Local Tidewater Virginia Events

Tidewater Virginia Summer Events, 17-22 June 2014

Now to June 24 - Mount Trashmore Summer Carnival, 310 Edwin Dr., Virginia Beach. Hours of operation are 6-11:00 pm during the week, and 2-11:00 pm on the weekends. Rides, games and traditional state fair foods re all available at the Summer Carnival at Mount Trashmore Park. Located in the parking lot off Edwin Drive, the carnival is great for all ages and offers free admission and free parking. Ride prices - Single Tickets: $1 each (each ride takes 2-6 tickets); Monday, Wednesday & Friday: $18 wristband (unlimited rides); Twelve Buck Tuesday: $12 wristband; Dollar Day Thursday: All rides $1 each; Saturday & Sunday: $20 wristband. Games and concession are priced separately.

Mon-Wed, June 23-25 - Circus in the Park, 17th Street Park, Oceanfront, Virginia Beach, 7:30-10:00 pm. Circus acts including acrobats and juggling.

Tue, June 24 - Family Movie Series: “The Croods”, Mill Point Park, Hampton, 7:00 pm. Bring your friends, family, folding chairs, and blankets to Mill Point Park on Tuesday nights this summer to enjoy free movies. Entertainment begins at 7pm, followed by our feature presentation at sunset. FREE ADMISSION! Food & Beverages Available for Purchase. For more information check out our website at http://www.hampton.gov/parks or weather cancellations call 727-8311.

Tue, June 24 - 2014 Great Race Antique Car Procession, 5:30 pm (Crawford Parkway to Old Holiday Inn site). Portsmouth will host an overnight stop on the 2014 Hemming’s Motor News Great Race presented by Hagerty. The Great Race, the world’s premiere old car rally, will bring more than 100 antique automobiles downtown to North Landing for the $150,000 event. The race started in Ogunquit, Maine, on June 21 and weave its way 2,100 miles over nine days down the Atlantic Coast through 13 states before the finish in The Villages, Fla., on June 29.

Tue, June 24 - "Coolin’ Out at Portside", 7:00 pm, downtown Portsmouth, VA. For more information contact Parks, Recreation and Leisure Services Valora Baskerville 393-8481.

Tue-Thu, June 24-26 - Free Kids Movie: “Epic”, Paragon City Center 12, Newport News, 10:00 am. Each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday throughout the summer, families can enjoy a free kids movie! Space is limited, so admittance will be first come, first served. 757-525-9898,www.paragontheaters.com.

Tue-Fri, June 24-27 - ARTventures, at the Peninsula Fine Arts Center, 101 Museum Dr., Newport News. Beat the heat and come indoors! Each week - Tuesday through Friday - PFAC offers a different subject, medium or theme for your young artist, led by a wonderful and dedicated art teacher! Your young artist will have plenty to choose from! Call for class information, ages and themes. 757-596-8175

Wed, June 25 - Chesapeake Farmers Market, 8:00 am-1:00 pm, Chesapeake City Park 900 Greenbrier Pkwy, and Battlefield Park South (foot of Great Bridge bridge) 120 Reservation Road, Chesapeake, VA. For information call the Agriculture office at 382-6348.

Wed, June 25 - "Fountain Field Day", TowneBank Fountain, Town Point Park, Norfolk, 11:00 am-3:00 pm. A great way for children and families to come and enjoy some fun in the sun! Fountain Field Days offer FREE family programming, to include: an interactive fountain, children’s activities, exercise programs, lawn games, theatre, dance and more! festevents.org

Wed, June 25 - Suffolk Farmers’ Market, at the Pavilion, 3-6:00 pm, 524 N. Main St., Suffolk, VA (At the corner of Constance Rd. & Main St. in Historic Downtown Suffolk). The Suffolk Farmers’ Market is a popular outlet for locally grown fruits and vegetables, baked goods, organically raised poultry, fresh eggs and milk, honey and a variety of artisan-crafted goods. Free and open to the public, the Market will host a variety of Family Fun Days, special guest speakers and performers, petting zoos, book signings, workshops, crafts and more. For information, contact the Suffolk Visitor Center at 757.514.4130

Wed, June 25 - 2014 “Y-Not Wednesdays” The sixth annual FREE Summer Concert Series and Farmers Market, 5:00-9:00 pm , w/ ‘The Muckrakes’ (Indie Pop), Sandler Center Outdoor Plaza, Town Center, Virginia Beach, VA. Visitors will enjoy music ranging from rock to blues to Motown. Title sponsor Ynot Pizza will be serving up delicious pizza, sandwiches, and gelato all season long. The Virginia Beach Farmers Market will have local farmers with their fresh fruits, vegetables, and other homegrown items on the Plaza. Check out the Kids’ Art Cart sponsored by the Sandler Center Foundation inside the Miller Studio Theatre.

Wed, June 25 - “Live on the Square at Port Warwick”, this week ‘The Brandon Bower Band’, presented by Virginia Health Services, Loftest Blvd., Newport News, VA, 6:00 pm. Enjoy the summer night air on Styron Square listening to the area’s best music. The concerts are free and all are welcome! Bring your own lawn chairs, blankets, food and drink, or enjoy the music from one of the Port Warwick restaurant patios!

Wed-Sun, June 25-29 - Shakespeare in the Grove, featuring “The Tempest”, 8:00 pm, Tidewater Community College - Chesapeake Campus- Grove Theater, 1428 Cedar Road, Chesapeake, VA. Join the TCC Theatre department as they present “The Tempest” on their new outdoor stage. This is a free event. Beach blankets, folding chairs, picnic foods, and beverages are encouraged. Arrive early for a good space. Concessions will be sold. Phone: (757) 822-5245

Thu, June 26 - Farmers’ Market at City Center, 10 am - 2 pm, Mariners’ Rows, City Center at Oyster Point, 700 Town Center Dr., Newport News. A collection of products that are straight from the farm! Includes locally grown fruits and vegetables, seafood, plants, herbs, baked goods, free range chickens, pork, bison, bath products, fresh bread and dog treats. Also available are dairy products, such as cheese, goat’s cheese, milk, bath products, fresh bread and eggs. Come see what we have to offer!

Thu, June 26 - Family Great Adventure Series, On the Beach at Virginia Beach, 6:00 pm. Families take part in an interactive adventure that leads them to various sites along the boardwalk and Atlantic Avenue to unravel a mystery. Sometimes the adventures involve games and contests right on the beach. During each adventure, participants can dress up as characters, use “brain and brawn” to win the contest at hand, and settle into the sand for a family-friendly movie shown on a giant inflatable screen on the beach! Report to the beach at 27th Street promptly at 6:00pm for the Family interactive adventure! Movie on the beach at 8:30pm: “Monsters University”.http://www.beachstreetusa.com/festivals/family-great-adventure-series

Thu, June 26 - "Sunsets on the River", w/ ‘Cheap Thrills’, 6-9:00 pm, Hermitage Museum & Gardens, N. Shore Rd., Norfolk. Every other Thursday in May and June, the Hermitage hosts a local concert. Guests are invited to bring lawn chairs and blankets. Cash bar-no outside alcohol allowed. Food will also be available for purchase from 757 Eat the Streets. Green Mountain Coffee will also be on site with free samples! Come enjoy live music on the back lawn of the Hermitage! This week, Covering genres ranging from rock to pop to hip hop, Cheap Thrills delivers it all. They will have you singing and dancing to songs by artists such as Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake, John Mayer and tons more.

Thu, June 26 - “Thursdays by the Lake”, with ‘Rich Whiskey’, the banks of Lake Maury, 6:00 pm, The Mariners’ Museum/USS Monitor Center, 100 Museum Dr., Newport News, VA. Join the museum for its annual concert series on the banks of Lake Maury, overlooking the full-scale replica of the Civil War ironclad USS Monitor. Bring a blanket or chair and enjoy the live music. Adult beverages, soft drinks and food for sale.

Thu, June 26 - "Shagging on the Riverwalk" Beach Music Concert Series, 6:30 pm, this week’s entertainment features ‘Band of Oz’, 331 Water Street, Yorktown, VA. Put on your dancing shoes and join us for this annual concert series featuring a variety of beach music for all ages to enjoy. Bring lawn chairs and blankets for seating. Free. 757.890.3500.

Thu, June 26 - “The Mystery of Stonehenge”, 8:00 pm, Chesapeake Public Schools Planetarium, 310 Shea Dr., Chesapeake, VA. Examine a strange ring of giant rocks built almost 4,000 years ago by a tribe of barbarians. Some believe it was a pagan temple and others believe it was built as a Stone Age computer for the predictions of astronomical events. This program will examine the Stonehenge building site and demonstrate some of the astronomical alignments of these massive stones.

Thu-Sun, June 26-29 - In The Next Room (or the Vibrator Play), Thu-Fri, 8:00 pm; Sun 2:30 pm, Chrysler Hall, Norfolk, VA. In this regional premiere a doctor and his wife struggle to rekindle their love at the dawn of the age of electricity. Based on historical events, this story about the phenomenon of “female hysteria” takes us under the stiff corsets of 1890’s and into the pent-up passions beneath. A play about women finding their power, and men finally finding their women. This remarkable historical drama has got the whole nation buzzing. The New York Times calls it “insightful, fresh and funny; the play is as rich in thought as it is in feeling.

Fri, June 27 - Fridays at the Fountain Concert Series, 5:30 - 9:00 pm, this week: ‘Tidewater Drive’, City Center at Oyster Point, Newport News. Begin your weekend here. Join us for the City Center Friday Concerts by our best regional bands. Bring your friends, lawn chairs, blankets, and dancing shoes. Free Admission. Free Parking. Gates open at 5:00 pm.

Fri, June 27 - Old School at Portside, w/ The ‘TFC Band’, 6:00 pm, downtown Portsmouth, VA. For more information contact Parks, Recreation and Leisure Services Valora Baskerville 393-8481.

Fri, June 27 - Free Summer Concert at Towneplace at Greenbrier, w/ ‘The River Boyz’, 725 Eden Way North, Chesapeake, 6:00 - 8:30 pm. Enjoy free outdoor concerts every Friday at the gazebo between Moe’s and Surf Rider. Free concerts benefit CHIP of Virginia, a non-profit organization responsible for the development of community-based child health and family support programs. Towne Place at Greenbrier is located on Eden Way North off of Greenbrier Parkway. The concerts are free and open to the public… don’t forget your lawn chairs!

Fri, June 27 - TGIF Summer Concert Series, with ‘Strictly Bizzness’, 6-9:30 pm, presented by Suffolk Parks & Recreation, Constant’s Wharf Park & Marina, Suffolk, VA. Come on out for fun in the sun at the 2014 Suffolk TGIF Summer Concert Series! Friday nights of free, family fun is back. There will be food, activities for the kids, and live music of your favorite bands! The concert series starts off June 20th at Constant’s Wharf Park & Marina then heads over to Bennett’s Creek Park, starting August 1st.

Fri, June 27 - Denise Wall’s Dance Energy: “Celebrating 20 Years of Dance”, 6:30 pm, Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, Town Center, Virginia Beach, VA. Denise Wall’s Dance Energy is celebrating 20 years of dance! Enjoy an exciting evening of dance featuring our talented students and award winning dance company. Guest artists will include alumni and 3-time Emmy nominated choreographer, Travis Wall, from the hit show “So You Think You Can Dance.” $32, Website: www.denisewall.com

Fri, June 27 - Public Safety Fair, 7-9:00 pm, Mount Trashmore Park, 310 Edwin Dr., Virginia Beach, VA. Join The Virginia Beach Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, WAVY-10, VB Police Department, VB Sheriff’s Office, VB Fire Department, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Public Health, Virginia State Police, EMS, and more with free activities, giveaways, and public safety information.

Fri, June 27 - Summer Movie Night Series: “Cars”, 7-10:30 pm, Mount Trashmore Park, 310 Edwin Dr., Virginia Beach, VA. Activities start at 7 pm; movie starts at sunset | Enjoy “Cars” under the stars! Bring blankets and beach chairs to get comfortable and watch the big screen. Concessions will be available for purchase. Presented by Checkered Flag Volkswagen.

Fri, June 27 - Friday Night Hoedown at the Virginia Beach Farmer’s Market, with the ‘Long & Short Of It’, 7-10:00 pm, 3640 Dam Neck Road (and Princess Anne Rd.), Virginia Beach, VA. More info from FarmMrkt@vbgov.com or (757) 385-4388.

Fri, June 27 - Friday Night Adventures, 7:30 pm, Newport News Park Discovery Center, 13560 Jefferson Avenue, Newport News. Every Friday, meet a park naturalist to discover facts about some of the park’s natural and historical features. Programs include nature walks, video presentations and/or hands on activities. Topics include beavers, snakes, owls, bats and other creatures inhabiting the park. Call 886-7916 for weekly topic and location.

Fri-Sat, June 27-28 - Genuine Smithfield Olden Days Festival, Fri 5-10:00 pm, Sat 10:00 am- 4:00 pm, Downtown Smithfield, VA. Begun in the 1980s, Olden Days has been one of the most popular community events to take place annually in Smithfield. Includes live music both days, Farmers Market, Vintage Market, Classic Car Parade & Show, Pagan River Raft Race and more!

Fri-Sun, June 27-28: Hardee’s Latin Fest, on the Beach at 24th Street, on the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. For two days, Virginia Beach celebrates the sights and sounds of the Latin experience. Hardee’s Latin Fest, Friday-Saturday, June 27-28, possesses the key ingredients of good food, family participation, and first-rate Latin music. National performers electrify the diverse audience with high-energy tunes that move the crowd to dance under the stars. Local and regional Latin acts (each with their own loyal fan base) take the stage and unite festival-goers with the rhythms of Salsa, Merengue, and Jazz. All performances will take place on a giant stage on the beach at 24th Street. Fireworks, Friday night at 10:30 pm. Additional activities, in the 24th Street Park, include the Zumba fitness marathon on Saturday, June 28, beginning at 8:00am. Zumba fitness is the Latin-inspired, easy-to-follow calorie-burning party! Meet some of the area’s best instructors. Participate for one hour or all four! Vendors and cultural activities in the park will round out the festival.

Fri-Sun, June 27-29 - 24th Annual Afrikan American Festival, Mill Point Park, Hampton. An outdoor, non-alcoholic, family-oriented event that features nonstop entertainment and a marketplace with over 70 vendors displaying & selling art, crafts, and food. Friday 5-10 pm, Saturday 11 am-10 pm, Sunday 1-6 pm. Cost: $4 donation to the Sickle Cell Association of the Peninsula. Contact: 757-727-8311

Fri-Sun, June 27-29 - Hampton Jazz Festival. Hampton Coliseum, Hampton.
Fri show at 7:30 pm features the incomparable Charlie Wilson. Since storming back onto the music scene after his departure from the Gap Band, Charlie has turned out one hit after another and is currently one of the finest entertainers working today. Making his festival debut this year will be Jaheim - billed as possibly the next Luther - fans will come to appreciate the true greatness of his voice. Also appearing on Friday will be a super jazz package featuring Jonathan Butler, Norman Brown and Alex Bugnon. This is probably smooth jazz at its best. Friday’s show will open with Jackie Scott & The Housewreckers with special guest William ‘Mobetta’ Ledbetter.
Sat show at 7:00 pm features Hampton Jazz Festival’s favorite - The O’Jays - paired with another icon of R&B music - Chaka Khan. Together they are sure to give Festival patrons a once in a lifetime experience. Also appearing will be Morris Day & The Time - a great throwback to music from the 70’s and 80’s. Rounding out Saturday will be one of the true icons of the smooth jazz genre - Spyro Gyra.
Sun show at 2:00 pm will feature something truly special. Toni Braxton and Babyface will both appear and perform complete shows - but what will be really exciting for Festival patrons will be that they will perform songs together from their brand new smash album “Love, Marriage & Divorce”. This will surely be one of the highlights of the Festival. Also appearing will be Dave Koz and Friends - and in this case his friends are Mindi Abair, Gerald Albright and Richard Elliott. Local Hampton Jazz fans will also delight in this year’s Sunday opener The Now & Then Trio + One, well-known throughout the Tidewater area.

Sat, June 28 - Bat World Bat Walk, 8-9:30 am, Hoffler Creek Wildlife Preserve, Portsmouth, VA. A very informative yet entertaining program called “Bats of Virginia” will be offered by the Bat World Hampton Roads. The program will feature a variety of live bats including bats only found in Virginia followed by a nature walk with equipment to detect bats flying in Hoffler Creek Wildlife Preserve. Cost is $5 for members and $10 for non-members.

Sat, June 28 - Yorktown Market Days. Chischiak Green, 425 Water Street, Yorktown, 8:00 am-12:00 pm. Fresh produce, meat and seafood, baked goods, coffee, specialty cut flowers, quality art, entertainment and much more await you at the Saturday morning Market Days. This week’s live entertainment is by ‘New Sound Alliance’. Free

Sat, June 28 - Chesapeake Farmers Market, 8:00 am-1:00 pm, Chesapeake City Park 900 Greenbrier Pkwy, and Battlefield Park South (foot of Great Bridge bridge) 120 Reservation Road, Chesapeake, VA. For information call the Agriculture office at 382-6348.

Sat, June 28 - St. Paul’s Downtown Farm Market, 210 St. Paul’s Blvd., Norfolk, VA, 9:00 am-12:00 pm. Between City Hall & Market St. across from Nordstrom at MacArthur Center. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and Five Points Community Farm Market have partnered to bring fresh fruit, vegetables and flowers to Downtown Norfolk every Saturday, rain or shine, from May through November

Sat, June 28 - Olde Towne Farmer’s Market - Every Saturday, 9:00 am-1:00 pm. Portsmouth Historic district market with locally and organically grown veggies, fruits, nut, herbs, beef, chicken, eggs, seafood, artisanal breads, scones, pastries, cakes, pies, jams, jellies, salsas, fresh, dried and silk flowers, soaps, lotions, pottery, arts/crafts. Just outside the Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center courtyard at Court and High Streets.

Sat, June 28 - Suffolk Farmers’ Market, at the Pavilion, 9:00 am-1:00 pm, 524 N. Main St., Suffolk, VA. (See above - June 18) For info contact the Suffolk Visitor Center at 757.514.4130

Sat, June 28 - Kids Fishing, 10-11:00 am, Sandy Bottom Nature Park, 1255 Big Bethel Rd., Hampton, VA. Learn the basics of fishing, the different types of bait and how to bait your own hook. Fishing techniques and secrets to catch a big fish will be taught. An adult MUST accompany all children. Bring your favorite fishing pole or use one of ours. Ages 3-15 years old. Meet at the Nature Center. Registration deadline is Friday June 26 by 3 pm. Cost: $2.00, Contact:757-825-4657

Sat, June 28 - Discovery Hour, 11:00 am, Newport News Park Discovery Center, 13560 Jefferson Avenue, Newport News. Every Saturday from May 10th through August 30th, discover special facts about the wildlife living in our area, find fun activities in the parks, and meet new friends while learning about our natural environment. Most programs begin at the Discovery Center, and may include crafts, games or nature walk for the whole family. Call 886-7916 for topic information. http://www.nnparks.com/

Sat, June 28 - Aberdeen Gardens Heritage Day, 11:30 am-4:00 pm, Aberdeen Gardens Museum, 55 and 57 N. Mary Peake Boulevard, Hampton, VA. Aberdeen Gardens Historic & Civic Association celebrates its unique heritage with tours, entertainment, food, and festivities. Free Admission, Contact: 757-722-2345

Sat, June 28 - Downtown Hampton Block Party, w/ “Seth Stainback & Roosterfoot”, and “The Hard Swimmin’ Fish”, Queens Way (between Kingsway and Wine St), Downtown Hampton, 6-11:00 pm. Spend your Saturday nights on The Block this summer. Bring a chair and watch the band or bring your appetite and sample food from our vendors or from one of the many independently owned downtown restaurants.

Sat, June 28 - BMX racing, 6:30 pm, Gosnold’s Hope Park, 901 E. Little Back River Rd, Hampton, VA. Bike races every Saturday night beginning at 6:30 pm, and practices Monday and Tuesday nights at 6:00 pm. The track has free loaner bikes and helmets for any one that would like to give BMX racing a try. This is a sport for all ages. Everyone is matched by their age and skill level to make the racing fair and fun. Come out to the track and have a fun filled evening. Free admission and parking. Contact: 757-951-6175

Sat, June 28 - Hayrides, 7-9:00 pm, Newport News Park, 13560 Jefferson Avenue, Newport News. Every Saturday from May 24th through August 30th, Enjoy park interpretation and discussion on this 40 minute ride through the campground and bikeway. Complimentary tickets are available at the Campsite Office 30 minutes prior to each ride. Space is limited. All participants must be present to receive a ticket. Call 886-7916 for topic information.http://www.nnparks.com/

Sat, June 28 - Legends of Main Street: A Suffolk Ghost Walk, 7:30 pm, Suffolk Visitor Center, 524 North Main St., Suffolk, VA. A hair-raising encounter with the spirited side of Suffolk. Follow a costumed guide through the shadows of historic Main Street discovering stories, legends and “unexplained occurrences” by lantern light. Tales of unsolved mysteries and unresolved affairs abound throughout Suffolk’s historically hip Ghost Walk. Reservations Required. 757.514.4130 $10 Adults / $8 Seniors, Military and Children 9-12

Sat, June 28 - An Intimate Evening with Art Garfunkel, Doors open at 7:00 pm/Show starts at 8:00 pm, Attucks Theater, 1010 Church St., Norfolk, VA. The iconic and incomparable ART GARFUNKEL is making his highly anticipated comeback to the stage in 2014.

Sun, June 29 - Scavenger Hunt, 9:30 am-12:00 pm, Sandy Bottom Nature Park, 1255 Big Bethel Rd., Hampton, VA. Come out to Sandy Bottom Nature Park and have a Scavenger Hunt. You and your family will have to mark off on a park map where you find all the natural objects. First family finished wins. Meet in the Nature Center. Registration deadline is Saturday June 28 by 3pm. Cost: $2.00, Contact: 757-825-4657

Sun, June 29 - Peninsula Town Center Farmer’s Market, Hampton, 11:00 am-3:00 pm. Vendor’s include fresh flowers, jams, breads, seafood, veggies, and more. Live music.

Sun, June 29 - Groovin By The Bay, w/”The Jamitors”, 6:00-9:00 pm, Buckroe Beach & Park, Hampton. Sunday evenings will be rocking at the beach this summer with a musical mix including everything from beach, pop, oldies, Motown and swing. Whether listening or dancing, you’ll enjoy this evening of music on the Chesapeake Bay!

Sun, June 29 - Big Bands on the Bay, with the ‘US Army Training and Doctrine Command Band’, 7-9:00 pm, Ocean View Park, Norfolk. End the weekend with a sunset celebration on the Chesapeake Bay. Guests are invited down to the Gazebo at Ocean View Beach Park for live Big Band music and dancing.

Mon, June 30 - Maritime Mondays at The Mariner’s Museum, 100 Museum Dr, Newport News, VA. Join us Monday Mornings at The Mariners’ Museum for a morning of fund and engaging learning activities for children ages 18 months to rising 5th grade. For more information, please visithttp://www.marinersmuseum.org/maritimemondays or call (757) 596-2222.