Virginia Arts Festival

Celebrate artistry and be delighted by passionate performances at the annual Virginia Arts Festival, going on April 15 - June 6. The festival is held over a period of six weeks in more than a dozen venues throughout the Hampton Roads region. Performances include the best of Broadway, breathtaking ballet, extravagant ballroom, electrifying modern dance and inspiring live concerts. 

Here are some of the acts you can expect to see at this year's festival.

April Events

April 15, 7:30 p.m.  - Garth Fagan Dance
Choreographer Garth Fagan has created a world of evocative dance that blends the precision of ballet, the torso-centered movement of Afro-Caribbean dance, and the imagination of a born artist.

April 16, 8 p.m. - Anoushka Shankar, sitar
Schooled in the ancient intricacies of Indian music by her father, Anoushka Shankar dazzles audiences around the world.

April 16, 8 p.m. - Isabelle Demers, organ

April 17, 10 a.m. - International Children's Festival

April 17, 2 p.m. - Garth Fagan Dance Family Show
Known for his choreography of The Lion King, Garth Fagan creates worlds of inventive and captivating dance. In a performance perfect for all ages, see the company considered one of the "most profound and original in contemporary dance today". (The Star-Ledger)

April 18, 7 p.m. - Music from the Crooked Road
The "Crooked Road," Virginia's Heritage Music Trail, winds through the mountains of Southwest Virginia, where bluegrass and traditional country music have echoed in the hills and hollows for generations. Enjoy an authentic evening of true "old time" music.

April 19, 8 p.m. - Cantus
This all-male vocal ensemble combines innovative programming with heart-felt singing in an evening of a cappella songs in a concert that is sure to move you to your feet at its conclusion.

April 21 - 25 - Reduced Shakespeare Company presents The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)
Prepare to lose it laughing! This three-man comedy troupe is known for taking long, serious subjects and reducing them into short, sharp comedies.

April 23, 8 p.m. and April 24, 8 p.m. - Leonard Bernstein's Mass
To feature more than 200 performers from Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Todd Rosenlieb Dance, Virginia Symphony Chorus, Virginia Children's Chorus and a host of gifted singers!

April 24, 8 p.m. - John Fedchock, Trombone
A Grammy-nominated arranger, this virtuosic trombonist has been on the New York scene for thirty years, receiving high acclaim for his takes on many facets of the jazz idiom, from his own soloing to his ability as a big band leader.

April 27, 7:30 p.m. - David Russell, Guitar
With a library of critically acclaimed recordings and a fan base that spans the globe, this brilliant classical guitarist has won a Grammy Award, been named a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Music in London, and earned the congratulations of guitar master Andres Segovia.

April 28, 7:30 p.m. - Venice Baroque Orchestra
Performing on period instruments, this superb ensemble breathes new life into baroque masterworks. Experience the "joy and sense of discovery" (The Times, London) this ensemble brings!

April 29, 7:30 p.m. - The Republic of Korea Traditional Army Band
Flourishing their brilliantly colored traditional drums in choreography that bristles with the power of martial arts, this spectacular troupe is sure to thrill audiences of all ages.

April 30 - May 2 - Virginia International Tattoo
Watch a cast of performers from six countries in a centuries old Scottish tradition with a 21st century American soul. Each year's Tattoo is different, with new performers from across the globe, new themes of honor and patriotism, and state of the art technical effects which will leave you breathless. What never changes - the spectacle of the massed pipes and drums, a profound sense of pride in country and an awe-inspiring finale.

May Events

May 1, 8 p.m. - Joe Magnarelli, Trumpet
Joe Magnarelli started his career in jazz on a high note, landing recording dates with the likes of Lionel Hampton right out of school, and continued to soon thereafter become a semifinalist in the illustrious Thelonious Monk International Trumpet Competition. From there he went on to play with the Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra, Harry Connick, Jr., and Grant Stewart, and since has expressed his abilities as a leader in five of his own records.

May 2, 7 p.m. and May 3, 7:30 p.m. - Nalmes, Russian Folk Dance Spectacular
Dancers defy gravity in this lavishly costumed troupe whose spirited performances preserve centuries of Russian tradition. See dancers and musicians fill the stage, glittering swords by their sides, exotic, colorful costumes and headpieces in a brilliant kaleidoscope of precisely choreographed, swift patterns that leave the audience breathless.

May 4, 7:30 p.m. - Maurizio Pollini, Piano
One of the lions of the keyboard, this virtuoso stands among the great pianists of this or any century.

May 6, 7:30 p.m. - Cavani String Quartet
One of a select group of chamber ensembles honored with the Naumburg Prize, the Cavani String Quartet has performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, in the great European festivals, and have been seen on NBC, CBS, ABC, and PBS television.

May 7 - 9 - Birmingham Royal Ballet, Under the Patronage of Her Majesty the Queen
This acclaimed English ballet company enchanted Festival-goers in 2007 with its lavish production of The Sleeping Beauty, winning standing ovations from sellout audiences. Now the company returns with another of ballet's great classics, Swan Lake in an exclusive North American engagement.

May 7 - 8 - 8^th Annual PANorama Carribean Music Festival
The 8th annual PANorama Caribbean Music Fest is the only place where you can enjoy great Caribbean music and food while basking in the fresh ocean breezes of the breath-taking Virginia Beach Oceanfront.

May 8, 3 p.m. - Virginia Wind Symphony
This extraordinary ensemble is made up entirely of area music teachers-all experienced instructors at the middle school, high school, and college levels, and all gifted musicians in their own right!

May 8, 8 p.m. - Rich Perry, Saxophone
For years Rich Perry has fronted the tenor sax sects of two of the most praised jazz orchestras on the scene today-the Maria Schneider Orchestra and the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra-both of which have been cited for multiple Grammy nominations and awards.

May 10, 7:30 p.m. - JoAnn Falletta and Women of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra
You may have heard the Virginia Symphony Orchestra in various groupings and configurations, but never like this! This celebration of women in the arts turns the spotlight on the distaff side of the orchestra.

May 12, 7:30 p.m. - African Children's Choir
A celebration of the human spirit, this troupe of orphaned children, aged 7 to 11, travel the world performing songs that ring with hope and promise, raising money for their own education and that of thousands more. Singing, dancing, and performing on traditional instruments, the young performers joyfully share traditions from many regions of Africa, combined with gospel and contemporary music.

May 14, 8 p.m. - Chris Botti, trumpet
Drawing from pop, jazz, classical and other genres, Botti has created his own signature sound, both on his own and in acclaimed collaborations with Sting, Paul Simon, Josh Groban, and Joni Mitchell. Do not procrastinate-when word gets out about this concert, tickets will fly!

May 15, 2 - 6 p.m. - Virginia Beer Festival
A festival of foamy fun! Raise a glass, a stein, a frosty mug to the fine art of beermaking in this popular annual celebration that features live music, food, and of course, great beers from Europe and America, direct from the brewers who proudly produce the best in the world.

March 15, 8 p.m. - Rene Marie, Vocal
While past performances have influenced critics to laud her as being comparable to Ella Fitzgerald, Rene Marie has decidedly molded herself into her own vocal entity within the jazz universe.

May 15, 8 p.m. and May 16, 3 p.m. - Pilobolus Dance Theater
When Pilobolus first burst onto the scene in 1971, this collective of artists/ contortionists/creative innovators defied description and turned the dance world upside down.

May 16, 5 p.m. and May 30, 3 p.m. - Virginia Chorale
This program juxtaposes two masterpiece settings of the Requeim Mass for the beloved medium of the a capella chorus.

May 20, 7:30 p.m. - Orion String Quartet
This acclaimed ensemble "balances beauty with fierce energy, spot-on accuracy, and rich tonal blend" (Detroit Free Press).

May 21, 8 p.m. - Boston Brass
For nearly 25 years, this jovial quintet has created a one-of-a-kind musical experience for audiences, merrily moving from classical works to jazz standards to funk in concerts sparked by lively repartee and touched with humor and personality.

May 22, Noon - 8 p.m. - World Drum Festival
Hear ground-breaking percussionists explore a world of sound in instruments of all timbres, tones, and sizes, with unrivaled showmanship and an adventurous soul!

May 22, 8 p.m. - Music of Queen: A Rock Symphony
From Brent Havens, the creator of the spectacular "Music of Led Zeppelin," comes the newest rock-symphonic celebration! Heightened by rock concert lighting and visual effects, filling the stage with a 50-piece orchestra, rock band, and Vegas star Brody Dolyniuk recreates Freddie Mercury's famous vocals. This show thrills with spot-on tributes to Queen's biggest hits, including "We Will Rock You," "Somebody to Love," "We Are the Champions," and more.

May 23, 3 p.m. - Richmond Ballet: The State Ballet of Virginia
Though its official title is "State Ballet of Virginia," this fluid, beautifully trained company is made up of dancers from around the world. In triumphant performances in New York and Washington, DC, the Richmond Ballet has garnered high praise

May 23, 6 p.m. - André-Michel Schub and Orion String Quartet
"Flawless" pianist (The New York Times) and Virginia Arts Festival Chamber Music Artistic Director André-Michel performs with the one of the most brilliant quartets on the scene today, an ensemble that "balances beauty with fierce energy, spot-on accuracy, and rich tonal blend" (Detroit Free Press).

May 27, 7:30 p.m. - Alisa Weilerstein, Cello
This twenty-something cellist plays with passion that transfixes audiences, drawing awestruck reviews from critics for her recitals and performances with great symphony orchestras around the world.

May 28, 8 p.m. - Béla Fleck, banjo
The Melody of Rhythm with Zakir Hussain, tabla, and Edgar Meyer, double-bass
Banjo virtuoso Béla Fleck mixes traditions and instruments with the joy of a master chef blending spices.

May 29, 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. - An Evening with Kelli O'Hara and Rob Fisher
Share an evening of song with Broadway's favorite ingénue, three-time Tony nominee Kelli O'Hara, and master of all things Broadway, Rob Fisher, founding music director and conductor of the Tony winning Encores! series and such hit musicals as Chicago and Wonderful Town.

May 30, 7 p.m. - Virginia Symphony Orchestra with Alisa Weilerstein, cello and JoAnn Falletta, conductor
Here's an opportunity to hear our fine regional symphony orchestra with a brilliant guest soloist, cellist Alisa Weilerstein-an event that is sure to spur every musician on the stage to new heights of inspired performance.

June Events

June 6, 2 p.m. - Masterworks in the Making, A Concert of Permieres by the Fellows of the John Duffy Composers Institute
Be the first to hear scenes from new works of opera and musical theater, created by some of the most promising composers of this generaion, and performerd for the first time as part of the renowned John Duffy Composers Institute

June 6, 3 p.m. - U.S. Army Band: "Pershing's Own"
Since 1922, this superb ensemble has maintained a tradition of excellence as one of the premier musical organizations of The United States Army.

Don't miss one of the premier cultural events in the Mid-Atlantic. Tickets are on sale now for individual events, and group discounts are available. Visit http://www.virginiaartsfest.com/ for more information on tickets and location.

If you're looking to stay for a weekend while you attend event festivities, check out special hotel discount packages in Chesapeake, Virginia, in the heart of the Hampton Roads area and just a short drive to the most exciting event venues!