This spring 2013, Virginia Arts Festival once again, will present a season with extraordinary arts
experiences not only in theaters, concert halls and historic churches, but in city streets and parks. It
will be a season of artistic celebrations featuring a performance of Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring,
presented on the exact day of its 100th anniversary. Dance is a signature element of the Virginia Arts
Festival, and this year Britain’s esteemed Birmingham Royal Ballet travels across the pond for the
only US performances in 2013 with its beguilingly danced production of Coppélia. A Prairie Home Companion
will give the Festival audience the opportunity to be part of the live nationwide radio broadcast as Garrison
Keillor leads an ensemble cast through this entertaining show including musical interludes and “The News
from Lake Wobegon”.
The Festival gets an early start this year on St Patrick’s Day as the legendary Paddy Moloney and
The Chieftains share the beauty and joy of Irish music and the wearin’ of the green. Fringe events
kick off in March as Meow Meow takes the stage for seven extraordinary cabaret performances
March 19-24. You will not want to miss this dazzlingly multi-talented entertainer. Virginia
Chocolate Festival returns this year and due to popular demand will be two days, March 23 and 24.
A variety of artists celebrate the centennial of the most controversial premiere in both ballet and
music history – Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring. The Festival provides an extraordinary opportunity
to see this historical performance on May 29, one hundred years from the day the work was
premiered. This new production of “The Rite” is collaboration between Virginia Arts Festival,
Richmond Ballet and Virginia Symphony Orchestra with music director JoAnn Falletta
conducting. “The Rite is a piece that forever changed the landscape of the music world. People who
witnessed the premier May 29, 1913 were stunned by its primal power and visceral energy. While
we don’t expect our performance to provoke the riot of that first performance, I know our audiences
will never forget experiencing this masterpiece live at the Virginia Arts Festival.” JoAnn Falletta
says.
Falletta will also lead the Virginia Symphony Chorus and Virginia Arts Festival Chamber
Musicians in Stravinsky’s infrequently performed ballet Les Noces (The Wedding), featuring
Norfolk’s own TRDance. The four pianos of the Les Noces ensemble are anchored by Festival
Chamber Series artistic director and Van Cliburn Competition gold medalist André-Michel Schub.
Family events include the Flying PROMS at the Military Aviation Museum where vintage aircraft
will soar overhead as Virginia Symphony Orchestra performs. More than 850 performers from all
over the globe assemble for the Virginia International Tattoo, an inspiring display of military
precision and patriotism. We celebrate Memorial Day with an inspiring outdoor concert by U.S.
Army Training and Doctrine Command Band in Newport News.
If you love vocal music then you will be thrilled with Virginia Arts Festival in 2013. Israeli singing
star, Noa, Brazilian vocalist Luciana Souza, Broadway sensation, Audra McDonald, singersongwriter Lori
McKenna, Indigo Girls performing with Virginia Symphony Orchestra and Tierney Sutton with Turtle Island
String Quartet give patrons many choices for enjoying beautiful vocals of varied genres.
Festival Williamsburg will be the place to celebrate Memorial Day weekend with banjo master Béla
Fleck & Oumou Sangare Band. Enjoy three dazzling stars of Broadway stages and hot jazz band
Hot Sardines for these rocking concerts at the Williamsburg Lodge. Classical music, delicious food
and award-winning wines will be featured in two concerts at the Williamsburg Winery performed by
Miami String Quartet and André-Michel Schub.
“The Virginia Arts Festival brings great artists from around the world for the communities of
Hampton Roads and the thousands of visitors to Virginia to enjoy each spring season.” says Virginia
Arts Festival Director, Robert W. Cross. “From legendary classical ballet with Birmingham Royal
Ballet, to Israeli and African pop sensations, to the multi-Tony award winning voice of Audra
McDonald and the spectacular celebration of the hundredth anniversary of Stravinsky’s Rite of
Spring, the 2013 Virginia Arts Festival has something for all arts lovers to enjoy.”
Season subscriptions are now on sale, purchase three or more performances and save 10%. Visit
www.vafest.org or call 757-282-2822. Single tickets go on sale February 8, 2013.
