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Celebrate St.Patrick’s Daywith traditional Irish dishes: Irish Slainte Stew,Irish Potato Bread and Irish AppleCake
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Stars on stage and stars above—there areunforgettable concerts in storefor fans of rock, jazz, bluegrass,and country when Virginia Arts Festival presents itspopular outdoor summer musicevent WILLIAMSBURG LIVE, June 25-28, 2026.Adding anextranight of performances this year, WilliamsburgLiveis packed fullofgreat performances,givingfansthroughoutsoutheastern Virginia and from across the countrymorereasonstoenjoyalongweekendof not-to-be-missed concerts along with the charmsofColonialWilliamsburg.
Tickets forWilliamsburgLiveare on sale nowatwww.vafest.org or by phoneat 757-282-2822, or in personatVirginia Arts Festival BoxOffice at 440 Bank Street in Norfolk.
AddingafourthdaytoWilliamsburgLive is both anacknowledgmentofthe event’s extraordinarypopularityandauniquepartnership with VisitWilliamsburg, Colonial Williamsburg,andtheCityofWilliamsburg. “Williamsburgispulling out allthe stops in theircelebrationofournation’s250thbirthday,”saidVirginiaArtsFestival’sPerryArtisticDirectorRobertW.Cross.“It’stheperfect placeandtimetocelebrategreatmusicthatis definedbyourcountry’sdiversityandcontinues to makethe United States an arts super power.”
The2025 WilliamsburgLiveweekend drew patrons whotraveled from 30 states and the District of Columbia to heartheir favoriteartists.“Weexpectrecordnumbers of fans forour 2026 concerts,” added Cross “Withsomuchtosee,do,tasteanddiscover in this historic region,and such an arrayof
Grammy-winning,criticallyacclaimedartists from bluegrass to rock to jazz and beyond, WilliamsburgLiveisthe placetobethis summer.”
“AsAmericacommemorates250yearsof independence,wecouldn’tbemoreexcited towelcomevisitorstoexperiencefournights of world-class livemusicinthe destination whereAmerica’sjourneybegan,”saidEdward Harris,President&CEO,VisitWilliamsburg. “VisitWilliamsburgisproudtosupportthis year’sincrediblelineupofartists.”
HeadliningtheThursdayJune25evening will be multi-Grammy Awardwinners MelissaEtheridge and Wynonna Judd, who bring their powerhouse voices andguitar-drivenhitstoVirginiaArtsFestival forthefirsttime.Award-winningrocksinger-songwriterandguitaristMelissaEtheridge
stormedtherockworldwithherconfessional songwritingandunmistakablerasponclassicslike“CometoMyWindow”and“I’mthe OnlyOne,” and she returns with new music from hernew album Rise (2026). Five-time GrammywinnerWynonnaJuddfirstroseto fameashalfofthelegendaryduoTheJudds beforelaunchingachart-toppingsolocareer packedwithcountryanthemsincluding“No OneElseonEarth”and“ToBeLovedbyYou.”
FridayJune 26 brings ataste of New Orleans with jazz/funkicons Trombone Shorty&OrleansAvenue-Let’sGoGet ‘EmTourwithDumpstaphunk.BornTroy Andrews,Grammy-winnerTromboneShorty got hisnickname and start in music earlier thanmost,makinghisNewOrleansJazzFest
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NORFOLK,Va. —The 59th annualSt. Patrick’sDayParadeissettomarchthrough OceanViewonSaturday,March14,at10a.m., andthousandsofparticipantsandspectators areexpectedforthecelebration.
The parade starts atNorthside Middle School (8730 Granby St.), travelsnorth on GranbyStreet, turns lefton AView Avenue, leftonFirstViewStreetandendsatGovernmentAvenuearoundnoon.
Whetheryou’reattendingforthefirsttime or59th,it’sgoodlucktobeprepared!
RoadClosures:NorfolkPolicewillclose GranbyStreetfromBayview Boulevard to BayAvenuestartingat7:30a.m.onSaturday, March14. The rest of the paraderoute will beclosedby9a.m.Allstreetswillre-openat noonexceptforFirstViewStreetwhichwill remain closed until 1:30p.m. Government Avenue from FirstView Street to Hickory Streetwillbecloseduntil4:30p.m. Parking: Paradegoers shouldadhereto all “No Parking”and “NoParking on Grass” signage.Areasmarkedoffbypolicetapeare no parking zones.Asatradition, cars may park on NON-CURBED mediansalong the route that arenot marked off by police tape or “NoParking”signage. Norfolk Police will towillegally parkedvehicles along the parade route. Off-street parkingisavailable atSarahConstantBeachPark(300W.Ocean
ViewAve.),OceanViewBeachPark(100W. OceanView Ave.), Ocean View Elementary School(350W.GovernmentAve.)andMary D. Pretlow Anchor BranchLibrary(111 W. OceanViewAve.)
Safety: With thousands of spectators expected to attend, be awareofincreased pedestrian,bicycleandvehiculartrafficalong and adjacent to theparade route.Attendees
arereminded to give themselves plenty of time to park safely andbeEXTRA cautious ofchildrenandpets.Besuretolockvehicles andleavevaluablesathome Don’tpushyourluckbydrinkinganddriving!Callataxiorridesharetogethomesafely. Forextraluck,packatrashbagwithyour paradegearandmakesuretobagyourtrash anddisposeproperly.Paradegoerscanplace
baggedandtiedtrashnexttooneoftheover 40+“ParadeRightOV”signsalongtheroute andNorfolkWasteManagementcrewswill collectanddisposeproperly.Don’tforgetto recyclebottlesandcans! Findallthisinformationatwww.norfolk. gov/ovparadeandfollowtheCityofNorfolk onFacebookandX@NorfolkVAandInstagram@CityofNorfolkVA.
VirginiaChampionshipWrestling hosts its annual fundraiser for theCrabbersof HamptonHigh SchoolonSaturday, March14
By Sam Saunders
Virginia ChampionshipWrestling hostsits annual fundraiserfor theCrabbersofHamptonHighSchoolonSaturday,March14,2026 HamptonHighSchoolislocatedat1491WQueenSt,Hampton,VA 23669.Doorsopenat6:30p.m.withbelltimeat7:30p.m.Frontrow seats aresold out, but general admission ticketsare available online atSimpleTix.com.
Highlights include:
Mid-AtlanticwrestlinglegendDavidCrockettreturnsto HamptonRoadsforameetandgreet.
RexLawlessdefendstheVirginiaHeavyweightChampionship againstKenDixon.
BrandonScottfaces“GreekGod”PapadonwithMr.George Pantas.IfScottwins,hegetsfiveminutesaloneintheringwith Mr.Pantas.IfPapadonwins,Mr.PantasgainsfullcontrolofScott’s VCWcontract.
ChrisSladechallengesCommanderKingfortheVCWLiberty Championship
MyronMalonegoesone-on-onewithIrvinLegend.
“TheHossofallHosses”DevantestakesonTiberiusAsantewith TimLoulies
TheBoarbattlesBigAC.
VCWTagTeamChampionsNice&Smoothdefendtheirtag titlesagainstTheFaculty Formoreinformation,visitvcwprowrestling.com.
HAMPTON ROADS, Va St Patrick’s Day 2026 in Hampton Roads is filledwithparades afterpartiesandeventsfromWilliamsburgtoNorfolkon March14thtosmallerpubcrawlsandcelebrationsallovertheareathrough the 17th. Don’t rely on luck, if you plan to celebrate, include a plan for a soberridehome DriveSafeHamptonRoadsurgesdriverstorememberthat impaireddrivingisdeadlyandneveranoption.Thereisneveranexcuseto drive under the influence Use Drive Safe Hampton Roads’ 757 Sober Ride byvisitingwww.drivesafehr.org
Every year, dozens of people are injured or killed when they choose to driveimpairedduringtheSt Patrick’sDayholiday.AccordingtoTheVirginia Department of Motor Vehicles Crash Facts Hampton Roads experienced twentycrashesresultingintwentyinjuriesfromMarch14-March17,2025 InteractivePublicReport
Drive Safe Hampton Roads is sponsoring 757 Sober Ride for St. Patrick’s Day
12pm,Saturday,March14,2026,until3amonSunday,March15,2026
5pm,Tuesday,March17,2026,until3amonWednesday,March18,2026
PoweredbyLyft,individuals21andolderwhoarecelebratingwithalcohol, legalorillegaldrugsmaytakeadvantageofthisride upto$15,byfollowing thesesteps:
DownloadtheLyftapptoyourcellphone
Gotowww.drivesafehr.orgtogetthe757SoberRidepromocode
DSHR’sSt Patrick’sDay757SoberRideprogrampromocodeswillbe postedat12PMonMarch14andagainonMarch17at5PM.
Enterthe757SoberRidepromocodeintheapp’s“Payment tab(under the“AddLyftPass”option).
Receiveasoberridehome upto$15.
The code will only work during the above-stated times for rides originating from or with a destination within Hampton Roads Valid while supplies last. Subject to Lyft’s Terms of Service
Celebrateresponsiblybychoosing757SoberRideordesignatingadriver beforedrinking Remember,”BuzzedDrivingisDrunkDriving”andimpaired drivingcrashesandtheinjuriesanddeathsassociatedwiththemare100% preventable!“Drivingimpairedissimplyunacceptable.”saidBrianHennessy, Chair DriveSafeHamptonRoads’ImpairedDrivingPreventionCommittee “Plan ahead of time for a sober designated driver or take advantage of the 757SoberRideprogram.Thatwayyoucanhavefunratherthanriskarrest orworse animpaireddriving-relatedcrash injuryorfatality.”
Supportersofthe2026757SoberRideprogramareDriveSafeHampton Roads,Huffman&HuffmanBrothers-in-Law,andfundedin-partbyagrant fromtheVirginiaDepartmentofMotorVehicles. AboutDriveSafeHamptonRoads:DriveSafeHamptonRoads(DSHR) isanon-profitregionalcoalitionwhosemissionistoimproveroadwaysafety andreducedeathandinjuryfromvehiclecrashesusinginitiativesthatinclude educational programs, information sharing, and partnerships with public and private sector organizations For over 37 years, Drive Safe Hampton Roads has been dedicated to preventing crashes, injuries, and fatalities on the region’s roadways. DSHR is the oldest continuous traffic safety coalitionintheCommonwealth.Formoreinformation:www.drivesafehr.orgor call(757)498-2562.
debutatjustfouryearsoldalongsideBoDiddleyandleading hisownbrassbandbysix.Aprodigyturnedpowerhouse,he has since grown into one of the most electrifying performersinmusictoday.Whetherheadliningfestivals,lightingup TV stages or captivating arenas worldwide he’s a magnetic showmanwithunmatchedtalentonthehorn.
Dumpstaphunk has cemented its reputation as one of the most respected New Orleans musical institutions. Ivan Neville(keyboards,vocals)andIanNeville(guitar),thesons ofAaronNevilleandArt“PoppaFunk”Nevillerespectively, alongside original member Tony Hall (bass, guitar vocals) havebuiltupontheiriconicNOLAlegacytobecomethecity’s pre-eminent21st-centuryfunk-fusionexport.
SaturdaynightatWilliamsburgLive,it’sanall-starlineupof iconicstarsofbluegrassandrootsmusic,headlinedbyAlison Krauss&UnionStationfeaturingJerryDouglas Krauss(fiddle,leadvocal)signedtoRounderRecordsatage 14andhasgoneontosellover12millionalbums,earning46 GRAMMYnominationsand27wins JerryDouglas(dobro, lap steel, vocals) is a 16-time Grammy winner is a virtuoso whoistotheresonatorguitarwhatJimiHendrixwastothe electricguitar:icon,groundbreaker,master.They’rejoined byFrench-Canadiansinger-songwriterTheoLawrence who’sbecomeaninternationalstarwithhisuniquestylethat honorsthecountrymusictraditionofthe1950sand‘60swhile adding elements of soul, pop and rock to create a sound all hisown.
Sunday evening brings thousands of fans to hear Grace Potter, a trailblazing, passionate artist who for 20 years has sold out tours, released critically acclaimed records, and collaborated with rock royalty like the Rolling Stones, RobertPlant,BonnieRaitt,IggyPop,andmanymore.Potter’s soul-baringsongsoflonging,lustandself-salvationstrikeat the hearts of listeners, in performances that make you lean in,holdingyourbreathforthenextrevelation.
Eachsummer,WilliamsburgLivebringsworld-renowned musicalartistsandthousandsoffanstotheLawnoftheArt MuseumsofColonialWilliamsburg.Attheheartofthecenturies-old city, this setting creates a magical space for music loverstogather,sharingfoodiefarefromasignaturecollectionoflocallysourcedfoodtrucks,alongwithregionalwines andcraftbeers Asthesunsetsandthestarscomeout patrons settle in for an evening of great music, with seating choices inthepavilionoronthelawn.Andthroughouttheweekend, there’ssomuchtoexplore—centuriesofhistory,uniqueshoppingandaward-winningrestaurants
VIRGINIAARTSFESTIVALPRESENTS WILLIAMSBURGLIVE
THURSDAY,JUNE25
MelissaEtheridge&WynonnaJudd
FRIDAY,JUNE26
TromboneShorty&OrleansAvenue withDumpstaphunk
SATURDAY,JUNE27
AlisonKrauss&UnionStation featuringJerryDouglas withTheoLawrence
SUNDAY,JUNE28
GracePotter
Makeitaweekendgetaway.VisitColonialWilliamsburg Resorts for special Stay and Play offers - visit colonialwilliamsburg.org/stay-play/packages-special-offersorcall1-877568-8225formoreinformation
Discover Things to Do in Williamsburg. Explore attractions,historicsites,andactivitiestoenhanceyourWilliamsburgLiveweekend-VisitWilliamsburg.com. Co-presentedwiththeCityofWilliamsburg,TheColonial WilliamsburgFoundationandVisitWilliamsburg.
Funded in part by the City of Williamsburg and the WilliamsburgAreaArtsCommission.
AboutWilliamsburgLive:TheVirginiaArtsFestivalhosts anannualoutdoorsummermusiceventWilliamsburgLiveon TheLawnoftheArtMuseumsofColonialWilliamsburgeach June WilliamsburgLiveoffersaunique,beautifulsettingfor anintimatemusicfestivalexperiencedesignedtoappealto all the senses Shaded by centuries-old trees, The Lawn of theArtMuseumsofColonialWilliamsburgissurroundedby history theperfectspottoenjoygreatmusic,deliciouslocal foodtruckfare,andlocalandregionalcraftbeersandwines PastartistsheadlinersincludeAllisonKrauss SherylCrow NorahJones,EmmylouHarris,LakeStreetDive,Rhiannon Giddens, Jason Isbell, Martina McBride, Amos Lee, Chris Thile LeylaMcCalla,TheWoodBrothers Shovels&Rope KennyLoggins,Keb’Mo’,Laufey,TheBeachBoys,andmore. AboutVirginiaArtsFestival:Thelargestperformingarts organizationinSoutheasternVirginia,theVirginiaArtsFestival has presented great performers from across the globe since 1997 Under the direction of Perry Artistic Director Robert W. Cross, renowned artists have performed at the festival including Itzhak Perlman, Renée Fleming, Yo-Yo Ma,JoshuaBell,OlgaKern,IsraelPhilharmonicOrchestra, Miami String Quartet, Mormon Tabernacle Choir Stewart Copeland, Audra McDonald, Kelli O’Hara, Patti LuPone, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater American Ballet Theatre and Mark Morris Dance Group TheFestivalhaspresentednumerousworldpremieres and new productions of classical music, dance, and theatre from some of today’s most influential composers, choreographers,andplaywrights VanCliburnGoldMedal-Awarded pianist Olga Kern serves as the Festival’s Connie and Marc Jacobson Director of Chamber Music, and award-winning BroadwaymusicdirectorRobFisherservesastheFestival’s GoodeFamilyArtisticAdvisorforMusicalTheaterandAmerican Songbook. Each season, Virginia Arts Festival performancesarebroadcastnationwideonAmericanPublicRadio’s PerformanceToday.TheFestival’sartseducationprograms reachtensofthousandsofschoolchildreneachyearthrough studentmatinees in-schoolperformances artistresidencies masterclasses,anddemonstrations
