Events

The slave ship Whydah began her short life in London, England, in 1715. Less than two years later, now a pirate ship, she sank to the ocean floor off Cape Cod. Using artifacts recovered from the wreck, "Real Pirates: The Untold Story of the Whydah from Slave Ship to Pirate Ship" reveals the true story behind this vessel. This new exhibition tells the story of the crew of a real pirate ship that started as a slave ship—and gives some insights into the violence and idealism of early eighteenth century piracy.

Leiber and Stoller, as much as anyone, virtually invented rock ‘n’ roll, and now their songs provide the basis for an electrifying entertainment that illuminates a golden age of American culture. In an idealized ‘50s setting, the classic themes of love won, lost and imagined blend with hilarious set-pieces and slice-of-life emotions. Featuring nearly 40 of the greatest songs ever recorded, Smokey Joe’s Café isn't just great pop music – it's compelling musical theatre. Musical numbers include: “Stand By Me,” “On Broadway,” “Under The Boardwalk,” “Kansas City,” “Don Juan,” “Yakety Yak,” “Poison Ivy,” “Little Egypt,” “Spanish Harlem” and “I’m a Woman.” $15. Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 2:30 p.m.

Enjoy three different shows! Virginia Skies, an interactive program with a staff astronomer taking you on a tour of the current skies; The Art of the Hubble, exploring the stunning images taken by the Hubble Space Telescope and beyond and The Friendly Skies, an interactive introduction to astronomy for preschoolers. Members, $2 (without voucher); non-members, $4 plus museum admission: adults, $15; children (3-12), $12. (Wednesday to Sunday); Call for show information

Now in its 14th season, the festival will again present renowned artists from around the world, as well as selected regional arts groups. Classical music, jazz, ballet, modern dance and musical theater will be performed along with the festival’s signature event, the Virginia International Tattoo (April 30 – May 2). Performance times and admission costs vary by event. Address: Various locations in Newport News and the Tidewater/Hampton Roads region

The Tattoo is a military performance with a cast of over 700 performers representing countries from all over the world. It is a ceremonial display of marching bands and other performing groups.

The Annual PANorama Caribbean Music Fest celebrates the music and culture of the Caribbean. And if it's Caribbean, it's probably rooted in the steel band! And if it's Caribbean, it has to take place outside! So, what better place than the beautiful Virginia Beach oceanfront? The weekend is filled with workshops for participating bands, a mass steel band performance, steel drum competitions, followed by the Festival Grand Champion and one of the world's leading Steel Bands. Enjoy the music from the Steel Bands, Soca, Reggae and More! PANorama Caribbean Music Fest is part of the annual Virginia Arts Festival and is co-presented by BeachEvents.

Raise a glass...a stein...a mug to toast the return of this much anticipated Hampton Roads'-style tradition! For connoisseurs of brews of all types, this popular festival favorite brings together in one place fine beers from nearly three-dozen domestic and international breweries. And for friends seeking a Saturday or Sunday afternoon full of fun, this beer and music festival is the perfect spring celebration. Beer Tasters (age 21+) - $25 advance, $30 day of Non-tasters (age 13+) - $15 Table of 8, $320 – advance purchase required

Get ready to cross a threshold of disbelief as the stars of Theatre of Illusion, Kevin and Cindy Spencer, dazzle you with their entertaining stage magic and breath-taking illusion. The Spencers combine theatrical elements with cutting-edge illusions, puzzling feats of legerdemain, lighting and music. And be prepared to experience their magic yourself, because they don’t just want you to sit there and watch – they want you to participate, so bring the kids. What the Spencers create is “theatre” in the truest sense of the word and a powerful theatrical experience that you will never forget! The 37,000 members of the International Magicians Society (the largest magic organization in the world) have just named The Spencers as the 2009 recipients of the International Magician of the Year, the highest honor awarded in the magic community, equivalent to an Oscar or an Emmy.

Held in Virginia Beach’s charming farm community, this annual strawberry celebration features plenty of plump, fresh strawberries, a parade, musical entertainment, 4-H displays, a large carnival, children’s activity area and more than 100 arts and crafts vendors.

The festival kicks off on Friday with the Parade of Sails, featuring Tall Ships from around the world sailing down the Elizabeth River for a 2 hour parade. Groups can meander through the park watching the parade from land, or sail on the Elizabeth River and watch the parade on one of Norfolk’s many harbor cruises. Enjoy live music, delicious food and fabulous artwork. Finish off Saturday night in Town Point Park for a dazzling fireworks display on the Norfolk waterfront. Tall Ships are open for visitation during certain times for guests to walk aboard the decks and meet sailors from around the world. www.festeventsva.org

The Annual Boardwalk Art Show & Festival, held in each June in Virginia Beach attracts nearly 300,000 art lovers in a weekend-long festival of art and entertainment. The festival has become one of the most popular in Virginia and is rated one of the Top 15 fine art shows in the country by Sunshine Artist Magazine. With more than 300 international artists and craftsman display their works of art from 17th Street to 32nd Street. Handcrafted jewelry, vibrant paintings, unique sculptures, and remarkable photography are displayed, with the Atlantic Ocean providing a magnificent backdrop. The event offers a great opportunity for groups to enjoy the beach scenery, stroll along Virginia Beach's impressive three-mile long boardwalk, and soak in the sun and culture of some of the region's finest artisans. Visitors can enjoy mouthwatering food and free entertainment at the popular stages along the boardwalk. The Annual Boardwalk Art Show & Festival is free and open to the public. Please visit vbfun.com or www.cacv.org for more information.

An outdoor, non-alcoholic, family-oriented event that features nonstop entertainment. A marketplace with over 70 vendors displaying & selling their art, crafts etc. Live entertainment throughout the day. Food vendors selling plenty of ethnic foods. Sponsored by Peninsula Association of Sickle Cell Anemia and The African American Commemorative Committee. $2 donation

Celebrating 43 years of music, the Hampton Jazz Festival attracts the nation's top blues, soul, pop, and jazz performers. Music lovers from all over the country make a pilgrimage every year for this talent filled weekend. Hampton Coliseum. June 25 & 26 7:30pm, June 27 2 pm Sunday

Celebrating Hampton’s 400th Anniversary & Hampton Founder’s Day Set sail for Hampton’s Pirate Festival where living history and family fun goes hand-in-hand. Immerse yourself in early 1700s Hampton with Blackbeard’s Ball, live entertainment, pirate encampment, children’s activities, sea battles, fireworks and more, as Hampton reenacts and celebrates the demise of Blackbeard, one of the fiercest pirates ever known, and Hampton’s 400th anniversary.

Celebrating its 28th year, this annual festival is a combination of free entertainment on two stages, a family friendly area with a children’s stage, rides for kids under twelve, 40 booths of interactive educational fun that encourages stewardship of the Chesapeake Bay, 100 Arts & Crafts booths, 35 food vendors, and one of the longest fireworks displays in the area.

An African-American cultural celebration. NTELOS Wireless Pavilion.

Join the U.S. Navy in celebrating our nation’s freedom and 100 years of powered flight with the award-winning air show at the Naval Air Station Oceana. Enjoy thrilling aerobatics from the world’s finest civilian performers, as well as the heavy metal of the U.S. military including Top Gun’s F-14 Tomcat and F/A-18 Hornet, not to mention breathtaking performances by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels.

A boisterous and beloved send off to summer, the Neptune Festival offers everything from wine tasting and world-class sandcastle competition to arts and crafts along the boardwalk, and the famous Neptune Parade.

Takes spectators on a guided walking tour past the haunted houses and mysterious creaking mansions of Olde Towne.

Over 250 animated nautical and holiday themed light displays along the boardwalk! Festive fish, jumping dolphins, frolicking porpoises-all illuminated by thousands of tiny bright colored lights. Sailboats gently rocking in the wind and mermaids calling to “landlubbers,” complete the 31 blocks of nautical themed for this unique light display. Tour includes a complimentary DVD with special Christmas music.

The Coleman Garden Nursery Yuletide displays began in the mid-1960s when owner, A. J. “Junie” Lancaster was inspired by the animated Disneyland exhibit at the New York World’s Fair. Coleman’s first figure was a sleeping Santa. Over the years, several hundred figures were added. Visit the Courthouse Galleries and share the holiday attraction with family and friends. Every weekend offers crafts, music and activities. Special Opening Weekend: Friday, Nov. 19, 5-9p.m.; Sat. Nov. 20, 10a.m. - 9p.m. and Sun., Nov. 21, 12 - 8 p.m. Opening Day: Fri., Nov. 26, 10a.m. - 9p.m. Courthouse Galleries, Main and Entrance Galleries and Courtyard, High and Court streets. 757-393-8543.

Recognized as a Top 100 event in the United States by the American Bus Association.