New Town Tunes continues this month with BJ Griffin on Sept. 11, followed by Bobby Blackhat on Sept. 18. These outdoor Wednesday concerts start at 5:30 p.m. at Sullivan Square in New Town, behind Legacy Hall at 4301 New Town Ave.

The concert series closes out with Good Shot Judy on Sept. 25 and a Friday grand finale celebration on Oct. 4 with “Landslide: A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac.” Concerts are free and food trucks will be on site; bring a lawn chair or blanket. For more, visit newtownwilliamsburg.com/events-news.

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Williamsburg Contemporary Arts Center

The Williamsburg Contemporary Art Center’s regional juried show begins Sept. 18 and runs through Nov. 1. The show includes 59 artists from the Greater Hampton Roads area as well as WCAC members, with 80 pieces of art.

The show’s juror this year is Doug Mock, an award-winning watercolor artist and educator from the Northern Neck.

“We are excited by the level of creativity on exhibit as it represents the best work of the artists juried into the show,” Apryl Altman, program co-chair, said in a news release.

Running concurrently with the regional show is the Artisan Corner, featuring jewelry, pottery, fiber art and other 3D works. WCAC, located in the blue building at 110 Westover Ave., is open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday.  All artwork is for sale.

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Bruton Baroque

While Bruton Parish has a number of musical offerings in its Candlelight Concerts in the historic church (nearly daily events), one of note in September is worth mentioning — the Bruton Baroque ensemble. This is an independent group of Bruton Parish Church dedicated to offering first-class baroque music on period instruments and in a setting suggestive of how music might have been performed in colonial days and before.

Its 2024-25 season series is “Grand Tour” and will be providing music from Italy, France, Great Britain and Germany. On Sept. 19, the tour begins with “Ciaconna: Tour of Italy,” including music of Monteverdi and Locatelli.

The performers on tap for this Italian tour will be Cameron Welke, theorbo and lute; Autry Harper, soprano; Claudia Kessel, mezzo-soprano; Brian Blair, tenor; Sophie Lowe and Susannah Livingston, Baroque violins; Jane Lenz, Baroque viola; Ryan Lowe, Baroque cello; and Rebecca Davy, harpsichord. Lowe and Davy co-founded the ensemble.

This is a ticketed event, unlike the regular series, at $20 per person. Tickets will be available at the door or at brutonparish.org. Proceeds will be used to fund future concerts. The program starts at 8 p.m. and lasts approximately one hour.

For a full listing of September’s programs, visit the church’s website and click on music and Candlelight Concerts and more.

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Tidewater Classic Guitar Series

The Tidewater Classic Guitar Series gets underway Sept. 20 in the Williamsburg Regional Library Theatre with Andy McKee, considered “one of the world’s finest acoustic guitarists,” according to reports. Known around the world for his technique, musical style and compelling sounds, McKee’s performances command you to simply relax and enjoy.

According to press material, his song “Drifting” was one of the first YouTube viral videos and captured some 60 million views to date. His reputation as legendary, no doubt, is why the TCG chose him to kick off the new season.

Showtime is 7:30 p.m. For tickets, visit tidewaterclassicalguitar.org/tickets.

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Open Door Concerts

The Williamsburg Presbyterian Church’s delightful concert series gets underway Sept. 22 with the National Chamber Winds.

Founded in 2017, the National Chamber Winds have become a premier wind ensemble in the capital region. The ensemble incudes flutes, oboes, bassoons, horns, clarinets and double bass combining to deliver colorful sounds and interesting repertoire. The upcoming program, “Mozart in the Garden,” will pair contemporary Jonathan Dove and classical W. A. Mozart.

Then, on Oct. 20, the featured fare will be the Junior Sisk Band. Junior Sisk is considered one of the top bluegrass vocalists around and, reportedly, has shaped the sound of modern bluegrass. His band travels internationally and is the top act in summer festivals. He’s known for songwriting skill musically enhanced by his band, so expect good sounds, laughing, smiles and a bit of toe tapping.

All Open Door Concerts start at 4 p.m. in the church, located at 215 Richmond Road. All are free.

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Don’t forget

The Williamsburg Players’ “Pajama Game” opened Friday and runs through Sept. 22 at the James-York Playhouse, 200 Hubbard Lane. The “Pajama Game” won the 1955 Tony for Best Musical, and then, over half a century later, claimed the award for Best Revival of a Musical. Shows at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. depending on the day. Tickets start at $22; discounts for children. To buy online, visit williamsburgplayers.org.

Have information about the arts in the Historic Triangle? Contact John Shulson at johnshulson@gmail.com.

Butterman, who is undergoing health issues, will be replaced by guest conductor Brian DeMaris for the season’s opening program.

In a letter to the WSO board on Friday, followed by an online video to WSO subscribers, Butterman explained that he has been diagnosed with lymphoma.

“I have recently encountered a health challenge … which will impact my travel schedule for some period of time,” Butterman said. “I hasten to add I am feeling well and really quite upbeat, everything considered.”

Doctors told him that due to his youthful age and otherwise good health, his treatments are predictive of a cure, a fact that Butterman eagerly endorsed in his video.

“While unable to travel due to treatment schedule and the need to be cautious about exposure to large gatherings, I expect to remain deeply involved in administrative matters, promotional work, and, when possible, make remote/virtual appearances in order to maintain a presence in our communities and to help present the programs that I have been looking forward to sharing.”

Butterman joined the WSO as its music director in 2022 and has been credited with much of its recent success. He said he expects his hiatus to last through the first two to three months of the season while he undergoes treatment near his home in Shreveport, Louisiana. He said he hopes to be back as soon as possible, but more guest conductors will likely be needed.

To ensure the season carries on, Carolyn Keurajian, WSO‘s president and CEO, said the WSO has secured the conducting talents of Brian DeMaris to open the Sept. 26 concert. She said Butterman and DeMaris have been in touch and are working through details of the opening concert.

DeMaris’ background is in opera, musical theater, symphony, pops and ballet. His symphonic endeavors have found him conducting a number of groups across the country, the Middle East and in Europe. A multi-award-winning conductor, DeMaris currently serves as professor and artistic director of Music Theatre and Opera in Arizona State University’s School of Music, Dance and Theatre.

As a pianist of note, he has appeared at the United Nations, Aspen Music Festival, Boston’s Jordan Hall, Alice Tully Hall and Jazz at Lincoln Center.

WSO’s opening program is titled “An American in Paris,” and is an all-Gershwin affair. It begins with the sweet “Lullaby for Strings” and the always popular “An American in Paris.” The focal moment, however, is the Piano Concerto in F, here reworked for the Marcus Roberts Trio.  As such, the ensemble replaces the solo piano with what Butterman calls “a freewheeling jazz trio.”

The celebrated group consists of Marcus Roberts on piano, Rodney Jordan on bass and Jason Marsalis (of the famed Marsalis family) on drums.

Keurajian said that there will be a box for cards at the opening concert in the Williamsburg Community Chapel, which will be forwarded to Butterman. Cards and well wishes can also be directed to the WSO office at P.O. Box 400, Williamsburg, VA 23187.

The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. For information, visit williamsburgsymphony.org or call 757-229-9857.

John Shulson, johnshulson@gmail.com

Assuredly, this branching out to include emerging national recording artists to town was a success.

“One of the biggest hurdles in promoting any new artist’s work is encouraging people to ‘step out in artistic faith‘ and experience something new. Support from community influencers and leadership is crucial in helping us introduce these talented artists to a wider audience,” said Jon Martin, the head honcho for the Virginia Arts Festival’s Williamsburg Live event.

The Williamsburg resident has some 40 years of experience in the concert business, having toured with such stellar artists as Bruce Springsteen, Bruce Hornsby, Bette Midler, Cher, Jennifer Lopez, Jimmy Buffett, John Mellencamp, R.E.M., Smashing Pumpkins, Van Halen, ZZ Top and Joe Cocker, not to mention venue management for major outlets around the country.

He brings his experience to Merchants Square concerts working as an adviser for Robert Currie, chair of the Williamsburg Public Art Council, and the Merchants Square Association in finding exciting new talent and bringing it home.

“Booking an emerging artist is like producing a foreign film or an Arts Fringe Festival,” Martin said. “The audience needs to show up and be willing to hear something new.”

There are two remaining concert programs this summer. On Sept. 6, the program features Paul McDonald & The Mourning Doves, a blend of poetic storytelling and catchy hooks with vocals reminiscent of Rod Stewart and Bob Dylan.

The final program in the series is Oct. 4 with Magnolia Boulevard. News reports have called this bang-up operation “a high energy blend of rock and soul.”

The programs begin at 6 p.m. and run until 8 p.m. It’s open seating in Merchants Square. Although there are chairs aplenty, some bring lawn chairs and picnic baskets and settle in for contemporary entertainment in the midst of our historic town center.

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Virginia Symphony Orchestra

After kicking off in the Ferguson Center for the Arts on Sept. 13 with “Pictures at an Exhibition,” the Virginia Symphony Orchestra continues its season Sept. 21 with VSO conductor Eric Jacobsen and his brother, violinist Colin Jacobsen, in a “Beethoven’s Violin Concerto” program featuring Colin in Beethoven’s Violin Concerto.

Colin has made a reputation for himself by probing deeply into our contemporary times and working closely with artists of wide range and acclaim to develop exciting ways to connect with today’s audiences. No doubt, inspiration for such ground-breaking effort has found stimulus in the fact that he’s a founding member of The Knights, the avant-garde-ish orchestra that his brother conducts.

While Colin has gained a reputation for “edgy” works, his appearance here is pretty standard rep. Beethoven’s concerto is his only concerto and, despite anything but a smooth path to victory, it has become one of the most loved and lyrical of widely performed works. Always a musical treat to experience.

The 7:30 p.m. program at the Ferguson also includes Beethoven’s “Coriolan” Overture and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4, an essentially light and cheerful work.

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Don’t forget

The VSO is playing two free outdoor “Once Upon a Symphony” concerts, with Brandon Eldredge conducting. The Aug. 30 concert is at 7:30 p.m. at Lake Matoaka Amphitheater in Williamsburg. Wristbands will be distributed by the venue ticket offices beginning at 6 p.m. The concert is sold out when the wristbands run out.

On Aug. 31, the concert is at 7:30 p.m. at Riverwalk Landing in Yorktown. Rain date is Sept. 4.

For information on VSO events, visit virginiasymphony.org or call 757-892-6366.

Have information about the arts in the Historic Triangle? Contact John Shulson at johnshulson@gmail.com.

If you get a musical kick out of selections ranging from “Swan Lake” and “Man of La Mancha” to “Superman” and “Indiana Jones,” this will be guaranteed fun. Among other of the many selections anticipated will be Copland’s “Buckaroo Holiday” from “Rodeo,” Tchaikovsky’s “Suite from Swan Lake,” a portion of Handel’s “Royal Fireworks Music,” along with some Berlioz and Beethoven tossed into the musical mix. There will also be thematic selections from “Mission Impossible,” “Jurassic Park” along with a “Stevie Wonder Medley” and a “Tribute to John Williams.”

Conducting will be pianist and operatic coach Brandon Eldredge, who served as the Virginia Opera’s associate conductor and chorus master and guest and cover conductor for the VSO.

Beach chairs and blankets are welcome on the lawn, as are personal coolers and picnic baskets (no external alcoholic beverages or glass containers). Alcoholic and other beverages will be available for purchase inside the seating area.

Drivers are encouraged to park in the garage, somewhat adjacent to the Matoaka entrance, preferably after 5 p.m. Handicap spaces will be available in the School of Business parking lot, and golf carts will be available beginning at 6 p.m. for those with mobility issues.

The same program takes place Aug. 31 at Riverwalk Landing in Yorktown. Again, parking can be tricky, so get there early.

The actual VSO season kicks off Sept. 13 in the Ferguson Center for the Arts in Newport News with “Pictures at an Exhibition.” The 7:30 p.m. opener features Eric Jacobsen on the podium and Valerie Coleman and Mason Bates as guest artists.

Bates is a Grammy award-winning American composer of symphonic music and a DJ of electronic dance music. The first composer-in-residence of the Kennedy Center, he has held residences with the likes of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and San Francisco and Pittsburgh symphonies.

Press material describes his “Philharmonia Fantastique” as a collaborative creation for orchestra and animated film “… that flies through the instruments of the orchestra to explore the age-old connection of creativity and technology.”

Coleman is a composer and flutist and the genius behind the innovative Imani Winds (quintet).  She has also been named Performance Today’s 2020 Classical Woman of the Year and “one of the top 35 women composers” by the Washington Post.  Her “Fanfare for Uncommon Times” for brass and percussion opens the program. Although first heard in 2021, the general theme of disturbed times and hopefulness ring true today. It’s an interesting piece of moodiness, thoughtfulness, introspection and bursts of energy and sunlight. Hopefully the brass doesn’t cover the percussion, which has some really interesting work going on.

The showcase selection is the Mussorgsky-Ravel “Pictures at an Exhibition,” an always appealing work. As titled, it’s a musical visit to an art gallery that lushly creates visual imagery that is colorful and exciting.

For more information, visit virginiasymphony.org or call 757-892-6366.

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Williamsburg Artists Group to hold exhibit and reception

Members of the Williamsburg Artists Group will be showing their work at the Williamsburg Regional Library Gallery at the Stryker Center through Oct. 6.

About 50 local artists are participating in the exhibit, which opens today. All artwork is for sale.

“We are always excited to have such a beautiful, premier venue to display our artwork in and appreciate the library’s offering us the space,” said Kay Krapfl, one of the co-founders of the independent artist organization. “We’ve been told by art lovers and friends that they especially enjoy coming here, too.”

Visitors to the Stryker Center will find original artwork in a variety of styles and mediums that will appeal to a wide range of tastes. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except for the weekend of Oct. 5-6 during Occasion for the Arts.

An opening reception for the public will be held Aug. 23 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the gallery. Light refreshments and non-alcoholic beverages will be served.

WAG can be contacted at Wbgartistsgroup.wag@gmail.com or found on Facebook at facebook.com/WilliamsburgArtistsGroup-WAG.

Have information about the arts in the Historic Triangle? Contact John Shulson at johnshulson@gmail.com.

These free evening programs start around 6 p.m., except for New Town Tunes, which start at 5:30 p.m., and usually last two hours. Bring lawn chairs, coolers and blankets.

In most cases, there are places nearby to purchase food as well as on-site food trucks.

New Town Tunes

New Town Tunes concerts take place behind Legacy Hall in New Town’s Sullivan Square on Wednesdays. The June 5 program features Shades of Gray (rhythm and blues, classic soul, disco); June 12 brings Skinner Box (blues, grunge, funk) and Barry Manilow’s Wardrobe (new wave, alternative 80s reminiscent of U2, Duran Duran, Talking Heads).

Food and beverages are available for purchase from local food trucks and breweries. Dogs are welcome. For information, visit newtownwilliamsburg.com/events-news.

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Music in Midtown

This free series takes place Thursday evenings at the rear of the Midtown Row’s Village Green and shops and residences (College Row and Monticello Avenue), behind Marshalls and Sal’s.

June 13 features Troy Breslow (country music with a touch of Jewish heritage); July 11 features The Connection (blues/rock/folk); Aug. 8 showcases Barry Manilow’s Wardrobe; and Sept. 12, the series closes with Good Shot Judy (high octane swing).

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Merchants Square Concert Series

Merchants Square outdoor concerts on Duke of Gloucester Street have always been delightful events, with people flocking to them and staking out territory for lawn chairs, coolers and picnics (some very elaborate affairs). Then they slacked off. Well, they’re back in the form of the Merchants Square Concert Series. Concerts take place the first Friday of each month (the first took place in May) and run through October.

On tap are: Friday, Chatham Rabbits (rock and roll); July 5, Pink Stones (indie-rock and Americana); Aug. 2, Kyshona (soulful sounds); Sept. 6, Paul McDonald and the Mourning Doves (songs reminiscent of Rod Stewart and Bob Dylan); and Oct. 4, Magnolia Blvd (rock and soul).

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take place on the lawn of the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg. The programs offer a variety of bands performing jazz, blues, beach music and party-dance music. They begin June 22 and run through Aug. 31.

The lineup for this year is June 22, Brasswind (think Chicago — big and brassy); June 29, Revelation Band; July 6, Tidewater Drive (rock and soul); July 13, The Janitors Band (rhythm and blues, soul, funk and classic rock); July 20, Slapnation (punk, soul, pop, country); July 27, Party Fins (high energy influences of rock, reggae, country, folk, calypso, zydeco and pop); Aug. 3, Grateful Dawgz (spin off of Grateful Dead); Aug. 10, USAF Heritage of America Band’s Full Spectrum; Aug. 17, Lions Bridge (authentic roots/reggae); Aug. 24, USAF Heritage of America Band’s Rhythm in Blue (jazz); and Aug. 31, Bobby BlackHat Band (blues).

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Sounds of Summer

Yorktown’s Sounds of Summer concert series begins Thursday at Riverwalk Landing in Historic Yorktown. These free Thursday night concerts are from 6:30-9 p.m. through Aug. 15 (except July 4).

The schedule includes Thursday, The Uptown Band; June 13, The Main Event Band; June 20, The Nashville Nights Band; June 27, Blackout; July 11, The Gentlemen & Their Lady; July 18, The Embers; July 25, InsideOut Band; Aug. 1, Band of Oz; Aug. 8, The Deloreans; and Aug. 15, Slapnation.

Concerts include a dance floor, cornhole games and food trucks. For more information, visit visityorktown.org.

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Virginia Arts Festival

The Virginia Arts Festival’s Williamsburg Coffee Concerts continue Friday at 10:30 a.m. in William and Mary’s Concert Hall.

The program, curated by the internationally-renowned pianist Olga Kern, will feature not only Kern but also her award-winning pianist son, Vladislav Kern, and equally celebrated violinist, Brendon Elliott.

Part of the acclaimed Elliott Family String Quartet, Elliott is a familiar name in the region. He has gone on to win big time accolades, all adding to his growing reputation.

The program will include Mozart’s Violin and Piano Sonata in E Minor, Franck’s Sonata in A Major for violin and piano and Korngold’s “Selections from ‘Much Ado About Nothing.’”

The Arts Festival is also offering a June 15 program with the Virginia Symphony and Eric Jacobsen in the Ferguson Center for the Arts in Newport News. Featured guest will be Grammy winner Chris Thile, considered a master of the mandolin.

The 7:30 p.m. program will include the festival’s composer-in-residence Jessie Montgomery and her “Starburst,” somewhat describing the colorful and dramatic birth of galaxies and bursting stars; Rimsky-Korsakov’s popular “Scheherazade” and Thile’s “ATTENTION!” which is a narrated song cycle for mandolin and orchestra. Co-commissioned by the festival and the VSO, it is musical storytelling that embraces Baroque to bluegrass.

From June 21-23, three special events wrap up under the Art Festival’s fun and popular Williamsburg Live held on the lawn of the Arts Museums of Colonial Williamsburg. On June 21, the featured fare will be music of the Beach Boys, who for more than 60 years have swept the world with its songs and have sold over 100 million records.

The next night, the featured group is Tower of Power with fusion band TAUK as the opening act. Much like the original Beach Boys, for over 55 years, Tower of Power has been producing what’s considered the best in funk and soul music. The group has backed icons such as Otis Redding, Elton John, Santana, the Grateful Dead, John Lee Hooker, Aerosmith and Bonnie Raitt, among other celebrated groups and performers.

The final performance features the 2024 Grammy winner for traditional pop vocal album: Icelandic-Chinese superstar Laufey. Classically trained and one of the hottest vocalists on the scene, she favors songs from the “Great American Songbook” and the styles of Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and Taylor Swift.

As a warm-up act will be rising singer-songwriter Grace Enger, who has been making a name for herself as one who mixes, matches and blends alternative pop, indie, garage music and rock into her music.

The Williamsburg Live performances start at 5:30 p.m. While there is a spacious tent on the grounds, many prefer to bring lawn chairs and picnic fare. More information and tickets to these events can be found by visiting vafest.org or calling 757-282-2822.

Have information about the arts in the Historic Triangle?  Contact John Shulson at johnshulson@gmail.com.

Written by comic author and columnist Dave Barry and suspense writer Ridley Pearson, the multi-Tony winning play-musical is a version of the familiar Peter Pan story, with references that helped set the story and characters in J.M. Barrie’s “Peter and Wendy.” Essentially, it’s a look at characters that inspired creation of the characters from childhood.

The story focuses on an orphan and his playmates who are being shipped from Victorian England to a far-away island ruled by a not nice evil king. While on the ship, they discover a curious, even mysterious, trunk hidden in the captain’s cabin, which connects to the boys being discovered by a young Molly, who is training to be a starcatcher and figures out the trunk contains starstuff — a celestial substance so powerful that it can never end up in evil hands. Of course, the ship is captured by the evil Black Stache and pirates and all forms of havoc ensue.

It’s designed for adventurous twists and turns and lots of humor.

Former Players President Neil Hollands directs. For a full schedule of performances and dates and prices, visit williamsburgplayers.org. Generally, the shows are Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets can also be purchased by calling 757-229-0431.

Williamsburg Contemporary Arts Center

The Williamsburg Contemporary Arts Center is offering its first exclusive Members’ Photography Show in which member photographers can display a larger body of work than usual to give visitors a more in-depth look at personal styles and capabilities. The show will be open from June 5 through July 19.

According to Apryl Altman, artistic director and program chair, “… although we’ve held short, immersive ‘photography extravaganzas’ in the past, this show will be larger and different,” with entrants displaying up to four photographs that express individual approaches to photography. “All have different styles and levels of expertise, and we are really looking forward to focusing exclusively on this medium in our Main Gallery,” Altman said.

Concurrently running in the Fireside Gallery will be “Myths and Legends,” a thematic showcase of two- and three-dimensional interpretive artwork by members. The Artisan Corner is also open and includes jewelry, sculptures, pottery, fiber art and other three-dimensional artworks. All artwork is for sale. WCAC is located in the blue building at 110 Westover Ave. Hours are 11 a.m.- 3 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. For more information, go to visitwcac.org or call 757-229-4949.

Sounds of Summer concert series

Yorktown’s Sounds of Summer concert series begins June 6 at Riverwalk Landing in Historic Yorktown. The free Thursday night concerts are from 6:30-9 p.m. through Aug. 15 (except July 4).

The Uptown Band kicks off the event on June 6, followed by a lineup that includes rock-n-roll, R&B, pop, beach and country music.

Guests are encouraged to bring blankets, chairs and small coolers. Free parking is available in designated lots. The Yorktown Trolley runs until 9:30 p.m. during every concert. For more information, visit visityorktown.org.

Opera in Williamsburg and Met HD broadcasts

If you were among the many who attended Opera in Williamsburg’s recent and quite excellent sold-out productions of “The Tales of Hoffmann” that offered dynamite singing by a superb cast — several with Met Opera credentials — and yearn for more, more is on the way via the Met.

The Movie Tavern on High Street will continue its much-appreciated support of the Metropolitan Opera’s “Live in HD” broadcasts with four summer special re-broadcasts. The performances start at 1 p.m. and advance tickets are now available. Go to metopera.org/Season/In-Cinemas/Theater-Finder and enter “Williamsburg, VA.”

On tap will be Puccini’s “La Boheme” (from 2018) on July 24 and Rossini’s “La Cenerentola” (from 2014) on July 31; Puccini’s “Turandot” (from 2016) Aug. 7 and the Gershwins’ “Porgy and Bess” (from 2020) Aug. 14.

This is a chance to see and study close-up expressions of the singers, which adds dimension to the moment. These are great experiences that find audience members cheering arias and curtain bows.

Opera in Williamsburg’s founder and artistic and general director Naama Zahavi-Ely deserves credit for bring opera to town while providing the stimulus to expanded operatic joy via the Met HD broadcasts.

Have information about the arts in the Historic Triangle? Contact John Shulson at johnshulson@gmail.com.

Since 1965, the Women’s Chorus has offered a wide variety of songs dedicated to showcasing the beauty of female voices and works specifically for all-female vocal ensembles. According to its website, this is the only such organization in the area. The programs are always pleasing and truly do offer a rare listening opportunity.

Rebecca Davy is artistic director, Karen Ives is accompanist and flute soloist is Wayne Hedrick.  Hedrick is a resident of Newport News and was the principal flutist with the ever-so fine USAF Heritage of America Band for some 20 years. He has recorded over 70 albums, one of which won a Grammy. In addition to the Heritage Band, he has performed or recorded with the U.S. Air Force Band, the National Chamber Players, National Symphonic Winds and the Virginia and Williamsburg Symphony Orchestras.

Suggested donation is $15, cash or check at the door, at Williamsburg Presbyterian Church on Richmond Road.

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Opera in Williamsburg

Opera in Williamsburg offers up Offenbach’s engaging “Tales of Hoffmann” on May 17 (7:30 p.m.), 19 (2:30 p.m.) and 21 (7:30 p.m.)in the Kimball Theatre.

Considered Offenbach’s greatest hit, “Hoffmann” provides a study in rivalry of two men for Stella, a famous opera singer, sung out over three distinctly different stories involving complicated women. There’s a mechanical doll (who has a show-stopping, incredibly difficult and dazzling aria), an unwell daughter of an acclaimed composer and an alluring Venetian courtesan. It starts and ends in a tavern with more than a bit of liquid spirits and takes you on a roller coaster ride of feelings, all of which turn out to represent aspects of Stella.

Featuring a large cast, all of whom boast substantial credits on international stages, and a chamber-sized orchestra, “Hoffmann” will find the talented conductor-music director Jorge Parodi directing.

Glen Winters, a distinguished singer, composer, lecturer, college-level piano instructor and arts administrator, provides an insightful talk about the opera an hour before each performance.

Naama Zahavi-Ely, Opera in Williamsburg’s founder and artistic and general director, had as her vision the chance to showcase fully-staged opera with world-class casts. Since its start in 2012, the organization has brought substantial awareness to Zahavi-Ely’s vision of excellence in opera and truly wonderful talent, right here in Williamsburg.

For tickets, visit operainwilliamsburg.org and click on “Tales of Hoffmann.”

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Virginia Symphony Orchestra

A homecoming of sorts highlights the VSO’s May 17 performance in the Ferguson Center for the Arts in Newport News. The VSO’s former music director, JoAnn Falletta, who brought the organization to national, if not international, awareness, returns to conduct selections from Prokofiev’s deeply romantic “Romeo and Juliet.”

The program opens with Turina’s “Danzas Fantásticas,” followed by Hampton Roads’ own Adolphus Hailstork’s Piano Concerto No. 2 (the Peaceful Kingdom), with Lara Downes on keyboard. Considered “the dean of African-American composers,” Hailstork’s work will be a local premiere. Performance Today’s 2022 Classical Woman of the Year, Downes is an acclaimed soloist, recording artist and NPR personality and a collaborator with the likes of Rhiannon Giddens, Pulitzer-winning poet Rita Dove, author John McWhorter and Broadway’s Brian Stokes Mitchell.

Also on the program will be Scott Joplin’s “Magnetic Rag” and popular “Maple Leaf Rag,” both arranged by Stephen Buck.

Start time is 7:30 p.m. For information and tickets, visit virginiasymphony.org and click on concerts and “Romeo and Juliet.”

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Open Door Concert Series

The Williamsburg Presbyterian Church’s Open Door series is offering the Windborne Singers at 4 p.m. on May 19 in the Richmond Road church.

Considered “sublime, superb, witty, exquisite and overflowing with energy, Windborne merges captivating sounds and musical styles drawn from … cultures with traditions of harmony singing, and a vocal blend that comes from longtime friendship and years of singing together.” Known for bringing refreshing takes on songs favoring folk music and social activism, Windborne consistently receives raves for its powerful programs and performances.

The event is free and a reception follows the program.

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Virginia Arts Festival

The Virginia Arts Festival’s popular Coffee Concerts comes to town May 24 in the Williamsburg Library Theater with Apollo’s Fire Chamber Ensemble. Apollo’s Fire, a baroque ensemble of two violins, soprano and harp and cello, will offer works harkening back to 1610 from England, Hungary, France, Ireland, Spain and Italy. The fare promises soulful ballads, laments, party tunes and dance-like music from Dowland, Monteverdi and Merula.

Popular around the world, the Grammy-winning ensemble regularly performs to sold-out audiences, regaling all with heightened period instrument excellence.

A second Coffee Concert is on tap for June 7 in the William & Mary Concert Hall. Set for 10:30 a.m., the program will feature the world-acclaimed Olga Kern, pianist and head of the Arts Festival’s chamber events; Kern’s son, pianist Vladislav Kern; Virginia native violinist Brendon Elliott; and the Arts Festival Chamber Players.

The program, subject to change, will include Mozart’s Violin and Piano Sonata in E minor, Franck’s Sonata in A major for violin and piano and Korngold’s “Selections from ‘Much Ado About Nothing.”

For tickets to these 10:30 a.m. performances, visit vafest.org and click on events/tickets or call 757-282-2822.

Have information about the arts in the Historic Triangle? Contact John Shulson at johnshulson@gmail.com.

While a majority of these times have been quite rewarding, from the audience perspective, there has been a price to pay. Not universally, but more often than not, that price involved enduring lacking acoustics, poor sound systems, inadequate lighting, insufficient and cramped seating and poor sight lines. I won’t even begin to get into lousy parking.

As an orchestra member, over those years I’ve had the misfortune to perform on plywood spread over a hockey rink (and with a world renowned pianist soloist), in bare-bones high school auditoriums, facilities with zero backstage space and some churches where acoustics were so faulty that solo artists had difficulty meshing with the orchestra, not to mention musicians working to mesh with each other. All because that’s what was available at the time.

Our arts community has grown immensely over the years and can now boast numerous performances that are of competitive quality with much larger artistic markets. By way of example, the Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra, under Michael Butterman, has now received repeated national recognitions, as well as international notice with its live streaming programs.

Fortunately, our movers and shakers in decision-making governmental positions in Williamsburg and James City and York counties have come to the rescue. Deep thanks must be given to these forward-thinking folk for the support of a live performance venue and its associated, neighboring sports facility. This is significant and contributes to the growing awareness of the impact these facilities can and will have on our cultural-athletic communities here and nationally. The fact that initial funding for a live performance venue, by specific law, comes through tourism dollars via the Historic Triangle Recreational Facilities Authority — and not real estate taxes — enhances the positive nature of this exciting development.

The planning behind a live performance venue was not an overnight event nor an insular one. A dedicated group of advocates were involved in extensive and inclusive surveys and face-to-face meetings with arts groups throughout Hampton Roads to gather information about what is needed for a first-class facility.

This real-time plan addresses those needs. From opera to dance to theatrical and musical events, the venue will allow a center of excellence for continued artistic growth and community support from the Hampton Roads region, not to mention possible state and nationwide events that can come here to share their talents, much as the sports facility envisions with big scale events. All of which bodes well for increased tourism dollars.

Please join the ranks of advocates for this venue and let your local officials and governing folk know how thankful you are as a citizen for the chance to put the area on the map.

John Shulson writes Arts Notes for The Virginia Gazette.

New Town Tunes

The New Town Tunes outdoor concert series returns today at 5:30 p.m. in Sullivan Square with the band Revelation.

The concerts will take place every Wednesday through June 12 in the square, located in the grassy area behind Legacy Hall at 4301 New Town Ave. The concert lineup features 10 bands over seven nights. On May 8, there’s a double header with the Billy Joe Daniel Band and Lenny Holmes Hendrix Forever.

Attendees can bring families, lawn chairs or blankets and picnic baskets. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. All ages (and dogs) welcome; children must be accompanied by an adult. The concerts are weather permitting and subject to change.

For the series lineup, visit newtownwilliamsburg.com/events-news.

Ewell Concert Series

The eclectic and appealing Ewell Concert Series at William & Mary closes its season Friday with The Wren Masters baroque ensemble in “Baroque Brilliance,” showcasing music by virtuoso composers and performers of the 17th and 18th centuries.

The Masters specialize in historical presentations using the harpsichord, recorder, baroque violin and viola da gamba, performed by current and former musical masters themselves from the W&M faculty and Colonial Williamsburg, including Thomas Marshall (harpsichord), Ruth van Baak Griffioen (recorder), Susan Via (violin) and Brady Lanier (viola da gamba and Baroque cello). In addition to their local involvement, their individual talents are widely sought throughout Virginia and beyond.

The program includes music by Telemann, Marais, Buxtehude and J.S Bach. It takes place at 7 p.m. in the new Music Arts Center Building Concert Hall (next to the new Phi Beta Kappa building) on Jamestown Road. Free and open to the public.

Cantori Choral Ensemble

Agnes French’s Cantori presents its “True Love” program at 5 p.m. on Sunday in Walnut Hills Baptist Church and again on May 12, same time, in Abingdon Episcopal Church in Gloucester.

The fare includes works encompassing several periods and styles, from Elizabethan poems and mountain folk songs and ballads to agape love, reflecting all forms of love — mother’s, father’s, young and even a touching mother seal’s love for her pup.

The theme will feature such works as “O Love, “Seal Lullaby,” “Danny Boy,” “Warm Summer Sun,” settings from the Song of Solomon, “Black is the Color of My True Love’s Hair,” “My True Love Hath My Heart,” “Birthday Madrigals” compiled by John Rutter, “Live with Me and Be My Love” and “A Nymph’s Reply to the Shepherd.”

One of the notable things about Cantori is its a cappella skills. It’s always a treat to hear such finely tuned and toned singing done locally to such high quality. While many selections will feature that a cappella glow, others will be accompanied by piano (Rebecca Davy), double bass (Jordan Ponzi), clarinet (Diane Ruffer) and flute (Wayne Hedrick), all of whom have impressive professional credentials.

Reserve tickets by sending a check made out to Cantori, 3341 Derby Lane, Williamsburg, VA 23185.  Advance tickets are $15 for adults and $20 at the door. For more information, visit cantoriwilliamsburg.org.

Chamber Music Society and Virginia Arts Festival

The Chamber Music Society of Williamsburg ended its 2023-24 season recently with the spectacular Telegraph Quartet, truly one of the most effectively balanced in sound and brilliant technique to be heard this season. However, the season is not exactly over.

The society, in partnership with the Virginia Arts Festival, will usher in true chamber music royalty May 8 in the Williamsburg Library Theater at 7:30 p.m. with the appearance of the world-acclaimed Takács Quartet and pianist Olga Kern, one of the globe’s most celebrated musicians.

Kern is also the festival’s chamber music director, bringing top drawer chamber music to town.

The Takács Quartet dates back to 1975 in Budapest and boasts endless lists of awards, among them a Grammy and numerous Gramophones. They’re known for extraordinary technique, artistry, interpretation and everything else of excellence. They’re one of the most sought-after ensembles in the world of music.

In 2001, Kern was the only woman in the last 50 years to win the gold medal in the Van Cliburn Piano Competition. Her worldwide appearances on the most prestigious stages around are as dazzling as her haute-couture dresses and jewelry. She is a super star.

The program will feature Franck’s Piano Quintet and the Takács in Dvořák’s String Quartet Op. 51. Tickets are available at vafest.org.

The Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra

The Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra closes its current season on May 14 in the Williamsburg Community Chapel with “Passion & Virtuosity,” featuring pianist-composer Aldo López-Gavilán in his “Emporium.”

Called a genius and star, the Cuban-born artist has international acclaim for his performance in classical and Afro-Cuban jazz music; his jazz compositions, in particular, are called “electrifying.”

His “Emporium” hints of the latter, offering up contrasting meters, rhythms, melodic lines and styles. It embraces a wide range of listening treats that defy its complex nature. Intriguing and totally appealing and captivating music.

WSO music director Michael Butterman is partnering this work with Ginastera’s “Variaciones Concertantes.” An absorbing piece that provides impressive individual performances by members of the orchestra, there’s plenty of appealing, contemplative music — high energy, changing rhythmic passages and fun.

Also on tap will be George Walker’s moving “Lyric for Strings,” which opens the evening and Britten’s “Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell,” which closes it.

The program begins at 7:30 p.m. with a pre-concert talk from Butterman at 6:30 p.m. For tickets, visit williamsburgsymphony.org.

The Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg

An intriguing program, “A Sound Mind: Exploring the Impact of Music on Mental Health,” will be presented May 16 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the museum’s Hennage Auditorium. It’s presented by the Virginia Affiliate of Young Audiences Arts for Learning in support of awareness that arts in a child’s education results in enhanced learning.

“Sound Mind” uncovers ways music can positively impact mental health, promote self-expression and regulate emotion. Through a series of self-written songs, the program offers participants insights and strategies for accessing the therapeutic potential of music. Suitable for grades 5 to 12.

A second program takes place June 16 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Hennage. Featuring “Essential African Threads,” it will focus on traditional slave tales and hidden meanings that aim to educate and celebrate African American history. Suitable for grades K-5 and families. No fee or registration for these events.

Have information about the arts in the Historic Triangle? Contact John Shulson at johnshulson@gmail.com.

The Williamsburg Players

The Williamsburg Players’ season continues with a work that has won numerous awards, transformation into a puppet presentation, a feature film and tours to England, Australia, Canada and across the states, all with the most unlikely topic: a flesh-eating plant.

“The Little Shop of Horrors,” which has been garnering praise since its debut in 1982, is called a “horror comedy” with pop/rock music, all focused around a simple floral worker in a shop who somewhat accidentally discovers a new breed of plant named Audrey II.

The foul-mouthed Audrey is a bit “out there” singing rhythm and blues and promising endless fame and fortune to the meek shopkeeper to feed and take care of Audrey. The food: the shopkeeper’s blood. Throw in a sadistic dentist, a bit of romance and a few catchy tunes and you’ve got a fun evening.

Directed by long-time Players associate Marty Bussert, the play, featuring Jonathan Aspin as Seymour and Eileen Byrne as Audrey, plays through Sunday in the Playhouse on Hubbard Lane. Times are 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. For tickets, visit williamsburgplayers.org.

Williamsburg Artists Group

The Williamsburg Artists Group is showcasing 20 artists in a display running Friday and Saturday. According to Laurie Rokutani, one of the co-founders and leaders of the group, the event has a wide range and diversity of unique artwork, about which the artists enjoy discussing with viewers.

Offerings include hand-painted notecards, landscapes, colonial scenes, interpretations of ancient Mayan art and portraiture. The show will be on display in the Bruton Parish House, 331 Duke of Gloucester St.

Friday’s show is from 4-8 p.m. and Saturday’s is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

WAG was established in 2018 as a way for local artists to show their work outside a traditional gallery. A percentage of proceeds of sales will go to FISH Inc. Information can be found by contacting wbgartistsgroup.wag@gmail.com or by visiting WAG’s Facebook page at facebook.com/WilliamsburgArtistsGroup.

Virginia Symphony Orchestra

The Virginia Symphony Orchestra has back-to-back events in the Ferguson Center for the Arts in Newport News starting Saturday with a program featuring Broadway star Erika Henningsen (“Mean Girls,” “Les Misérables,” among others) in an evening of music from such musical artists as Rogers & Hammerstein to Billie Eilish. Expect lingering memories of old and certainly new music. Music to be directed by Andrew Resnick (Broadway’s “Parade,” “The Cher Show,” “The King & I.”) For tickets, visit fergusoncenter.org/events.

Then, on April 25, the VSO presents a series program featuring Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto with New Zealander Geneva Lewis. Thomas Wilkins, VSO principal guest conductor, is on the podium. The 26-year-old Lewis has begun to make a name for herself and has played in numerous orchestras throughout the states and a few ventures into Europe.

Also offered will be Zoltán Kodály’s delightful “Dances of Galánta,” George Butterworth’s “A Shropshire Lad-Rhapsody for Orchestra,” and Borodin’s popular “Polovtsian Dances” from “Prince Igor.”  Anticipated will be Butterworth’s “Shropshire Lad,” based on A.E. Housman’s beautiful, peaceful and, as often noted, haunting poems.

Showtime is 7:30 p.m. For tickets, visit virginiasymphony.org or call 757-892-6366.

Bruton Parish Candlelight Concert

On April 27, the Bruton Parish Choir, under Rebecca Davy, will offer the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Annual Memorial Choir and Orchestra Concert starting at 8 p.m. Featuring the Parish choirs and orchestra, the program includes Handel’s “O Come Let Us Sing” (verses from Anglican Prayer Book) and Andrew Carter’s “Musick’s Jubilee” (words from Andrew Marvell, John Dryden and Alfred Tennyson in praise of music). No tickets required. Parking is allowed at the church on Duke of Gloucester Street.

Virginia Regional Ballet

On April 27, the Virginia Regional Ballet will present a program of student-crafted choreography, mentored by VRB staff. The event takes place in the Williamsburg Regional Library theater at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $10.

Then, on May 4, VRB holds its annual 5K fundraiser in support of the company’s seasonal “Nutcracker Ballet.” The ninth fun run kicks off at the First Colony Clubhouse and is being held in partnership with the Colonial Road Runners.

More registration and general information is available at www.runsignup.com or by calling 757-229-2553. Registration forms are also available at VRB studios at 1228 Richmond Road and 4839 George Washington Highway.

Proceeds go toward offering a “Nutcracker” with live music, provided by the Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra in the Ferguson Center. In addition to the main production, VRB also provides “Nutcracker” thrill and exposure to thousands of students as part of its educational outreach.

The Virginia Arts Festival

For dance fans, you don’t want to miss the appearance of the internationally acclaimed Dance Theatre of Harlem, performing as part of the Arts Festival on April 30 in the Ferguson Center.  Founded in 1969, the company is a remarkable operation with extraordinary performers who deliver works from the classical, neo-classical and edgy modern worlds.

From its earliest days and continuing to today, the Harlem brims with feeling, energy and impressive technique and artistry.

The program is scheduled to offer “Higher Ground” to Stevie Wonder; “Pas de Dix” of legendary George Balanchine to Alexander Glazunov; “Take Me with You” to a percussive Radiohead; and “Blake Works IV — The Barre Project” to highly innovative-James Blake. Most of the works are recent premieres. No stranger to Hampton Roads, this performance is a welcomed chance for audiences to delight in the dancers’ delight.

The show begins at 7:30 p.m. For tickets, visit vafest.org.

Finally, a correction: The Virginia Choral Society program is April 21 at 4 p.m. in the King of Glory Lutheran Church and not April 20.

Have information about the arts in the Historic Triangle? Contact John Shulson at johnshulson@gmail.com.