Sit In and Stand Out for Civil Rights

By: Richmond.com | Richmond.com
Published: February 16, 2010

Feb. 22 marks the 50th anniversary of the Thalimers’ lunch counter sit-in, where 34 Virginia Union University students sat at the “Whites Only” lunch counter at Thalhimers Department Store and were refused service. Many feel that this event led to the start of the Civil Rights Movement in Richmond.

This weekend, VUU and Richmond CenterStage (the original site of the Thalhimers store) are hosting a series of lectures and performances to commemorate the event. “Sit-In | Stand Out” will include theater performances, lectures, two historic marker dedications and a performance by singer-songwriter John Legend.

Here’s a list of what’s going on:

Virginia Union University Events

Wednesday, Feb. 17

8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
“Remembering, Reflecting, Rededicating”
Conference sponsored by the Department of Languages and Literature
VUU L. Douglas Wilder Library Lecture Hall
Free and Open to Public

Thursday, Feb. 18

11 a.m.
“Richmond 34” Chapel Service
Sermon by the Reverend Leroy M. Bray, Jr., of the “Richmond 34”
VUU Coburn Hall
Free and Open to Public

Friday, Feb. 19

9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Student/Scholar Town Hall: Part I
VUU L. Douglas Wilder Library Lecture Hall
Free and Open to Public

1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Student/Scholar Town Hall: Part II
VUU L. Douglas Wilder Library Lecture Hall
Free and Open to Public

8 p.m.
VUU Players’ special production of Lumpkin’s Jail by Gregory Thornewell
VUU Belgian Building Theater

Saturday, Feb. 20

8 p.m.
VUU Players’ special production of Lumpkin’s Jail by Gregory Thornewell
VUU Belgian Building Theater

Sunday, Feb. 21

2:30 p.m.
Commemoration Marker Ceremony at VUU
Free and Open to Public

4 p.m.
VUU Players’ special production of Lumpkin’s Jail by Gregory Thornewell
VUU Belgian Building Theater

Richmond CenterStage Events

Thursday, Feb. 18

8 p.m.
Othello
Richmond Shakespeare with African American Repertory Theatre
Richmond CenterStage Gottwald Playhouse

Saturday, Feb. 20

8 p.m.
Othello
Richmond Shakespeare with African American Repertory Theatre
Richmond CenterStage Gottwald Playhouse

Monday, Feb. 22

10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Education Forum moderated by Sheila Johnson with representatives of “Richmond 34,” students from partner schools and the Thalhimer family
Richmond CenterStage Carpenter Theatre

12:30 p.m. – 2 p.m.
“Courage to Stand Up–Yesterday’s Lessons for Today”
Luncheon at Richmond Marriott Downtown for the Greater Richmond Community

2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Dedication of Historic Marker at Richmond CenterStage
6th & Broad Streets
Free and Open to Public

7 p.m.
Sit-In|Stand Out Evening Performances
SunTrust presents Amaranth Contemporary Dance “Equalizing the Lines: Prelude to a New Dream” followed by “An Evening of Reflection with John Legend”
Richmond CenterStage Carpenter Theatre

For more information on these events go to the VUU and Richmond CenterStage websites.