At times, progress has felt glacial, but it's pretty amazing to look back over the past five decades and think about the changes Richmond has experienced since 200 Virginia Union University students took to the streets, walked downtown and decided to have lunch at the Thalhimer's department store lunch counter. Or, decided to sit at the counter. The Richmond 34 were a group of students who returned two days later, and were arrested.
There's a project recognizing the sit-in happening at CenterStage this month; CenterStage includes the renovated Thalhimer's building.
On February 22, 2010, Richmond CenterStage will host Sit-In|Stand Out, an event honoring the 50th anniversary of the Sit-In at the Thalhimers building, now a part of the Richmond CenterStage downtown performing arts center. In addition, Virginia Union University will host a series of lectures, performances and commemoratory events from February 17-22.
Sit-In|Stand Out will include an education forum for CenterStage partner schools grades 7 through 12, a community luncheon, several performances, and inspired paintings and exhibits created by children from our partner schools in the Showcase Gallery – all serving as a remembrance of an often overlooked and forgotten part of Richmond’s and America’s past.
On Monday, February, 22 – 50 years to the day of the Richmond 34’s Sit-In – a Historic Marker will be dedicated at Sixth and Broad Streets at Richmond CenterStage. The commemoration will be capped off with special evening performances: SunTrust presents Amaranth Contemporary Dance’s "Equalizing the Lines: Prelude to a New Dream" followed by "An Evening of Reflection with John Legend."
