HAMPTON ROADS, VIRGINIA (January 18, 2019) – Soul singers, the best of Neil Diamond, romantic Hollywood dance numbers, and a tribute to Barbara Streisand highlight the Virginia Symphony Orchestra’s POPS series for 2019-20. These concerts take place at the Ferguson Center in Newport News and Chrysler Hall in Norfolk.
The season begins September 20-21, 2019 with a tribute to some of the greatest women in music with Queens of Soul. Rock out with the full power of a symphony orchestra and vocalists on the tunes of the strongest women in musical history — including Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight, Nina Simone, Whitney Houston, Jennifer Hudson, Amy Winehouse, Alicia Keys, and Adele.
Then join us in a celebration of one of best-selling singer/songwriters of all time with The Music of Neil Diamond on November 7 and 9. The VSO has invited Jay White, who has performed more than 2,000 Neil Diamond Las Vegas casino shows, to perform with us in a tribute show for true lovers of the Neil Diamond mystique. Jay captures Diamond’s essence and charismatic stage presence, along with an uncanny vocal and physical likeness, and backed up by the full Virginia Symphony this is an unparalleled tribute to the man himself!
Next up, the VSO presents the annual tradition, Holiday Pops on December 13-15, lift your spirits with seasonal songs and traditional carols delivered in full sound and spectacle by the Virginia Symphony, the inspirational voices of Virginia Symphony Orchestra Chorus and special guests. Holiday Pops and will have all the magical elements you’ve come to expect Holiday Pops—high energy, familiar carols and lots of holiday warmth!
Grab a date and join us as Dancing and Romancing transports you back to a place and time when dancing and romancing were king, with magical songs such as “I Could Have Danced All Night,” “Singing in the Rain,” “All That Jazz,” “In the Mood,” “That Old Black Magic,” and many more romantic, dance-filled favorites. This musical combination of song and dance is on February 13-14. Inspired by the likes of Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, and Gene Kelly, this evening will put a song in your heart and have you dancing in the aisles!
Finally, the VSO closes the season on March 20-21 with the music of one of America’s most powerful and during artist, Barbara Streisand. Singing timeless classics from five decades of Barbra Streisand’s multi-faceted career, Platinum Award Winning singer-songwriter Ann Hampton Callaway will show off her gorgeous voice with iconic hits like “The Way We Were,” “Don’t Rain on My Parade” and “Cry Me a River.” Calloway, who was named Broadwayworld.com Performer of the Year, is a master of Streisand’s style and of the American songbook.
Season tickets are available in packages of five concerts at the Ferguson Center for the Arts in Newport News and Chrysler Hall in Norfolk and range in price from $120 to $450. Tickets for individual concerts will go on sale in July. Season tickets are available by calling VSO Patron Services at 757.892.6366 or visiting virginiasymphony.org/subscriptions.
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As the region’s most celebrated musical, educational and entrepreneurial arts organization, the Virginia Symphony Orchestra continues to challenge expectations and push the boundaries of what an American orchestra can be – even as it approaches its 100th anniversary in 2020.
At the heart of the VSO’s narrative is innovation. In 1991 the VSO made a very bold move in appointing the gifted young American conductor JoAnn Falletta as its music director. Since then, the orchestra has received national attention for its unique mission serving a home area of 1.7 million across the diverse communities of southeastern Virginia. Through appearances at the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall and commitment to adventurous programming, the VSO and its musicians have been highlighted in the media including The New York Times, The Washington Post, National Public Radio and BBC Worldwide News.
As the largest arts performing organization in southeastern Virginia, the VSO and VSO Chorus present more than 150 concerts and events to educate, enlighten and entertain more than 100,000 residents and visitors each year. Recent innovations include health and wellness programs, including interactive therapeutic experiences for people living with Alzheimer’s and dementia. As it approaches its Centennial year, the Orchestra and its legions of fans look forward with anticipation as the VSO conducts a worldwide search for its next music director.
2019-2020 Virginia Symphony Orchestra Pops Season at a Glance
Programs, artists, dates and venues are subject to change
QUEENS OF SOUL
Friday, September 20, 2019 | Ferguson Center for the Arts, Newport News | 8PM
Saturday, September 21, 2019 | Chrysler Hall, Norfolk | 8PM
Shanya Steele, vocals
THE MUSIC OF NEIL DIAMOND
Thursday, November 7, 2019 | Ferguson Center for the Arts, Newport News | 7:30PM
Saturday, November 9, 2019 | Chrysler Hall, Norfolk | 8PM
Jay White, vocals
HOLIDAY POPS!
Friday, December 13, 2019| Ferguson Center for the Arts, Newport News | 8PM
Saturday, December 14, 2019 | Harrison Opera House, Norfolk | 8PM
Sunday, December 15, 2019 | Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, Virginia Beach | 7PM
Virginia Symphony Orchestra Chorus
Robert Shoup, chorusmater
DANCING AND ROMANCING
Thursday, February 13, 2020 | Ferguson Center for the Arts, Newport News | 7:30PM
Friday, February 14, 2020 | Chrysler Hall, Norfolk | 8PM
Joan Hess, vocalist and dancer
Kirby Ward, vocalist and dancer
ANN HAMPTON CALLAWAY – THE STRIESAND SONGBOOK
Friday, March 20, 2020 | Ferguson Center for the Arts, Newport News | 8PM
Saturday, March 21, 2020 | Chrysler Hall, Norfolk | 8PM
Ann Hampton Callaway, vocals
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 18, 2019
Contact: Monica Meyer, Vice President of Marketing, Sales and Public Relations
Phone: 757.213.1431 | email: mmeyer@virginiasymphony.org
Twitter: @VASymphony
Facebook: facebook.com/virginiasymphony