REGIONAL
Schola Cantorum
(757) 623-1862, 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) 282-2822, www.virginiaartsfestival.com
This annual spring and summer event has a stellar lineup of music, theater and dance performances spread throughout Hampton Roads.
Virginia Ballet Theater
(757) 622-4822, www.virginiaballettheatre.com
This ballet company has sent dancers on to such notable groups as the Dance Theatre of Harlem and Twyla Tharp Dance. The company's performances take place at Chrysler Hall, the TCC Roper Performing Arts Center and the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts.
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.
The Virginia Symphony Orchestra
(757) 892-6366, www.virginiasymphony.org
The Virginia Symphony Orchestra, one of the top symphony orchestras in the nation, performs about 140 concerts a year, including classical, pop music, family and educational programs as well as joint performances with the Virginia Opera and the Virginia Ballet at venues around Hampton Roads and beyond. Concerts this year include pop music (a tribute to Motown and to Disney music), the classics ("All Beethoven") and family-friendly fare such as "The Symphony Express."
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
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
201 E. Brambleton Ave., (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.
40th Street Stage
809 W. 40th St., (757) 423-4084, www.40thstreetstage.com
40th Street hosts performances by theater companies, improv groups and children's theater and adult comedy troupes. Resident companies include Source Theatre, Bold Girls, Bucket of Monkeys and The Children's Theatre of Hampton Roads. Upcoming plays include the psychological thriller "Snake Eyes" in August and Christopher Durang's "Betty's Summer Vacation" in August.
The Generic Theater
912 W. 21st St., (757) 441-2160, www.generictheater.org
Despite its plain-Jane name, the Generic Theater is a distinctive and often untraditional home for productions of all sorts.
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., (757) 623-1223, www.vaopera.org or www.sevenvenues.com
The Edythe C. And Stanley L. Harrison Opera House is home to the Virginia Opera. The opera's 2008-09 season includes "Il Trovatore," "The Elixir of Love," "Tosca" and "The Barber of Seville."
The Hurrah Players
935 Woodrow Ave., (757) 627-5437, www.hurrahplayers.com
This group, which often performs at the Tidewater Community College Jeanne and George Roper Performing Arts Center in Norfolk, is dedicated to providing instruction for children and mounting four main-stage productions with them every season. Upcoming shows include Disney's "High School Musical."
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
This theater puts on a series of dramatic and musical productions. This season includes performances of the comedy "Leading Ladies," the drama " 'Night, Mother" and John Guare's farcical "The House of Blue Leaves."
NORFOLK
Chamber Consort
(757) 623-5531, www.ncconsort.org
This year, the chamber group celebrates its 40th anniversary and welcomes a new artistic director. The group plays both classical and modern music, performing 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 site of hockey games 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. Upcoming acts include Teddy Geiger, Badfish, Gov't Mule and The Black Keys.
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
361 W. 35th St., (757) 469-0337, www.generictheater.org
A sister to the Generic Theater, this Park Place venue is an informal, cafe-style home to poetry slams, open-mic nights and play readings. It now has an outdoor stage, which aims to host musical events and larger shows.
Virginia Stage Company at the Wells Theatre
108 E. Tazewell St., (757) 627-1234, www.vastage.com
The restored Beaux-Arts beauty of Wells Theatre, 254 Granby St., won it recognition as a National Historic Landmark. The theater hosts comedies, dramas and musicals every year, staged by the Virginia Stage Company.
PORTSMOUTH
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
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
Little Theatre of Virginia Beach
550 Barberton Drive (at 24th Street), (757) 428-9233, www.homestead.com/ltvbonline
This theater near the Oceanfront is dedicated to providing theatrical entertainment, featuring local talent, at an affordable price.
Neptune's Park
31st Street, Oceanfront, www.31ocean.com
This park at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront hosts a free annual summer concert series. The 2008 lineup includes Carbon Leaf, Hotel California, Edgar Winter and The Knack.
Sandler Center for the Performing Arts
201 Market St., (757) 385-ARTS, www.sandlercenter.org
This performance hall boasts excellent acoustics and a comfortable interior. Upcoming acts include the Moscow Ballet in December and a series of Virginia Symphony Orchestra performances.
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 Pop 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/venue/getVenue/venueId/1948
The amphitheater is a 20,000-seat outdoor concert venue. Acts this year include the Dave Matthews Band, Tony Hawk's Boom Boom HuckJam, Snoop Dogg and Rascal Flatts.
Virginia Musical Theatre
(757) 340-5446, www.broadwayatthecenter.com
This Virginia Beach group dedicated to musical theater and educational outreach frequently performs at the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts.
NORTH CAROLINA
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
Productions include the comedies "A Nice Family Gathering" and "Kitchen Witches" in the fall.
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. The play runs until Aug. 20; its home, the Waterside Theatre in Manteo, hosts other productions.
ISE OF WIGHT/SOUTHHAMPTON
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
Upcoming shows include "Li'l Abner," "The Dixie Swim Club" and "The King and I."
THE PENINSULA
The American Theatre
125 E. Mellen St., Phoebus section of Hampton, (757) 722-2787, www.theamericantheatre.com
Performances this year include folk musician John McCutcheon and dance and bluegrass group Bill Jenkins & the Virginia Mountain Boys.
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
This venue will host acts ranging from the Little River Band to a performance of "Hamlet" by Shakespeare & Company.
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
Shows scheduled for this year include "Seussical: The Musical" and, on the children's theater schedule, "Stone Soup."
POQUOSON
Island Players
(757) 881-9797, www.pipstheatre.com
This group performs at Poquoson Middle School, 985 Poquoson Ave. The 2008-09 season includes "Blithe Spirit" and "Nunsense II: The Second Coming."
Virginia Shakespeare Festival
Phi Beta Kappa Memorial Hall, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, (757) 221-2674, www.wm.edu/vsf
Performances this season include "The Taming of the Shrew," "Othello" and "The Complete History of America (abridged)."
EASTERN SHORE
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
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