February Events
>Suggest events we might have missed
Making a Mark
- March 25: An exhibit of art created by children touched by cancer. Sponsored by the Texas Children’s Cancer Center at Houston, the annual collection of art created by children from around the world is part of a very intensive art therapy program at the hospital.
Children who have cancer, or have siblings with cancer, are invited to make and submit a piece of art to Houston. After a judging, the art is hung in the Texas Children’s Hospital and then sent on the road for viewing at other museums and hospitals around the country.
Presented by the Children's Museum of Virginia, 420 High St. 757-393-5258.
More information available at the Children's Museum website.
The City of Portsmouth Presents
DESIGN WEEK #1
Over the course of the next twelve months, the City of Portsmouth will prepare its first Form Based Code for two significant gateway corridors – High Street and London Boulevard, from Downtown to Midtown. The Form Based Code will guide redevelopment and will guide implementation of certain goals and strategies found within Destination 2025, the City’s Comprehensive Plan.
The new Code will regulate development to ensure high-quality public spaces defined by a variety of building types and uses including housing, retail, and office space. The new Code will incorporate a regulating plan, building form standards, street standards, use regulations as needed, descriptive building and/or lot types, and other elements needed to implement the principles of functional and vital urbanism and practical management of growth.
The goal is to create a tool (Form Based Code) that will help foster good design and ease the process for development and/or redevelopment by providing a regulatory framework in clear and graphic terms that is easy to understand and utilize.
Download the Design Week #1 Agenda
Download the FML Overview
Governor Dinwiddie Hotel
Corner of Dinwiddie and High Streets
For more information call 757-393-8836
Annual Portfolio: Tidewater Art Alliance
Opening Reception - 5-8 p.m. | This annual juried multi-media exhibit offers member artists an opportunity to exhibit a body of works that represent a developed theme, style or vision.
Presented by the Courthouse Galleries, Corner of High and Court St., Portsmouth
757-393-8543 | www.courthousegalleries.com
EXPOSITIONS IN GLASS: 2009 Outdoor Sculpture
Opening Reception - 5-8 p.m. | Free Admission
The 2009 Outdoor Sculpture exhibit will feature artworks with a glass emphasis in conjunction with the Art of Glass 2 region wide exhibits. A Juror’s Choice and People’s Choice Award will be determined once sculptures are on site. The reception includes music, artist demonstrations, wine tasting and refreshments.
The exhibit in the courtyard is open through October 11.
Presented by the Courthouse Galleries, Corner of High and Court St., Portsmouth
757-393-8543 | www.courthousegalleries.com
First Friday | 5 - 9 p.m.
A stage for local galleries, shops and museums in Portsmouth’s Olde Towne and one of the city’s most popular evening escapes. Free admission.
Sponsored by the Olde Towne Business Association | 757-397-7173
Portsmouth Community Concerts and Willett Hall Present
Jade Simmons & the I. Shermon Greene Chorale
Known for her musical creativity and electrifying stage presence, pianist Jade Simmons is committed to expanding the boundaries of classical music. She recently became the first ever New Music, New Places Fellow for the esteemed Concert Artists Guild organization.
The I. Sherman Greene Chorale was founded in 1972 by Isaac Sherman Greene, a music instructor at Norfolk’s Booker T. Washington High School. Known across the United States for its performances of the music of the great masters and traditional spirituals, the I. Sherman Greene Chorale is Hampton Roads foremost African-American singing organization.
Willett Box Office: www.willetthall.com | 757-393-5144
Ticketmaster: www.ticketmaster.com/venue/8280
Outdoor Sculpture Competition and Exhibit
Opening Reception
An annual event featuring sculptures made by artists from across the United States and in a range of media including glass, metal, stone and wood are featured. Past artists have included Steven Durow from New Orleans, LA, Thomas Givens from Charlottesville, VA, Gary Greskow from Oriental, NC, Alison Helm from Morgantown, WV, Barbara Kobylinska from Virginia Beach, VA, Pokey Park from Tucson, AZ, Henry Richardson from New York, NY, Philip T. Smith from Columbia, MD, and Kris Waid-Jones from Peru, NY.
Presented by the Courthouse Galleries, Corner of High and Court St., Portsmouth
757-393-8543 | www.courthousegalleries.com
Valentines Through History
Surprise your classmates or sweetheart with a historical valentine! Learn about valentines throughout history, and create your very own! What were valentines like from a hundred years ago? How were they made and what did they say? Find out and make your own historical valentine!
· 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
· FREE ADMISSION
Presented by the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum, corner of High and Water Streets | 757-393-8591 www.portsnavalmuseums.com
Portsmouth Community Concerts and Willett Hall Present
Dallas Black Dance Theatre
The oldest, continuously operating professional dance company in Dallas. The ensemble, a contemporary modern dance company, consists of 12 professional, full-time dancers performing a mixed repertory of modern, jazz, ethnic and spiritual works by nationally and internationally known choreographers.
Willett Box Office: www.willetthall.com | 757-393-5144
Ticketmaster: www.ticketmaster.com/venue/8280
Olde Towne Antiques to Flea Market | 10 am - 2 p.m.
The Olde Towne Antiques to Flea Market is conveniently located in the Middle Street Garage at the corner of Middle & London streets and is held year round, rain or shine on the first Saturday of each month. Gates open at 10 a.m. and close at 2 p.m. Always Free Admission & Free Parking! Call 757-405-3500 for additional information.
First Sunday Celebrates African American History with
Two Special Performances
Both programs will last approximately 35 minutes in length, and will occur on a rotating schedule at the top of each hour between 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Free Admission
A journey thrugh time: America’s Influence on Hip-Hop Culture
This presentation focuses on live performances that offer a comparison between the ancient call-and-response folklore traditions of West African griots (gree-ohs), Early to Mid 20th Century Jazz Age Poets from the Harlem Renaissance, and the modern phenomenon of Hip-Hop’s ‘Rap’ Music. The presentations will feature live West African percussion, traditional folktales, and a mock Hip-Hop MC ‘battle’ of lyrics.
N.O. S.E.N.S.E.: A Vignette Performance
This short play serves as a tribute to Dr. Carter G. Woodson, an African American Professor who pioneered Black History Month in the 1920s with the first National Negro History Week. In this dramatic presentation, three teenagers will learn the true story behind African American History Month, which helps them to dispel the myths and urban legends stating that February was ‘given’ to African Americans to celebrate their culture as an insult, because it is the shortest month of the year.
Presented by the Courthouse Galleries, Corner of High and Court St., Portsmouth
757-393-8543 | www.courthousegalleries.com
Armed Forces Appreciation Luncheon
Registration - 11:30 a.m. | Recognizing the Coast Guardsman of the quarter and of the year, and the Sailor of the quarter and year. An opportunity to thank the men and women in uniform who serve here in Hampton Roads.
$20 for Chamber Members
$25 for Prospective Members
Renaissance Portsmouth Hotel & Conference Center
Reservation Hotline: 757-664-2558
Download Registration Form (PDF 1.5 mb)
The City of Portsmouth Presents
DESIGN WEEK #2
The Downtown and Waterfront area is a major center of activity for the City as well as the greater region as a whole and one of Portsmouth’s most visible assets. This area also supports the greatest concentration of mixed uses in the City. Given its prominent place in our City – it is vital that we continue to focus on coordinated and sustained growth for the downtown and waterfront.
Over the course of the next twelve months, the City will work closely with Portsmouth’s citizens to develop a Downtown Master Plan (DMP) to guide the continued development of the downtown area as a vibrant, walkable, mixed-use urban center. The plan will be based on clear and established principles and values – and a shared vision that will guide future growth and development in the downtown and along the waterfront.
Download Design Week #2 Agenda
Governor Dinwiddie Hotel
Corner of Dinwiddie and High Streets
For more information call 757-393-8836
Book Signing
Georgiana Scott: A Free Child of Portsmouth
by Billie Montgomery/Cook
Black America Series Portsmouth Virginia by Cassandra Newby Alexander Ph.D, Mae Breckenridge-Haywood, and the African American Historical Society of Portsmouth.
From 2 - 4 at the Portsmouth Visitor Information Center
6 Crawford Parkway, Olde Towne, (757) 393-5111
Buffalo Riders Parade of Horses
A horseback ride honoring the Buffalo Soldiers and Black Cowboys of the Old West. Parade starts at 10:00am at IC Norcom High School.
Contact Ken Wright at 286-1493 for more information
Disney - What Do You Celebrate?
A fun filled day, including a Disney coloring contest, scavenger hunt, games and entertainment. Jeffrey Moone, Disney Sales Representative, will be on hand to answer all of your questions on how to celebrate on Disney Cruises and Disney Resorts. There will also be a Disney parade led by Andalo, the mascot of the Children's Museum of Virginia.
• Dress like your favorite Disney charater or wear your favorite piece of Disney apparel and receive a discount on admission.
Presented by the Children's Museum of Virginia, 420 High St. 757-393-5258.
More information available at the Children's Museum website.
From Manila to Peking:
Asian Treasures from the MacArthur Collection
Samurai armor, antique ivory figures, wood sculptures, cloisonné, porcelain, lacquered chests, and elegantly painted scrolls are some of the outstanding treasures on display. The exhibit, pulled from the MacArthur Memorial’s collection of over 2,000 rarely shown artworks, were gifts to General Douglas and Mrs. MacArthur in appreciation for their contributions to Asian nations in the postwar-era. The gifts came from the Emperor and Empress of Japan; the first president of the Republic of Korea, former Philippine Ambassador Carlos Romulo and China’s Madame Chiang Kai-Shek, among others.
The exhibit in the Main Gallery is open through May 31.
Presented by the Courthouse Galleries, Corner of High and Court St., Portsmouth
757-393-8543 | www.courthousegalleries.com
