We’re turning downtown Norfolk into a mid-summer holiday wonderland filled with local artists, handmade gifts, festive fun, and more vendors than ever before. Whether you’re hunting for one-of-a-kind presents, treating yourself, or just looking for a fun family outing, this is your chance to shop small and skip the December stress.
Panties in a Twist: The All-Women Comedy Show is back and taking over the historic Wells Theatre for TWO nights only!
This is not just a comedy show. It is a full-blown comedy event. A fast-paced, laugh-out-loud mix of sketch, characters, and chaos, written, directed, and starring Hampton Roads’ funniest women…
Arrive early on Thursday, April 23 for The Chicken Shack Sessions, a live pre-show jazz performance by Kristiana Jones and her combo before Malcolm X & Redd Foxx Washing Dishes at Jimmy’s Chicken Shack in Harlem.
Known for her expressive vocals and love of jazz, Kristiana brings a smooth, intimate sound that sets the tone for the evening.
Free with your ticket! So come early, grab a drink, and don’t miss how the story begins before the curtain even rises.
For tickets: https://tickets.vastage.org/6933/7179
August 8 | 7:30 PM | Wells Theatre (On Stage Experience)
Step out of the audience and onto the stage for a rare, up-close evening of world-class jazz.
For one night only, the Wells Theatre transforms into an intimate listening room as acclaimed artists John Toomey and Justin Kauflin share the stage just feet away from the audience. Seating is limited and arranged onstage, placing you inside the music for a performance that is as personal as it is unforgettable.
A pillar of the Hampton Roads jazz community, John Toomey brings decades of artistry as a performer, educator, and collaborator with some of the most respected names in jazz. A University Professor for Excellence in Teaching at Old Dominion University and a longtime leader in the Virginia Arts Festival’s Attucks Jazz Series, Toomey’s career spans international touring, composition, and performances alongside legends like Randy Brecker and Maynard Ferguson.
Joining him is Justin Kauflin, an internationally celebrated pianist, composer, and protégé of Clark Terry. Known for his expressive touch and seamless blend of post-bop and gospel influences, Kauflin has collaborated with Quincy Jones, performed on stages around the world, and earned recognition from The New York Times, DownBeat, and The New Yorker. After losing his sight at age 11, he has built a remarkable career defined not only by musical brilliance, but by mentorship, advocacy, and innovation.
Together, these two extraordinary artists create an evening of jazz that is both technically stunning and deeply human.
If you’ve ever wanted to experience live music the way it’s meant to be heard, this is your chance.
Seating is extremely limited. Click here for tickets.
What goes into shaping a brand new play while it’s still evolving?
This Saturday, join us for a special Meet the Creatives talkback with Jonathan Norton, playwright, and Dexter J. Singleton, the director of Malcolm X and Redd Foxx Washing Dishes at Jimmy’s Chicken Shack in Harlem.
Saturday at 6:45 PM
Tazewell Lounge at the Wells Theatre
Free for ticket holders
On Friday, April 10, your night at the Wells Theatre doesn’t end when the curtain falls.
Following the performance of Malcolm X & Redd Foxx Washing Dishes at Jimmy’s Chicken Shack in Harlem, audiences are invited to stay for a special post-show event: Lady Valentine and the Moody Blue Dancers, starring the dynamic Vivian Valentine.
On May 3, in partnership with Virginia Stage Company, VSP will host a free community screening of Heart to Script Monologues: The inBetween Series. This event features monologues written by military and veteran spouses and performed by professional actors. All pieces were developed over two years in VSP’s Heart to Script monologue writing program. Following the screening, VSP will facilitate a community talkback designed to deepen understanding between military and civilian audiences in Hampton Roads.
Tell the world how much you love Virginia Stage on Tripadvisor!
