Teddy Riley has Valentine’s covered for you
R&B Rewind concert takes over Hampton Coliseum
Say, kids, let’s dig into the old mailbag and see if there’s any news about the Hampton Roads arts scene.
Oh, my. Well, this is embarrassing. The mailbag’s empty.
Come to think of it, we hardly ever get letters anymore here in the old newsroom.
Well, let’s plow through the electronic mail before it goes out of style, too. I get a few hundred of those each day, and a few are actually interesting.
Here goes:
No Diggity
If you would like to do something really fine for your sweetheart next month, take her to see Teddy Riley with Blackstreet at the R&B Valentine’s Rewind concert. The New Jack Swing genius who recorded tons of hits in Virginia Beach is bringing along a bunch of throwback stars to Hampton Coliseum: Tony! Toni! Toné!, 112, K-Ci from Jodeci and 702. The jams start at 8 p.m. Feb. 15. For tickets, try 757-8384203 and hamptoncoliseum .org.
All the world’s a stage
As the Virginia Stage Company opens its next play, “Fun Home,” it is joining with Outwire757, LGBT Life Center and HRBOR for an evening of art and stories honoring queer narratives.
Fun Home Night Out will be a mixer before the Jan. 25 performance at the Wells Theatre in Norfolk, featuring happy hour drinks and a display of “My Family” – a photo project produced by the LGBT Life Center celebrating the diversity of LGBTQ+ families in Hampton Roads.
The event starts at 6 p.m., the performance starts at 7:30, and the party will continue after the show at 9:15 with Outwire757’s monthly Out in the Open Story Slam in the theater’s lounge. Enjoy a cash bar, free eats, and a chance to share your own “Fun Home” stories on stage.
The Tony Awardwinning musical is based on Alison Bechdel’s graphic novel about growing up with her father in the family funeral home and her journey as an LGBTQ writer, artist and woman.
Performances begin Wednesday, and the official opening night is Jan. 26. “Fun Home” continues through Feb. 10.
For more information: vastage.org.
Act II
The new Broadwayworld.com Regional Awards have been announced, and a few local groups have won honors in the Central Virginia category.
Virginia Musical Theatre in Virginia Beach won best theater, best musical (“Kiss Me, Kate”); best actor in a musical, Michael Hunsaker (“Kiss Me, Kate”); best actress in a musical,
Heather Parcells (“Kiss Me, Kate”); and best choreography, Jeff Warner (“Kiss Me, Kate.”)
The best touring showother award went to “Kinky Boots” at Chrysler Hall.
The Peninsula Community Theatre won two awards: best play, nonprofessional, for “The Laramie Project” and best musical, nonprofessional for “Once on This Island.”
And two students from the Governor’s School for the Arts in Norfolk won honors: Alex Pouloutides, best actress in a musical or play, nonprofessional, for “She Loves Me,” and Tavon Olds-Sample, best actor in a musical or play, nonprofessional, for “She Loves Me.”
The awards were nominated and voted on by the public online in the Central Virginia region, which includes Hampton Roads, Richmond and Fredericksburg.
Keep on rockin’ ...
Big Pink Music has announced its next singer/ songwriters performance in Hampton’s Victorian Station. “Old Guys Rock” will feature local favorites Bill Gurley, Tray Eppes, Lewis McGehee and Roy Moats, with special guest Bobby Hornsby on bass, at 4 p.m. March 10.
Seating is limited for these wonderfully cozy concerts, so send your emails quickly to request tickets: BigPinkMusicClub@gmail.com.
It’s free for presenter members, $10 for listener members and $25 for nonmembers.
... and rockin’
The lineup has been set for the 2019 Patriotic Festival, sponsored by Union Bank & Trust, for May 31 through June 2 at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront.
On the opening Friday night, Old Dominion will appear with guests Morgan Evans and Brandon Lay.
On Saturday night, Luke Combs will appear with Muscadine Bloodline and Faren Rachels.
At 2 p.m. Sunday afternoon, Kane Brown will appear with Ryan Hurd.
The nighttime shows start at 7 p.m. The concerts are on the beach at 5th Street.
VIP Preferred Tickets are on sale, and three-day weekend discounts are available, using the passcode “PATRIOTIC,” at whisperconcerts.com, tor icketmaster.com and 1-800745-3000.