Every spring, the Virginia Arts Festival celebrates the arts with unforgettable performances by music masters and artists of all kinds. The seven-week event takes place at multiple venues around Norfolk, Virginia, with settings ranging from grand to intimate.
Thousands of guests come to experience the Festival’s ballet, jazz, classical music, cultural events and more, which will take place this year from 16 April through 6 June.
World-Class Performances
Over the years, the Festival has featured incredible artists like Wynton Marsalis and Yo Yo Ma. But the Spring 2012 lineup is one of the most exciting yet.
For the Virginia Arts Festival Spring 2012, fans will enjoy opera soprano Renee Fleming, violinist Itzhak Perlman and Grammy-winning jazz trumpeter Chris Botti. Also, the American Ballet Theatre joins the Festival for the first time, dancing one of ballet’s classics, Giselle . The ballet tells the story of a peasant girl named Giselle who dies prematurely and returns as a ghost to protect her lover from evil spirits.
Also in 2012, Hollywood comes to the Festival with American singer/actress Jane Krakowski performing, and iconic film star Al Pacino sharing memories of his life in film.
America’s Biggest Military Tattoo Event
Military tattoos, an exhibition of military bands, drums, drill teams and more, evolved from a European tradition dating back to the 17th century. The Virginia International Tattoo puts a contemporary and global spin on the tradition with more than 850 performers from countries including Belgium, Canada and New Zealand.
The popular show, the largest of its kind in the United States, changes the theme each year. This year, the Virginia International Tattoo joins America in celebrating the Bicentennial of the epic War of 1812.
Symphonic Air Show: A Ballet in the Sky
The Flying Proms combine the region’s military culture and passion for the arts. While vintage aircrafts manoeuvre through the sky, the Virginia Symphony plays on, in what some have called a ballet in the sky. The Festival literally fills the air with exciting sights and sounds.
For more information on the Virginia Arts Festival Spring 2012, go to www.vafest.org.