VMFA, UR and Charlottesville’s Heritage Center host fall, holiday celebrations
“Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beats and Alicia Keys” opened at the VMFA on Nov. 22. Coming from the collection of Swizz Beatz, the stage name of American DJ and record producer Kasseem Dean, and Alicia Keys, the exhibition features over 130 works of art by 40 Black artists from Africa, Europe, the United States and the Caribbean.
Among the “giants” celebrated in this collection are both established and emerging artists and photographers – names such as Derrick Adams, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Amy Sherald, Nick Cave, Titus Kaphar, Toyin Ojih Odutola, Esther Mahlangu, Kwame Brathwaite, Mickalene Thomas and Kehinde Wiley.
Two of the featured artists will also participate in events at the VMFA.
Deborah Roberts is a mixed media artist whose work has been exhibited across the U.S. and Europe. On Thursday, Dec. 4, Roberts will give a talk titled “Practice, Practice, Practice” at 6:30 p.m. in the Cheek Theater. Its focus will be the balance of vulnerability, discipline and creative capital – the emotional, physical and imaginative forces – that shape how an artist creates and sustains a creative life.
At 6:30 p.m. the following Thursday, Dec. 11, Arthur Jafa will be in the Cheek Theater for an artist conversation with Enjoli Moon.
Moon, who founded the Afrikana Independent Film Festival in 2014, will speak with Jafa about his use of cinematic qualities in his film and media.
For more than three decades, Jafa has created imagery that looks at how the Black experience is contructed and consumed in contemporary culture. His work includes films, paintings, sculptures and installations – included his time-based media installation which will be on view at the VMFA from Dec. 7-14 as part of the museum’s REWIND<<FastForward series.
Both of these artist events will be available to watch from home with Livestream
Check out the events on the calendar at the University of Richmond
UR Free Theater and Dance will present “The Meeting” in the Alice Jepson Theatre. This 1987 American play, written by Jeff Stetson and directed by Chuck Mike, imagines a meeting between Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X in a Harlem hotel during the height of the Civil Rights Movement. An evening performance will take place Saturday, Nov. 22 at 7:30 p.m., with a matinee happening Sunday, Nov. 23 at 2 p.m. Arrive an hour ahead of each performance to view the exhibition and experience the preshow activity in the Modlin Centre lobby and courtyard.
As part of the Department of Music Free Concert Series, there will be several musical offerings happening in the Camp Concert Hall that are free and open to the public although advance registration is encouraged.
- Saturday, Nov. 22 at 7:30 p.m.: Wagner and Kong Duo – cellist Christoph Wagner and pianist Joanne Kong will perform the Cello and Piano Sonatas of Frédéric Chopin and Dmitri Shostakovich
- Sunday, Nov. 23 at 3 p.m.: Global Sounds – a family friendly event featuring student and community performances of traditional Japanese, West African, Brazilian and Indonesian music
- Monday, Nov. 24 at 7:30 p.m.: Wind Ensemble – featuring classics in the Wind Band Literature, UR’s ensemble will perform a work by Gulda alongside artist-in-residence, Christoph Wagner
- Monday, Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m.: Chamber Ensemble – presenting an evening of music performances by student instrumentalists, vocalists and pianists
- Wednesday, Dec. 3 at 7:30 p.m.: University Symphony Orchestra – performing a varied program of repertoire that will feature cellist Ethan Rodgers-Gates and clarinetist Adam Kasti, winners of the orchestra’s 2025 Concerto Competition
In addition, the Office of the Chaplaincy and the Department of Music will hold the 52nd annual Candlelight Festival of Lessons and Carols on Sun., Dec. 7, 2025, in the Chapel. Two services will be offered – one at 5 p.m. and one at 8 p.m. The University’s Schola Cantorum will present new and familiar Christmas carols and anthems in the tradition of the “Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols” that was first held at King’s College Chapel in Cambridge, England, on Christmas Eve 1918. The services conclude with the lighting of candles by the congregation and the singing of “Silent Night.” Prelude music will begin 20 minutes before each service.
Tickets are not required, and seating will be on a first come, first served basis until we reach capacity. Doors will open one hour before each service.
For further details about any of these upcoming events at the Modlin Center for the Arts visit https://modlin.richmond.edu/events/index.html
Celebrate with the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center
The Jefferson School African American Heritage Center will host a special tribute concert honoring the music of Sade on Saturday, Nov. 22. “40 Years of Promise: A Celebration of the Music of Sade” will feature Ivan Orr & Friends performing favorites from Sade’s catalog.
This is a ticketed event with VIP and general admission seating available. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. for the VIP experience which includes food, drinks and preferred seating. General admission entry begins at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased by clicking the link above.
JSAAHC will also host its annual Holiday Celebration on Saturday, Dec. 13 from 1 – 4 p.m.
RSVP at the link above for a free family afternoon featuring holiday music, professional photos with Black Santa and hands-on kids’ crafts, including making Mkeka mats and cookie decorating. Have some hot chocolate and apple cider, or enjoy the bites, beverages, sweet treats and wine tasting hosted by Black Women Who Wine.
Kwanzaa libation begins at 2 p.m., followed by music by the Ebenezer Baptist Church Choir. Professional photos with Black Santa and kids’ crafts will be available throughout the event.
The Jefferson School African American Heritage Center is located at the Jefferson School City Center, 233 4th St. NW, Charlottesville.
BND Institute of Media & Culture 