Saturday, the Richmond Forum ended its current season with Robert Reich and Charles Krauthammer debating the American Social contract. In addition, organizers announced the next line-up of speakers for the next season beginning in the Fall of 2012 and extending into Spring 2013. The Richmond Forum takes place in the Landmark Theater in Richmond’s historic Fan district, just three blocks away from Richmond’s premier bed and breakfast.
The season opens with Platon, internationally known photographer, whose portraits of key figures have appeared in Rolling Stone, the New York Times Magazine, Vanity Fair, Esquire, GQ, and the Sunday Times – in addition to his Person of the Year covers for Time Magazine. He published “Platon’s Republic” in 2004 and to coincide with publication his work was exhibited in New York. HIs second book “Power” was published last year and includes portraits of over 100 leaders. Platon will appear on November 17 and discuss “International Portraits of Power.”
On January 5, 2013 Steven Spielberg, acclaimed filmmaker, returns to Richmond to take the stage with Doris Kearns Goodwin, Pulitzer-Prize-Winning historian to speak about “Bringing History to Life on Film.” Spielberg recently wrapped up filming his biopic on Abraham Lincoln here in Richmond, which was based in part on Goodwin’s book “Team of Rivals:The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln.”
For the first ever Friday Forum, Former President Bill Clinton will take the stage at the Landmark to discuss “Embracing Our Common Humanity” on February 8th.
Gabrielle Giffords, the Arizona congresswoman, who was severely injured in an assassination attempt in 2011, will appear at the Forum with her husband, Mark Kelly, to discuss “American Spirit” on March 9th.
The series will close with Jane Goodall, famed anthropologist who studied chimpanzees in East Africa, on April 13th.
Current forum subscribers have until May 5, 2012 to renew their subscriptions for the next season. Any available new subscriptions will go on sale May 14th. Season tickets for the five programs range from $160 to $260. Contact the Richmond Forum through their website www.RichmondForum.org.
Originally conceived by members of the First Unitarian Church in Richmond in 1964, the Richmond Public Forum brought internationally and nationally known speakers to Richmond to enlighten, educate, and entertain audiences. Speakers included notables like Henry Kissinger, Shirley Chisholm, and Moshe Dayan – to name a few. In 1980, after 16 years, the Forum ceased operations. In 1986, the Richmond Forum revived as a nonprofit educational organization presenting Ted Koppel, ABC news journalist, as its first program. For over twenty years, The Richmond Forum has presented and produced programs that stimulate, inspire, and inform its patrons. Many of which have been “one and only” type events – available no where else. Tickets are available on a subscription basis, but often single event tickets are available.
The Landmark Theater opened in 1927 after seven years of planning and two years of construction. The theater was purchased by the City of Richmond from the Shriners in 1940 and the City embarked on a renovation to restore its splendor in 1994/5. Some of America’s greatest entertainers have appeared on stage beneath its towering minarets and desert murals. The Landmark is also home to the Broadway in Richmond series, featuring Broadway plays and musicals.
The Landmark Theater, at 6 N. Laurel Street, is within walking distance, just blocks from Richmond’s premier bed and breakfast, located in the historic Fan District. When events at the Landmark are on your schedule, make an overnight at our urban inn part of the plans for a very special treat.
