Historic Triangle events to look forward to this week |
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| The Sounds of Summer Concert Series will come to an end for the 2025 season with a concert by 80s tribute band The Deloreans on Aug. 14. (Photo courtesy of York County) |
| Summertime nature activities, live music and special history programs are among the events coming up in the Historic Triangle this week.
Stargazing will return to York River State Park, and James City County Parks & Recreation will host a free Campfire Social at Chickahominy Riverfront Park.
Guided kayak tours will be held at Yorktown Beach, Back Creek Park and York River State Park.
Author Tim McGrath and Colonial Williamsburg interpreter Mark Schneider will discuss the longstanding relationship between James Monroe and Marquis de Lafayette at "Founding Friendship" at the Hennage Auditorium.
Jamestown Settlement will honor the legacy of the first recorded Africans brought to Virginia with the First Africans Commemoration.
Summer is beginning to wind down, and that means some of our beloved outdoor concert series are wrapping up for the season.
The Sounds of Summer Concert Series will conclude on Thursday with a performance by '80s tribute band, The Deloreans. The Music By The Bay Series will draw to a close with The Chisman Creek Band.
This week's live music lineup also features concerts by Barry Manilow's Wardrobe at Midtown Row in Williamsburg and The Patrick Ryan Band at Port Warwick.
Local acoustic guitar musician Louis Vangieri will perform in a candlelit concert at Bruton Parish Church.
See below for our curated guide to things to do around the Historic Triangle, Aug. 11 - 17. |
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EVENTS THIS WEEK |
| Each week, we scour event calendars from across the region and send readers a list of local events and activities worthy of their time. For additional event details, click on the bolded, hyperlinked titles. |
Monday, Aug. 11 |
| CONVERSATION |
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Tuesday, Aug. 12 |
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| Mark Schneider as Marquis de Lafayette. (Photo courtesy of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation) |
| SPECIAL EVENTS |
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Founding Friendship: Monroe and Lafayette | Hennage Auditorium | Colonial Williamsburg | Tim McGrath, author of "James Monroe: A Life," and Nation Builder Mark Schneider, as the Marquis de Lafayette, will explore the relationship these two founding figures maintained over many years. A book signing will take place after the program. Requires CW admission or a Good Neighbor Pass plus an event ticket ($10 for adults and youth ages 6+; $5 for children 0-5). 7 pm.
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25 Mics Open Mic Night | Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center | Newport News | All talented individuals and aspiring performers are invited to attend this free monthly open mic night-- a family-friendly event where the community gathers to celebrate local talent. Budding musicians, comedians, poets and storytellers are welcomed to the stage, and all are invited to simply enjoy the performances. Free. 7 pm.
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| KIDS |
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| HISTORY |
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| FILM |
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Art House Café: "Dior and I" (2014) | Williamsburg Library | This film series brings an art house flavor to your Tuesdays. It features special guests who are film experts, as well as a discussion after the film. This week's feature is "Dior and I" (2014, R), a documentary about the legendary Christian Dior fashion house. See the trailer here. 1hr 30min. Free. 2 - 3:40 pm.
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| A MESSAGE FROM WILLIAMSBURG PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH |
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| Join us for a Community Back-to-School Bash! |
| Celebrate the back-to-school season with a block party at Williamsburg Presbyterian Church on Aug. 24! Enjoy games, snacks, an inflatable and more. Open to the whole community– bring your friends and neighbors!
This free event will take place in collaboration with the Williamsburg Baptist Church next door. No registration is required. |
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Wednesday, Aug. 13 |
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| The Patrick Ryan Band is set to perform in the Port Warwick Summer Concert Series on Aug. 13. (Photo courtesy of the City of Newport News) |
| SPECIAL EVENT |
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Kayaking the York River | Grace Episcopal Church | Join Amy Nicholson, educator at the Virginia Living Museum, for a paddle on the York River. Bring your kayak or paddleboard. A personal flotation device is required. Free. 6:30 - 8 pm.
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| VOLUNTEERING |
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| KIDS |
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| SENIORS |
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Free Your Photos | Williamsburg Library | This Senior Planet course, created by Older Adults Technology Services (OATS), teaches participants how to back up, share, organize and print photos using cloud-based technology. Attendees should have a Gmail address and smartphone or tablet. Free. 2 - 4 pm. |
| HISTORY |
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Indigenous Peoples in the American Revolution | Williamsburg Library | This presentation examines the role of Indigenous peoples in the American Revolution and the consequences that resulted from this critical period in history. Presented by Travis Henline, Curator of Indigenous History and Culture at the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation. Free. 6:30 - 7:30 pm. |
| MEDITATION |
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| LIVE MUSIC |
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Port Warwick Summer Concert Series: Patrick Ryan Band | William Styron Square | Newport News | The Port Warwick Summer Concert Series runs every Wednesday through Aug. 27. Local food vendors will be on site each week. This week's concert features Patrick Ryan Band, a group that performs a creative blend of rock, jazz, funk, blues and country. Weather-permitting. Free. 6 - 9 pm.
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Thursday, Aug. 14 |
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| Barry Manilow's Wardrobe will perform in a free concert at Midtown Row on Aug. 14. (Photo courtesy of Midtown Row) |
| FILM |
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Throwback Thursday: "Hoosiers" | Williamsburg Library | This series screens classic and contemporary movies for an adult audience. This week's feature is "Hoosiers" (1986, PG), starring Gene Hackman. This heartfelt sports movie tells the tale of a coach with a cloudy past who takes over the training of a small-town high school basketball team in hopes of getting them into the state championships. Free. 2 - 4 pm. |
| GENEALOGY |
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| CRAFT |
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| NATURE |
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| LIVE MUSIC |
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Friday, August 15 |
| NATURE |
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Fossil Frenzy | York River State Park | Discover relics of very old creatures - including early whales, porpoises, sharks, and more - while hiking to a fossil beach. Call the park at (757) 566-3036 for reservations. Included with standard admission. 10 am - 12 pm.
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| KIDS & FAMILIES |
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All-Ages Storytime | Williamsburg Library | This program features stories, rhymes, songs and other activities for children and their caregivers. Space is limited; reserve a ticket at the Youth Services desk starting 30 minutes before the program. Free. 10 - 11 am.
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| CRAFT |
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Saturday, August 16 |
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| Jamestown settlement will host the First Africans Commemoration on Aug. 16. (Photo via the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation) |
| SPECIAL EVENTS |
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First Africans Commemoration | Jamestown Settlement | Jamestown Settlement will honor the legacy of the first recorded Africans brought to Virginia in 1619 with reflections of history and modern perspectives. Commemorative programming will include presentations, special guests, gallery exhibits and films. Included with museum admission. Residents of James City County, York County and the City of Williamsburg receive free admission with proof of residency. 10 am - 4 pm. |
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Tots & Trains | Lee Hall Depot | Families and children are invited to attend a fun morning including a train-themed story, craft, a game and a photo opportunity. Event admission is $3 per child; adults are free. This program is expected to sell out, so those who would like to attend are strongly encouraged to purchase tickets in advance. 10 - 11 am. |
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MADE in Newport News | City Center at Oyster Point | The City of Newport News will host the 3rd annual Made in Newport News event to celebrate the people, products and organizations that make the city unique. There will be a parade of bands, DJs, line dancing, giveaways, a food truck rally, a beer garden, amusement rides, family activities and a meet & greet with professional boxer, Jerry "Slugger" Forrest. Free parking, admission and activities. 5 - 8 pm. |
| KIDS & FAMILIES |
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Bookmobile FunFest: Books, Bubbles, and Foam | Abram Frink, Jr. Community | Kids are invited to experience the fun of a foam cannon that shoots bubbles up to 6 feet high. They'll also explore the science of bubbles. Snacks and Freeze Pops will be provided at noon. Free. This program runs from 10 am - 1 pm. |
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Campfire Social | Chickahominy Riverfront Park | Celebrate summer with a good old-fashioned campfire gathering featuring s'mores, activities, storytelling and more around the campfire. All ages. Free. 7 - 8 pm. |
| HISTORY |
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Williamsburg Restored | Hennage Auditorium | Colonial Williamsburg | View an archival documentary featuring a ten-minute period drama about the importance of Williamsburg in 1774. It also provides an explanation of the mission of John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin, who worked to restore Williamsburg in the 1920s. Free and open to the public. 1 - 1:45 pm. |
| NATURE |
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| OUTDOOR RECREATION |
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| MARKETS |
- Williamsburg Farmers Market | 345 W Duke of Gloucester St. | Shop from the finest Virginia-grown and Virginia-made produce, plants and products. This farmers market features over 40 vendors, live music and children's programming. Rain or shine. Free admission. 8 am - 12 pm.
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- Yorktown Market Days | Riverwalk Landing | Shop for seasonal produce, fresh baked goods, intricate glassware, beautiful woodwork and more from a wide variety of vendors. This week, the band Audio Portrait will perform on the Riverwalk Landing Stage beginning at 9 a.m. Free. 8 am - noon.
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- Toano Open Air Market | 7891 Richmond Road | Toano | Shop from various vendors selling their finest products. Located on the Village Green near Hohl. Free admission. 9 am - 12 pm.
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- Hilton Village Farmers Market | 10260 Warwick Blvd | Historic Hilton Village's weekly market on Main is held every Saturday, year-round. Free admission. 9 am - 12 pm.
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| LIVE MUSIC |
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Sunday, August 17 |
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| York River State Park will host a Sunset Paddle on Aug. 17. (Photo courtesy of York River State Park) |
| SPECIAL EVENT |
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| NATURE |
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| MOVIE NIGHT |
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Merchants Square Summer Sunday Night Movies: "Wicked" | Merchants Square | Attend outdoor movies under the stars every Sunday through Aug. 31. The film is shown in the parking lot behind Baskin-Robbins, The Peanut Shop and Blue Talon. The Aug. 17 feature is "Wicked" (Sing-Along Edition). PG. Begins 15 minutes after sunset. Free.
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Multi-Day |
| SPECIAL EVENTS |
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| HISTORY |
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Future Events to Note |
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Back to School Bash | Williamsburg Presbyterian Church | Aug 24, 12:30 - 2:30 pm | Celebrate the back-to-school season with a block party at Williamsburg Presbyterian Church. Enjoy games, snacks, an inflatable and more. Open to the whole community. Free.
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Virginia Symphony Concert | Riverwalk Landing | Aug. 30, 6 - 9 pm | Under the direction of Conductor Chia-Hsuan Lin, listen to Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, which helped lead the Allied Forces to victory, and celebrate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II at this family-friendly concert. Free. 6 - 9 pm.
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| This newsletter was written by Christin Nielsen. Thanks for reading! |
