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 JULY 17 - 23, 2015 PERFORMING ARTS AN EVENING WITH STRAIGHT NO CHASER Ferguson Center for the Arts July 18; 8 p.m. If the phrase “male a cappella group” conjures up an image of students in blue blazers, ties, and khakis singing traditional college songs on ivied campuses … think again. Straight No Chaser (SNC) are neither strait-laced nor straight-faced, but neither are they vaudeville-style kitsch. They have emerged as a phenomenon with a massive fan base, numerous national TV appearances and proven success with CD releases. Straight No Chaser is the real deal, the captivating sound of 10 unadulterated human voices coming together to make extraordinary music that is moving people in a fundamental sense … and with a sense of humor. On the road, Straight No Chaser has built a reputation as an unforgettable live act. 1 Avenue of the Arts, 757-594-8752, www.fergusoncenter.org. SPECIAL EVENTS AT NEWPORT NEWS ATTRACTIONS FRIDAY NIGHT ADVENTURES: BATS! Newport News Park July 17; 8 p.m. Meet a park naturalist and discover facts about some of the park’s natural and historical features. 13560 Jefferson Avenue, 757-886-7916, www.nnparks.com. FRIDAYS @ THE FOUNTAIN FEATURING SLAPNATION WITH GIRLS NIGHT OUT City Center at Oyster Point July 17; 5 p.m. Begin your weekend here. Join us for the City Center Friday Concerts by the best bands in our region. Bring your friends, lawn chairs, blankets, and dancing shoes. Free Admission. Free Parking. Food ($) and beverage ($). Featured tonight are Party Fins and Mosaic Steel Drum Orchestra. Fountain Plaza, 757-873-2020, www.citycenteratoysterpoint.com. BUTTERFLIES OF THE BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS Virginia Living Museum July 18 Join the Virginia Living Museum for our 24th annual NABA Butterfly Watch to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Be a part of this nationwide activity as we collect and release, watch, count and identify butterflies while also enjoying the insects and flowers along the wondrous Blue Ridge Parkway. This trip is a great way to share nature with your family. The trip includes driving to several sites then hiking along short and hilly meadow or forested trails. Minimum age is 8 years; 16 without an adult. 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. $50 fee. Register in advance by phone or website. 524 J. Clyde Morris Boulevard, 757-595-9135, www.thevlm.org. CAMPIN’ KIDS: DANGERS OF THE WILD NEWPORT NEWS PARK July 18; 4 p.m. Meet at the Campsite Activity Building for a variety of fun afternoon activities lead by a park naturalist. 13560 Jefferson Avenue, 757-888-3333, www.nnparks.com. CIVIL WAR LECTURE SERIES: WHERE TWO OPPOSING FORCES MEET The Mariners’ Museum July 18; 2:30 p.m. Besides the epic battle of Hampton Roads, the Battle of Mobile Bay is one of the most iconic engagements of the Civil War at sea. This encounter pitted the Civil War’s only two full admirals, David Glasgow Farragut and Franklin Buchanan, in a classic confrontation for the control of the blockade runners’ haven Mobile Bay. Farragut’s clarion call to action, “Damn the Torpedoes…Full Speed Ahead,” as his fleet stalled in front of Fort Morgan when the USS Tecumseh had been sunk by a torpedo, is one of naval history’s greatest statements. Both admirals provided inspirational leadership during this battle on August 5, 1864, which witnessed a major Union victory. 100 Museum Drive, 757-596-2222, www.marinersmuseum.org. CIVIL WAR VAN TOUR: WISTAR’S RAID Lee Hall Mansion July 18 Learn about Confederate naval raiders on the Chesapeake Bay and explore sites in rural Mathews County associated with the October 1863 Union raid. The cost is $50.00 per person, advance reservations and payment required by calling (757) 888-3371 ext. 306. The tour departs promptly at 9:00 am from Lee Hall Mansion. Bring lunch and drink, small coolers permitted, wear comfortable walking shoes. 163 Yorktown Road, 757-888-3371, www.leehall.org. DISCOVERY HOUR Newport News Park July 18; 11 a.m. Discover special facts about the wildlife living in our area, enjoy fun activities in the park and meet new friends while learning about our natural environment. Most programs will begin at the Discover Center and may include crafts, games or a nature walk for the whole family. 13560 Jefferson Avenue, 757-886-7916, www.nnparks.com. HAYRIDES Newport News Park July 18; 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Enjoy park interpretation and discussion on this 40 minute ride through the campground and bikeway. Complimentary tickets are available at the Campsite Office 30 minutes prior to each ride. Space is limited. All participants must be present to receive a ticket. 13560 Jefferson Avenue, 757-888-3333, www.nnparks.com. STORY TIME Virginia living Museum July 18; 10 a.m. The third Saturday of the month is story time at the Virginia Living Museum. Hear a nature- related story. 10 a.m. Included in museum admission. 524 J. Clyde Morris Boulevard, 757-595-1900, www.thevlm.org. BIRD WALK Newport News Park July 19; 7 a.m. The Hampton Roads Bird Club has monitored the bird population of Newport News Park since 1965! Join club members in the Picnic Area 1 parking lot for some early morning birding. Be prepared to car pool to different areas of the park. Beginners are welcome. Binoculars and field guides recommended.13560 Jefferson Avenue, 757-888-3333, www.nnparks.com. SEA CREATURES PUPPET SHOW The Mariners’ Museum July 19; 12 noon and 2 p.m. Join us every third Saturday this summer for exciting stories told through the Rainbow Puppets, as well as a family related activity. 100 Museum Drive, 757-596-2222, www.marinersmuseum.org. MARITIME MONDAYS: CATCH OF THE DAY The Mariners’ Museum July 20; 10 a.m. Fun for Children! Join us Monday mornings for engaging, learning activities for children. This week explore one place to another with transportation on the water! 100 Museum Drive, 757-596-2222, www.marinersmuseum.org. ARCHERY SAFETY Newport News Park July 22; Call for times A park ranger will present this one -hour presentation to teach general archery safety tips and discuss rules and regulations specific to Newport News Park. Please call 888-3333 for program times and to register for this training class. Meet at the Campsite Activity Building. 13560 Jefferson Avenue, 757-888-3333, www.nnparks.com. VIRGINIA HEALTH SERVICES SUMMER CONCERT SERIES AT PORT WARWICK: BORDERLINE CRAZY Port Warwick July 22; 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Enjoy the summer night air on Styron Square listening to the area’s best music. The concerts are free and all are welcome! Bring your own lawn chairs (no tents), blankets, food and drink – beer and wine allowed, or enjoy the music from one of Port Warwick restaurant patios. Loftis Bouelvard, 757-223-0284, www.liveonthesquare.org FARMERS MARKET City Center at Oyster Point July 23; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Enjoy a selection of locally grown fruits, vegetables, seafood, plants, herbs, baked goods, free range chickens, pork, bison, bath products, fresh bread and dog treats. Dairy products: cheese, goat's cheese, milk, bath products, fresh bread and eggs. Mariners Row Market Stage, 757-873-2020, www.citycenteratoysterpoint.com. THURSDAYS BY THE LAKE: SNACKBAR JONES The Mariners’ Museum July 23; 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Bring a blanket or favorite chair and enjoy live music by some of the area’s hottest bands on the banks of Lake Maury. 100 Museum Drive, 757-596-2222, www.marinersmuseum.org. AMPHI-THEATER Virginia Living Museum Continuing Through July 25 Children’s Theater comes to the Virginia Living Museum’s outdoor Wason Amphitheater with an amphibian theme in “AMPHI-Theater.” The VLM’s Wild World of Sports brings you the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. Enjoy the un-frog-gettable story of our home pond hero – a Northern Green Frog named Callie Ribbitkin, who will represent the United States in Rio de Janeiro in the 2016 Olympic Games in the long jump and swimming. Presented by CNU Theater students Tuesday and Thursday at 10:30 a.m. and noon, Saturday at 10:30 a. m. Included in museum admission. 524 J. Clyde Morris Boulevard, 757-595-1900, www.thevlm.org. MID-SUMMER PLANETARIUM SHOWS Virginia Living Museum Continuing through July 31 Choose among four shows in the Virginia Living Museum’s Abbitt Planetarium. Kids can learn about weather on the planets in “Zula Patrol” at 11:30 a.m. Explore the mysterious world of the former smallest planet in “The Pluto Show” at 12:30 p.m. A staff astronomer takes a tour of the current night sky in “Virginia Skies” at 1:30 p.m. Discover the wonder of amphibians living in our backyards in “Noisy Neighbors: A Frog Story” at 2:30 p.m. “Spirit of America” celebrates America with great patriotic music paired with lasers at 3:30 p.m. The planetarium is open every day. Tickets are $4 plus museum admission. 524 J. Clyde Morris Boulevard, 757-595-1900, www.thevlm.org. SUMMER THURSDAYS Virginia Living Museum Continuing through August 27 Enjoy extended hours Thursdays June 25 through Aug. 27 at the Virginia Living Museum. The outdoor trail, gardens and playground areas will stay open until 7:30 p.m. and the Wild Side Café will stay open until 7:45 p.m.