The Virginia Symphony Orchestra will offer a preview of their season with an unplugged concert in Williamsburg, youth football teams are ready to hit the gridiron and they need a crowd, and if you’ve ever considered bellydancing this weekend might be your big opportunity.
Should you find yourself wondering where we find all this great stuff to do – or maybe even why your fabulous, don’t-miss-it event isn’t listed – here’s the answer: We rely on our calendar (it’s called Talk of the Town, and it’s on the right-hand side of the WYDaily.com homepage) for our best bets. All are welcome to post their events on it, for free. So use it, please, and for events happening this weekend please share them below in the comments. To the weekend!
Welcome to football season
Youth football has begun, which if you watch it will give you an idea of where all the great Bay Rivers football teams get their start. Come out Saturday to the James River Elementary field and watch the Williamsburg Hornets Gold Team take on the Tidewater Wolves of York County. Games are free for spectators and start at 9:30 a.m. for the Mites. Then the Mighty Mites take the field at 11 a.m. At 12:30 p.m. the Midgets take the field and at 2 p.m. the Tidewater Wolves Juniors take on the Visiting Yorktown Patriots. The Williamsburg Hornets Green team will be visiting the Golden Saints of Newport News, playing at Lee Hall Elementary School. The Games start at 9:30 a.m. when the Mites take the field. The Mighty Mites follow at 11, then the Midgets play at 12:30 p.m. Following up will be the Juniors at 2 p.m. Click here for details.
The play’s the thing
B&K Productions invites you to a free performance of the stage play “What Are Friends For” on Saturday at 7 p.m. at The Players Theatre in Williamsburg. Antonio is an up-and-coming movie producer who is trying to get his big break in the business by throwing parties. Antonio thinks that if he throws enough successful parties, he will be able to get his start as a well known producer. Click here for more information.
Go on and dance
Angora Tribal will host the ATS Faire Sunday at Yorktown’s ArtInspired. The ATS Faire is a quarterly event open to all ATS – that stands for American Tribal Style, and it refers to bellydance – dancers in and around the area who would like to come. It’s just a fantastic afternoon of dance, dance, and more dance! There’s a free introductory class at 1 p.m. to get interested would-be dancers going. Don’t worry about fatigue; if you need a break, you can hop into the chorus for a while, or take a load off and enjoy some delicious snacks, get some henna, do some shopping, and chat with musicians and fellow ATS dancers. Click here for details.
College of William and Mary Bookstore events
Story Hour – Please join us every Wednesday and Saturday morning from 11 a.m. to noon in our Children’s Department for some fun stories and activities. This event is free.
Mike Brittingham will sign copies of his book, “Hard Facts,” on Friday at 2 p.m. “Hard Facts” is Captain Brittingham’s latest novel of military intrigue and follows the efforts of two CIA agents as they race against time to stop a terrorist attack that could usher in Armageddon.
Mac Laird will sign copies of his book, “Dangerous Differences,” Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This historical novel tells of three frontier Indians who traveled from the wilds of North Carolina to attend the College of William & Mary.
Phyllis Haislip will sign copies of her book, “Between the Lines,” Saturday at 2 p.m. This new work from the author of “Lottie’s Courage” tells the story of Cassie, a mixed-race child and slave who flees captivity in a desperate attempt to find her father, depending only on her wits to survive and striving all the while to conceal her true identity.
How did the colonists have fun?
“Pastimes of Colonial Virginia,” a program of the Jamestown Yorktown Foundation, explains it all. Ever spin a whirligig on a string or roll a hoop with a stick? The program features games and amusements of the 17th and 18th centuries and is the focus of interpretive programs at Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Victory Center throughout the month of August. Remember: if you live in the Historic Triangle your visit to Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Victory Center is free, a benefit of being part of the area’s living history. Click here for details.
Peninsula Chicken Keepers to meet
With all this talk about backyard chickens your interest is piqued, right? We know ours is. The Peninsula Chicken Keepers, aka PeCK, meet monthly and the next gathering is Thursday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in York County. All ages are welcome. PeCK is a local resource, educational, and social group for people who have backyard chickens or who are interested in learning about humanely keeping small flocks. For more info, contact: Carol Bartram (867-8547, bartram2@verizon.net), or check out the PeCK website by clicking here.
Free films at the WRL
This month features famous actors in uncharacteristic roles at the Williamsburg Regional Library’s free Thursday afternoon film series. This week’s film is 1938’s “Adventures of Marco Polo.” The 12th century explorer Marco Polo (Gary Cooper) has many colorful adventures as he travels from Venice to the Chinese court of the Kublai Khan. Robert E. Sherwood wrote the script, which is light on historical accuracy but amusing and entertaining. George Barbier plays the Khan, Sigrid Gurie his daughter and Basil Rathbone his nefarious aide. The films are shown starting at 2 p.m. in the Williamsburg Library Theatre, 515 Scotland St. These movies are screened free of charge and tickets or reservations are not required. Call the library’s Adult Services Division at (757) 259-4050 for more information.
Farmers’ markets are open
Williamsburg Merchants’ Square – The Williamsburg Farmers Market continues its 11th year celebration this Saturday from 8 a.m. until noon. This is the peak season at the Williamsburg Farmers Market for local produce, fruits and seafood. Click here for details.
Yorktown Market Days – This Saturday on Riverwalk Landing in historic Yorktown features all the favorites and in-season fruits, vegetables and flowers, plus a live musical performance and many local artists offering their works for sale. Head over to the Chef’s Demonstration area, too. Hours are from 8 a.m. to noon. Click here for details. http://riverwalklanding.com/
Toano Farmers’ Market – Head to the corner of Forge and Richmond roads on Saturday starting at 8 a.m. for a wide assortment of locally grown and raised food. Toano Farmers’ Market is open year round and features Bob’s Sausage Company, Rainbow Eggs, Heidi’s Home Grown, plus an array of produce vendors during the year. Click here for info.
Fundraisers and the good people having them
Alzheimer’s Association – Fond Memories is the name of this golf tournament to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Richmond, Northern Neck, Middle Peninsula and Gloucester. It’s on Friday at noon at Hobb’s Hole Golf Course in Tappahannock. Click here for details.
Live and local music
VSO Unplugged at the Williamsburg Winery – Enjoy an intimate cabaret evening with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra’s JoAnn Falletta and friends to preview the upcoming symphony season in Williamsburg. The “unplugged” event features the VSO’s glamorous violinist Tara Louise Montour, the remarkable pianist Terrence Wilson, Broadway singer Gary Mauer (are you ready for the Copacabana?) and baritone Darren Stokes. Tickets are $65-$125 and include hors d’oeuvres, wine and a silent auction. Click here for details.
Corner Pocket – Hunter Pease and Josh Crowley handle the sax and guitar on Thursday at 9 p.m., Tim Olbrych plays Spanish guitar on the patio Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Xstatix are on at 9 p.m. at this New Town favorite haunt.
Mariners’ Museum Concerts by the Lake – If you’d like to take a drive south or your work has you more in the Mariners’ Museum area on Thursdays finish off the work day with a free concert on Lake Maury. Concerts run from 6 to 10 p.m. This year there’s an expanded selection of food vendors, plus beer and wine available for purchase. Up this week: Crazy X. Click here for the season schedule.
Berret’s Taphouse Grill – Head to the patio for live music every Friday starting at 7 p.m. and on Sundays from 6 to 9 p.m.
Merchants’ Square Summer Breeze Concert Series – The annual Merchants Square Summer Breeze Concert Series has returned for its 21st year, featuring special bands and great music. The free outdoor series kicked off Sunday but will continue on Wednesdays through Aug. 29. Click here for this season’s concert lineup.
Music by the Bay Concert Series at Fort Monroe – It’s your last chance to enjoy the music of area military bands while taking pleasure in the breathtaking views of the Chesapeake Bay from Fort Monroe’s Continental Park. Concerts are every Thursday through Aug. 23. This week’s performance is by the U.S. Fleet Forces Band Wind Ensemble. Admission is free. Click here for details, including the complete summer concert schedule and suggestions for what to bring.
Pick your paddle for the creek or river
It’s the creek on Saturdays, the river on Sundays. That’s Taskinas Creek and the York River, accessible through York River State Park. Sign up the entire family for a leisurely paddle – it’s an experience you won’t forget, and one that could ignite some enthusiasm to get your own canoe or kayak. Saturday’s paddle is scheduled for 4 p.m., and so is Sunday’s. Click here for details, including cost, how to make reservations, and what you need to bring.
