It’s gonna be on the chilly side, but it’ll still be a perfect (and busy!) weekend, Hampton Roads.
Almost every city is going to have fun for everyone, and experiences range from the pricey show tickets to the absolutely free.
And don’t forget, the VA Beach Polar Plunge Festival is going down this weekend! You probably know someone crazy enough and charitable enough to strip down to their bathing suit to charge into the Atlantic for a good cause. Even if you’re not taking a dip… think of the people watching!
All Weekend
Hampton
Friday-Saturday/Monster Jam/Hampton Coliseum
Monster Jam starring the biggest performers on four wheels: Monster Jam trucks! The twelve-feet-tall, ten-thousand-pound machines will bring you to your feet, racing and ripping up a custom-designed track full of obstacles to soar over – OR smash through. The 2016 touring season brings more Monster Jam excitement tailored perfectly for your family’s budget, and these colorful, larger-than-life beasts are sure to capture the hearts of both young and old.
Click here for tickets and more information
Friday-Sunday/DINOSAURS! A Family Adventure/Hampton Roads Convention Center
Venture back to a time when the dinosaurs roamed the earth at DINOSAURS! A Family Adventure. Experience up-close encounters with a lifelike Stegosaurus, Velociraptor and the king T-Rex in this walk-thru exhibit. Kids become junior paleontologists as they dig for fossils in the Valley of the Bones. Visit the Kid’s Adventure Zone filled with themed bouncy houses, crafts and more. It’s family fun of prehistoric proportions!
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Newport News
Through Saturday/Newport News Restaurant Week/Various Locations
Saturday-Sunday/Free Admission Weekend/Peninsula Fine Arts Center
View our exhibits and explore PFAC’s Hands on for Kids Gallery, Gallery Shop and Sculpture Garden for free on the first weekend of every month, thanks to the generous support of the Noland Memorial Foundation.
Click here for programs and more information
Norfolk
Starting Friday/Romeo and Juliet/Harrison Opera House
A lush new production of Gounod’s classic opera Romeo and Juliet will immerse you in sparkling duets and lovely waltzes, based on the Shakespeare play of the same title. From the opening scenes when Romeo first sets eyes on Juliet – the story of true love and deception, joy and tragedy, unravels toward a heartbreaking certainty that this story cannot end well. A classic for lovers of all ages, Romeo and Juliet reminds us that love does, indeed, conquer time and space.
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Friday-Saturday/Turn up the Lights: Old School Variety Show/Push Comedy Theater
Step back…to a time when Live Television was the King and Variety was the love of his life. Brad, Sean, Ed and Alba take on four short comedic plays about the absurdities of showbiz. This extravaganza has something for everyone including Comedy, Drama, Mystery, the Ultimate Escape Artist, Motown & much More!
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All Weekend/The Hampton Years/Wells Theatre
The Hampton Years explores the empowering nature of art through the journey of two students and their professors. Set at Hampton Institute (now Hampton University) in the 1940s, the production examines society’s expectations surrounding African American artists. Based on the true story of students John Biggers and Samella Sanders, The Hampton Years follows their struggle to find their unique voices.
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Virginia Beach
Friday-Saturday/VA Beach Polar Plunge Festival/Oceanfront
Come chill with us at the Polar Plunge Festival, Feb. 5-6 between 30th – 32nd Streets in Virginia Beach. This year, we’re back and better than ever at a brand new host location – the Hilton Oceanfront Hotel. In addition to chilly dips in the ocean, we’re also serving up a brand new 4 Miler Run/Walk and a 1 Mile Dash & Splash!
Click here for more information
Friday-Sunday/Virginia Flower and Garden Expo 2016/Virginia Beach Convention Center
Produced by the Virginia Horticultural Foundation and Pilot Targeted Media, the Expo promotes horticultural education for everyone from professionals to the weekend enthusiast. This is the one time each year when Hampton Roads residents can get information on virtually every aspect related to flowers and gardening, at a single climate-controlled location. Experts and knowledgeable professionals will be there to discuss plants, plans, products and practices. More than a hundred vendors, exhibitors and displayers provide guests countless ideas and products they can use.
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Ongoing/The Game’s Afoot (or Holmes for the Holidays)/Little Theater of Virginia Beach
It is December 1936 and Broadway star William Gillette, admired the world over for his leading role in the play Sherlock Holmes, has invited his fellow cast-members to his Connecticut castle for a weekend of revelry. But when one of the guests is stabbed to death, the festivities in this isolated house of tricks and mirrors quickly turn dangerous. Then it’s up to Gillette himself, as he assumes the persona of his beloved Holmes, to track down the killer before the next victim appears. The danger and hilarity are non-stop in this glittering whodunit set during the Christmas holidays.
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Williamsburg
Ongoing/The Williamsburg Players: Romantic Comedy
Arrogant, self-centered and sharp tongued Jason Carmichael, successful co-author of Broadway romantic comedies, is facing two momentous events: he is about to marry a society belle and his collaborator is retiring. Enter Phoebe Craddock, Vermont schoolteacher and budding playwright. Quicker than a flash, Jason acquires a talented and adoring collaborator in the mousy Phoebe. Fame and success are theirs for ten years and then Jason’s world falls apart. His wife divorces him to go into politics and Phoebe, her love for Jason unrequited, marries a breezy journalist and moves to Paris. Jason goes into professional, financial and physical decline as a newly chic Phoebe returns, solo and successful. A darling of a play…zesty entertainment of cool wit and warm sentiment.
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Friday
Newport News
6 p.m.-10 p.m./Bacchus Wine & Food Festival/Virginia Living Museum
Enjoy delicious samplings of fine wine, craft beer, local restaurant fare and an eclectic mix of live music and entertainment, all at the Virginia Living Museum’s 12th annual Bacchus Wine & Food Festival.
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8 p.m./Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes/Ferguson Center
Two rock ‘n’ roll mainstay bands are gonna hit our stage and lay down some riffs that will have the joint jumpin’! These “two” are no strangers to each other as they provided guest vocals on Umbrella In My Drink. Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes come from the same neck of the woods as other great Jersey bands — “The Shore.” Reared on blues and R&B, he was surrounded by a rich musical family environment — heck — even his nickname stems from his bent toward the Blues sounds of the Southside of Chicago!
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Norfolk
5 p.m./First Fridays in the NEON/Work|Release
Doors & Happy Hour at 5 p.m., live performance starts at 7:00pm
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7 p.m./Maggie Says/The NorVa
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7:15 p.m./“Her Melody Lingers On” Benefit Concert/Chandler Recital Hall ODU
This year’s concert will be terrific, with jazz piano duets by Justin Kauflin and John Toomey. Justin Kauflin is produced by Quincy Jones, touring internationally and is featured in the documentary “Keep on Keepin On” about Clark Terry. There will be a silent auction before the concert and at intermission, complimentary light refreshments and beverages throughout the evening, and a cash bar.
Admission is only $15 ($10 for students)
8 p.m./Alex Bugnon/Attucks Theatre
For the last two decades, contemporary jazz keyboardist Alex Bugnon has been a romantic yet energetic force on the contemporary jazz scene – an ambassador from the last days of the Quiet Storm in possession of chameleonic skills befitting him as a straight ahead jazz piano leader and soul as a sideman.
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Saturday
Newport News
4:30 p.m.-5:15 p.m./Follow the Drinking Gourd/Virginia Living Museum
“Follow the Drinking Gourd” takes us back to the days when freedom was nothing more than a dream for those held in slavery. Some looked for hope to a certain constellation with its bright shining star. The story is a poignant and inspiring tale of one African-American family’s desperate flight to freedom and how they used constellations to guide the way. The program is based on a children’s book, “Follow the Drinking Gourd,” written and illustrated by Jeanette Winter. This production incorporates historical images from the local region, Winter’s original artwork and music by Lovey Williams into a timeless experience that can be enjoyed by all ages.
FREE
Norfolk
10 a.m./Brick by Brick: LEGO Shipbuilding Challenge/Hampton Roads Naval Museum
Calling all LEGO enthusiasts! Kids and adults can create their own ship models out of LEGOs and bring them to HRNM to participate in our LEGO shipbuilding contest. Or, use our LEGOs and learn how to make LEGO Navy ships from the keel up, like the spy ship USS Liberty. We also have tons of other fun LEGO-related activities. Everyone ages four and older can participate in our LEGO Shipbuilding contest to win fun prizes.
FREE
1 p.m./Hallowed Grounds- A Sacred Concert: Good Life Band/Blyden Branch, NPL
The Good Life Band will perform an original composition by its leader, Reginald Walker. The theme is predicated on the spiritual uplifting and perseverance of his ancestral roots. The band has provided quality live music for more than 20 years.
2 p.m./Legacies Matter: Moses Grandy and Moses Myers/Chrysler Museum
How did Moses Grandy, an enslaved Great Dismal Swamp waterman, know Moses Myers, a wealthy ship merchant? Eric Sheppard, a Grandy descendant, takes us through his family heritage and how these two maritime families navigated slavery in the South.
FREE
7 p.m./The Expendables/The NorVa
The Expendables: Winter Blackout 2016
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7 p.m./Catey Shaw/Work|Release
returns to Hampton Roads to perform and you’re invited to take part in the festivities. Work|Release (759 Granby Street) is our meeting spot for a night of fun and excitement. Come one, come all, invite your friends and cop your tickets! This is going to be epic!
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7 p.m.-9 p.m./Invencia Piano Duo/Hermitage Museum and Gardens
Be our distinguished guest! Enjoy the intimate setting of a recital in the Hermitage’s Great Hall this winter and experience a program akin to what the Sloane family may have offered. Our second annual series will feature performances on our custom Steinway baby grand Piano accompanied by vocalists and other instruments. Visitors are invited to arrive early to browse the collection, mingle and enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres from Omar’s Carriage House and drinks available for purchase. The performance will begin at 7 pm in the Great Hall and will include a 20 minute intermission
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7 p.m.-9 p.m./Jennifer Bueno and Rachel Schmidt Exhibition Opening/Glass Wheel Studio
‘Dioramas for the Anthropocene’ by Jennifer Bueno. Bueno’s work combines the material of glass with satellite imagery in a way that alters perspective and shifts sensorial experience. ‘Apocaloptimist: A Future True Story’ by Rachel Schmidt. Apocaloptimist [Apah-cal-Op-tuh-mist] n. Someone who know things will go to s#!*, but still believes it will work out for the best. ‘Apocaloptimist: A Future True Story’ is an exploration of myths created in a constantly expanding urban wilderness. Glass Wheel Studio is a contemporary art facility located in the heart of The NEON, Norfolk’s Arts District.
8 p.m./Virginia Symphony Orchestera: Beethoven Festival/Wilder Performing Arts Center
Prisca Benoît—the resident musician for Sentara’s Music and Medicine program—once again joins the Virginia Symphony for an all-Beethoven program featuring Beethoven’s emotional and thematic Symphony No. 3, the valiant and expansive Choral Fantasy and the heroic and triumphant Egmont Overture.
Click here for tickets and more information
Portsmouth
11 a.m.. 1 p.m./The Hurrah Players Family Theater: “Once on this Island”/Children’s Museum of Virginia
Segment performances of Once on This Island, a classic play in African American theater. Included with museum admission.
Click here for more information
1 p.m./Local Author Discussion: Ronnie Nelson Sydney, “Nelson Beats the Odds”/Portsmouth Main Library
Patrons will be inspired by Ronnie Nelson Sydney as he discusses his rise from being a special education student to obtaining his Master’s degree during a reading of his new book Nelson Beats the Odds. FREE and open to the public.
Smithfield
8 a.m./Second Annual Mardi Gras Run4Beads/Downtown Smithfield
The only Mardi Gras Run & Festival in the Hampton Roads area! Dress up in your favorite Mardi Gras costume and run in the Geaux for the Gold 10K, Fat Tuesday 5K or the Crawfish Crawl 1K! Runners (or walkers) of all levels are welcome. The Crawl is designed for groups with young children. After the run, enjoy delicious refreshments and great jazz music at the Mardi Gras Festival downtown. The Festival is open to the public.
Click here for tickets and more information
Suffolk
1 p.m.-4 p.m./African American History Month Craft Fair/North Suffolk Library
Purchase unique handmade gifts directly from artists and crafters at the African American History Month Craft Fair. The Craft Fair will give people who love to create a venue to showcase their beautiful wares and also offer a chance to demonstrate to the public how the crafts are fashioned.
FREE
Virginia Beach
7:50 p.m./Big Screen Saturday: Rainman/Virginia Aquarium
Selfish yuppie Charlie Babbitt’s father left a fortune to his institutionalized savant brother Raymond and a pittance to Charlie; they travel cross-country in search of a new home and a new intimacy.
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Williamsburg
11 a.m./Follow Me: An Adventure with the Tuskegee Airmen/Williamsburg Players
Follow the dreams of a young boy as he wants to help others by flying in the sky. Eventually his dreams come true as he follows a path set by Harriet Tubman, flier Bessie Coleman, educator Booker T. Washington, and runner Jesse Owens. In the end, he creates a path of his own that leads to the success of others.
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7 p.m./W&M Botetourt Chamber Singers present L-O-V-E/The Kimball Theatre
Just in time for Valentine’s Day under the direction of Dr. Jamie C. Bartlett, these talented singers thrill with a wide variety of duets, trios, and group performances of Broadway and movie standards. Special guest Harris Simon plays harmonica and jazz piano. Every ticket sold goes to support student scholarship funding for the International Choral Tour ’16.
Adults $15, Students $5
Click here for tickets and more information
Sunday
Norfolk
1 p.m./Gallery Talk: African American Art and Influences in the Chrysler Collection/Chrysler Museum
Meet at the Welcome Desk in Huber Court at 1 p.m. for an informal guided tour of the Chrysler Collection. Today we present a special docent-led tour in honor of Black History Month that focuses on great works of art from African American artists. This tour is free and open to all.
FREE
3 p.m./Hallowed Grounds: Site of Memory in Hampton Roads/Slover Library
Opening celebration of African American History Month at the Norfolk Public Libraries. NPL honors five distinguished African-Americans and groups who have made unique contributions to the African-American community in Hampton Roads.
FREE
Portsmouth
2 p.m./Children’s Theatre of Hampton Roads: Freedom Song/Barry Robinson Theater and Fine Arts Center
The story of America and African Americans is a story of hope, inspiration, and unwavering courage. Freedom Song tells the story of the immense challenges and the important contributions of African-Americans throughout history. Best for ages five and up.
$5 at the door
Virginia Beach
1 p.m./Mini-Make it with MOCA/Virginia MOCA
Swim through a world of wonder and discover creatures lurking from beyond the depths of our oceans. Use your imagination and create slimy sea sculptures with fishy features using recycled bottles. Make art, relax, and have fun with family and friends at MOCA. This family workshop is open to ages 5 and up of all levels of experience who are interested in making something by hand and having a fun Sunday afternoon!
Members $10, Nonmembers $15
Williamsburg
4 p.m./The Williamsburg Youth Orchestra in Concert/Kimball Theatre
A varied program featuring both string and symphony orchestras. The WYO symphony is led by Mr. David Grandis while the three string orchestras, led by Mrs. Karey Sitzler, showcase the talents of students ranging in age from six to 16. WYO proudly presents the collective musical efforts of 80 young musicians. See www.wyomusic.org for more info.
Adults, $10, Children and Students, $2.
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