Minds Wide Open March 20, 2010

The Richmond launch of the statewide initiative MINDS WIDE OPEN: Virginia Celebrates Women in the Arts takes place Sat., March 20, at Richmond CenterStage. The Pre-Concert Talk, in Rhythm Hall at 7 p.m., celebrates MINDS WIDE OPEN and is complemented by an exhibit, program insert and state arts representatives in attendance. The event continues at 8 p.m. in the Carpenter Center, with the Richmond Symphony’s Altria Masterworks Series. In recognition of female artists, the conductor is Associate Conductor Erin R. Freeman, and the featured violinist is Elena Urioste performing Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D Major. Other program selections showcase female composers, including D’un Matin de Printemps from turn-of-the-century composer Lili Boulanger and Concerto for Orchestra by contemporary Grammy-winning composer Jennifer Higdon.



MINDS WIDE OPEN: Virginia Celebrates Women in the Arts is the first statewide arts celebration of its kind. More than 225 Virginia arts and cultural organizations and artists have collaborated to present this initiative, whose inaugural theme honors the contributions by women to arts. A public calendar at www.ArtsVA.com features more than 5,700 special events and programs offered statewide between March and June, including plays, choreography and compositions, and exhibitions of paintings, photography and films that have been created by women or feature women as the primary focus. MINDS WIDE OPEN: Virginia Celebrates Women in the Arts is the first of what the cultural community hopes will be an ongoing series of statewide collaborations shedding light on the arts in Virginia.

Official Website: http://www.richmondsymphony.com/events_details.asp?id=103