Hampton Roads Arts
Bellissima!
This group is a women's choral ensemble that perform 2 concert series each year (spring and fall) in various venues around the region.
(757) 481-7332 www.bellissimachorale.org
Schola Cantorum
This group performs choral music by early to contemporary classical composers at venues all over Hampton Roads.
(757) 623-1862, www.schola-cantorum.org
Tidewater Classical Guitar Society
This group, dedicated to music for guitars and related instruments, puts on several concert series.
(757) 627-6229, www.tcgs.cx
Tidewater Winds
This group performs throughout the region and is dedicated to preserving the American concert band tradition established by John Philip Sousa.
www.tidewaterwinds.org
Virginia Arts Festival
This annual spring and summer event has a stellar lineup of music, theater and dance performances spread throughout Hampton Roads.
(757) 282-2822, www.virginiaartsfestival.com
Virginia Ballet Theater
This ballet company has sent dancers on to such notable groups as the Dance Theatre of Harlem and Twyla Tharp Dance. The company's performances take place at Chrysler Hall, the TCC Roper Performing Arts Center and the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts.
(757) 622-4822, www.virginiaballettheatre.com
Virginia Chorale
This professional choral ensemble, known for its skill with a cappella songs, performs and offers educational programs. Performances take place around Hampton Roads.
(757) 627-8375, www.vachorale.org
The Virginia Symphony Orchestra
(757) 892-6366, www.virginiasymphony.org
The Virginia Symphony Orchestra, one of the top symphony orchestras in the nation, performs about 140 concerts a year, including classical, pop music, family and educational programs as well as joint performances with the Virginia Opera and the Virginia Ballet at venues around Hampton Roads and beyond. Concerts this year include pop music (a tribute to Motown and to Disney music), the classics ("All Beethoven") and family-friendly fare such as "The Symphony Express."
Young Audiences of Virginia
This statewide nonprofit group has grown to become the largest arts-in-education organization in Virginia. Young Audiences puts on performances and educational programs in schools, museums, community centers, parks and libraries around the state.
(800) 314-ARTS or (757) 466-7555, www.yav.org
Norfolk
Attucks Theatre
Once known as the "Apollo of the South," the Attucks Theatre has been fully restored to its original splendor as a performing arts center. Now, it's a popular venue for concerts, speakers, theatrical performances and films.
1010 Church St., (757) 622-4763, www.attuckstheatre.org
Chrysler Hall
With 2,500 seats, Chrysler Hall hosts Virginia Symphony concerts and several Broadway plays each year through Broadway Across America.
201 E. Brambleton Ave., (757) 664-6464, www.sevenvenues.com
40th Street Stage
40th Street hosts performances by theater companies, improv groups and children's theater and adult comedy troupes. Resident companies include Source Theatre, Bold Girls, Bucket of Monkeys and The Children's Theatre of Hampton Roads. Upcoming plays include the psychological thriller "Snake Eyes" in August and Christopher Durang's "Betty's Summer Vacation" in August.
809 W. 40th St., (757) 423-4084, www.40thstreetstage.com
The Generic Theater
Despite its plain-Jane name, the Generic Theater is a distinctive and often untraditional home for productions of all sorts.
912 W. 21st St., (757) 441-2160, www.generictheater.org
Granby Theater
Built around 1915, this 15,000-square-foot theater has been renovated into a multifaceted entertainment area, home to a nightclub and concert hall.
421 Granby St., (757) 961-7208, www.granbytheater.com
Harrison Opera House and the Virginia Opera
The Edythe C. And Stanley L. Harrison Opera House is home to the Virginia Opera. The opera's 2008-09 season includes "Il Trovatore," "The Elixir of Love," "Tosca" and "The Barber of Seville."
160 E. Virginia Beach Blvd., (757) 623-1223, www.vaopera.org or www.sevenvenues.com
The Hurrah Players
This group, which often performs at the Tidewater Community College Jeanne and George Roper Performing Arts Center in Norfolk, is dedicated to providing instruction for children and mounting four main-stage productions with them every season. Upcoming shows include Disney's "High School Musical."
935 Woodrow Ave., (757) 627-5437, www.hurrahplayers.com
L. Douglas Wilder Performing Arts Center
This performing arts center on the campus of Norfolk State University is host to a variety of events.
700 Park Ave., (757) 823-2063, www.nsu.edu
The Little Theatre of Norfolk
This theater puts on a series of dramatic and musical productions. This season includes performances of the comedy "Leading Ladies," the drama " 'Night, Mother" and John Guare's farcical "The House of Blue Leaves."
801 Claremont Ave., (757) 627-8551, ltnonline.org
Chamber Consort
This year, the chamber group celebrates its 40th anniversary and welcomes a new artistic director. The group plays both classical and modern music, performing at Old Dominion University's Diehn Fine and Performing Arts Building and other locations.
(757) 623-5531, www.ncconsort.org
Scope
This downtown Norfolk venue is the site of hockey games concerts, plays and other special events.
201 E. Brambleton Ave., (757) 664-6464, www.sevenvenues.com
The NorVa
About 1,500 fans can fill the intimate three-floor hall that has hosted the best acts in funk, punk and rock 'n' roll. Upcoming acts include Teddy Geiger, Badfish, Gov't Mule and The Black Keys.
317 Monticello Ave., Concert line: (757) 627-4500; box office(757) 627-4547, www.thenorva.com
TCC Jeanne and George Roper Performing Arts Center
Tidewater Community College created this home for the performing arts in an old movie theater. Now, it features not just movies but also concerts and live theater performances.
340 Granby St., (757) 822-1450, www.tcc.edu/roper
Ted Constant Convocation Center
Nicknamed "The Ted," Old Dominion University's basketball arena is more than a place to watch college hoops. The center also has become a hot entertainment venue.
4320 Hampton Blvd., (757) 683-5762, constantcenter.com
Todd Rosenlieb Dance
This dance studio offers classes and training for dancers. The center also presents productions, sometimes collaborating with organizations such as the Virginia Opera and the Virginia Symphony Orchestra.
325 Granby St., (757) 626-3262, www.trdance.org
Town Point Park
Located on the waterfront, Town Point Park is host to more than 100 days of free special events each year. The lineup includes a regular Friday after-work concert series, Norfolk's annual Harborfest celebration and the Bayou Boogaloo & Cajun Food Festival.
120 W. Main St., www.festeventsva.org
The Venue at 35th
A sister to the Generic Theater, this Park Place venue is an informal, cafe-style home to poetry slams, open-mic nights and play readings. It now has an outdoor stage, which aims to host musical events and larger shows.
361 W. 35th St., (757) 469-0337, www.generictheater.org
Virginia Stage Company at the Wells Theatre
The restored Beaux-Arts beauty of Wells Theatre, 254 Granby St., won it recognition as a National Historic Landmark. The theater hosts comedies, dramas and musicals every year, staged by the Virginia Stage Company.
108 E. Tazewell St., (757) 627-1234, www.vastage.com
Portsmouth
nTelos Wireless Pavilion
This venue has 3,500 covered seats and 3,000 more on the lawn. For VIPs, there are luxury boxes with waiter service.
901 Crawford St., (757) 393-8181, www.pavilionconcerts.com
Willett Hall Performing Arts Theater
Willett Hall has attracted performers as diverse as Penn and Teller, George Carlin and the Harlem Boys Choir. The theater is an intimate setting, with the back-row seats only 175 feet from the stage.
Willett Hall is home to the performances scheduled by Portsmouth Community Concerts. For information, (757) 686-5447, www.portsmouthcommunityconcerts.com.
3701 Willett Drive, (757) 393-5144, www.willetthall.com
Suffolk
Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts
A renovated high school, this building is home to art classes as well as a schedule of concerts, comedy shows and other performances.
110 W. Finney Ave., (757) 923-0003, www.suffolkcenter.org
Virginia Beach
Little Theatre of Virginia Beach
This theater near the Oceanfront is dedicated to providing theatrical entertainment, featuring local talent, at an affordable price.
550 Barberton Drive (at 24th Street), (757) 428-9233, www.homestead.com/ltvbonline
Neptune's Park
This park at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront hosts a free annual summer concert series. The 2008 lineup includes Carbon Leaf, Hotel California, Edgar Winter and The Knack.
31st Street, Oceanfront, www.31ocean.com
Sandler Center for the Performing Arts
This performance hall boasts excellent acoustics and a comfortable interior. Upcoming acts include the Moscow Ballet in December and a series of Virginia Symphony Orchestra performances.
201 Market St., (757) 385-ARTS, www.sandlercenter.org
Symphonicity, the Symphony Orchestra of Virginia Beach
This orchestra performs at the Sandler Center, Virginia Beach's 24th Street Park and other venues. Annual events include The Messiah Sing-Along and an outdoor Summer Pop series.
(757) 671-8611, www.vbso.org
Tidewater Friends of Folk Music
This volunteer group promotes blues, bluegrass, Celtic and old-time music, putting together concerts at the Virginia Beach Central Library, 4100 Virginia Beach Blvd., and other locations.
(757) 626-FOLK, www.tffm.org
Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater
The amphitheater is a 20,000-seat outdoor concert venue. Acts this year include the Dave Matthews Band, Tony Hawk's Boom Boom HuckJam, Snoop Dogg and Rascal Flatts.
3550 Cellar Door Way, (757) 368-3000, www.livenation.com/venue/getVenue/venueId/1948
Virginia Musical Theatre
This Virginia Beach group dedicated to musical theater and educational outreach frequently performs at the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts.
(757) 340-5446, www.broadwayatthecenter.com
Hampton
The American Theatre
Performances this year include folk musician John McCutcheon and dance and bluegrass group Bill Jenkins & the Virginia Mountain Boys.
125 E. Mellen St., Phoebus section of Hampton, (757) 722-2787, www.theamericantheatre.com
Hampton Coliseum
The coliseum hosts a variety of events and is home to the Hampton Jazz Festival.
1000 Coliseum Drive, Hampton, (757) 838-5650, www.hampton.gov/coliseum
Newport News
Endview Plantation
This antebellum plantation, home to a Civil War museum, hosts several programs every year.
362 Yorktown Road, Newport News, (757) 887-1862, www.endview.org
Ferguson Center for the Arts
This venue will host acts ranging from the Little River Band to a performance of "Hamlet" by Shakespeare & Company.
1 University Pl., Christopher Newport University, Newport News, (757) 594-8752, fergusoncenter.cnu.edu
Lee Hall Mansion
Hosts historical and holiday programs.
163 Yorktown Road, Newport News, (757) 888-3371, www.leehall.org
Peninsula Community Theatre
Shows scheduled for this year include "Seussical: The Musical" and, on the children's theater schedule, "Stone Soup."
10251 Warwick Blvd. (corner of Main Street), Newport News, (757) 595-5728, www.peninsulacommunitytheatre.org