Valentine’s Express, concert with painting, Yorktown Market Days returns and more in and around Hampton Roads

Kari Pugh, The Virginian-Pilot
·5 min read

VIRGINIA BEACH

Concert with a painted accompanying performance

Symphonicity is set to captivate the audience with “Paradox,” a concert featuring Ray Ushikubo, a young virtuoso on both piano and violin, and artist Gerome Meminger, who will paint the performance on stage.

The concert on Feb. 18 at 3 p.m. at the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts in Virginia Beach will center on Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 in C Minor — a 35-minute symphony based upon the first four, instantly recognizable notes.

The 90-minute concert also will feature works by Berlioz, Mendelssohn and Sarasate. The Fifth Symphony will be the finale, after an intermission.

Tickets can be purchased at symphonicity.org.

___

NORFOLK

Peacemaking circles

The Hampton Roads Community Foundation will join the YWCA of South Hampton Roads to host Community Peacemaking Circles through late summer.

These events begin at 6 p.m. on Feb. 20. and include dinner. All circles will be held at Freemason Street Baptist Church at 400 E. Freemason St. in Norfolk.

Those interested must attend the first circle event in order to participate in the following five, scheduled for March 19, April 16, May 21, June 18 and the final circle event on Aug. 20.

Each circle, or two groups of about 20 people each, will create a safe space to uplift all voices, build trust, connect with the community and start racial healing conversations. The peacemaking circles are the first such events in Hampton Roads, and are designed to allow participants to communicate, even on difficult topics.

For more information, see hamptonroadscf.org.

‘Lived Through This’ coming to Norfolk

Freekind, a local nonprofit dedicated to preventing human trafficking, presents the Virginia debut of the stage play “Lived Through This” on Feb. 14 at the Wells Theatre in Norfolk.

The event begins at 5:30 p.m. and includes a pre-performance reception.

Freekind is partnering with The Voices and Faces Project and The Virginia Stage Company to bring the play to Virginia.

“Lived Through This,” the theatrical adaptation of Anne K. Ream’s book of the same name, is a story of truth and hope, celebrating a simple belief that those who have survived rape, abuse or exploitation are greater than what has been done to them.

Proceeds from the event will be invested in Freekind’s programs and services, including awareness and training, prevention education and survivor restoration.

More information and tickets for the Norfolk performance, and a second performance on Thursday in the Richmond area, are available online at www.freekindva.org/live.

___

YORKTOWN

Calendar of events

From outdoor concerts and wine festivals to art strolls and historic reenactments, Yorktown has released its 2024 calendar of events, including plans for a week of celebrations to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Yorktown Tea Party.

Other popular events include the Blues, Brews and BBQ Festival; Paws at the River; Sounds of Summer and Rhythms on the Riverwalk Concert Series; Virginia Symphony Concert; Yorktown Wine Festival; Yorktown Tea Festival; and Independence Day and Yorktown Day celebrations.

The 2024 season concludes with the annual Yorktown Celebrates Christmas events, including the Christmas Tree Lighting, Christmas Market on Main, Lighted Boat Parade, Cookies with Santa, An Enchanted Evening on Main Street, and Mistletoe Market, which features the Toyland Parade.

The popular Yorktown Market Days returns to Riverwalk Landing on Saturdays with specially-themed markets on select dates. Four winter markets are scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in February and March.

All events are free and take place at Riverwalk Landing, unless otherwise indicated. See yorkcounty.gov for the full calendar.

___

HAMPTON ROADS

Valentine’s Express

Kroger Mid-Atlantic has “Valentine Express” tents outside stores in Hampton, Virginia Beach, Suffolk and Chesapeake through Feb. 14, featuring floral arrangements, balloons, chocolate-dipped strawberries, gift baskets, boxed candy and more.

The Express Tents will be open through Feb. 14 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. with extended hours on Valentine’s Day from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

___

OUTER BANKS

Zydeco Experience

Terrance Simien and his Zydeco Experience band will be in downtown Manteo on Feb. 17, thanks to a special partnership between Dare Arts and The Pioneer Theater.

The day will include two unique events, an educational demonstration and a live performance, both at The Pioneer Theater.

The lecture, from 1:30-2:30 p.m., will focus on Louisiana Creole heritage and give an overview of what traditional zydeco music is and is not. Simien will also discuss and demonstrate his main instruments: the accordion and rubboard. The band’s five intergenerational musicians will be in attendance as well and will demo their instruments and talk about their careers, formal music education, inspirations and touring.

Simien’s demonstration is free, but pre-registration is required and space is limited. Those interested in participating can register online at www.darearts.org/workshops.

The day will conclude with a concert at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets to the evening performance can be purchased online at thepioneertheater.com.

Gowns wanted

The Project Glam Girls Boutique returns March 14-16 at Manteo Faith Baptist Church for all young ladies and gentlemen across northeastern North Carolina free of charge.

Project Glam Girls (and guys) provides free prom dresses, shoes, accessories, tuxedos, suits, ties and more to teens who might otherwise be unable to afford to attend their prom.

The annual event gives prom-goers the opportunity to experience shopping for the perfect dress or suit as they choose from an array of donated gowns and men’s wear, while assisted by the project’s volunteers.

The event would not be possible without the piles of dresses, suits, jewelry, shoes and more donated by the generous people of the Outer Banks and across the country.

Project Glam Girls is currently seeking donations of age appropriate evening gowns, suits, tuxedos, dress shoes, accessories, gift certificates and financial donations for purchasing plus-size gowns.

Checks should be made out to Manteo Faith Baptist Church.

Donations can be dropped off by March 13 at the following locations:

  • Currituck Library, Barco

  • Atlantic Realty, Kitty Hawk

  • Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce, Kill Devil Hills

  • Outer Banks Association of Realtors, Nags Head

  • Manteo Faith Baptist Church, Manteo