Newport News Tourism Development Office Fountain Plaza Two 700 Town Center Drive Suite 320 Newport News, VA 23606 757-926-1400 Toll Free 888-493-7386 Fax 757-926-1441 www.newport-news.org

WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEK NOVEMBER 27 – DECEMBER 3, 2015

PERFORMING ARTS

CELTIC WOMAN: HOME FOR CHRISTMAS – THE SYMPHONY TOUR Ferguson Center for the Arts December 1; 7:30 pm Celebrate this holiday season with the celestial voices of multi-platinum Irish singing sensation Celtic Woman as they present Home For Christmas — The Symphony Tour. Featuring music from the all-female music ensemble’s second Christmas album, Home For Christmas, including holiday favorites I’ll Be Home for Christmas and Silent Night. This promises to be an enchanting and festive evening filled with mesmerizing music, performance and holiday cheer. 1 Avenue of the Arts, 757-594-8752, www.fergusoncenter.org.

THE HIP HOP NUTCRACKER WITH MC KURTIS BLOW Ferguson Center for the Arts December 2; 7:30 p.m. A holiday mash-up for the whole family, The Hip Hop Nutcracker re-imagines Tchaikovsky’s classic score through explosive hip-hop choreography. A dozen all-star dancers, an on-stage DJ and an electric violinist bring the traditional Nutcracker story to life in contemporary New York City. “An ensemble as exciting as their balletic equivalent … the hip-hop vocabulary works even better!” says The New York Times. This evening-length show celebrates love, community and the magic of the holiday season. 1 Avenue of the Arts, 757-594-8752, www.fergusoncenter.org.

DAVE KOZ & FRIENDS CHRISTMAS 2015 WITH JONATHAN BUTLER, CANDY DULFER AND BILL MEDLEY Ferguson Center for the Arts December 3; 7:30 pm The 2015 Dave Koz and Friends Christmas tour will feature Dave along with three special guests. Koz will be joined by two tour “alumni” — the irrepressible Jonathan Butler, who has earned accolades in the R&B, contemporary jazz and gospel fields, and Dutch saxophone star Candy Dulfer, who was introduced with the smash pop single “Lily Was Here” and has since released 10 studio albums and performed with such artists as Prince, Dave Stewart and Lionel Ritchie — and the legendary Bill Medley, who will be touring with Koz for the first time. Medley, who co-founded The Righteous Brothers with Bobby Hatfield, has released 14 solo albums, including the Grammy-winning Dirty Dancing. Together, the four musicians will put fresh spins on holiday classics as well as other selections that beautifully capture the spirit of the season. 1 Avenue of the Arts, 757-594-8752, www.fergusoncenter.org.

SPECIAL EVENTS AT NEWPORT NEWS ATTRACTIONS

ARTFUL GIVING POP-UP SHOP Peninsula Fine Arts Center Continuing through January 17, 2016 Where can you find truly unique holiday gifts, shop local, and support Hampton Roads artists? PFAC’s annual Artful Giving pop-up shop! Featuring original paintings, drawings, pottery, jewelry, glassware, scarves, holiday décor and more! 101 Museum Drive, 757-596-8175, www.pfac-va.org.

HOLIDAY EVENING IN THE PLANETARIUM Virginia Living Museum November 28 Experience the journey of the Magi around you in the Virginia Living Museum’s “Star of Wonder: Mystery of the Christmas Star.” Presented since 1965, the show was completely revised in 2008 to offer a truly immersive look at the journey of the magi while examining the latest clues and seeking once more to understand the appearance of the Star of Bethlehem.! Get into the holiday spirit with “Holiday Magic,” a wonderful new laser program full of classic holiday hits all set with lasers. The whole family will enjoy this delightful show – the most amazing holiday light display you’ll see all season. Recommended for ages 6 and above. See “Star of Wonder” at 6:30 p.m. and “Holiday Magic” at 7:30 p.m. Shows $3 for VLM members, $6 for non-members. 524 J. Clyde Morris Boulevard, 757-595-1900, www.thevlm.org.

HOMESCHOOL MORNING Virginia Living Museum December 3; 9 a.m. to Noon The Virginia Living Museum offers homeschool students ages K through grade 12 a morning of fun and engaging programs that highlight important natural and space science concepts. Four programs are available for grades K-6. An environmental science lab, amphibians and reptiles, is available for grades 6-12. All programs are curriculum and grade-level targeted and taught by the museum’s professional educators. All programs include a self-guided visit of museum exhibits and are offered at a discount to homeschool families. Admission is $12 for adults accompanying homeschool students. For homeschool students taking the self-guided visit with no programs, admission is $7; classroom programs are $9.75 per child, the lab is $11.75 per child. Parents may accompany children into the programs at no additional charge. Register by Dec. 1 at 757-595- 9135 or by visiting their website. 524 J. Clyde Morris Boulevard, www.thevlm.org.

HOLIDAY MAGIC Virginia Living Museum Continuing through December 31; Call for times Kick off your holiday season at the Virginia Living Museum with “Holiday Magic,” a wonderful new laser program full of classic holiday hits all set with lasers including Bing Crosby’s’ “White Christmas,” The Russian Dance from the “Nutcracker,” and “Linus and Lucy” by Vince Guaraldi. The whole family will enjoy this delightful show – the most amazing holiday light display you’ll see all season. Recommended for ages 6 and above. 524 J. Clyde Morris Boulevard, 757-595-1900, www.thevlm.org.

STAR OF WONDER: MYSTERY OF THE CHRISTMAS STAR Virginia Living Museum Continuing through December 31 Experience the journey of the Magi around you in the Virginia Living Museum’s state-of-the-art digital planetarium theater! Since 1965, the museum has journeyed in the footsteps of the Magi. Over the years, the scientific thinking has changed, archeology has revealed new clues, and our understanding of who the magi might actually have been has grown. The show was completely revised in 2008 to offer a truly immersive look at the journey of the Magi while examining the latest clues and seeking once more to understand the appearance of the Star of Bethlehem. 524 J. Clyde Morris Boulevard, 757-595-1900, www.thevlm.org.

100 MILES OF LIGHTS Various Locations Continuing through January 1, 2016 Enjoy the many holiday events, light displays and activities throughout the region. Call for specific event information. 757-886-7777, www.100milesoflights.com.

23RD ANNUAL CELEBRATION IN LIGHTS Newport News Park Continuing through January 2, 2016; 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Virginia’s first drive-through holiday light event is back for its 23rd season! Newport News Park will again be transformed by over 800,000 individual lights, creating animated holiday and fanciful scenes. $12.00 per car, $60.00 per bus. 13560 Jefferson Avenue, 757-886-7777, www.nnparks.com.

WILD GIFTS FOR THE HOLIDAYS Virginia Living Museum Continuing through December 23 The Virginia Living Museum’s Wild Things Museum Store introduces “Wild Gifts for the Holidays,” a collection of unusual and affordable nature-related items for all ages, including eco- friendly clothing, plush toys, and stationery. Favorites include easy reader books, learning games, socks and hoodies, cuddly stuffed animals, home decor and hand-made jewelry - all themed to reflect Virginia’s native wildlife. Many items are unique, being created especially for the museum. All proceeds benefit the Virginia Living Museum. 524 J. Clyde Morris Boulevard, 757-595-1900, www.thevlm.org.

VIRGINIA MADE EXHIBITION Peninsula Fine Arts Center Continuing through January 17, 2016 This exhibit features works by 14 artists from throughout Virginia. These artists are creating modern examples of woodworking, glassblowing, quilting, papercutting and pottery. 101 Museum Drive, 757-596-8175, www.pfac-va.org.

LIQUID LIGHT – PHOTOGRAPHY BENEATH THE SEA The Mariners’ Museum Continuing through January 31, 2016 The oceans remain distant and mysterious, even though they occupy nearly three-quarters of our planet’s surface. This fascinating exhibit features nine California photographers who have captured a quality of light that only exists underwater. 100 Museum Drive, 757-596-2222, www.marinersmuseum.org.

NOTE: This calendar was compiled based on information submitted to the Newport News Tourism Development Office by the Newport News tourism industry. All events are subject to cancellation and date and time changes. Attraction operating hours, as well as admission and event fees, are subject to change without notice. Please contact event planners directly to confirm information. Additional Newport News events can be found online at www.newport-news.org.