The upcoming 2023-2024 Legends on Grace – Nightcaps & Stories series will shine a spotlight on local talent.
“It’s nice to recognize that talent, which is budding and thriving in the city,” says Ashley Moore, marketing and public relations manager for RPAA Alliance, which presents the series. “We are looking to support artists that have professional careers and are either from our community or in our community.”
The series allows the audience to see these artists in a setting that is comfortable and inviting with both up-close and personal conversations and traditional cabaret-style performances from Virginia’s legendary artists, hosted at Rhythm Hall and Libby Gottwald Playhouse in Dominion Energy Center.
“This is an opportunity to not only experience an artist you might know and love in an intimate setting but to also get to hear about their background – how they got to where they are today, to break down the curtain and get to see the human side. Everybody has a story and process as to how they got there,” Moore says.
This Season’s RPAA Legends
This year’s series starts on September 23 with Virginia native, actor, teacher, choreographer, and director Bobby Smith, who has appeared on Broadway, in national theaters across the country, and has won three Helen Hayes Awards. The evening will be hosted by Richmond native, music director, and pianist, R.L. Rowsey.
“The breadth of his career has spanned so many facets of the arts,” says Moore of Smith. “It’s incredible that he’s gone from performing in Virginia to gracing Broadway stages.”
On December 2 and 3rd, Both Sides Now, which explores the music and lives of long-time friends and one-time lovers, Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen, takes the stage, starring musician, songwriter and playwright Robbie Schaefer and Danielle Wertz.
“This show has been done in Washington, DC, a lot,” Moore says. “It’s had quite a bit of success. Robbie Schaefer is well known in the area.”
On February 24, 2024, Grammy-nominated producer, singer, and songwriter, DJ Harrison, who founded Jellowstone Studio and co-founded the record label of the same name, will bring his signature style of music to Rhythm Hall. The evening will be hosted by Style Weekly music journalist and photographer, Peter McElhinney.
“DJ Harrison is a member of Butcher Brown. He’s from Richmond and got his start at VCU,” Moore says.
Richmond native Crystal Monee Hall will entertain the audience on April 13, 2024. A singer, songwriter, actor, and adjunct professor of music at NYU, Hall’s career includes roles on Broadway, tours with award-winning artists, and three albums. She has been a featured singer alongside Thomas Rhett, Ben Platt, Cynthia Eric, Mariah Carey, and Kanye West. The evening will be hosted by TEDx speaker and author Sheila E. Battle.
“Crystal has climbed the ladder of the entertainment world,” Moore says.
The series will end with River City Spotlight on May 25, 2024. This celebration of local talent includes Ali Thibodeau, aka Deau Eyes, who was recently recognized on NPR as Slingshot’s 2023 Artist to Watch, and Cassidy Snider & The Wranglers with their blend of blues and folk that will transport you from the New Orleans Bayou to the Blue Ridge Mountains.
“This will be a performance-only show,” Moore says, meaning there is not a host or conversation element.
Each show in the series, Moore adds, is an opportunity to “grab dinner downtown and have a fun evening out.” For more information about the 2023-24 Legends on Grace season and to purchase tickets, visit RPAA.
