Events

In partnership with the Museum of the Confederacy, The Mariners’ Museum presents this look at the foreign-built warships of the Confederate States Navy during the American Civil War.

Choose among four shows in the Virginia Living Museum’s Abbitt Planetarium. Introduce your little astronomer to the wonders of the sky with “The Friendly Stars.” A staff astronomer takes a tour of the current night sky in “Virginia Skies.” Does the solar system have an end? Where does the sun’s influence stop? Learn the latest about Saturn in “RingWorld2” and the end of the Mayan calendar in “Doomsday 2012.” The planetarium is open Wednesday through Sunday. Tickets $4 in addition to museum admission of $17 for adults and $13 for children (3-12).

This exhibit highlights the nation’s first ship manned largely by an all-black crew. The exhibit is a collection of selected 1944 newspaper articles and photos by Thomas W. Young, a member of the founding family of the Norfolk Journal and Guide, Virginia's oldest black weekly newspaper. The exhibit opens with a reception from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7.

Includes Art and the Animal: An Historical Survey and Art and the Animal: A Contemporary View. Adults, $7.50; seniors, students and active-duty military, AAA members, $6; children (6-12), $4. Free admission the first weekend of each month. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Free. Ella Fitzgerald Theater, Time to be announced.

How much can you learn about a planet without actually going there? Actually, quite a lot! In this session Virginia Living Museum staff astronomer John Wright will discuss the history of Mars, likely places to explore and how hard or easy it might be to find life on another world. In fact, we might already have...or not! Members, $5; non-members, $7. Virginia Living Museum,

Will we have six more weeks of winter or will spring soon be here? Enjoy a special evening filled with winter and spring activities, including a visit from the museum’s whistle pig (a.k.a the groundhog), plus treats, children’s activities, a planetarium show, Assignment Earth, and discover more about the tradition of the groundhog. Members, $4 (adults) and $2 (children 3-12); non-members, $5 (adults) and $4 (children 3-12). Planetarium tickets, $2.

A special Black History Month performance, Judgment Day – The Nat Turner Trial, an original work by actor, director and playwright Michael LeMelle. In the course of one evening, the celebrated native entertainer poignantly goes on trial as Nat Turner for the Insurrection of 1831, allowing the audience the unique vantage point of being the jury that decides Nat Turner’s fate. Seating is limited on a first-come, first-served basis.

Unleash your inner party animal. Taste excellent wines from around the world and fabulous samples from local restaurants. Enjoy a smokin’ variety of live entertainment and a huge silent auction, all in one night, for a great cause. With the eclectic mix of great music, delicious food samples and varied wine tastings, this event appeals to all ages – over 21 of course. Proceeds benefit the Virginia Living Museum. $60; VIP Reception from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., $40 additional.

Since its founding in 1912, the St. Olaf Choir has set a standard in the choral arts, serving as a model for choirs of all levels. With 75 mixed voices, it is the pioneer a cappella choir in the United States. For nearly a century, the choir has set the bar of choral excellence and remained at the forefront of choral artistry. Conducted since 1990 by Anton Armstrong, the St. Olaf Choir continues to develop the tradition that originated with its founder, F. Melius Christiansen. The choir’s mission is to provide music of the highest quality that lifts people's hearts and spirits, incorporating a diversity of voices and cultural traditions into the chorus of the Christian faith. $22 to $37.

Unleash your inner party animal. Taste excellent wines from around the world and fabulous samples from local restaurants. Enjoy a smokin’ variety of live entertainment and a huge silent auction, all in one night, for a great cause. With the eclectic mix of great music, delicious food samples and varied wine tastings, this event appeals to all ages – over 21 of course. Proceeds benefit the Virginia Living Museum. $60; VIP Reception from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., $40 additional.

Experience Czech melodies within a romantic violin concerto by Dvořák, featuring our own Simon Lapointe. Also, enjoy a splendid opera overture by Beethoven and Mozart's spirited Symphony No. 39. Benjamin Rous, conductor, and Simon Lapointe, violin.  Ferguson Center’s Music & Theatre Hall, Tickets: 757-892-6366 or http://www.virginiasymphony.org/concerts.php.

Featured speaker: Professor Cassandra Newby-Alexander, noted author of several books on local African American history and Professor at Norfolk State University, will discuss “Black Women in American History & Culture.” Event is sponsored by the Hampton Roads Branch of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). Free.

Members of the Tuskegee Airmen will be available to discuss artifacts on display from noon to 1 p.m.  From 1 to 3 p.m., there will be a viewing of the movie The Tuskegee Airmen.  After the movie, guest speakers will relate their experiences while serving in World War II, Korea and Vietnam.  Included with admission to the museum.

Storytelling has been around for hundreds of years, engaging and exciting people of all ages and cultures. Stories are used to teach lessons, to pass on history, or just as fun entertainment. Join museum staff and nationally-recognized storytellers for a day filled with music, stories, tales and excitement. In honor of Black History Month, the festival will also feature stories brought to the Americas by African slaves. Included in regular admission. Adults, $12; AAA members, military, students, $11; seniors, $10; children (6-12), $7.

Free weekends are made possible by a grant from the Noland Foundation.

The Hampton Roads Bird Club has monitored the bird population of Newport News Park since 1965. Join club volunteers in the Picnic Area I parking lot every first and third Sunday of the month for some early morning birding. Be prepared to car pool to several areas in the park. Beginners are welcome. Binoculars and field guides are recommended. Free. First and third Sunday each month.

Free, with reservation.

2012 marks the St. Petersburg State Orchestra’s first trans-continental tour of the U.S. Founded shortly after World War II, this grand orchestra, under the baton of Maestro Leontiev, has developed an extremely diverse repertoire ranging from compositions by the great Baroque composers including Vivaldi, Bach and Handel, to works of the 20th century composers Honegger, Poulenc and Stravinsky, and contemporary compositions by Schnitke, Banshikov, and Desyatnikov. $39 to $69.

Two beloved American icons come to life in the interactive exhibit for children, “Smokey Bear & Woodsy Owl: Home Sweet Home” at the Virginia Living Museum. The exhibit encourages families to spend time together outdoors and inspires children to discover and care for the natural resources that sustain our world – our home sweet home, as well as highlighting ways to reduce, reuse and recycle resources. Geared for ages 2-8, the exhibit lets children explore the pretend forest, nature trail, ranger’s station, campsite, bridge, urban forest and more through props, costumes, puppets and other open-ended play opportunities. Smokey Bear is perhaps one of the most recognized symbols, by both children and adults, for his wildfire prevention message; while Woodsy Owl’s message covers multiple areas of conservation. The exhibit was created by the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum in collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service. Admission: $17 for adults and $13 for children (3-12).

Look through a telescope and then choose among a planetarium program and three laser shows. Free observing begins at sunset. Explore the current night sky in the Virginia Skies at 7:30 p.m. Enjoy the state-of-the-art laser system that splashes brilliant high-color LED laser light all across the entire surface of the planetarium dome. Laser Magic (family) at 8:30 p.m., Laseropolis (hard rock) at 10 p.m. and Pink Floyd’s The Wall at 11:30 p.m. Members, $3; non-members, $6.

The unknown story of African-American battalions in World War II, focusing on the actions of the 761st, which helped spearhead Patton's Third Army and liberated Nazi concentration camps.  This powerful film vividly records the experiences of the soldiers, who were utterly unprepared for the atrocities they witnessed, as well as the astonishment of the camp inmates, some of whom had never seen a black person before.  It bears witness to the courage of Holocaust survivors and the heroism of men forced to fight on two fronts - battling discrimination at home as they fought for their country overseas.  This outstanding documentary is narrated by Denzel Washington and Louis Gossett, Jr. Free with paid admission: Adults, $6; seniors (62+) and active duty military, $5; students (7-18), $4; children under 7 free.

For more than 40 years, The Temptations have prospered, propelling popular music with a series of smash hits, and sold-out performances throughout the world. An essential component of the original Motown machine, they were turned into stars by the Smokey Robinson written-and-produced “The Way You Do the things You Do.” An avalanche of hits followed, including “My Girl,” “Since I Lost My Baby,” “Get Ready,” “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg,” “Beauty Is only Skin Deep” and “I Wish It Would Rain.” Throw the sweet love songs of The Stylistics into the mix —"Stop, Look, Listen to your Heart," "You Are Everything" and "Betcha By Golly Wow" —and you’ve got a night that gets the groove on! $42 to $72.

African American women that rose against social injustice will be portrayed by local, young actresses.  Hear their stories, and learn about their historic contributions. Free.

Free. Reservations required. Ella Fitzgerald Theater, Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center,