Entertainment - dailypress.com

Carl Hunt plans to relaunch Slapwater this year

By Sam McDonald — Mon, 20 May 2013 15:38:00 GMT

Carl Hunt, an original member of the party band Slapwater , was fired from the popular, Peninsula-based group in an acrimonious dispute that surfaced last year.

Review: Last Bison's chamber-folk sound showed growth at the Norfolk Botanical Garden

By Sam McDonald — Mon, 20 May 2013 14:00:00 GMT

The Last Bison's chamber-folk style is built on homespun, organic elements: The plink of a banjo, the thud of a single drum, soaring harmonies from violin and cello.

Local actor finds a good fit in 'The Perfect Boss'

By Mike Holtzclaw , mholtzclaw@dailypress.com | (757) 928-6479 — Sun, 19 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Warwick High School graduate Gary Hudson stars in a Lifetime movie that premieres this week.

Gary Hudson is not a scientist, but he plays one on TV.

Ferguson Center for the Arts announces 2013-2014 Broadway lineup

David Nicholson — Sun, 19 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Actress Sally Struthers plays the irrepressible Dolly Levi in a touring production of "Hello, Dolly!" coming to the Ferguson Center for the Arts in November. Subscriptions to the Ferguson's 2013-2014 Broadway lineup are now on sale.

For 2013 Daily Press poet laureate, love sparked the desire to write

By Sam McDonald , smcdonald@dailypress.com | 757-247-4732 — Sun, 19 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Allen M. Weber says he hadn't thought about becoming a poet until he fell in love with one.

Mill Point Music Festival a new endeavor for team of young businessmen

By Sam McDonald , smcdonald@dailypress.com | 757-247-4732 — Sun, 19 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

HAMPTON — The idea of launching an all-day music festival would intimidate some people, but not Casey Haas.

Bay Days music lineup will include Mike Aiken, Bria Kelly and Snuff reunion

By Sam McDonald — Fri, 17 May 2013 17:00:00 GMT

An official announcement is still a few days away, but Bay Days organizers say they are looking at a musical lineup filled with a variety of accomplished local and regional players, from Norfolk's Mike Aiken Band to Smithfield's Bria Kelly .

Enjoy chamber music at Williamsburg Winery May 23

Fri, 17 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

When the Virginia Arts Festival performs at the Williamsburg Winery on Thursday, May 23, the menu will pair chamber music with fine food and wines. "Classics at the Vineyards" will spotlight pianist Andre-Michel Schub and violist Beverly Kane Baker in two works by Brahms, the Second Piano Quartet and the Second String Quintet. Throughout the evening enjoy wines, dinner at intermission, and a dessert reception with the musicians. The event begins at 6 p.m., and the winery is located at 5800 Wessex Hundred. Tickets are $100, available by calling 757-282-2822 or online at http://www.vafest.com.

Water Country USA opens for the season May 18

By Nicole Paitsel , npaitsel@dailypress.com | 757-247-4737 — Fri, 17 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Although most public swimming pools won't open for the season until Memorial Day, locals can get in a few splashes at Water Country USA starting Saturday, May 18. The water park offers animal encounters, children's water play areas and more than 25 rides, including Vanish Point, a thrill attraction that drops the floor from beneath riders' feet. The park will be open Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will reopen for daily operation on Friday, May 24. Tickets cost $49 for adults and $42 for children ages 3 to 9. A two-park summer pass, which offers admission to both Busch Gardens and Water Country USA through Sept. 2, costs $99. For more information, go to watercountryusa.com.

Get lost in space Saturday at Virginia Air & Space Center's first Sci-Fi Fest

By Sam McDonald , smcdonald@dailypress.com | 757-247-4732 — Fri, 17 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

The arrival of a new "Star Trek" movie provided a launch pad for a new event at the Virginia Air & Space Center in Hampton.

The Last Bison, acoustic rock act from Chesapeake, thunders home after roaming the continent

By Sam McDonald , smcdonald@dailypress.com | 757-247-4732 — Fri, 17 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

The Last Bison, an all-acoustic folk-rock band from Chesapeake, recently returned from a two-month national tour that found the young band singing and strumming for big crowds in Chicago, Seattle and Washington, D.C.

Locals look to win big in Powerball, Mega Millions lotteries

Andrea Castillo, acastillo2@dailypress.com | 757-247-4635 — Fri, 17 May 2013 01:39:00 GMT

When it comes to playing the lottery, Artis Carmon of Newport News hopes persistence pays off.

Carnival returns to Hampton Coliseum carpark May 23

By Sam McDonald , smcdonald@dailypress.com | 757-247-4732 — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:50:00 GMT

The Hampton Coliseum Spring Carnival rolls back into the parking lot of the landmark arena next week. Rides and games operate Thursday, May 23, through Sunday, June 2. Admission is $3. Ride tickets, $1 each. Unlimited ride hand stamps cost $20 weekdays, $25 on weekends and Memorial Day. The mechanical merriment comes courtesy of Amusements of America, which has been operating the Coliseum carnival for more than 30 years. http://www.hamptoncoliseum.org.

Logan Layman and her UnXpected bandmates prepare for busy summer

By Sam McDonald — Thu, 16 May 2013 14:54:00 GMT

When the photo above was taken back in March, 12-year-old Williamsburg resident Logan Layman already knew she was heading to north to play the Chicago Blues Festival on June 6 as part of a youth all-star band.

Nellie McKay, quirky songstress, to perform in Hampton with string quartet

By Sam McDonald — Tue, 14 May 2013 13:57:00 GMT

A Sunday story from my colleague David Nicholson included a nugget of exciting information. Nellie McKay , a piano-playing songwriter known for witty, irreverent tunes, will play The American Theatre in Hampton Nov. 1.

Backstreet Boys to play Virginia Beach in August

By Sam McDonald — Mon, 13 May 2013 20:39:00 GMT

What the world needs now is ... The Backstreet Boys ? Someone seems to think so. The group's "In a World Like This Tour" will touch down in Virginia Beach Aug. 17, promoters announced on Monday.

Slapwater band avoids legal fight, renames itself Slapnation

By Sam McDonald — Mon, 13 May 2013 19:13:00 GMT

Slapwater , the Peninsula's premier party band, has renamed itself in hopes of leaving behind a bitter fight over rights to its name. The group led by drummer George "Dody" Hunt III is now called Slapnation , according to its website.

Hampton Arts announces its 2013-2014 season

By David Nicholson , dbnicholson@dailypress.com | 757-247-4794 — Sun, 12 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Patrons who supported The American Theatre in past seasons will find much to like in the 2013-2014 brochures that drop in their mailboxes in the coming week.

Watercolor artists strut their stuff

Mark St. John Erickson — Sat, 11 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Like many of their fruity brethren, pears and strawberries have provided the subject for innumerable watercolor still lifes in the past — yet most of these earnest efforts have produced middling if not worse results at best.

Two Hampton women get to 'come on down' on 'The Price is Right'

By Mike Holtzclaw , mholtzclaw@dailypress.com | 757-928-6479 — Fri, 10 May 2013 17:13:00 GMT

Mother's Day gift: A chance to be on 'The Price is Right.'

HAMPTON — Tonya Mosley of Hampton has been watching "The Price is Right" for as long as she can remember. She knows the games. She knows the strategies.

Jamestown Day is May 11

By Mark Erickson — Fri, 10 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Happy Birthday, Jamestown!

Virginia Opera presents 'Carousel' in Norfolk

By David Nicholson , dbnicholson@dailypress.com | 757-247-4794 — Fri, 10 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Matthew Worth has tackled some demanding roles in his operatic career, including the philandering "Don Giovanni" at Virginia Opera and Father Flynn in Minnesota Opera's world premiere of "Doubt."

Audra McDonald performs at the Virginia Arts Festival

Fri, 10 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Audra McDonald's five Tony Awards include best performer roles in musicals like "Ragtime" and "Porgy and Bess." She found wider acclaim appearing in four seasons of the hit ABC series "Private Practice." Now the Broadway legend is back onstage with a concert at the intimate Attucks Theatre. Sponsored by the Virginia Arts Festival, the 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 16, event will include show tune favorites, classic songs from the movies, and original pieces written especially for her. The theater is located at 1010 Church St., Norfolk. Tickets are $50 available by calling 282-2822 or online at http://www.vafest.org.

Glenn Miller Orchestra strikes up the swing in Newport News

By Sam McDonald , smcdonald@dailypress.com | 757-247-4732 — Fri, 10 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Relive the glory days of the age of swing when the 17-piece Glenn Miller Orchestra lands at the Ferguson Center for the Arts in Newport News on Sunday, May 12. Miller died in 1944, very much in the prime of his life. Just a few years before his demise, his big, brassy band was dominating popular music with dozens of hits including "In the Mood," "Tuxedo Junction" and "Chattanooga Choo Choo." The orchestra playing Newport News, led by Nick Hilscher, promises to conjure up Miller's moods and tones faithfully. Also on the bill is the vocal harmony group The Diamonds. Showtime is 7 p.m. Tickets are $27-$42 and are available from fergusoncenter.org or by calling (855)FERG-TIX. For information, call 594-8752.

Hampton reggae fest at Buckroe aims to be a family affair

By Sam McDonald , smcdonald@dailypress.com | 757-247-4732 — Fri, 10 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

The Buckroe Beach Reggae Fest brings together fans of Jamaican-flavored music and culture for a day of fresh air, good grooves and laid-back fellowship.