Discover Hampton Roads Cultural and Performing Arts

REGIONAL GROUPS

 
Bellissima!   
(757) 481-7332    www.bellissimachorale.org
This group is a women's choral ensemble that perform 2 concert series each year (spring and fall) in various venues around the region.

Schola Cantorum
(757) 463-1421, www.schola-cantorum.org
This group performs choral music by early to contemporary classical composers at venues all over Hampton Roads.

Tidewater Classical Guitar Society
(757) 627-6229, www.tcgs.cx
This group, dedicated to music for guitars and related instruments, puts on several concert series.

Tidewater Winds
www.tidewaterwinds.org
This group performs throughout the region and is dedicated to preserving the American concert band tradition established by John Philip Sousa.

Virginia Arts Festival
(757) 282-2800, www.virginiaartsfestival.com
This annual spring and summer event has a stellar lineup of music, theater and dance performances spread throughout Hampton Roads.
 
Ballet Virginia International
(757) 446-1401, www.balletvirginia.org; for tickets: (888) 3-COX-TIX or www.coxtix.com
This ballet company has locations in Norfolk and Virginia Beach. It offers classes through an academy as well as professional performances throughout the region. Visit the website for schedules of both classes and performances.

Virginia Chorale
(757) 627-8375, www.vachorale.org
This professional choral ensemble, known for its skill with a cappella songs, performs and offers educational programs. Performances take place around Hampton Roads.

Virginia Beach Chorale
www.virginiabeachchorale.org
A volunteer singing group, the chorale does two main performances each year, plus benefits. The group is under the direction of Don Krudop, who is also the director of choral music education at Virginia Beach’s Visual & Performing Arts Academy at Salem High School.

The Virginia Symphony Orchestra
(757) 892-6366, www.virginiasymphony.org
The Virginia Symphony Orchestra, one of the top symphony orchestras in the nation, performs more than 100 concerts a year, including classical, pop music, family and educational programs as well as joint performances with the Virginia Opera and the Virginia Ballet.

Young Audiences of Virginia
(800) 314-ARTS or (757) 466-7555, www.yav.org
This statewide nonprofit group has grown to become the largest arts-in-education organization in Virginia. Young Audiences puts on performances and educational programs in schools, museums, community centers, parks and libraries around the state.

NORFOLK VENUES

Attucks Theatre
1010 Church St., (757) 622-4763, www.attuckstheatre.org
Once known as the "Apollo of the South," the Attucks Theatre has been fully restored to its original splendor as a performing arts center. Now, it's a popular venue for concerts, speakers, theatrical performances and films.

Chrysler Hall
215 St. Paul’s Blvd., (757) 664-6464, www.sevenvenues.com
With 2,500 seats, Chrysler Hall hosts Virginia Symphony concerts and several Broadway plays each year through Broadway Across America.

The Generic Theater
215 St. Paul’s Blvd., (757) 441-2160, www.generictheater.org
The Generic Theater offers a distinctive and often nontraditional home for productions of all sorts, including musicals, comedy and a local “Capitol Steps”-style political revue.

Granby Theater
421 Granby St., (757) 961-7208, www.granbytheater.com
Built around 1915, this 15,000-square-foot theater has been renovated into a multifaceted entertainment area, home to a nightclub and concert hall.

Harrison Opera House and the Virginia Opera
160 E. Virginia Beach Blvd., (866) 673-7282, www.vaopera.org or www.sevenvenues.com
The 2010-11 season will be composed of these four operas: “Rigoletto,” “Cosi fan tutte,” “The Valkyrie” and “Madame Butterfly.”

The Hurrah Players
935 Woodrow Ave., (757) 627-5437, www.hurrahplayers.com
This group, which often performs at the TCC Jeanne and George Roper Performing Arts Center in Norfolk, provides instruction for children and mounts productions with them. Upcoming shows include “Hurrah for the Holidays,” “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” Disney’s “The Little Mermaid,” “Hairspray,” and “Hurrah for Broadway.”

L. Douglas Wilder Performing Arts Center
700 Park Ave., (757) 823-2063, www.nsu.edu
This performing arts center on the campus of Norfolk State University is host to a variety of events.

The Little Theatre of Norfolk
801 Claremont Ave., (757) 627-8551, ltnonline.org
The 2010-11 season includes performances of the musical revue “Forbidden Broadway,” the legal thriller “A Few Good Men,” Oscar Wilde’s classic “The Importance of Being Earnest,” the lyrical masterpiece “Dancing at Lughnasa,” and the Broadway musical sensation “Into the Woods.”

Norfolk Chamber Consort
(757) 622-4542 or 683-5896, www.ncconsort.org
This chamber group plays classical and modern music, with an emphasis on lesser-known works and forgotten masterpieces. The consort performs at Old Dominion University’s Diehn Fine and Performing Arts Building and other locations.

Scope
201 E. Brambleton Ave., (757) 664-6464, www.sevenvenues.com
This downtown Norfolk venue is the home of the Norfolk Admirals hockey team and also hosts concerts, plays and other special events.

The NorVa
317 Monticello Ave., Concert line: (757) 627-4500; box office(757) 627-4547, www.thenorva.com
About 1,500 fans can fill the intimate three-floor hall that has hosted the best acts in funk, punk and rock 'n' roll.

TCC Jeanne and George Roper Performing Arts Center
340 Granby St., (757) 822-1450, www.tcc.edu/roper
Tidewater Community College created this home for the performing arts in an old movie theater. Now, it features not just movies but also concerts and live theater performances.

Ted Constant Convocation Center
4320 Hampton Blvd., (757) 683-5762, constantcenter.com
Nicknamed "The Ted," Old Dominion University's basketball arena is more than a place to watch college hoops. The center also has become a hot entertainment venue.

Todd Rosenlieb Dance
325 Granby St., (757) 626-3262, www.trdance.org
This dance studio offers classes and training for dancers. The center also presents productions, sometimes collaborating with organizations such as the Virginia Opera and the Virginia Symphony Orchestra.

Town Point Park
120 W. Main St., www.festeventsva.org
Located on the waterfront, Town Point Park is host to more than 100 days of free special events each year. The lineup includes a regular Friday after-work concert series, Norfolk's annual Harborfest celebration and the Bayou Boogaloo & Cajun Food Festival.

The Venue at 35th
631 W. 35th St., (757) 469-0337, www.venue-35.com
This venue in the Park Place neighborhood is an informal, cafe-style home to poetry slams, open-mic nights and play readings, with the goal of showcasing local talent. It also has an outdoor stage on an adjacent lot.

Virginia Stage Company at the Wells Theatre
110 E. Tazewell St., (757) 627-6988, www.vastage.com
The theater hosts comedies, dramas and musicals every year, staged by the Virginia Stage Company. Coming in the 2010-11 season: “The Diary of Anne Frank,” the world premiere of “The New Pink; An Implausible Comedy,” “A Christmas Carol,”  the world premiere of Bruce Hornsby’s “SCKBSTD,” “The Last 5 Years,” and “Radio Golf.

PORTSMOUTH VENUES

nTelos Wireless Pavilion
901 Crawford St., (757) 393-8181, www.pavilionconcerts.com
This venue has 3,500 covered seats and 3,000 more on the lawn. For VIPs, there are luxury boxes with waiter service.

Willett Hall Performing Arts Theater
3701 Willett Drive, (757) 393-5144, www.willetthall.com
Willett Hall has attracted performers as diverse as Penn and Teller, George Carlin and the Harlem Boys Choir. The theater is an intimate setting, with the back-row seats only 175 feet from the stage. Willett Hall is home to the performances scheduled by Portsmouth Community Concerts. For information, (757) 686-5447, www.portsmouthcommunityconcerts.com.

SUFFOLK VENUES

Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts
110 W. Finney Ave., (757) 923-0003, www.suffolkcenter.org
A renovated high school, this building is home to art classes as well as a schedule of concerts, comedy shows and other performances.

VIRGINIA BEACH VENUES

Little Theatre of Virginia Beach
550 Barberton Drive (at 24th Street), (757) 428-9233, www.ltvb.com
This theater near the Oceanfront is dedicated to providing theatrical entertainment that features local talent at an affordable price. Among this year’s offerings is the hilarious “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” as well as “Rabbit Hole” and “Picnic.”

Neptune's Park
31st Street, Oceanfront, www.31ocean.com
This park at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront hosts a free annual summer concert series. The 2010 lineup includes Vertical Horizon, Cowboy Mouth and The Smithereens.

Sandler Center for the Performing Arts
201 Market St., (757) 385-ARTS, www.sandlercenter.org
Upcoming performances include the Moscow Ballet in December and a summer series of free Wednesday night concerts in the outdoor plaza.

Symphonicity, the Symphony Orchestra of Virginia Beach
(757) 671-8611, www.vbso.org
This orchestra performs at the Sandler Center, Virginia Beach’s 24th Street Park and other venues. Annual events include “The Messiah” Sing-Along and an outdoor summer Pops series.

Tidewater Friends of Folk Music
(757) 626-FOLK, www.tffm.org
This volunteer group promotes blues, bluegrass, Celtic and old-time music, putting together concerts at the Virginia Beach Central Library, 4100 Virginia Beach Blvd., and other locations.

Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater
3550 Cellar Door Way, (757) 368-3000, www.livenation.com/Virginia-Beach-Amphitheater-tickets-Virginia-Beach/venue/8370
The amphitheater is a 20,000-seat outdoor concert venue. Upcoming acts include Tim McGraw, Kiss and Dave Matthews Band.

Virginia Musical Theatre
(757) 340-5446, www.broadwayatthecenter.com
This Virginia Beach group is dedicated to musical theater and educational outreach, and frequently performs at the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts. Upcoming performances for the 2010-11 season include “Man of La Mancha,” “Holiday Melody: The New Edition,” “Annie,” and “Oklahoma!”

NORTH CAROLINA VENUES

Elizabeth City State University Floyd L. Robinson Auditorium
1704 Weeksville Road, Elizabeth City, (252) 335-3317
Hosts plays and other performances.

Encore Theatre Company, Main Street Stage
609 E. Main St., Elizabeth City, (252) 338-3382, www.encoretheatre.org

The Lost Colony/Waterside Theatre
The Lost Colony, Waterside Theatre, 1409 National Park Drive, Manteo, (252) 473-3414, www.thelostcolony.org
"The Lost Colony," a dramatic institution that delves into the mystery of the Roanoke Island settlers, returns again this year.

ISE OF WIGHT/SOUTHHAMPTON VENUES

Franklin-Southampton Concert Association
Concerts held at Southampton High School, Courtland, (757) 653-2498
The concert season includes national and international artists.

Smithfield Cultural Arts Center
www.smithfieldarts.org/concerts-SCS.html
Along with the town of Smithfield, this group sponsors free outdoor concerts at 8 p.m. Fridays in the 200 block of Main Street.

Smithfield Little Theatre
210 N. Church St., (757) 357-7338, www.smithfieldlittletheatre.com

THE PENINSULA VENUES

The American Theatre
125 E. Mellen St., Phoebus section of Hampton, (757) 722-2787, www.theamericantheatre.com

Endview Plantation
362 Yorktown Road, Newport News, (757) 887-1862, www.endview.org
This antebellum plantation, home to a Civil War museum, hosts several programs every year.

Ferguson Center for the Arts
1 University Place, Christopher Newport University, Newport News, (757) 594-8752, fergusoncenter.cnu.edu

Hampton Coliseum
1000 Coliseum Drive, Hampton, (757) 838-5650, www.hampton.gov/coliseum
The coliseum hosts a variety of events and is home to the Hampton Jazz Festival.

Lee Hall Mansion
163 Yorktown Road, Newport News, (757) 888-3371, www.leehall.org
Hosts historical and holiday programs.

Peninsula Community Theatre
10251 Warwick Blvd. (corner of Main Street), Newport News, (757) 595-5728, www.peninsulacommunitytheatre.org

POQUOSON VENUES

Island Players
(757) 881-9797, www.pipstheatre.com
This group performs at Poquoson Middle School, 985 Poquoson Ave.

Virginia Shakespeare Festival
Phi Beta Kappa Memorial Hall, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, (757) 221-2674, www.wm.edu/vsf

EASTERN SHORE VENUES

Arts Enter Palace Theatre
305 Mason Ave., Cape Charles, (757) 331-2787, www.artsentercapecharles.org
Housed in a historic theater, the nonprofit group Arts Enter provides performances and classes.

ESO Art Center
15293 King St., Belle Haven, (757) 442-3226, www.esoartscenter.org
Eastern Shore's Own Arts Center, a nonprofit organization, offers classes in the arts, sponsors arts shows and holds monthly cabarets with local musicians.

North Street Playhouse
34 Market St., Onancock, (757) 787-2050, www.northstreetplayhouse.org
This group offers more than 60 performances and events each year.

Orchestra of the Eastern Shore
Onancock, www.orchestraes.org
This intergenerational community orchestra performs concerts several times a year.

- Caroline Luzzatto