The Norfolk Commission on the Arts and Humanities awarded $276,900 in grant funding to 30 non-profit organizations in fiscal year 2020. These organizations bring the arts and culture to citizens of all ages and to every corner of the city. Find a list of all organizations here.

It’s a great time to view a past performance or try a free dance, art or yoga class or one of the other free offerings:

Boys Choir of Hampton Roads celebrated their 20th year this year. Young men ages 7 through high school graduation wowed the audience with their performances of music from “Let There Be Peace on Earth” to “Man in the Mirror” by Michael Jackson.
WATCH VIDEOS OF PAST PERFORMANCES

d’ART Center located in the NEON District houses several working artist studios. Sign up is open for their summer camps for children.
Register now. Their socially-distanced classes provide guests a safe space to create with individual tables. Class space is limited.

Generic Theater downunder is literally down under Chrysler Hall. Those who venture down to the bottom level of the Scope garage can find this little theater tucked into the back of the lot, and once inside will be treated to some of the most innovative and daring live theater in the area. From their Facebook page: “SO MANY THANKS to those that helped to support or build A Chorus Line! This was one for the ages! For those that liked, hearted, clicked, or shared our little production that could AND DID, THANK YOU! Stay tuned for our exciting enhancements, additions, and alterations to our upcoming 40th Season!”

Hermitage Museum & Gardens an early 20th century Arts-and-Crafts estate located on the shore of the Lafayette River in Norfolk, Virginia. The Hermitage features a nationally recognized art collection spanning 5,000 years, contemporary exhibition galleries, a Visual Arts Studio, and 12 acres of gardens and grounds that offer art and culture to the community, as envisioned by the Sloanes.
Watch videos of the gardens, listen to podcasts with local favorites and more. Open now through October: “Unknown Outcomes”

The Hurrah Players is presenting its 35th season of high quality, family friendly entertainment. Known for their exuberant musicals and plays, Hurrah Players also offers classes for children (ages 5 and up) and adults. Financial assistance is available, too.
FREE VIRTUAL ACTING & DANCE CLASSES, VIRTUAL CABARETS, CHILDREN’S STORYTIME & MORE. Virtual summer camp through August 7.
Email hurrah@hurrahplayers.com to learn more and get this week’s schedule of classes.

Little Theatre of Norfolk and Peninsula Community Theatre present
Script Club, a book club for theatre lovers! They read play scripts instead of novels. Some plays are ones they may consider for future seasons, while others have elements limiting the ability to produce them locally.
They have three options this round. Read as many as you wish.
Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
The Winter’s Tale by William Shakespeare
The Little Theatre SCRIPT CLUB

Mosaic Steel Orchestra
Virtual Stage Side includes students in Norfolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake and Virginia Beach, VA. This pilot program began May 4, 2020 and they are making their GREATEST IMPACT!

Norfolk Chamber Consort presents the public performance of chamber music from the 17th to 21st centuries. Their concerts feature lesser known works and neglected masterpieces, as well as performers who work with unique instruments. This season is their 50th anniversary, and audiences will enjoy music by Mozart, Chopin, and P.D.Q. Bach – “the worst musician ever to have trod organ pedals,” according to his biography.
LISTEN TO PAST PERFORMANCES

Norfolk Primeplus Senior Center
The mission of Norfolk Senior Center t/a Primeplus is to be the pre-eminent focal point for services, activities, and information addressing the needs and interests of older adults in South Hampton Roads. Serving individuals 50 and older in South Hampton Roads for over fifty years they provide opportunities to learn, grow and participate in activities that meet social, emotional, physical, intellectual and economic needs.
ENJOY FREE VIRTUAL YOGA CLASSES AND MORE

ODU, Literary Festival presents readings, lectures, and book signings around a timely theme ever year.
SEE THE ODU ARTS SPRING STUDENT ART SHOW ONLINE

Park Place Child Life Center Arts Classes are offered after school and on Saturdays. Since 2004, more than 600 children have enjoyed arts-based programming designed to advance literacy and encourage a lifetime love of learning. The programs are free for the children and they get homework help, go on exciting field trips, and do reading and math practice.
FREE ART LESSONS & BE SURE TO FOLLOW THEIR FACEBOOK PAGE TO SEE WHEN THE NEXT FREE ART ACTIVITY KIT DISTRIBUTION DAY IS.

Richmond Ballet
is LIVE STREAMING THEIR CLASSES

Teens with a Purpose project for the year was the HEAR THIS Poetry Collective for Youth. In this powerful community and school-based arts and humanities program, young people use their lives as primary text and learn to tell their stories through performance poetry.
Join in on Facebook or Zoom for Monday Night Trivia, Teen Talks, Open Mic Nights, Fitness Classes and More!

The Muse Writers Center is one of the top ten writer centers in the United States. They have classes in poetry, fiction, memoir, and more. You can learn how to write songs, how to craft a realistic courtroom scene or hone your craft in graphic novels.
Watch their LEGIT LIT READING SERIES
The Muse Writers Center’s summer online class schedule has just been announced. There are 78 classes, workshops, and seminars to choose from.

Tidewater Winds: Jazz It Up
The Tidewater Winds Little Big Jazz Band will offer a vibrant collection of modern jazz, music of Earth, Wind and Fire, and well-loved jazz standards. Come and enjoy the music of Ellington, Davis, Jobim, Tower of Power, Chorea, Gillespie and more!
Wednesday, July 22, 2020, 7:30 pm
24th Street Stage, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Battles on the Homefront (and Beyond)
From the pen of Dr. Christopher Palestrant comes his world premiere, The Battle of Great Bridge with the Full Concert Band. In cooperation with the Chesapeake Battle of Great Bridge Museum, we will look and listen into a battle that helped change the course of history.From the Homefront to over there! American’s celebrated for two days after the end of WWII and the world continues to celebrate this victory. Come and hear some of the great musical memories from WWII.
Sunday, July 26, 2020, 7:30 pm
Norfolk Collegiate, 7336 Granby St, Norfolk, VA 23505
Wednesday, July 29, 2020, 7:30 pm
24th Street Stage, Virginia Beach, VA 23451

Tidewater Arts Outreach carries the joys of music and visual arts to the elderly and their caregivers, homeless children and adults, veterans, and others with special needs. Singing, dancing/movement, visual arts, drama, poetry, and music all have recognized health benefits, and Tidewater Arts Outreach advocates for the arts to foster a healthy climate for arts and healing.
Continuing their mission to bring joy through the arts

Todd Rosenleib
Virtual Open Classes
Summer classes now available too.

Virginia Children’s Chorus has been teaching children to sing with joy since 1992. Singers are 6-18 years old. They take classes and perform in ensembles. They have sung with the Virginia Symphony, the I. Sherman Greene Chorale, and for the Virginia Arts Festival Tattoo.
Watch THE VA TATTOO VIRTUAL SALUTE TO THE GREATEST GENERATION WATCH PARTY

Virginia Chorale is the premier professional vocal ensemble in Virginia.
WATCH THEIR PREVIOUSLY RECORDED VIDEOS

WHRO produces “Curate,” with original segments featuring local artists. These locally produced segments are combined with other PBS stations’ segments and are broadcast nationally. Each episode is arranged around a central theme and offers a compelling look at artists and their creations.
Each week, the program features a Hampton Roads artist, along with artists from across the country, who work in a variety of mediums from painting to sculpture and photography to the spoken word. Each episode is arranged around a central theme and offers a compelling look at artists and their creations.

Young Audiences Arts for Learning provides quality arts-in-education programming throughout Virginia. “Hip Hop Math, No Problem!” combines hip-hop dance and music with math sequences and patterns, like fractions. Puppets teach about everything from wetlands to dinosaurs. Storytellers use art to tell stories of kindness.
Every Tuesday and Thursday, they are Live Streaming 10-mins of #ArtsforLearning content in an effort they’re calling #Take10. Join them at 2pm EST for a variety of music, dance, and storytelling.

AND HERE’S WHAT THE SYMPHONY, OPERA AND STAGE COMPANY ARE UP TO:

The Virginia Symphony
Their VSO Music Learning Lab is an extension of their Education and Community Engagement programs. They feature dozens of videos about orchestral instruments, playing techniques, and musicians’ secrets of success. You will find a series for all ages and levels of playing. Be sure to download companion worksheets and technique exercises too.

The Virginia Opera
WATCH VIDEOS OF PAST PERFORMANCES

Virginia Stage Company
Follow them on Facebook to see their schedule of Events to include Virtual Readings, Acting Labs, Self Care, Audition Workshops and more.