Rachel Nicholas, Staff Writer
At the crossroads of storytelling and sound, the main branch of the Richmond Public Library transformed its space into something more than shelves and study tables this spring for its monthly concert series.
As part of a three-part concert series dedicated to bringing free, genre-spanning art to the community, the library will host the next performance this month on April 18 from 2-4 p.m..
Headlining the event is Mia Zabelka, a composer and violinist whose work pushes far beyond conventional boundaries.
Described as “acoustic experiments,” her performances blend playing techniques — what she calls “sonic body impulses” — and electronics to reveal the hidden vibrations of matter.
Zabelka’s work reflects the very spirit of the series — an exploration of art that challenges, connects and resonates across disciplines.
For organizer Michael McBean, that spirit is intentional. The series is designed to reflect the full range of Richmond’s DIY music scene and make room for experimentation.
“We try to book concerts that are representative of the Richmond DIY scene,” McBean said. “We’re mainly just trying to represent all the corners of that scene and get people out.”
Since stepping into his role last year, McBean has also made it a priority to expand the series beyond its traditional classical and jazz roots — while still honoring the longtime audience that has supported it.
“That was a priority — to bring in acts that might be considered more on the experimental side,” McBean said. “I don’t think we’ve ever quite had an artist like this, but the hope is to make this more of a normal thing going forward.”
Zabelka’s performance grew out of connections with local musician Tommy Birchett and a network of experimental artists. When he learned they would be passing through Richmond.
Birchett further worked alongside McBean to help plan and organize the event, citing musician Walter Wright as the leading “mastermind behind the operation.”
Wright is a one half of the experimental art duo ELKA BONG, a participating act on Zabelka’s tour.
Together with ELKA BONG, whose work focuses on “texture, space, silence and sonic micro-events,” the performance promises to transform the library into a dynamic sonic landscape, according to Wright.
The next library concert series will be May 23 with flutist Deborah Saidel. Information can be found on the Richmond Public Library website.