MEDIA RELEASE Newport News Tourism Development Office • 700 Town Center Drive • Suite 320 Newport News • VA • 757-926-1400 • Toll Free • 888-493-7389 • Fax 757-926-1441 • www.newport-news.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: March 26, 2008 Media Contact: Suzanne Pearson Media Relations Manager (757) 926-1429 or (888) 493-7386 [email protected] Celebrate Spring with Jazz, Dinosaurs and More in Newport News, Virginia Newport News, Va . – America’s signature music will soar and dinosaurs will roar this spring and summer in Newport News, Virginia! The 11th Annual Ella Fitzgerald Music Festival, April 19 to 25, and the return of dinosaurs to the Virginia Living Museum, beginning May 24, are just two of the many events, attractions and exhibitions that offer “family-friendly fun” at affordable prices. Visitors to Newport News from April through August can choose from dozens of events and activities, including Grammy-award winning artists at Newport News’ annual tribute to her native daughter, Ella Fitzgerald. Opening the Ella Fitzgerald Music Festival on April 19 will be The Dave Brubeck Quartet, with a special performance by the Jae Sinnett Trio. April 20 brings the infectious beat of salsa music with Bio Ritmo. The Kenny Garrett Quartet & New York Voices take the stage on April 23, followed by “PBS’ Legends of Jazz” with the Ramsey Lewis Trio, Fourplay and Paquito D’Rivera on April 24. Closing out the festival will be “Ella’s Birthday Celebration” with Al Jarreau, Cassandra Wilson and the Cindy Blackman Quartet. All performances will be at the Ferguson Center for the Arts at Christopher Newport University. Now in its eleventh year, the festival honors the legacy of the “First Lady of Song.” Dinosaurs will rule at the Virginia Living Museum throughout the spring and summer. Opening May 24 and running through September 1, DINO-MANIA! will feature some of the most life-like robotic dinosaurs ever. These dinosaurs act and interact with captivating realism. A companion event to DINO-MANIA! will be The Really BIG Dinosaur Puppet Show, from June 28 through August 10. This special program will feature plenty of giant puppets and lots of audience participation. Among the many other special events in Newport News from April through August are Itzhak Perlman, April 14; Historic Garden Week, April 19 through 27; a live taping of NPR’s “From the Top,” May 15; the Colonial Craftsman’s Faire, May 17 and 18; the 42nd Annual Newport News Greek Festival, May 29 through June 1; the Summer Celebration Wine Festival, June 14; and 4th of July Stars in the Sky. You will also find free outdoor concerts at Port Warwick, May 21 through October 1; at The Mariners’ Museum, June 5, 12, 19 and 26; and at City Center at Oyster Point, June 6, 13, 20 and 27. For more information on these and other events in Newport News this spring and summer, call the Newport News Visitor Center at 888-493-7386 ext. 90 or go online at www.newport-news.org . Hotel packages begin at $109.00 per room, per night, based on double occupancy, and include complimentary breakfast. Request your 2008 Newport News Visitor Guide and experience the ocean, the ships, the history and the great outdoors, all in one Tidewater vacation, just minutes from Williamsburg and a short drive to Virginia Beach. # # # Event Descriptions Itzhak Perlman Ferguson Center for the Arts April 14; 7:30 p.m. Undeniably the reigning virtuoso of the violin, Itzhak Perlman is sought after by audiences the world over who respond to both his flawless technique and irrepressible joy of making music. A rare opportunity to experience the master in recital with piano accompaniment. $65.00 to $85.00. Ferguson Center for the Arts, 1 University Place; Ticket Office, (757) 594-8752, www.fergusoncenter.org. Historic Garden Week in Virginia Various locations in Tidewater April 19 – 27; Hours to be determined America’s oldest and largest house and garden tour program, begun in 1929 by The Garden Club of Virginia. Hampton/Newport News tours on April 23; other Tidewater and Hampton Roads area tours throughout the week. Ticket prices to be determined. (804) 644-7776, www.vagardenweek.org. The Dave Brubeck Quartet with special opening performance by the Jae Sinnett Trio Ferguson Center for the Arts April 19; 7:30 p.m. The first jazz figure ever to make the cover of Time Magazine , Dave Brubeck has for nearly half a century been a major figure as pianist, composer, and leader of perhaps the most widely known and well-traveled quartet in the history of jazz. Drummer and composer Jae Sinnett has performed with some of the biggest names in jazz, including Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard and Chuck Mangione. $37.00 to $47.00; CNU students, $5.00; other students, $15.00. Ferguson Center for the Arts, 1 University Place; Ticket Office, (757) 594-8752, www.fergusoncenter.org. Bio Ritmo Ferguson Center for the Arts Music & Theatre Hall April 20; 3 p.m. Hailing from Richmond, Virginia, Bio Ritmo a.k.a. “the Salsa Machine” writes and performs songs using essential elements from the 1970’s, the golden age of salsa. With the chemistry that comes from 15 years of performing experience, these nine musicians present a raucous fusion of Afro-Cuban beats, Brazilian samba, and classic jazz harmonies spiced with electronica, explosive brass, and improvised jam sessions. $30.00; CNU students, $5.00; other students, $15.00. Ferguson Center for the Arts, 1 University Place; Ticket Office, (757) 594-8752, www.fergusoncenter.org. Kenny Garrett Quartet & New York Voices with the CNU Jazz Ensemble Ferguson Center for the Arts Music & Theatre Hall April 23; 7:30 p.m. Kenny Garrett is the one of the most consistently scintillating and inspiring saxophone force in the genre. Garrett’s music is roll up your sleeves, hard bop blowing of rippling melodic songs. Formed in 1987, New York Voices is the Grammy Award-winning vocal ensemble renowned for their excellence in jazz and the art of group singing. The Kenny Garrett Quartet and New York Voices will be joined on stage by CNU’s award- winning Jazz Ensemble. $27.00; CNU students, $5.00; other students, $15.00. Ferguson Center for the Arts, 1 University Place; Ticket Office, (757) 594-8752, www.fergusoncenter.org. PBS’ Legends of Jazz with the Ramsey Lewis Trio, Fourplay and Paquito D’Rivera Ferguson Center for the Arts April 24; 7:30 p.m. Grammy Award winning composer and pianist Ramsey Lewis has been referred to as “the great performer,” a title reflecting his performance style and musical selections which display his early gospel playing and classical training along with his love of jazz. Fifteen years ago, Grammy nominated Fourplay launched the smooth jazz movement with a debut album that shot straight to the top of the Contemporary Jazz charts. Perhaps the most successful Cuban artist to soar to jazz glory in the U.S., reeds player Paquito D’Rivera has won eight Grammy Awards, becoming a marquee performing artist around the world. $23.00 to $43.00; CNU students, $5.00; other students, $15.00. Ferguson Center for the Arts, 1 University Place; Ticket Office, (757) 594-8752, www.fergusoncenter.org. Ella’s Birthday Celebration with Al Jarreau, Cassandra Wilson and the Cindy Blackman Quartet Ferguson Center for the Arts April 25; 7:30 p.m. Al Jarreau's unique vocal style is one of the world's most precious treasures. His innovative musical expressions have made him one of the most exciting and critically-acclaimed performers of our time. Cassandra Wilson’s mix of smoky, knowing vocals and expansive, lush music is transfixing. Supremely innovative and comfortable, she easily masters the realms of jazz, funk, rap and blues. One of the most powerful and creative drummers on the scene, Cindy Blackman has upheld the backbeat and created texture for a veritable Who’s Who in jazz. Her rising star has been seen by millions of people all over the world. $37.00 to $47.00; CNU students, $5.00; other students, $15.00. Ferguson Center for the Arts, 1 University Place; Ticket Office, (757) 594-8752, www.fergusoncenter.org. DINO-MANIA! Virginia Living Museum May 24 – September 1; Daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tremble at a growling, 12-foot-tall Albertosaurus. Then watch three dinosaur mothers tend their broods. There’s even a nest full of eggs ready to hatch. Kokoro dinosaurs don’t just look like dinosaurs, they behave like dinosaurs. Walking, feeding, roaring, fighting, hatching and caring for their young – Kokoro models act and interact with captivating realism. Included in regular admission. Adults, $15.00; children (3-12), $10.00. Virginia Living Museum, 524 J. Clyde Morris Boulevard, (757) 595-1900, www.thevlm.org. The Really BIG Dinosaur Puppet Show Virginia Living Museum June 28 – August 10; Daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. This program from Rainbow Puppet Productions uses original songs and over 20 giant puppets. Lots of audience participation. Included in regular admission. Adults, $15.00; children (3-12), $10.00. Virginia Living Museum, 524 J. Clyde Morris Boulevard, (757) 595-1900, www.thevlm.org. From the Top – A Virginia Arts Festival Event Ferguson Center for the Arts May 15; 7:30 p.m. Hosted by acclaimed pianist Christopher O'Riley, “From the Top” partners gifted young classical musicians with renowned classical artists in radio broadcasts that capture the top-notch musicianship, offbeat humor and insights of America's best rising and established performers. Here's your chance to see the show taped live! $15.00 to $35.00.