COMMUNITY EVENTS / FESTIVALS
Now thru Apr 4 - Town Center Restaurant Week, Virginia Beach. $10, $20, $30 Lunch and Dinner special menus at participating Town Center Restaurants. There’s something to please everyone’s palate. Come to Town Center and Eat It Up!
Now thru Apr 19 - 44th Annual Student Art & Design Exhibition, Tidewater Community College Visual Arts Center, Corner of High & Court Streets, Portsmouth. A year’s work culminates with a student show chosen from completed VAC course projects. Featuring over 200 pieces by more than 100 students, works represent program courses in Studio Arts, Photography, Graphic Design, Ceramics and Glass Blowing. For more information please call 757-822-1888
Now thru April - Bike Nights, Norfolk Botanical Garden, Mon/Wed/Thu 4 - 7:00 pm, 6700 Azalea Garden Road, Norfolk. Bring your bikes, helmets and family or friends out to Norfolk Botanical Garden and pedal through the petals. Norfolk Botanical Garden is home to 12 miles of pedestrian pathways. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday nights from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. they are open to bikers! Regular Garden admission applies.
Now thru May 3 - Coding: Artists and Their Creative DNA, Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center, Corner of High & Court St., Portsmouth. This exhibit explores the act of creating and what inspires artists and themes in their work. From cultural influences to life experiences this exhibit introduces varied perspectives into the creative dialogue. Featured artists include Maria Barbosa, Victor Ekpuk, Gloria Garfinkel, Hamid Kachmar, Khánh Lê, Judith Peck, Gina Pierleoni, and Anastasia Rurikov-Simes.
Now thru May 17 - Portsmouth Here and Now, Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center, Corner of High & Court St., Portsmouth. Seeking to promote the vibrant, cultural life and activity in Portsmouth, this juried exhibit offers a range of artistic works and styles by artists who live and/or work in our great City. 393-8543
Now thru May 25 - Adventures with Clifford the Big Red Dog, Children’s Museum of Virginia, 221 High St., Portsmouth. Everyone’s favorite big red dog is coming to Portsmouth! Visitors young and young at heart will recognize all the sites and characters in “Adventures with Clifford the Big Red Dog” based on PBS’s hit series. From the Ferry and the Pier to Clifford and his dog house, visitors to Birdwell Island will enjoy all the sights and sounds in this exhibit. Targeted to children 2 - 8 year and their caregivers, the exhibit aims for immersion into the lives of Emily Elizabeth and Clifford while promoting Clifford’s Big Ideas. These simple ideas include: Share, Play Fair, Have Respect, Work Together, Be Responsible, Be Truthful, Be Kind, Believe in Yourself, Be a Good Friend and Help Others. Join us on opening day for a Big Red Party, with Museum Members receiving the first chance to view the exhibit starting at 8 am.
Fri, Apr 3 - First Friday ViBe in the District, VB Oceanfront Area, 4 - 7:00 pm, participating area businesses, restaurants and retailers, including MOCA Satellite Gallery, Towne Pavilion II, 600 22nd Street, Virginia Beach. Celebrate local businesses and the arts at First Friday Vibe in “the District!” The ViBe… Virginia Beach artisans and businesses….. sharing our passion for arts and entertainment with our community. Every First Friday of the month!
Fri, Apr 3 - Downtown Norfolk First Friday 2015, The Plot in the Norfolk Arts District, 5 - 8:00 pm, corner of Granby St. and Olney Rd., Norfolk. In its third season, the DNC’s First Fridays events features music, food and merchandise vendors and a beer and wine garden all in an authentic downtown setting. New this year, First Fridays will alternate locations throughout the season. The first event is at The Plot.
Fri, Apr 3 - OPENING RECEPTION: Portsmouth Here and Now, Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center, 5 - 8:00 pm, Corner of High & Court St., Portsmouth. Seeking to promote the vibrant, cultural life and activity in Portsmouth, this juried exhibit offers a range of artistic works and styles by artists who live and/or work in our great City. 393-8543
Fri/Sat, Apr 3/4 - Friends of the Library Book Sale, Suffolk Friends of the Library Building, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm, 300 Carolina Road, Suffolk. The Friends of the Library hold a monthly book sale, the revenue of which is used to support library programs. Peruse thousands of used books, magazines, movies and more. Prices: Paperbacks (Fiction) - $0.50 per inch, Softcovers - $0.50, Hardcovers - $1.00, Children’s - $0.50 per inch, DVDs - $2.00, Music CDs - $1.00, Audio Books on CD - $2.00, Audio Books on Cassette - $1.00. Other items specially priced. 757.514.1024
Fri, Apr 3 thru Apr 12 - Spring Break Carnival, Virginia Beach Farmers Market, daily 12 - 10:00 PM, 3640 Dam Neck Road (corner of Princess Anne), Virginia Beach. Family Carnival Rides, Games & Concessions. (757) 385-4388
Fri-Sun, Apr 3-5 - FIRST WEEKEND PORTSMOUTH, Held the first Friday through Sunday of each month:
Fri/Sat, Apr 3/4 - Friends of the Library Book Sale, basement of the Portsmouth Main Library, Fri 12 - 6:00 pm, Sat 10:00 am - 4:00 pm, 601 Court Street
Fri, Apr 3 - Concert in the Courtyard: Free Music Series, Featuring Lewis McGehee, 5 - 8:00 pm, Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center Courtyard, Corner of High & Court St.
Sat, Apr 4 - Olde Towne Antiques to Flea Market, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. The Olde Towne Antiques to Flea Market is conveniently located in the Middle Street Garage at the corner of Middle & London Streets and is held year round, rain or shine on the first Saturday of each month. Gates open at 10 am and close at 2 pm. Always Free Admission & Free Parking! Call 757-339-1876 for additional information.
Sat, Apr 4 - Portsmouth at Play: Baseball and Other Historic Pastimes in P-Town, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm. Did you know that Portsmouth had its own Cubs team? Come and discover the history of baseball and other historical pastimes in Portsmouth. Who were the “Truckers” and how did they get that name? Come on “in-ing” and enjoy crafts and activities celebrating American diversions. Admission is free as part of our First weekends, First Saturdays programming series. 757-393-8591
Sat, Apr 4 - Hop To The Finish 5K, Peninsula Town Center, 8:30 am, 4410 East Claiborne Square, Suite 212, Hampton. Sponsored by Bryant & Stratton College, We are proud to announce Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Virginia Peninsula as the official charity partner of Peninsula Town Center’s Hop to the Finish 5K and Egg Hunt. Race day packet pick-up will be available from 7:30 to 8:15 am at the registration table in Town Square. Start Times: 8:30 am 5K Race, 10 am Egg Hunt (ages 2-8), *Start times subject to change. Start/Finish: Peninsula Town Center’s Town Square, across from Barnes & Noble, 5100 Kilgore Avenue. https://register.chronotrack.com/r/13228
Sat, Apr 4 - Easter Egg Hunt at Nauticus, 8:30 - 9:30 am, Nauticus & Battleship Wisconsin, One Waterside Drive, Norfolk. Don’t forget your Easter basket when you join us on Saturday, April 4th for the Easter Egg Hunt at Nauticus! This event will take place rain or shine on the third floor of Nauticus. This event is open to the public for $15 per family (up to 6 people), and Nauticus members get in free! “Peter Cottontail” will be attending the event along with a few Spring guests including bunnies, a goat, chicks and ducklings. For more information or to make a reservation please contact Erin Walker at erin.walker@norfolk.gov or 757-664-1005. Reservations are required.
Sat, Apr 4 - Bunny Hop 5k and 1 Mile Family Fun Run, Downtown and Waterfront Portsmouth, 9:00 am. Benefits the Children’s Museum of Virginia and the Tidewater Striders. Registration & Packet pick-up begins at 7:15 a.m. 1 Mile Family Fun Run starts at 8:30 a.m. 5k starts at 9:00 a.m. Post-race party and awards at nTelos Wireless Pavilion after the races! Both races wind through beautiful Olde Towne Portsmouth and the waterfront!http://www.raceit.com/search/event.aspx?id=31772
Sat, Apr 4 - Great Dismal Swamp Safari, 9:30 - 1:30 pm, Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge (off of White Marsh Road), Suffolk. The Great Dismal Swamp is anything but dismal. The narrated Swamp Safari, one of Suffolk’s most popular attractions, fills up quickly. This four-hour tour is led by a biologist specializing is the unique habitat of the Great Dismal. Learn about the history, lore, vegetation and wildlife with this adventure that includes a brief walk to Lake Drummond. Sunscreen, insect repellent, comfortable clothes and shoes are recommended. A small snack and beverage is provided. This tour is not recommended for very small children. Reservations are required and cancellations are expected no less than 48 hours prior to scheduled tour. Call the Suffolk Visitor Center at 757.514.4130 to reserve your spot.
Sat, Apr 4 - Guided Walking Tour of Historic Fort Huger, beginning at 10:00 am, located off Route 10 at 15080 Talcott Terrace (Follow the Civil War Trails signage), Smithfield. Visit this Civil War fort and learn the significance of this gateway to the Confederate capital. The Isle of Wight County Museum is pleased to offer several FREE guided walking tours of the county’s historic sites and events throughout the year. Led by local historians and museum staff, the tours offer an in-depth look and a hands-on experience at these important and well-preserved properties. Reservations are not necessary. 757.357.0115
Sat, Apr 4 - Lee Hall Mansion’s Great Egg Hunt, 10 - 11:00 am, Lee Hall Mansion, 163 Yorktown Road, Newport News. Children under the age of 12 are invited to participate in the ninth annual Easter Egg Hunt on the grounds of historic Lee Hall Mansion. Games, the Easter Bunny, and great photo opportunities make this a memorable morning for families and friends!http://www.leehall.org/calendar-of-events/2015/4/4/lee-hall-mansions-great-egg-hunt
Sat, Apr 4 - Eggstra Eggstravagant Egg Hunt, Bayville Farms Park, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm, Bayside Recreation Center, 4132 First Court Road, Virginia Beach. This is an egg hunt with a craft for the whole family to enjoy! Bring your camera because a special guest with a bushy tail will be hopping in for a visit. If it rains, the event will be held at Bayside Recreation Center. Free and open to the public; recreation center membership not required. (757) 385-5930
Sat, Apr 4 - The annual Chesapeake Eggstravaganza, Chesapeake City Park, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm, 900 City Park Drive, Chesapeake. Our annual Chesapeake Eggstravaganza, where children 8 and under can have an egg-citing time! Children should bring a basket or bag for the egg hunt. Children may join Peter Cottontail for a picture. Parents, don’t forget your camera! Admission: Free and Open to the Public. Schedule of Events: 10:15 am ,Pictures with Peter Cottontail (bring your own camera); 11:00 am, Family Egg Hunt * 3 years & under - parental assistance, * 4 to 5 years - parental assistance, * 6 to 8 years - parental supervision; 11:30 am, Pictures with Peter Cottontail (bring your own camera); 10 am - noon, Free ongoing activities: moon walks, pony rides, face painting, train rides, Chesapeake Pink Fire Truck, Chesapeake Sheriff Car, farm animals, and Chessie (Parks, Recreation & Tourism’s bear mascot). (757) 382-6411
Sat, Apr 4 - Peninsula Town Center’s Easter Egg Hunt, sponsored by Bryant & Stratton College, 10:00 am - 12 :00 pm, Town Square, 5100 Kilgore Avenue, Hampton. There will be various activities available for families and kids of all ages. An egg hunt with over 2,000 candy filled eggs will be available for children (2-8), an Easter themed Virginia Living Museum Mini Museum exhibit, a magician and opportunities to take a picture with the Easter Bunny. Egg Hunt Details: Start Time 10 am, Registration Fee: $6. Registration Includes: Easter Basket for Egg Hunt (limit 10 eggs each), Race Bib and Face Painting. 10 eggs will contain prizes valued up to $100! The Easter Bunny and the Virginia Living Museum Mini Museum exhibit will be in Town Square form 10 am to 12 pm for photo opportunities.https://www.eventbrite.com/e/peninsula-town-centers-easter-egg-hunt-sponsored-by-bryant-stratton-college-tickets-15951786222
Sat, Apr 4 - Easter Eggstravaganza, Sandy Bottom Nature Park, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm, 1255 Big Bethel Rd., Hampton. Events include 10 Easter egg hunts for each age group and they will begin every half hour. The first hunt starts at 10 am and the last hunt begins at 2:30 pm. There will also be a children’s craft area, prizes, food sales, raffle, photos with the Easter bunny ($5) and other goodies. The age groups are 3-6 years of age and 7-12 years of age. There will be 250 tickets for each age group. Each child in the hunt will receive a goodie bag. $5.00 per child, accompanying adults are free. No registration is required but tickets run out fast. 757-825-4657
Sat, Apr 4 - Little Heroes at Home: Celebration of the Military Child, Hampton Roads Convention Center, 11:00 am - 3:00 pm, 1610 Coliseum Drive, Hampton. As April is the official “month of the military child”. The Little Heroes at Home celebration will honor our local military children who serve along with their families. This event honors their service, sacrifices, leadership and strength of character. This fun and free event will include family activities, entertainment, face painting, rock wall, bounce house, crafts, D.J., giveaways and more! FREE to all service members (active duty, retired, guard and reserve) and their family members and friends. FREE parking at the Hampton Convention Center.
Sat, Apr 4 - NANO Day, Children’s Museum of Virginia, Noon - 4:00 pm, 221 High St., Portsmouth. Test your NANO IQ by participating in experiments and demonstrations, and meet the scientists who bring this cutting edge technology to our everyday life. Your eyes will be HUGE after seeing these activities about this small-scale science. 757-393-5258
Sat, Apr 4 - ‘Battle of Smithfield’ Guided Walking Tour, beginning at 2:00 p.m. at the Isle of Wight County Museum, 103 Main Street in downtown Smithfield. 2014 marked the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Smithfield. Meet at the museum for a lecture and a walk down Church Street as your guide details the events of this battle. The Isle of Wight County Museum is pleased to offer several FREE guided walking tours of the county’s historic sites and events throughout the year. Led by local historians and museum staff, the tours offer an in-depth look and a hands-on experience at these important and well-preserved properties. Reservations are not necessary. For further information call 757.357.0115
Sat, Apr 4 - Ranger Walk with FREE Native Seeds, Paradise Creek Nature Park, 2 - 3:00 pm, Portsmouth. Join our Education Ranger for a behind the scenes tour of the park in spring. Learn insider facts, bring your binoculars to spy on spring wildlife and have your nature questions answered by our ranger. Bring home native seeds to begin your own wildflower garden. Suitable for adults and children. Paradise Creek Nature Park. This is a free event but registration is required please call 757-399-7487 or contact ssumoski@elizabethriver.org
Sat/Sun, Apr 4/5 - C&E Gun Show, Scope Arena, Sat 9:00 am, Sun 10:00 am, 201 East Brambleton Avenue, Norfolk. C&E Gun Shows is dedicated to producing the most professional, safest and ethical gun shows in the country. C&E strives to provide their patrons with the best available selection of firearms, ammo, knives and related merchandise, and their dealers with the largest crowds of qualified buyers anywhere.
Mon, Apr 6 - Historic Suffolk Narrated Bus Tour, 2:00 pm, Suffolk Visitor Center, 524 North Main Street. See Suffolk through the eyes of years gone by. Suffolk’s rich heritage dates back to the early 17th century, when Captain John Smith first encountered the Nansemond Indians on the Nansemond River. Even now, you can trace Suffolk’s legacy through our historic homes and neighborhoods, churches and Virginia Civil War Trails. Guided by a Suffolk historian, you meet the people and places that made Suffolk the city it is today. Highlights of this windshield tour include Cedar Hill Cemetery, Riddick’s Folly House Museum, Constant’s Wharf, College Court and Suffolk’s Historic Lakeside neighborhood. $8 Adults / $6 Seniors, Military and Children 9-12. 757.514.4130
Mon, Apr 6 - State of Downtown Hampton Dinner, Crowne Plaza Hotel, 5:30 - 8:00 pm, 700 Settler’s Landing Road, Hampton. Join the Downtown Hampton Development Partnership at the Crowne Plaza Hotel as Mayor George Wallace gives us an overview of recent accomplishments and future insights for Downtown Hampton. The evening will feature a very special keynote presentation on the importance of Placemaking in urban areas from Ethan Kent, Senior Vice President of Project for Public Spaces. Tickets are $25.
Tue, Apr 7 - Norfolk State University Spartans vs. Norfolk Tides, Harbor Park, 5:45 pm, 150 Park Avenue, Norfolk. The Norfolk Tides will host the Norfolk State University Spartans in an exhibition game.
Wed, Apr 8 - Spring Break Kids: Junior Rangers, Paradise Creek Nature Park, 1:30 - 3:00 pm, Portsmouth. Are your children home for spring break? Our Education Rangers will keep them learning and having fun. Join us as we read a story in the woods then explore the wild habitat of the park with insect collection boxes and binoculars. We also make a nature inspired craft to bring home and remember the experience. Recommended for children under 12. Children should dress appropriately for the weather. Paradise Creek Nature Park. Parents must remain in the park during the program. $3 per child, free for members. Registration is required please call 757-399-7487 or email ssumoski@elizabethriver.org.
Wed, Apr 8 - Lego Mania Party, Bow Creek Recreation Center, 1:30 - 4:00 pm, 3427 Club House Road, Virginia Beach. What could be better than Legos, pizza and a movie? Come build with the Bow Creek staff, using Legos. Watch a movie and enjoy pizza. Open to ages 6 - 10. Advance registration required. Register in person at any Virginia Beach Recreation Center or online with EZreg. Cost: $6; a recreation center membership or day pass required
Wed, Apr 8-Apr 11 - The 63rd Annual Portsmouth Invitational Tournament(PIT). Each year the basketball world focuses on Portsmouth as 64 of the nation’s best college seniors participate in a four-day, twelve-game tournament. Scouts from every NBA Team are on-site to evaluate their talent. Today scouts from numerous international leagues have joined in on the annual April pilgrimage to Portsmouth. Over the years the P.I.T. has been a showcase for five of the 50 greatest players in NBA History (Rick Barry, Earl ‘The Pearl” Monroe, Dave Cowens, John Stockton, Scottie Pippen) and for many others who have gone on to NBA stardom.www.portsmouthinvitational.com | 757-393-8481
Thu, Apr 9 - Spring Break Kids: Junior Rangers, Paradise Creek Nature Park, 10 - 11:30 am, Portsmouth. Are your children home for spring break? Our Education Rangers will keep them learning and having fun. Join us as we read a story in the woods then explore the wild habitat of the park with insect collection boxes and binoculars. We also make a nature inspired craft to bring home and remember the experience. Recommended for children under 12. Children should dress appropriately for the weather. Paradise Creek Nature Park. Parents must remain in the park during the program. $3 per child, free for members. Registration is required please call 757-399-7487 or email ssumoski@elizabethriver.org.
Thu, Apr 9 - Bells Across the Land, The Mariners’ Museum and Park, 3 - 4:00 pm, 100 Museum Dr, Newport News. Join The Mariners’ Museum as we commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the end of the Civil War. For the past four years, the National Park Service and many other organizations and individuals have been commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War and the continuing efforts for human rights today. On April 9, 1865, Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grant met Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee to set the terms of surrender of Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia. The bells will ring first at Appomattox at 3:00 p.m. on April 9, 2015. The ringing will coincide with the moment the historic meeting between Grant and Lee in the McLean House at Appomattox Court House ended. The Mariners’ Museum will host a ceremony on the USS Monitor replica at 3PM. The ceremony will include the ringing of the bell at 3:15 pm, commemorative speakers, moments of silence and other activities. This event is free with Museum admission, or free for Members.
Thu, Apr 9 thru April 12 - Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Presents CIRCUS XTREME, Scope Arena, Thu/Fri 7:30 pm, Sat 11:30 am 3:30 & 7:30 pm, Sun 1:30 & 5:30 pm, 201 East Brambleton Avenue, Norfolk. It’s time for your family to be amazed by all the X-TRAORDINARY things you know and love about America’s favorite live family entertainment experience. Be astonished by UN-XPECTED circus spectacles you’ve never seen before and that can’t be seen anywhere else but at The Greatest Show On Earth®. Get ready for an X-HILARATING adventure with X-TRAORDINARY circus artists and magnificent X-OTIC animals! It’s time to awaken the spirit of Children Of All Ages and stir the imagination of your family! Ringling Bros.® Presents CIRCUS XTREME. It’s time to have XTREME fun with your family! Get your tickets today!
Fri, Apr 10 - Great Dismal Swamp Safari, 9:30 - 1:30 pm, Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge (off of White Marsh Road), Suffolk. The Great Dismal Swamp is anything but dismal. The narrated Swamp Safari, one of Suffolk’s most popular attractions, fills up quickly. This four-hour tour is led by a biologist specializing is the unique habitat of the Great Dismal. Learn about the history, lore, vegetation and wildlife with this adventure that includes a brief walk to Lake Drummond. Sunscreen, insect repellent, comfortable clothes and shoes are recommended. A small snack and beverage is provided. This tour is not recommended for very small children. Reservations are required and cancellations are expected no less than 48 hours prior to scheduled tour. Call the Suffolk Visitor Center at 757.514.4130 to reserve your spot.
Fri, Apr 10 - Night Hike at Chesapeake Arboretum, 7 - 9:00 pm, 624 Oak Grove Road, Chesapeake. Explore the Chesapeake Arboretum in the dark of the night and learn how nocturnal wildlife have adapted to thrive. Enjoy a short interpretive program next to the red barn and then head out for a short guided hike (about 2 miles). Bring a flash light. Please RSVP to (757) 421-7151. This event is weather dependent. Program will be canceled for unfavorable conditions. Those that RSVP will receive a phone call 24 hours prior if the hike is canceled.
Fri-Sun, Apr 10-12 - 2015 Battle of the Best National Exposure Showcase, Virginia Beach Convention Center, 1000 19th Street, Virginia Beach. Grassroots basketball teams will take over the Virginia Beach area on April 10-12 to participate in the Battle of the Best National Exposure Showcase (Virginia Beach) tournament. We look forward to being part of the epicenter of college basketball recruiting during this live evaluation period. The Battle of the Best National Exposure Showcase in Virginia Beach will be one of the best options with up to 14 courts under one roof travel teams will definitely have a legitimate opportunity to maximize exposure opportunities for their student athletes.http://mylineageofchampions.itsmyplay.com/battle-of-the-best-va-beach-april-10-12-2015
Fri-Sun, Apr 10-12 - Boo Williams NIKE Spring Boys Basketball Invitational, Boo Williams Sportsplex, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm. Admission Fee. 757/637-7300 / http://www.boowilliamsbball.org
Fri-Sun, Apr 10-12 - Virginia/North Carolina Golden Gloves Championships, Hampton Roads Convention Center, 1610 Coliseum Drive, Hampton. General Admission $27.00; Front row Ringside $ 42.00. Tickets will be sold at the door. 757-589- 9502 or 301-843-6165
Sat, Apr 11 - Dismal Swamp Stomp Half Marathon and Children’s Half-Mile Cub Run, 8:00 am Swamp Stomp, 11:30 am Cub Run, 1200 Dismal Swamp Canal Trail, Chesapeake. Free to Spectators. Chesapeake invites you on a spectacular 13.1 mile journey through lush, mysterious landscape and rich history. Alongside and parallel to the trail is the historic Dismal Swamp Canal, part of the famed Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, which offers runners forested wetlands and a peaceful paved pathway through the wilderness. Join the foot stompin’ crowd for the race; enjoy the legendary scenery and entertainment that will be anything but dismal. Returning this year, the Children’s Half-Mile Cub Run. This half-mile out-and-back fun run for children ages 12 and under is the perfect complement to our successful Dismal Swamp Stomp. All children will have access to the special children’s activity area prior to the race and will receive a t-shirt and finisher’s medal when they cross the finish line. Newly added this year - 5K run/walk. The 5K will start and finish in the same locations as the half marathon, and will start 5 minutes after the start of the half marathon. All entrants will receive a race premium, custom finisher medal, and age group winners will receive custom awards. Contact: Ann Hupp (757) 373-4174 / http://dismalswampstomp.mettleevents.com/index.html
Sat, Apr 11 - Volunteer Service Day, Paradise Creek Nature Park, 9:00 am, 1141 Victory Boulevard, Portsmouth. Become a river hero. Help clean up the park, improve plantings and learn river stewardship while you are at it. Projects very by date. Looking to volunteer through military, work, scouts or other? Contact Sarah to arrange a private volunteer event. All ages allowed with adult supervision for those under 18. This is free but registration is required. Please call 757-399-7487 or email ssumoski@elizabethriver.org
Sat, Apr 11 - Boathouse Opens for the Season, The Mariners’ Museum/USS Monitor Center, 9:00 am, 100 Museum Drive, Newport News. The boathouse is now open! Whether a die-hard fisherman or just in need of a relaxing day, visit us and start creating your own memories of Lake Maury today. Various boats are available for rental, and visitors can bring their own kayaks and canoes with annual or daily passes. The boathouse is open Friday - Sunday through September.
Sat, Apr 11 - Great Dismal Swamp Safari, 9:30 - 1:30 pm, Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge (off of White Marsh Road), Suffolk. The Great Dismal Swamp is anything but dismal. The narrated Swamp Safari, one of Suffolk’s most popular attractions, fills up quickly. This four-hour tour is led by a biologist specializing is the unique habitat of the Great Dismal. Learn about the history, lore, vegetation and wildlife with this adventure that includes a brief walk to Lake Drummond. Sunscreen, insect repellent, comfortable clothes and shoes are recommended. A small snack and beverage is provided. This tour is not recommended for very small children. Reservations are required and cancellations are expected no less than 48 hours prior to scheduled tour. Call the Suffolk Visitor Center at 757.514.4130 to reserve your spot.
Sat, Apr 11 - Walk a Mile in Her Shoes- The Men’s March to End Sexual Assault and Gender Violence, Peninsula Town Center, 10:00 am, Town Square, 5100 Kilgore Ave., Hampton. Join us for the largest march against sexual violence on the peninsula! What is Walk a Mile in Her Shoes? Men collect pledges, then walk one mile in women’s high heels to protest sexual and domestic violence. All proceeds benefit the Center for Sexual Assault Survivors, a nonprofit rape crisis center serving the peninsula. Register online at www.firstgiving.com/csas
Sat, Apr 11 - The 2015 Norfolk Namesakes Tour of Historic Elmwood Cemetery, 10 - 11:30 am, 238 E. Princess Anne Road, Norfolk. Do you like art? Do you like mystery? Want to take part in local history? Well, we’ve got the thing for you! The 2015 Norfolk Namesakes Tour of Historic Elmwood Cemetery has it all! Join Joshua Weinstein on the second Saturday of each month, April through October, for a guided walking tour of this Victorian era garden cemetery. Learn the hidden histories of Norfolk’s founding fathers. Discover the intriguing name origins of Norfolk landmarks. Admire unique architecture and handcrafted memorial art. Bask in the serene, park-like beauty of this outdoor museum. $5 suggested donation to the Norfolk Society for Cemetery Conservation. Children 12 & under free. Cash or checks only please. Checks can be made out to NSCC. All ages welcome. This is a one & one half hour walking tour. Bottled water provided. No RSVP required.
Sat, Apr 11 - 12th Annual Child ID Fest, Hampton Carousel Park, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm, 602 Settlers Landing Rd., Hampton. The Hampton Sheriff’s Office will be offering child identification along with cotton candy, popcorn, snow cones and inflatables. Free and open to the public. 926-2540
Sat, Apr 11 - 2nd Saturday Hampton Arts Walk, Downtown Hampton & Phoebus. Join us for a day of creative people doing creative things in our community. This monthly, free, self-guided walking tour event runs throughout Downtown Hampton and partners local businesses with artists working in all mediums. A number of events will be held inside our business, attractions, and in the public realm. https://www.facebook.com/DHArtsWalk
Sat, Apr 11 - Slow Art Day 2015, Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, 11:00 am, 2200 Parks Avenue, Virginia Beach. Slow Art Day is the global all-volunteer event with a simple mission: help more people discover for themselves the joy of looking at and loving art. Slow Art is free and run by volunteers. You pay only your museum admission (if any) and buy your own lunch. Virginia MOCA is excited to join the Slow Art Day movement again this year. A MOCA Gallery Teacher will lend a hand as we take our time exploring 5 selections from the current New Waves 2015 and Ryan McGinness: Studio Visit. An hour of individual viewing is followed by lunch off-site. For more information on Slow Art Day visit: www.slowartday.com
Sat, Apr 11 - HOOTenanny Owl Program, Oakland Recreation Center, 11:00 am to 12:00 pm, 5055 Godwin Boulevard, Suffolk. Free - All ages. Suffolk Parks & Recreation welcomes adults and children of all ages to learn how to make a backyard the perfect owl habitat! A bird handler from the Virginia Aquarium will discuss the different owl species and will have owl box plans for you to take home. Normally, owls are seen through binoculars, but the guest of honor will bring a live barred owl from the Virginia Aquarium’s Outreach Program. www.suffolkva.us/parks / 757.514.7262
Sat, Apr 11 - WPA Garden Heritage Celebration, Norfolk Botanical Garden, 11:00 am to 12:00 pm, 6700 Azalea Garden Road, Norfolk. Admission is FREE from 9 am to Noon. Join us for the seventh annual Garden Heritage Celebration as we celebrate the contributions of 220 African American workers whose labor created the Garden.
Sat, Apr 11 - American Girl Dolls: Women of Hampton, Hampton History Museum, 11:00 am to 2:00 pm, 120 Old Hampton Lane, Hampton. Come learn more about select American Girls that relate to women of Hampton in our current special exhibit, The Truth About Women: Myth and Reality. We will have activities themed around different historical and historical fiction characters. Come check out the upstairs gallery and bring your own American Girl doll and outfits to display or just share in the festivities. Activities are free and open to the public. 757-727-1610
Sat, Apr 11 - Genuine Smithfield Wine & Brew Fest Weekend, 11:00 am until 5:00 pm, Windsor Castle Park in downtown Smithfield. Over 100 tastings of Virginia Wines & Virginia Craft Brews, special offerings of Organic Wines, three stages of live music, weekend hotel packages, wine dinners and handcrafted artist vendors. Individual Tickets & Non-Sponsorship Tables for this event on sale January 15, 2015. For further information call 757.357.5182
Sat, Apr 11 - Meet Elsa! GameWorks, Greenbrier Mall, 12 - 2:00 pm, 1401 Greenbrier Parkway South, Chesapeake. Join GameWorks and Elsa for a great princess party! Admission: $18.99 per child. Price includes pizza, soda, 1-hour timed card & a $10 game card. Time card valid on all games except ticket, token or prize games. To purchase tickets, call (757) 624-9100 or email ecchesapeake@gameworks.com.
Sat, Apr 11 - Yorktown Kite Demo & Gathering, 1 - 5:00 pm, Chischiak Green, Water Street, Yorktown. Join us at the Yorktown beach for kite demonstrations and an afternoon of kite flying. Bring your kite or borrow one from Patriot Tours and Provisions. Yorktown Beach. Free. 757.969.5400
Sat, Apr 11 - The 7th Annual East Coast She Crab Soup Classic, 24th Street Park, Noon to 3:00 pm, Virginia Beach Oceanfront. An open competition among local restaurants, the East Coast She Crab Soup Classic focuses on one of the region’s most-loved seafood delicacies. This highly identifiable cuisine has been a staple of area menus for decades. Restaurants serve their individual recipes and compete for People’s Choice Awards, determined by the ballots of those attending. Critic’s Choice Awards also are given by a panel of four leading regional cuisine experts. The East Coast She Crab Soup Classic is a ticketed event. A limited number of tickets will be available. Advance tickets are on sale at $14 (plus service charges) through all Ticketmaster outlets. Tickets are $18 day-of-show, if available. See more at:http://www.beachstreetusa.com/festivals/east-coast-she-crab-soup-classic#sthash.NIYbULzj.dpuf
Sat, Apr 11 - Town Center’s VIP Spring Fashion Show, 6 - 8:00 pm, Central Park Plaza, Town Center, Virginia Beach. Come out to celebrate all of the new retailers of the Town Center of Virginia Beach at the Fountain Plaza! Featuring Town Center’s retailers, Anthropologie, Free People lululemon athletica, Destination Maternity and more! You are all VIPs to us, so come out for the red carpet, photographs at our step and repeat and champagne toast at our grand finale. This event is FREE and open to the public.
Sat, Apr 11 - Spartkya Fight League: TKO For The Ta-Tas, Ted Constant Convocation Center, 7:00 pm, 4320 Hampton Blvd., Norfolk. Spartyka Fight League was established in September 2010 with the purpose of becoming the top promoter of amateur mixed martial arts events in Virginia. We attract the area’s best amateur MMA talent by organizing high quality MMA events in Hampton Roads.
Sat, Apr 11 - Skywatch at Northwest River Park, Sunset - 11:00 pm, Northwest River Park & Campground, 1733 Indian Creek Road, Chesapeake. Free and Open to the Public. Join Back Bay Amateur Astronomers (BBAA) as they bring their scopes and expertise to bear on the Galaxy weather permitting at the Equestrian Area at Northwest River Park. Call (757) 421-7151 to confirm. Several large telescopes are set-up and guests get a tour of the night sky, while learning about telescopes and astronomy. The event begins around sunset and ends at 11:00 PM. BBAA will hold a “Telescope 101” beginning 90 minutes before sunset.
Sat, Apr 11 - Chesapeake Masters Indoor Golf Tournament & Soiree, Chesapeake Central Library, 7:00 pm, 298 Cedar Road, Chesapeake. The Chesapeake Masters are hosting an indoor golf tournament & soiree benefiting the Chesapeake Public Library Foundation and the Smart Start Chesapeake Early Learning & Literacy Program. For more information, please contact Debbie McKee at 757-617-1553.
Sat/Sun, Apr 11/12 - 2015 The ONE Cheer and Dance Finals, Virginia Beach Convention Center, 1000 19th Street, Virginia Beach. A unique, end-of-season event offered to Cheer and Dance Teams. North America’s top Event Producer companies will award first place teams ONLY with exclusive Bids to a choice of Finals locations. Bid teams may choose to compete in Virginia Beach, New Orleans or Chicago with the winning teams from divisions in each Finals location advancing to THE ONE Virtual Finals where a panel of the industry’s top judging professionals will crown…THE ONE in each division! http://www.theonefinals.com/
Sat/Sun, Apr 11/12 - Virginia Hot Rod & Custom Car Show, Hampton Roads Convention Center, 1610 Coliseum Drive, Hampton. Get your car out of hibernation… the biggest indoor car show in VA is back! This show celebrates classic cars and pulls the best lineup of classics, modern muscle cars, restored cars, classic trucks, pro street cars, custom bikes from the Mid-Atlantic and South East as well as vendors, live music by the Rhythm Rockers, a pin up girl contest, and Kid’s Zone. Adults: $13 Active Military $10 Children 5-12 $7 children 4 under free. 757-727-8311 / http://www.vacarshow.com
Sun, Apr 12 - Annual Health Fair, Mt. Nebo Baptist Church, 08:30 am until 01:30 pm, 5738 Colonial Trail East, Surry. Annual Health Fair and Blood Drive. Also available: Blood pressure screening, Blood sugar screening, Cholesterol screening, Vision testing, Massage therapy, and so much more! Door prize drawing every 30 minutes. Lunch will be provided. For more information, contact Beatrice Johns at 757-810-1535 or a member of the Nurses’ Corp Ministry at 757-294-3342.
Sun, Apr 12 - 2nd Sundays Williamsburg Art & Music Festival, 11:00 am - 5:00 pm, Outdoors on Prince George Street, Williamsburg. 2nd Sundays Williamsburg Art & Music Festival opens its 6th year as Williamsburg’s only monthly art & music street festival featuring over 75 local and regional artists, authors, artisans, and live music. Main stage music each month sponsored by Quirks of Art. Free children’s activities and art projects courtesy of Artfully Yours. The festival takes place in the 400 and 500 blocks of Prince George St and Along N. Boundary in downtown Williamsburg. Festival presented March-December by Blue Talon Bistro. More Info:http://www.2ndSundaysWilliamsburg.com
Sun, Apr 12 - ODU International Festival, Ted Constant Convocation Center, Noon - 5:00 pm, 4320 Hampton Blvd., Norfolk. Experience international food vendors, global marketplace, cultural performances, global educational displays, global game zone, and more! Also featuring children’s cultural activities, animal exhibit, free admission and parking.
Mon, Apr 13 - Historic Suffolk Narrated Bus Tour, 2:00 pm, Suffolk Visitor Center, 524 North Main Street. See Suffolk through the eyes of years gone by. Suffolk’s rich heritage dates back to the early 17th century, when Captain John Smith first encountered the Nansemond Indians on the Nansemond River. Even now, you can trace Suffolk’s legacy through our historic homes and neighborhoods, churches and Virginia Civil War Trails. Guided by a Suffolk historian, you meet the people and places that made Suffolk the city it is today. Highlights of this windshield tour include Cedar Hill Cemetery, Riddick’s Folly House Museum, Constant’s Wharf, College Court and Suffolk’s Historic Lakeside neighborhood. $8 Adults / $6 Seniors, Military and Children 9-12. 757.514.4130
Wed, Apr 15 - State of the City, Chesapeake Conference Center, 12 - 2:00 pm, 700 Conference Center Drive, Chesapeake. 11:30 am Registration & Networking. 12:00 pm Lunch & Program. This event is the premier annual forum for interaction among Chesapeake’s business, civic, and community leaders. The 2015 State of the City address delivered by the Honorable Alan Krasnoff, Chesapeake Mayor, will highlight key business development initiatives, provide strategic municipal progress updates, address challenges and opportunities, and provide a glimpse into the City’s future. PRICE: $45.00 Chamber Members, $65.00 Prospective Members, $750.00 Table sponsorship (table of 10 & program recognition). For more information, contact Dean McClain dmcclain@hrccva.com or 757.664.2560.
Wed, Apr 15 - Food Truck Hump Days on the Great Bridge Waterways, First and Third Wednesday, 4:00 pm to dusk, Battlefield Historic Park, 1775 Historic Way, Chesapeake. Join Eat The Streets 757 at Battlefield Historic Park on the first and third Wednesday of the month starting April 1 and ending October 21. A huge variety of food truck gourmet dishes will be offered along with children’s activities and live entertainment by the Great Bridge Battlefield & Waterways History Foundation, the City of Chesapeake, and friends! All food trucks accept cash and credit though a minimum may apply when using credit. * 10% of all sales will benefit the Great Bridge Battlefield & Waterways History Foundation.
Wed, Apr 15 - Norfolk Sister Cities PassPORT 2015 - An Evening Around the World, Norfolk Sheraton Waterside, 6 - 8:30 pm, 777 Waterside Drive, Norfolk. It’s the Evening Around the World as the acclaimed Norfolk Sister City Association (NSCA) event is back for its second year with celebrity chef cuisine, international entertainment and an exotic bazaar. Acclaimed chef, author and gourmand Patrick Evans-Hylton has assembled a fabulous group of Hampton Roads restaurants whose chefs will prepare and serve international cuisine inspired by Norfolk and her 10 Sister Cities. Norfolk Sister City Members: $50.00. Non-Members: $65.00 757.627.0530
Wed, Apr 15 thru Apr 19 - Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Presents CIRCUS XTREME, Hampton Coliseum, 1000 Coliseum Drive, Hampton. It’s time for your family to be amazed by all the X-TRAORDINARY things you know and love about America’s favorite live family entertainment experience. Be astonished by UN-XPECTED circus spectacles you’ve never seen before and that can’t be seen anywhere else but at The Greatest Show On Earth®. Get ready for an X-HILARATING adventure with X-TRAORDINARY circus artists and magnificent X-OTIC animals! It’s time to awaken the spirit of Children Of All Ages and stir the imagination of your family! Ringling Bros.® Presents CIRCUS XTREME. It’s time to have XTREME fun with your family! Get your tickets today! http://www.hamptoncoliseum.org/events/detail/ringling-bros-and-barnum-bailey-presents-circus-xtreme
Thu, Apr 16 - "Tell Me a Story", Isle of Wight County Museum, 10:00 am, 103 Main Street, Downtown Smithfield. This program, geared for children ages 3 to 5, introduces youngsters to the symbols of Isle of Wight and features books, songs and games. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Theme: Scarecrow puppets. For more information call 757.356.1223.
Thu, Apr 16 - Third Thursday, Chrysler Museum of Art, 5 - 10:00 pm, One Memorial Place, Norfolk. Game on in Huber Court! Participate in GameStop’s Video Game Competition and peruse tables set up by Dave and Buster’s and Tidewater Comicon. The Angel Alien Podcast will host a panel discussion and DJ Okaishun will provide the music for the evening - At the Museum from 5–10 pm. At the Glass Studio, artist Karen Donnellan and her students from Alfred University perform Mellifera with live music by Daniel Neale. Glass Studio events begin at 7 pm. Third Thursday is always free for Museum Members, $5 for all others. There’s a cash bar in both venues.
Thu, Apr 16 - 3rd Thursday at Jesters Gallery Shop: Featuring Debbie Hobbs, Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts, 5:30 - 7:00 pm, 110 W. Finney Avenue, Suffolk. Free. Join us in the Jester’s Gallery Shop at the Suffolk Center to meet our resident artist, Debbie Hobbs. www.suffolkcenter.org / Registration: 757.923.0003
Thu, Apr 16 - The Coffee Bar – Coffee Food Pairings, The Mariners’ Museum and Park, 7 - 9:00 pm, 100 Museum Dr, Newport News. Get caffeinated! Unwind with a cuppa joe at The Mariners’ Museum. The Coffee Bar features: Eat, drink and learn with a coffee and food pairing; Live music; Light refreshments; Access to the Museum’s newest exhibition, Coffee: The World in Your Cup. Admission is $10 and includes everything listed above! There will also be a cash bar with a signature coffee drink.
Fri, Apr 17 - "Home School Day", Isle of Wight County, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm, Historic sites in Isle of Wight County and the town of Smithfield. Smithfield and Isle of Wight County’s historic sites welcome homeschoolers of all ages with a selection of fun and engaging activities that highlight the history of Virginia and the area. For more information call 757.356.1223.
Fri, Apr 17 - Town Fair at Town Center, 5 - 8:00 pm, Central Park Plaza, Town Center, Virginia Beach. The Town Fair at Town Center features local handmade art, jewelry, goods and fair trade merchandise. On the third Friday of each month, April through September, residents and visitors alike, can stroll around the Fountain Plaza of Town Center as we showcase more than 30 merchants’ handmade and fair trade goods. This month’s Town Fair kicks off with an Earth Day theme! Come out to meet with the artisans and merchants from in and around the Town Center of Virginia Beach.
Fri, Apr 17 - Chesapeake Virginia Spring Wine Festival, Chesapeake Conference Center, 5 - 11:00 pm, Tastings end at 10:00 pm, 700 Conference Center Drive, Chesapeake. $40 per ticket or 2 tickets for $75. An indoor wine tasting event from the creators of the Chesapeake, VA Wine Festival. Indoor festival representing over 10 Virginia Wineries, an expanded craft beer garden, a martini lounge and wine accessory vendors. Hosted by the Chesapeake Rotary Club. http://www.cheswine.com/
Sat, Apr 18 - Historic Garden Week Home & Garden Tour, The Riverfront at Harbour View, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm, Tour Headquarters: Riverfront Clubhouse, 5200 River Club Drive, North Suffolk. $30 per person in advance/$35 day of tour. Children 6 and under free. Hosted by the Nansemond River Garden Club, the Elizabeth River Garden Club and the Franklin Garden Club, this tour celebrates the beauty of both land and the river by focusing on 6 private properties in the Harbour View section of Suffolk. The three Clubs have established a partnership with the Nansemond River Preservation Alliance, who will be giving demonstrations throughout the day. 757.514.4130 / http://www.suffolk-fun.com/play/historic-garden-week-suffolk/
Sat, Apr 18 - Party for the Planet, Virginia Zoo, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm, 3500 Granby Street, Norfolk. Bring out your wild side while you learn about conservation steps you can take to protect natural habitats locally and around the world. The event celebrates Earth Day and the animals that share our environment. Zookeepers will demonstrate animal enrichment activities used to promote the Zoo animals’ social, mental and physical health and wellbeing. Visitors can play like a monkey with the enrichment items we give animals from otters to giraffes. Environmental experts will also provide information on the effect all life – including humans – has on the environment, the lives of other species and our lives, too. All activities included with regular admission!
LOCAL THEATER / CONCERTS / LECTURES / TALKS
Now thru Apr 5 - "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof", by Tennessee Williams, Little Theatre of Norfolk, Fri/Sat 8:00 pm, Sun 2:30 pm, 801 Claremont Ave, Norfolk. A family gathers at the Pollitt Plantation for the sixty-fifth birthday celebration of Big Daddy, its ailing patriarch. Despite the festivities, conniving family members scramble to secure their part of his estate. As tensions mount between alcoholic former football hero Brick and his beautiful but sexually frustrated wife Maggie “the Cat, a shock wave of secrets is finally revealed. * Contains Adult Language / Situations
Now thru Apr 12 - “Other Desert Cities”, Little Theatre of Virginia Beach, Fri/Sat 8:00 pm, Sun 2:30 pm, 550 Barberton Drive, Virginia Beach. Brooke Wyeth returns home to Palm Springs after a six year absence to celebrate Christmas with her parents, her brother, and her aunt. Brooke announces that she is about to publish a memoir dredging up a pivotal and damaging event in the family’s history—a wound they don’t want reopened. This is a crackling contemporary family drama that will charm, disturb and delight.
Now thru Apr 19 - “Breath & Imagination”, The Wells Theatre, Tue 7:00 pm, Wed-Sat 8:00 pm, Sat 4:00 pm, Sun 2:00 pm, Tazwell Street, Norfolk. By Daniel Beaty. From slave spirituals on a Georgia plantation to classical opera for the King and Queen, the son of a former slave sings his way to worldwide celebrity and blazes a path many others would follow as the first African-American classical vocalist to sing internationally. A true story of hope and perseverance unfolds onstage through the memories, struggles and songs of Roland Hayes.
Thu-Sat, Apr 2-4 - 8th Annual Sea Level Singer/Songwriter Festival, features three days of concerts and events. Happy hour and evening concerts, Norfolk Arts District programming, workshops, Paul Reed Smith guitar raffle. Sarah Jarosz is the lead-off performer on concert at the TCC Roper Performing Arts Center. Thu, Apr 2 - Sarah Jarosz at TCC Roper Performing Arts Center; Fri Apr 3 - Sea Level at First Friday at the Plot in Norfolk’s Arts District; Sat, Apr 4 - Emerging Artist Contest Showcase at Norfolk Collegiate’ s Hackney Theatre & Paul Reed Smith Guitar Raffle drawing. Details athttp://tidewaterartsoutreach.org/sea-level-singer-songwriter-festival/
Fri, Apr 3 - Friday Night Hoedown: Dallas Band, Virginia Beach Farmer’s Market, 7 - 10:00 pm, 3640 Dam Neck Road, Virginia Beach. Live Music Every Friday night from 7 -10 PM. Bring a chair and/or dance to your favorite country tunes. (757) 385-4388
Fri/Sat, Apr 3/4 - Lerner & Loewe’s Camelot, Chrysler Hall, Fri/Sat 8:00 pm, Sat 2:00 pm, 215 Saint Paul’s Boulevard, Norfolk. Experience Camelot’s “one brief shining moment” as Lerner and Loewe envisioned it in one of theatre’s most legendary musicals. Recount the time-honored legend of King Arthur, Guinevere, Lancelot, and the Knights of the Round Table in an enchanting fable of chivalry, majesty, and brotherhood in this four-time Tony Award® winning show.
Sat, Apr 4 - Lecture: Photography and the Civil War, Chrysler Museum of Art, 2 - 3:00 pm, One Memorial Place, Norfolk. Come enjoy a free lecture by the man who literally wrote the book on photography and the Civil War, Jeff Rosenheim of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Sat, Apr 4 - Lecture Series: Joe Yurso, The Mariners’ Museum and Park, 4:30 - 6:00 pm, 100 Museum Dr, Newport News. When it was built, USS Thresher was the most advanced submarine in the world. It was faster, quieter and dove deeper than any other. But on April 10, 1963, Thresher sank during dive trials off the New England coast. In the worst submarine disaster in history, 129 submariners and shipyard personnel lost their lives. Joe Yurso was the watch officer at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in New Hampshire on that fateful day. As such, he was a first-hand witness to one of the Navy’s great tragedies. For over 50 years, he has devoted his life to making the US Navy and its ships safer for the men and women who serve. At this special lecture, Mr. Yurso will speak about his experience with the Thresher and those men who gave their lives in service. This lecture is free with admission to the Museum.
Sat, Apr 4 - Southern Gospel Concert, Pinecrest Baptist Church, 7 - 9:00 pm, 209 Felton Road, Portsmouth. Southern Gospel concert featuring CALVARY’S MERCY, THE DUNNS, AND HIS ELECT. This is a FREE event so please come and bring your family and friends for a spirit-filled evening of gospel music. Doors open at 5:30 PM and food sales begin at 6 PM. 757-826-3828
Sun, Apr 5 - First Sunday Evenings: Gypsy Charm - A New Family Musical, The American Theater, 7:30 pm, 125 E Mellen St, Hampton. Tapping into the current cultural hunger for the supernatural, this new musical is sure to delight young audiences and families as it follows a young girl who is in search of a way to remove an ancient Gypsy curse which threatens to end her life by a certain age.
Mon, Apr 6 - Lincoln’s Dreams of Death - Port Hampton Lecture, Hampton History Museum, 7:00 pm, 120 Old Hampton Lane, Hampton. Dr. Jonathan W. White, Assistant Professor of American Studies at Christopher Newport University, and an award winning Lincoln scholar, tells the fascinating story of the 16th president’s premonition of his own death. Describing a dream he had 10 days before his assassination, Lincoln said he walked into the East Room of the White House only to discover that the corpse lying in state there was his own. Dr. White’s lecture commemorates the 150th anniversary of President Lincoln’s assassination on April 14, 1865.
Mon, Apr 6 - Michael Bolton, Ferguson Center for the Arts, 7:30 pm, 1 Avenue of the Arts, Newport News. If you listed performers who have sold more than 53 million records, won multiple Grammys, earned a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, sold out arenas worldwide, sung with Luciano Pavarotti and Ray Charles, written songs with Bob Dylan, penned hits for Barbra Streisand and KISS, as well as played guitar with B.B. King, Michael Bolton would be the only name on that list. Known for his soulful voice and poignant lyrics and his timeless style, Michael has always been attracted to a wide array of musical categories, from Sinatra favorites (“Bolton Swings Sinatra”), to classical arias (“My Secret Passion”), which achieved No. 1 on the classical charts for six consecutive weeks.
Mon, Apr 6 - Wycliffe Gordon, Ogden Hall, 8:00 pm, Hampton University, Hampton. Musical ambassador and interpreter of America’s music, Wycliffe Gordon has experienced an impressive career touring the world performing hard-swinging, straight-ahead jazz. His unmatched modern mastery of the plunger mute and his exceptional technique and signature sound, has solidified Gordon a place in musical history known as one of the top trombonists of his generation. The critics seem to agree.
Tue, Apr 7 - Visiting Artist: Stephen Marder, Artist & Sculptor, TCC Visual Arts Center, 12:30 pm, 340 High Street, Portsmouth. Illustrated Lecture: From the Practical to the Conceptual. Room 208 & 209. For more information please call 757-822-1888
Fri, Apr 10 - On Screen / In Person: “Tie It Into My Hand & The Glitter Emergency”, Ferguson Center for the Arts, 7:00 pm, Music & Theatre Hall, 1 Avenue of the Arts, Newport News. Tie It Into My Hand, Director Paul Festa. At once entertaining and deeply insightful, Tie It Into My Hand is an unprecedented look at the life of an artist, told entirely through interviews with pre-eminent directors, filmmakers, visual artists, writers and performers, including Alan Cumming, Barbara Hammer, Peter Coyote and Harold Bloom, among many others. The filmmaker challenges each of the artists he interviews to teach him a violin lesson, though none of them is a violinist, prompting fascinating discussions of the joys and challenges of life as an artist, including how a chronic hand injury curtailed the filmmaker’s own musical career and redirected his artistic path. The Glitter Emergency, Director Paul Festa. A 1920s-style screwball silent short film, The Glitter Emergency follows a peg-leg ballerina’s struggle to overcome her disability in pursuit of artistic fulfillment. Director Paul Festa will provide a live musical soundtrack for the film.
Fri, Apr 10 - Friday Night Hoedown: New Variety Pack, Virginia Beach Farmers Market, 7 - 10:00 pm, 3640 Dam Neck Road, Virginia Beach. Live Music Every Friday night from 7 -10 PM. Bring a chair and/or dance to your favorite country tunes. (757) 385-4388
Fri, Apr 10 - Ballet Hispanico, TCC Roper Performing Arts Center, 8:00 pm, Granby Street, Norfolk. Fusing the fire and soul of Latin cultures from around the world with the breathtaking technique of contemporary dance and classical ballet, this spectacular company has created its own style in which theatricality and passion propel every move. Dancing works by choreographers from Venezuela, Cuba, Trinidad, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Spain, Brazil, Argentina, and Colombia, Ballet Hispanico has performed for audiences numbering more than 2 million around the world.
Fri, Apr 10 - Bucket of Monkeys Improvisational Troupe, The Children’s Theater of Hampton Roads, Children’s Museum of Virginia, 1:00 & 2:30 pm, 221 High Street, Portsmouth. With Bucket of Monkeys improvisational troupe you are guaranteed to see a one-of-a-kind performance that is interactive, engaging and hilarious. Great fun for kids of all ages. Included with admission.
Fri/Sat, Apr 10/11 - Priest Tyarie Presents “Torn Between Two Fathers”, Willet Hall, Fri/Sat 8:00 pm, Sat 3:00 pm, 3701 Willett Drive, Portsmouth. Get ready to experience the power of breaking generational curses through hope and forgiveness, by destroying the cycle of absentee fathers. Priest Tyaire’s, highly acclaimed, inspirational, stage play, Torn Between 2 Fathers does just that. This powerful production is based on a true life story that will leave audiences on the edge of their seats captivated by the intense drama and moved by the riveting impact of the performance. Starring Emmy award winner Debbi Morgan, American Film Festival award winner Clifton Powell, platinum recording artist Angela Winbush, and award winning playwright, director and actor Priest Tyaire.
Sat, Apr 11 - Around the World in Eighty Days, Children’s Theatre of Hampton Roads, Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts, 11:00 am, 110 Finney Avenue, Suffolk. Take two adventurers, add equal parts grand adventure, geography, and suspense. Dash of Silliness to taste. Based on the classic book by Jules Verne. Side-splitting, interactive fun for all ages.
Sat, Apr 11 - Movie Night in the Pool: “Monster U”, Great Neck Recreation Center, 1 - 3:00 pm, 2521 Shorehaven Drive, Virginia Beach. Enjoy a special feature while floating in the pool. Membership or day pass needed, but no additional cost. Open to all ages, but those age 9 & under must be directly supervised by someone age 16 or older. (757) 385-5940
Sat, Apr 11 - The William & Mary Middle Eastern Music Ensemble in Concert, Kimball Theatre, 7:30 pm, Merchants’ Square, Williamsburg. Join the W&M Middle Eastern Music Ensemble with Department of Music, Artist-in-Residence, Kareem Roustom and guest vocal soloist, Nizar Fares for an evening of traditional music from Lebanon, Syris, and Egypt.
Sat, Apr 11 - Rosanne Cash, TCC Roper Performing Arts Center, 8:00 pm, Granby Street, Norfolk. Rosanne Cash has carved out a spectacular career, recording 15 albums that garnered a Grammy, twelve Grammy nominations and eleven No. 1 singles. Cash’s most recent album, The River & The Thread, is a lyrical journey through the South of her heritage, filled with songs that critics are calling “captivating, haunting… among the finest of her career” (USA Today). Hear this heralded singer- songwriter perform music from this award-winning album and other favorites in this not-to-be-missed evening.
Sat, Apr 11 - Lovesick Blues: The Life and Music of Hank Williams, Sr., The American Theater, 8:00 pm, 125 E Mellen St, Hampton. Lovesick Blues is a 90-minute musical theatre event which chronicles the significant phases of America’s most influential singer-songwriter as he drives his promising career to an early end. A narrator begins with Williams’ teenage years in post-Depression Alabama and brings the tale to his quiet death in 1953. The story is underscored by twenty hit songs wrapped tightly around Williams’ major biographical events. Robbie Limon gives an award-winning characterization of Williams’ life. He is supported on stage by a classic country-string quartet. All songs are full length renditions using instrumentation and arrangements as recorded throughout the 1940s.
Sat/Sun, Apr 11/12 - Shen Yun: Reviving 5,000 Years of Civilization, Chrysler Hall, Sat/Sun 2:00 pm, Sat 7:30 pm, 215 Saint Paul’s Boulevard, Norfolk. Shen Yun Performing Arts presents classical Chinese dance, song, and music with choreography ranging from grand processions to legions of thunderous drums, with gorgeously costumed dancers moving in synchronized patterns. Spectacular visuals take you to another world, with landscapes and ancient buildings appearing on beautiful animated backdrops. Music seamlessly combines the best of the East and West, giving each performance an unmistakable flair.
Sat/Sun, Apr 11/12 - Virginia Opera: La Traviata, Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, Sat 8:00 pm, Sun 2:30 pm, 201 Market Street, Virginia Beach. To close this stunning season of stylistic highlights, Virginia Opera premieres [co-produced with, Des Moines Metro Opera] a brand new, glittering and glamorous traditional staging of La Traviata directed by Virginia Opera audience favorite, Lilian Groag. Conducted by Andrew Bisantz, in his Virginia Opera debut, this exciting American conductor enjoys a significant opera career and continues the Virginia Opera tradition of presenting major new talent. www.vaopera.org
Sun, Apr 12 - Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, trumpet, Attucks Theatre, 4 & 7:00 pm, 1010 Church Street, Norfolk. The gifts just keep coming with this legendary ensemble, hailed as the “finest big band in the world today” (The Daily Telegraph). Headed by a virtuoso trumpeter and composer who is arguably the most famous name in jazz today — nine-time Grammy winner and recipient of the Pulitzer Prize, Wynton Marsalis — the orchestra includes some of the top soloists in the art form. And under Marsalis’s leadership, the orchestra pays tribute to the past and commissions bold new works for the future. Savor the best of the best when Wynton takes the stage graced by legends such as Cab Calloway, Duke Ellington, and Nat King Cole, in two back-to-back performances at the intimate Attucks Theatre.
Sun, Apr 12 - Around the World in Eighty Days, Children’s Theatre of Hampton Roads, Meyera E Oberndorf Central Library Theatre, 2:00 pm, Virginia Beach Central Library, Virginia Beach. Take two adventurers, add equal parts grand adventure, geography, and suspense. Dash of Silliness to taste. Based on the classic book by Jules Verne. Side-splitting, interactive fun for all ages.
Mon, Apr 13 - NSA Lecture: Anne-Marie O’Connor, Author, The Chrysler Museum of Art, 10:30 am - 12:00 pm, One Memorial Place, Norfolk. The Lady in Gold: The Extraordinary Tale of Gustav Klimt’s Masterpiece and the Restitution Battle that Shocked the World. Come join us as a veteran correspondent turned author tells the tale of a Gustav Klimt masterpiece. It’s a story of changed cities, changed cultures, changed hands and changed lives. Starting with a notorious artist and a beautiful Viennese subject imperiled by her faith, O’Connor traced the painting from its creation in 1907 to its Nazi seizure in 1938, the decades of legal wrangling over ownership, and finally, its breathtaking sales price. This painting of Adele Bloch-Bauer carries a story that mixes a fairy tale with a suspense novel. The free talk in the Kaufman Theater begins at 11 am.
Tue, Apr 14 - Lincoln Gallery Talk, The Chrysler Museum of Art, 1 - 2:00 pm, One Memorial Place, Norfolk. To honor the 150th Anniversary of President Lincoln’s death, join Alex Mann, Brock Curator of American Art, for a special tour and gallery talk featuring the current exhibition Shooting Lincoln: Photography and the 16th President. Meet at The Welcome Desk.
Tue-Sun, Apr 14-19 - Victoria Melody: Major Tom, Virginia Arts Fest, Robin Hixon Theater, 8:00 pm, 440 Bank Street, Norfolk. A smash at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and a “perceptive joy, thanks largely to Melody’s canny comic timing” (The Times), this quirky one-woman (and one-dog) show poses hilarious and yet thoughtful questions about our human fascination with celebrity and beauty. Based on her own experiences, performer and artist Victoria Melody weaves a wildly witty tale of how an average 34-year-old became a beauty queen and how her unruly pet basset hound, Major Tom, became a championship show dog.
Wed, Apr 15 - Visiting Graphic Designer: David Shields, TCC Visual Arts Center, 12:30 pm, 340 High Street, Portsmouth. Illustrated Lecture: “Relax kid, we don’t eat our young.” Room 208 & 209. For more information please call 757-822-1888
Wed, Apr 15 - Front Porch Music Series: Blue Ribbon, Hampton History Museum, 6 - 8:00 pm, 120 Old Hampton Lane, Hampton. Eclectic pop/rock known for clever lyrics and wordplay!! 757-727-6841
Wed/Fri, Apr 15/17 - Live Opera: Cosi Fan Tutte, By Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Kimball Theatre, 8:00 pm, Merchants’ Square, Williamsburg. Cosi Fan Tutte or “So Do All Women” is a brilliant sitcom, 1790-style, with text by Lorenzo DaPonte—a smart, sophisticated, and very funny comedy full of clever insights. Two sisters and their beaus are certain that their love is eternal, only to find themselves facing the fickle nature of human emotion.
Thu, Apr 16 - Phoebus Film Club Series: “The House Behind the Wall”, The American Theater, 7:30 pm, 125 E Mellen St., Hampton. This independent horror is an impressive throwback to the old days of the genre. The House Behind the Wall uses subtlety, tension and creepiness to make a lasting impression.
Thu, Apr 16 - The Acting Co. presents: Macbeth, Ferguson Center for the Arts, 7:30 pm, Music & Theatre Hall, 1 Avenue of the Arts, Newport News. One of Shakespeare’s darkest and most powerful tragedies, “Macbeth” dramatizes the psychological and political impact of when evil is chosen to satisfy the ambition for power. Performed by The Acting Company, and directed by Ian Belknap, this production is backed by the 40-year-plus history of one of America’s finest acting troupes. Founded in 1972 by the legendary John Houseman and current Producer Margot Harley, The Acting Company promotes theater and arts education all across America.
Fri, Apr 17 - The Acting Co. presents: Mark Twain’s “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court”, Ferguson Center for the Arts, 7:30 pm, Music & Theatre Hall, 1 Avenue of the Arts, Newport News. America’s favorite humorist, Mark Twain, penned this satirical tale of time travel, which takes a Connecticut tourist visiting England from the 19th century back to England’s medieval period (6th century) and the time of legendary King Arthur. Adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher, performed by The Acting Company, and directed by Ian Belknap, this production is backed by the 40-year-plus history of one of America’s finest acting troupes. Founded in 1972 by the legendary John Houseman and current Producer Margot Harley, The Acting Company promotes theater and arts education all across America.
Fri, Apr 17 - Chris Brubeck Triple Play, The George M. & Linda H. Kaufman Theatre, 8:00 pm, The Chrysler Museum of Art, One Memorial Place, Norfolk. Presented by Virginia Arts Fest. Following in the footsteps of his famous dad, legendary jazz pianist and composer Dave Brubeck, Chris Brubeck swings with his trio.
Fri, Apr 17 - Todd Wilson, organ, Christ and St. Luke’s Church, 8:00 pm, 560 W Olney RD, Norfolk. Presented by Virginia Arts Fest. There is perhaps no more thrilling sound in music than a crescendo on a mighty pipe organ — the sound fills your chest and takes your breath away. Organist Todd Wilson, who is regarded across America and around the world as one of today’s finest concert organists, has performed with such great orchestras as the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Cleveland Orchestra. Popular for his improvised accompaniments to classic silent films, Wilson will accompany the Laurel and Hardy comedy short “Big Business” (1929) in this performance at the beautiful and historic Christ & St. Luke’s Church in Norfolk
Fri, Apr 17 - Indigo Girls, with Symphony Orchestra, Ferguson Center for the Arts, 8:00 pm, 1 Avenue of the Arts, Newport News. Twenty years after they began releasing records as the Indigo Girls, Amy Ray and Emily Saliers have politely declined the opportunity to slow down with age. With a legacy of releases and countless U.S. and international tours behind them, the Indigo Girls have forged their own way in the music business.
Fri-Sun, Apr 17-19 - Virginia Musical Theatre: Legally Blonde The Musical, Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, Fri/Sat 8:00 pm, Sat/Sun 2:00 pm, 201 Market Street, Virginia Beach. Harvard’s beloved blonde takes the stage by pink storm in this fun, upbeat musical about self-discovery. Based on the adored movie, LEGALLY BLONDE: THE MUSICAL stays true to form with a peppy score and playful book. Full to the brim with tongue-in-cheek, show stopping numbers and energetic dance routines, this hilarious modern fairytale is ridiculously entertaining from start to finish.
Fri, Apr 17 thru Apr 24 - LOVEwork Sculpture in Merchants Square,Williamsburg. Picture Yourself in LOVE! The Virginia Tourism corporation’s oversized LOVE artwork will be visiting Merchants Square from April 17 - 24.
Sat, Apr 18 - Dale’s Pale Ale and SevenBar Aviation Present: ‘The Steep Canyon Rangers’, The American Theater, 8:00 pm, 125 E. Mellen Street, Hampton. These days, it’s hard to talk about the Steep Canyon Rangers without mentioning Steve Martin. After meeting at a party and connecting immediately, Martin invited the band to tour and record with him. Their 2011 collaboration Rare Bird Alert was nominated for a Grammy, and later that year, they won IBMA’s Entertainer of the Year Award. What has emerged is a real collaboration of seven consummate musicians creating music that they are passionate about, and blending it with humor to form a sophisticated show.
FARMERS’ MARKETS
Sat, Apr 4 - Smithfield Farmers Market’s “Easter Craft and Food Market”, 9:00 am until 1:00 pm, the Bank of Southside Virginia parking lot, 115 Main Street in downtown Smithfield. Named in 2013 & 2014 as one of the “Top 101 Farmers Markets in America!” by TheDailyMeal.com and the “Best Farmers Market” by Coastal Virginia Magazine in 2014. Now in its 14th season, the market is proud to be a Virginia Grown market offering locally grown produce, beef, pork, chicken, eggs, peanuts, plants, herbs, baked goods, coffee, cheese, honey, barbecue, wood-fired pizza, ham sandwiches, handcrafted items and more! Also featuring live music each market! Enjoy our friendly community event in the heart of historic Smithfield, Virginia. Pets are always welcome! For further information call 757.375.3031
Sat, Apr 4 - Williamsburg Farmers Market, Every Sat 8:30am to 12:30pm. Merchants’ Square, Williamsburg. In the heart of historic Williamsburg, Virginia. Flowerbeds and benches offer a tranquil setting for this open-air, Virginia producer-only market. Over 35 vendors offer a variety of local products, among which are fresh seasonal produce, chicken, beef, bison, pork, oysters, fish, crabs, prawns, herbs, potted plants, baked goods, confections, honey, cheese, cut flowers, handmade soaps, and more. http://www.williamsburgfarmersmarket.com/
Sat, Apr 11 - Happy Birthday Farmers Market & Craft Show, Virginia Beach Farmers Market, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm, 3640 Dam Neck Road, Virginia Beach. Celebrate Our 39th Year here at the Market. Singing and Cake at 1:00 pm.
Sat, Apr 11 - Smithfield Farmers Market, Every Sat 9:00 am until 12:00 noon, the Bank of Southside Virginia parking lot, 115 Main Street, Downtown Smithfield. Named in 2013 & 2014 as one of the “Top 101 Farmers Markets in America!” by TheDailyMeal.com and the “Best Farmers Market” by Coastal Virginia Magazine in 2014. Now in its 14th season, the market is proud to be a Virginia Grown market offering locally grown produce, beef, pork, chicken, eggs, peanuts, plants, herbs, baked goods, coffee, cheese, honey, barbecue, wood-fired pizza, ham sandwiches, handcrafted items and more! Also featuring live music each market! Enjoy our friendly community event in the heart of historic Smithfield, Virginia. Pets are always welcome! For further information call 757.375.3031.
Sat, Apr 11 - Williamsburg Farmers Market, Every Sat 8:30am to 12:30pm. Merchants’ Square, Williamsburg. In the heart of historic Williamsburg, Virginia. Flowerbeds and benches offer a tranquil setting for this open-air, Virginia producer-only market. Over 35 vendors offer a variety of local products, among which are fresh seasonal produce, chicken, beef, bison, pork, oysters, fish, crabs, prawns, herbs, potted plants, baked goods, confections, honey, cheese, cut flowers, handmade soaps, and more. http://www.williamsburgfarmersmarket.com/
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