Watch this video featuring Karen Rudd and Debra Burrell of Norfolk Arts!
Enjoy this video about the historic Attucks Theatre!
Up Next:
Saturday, November 8, 3-4pm
Norfolk Street Choir Sing Showcase
Arrive early for their 2:30pm Art Show in the Lobby!
After such a memorable and inspiring debut at the Attucks last year, they just couldn’t stay away. Join their singers, house band, and special guests for new songs by Duke Ellington, Stevie Wonder, Des’ree, and the Beatles… plus lots of familiar NSC favorites.
Thursday, November 13, 7:30-9:30pm
Arts for Learning VA
Soul of Langston. In its culturally-significant setting, the Attucks is the perfect backdrop to celebrate Langston Hughes’ poetry and legacy. Fused with rhythms of jazz and blues, Soul of Langston sketches the life of the American playwright, poet, and civil rights activist. As portrayed by actor Daron P. Stewart, Langston reflects on some of his literary accomplishments—from being discovered as a “busboy poet” thriving in the Harlem Renaissance to becoming one of America’s most read and quoted poets. Soul of Langston is an inspiring story of resilience and persistence that dares anyone to dream big!
Check out the Free workshops all are invited to attend as a prelude to this event! A variety of interactive workshops in partnership with the Norfolk Public Library, will explore the impact and legacy of Hughes over the course of several weeks.
Saturday, December 6, 8pm
JC Foundation, Inc.
A Jazzy Christmas
(TICKETED EVENT!)
A Jazzy Christmas Show featuring The Braxton Brothers and local favorite the Fuzz Band! This show will electrify you with the diversity of talent and is sure to put you in the holiday groove. Be ready to jam to Holiday classics and crank up the holiday season!
The Braxton Brothers, twin siblings Wayne and Nelson Braxton, are celebrated pioneers in the Smooth Jazz genre, blending memorable melodies with infectious grooves to create music that uplifts and inspires. Since their debut in 1997, they have garnered widespread acclaim with multiple #1 hits and albums, including their Billboard #1 Smooth Jazz Airplay hit, Catalina Nights.
They are proud products of public-school music programs and credit the dedication of their teachers, who invested so much time in building a strong foundation, as a significant factor in their success today. Wayne says, “We believe that God puts people in your life along the way to help you do what you were created to do.” Nelson adds, “Exactly, and our music teachers were definitely examples of that.”
Thursday, December 11, 7:30pm – 9:30pm
Doors open at 6:30 and they will have a talk that begins at 7:15pm.
Norfolk Chamber Consort
Novel Noel, A Consort Christmas
Enjoy new music celebrating the season by local composers.
Looking back at previous 2025 events:
We kicked off 2025 on February 23rd with Ballet Virginia
Heart + Soul welcomed nearly 500 guests for a celebration of the life and legacy of Lorraine Graves, a trailblazing African American ballerina from Norfolk, Virginia. The performances was a moving tribute to a woman who shaped the dance world and inspired countless lives. Watch a short video.
Sunday, March 8, 2025
TACA757 presented
Afro MANIA “Ghana-A Cultural Experience” 12-3pm
The Tidewater African Cultural Alliance and the Tema Committee of the Norfolk Sister City Association presented a celebration of Ghanaian culture for the whole community.
May 16, 2025 HR Jazz Inc. welcomed Nat Reeves and Aaron Goldberg and HR Jazz President, Jae Sinnett played alongside them in the intimate Attucks Jazz Club during “Trio Jazz”
Hampton Roads Jazz Incorporated
Goldberg has collaborated with numerous jazz musicians over the years to include, Joshua Redman, Wynton Marsalis, Charles Lloyd, Gregory Tardy, Betty Carter and more. In 1998, he formed the Aaron Goldberg Trio and they released their debut album in 1999. In 2006, “OAM’s Blues” from his Worlds album was included as sample music in the Windows Vista operating system. Windows Vista sold over 88 million copies.
Nat Reeves:
For over 40 years, Nat Reeves has been one of the top bassists in jazz. His supportive and stimulating playing has uplifted a countless number of sessions and recording dates (most notably with the great altoists Jackie McLean and Kenny Garrett). He has lead his own CDs State of Emergency and Blue Ridge. Both as a performer and an educator, he has made a strong impact on the jazz world.
Jae Sinnett:
Jae Sinnett has been involved in jazz as a musician/drummer, jazz educator, clinician and jazz radio host/producer for the Sinnett in Session jazz radio show on WHRV FM 89.5 for almost 40 years. He has produced numerous jazz concerts and events throughout Hampton Roads featuring world class artists and jazz educators. He is the President of Hampton Roads Jazz, Inc. which aims to foster artful creativity, aesthetic and practice-based learning, cultural awareness, and community engagement through inclusive and diverse educational programs dedicated to enriching the lives of students and professionals of all generations, backgrounds, ethnicities, and genders.
October 16, 2025 the ODU Literary Festival’s culminating event included a dance by InSpirit Dance Company accompanied by the poetry of Norfolk’s Remica Bingham.
2024 Looking back at our 1st year:
We kicked off our series May 19th, 2024 with a performance by Studio 360 Performing Arts.
Now and Then Again
September 22, Tidewater African Cultural Alliance
TACA757 presented an engaging panel discussion about the state of the African Diaspora, followed by a cultural performance showcase!
October 6, The Norfolk Street Choir and Friends
The Norfolk Street Choir presented a SING Showcase.
October 17, “Polyphonic Story Slam”
Polyphonic Story Slam brought together several of our grantees on stage at the historic Attucks Theatre. Participants offered an intimate, behind-the-scenes glimpse into the heart of their artistic journeys as they shared their passion for art, dedication to the community and the challenges and triumphs they’ve encountered along the way. A project, that we titled “Polyphonic Culture”, made possible via a $20,000 National Endowment for the Arts, Arts Equity Grant was a series of 5 meet-ups attended by our grantees and other invited arts and cultural organizations that culminated in this final performance. Special thank you to Creative Facilitator, Patrick Mullins for leading our grantees through the series of workshops. Stephanie of the Norfolk Street Choir says, “The vision of this project was beautiful, the execution by the leaders was impeccable, and the camaraderie in the room each time we met was much needed and appreciated.”
OCTOBER 19, The I. Sherman Greene Chorale featured fellow grantee, The Virginia Children’s Chorus for an evening of song during “Voices United: Bridging Generations, Nurturing the Community”. Grantee Access Virginia also took the stage and provided accessibility services during the performance.
NOVEMBER 6, Tidewater Classical Guitar collaborated with the Norfolk State University Choir to present a special performance.
DECEMBER 7, Mosaic Steel Orchestra together with fellow grantee, TACA 757 performed with their various ensembles.
Their student ensemble expressed themselves through select songs presented in their own unique style, presenting a memorable cultural experience.
DECEMBER 11, Tidewater Pipes & Drums celebrated the ending of their 49th year by highlighting their talented pipers and drummers + students and commitment to education, performance and competition. Fellow grantees, The Boys Choir of Hampton Roads, Studio360 Performing Arts and Access Virginia performed along side their pipers and drummers in a unique collaboration. They also welcomed guests of the Virginia International Tattoo, Thistle and Rose Highland Dancers and Scotch and Rye.
DECEMBER 16, Norfolk Chamber Consort played for an intimate crowd in the ballroom.
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