The Virginia Arts Festival is in its 23rd season, presenting world class performances throughout Southeastern Virginia.
Among the more than 40 events and performances planned this season, including U.S. artists and performers from around the world, the 2019 season will be full of awe-inspiring and memory making moments, including many ground breaking firsts for the festival, according to a news release from festival organizers.
Among the “firsts” coming this season are two world premiere dance works from Dance Theatre of Harlem and Richard Alston Dance Company, which have been commissioned through the festival’s partnership with the 2019 Commemoration, American Evolution.
The season also marks a new chapter for chamber music programs as Van Cliburn Gold Medalist Olga Kern takes the stage as the new Connie & Marc Jacobson Director of Chamber Music.
And, the East Coast premiere of Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra, originally produced by Shakespeare’s Globe in London will feature JoAnn Falletta with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra.
Here’s a look at the season.
Best of Broadway
- Kristin Chenoweth, with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra and broadway conductor Rob Fisher, on Friday, April 12 at Chrysler Hall in Norfolk.
- Michael Feinstein, Great American Songbook, on Sunday, May 19 at the Sandler Center in Virginia Beach.
Dance Series
- Dance Theatre of Harlem, May 3-5 at Chrysler Hall.
- Richard Alston Dance Company, March 21 at Chrysler Hall.
- Jessica Lang Dance, April 14 at Chrysler Hall.
- Pilobolus, May 10, at the Sandler Center.
Vocal Music
- Renée Fleming, soprano, Feb. 23, Sandler Center.
- Lawrence Brownlee, tenor, and Eric Owens, bass-baritone, March 3, Attucks Theatre, Norfolk.
- Cantus, a capella ensemble, April 30, Norfolk Academy, Norfolk.
Shakespeare Celebration
- Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra, May 17 at the Ferguson Center and May 18 at Chrysler Hall.
- Reduced Shakespeare Company, May 7-12 at Zeider’s American Dream Theater in Virginia Beach.
- The HandleBards, stay tuned for May 2019 performance dates and locations.
Chamber and Classical Music
- Olga Kern, piano recital, 7:30 p.m. April 16, TCC Roper Performing Arts Center, Norfolk.
- Dalí Quartet with Olga Kern, 7:30 p.m. May 13, Robin Hixon Theater, Norfolk.
- Jupiter String Quartet, 7:30 p.m. April 29, Robin Hixon Theater, Norfolk.
- Coffee Concert I, Olga Kern, piano; Tasmin Little, violin; Nina Kotova, cello, 10:30 a.m. April 18, Williamsburg Winery, James City County.
- Coffee II, Olga Kern, piano; Tasmin Little, violin; Nina Kotova, cello, 10:30 a.m. April 19, Miller Studio Theatre, Sandler Center.
- Coffee III, Jupiter Quartet, 10:30 a.m. April 30, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Portsmouth.
- Coffee IV, Dalí Quartet; Olga Kern, piano, 10:30 a.m. May 15, Robin Hixon Theater, Norfolk.
- Coffee V, Dalí Quartet; Olga Kern, piano, 10:30 a.m. May 16, Williamsburg Winery, James City County.
- Alisa Weilerstein, Transfigured Nights, May 8 at TCC Roper Performing Arts Center in Norfolk.
Jazz and Cabaret
- Béla Fleck and Chick Corea, May 11 at the Sandler Center.
- Storm Large, April 13 at Norfolk’s Granby Theater.
- Theo Crocker, May 9 at the Zeiders American Dream Studio Theater.
Returning Favorites
- Music Maker Blues Revue, May 2 at Roger Brown’s in Portsmouth.
- At the Illusionist’s Table, May 6-17 at Byrd and Baldwin.
- PANFest, May 11 and 12 in Virginia Beach.
- Virginia Beer Festival, May 18 at Norfolk’s Town Point Park.
2019 Virginia International Tattoo
- Courage & Commitment: A Salute to Women in the Military, April 25-28 at Scope Arena.
A full calendar of the 2019 Virginia Arts Festival season is available at www.vafest.org.
Tickets for all events can be purchased online at www.vafest.org, by phone at 757-282-2822 or by visiting the Virginia Arts Festival box office located at 440 Bank Street in Norfolk between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday-Friday.
