity: Ife Art in Ancient Nigeria for free!

Fine dining without going broke!

I really enjoy fancy restaurants. a) They're fancy and b) It's a good reason to dress up (and I like dressing up).

But there's usually a major downfall: they cost a lot of $$$

So, I've come up with a devious plan that allows you to enjoy everything that a fine dining experience has to offer, without blowing off all your cash: just get dessert!

Cook yourself some cheap mac n'cheese at home, digest for a couple of hours, and then grab a friend and head on over to a restaurant you would usually never dare go to for fear of spending too much money. Sure, the main entrées are probably really great too, but this way, you can enjoy the classy ambiance, still enjoy a delicious piece of haute cuisine, and walk out satisfied that your wallet isn't empty AND you won't have to run any extra laps at the gym (extra awesome fact about classy desserts: they come in small proportions!).

Tonight's dessert adventure was Acacia on Cary St.

I've walked by many a time, but always figured I'd never be able to afford it. All I had to do was dress the part and we were treated like royalty! The servers were wonderfully attentive. The atmosphere was classy/loungy, but not too uptight.

And the desserts were D.E.L.I.C.I.O.U.S.

Here's their dessert menu to make your mouth water.

Definitely a lovely idea for hanging out with a friend when you don't feel like dealing with the bar crowd, or also a great place to bring a date!

Note: Stay classy and tip well! Just because you're only ordering dessert doesn't mean you should skimp out on the tip - the servers are doing just as much work!

This week's top 5 (just kidding... more like 6 or 7)

Gallery5 After 5: A free-to-the-public lecture series

Wed Feb 9, 5:30pm

FREE FREE FREE

This month's lecture is about the comic book industry!

Dynasty and Divinity: Ife Art in Ancient Nigeria at VMFA

Member preview Fri Feb 11, open to general public Sat Feb 12

A beautiful exhibition you don't want to miss!

Pick up a $10 student membership to see the show for free!

(The student membership is a FANTASTIC deal, cheaper than most tickets. You'll also get FREE parking, discounts on lectures, food, and merchandise from the gift shop!)

VMFA's African galleries will be opening in conjunction with this exhibition, so you'll really be in for a treat!

Dog Sees God: Confessions of a teenage blockhead

Firehouse Theatre Project

Directed by the wonderfully talented Billy Christopher Maupin

Runs through Feb. 26

Student tickets: $10!!

Richmond Ballet: Giselle

Fri Feb 11 - Sun Feb 13

Student tickets: $20!! (For the 7pm performances only)

After seeing their public rehearsal last week, I really can't wait to see the real thing!

Richmond Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliette

Thurs Feb 10 - Sat Feb 26

Student tickets: $15!!

Science Museum of Virginia: Arctic Adventure

Now open

You think it's cold here? Check out what's going on in the arctic!

Tickets: $10 (for the entire museum)

or $15 for exhibits AND the IMAX theatre

If you get the $15 ticket, be sure to check out Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs, now showing!

For an even BETTER deal, join the Universe Society for only $25. This is a fundraising, social and networking group for young professionals!

I'd love to hear back from anyone who attends these events! Let me know what you thought by emailing: findculturerva@gmail.com or just posting a comment below!

50 cents can go a long way!

My favorite brunch place has always been Joe's Inn, with their delicious breakfast-anytime dishes and of course, $2.50 mimosas.

And I thought that was cheap!

Head down over the Manchester bridge, and you'll find 50 cent mimosas at Plant Zero Cafe. Oh yes, that's right, two quarters will get you a mimosa, but only on Saturdays. The food is pretty good as well (though maybe not as good as Joe's)....but hey, you can't beat that price!

Spontaneity cures it all!

I tend to get a little obsessed with planning. I like to have a detailed schedule of all the things I do and want to do (this is just the way I am, an organizator, if you will). Sometimes, however, a dash of spontaneity here and there really doesn't hurt. On the contrary, it can really pick you up on a blue day.

This evening was one of those... It's been a long week and I needed to relax.

The plan was: get a drink with a friend, go to Eurotrash for a fancy "wishlist" event, and then go home to do more work.

I followed through with most of the plan, but spiced it up a little.

I've been reading a lot about Xtras, that new spunky bar/restaurant that's popped up (literally - it's on the second story of the building) in Carytown. So I decided that's where we should go.

The atmosphere is quite nice, with an art nouveau flare that truly hit the spot. I ordered their bruschetta and wooooow, delicious!

Definitely check this place out. It will be fabulous in the spring since they have a nice little balcony that oversees all of Carytown!

Then, I headed over to Eurotrash and invited a new acquaintance of mine who I figured would enjoy such an outting (it was a "wishlist" event that included free champagne... who can resist?!). The clothes are gorgeous, but a little over my budget.

My friend asked if I wanted to get dinner, and at first I was hesitant because I'm really trying to be careful about spending the $$. We figured we would just split a dish somewhere. Where oh where should we go?

We decided to try out Off the Hookah, which we'd been to once for dancing, but not for eating.

We sat down and low and behold Thursday night is Ladies' Night.

But this Ladies' Night is like no other: half-off apitizers AND a free hookah. Oh yes, you read that right: a FREE hookah. We even had to ask the server if we had understood the menu right. But yes, it's free.

Now, I was very skeptical about what the food would be like. The decorations are on the gaudy Egyptomania side (but hey, I'm not complaining. I love hanging out with Tutankhamun!) and so I questioned how good the food could really be in a place like this.

We ordered 4 different appetizers (they only cost about $3 each) and oooooooooooooooh wow, it was heaven! I really can't describe how delicious the food was - fresh ingredients, quite a variety of spices, and just an all and all delectable dinner!

For once, a perk to being a lady ;) I know where I'll be Thursday nights!

This week's cultural excursions

There's lots to do this week! Check it out:

Monday and Tuesday:
Merce Cunningham Dance Company
Monday, January 31 at 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, February 1 at 7:30 p.m.

Opening Thursday:
Dog sees God
Directed by the fabulously talented Billy Christopher Maupin
Feb. 3rd, 8pm. Runs till Feb. 26th
Student tickets: $12

Friday:
First Fridays Giselle Rehearsal Viewing
5pm, Richmond Ballet, 407 East Canal Street
FREE
Look it up on Facebook, it's not on their website.
BUT you should go see the real thing starting Feb. 11th!

Saturday and Sunday:
Richmond Symphony Masterworks: Brahms Piano Concerto #1
Feb. 5th, 8pm and Feb. 6th, 3pm
Their best kept secret: Student tickets are ONLY $8!!!

If you've got an event you want to share or just a suggestion of other great cultural activities in the area, feel free to email: findculturerva@gmail.com

RVA on Ice!

Grab a friend (or a bunch!) and head on down to Richmond's outdoor skating rink right behind Center Stage.

The rental skates may be a bit [very] uncomfortable, and the ice a little bumpy, but all in all, it's a great time! It's so nice to have this right in our backyard.

Season pass for $15, rentals are $5. (If you do go, it's cash only, fyi!)

http://richmondcenterstage.com/content/rva-on-ice

You can then warm up with a hot chocolate right in Shockoe Bottom at Shockoe Espresso and Roastery

A wonderful little coffee shop with a great atmosphere!

Pyramids in Richmond?!

If you haven't been to Hollywood Cemetery yet, you're definitely missing out - especially on a beautiful day like today!

Next time the sun comes out, take a stroll through this amazing gem hidden right here in Richmond.

You'll even stumble upon a pyramid!

Review: Pilgrimage and Faith: Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam

I attended the lecture "HOLY LAND, HOLY BONES, HOLY IMAGE: Byzantine Pilgrimage Art," accompanied by a most diverse group of friends: a bio professor, three poli-sci majors, an ancient art curator, an art history professor, and quite a few art history majors.

To be honest, I was a bit nervous about what kind of lecture this would be and if this varied group of friends would hate me forever for having dragged them to something horrid. My fears were appeased as soon as the speaker, Dr. Gary Vikan, took the stage. His energy and enthusiasm instantly filled the room, and for the next hour we were all completely enthralled by his fascinating presentation about Byzantine Pilgrimage Art. His talk was clear, precise, to the point, and at some times even entertaining!

I don't think I've ever attended an art history lecture where the audience was so responsive. The presentation took an unexpected turn when he began discussing Elvis - but that was rather entertaining as well. All in all, I left the auditorium wishing I could have been a student of his...I also left with quite a solid foundational knowledge of the basic principles of Byzantine pilgrimage art, even after only 40 minutes.

The reception and preview following the talk were equally great (even though I made the mistake of going into the gallery first and THEN to the food... which left me with only three cubes of cheese!) The exhibit "Pilgrimage and Faith" was very well curated and it was truly fascinating to see the ways in which three separate and quite different religions all have pilgrimage in common.

I strongly encourage all of you to go see this exhibit! I'll definitely be going back soon to spend more time in the galleries!

The exhibit runs till May 20th, so don't miss out!

http://museums.richmond.edu/exhibitions/museum-of-art/pilgrimage-and-faith.html

To do Friday: Opening reception for Pilgrimage and Faith: Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam

The University of Richmond's Joel and Lila Harnett Museum of Art presents:

Don't miss the FREE Opening Reception and Keynote Lecture!!!

January 28th 7-9pm

Gary Vikan, Director of The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore, will present the Keynote Lecture:

HOLY LAND, HOLY BONES, HOLY IMAGE

7pm 28th January, Camp Concert Hall, The Modlin Center for the Arts.

Followed by a reception and preview of the exhibition from 8-9pm @ Joel & Lila Harnett Museum of Art.

Did I mention it's FREE FREE FREE!!!!!

For more info: http://museums.richmond.edu/exhibitions/museum-of-art/pilgrimage-and-faith.html

Review: "Art Works for Virginia" Conference

I've decided (thanks to my friend Tiffany's advice) that instead of simply posting a listing of cultural events, I'll also add in a small review for them (at least the ones I attend). I invite you to share your thoughts as well!

Here we go:

Besides a slight parking snafu, the conference overall was wonderful: insightful, engaging, inspiring and yes, even fun (as can be proven by the fact that lunch got very "jazzy" and went over by 15 minutes).

The keynote speaker, was, as keynote speakers should be, lively, and definitely motivating. I took about 4 pages of notes, which I will not bore you with.

I will, however, leave you with his etymological definition of "culture" which I very much enjoyed ~ culture: "the medium in which you grow"

This definition fits in quite well with my reasons for starting this blog. My search for culture does not begin (or end) with wanting fancy frilly uppity artsy fartsy events, but the need for a "medium" in which I can grow. Culture, to me, is every little thing that can enliven my life, that can enrich even a little walk around the block, turn a grey day into a great day... etc etc

I then attended a session entitled "The Power of Public Art," which was truly fantastic and really broadened my knowledge about public art and how it affects our world.

The next session I went to was about advancing uses of technology in arts organizations. This was also interesting, but perhaps not geared towards my generation.

The reception, was, as receptions should be, a place for meeting new people, networking, eating good food and sipping on good drinks. The added bonus here was meeting delegates and senators. It is not every day that you get to talk about Caligula with a senator!

All in all, this conference was a reassurance: Virginia has an astounding number of arts organizations that are doing great things. Despite budget cuts deeply affecting the arts, there was a tremendous sense of hope as I sat next to so many people with similar goals. I was delighted to be a part of that today and hope I can spread the enthusiasm!

ArtWorks for Virginia Conference

For all you art advocates out there (or anyone interested in the arts in general), here is a chance to learn all about the art scene in Virginia: ArtWorks for Virginia Conference.

I'll be attending tomorrow's sessions and am truly excited that this conference is taking place right here in Richmond! It will be great to be more involved with the local art community and meet people with similar interests!

What's even better: $25 student registration fee!

Finding culture in Richmond

Welcome to findcultureRVA!

My name is Jessica, I live in Richmond, and I love culture.

Raised in the suburbs of Paris and returning there every summer, I have always felt like Richmond could never live up to my expectations of a cultural destination.

It has now been nearly 4 years since I've lived in this city, and I realize now that Richmond has a LOT to offer, you just have to look a little closer to find it.

It is for this reason that I would like to start this blog, as a way to promote the wonderful cultural (and fun!) things to do around Richmond. I'll also mix in some other random fun things to do, which may not necessarily be considered "cultural." But we will just use a very very broad sense of the term and let it encompass whatever we want!

Please feel free to share events and locations I might have missed!

Enjoy!