The 5 Browns

The 5 Browns

This gifted family of five piano-playing siblings has thrilled audiences from Oprah and 60 Minutes to concert halls around the world. Juilliard-trained, the 20-something brothers and sisters communicate in marvelous unspoken ways at the keyboard, sweeping through classics like Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue in a dizzying, dazzling display of shared artistry. “The 5 Browns could make anyone fall in love with classical music—whether for the first time, or all over again” (Keyboard Magazine).

Thurs May 7, 8 pm
Willett Hall, Portsmouth
$35, students under 25 $20
Call 800-982-ARTS or visit www.vafest.org to purchase tickets.

Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio

Coffee Concert II

The Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio
Schubert ~ Sonata for Cello and Piano in A minor, D. 821 “Arpeggione”
Schubert ~ Trio No. 2 in E-flat Major for Piano, Violin and Cello, D. 929 (Op. 100)

Thurs May 7, 10:30 AM
Chrysler Museum Theater, Norfolk
$20
Call 800-982-ARTS or visit www.vafest.org to purchase tickets.

PANorama

PANorama Caribbean Festival

Escape to the islands, right here in Virginia Beach! This oceanfront festival brings internationally acclaimed steel drum masters and gifted young players, including the performers in the Virginia Arts Festival’s Rhythm Project community engagement program. The sun sparkles on the waves as the sounds of the Caribbean fill the air—and all this fun is free!

Sat May 9, 10 AM-6 pm
Sun May 10, 12 Pm-4:00 Pm
24th Street Stage, Virginia Beach
FREE
Visit www.vafest.org for more information.

Mark Morris Dance Group

Mark Morris Dance Group

Romeo and Juliet, On Motifs of Shakespeare
Stefan Asbury, guest conductor
with Virginia Symphony

Romeo and Juliet is one of the most popular ballets of the 20th century—but until recently, no one knew that the ballet so  beloved by audiences was not, in fact, the one imagined by its composer. Prokofiev’s original setting of the story imagined a happy ending, with the star-crossed lovers united in triumph over tragedy. But the repressive Soviet regime forced Prokofiev to alter his vision, and the original was never heard until the lost score was discovered in Moscow. Now, in a  stunning new work co-commissioned by the Virginia Arts Festival, the brilliant choreographer Mark Morris brings Prokofiev’s authentic score to vivid life. Be among the first audiences in the world to see this new masterwork!

Patron advisory: this performance includes partial nudity.

Don’t miss the pre-performance discussion!
Choreographer Mark Morris discusses the journey of discovery and process of creating this ground-breaking new work. Included with ticket.
FRI, MAY 8, 7 pm • Chrysler Hall Dress Circle

Fri May 8, 8 pm
Sat May 9, 8 pm
Sun May 10, 2:30 Pm
Chrysler Hall, Norfolk
$75 Gold Circle, no discounts; $50, $35, $20
Call 800-982-ARTS or visit www.vafest.org to purchase tickets.

Scott Robinson, photo by Jimmy Katz

Scott Robinson

You might have heard this multi-talented multi-instrumentalist on trumpet with Lionel Hampton’s quintet, on alto clarinet with Paquito D’Rivera’s quartet, on bass sax with the New York City Opera, or on any of 165 recordings or movie sound tracks. But the best way to hear him is live at the Attucks! Don’t miss this the DownBeat critics’ poll winning artist.

Sat May 9, 8 pm
Attucks Jazz Club, Norfolk
$20
Call 800-982-ARTS or visit www.vafest.org to purchase tickets.

Ralph Stanley

Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys

with Elizabeth LaPrell

The “living patriarch of bluegrass” (The New York Times), the legendary Ralph Stanley is a link to the origins of bluegrass, his pure, honest music rooted deep in the Appalachians and in the mists of centuries past. Honored by his peers, the music industry, and academia, and embraced by generations of fans haunted by his songs, Ralph Stanley brings his “high, lonesome sound” and centuries of bluegrass tradition to the Virginia Arts Festival. He is joined by area favorite Elizabeth LaPrell, who created a sensation in the 2005 Chrysler Hall live broadcast of NPR’s A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor.

Mon May 11, 7:30 pm
TCC Roper Performing Arts Center, Norfolk
$45, $35
Call 800-982-ARTS or visit www.vafest.org to purchase tickets.

Esperanza Spalding

Esperanza Spaulding

This 23-year-old prodigy-turned-pro brings amazing chops to her performances, singing as she plays a wicked bass, delivering jazz that leaps the spectrum from old to the newest of the new. Discover “an irresistible performer” (The Seattle Times).

Wed May 13, 7:30 pm
Attucks Theatre, Norfolk
$20, no discounts
Call 800-982-ARTS or visit www.vafest.org to purchase tickets.

Imani Winds

Coffee Concert III

Imani Winds

Franck ~ Scherzo
Coleman ~ Suite: Portraits of Josephine
D’Rivera ~ Aires Tropicales

Thurs May 14, 10:30 AM
Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, Miller Theater, Virginia Beach
$20
Call 1-888-3-COXTIX or visit www.vafest.org for tickets.

Evelyn Glennie

Evelyn Glennie

Groundbreaking percussionist Evelyn Glennie explores a world of sound in instruments of all timbres, tones, and sizes, with unrivalled showmanship and an adventurous soul. “Center-stage, bathed in multicolored light and a mystic glycerine fog and against the aural background shimmer of exotic sounds, the glistening array of percussion instruments conjured up the expectant excitement of a rock concert. An extraordinary feat of virtuosity and charisma” (The Scotsman).

Fri May 15, 8 pm
Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, Virginia Beach
$57 Gold Circle, no discounts, $39, $27
Call 1-888-3-COXTIX or visit www.vafest.org for tickets.

Drum Festival

Fri May 15, TBD
Sat May 16, TBD
Sun May 17, TBD
Venue TBD, Virginia Beach
Call 800-982-ARTS or visit www.vafest.org to purchase tickets.

André-Michel Schub

Imani Winds

This inspired ensemble take the classic configuration of the wind quintet in adventurous new directions, blending traditional classic and contemporary Western music with jazz, blues, Latin and other ethnic styles. Their name—Swahili for “faith”—echoes their belief in their mission: to find new voices and artistic collaborations and new audiences for their music. “So full of life, intelligence, reactive participation and reciprocated love….One needed 24 hours to come back to earth” (Jazzman Magazine).

Scott ~  Titilayo
Marquez ~ Danza de Mediodia
Haas ~  Wind Quintet, Op. 10
Barber ~  Summer Music for Wind Quintet, Op. 31
Mozart ~ Quintet for Piano and Winds in E-flat Major, K. 452
Piazzolla ~ Contrabajissimo

Fri May 15, 7:30 pm
Phi Beta Kappa Hall, Williamsburg
$30
Call 800-982-ARTS or visit www.vafest.org to purchase tickets.

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