Virginia Arts Festival celebrates 25th anniversary season with legendary acts and the International Tattoo’s return to Scope

The Virginia Arts Festival’s 25th anniversary season will be one to remember thanks to its lineup: Tony Award-winning actress Kristin Chenoweth will perform with opera legend Renée Fleming; Renée Elise Goldsberry, best known as the original Angelica of “Hamilton” musical fame, will come to Norfolk for a one-night-only event; cellist Yo-Yo Ma will pair with pianist Kathryn Stott; the Nashville Ballet will dance to an original score performed by Grammy Award winner Rhiannon Giddens.

The season launches in March with a highly anticipated performance by the American Ballet Theatre. The schedule of concerts and plays spans jazz, country, bluegrass and classical.

The festival will include world premieres, including one-act operas “Briar Patch” and “Companionship.” The shows were created through the festival’s John Duffy Institute for New Opera, giving composers and librettists the chance to create performances while being mentored by professionals.

There’s also the In[heir]itance Project, which will invite residents to attend workshops to meet people from all backgrounds. The groups will then create a ”one-of-a-kind” play that reflects the 757. Proceeds from the play will go to local artists and arts groups.

VAF organizers also announced Wednesday that the Virginia International Tattoo, which moved last year to Old Dominion University’s football stadium because of COVID protocols, will return in late April to Scope.

Organizers said they wanted to go all out to celebrate the milestone; several events have been in the works for five years, said Rob Cross, executive director of the festival. Donors stepped up and increased their support to make the season electric, he said.

“It’s an ambitious season but we’re going for it,” he said. “We know that people are hungry for things to do.”

To make the festival more accessible, $25 tickets will be available for each performance.

Tickets go on sale Jan. 20.

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March

“Don Quixote,” the American Ballet Theatre with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra. 7:30 and 2:30 p.m. March 25-27. Chrysler Hall, Norfolk. $25-$90.

New Morse Code, Hannah Collins and Michael Compitello. 7:30 p.m. March 30. Chandler Recital Hall, F. Ludwig Diehn Center for the Performing Arts, Old Dominion University, Norfolk. $25; $10, students under 25.

April

“My Bluegrass Heart,” Béla Fleck. 7:30 p.m. April 1. Perry Pavilion, Norfolk. $25-$59.

Jae Sinnett Trio. 7:30 p.m. April 3. Perry Pavilion, Norfolk. $25.

Rosanne Cash. 7:30 p.m. April 6. Perry Pavilion, Norfolk. The country singer and author will perform from her latest album, “She Remembers Everything,” as well as fan favorites. $35-$55.

“The Great Gatsby,” Aquila Theatre. 7:30 p.m. April 8. Attucks Theatre, Norfolk. Aquila will give F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic a new look with an adaptation that draws from a more inclusive portrayal of characters and pays homage to some of the innovators of jazz. $20-$35; $10, students under 25.

Chanticleer. 7:30 p.m. April 9. Christ & St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Norfolk. The Grammy Award-winning male chorus is known as an “orchestra of voices.” $35.

Akropolis Reed Quintet. 7:30 p.m. April 12. Perry Pavilion, Norfolk. $35.

Yamandu Costa. 7:30 p.m. April 13. Robin Hixon Theater, Clay and Jay Barr Education Center, Norfolk. $35.

“Dreamgirls,” the Virginia Stage Company and Norfolk State University Theatre Company. April 13-May 1. Wells Theatre, Norfolk. $25-$55.

James McMurtry. 7:30 p.m. April 15. Perry Pavilion, Norfolk. $30.

“Coffee I,” Danish String Quartet. 10:30 a.m. April 19. Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, Virginia Beach. $20.

Danish String Quartet. 7:30 p.m. April 19. Robin Hixon Theater, Clay and Jay Barr Education Center, Norfolk. $35.

Shawn Colvin. 7:30 p.m. April 21. Robin Hixon Theater, Clay and Jay Barr Education Center, Norfolk. Colvin will perform as part of her “Steady On” 32nd-anniversary tour. $45-$125.

“Lucy Negro Redux,” Nashville Ballet. 7:30 p.m. April 23. Chrysler Hall, Norfolk. The performance is inspired by poet Caroline Randall Williams’ 2015 book of the same title. The show explores the love life of William Shakespeare and his muses, the “Dark Lady” and the “Fair Youth.” It was conceived, written, and choreographed by Paul Vasterling and features an original score by Grammy Award-winning artist Rhiannon Giddens. $25-$55.

Yo-Yo Ma and Kathryn Stott. 2:30 p.m. April 24. Chrysler Hall, Norfolk. Ma and Stott will perform selections from their 2020 recording “Songs of Comfort and Hope.” $25-$100.

“Coffee II,” Jerusalem Quartet. 10:30 a.m. April 25. St. John’s Episcopal Church, Portsmouth. $20.

Jerusalem Quartet. 7:30 p.m. April 25. Robin Hixon Theater, Clay and Jay Barr Education Center, Norfolk. $35.

The Tallis Scholars. 7:30 p.m. April 26. Christ & St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Norfolk. Hailed as “the rock stars of Renaissance vocal music” by The New York Times, the Tallis Scholars have been performing for more than four decades. $35.

Virginia International Tattoo. 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. April 28-May 1. Scope, Norfolk. The festival is returning with a musical tribute to “March King” John Philip Sousa and performers from around the world including Canada, the Czech Republic, Jordan, Korea and the United Kingdom. $20-$100.

May

Kitchen Dwellers. 7:30 p.m. May 5. Perry Pavilion, Norfolk. $25.

Renée Elise Goldsberry. 7:30 p.m. May 6. Chrysler Hall, Norfolk. The Tony award-winning singer will perform Broadway hits, including songs from “The Lion King” and “Rent,” as well as pop hits and soul classics. $25-75.

The In(heir)itance Project. 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. May 5-7. Attucks Theatre, Norfolk. The project allows locals to help create the show. $35 or pay what you can.

“Music of Queen — A Rock Symphony,” the Virginia Symphony Orchestra. 7:30 p.m. May 7. Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, Virginia Beach. $25-$65.

Amanda Mole. 4 p.m. May 8. Christ & St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Norfolk. $25.

“Good Vibes,” Joel Ross. 7:30 p.m. May 10. Robin Hixon Theater, Clay and Jay Barr Education Center, Norfolk. The vibraphonist and his band will play music that DownBeat describes as “layers of lush arrangements like consistent currents of electricity, high-powered and full of luminous energy.” $35.

Malpaso. 7:30 p.m. May 11. Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, Virginia Beach. $20-$35.

Cowboy Junkies. 7:30 p.m. May 12. Perry Pavilion, Norfolk. $35.

“The Sound of Music,” Virginia Symphony Orchestra. 2 and 8 p.m. May 13-15. Harrison Opera House, Norfolk. The new, fully-staged production is conducted by acclaimed Broadway music director Rob Fisher. $39-110.

Buster Williams. 7:30 p.m. May 18. Perry Pavilion, Norfolk. $25.

Samantha Fish. 7:30 p.m. May 19. Perry Pavilion, Norfolk. $25-$45.

Arturo O’Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra. 7:30 p.m. May 20. Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, Virginia Beach. $25-$45; $10, students under 25.

Kristin Chenoweth, Renée Fleming and the Virginia Symphony Orchestra. 8 p.m. May 21. Chrysler Hall, Norfolk. The pair will join the Virginia Symphony Orchestra and Broadway director Rob Fisher for one night only. $25-$110.

Aoife O’Donovan. 7 p.m. May 22. Perry Pavilion, Norfolk. The Irish-American singer and songwriter will perform pieces from her newest album, “The Age of Apathy,” and other favorites. $25-$40.

Olga Kern, Alexandre da Costa and Thomas Mesa. 7:30 p.m. May 25. Robin Hixon Theater, Clay and Jay Barr Education Center, Norfolk. $35.

“Coffee III,” Brendon Elliott, Maithena Girault, Beverly Kane Baker, Sterling Elliott and Vladislav Kern. 10:30 a.m. May 26. Peebles Theatre, Ferguson Center for the Arts, Newport News. $20.

The War and Treaty. 7:30 p.m. May 26. Perry Pavilion, Norfolk. Organizers have been trying to get this Southern soul, gospel, country and rock ’n’ roll duo for years. The pair have shared the stage with performers such as Al Green and Elvis Costello and toured with Jason Isbell, Brandi Carlile and John Legend. $35-$45.

“Coffee IV,” Olga Kern, Alexandre da Costa and Thomas Mesa. 10:30 a.m. May 27. Hennage Auditorium, Williamsburg. $20.

June

“Briar Patch” from “Tales from the Briar Patch” and “Companionship.” 4 and 7:30 p.m. June 3 and 5. The one-act operas will make their world premiere at the festival. They were created through the festival’s John Duffy Institute for New Opera, which gives composers and librettists opportunities to create works and be mentored by professionals. $25; $10, students under 25.

“A Symphonic Celebration of Water,” the Virginia Symphony Orchestra. 7:30 p.m. June 4. Chrysler Hall, Norfolk. $25-$75; $10, students under 25.

“Coffee V,” Olga Kern, Emily Ondracek-Peterson and Rebecca Gilmore Phillips. 10:30 a.m. June 8. Robin Hixon Theater, Clay and Jay Barr Education Center, Norfolk. $20.

Olga Kern, Emily Ondracek-Peterson, Debra Wendells Cross, Sherie Lake Aguirre, Michael Byerly, Laura Leisring and Jacob Wilder. 7:30 p.m. June 9. Trinity Episcopal Church, Portsmouth. $35.

“Coffee VI,” Olga Kern, Debra Wendells Cross, Sherie Lake Aguirre, Michael Byerly, Laura Leisring and Jacob Wilder. 10:30 a.m. June 10. Hennage Auditorium, Williamsburg. $20.

“Williamsburg Live,” Mandy Moore. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. June 17. Lawn, the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg. Tickets and packages start at $39.

“Williamsburg Live,” Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. June 18. Lawn, the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg. Tickets and packages start at $39.

“Williamsburg Live,” Martina McBride. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. June 19. Lawn, the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg. Tickets and packages start at $39.

Visit vafest.org or call 757-282-2822 for tickets and information.

Saleen Martin, 757-446-2027, saleen.martin@pilotonline.com