Media Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 12, 2017 Contact: Elizabeth Severs, 757/728-5326 [email protected] Ryan Downey, 757/728-5328 [email protected] Hampton, Virginia Announces 2018 Calendar of Events --City hosts first-class festivals and fabulously-free exhibits and events during the coming year-- Hampton, Virginia- From a first-class festival celebrating the demise of the brooding Blackbeard the Pirate (this year celebrates the 300th anniversary since the demise of Edwards Teach a.k.a. Blackbeard the Pirate) and live music and libations at the Downtown Hampton Block Party series, to fascinating special exhibits and seminars at Hampton University Museum and Hampton History Museum, there is something for the entire family this year in Hampton. Beginning in the spring, the Hampton History Museum will open three new exhibitions in the early part of 2018. Sometime this spring, the museum will unveil NASA in Hampton’s History. This exhibit will celebrate NACA and NASA’s singular history and immeasurable contribution to the community in Hampton. On May 12, the museum -More- Hampton, Virginia Announces 2018 Calendar of Events- Page 2 welcomes Pirates, Privateers and Buccaneers. In commemoration of the 300 anniversary of the capture of the notorious Blackbeard, the exhibit, on loan from the South Carolina State Museum, tells the story of Blackbeard, who blockaded Charleston Harbor in 1718 prior to his death in North Carolina, along with the stories of many other pirates. On October 13, the museum opens Hampton One: Working, Building, and Racing on the Water. Whether harvesting the seafood bounty, moving goods across nature’s original highways, or finding a ready field for competitive recreation, Hamptonians have always turned to its most abundant natural resource…water. The exhibit will explore working and living on the water in Hampton. Many exciting athletic competitions such as the World Class Gymnastics Invitational, Mid-Atlantic Power League Volleyball, 2018 Virginia Middle School Basketball Championships, Sea to Stars Volleyball Classic, BWSL Basketball Exposure Showcase, 2018 Showstopper Dance Competition, Hoop Group Southern Jam Fest 2018, Virginia Sand Soccer Championships, Life’s a Beach Triathlon, 2018 EVP Beach Volleyball World Championships, and Hampton Snowbird Rendezvous, and will compliment annual favorites like the 38th annual Virginia Duals, Boo Williams Nike Invitational Tournaments, and Crawlin’ Crab Half Marathon, 5K, and Kids Kilometer. The Hampton Cup Regatta, North America’s oldest continuously running power boat race, celebrates its 93rd birthday this September, making a move from its past August competitions! In non-athletic news, events like Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival XXIX, Eighth annual Hampton Roads Tattoo Arts Festival, and 18th annual International Children’s Festival, return bigger and better than ever. The American Theatre, Phoebus’ thriving arts center, has announced an exciting 2017 calendar that includes such notable acts as The Blind Boys of Alabama and An Evening with Molly Ringwald. The Charles H. Taylor Arts Center welcomes major -More- Hampton, Virginia Announces 2018 Calendar of Events- Page 3 exhibitions this year, including Hampton Arts League Open Members Exhibition 2018, Artists Who Teach Juried Exhibition 2018, Graphic Design in Coastal Virginia, and more. In May and June, Hampton plays host to several signature events, including the 19th annual Blackbeard Pirate Festival (Named Third Best Pirate Festival in North American by USA Today and recently featured on Travel Channel’s Expedition Unknown), and the 51st annual Hampton Jazz Festival. During the 51st anniversary of the Hampton Jazz Festival, the world-renowned Hampton Coliseum will come alive with the sounds of the nation’s top blues, soul, pop, and jazz performers. In November and December, try such festive options as the 20th annual Coliseum Central Holiday Parade, Phoebus Annual Illumination, 23rd annual Holiday and Kwanzaa Marketplace, 30th annual Downtown Hampton Lighted Boat Parade, Hampton Holiday Market at the Hampton History Museum, Hampton Holly Days Parade, and the Holly Days Concert, Tree Lighting, and Mistletoe Homes Tour Fort Monroe. Other notable 2018 happenings include the Virginia Hot Rod & Custom Car Show, World of Pets Expo, 2017 Langley Kennel Club All Breed Dog Show, Bodacious Bazaar & Wine Festival in June and November, and NekoCon 20, among countless others. -More- Hampton, Virginia Announces 2018 Calendar of Events- Page 4 January 2018 12-14 38th annual Virginia Duals Wrestling Tournament The Peninsula Wrestling Association hosts the 38th Annual Virginia Duals Wrestling Tournament at the Hampton Coliseum. The team advancement concept started in Hampton, Virginia with the Virginia Duals in 1981 and is now used by Virginia and many other states to determine the best high school team in the state. The National College Wrestling Coaches Association also recognized the value of the Team Advancement concept and now has the National Duel Team Championships to recognize the best college team in the nation. The Virginia Duals Wrestling Tournament is the largest college and high school tournament in the world. For more information, visit virginiaduals.mattalkonline.com. Hampton Coliseum. 9 a.m. Friday; 8 a.m. Saturday; 9 a.m. Sunday. Admission Fee. 757/838-4203. www.hamptoncoliseum.org (1000 Coliseum Drive, Hampton, VA 23666) 13 Songwriters Collaborative Calling all musicians, songwriters, composers, lyricists, poets, producers from around the Hampton Roads region…You are invited to be part of this regular creative musical collaborative at The American Theatre. These jam sessions promise to provide a wonderful, supportive and safe opportunity for anyone with a desire to work on their songwriting skills or to explore an urge to try songwriting for the first time. We welcome songwriters, musicians, and collaborators of all levels; just bring an open mind, your ideas, your instrument and a willingness to meet new people! Participants need not play an instrument but a piano will be available and everyone is encouraged to bring a guitar or instrument. Donations will be accepted at the door for refreshments. For more information contact Retreat Coordinator, Karla Grase at 757-652-6382. The American Theatre. 12 p.m. Free. 757/722-2787. www.hamptonarts.net (125 East Mellen Street, Hampton, VA 23663) 13-14 Southeastern Guns & Knives Show Founded in 1982 by "Doc" Mendelson, SGK Shows carry on the uniquely American tradition of Gun Shows, striving to bring the best assortment of firearms and related products together for home defense, collecting, and sport shooting. Hampton Roads Convention Center. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday. $10 Adults, $7 Ages 13 - 17, Free admission for children 12 & under accompanied by an adult 21 years or older. 757/315-1610. www.guns-knives.com (1610 Coliseum Drive, Hampton, VA 23666) 13-14 World Class Gymnastics Invitational Hosted by World Class Gymnastics. Boo Williams Sportsplex. $10, Children 4-17 & Seniors $6, Children 3 and Under Free. 757/727-8311. www.worldclassgym.com (5 Armistead Pointe Parkway Hampton, VA 23666) -More- Hampton, Virginia Announces 2018 Calendar of Events- Page 5 19 Tony DeSare Jazz Trio Join a celebration of great music filled with joy, playfulness and virtuoso musicality when Tony DeSare comes to The American Theatre. From intimate clubs to Carnegie Hall, DeSare is introducing jazz standards and the Great American Songbook to a new generation. With robust arrangements backed by guitar and bass, his smooth vocals and agile piano skills are sure to electrify audiences. In addition to DeSare’s acclaim as a singer/pianist, he is also an accomplished, award-winning composer. His sound is romantic, swinging and sensual, but what sets DeSare apart is his ability to write original material that sounds fresh and contemporary, yet pays homage to songwriting greats like Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, and others. His compositions include a wide-range of romantic, funny, and soulful sounds. The American Theatre. 8:00 p.m. $45/$35. 757/722-2787. www.hamptonarts.net (125 East Mellen Street, Hampton, VA 23663) 19-21 Monster Jam Monster Jam starring the biggest performers on four wheels: Monster Jam trucks! The twelve- feet-tall, ten-thousand-pound machines will bring you to your feet, racing and ripping up a custom-designed track full of obstacles to soar over - OR smash through. Hampton Coliseum. Friday 7 p.m.; Saturday, 1 p.m.; and 7 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m. Tix start at $15. 757/838-4203. www.hamptoncoliseum.org (1000 Coliseum Drive, Hampton, VA 23666) Party in the Pits - $10 Adults / $10 Kids Over Age 2 Monster Jam Pit Party will be held on the arena floor from 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. prior to the Saturday 2 p.m. event. The Pit Party allows guests to walk the track, meet the competitors, and take photos with the Monster Trucks. Purchase a pit pass at Hampton Coliseum Box Office. Must have a Saturday 2:00 p.m. event ticket and pit pass to enter. 20 Little Red and the Gingerbread Man Two tales rolled into one! Join Barefoot Puppet’s Little Red as she pursues a mischievous Gingerbread cookie through the woods to Grandma’s house. Original music, snowy scenery, and everyone’s favorite Big Bad Wolf make up this seasonal favorite for young audiences. The American Theatre. 11:00 a.m. $10. 757/722-2787. www.hamptonarts.net (125 East Mellen Street, Hampton, VA 23663) 26-28 Coastal Virginia Bluegrass and Brew Festival For the first time, The American Theatre welcomes a trio of legendary, genre-defining bluegrass acts and some of Coastal Virginia’s finest local breweries. See all three concerts and jam and sample some of the best breweries Hampton Roads has to offer. These amazing musicians will expose you to the full scope of their immense talents while also gaining a deeper understanding of the evolution of bluegrass music throughout Virginia and beyond! The American Theatre.