Events

This special exhibition will tell the stories of one of Newport News’ finest industries – shipbuilding. Highlighting this exhibition are the paintings of Thomas Skinner, as well as early photographs of the Newport News Shipyard (Northrop Grumman Newport News) and artifacts from the shipbuilding industry. The exhibition also features interactive activities and videos examining the art of shipbuilding. Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, Noon to 5 p.m.  Included in regular admission. Adults, $12; AAA members, military, students, $11; seniors, $10; children (6-12), $7.

The Hampton Roads Bird Club has monitored the bird population of Newport News Park since 1965. Join club volunteers in the Picnic Area I parking lot every first and third Sunday of the month for some early morning birding. Be prepared to car pool to several areas in the park. Beginners are welcome. Binoculars and field guides are recommended. Free. First and third Sunday each month.

 Kids can come and enjoy painting in our Hands On For Kids Gallery and enjoy different activities every Tuesday and Friday each week. Designed for children of all ages, accompanied by an adult, the Gallery is open daily for self-directed activities. Call for activity schedule, program hours and registration information. Included in regular admission. Adults, $7.50; seniors, students and active-duty military, AAA members, $6.00; children (6-12), $4.00. 

The second Wednesday of every month, we’ll share a story at the Discovery Center then take a short walk to look for things we just read about. Dress for the weather. For pre-school children and their caregivers. Free.

The third Saturday of the month is always “story time” at the Virginia Living Museum. Hear an animal-related story and see a live animal presentation. Recommended for ages 2 and up. Included in regular admission. Adults, $15; children (3-12), $12.

Enjoy a changing array of live music and activities. Light hors d’oeuvres. Included in regular admission. Adults, $7.50; seniors, students and active-duty military, AAA members, $6; children (6-12), $4. Third Thursday each month.

The Mariners’ Museum’s newest exhibition highlights the artistic talents of students from around the country and their interpretations of the Battle of Hampton Roads, between the USS Monitor and the CSS Virginia. The juried art show, “…To Our Children’s Children”: The Battle of Hampton Roads Juried Youth Art Exhibition, was open to students in three age categories: 4-7 years, 8-12 years, and 13-18 years. Each artist was allowed to submit up to three pieces. 125 entries, ranging from traditional oils, crayons and pencil drawings to collages, found objects and even marshmallows, were submitted for consideration. Included in regular admission. Adults, $12; AAA members, military, students, $11; seniors, $10; children (6-12), $7. Wednesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, Noon to 5 p.m.

This traveling exhibit includes some 64 works by 32 artist members of Zeuxis. Founded in 1994, Zeuxis is a  national organization of still life painters. Included in regular admission. Adults, $7.50; seniors, students and active-duty military, AAA members, $6; children (6-12), $4. Free admission Tuesday from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Wednesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Each Wednesday, enjoy the freshest local seasonal produce, a variety of pasture-raised and grass-fed meats, poultry and seafood, plus flowers, herbs, baked goods, sauces, salsas and hand-made soaps and lotions. Hand-crafted items, including candles, candles, pottery, handbags, art and accessories are also for sale. Free; items for sale. No market October 6.

Begin your weekend here! Join us for free concerts by the region’s best bands. Bring your friends, lawn chairs, blankets and dancing shoes. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. Free. Food and beverages for sale. Scheduled bands: The River Boyz (May 14); Off the Record (May 21); Butter (May 28); Slapwater (June 4); Gridlock 64 (June 11); The Rhondels (June 18);  Rich Whiskey Audition (June 25); Borderline Crazy (July 2); Slapwater (July 9); Chasing Shadows (July 16); Butter (July 23); Spin City (July 30); Slapwater (August 6); Janitors (August 13); Fab (August 20) and Chasing Arrows (August 27).

This exhibition highlights the remarkable focus of the Jean and Robert Steele collection. For the last three decades, the Steeles have developed a collection of hundreds of prints and works on paper by African-American artists. Forty-five artists, using traditional printmaking techniques such as etching, monoprint, lithography, linocut and silkscreen, created the 62 works on display. The extraordinary depth of this collection provides an opportunity to appreciate a variety of styles and thematic expressions embodied in the works by some of the most celebrated African-American artists of the 20th century. Important to the exhibition are prints by Romare Bearden, Jacob Lawrence, Elizabeth Catlett, David C. Driskell, Margo Humphrey, Emma Amos and James L. Wells. Adults, $5; children (12 and under), $3. Tickets available on day of admission. Tuesday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Every Friday, meet a park naturalist to discover facts about some of the park’s natural and historical features. Programs include nature walks, video presentations and/or hands on activities. Topics include beavers, snakes, owls, bats and other creatures inhabiting the park. Call 886-7916 for weekly topic and location. Free.

Kids, come see what the park naturalists have going on at the Discovery Center. Activities may include crafts, games or nature walk for the whole family. Free.

Each Saturday, enjoy park interpretation and discussion on a 40-minute ride (8 pm, 9 pm or 10 pm) through the campground and bikeway. Complimentary tickets are available at the Campsite Office 30 minutes prior to each ride. Space is limited. All participants must be present to receive a ticket. Free, with ticket.

It’s a dinosaur summer in Newport News! Stomping, roaring, robotic dinosaurs and Ice Age mammals come alive with Dinosaurs & More! an all-new exciting exhibit from Kokoro, the inventor of robotic dinosaurs. See your favorite dinosaurs: the mighty T-Rex and the gentle Apatosaurus mother and baby. Watch a Maiasaura mother tend her nest filled with hatching eggs. See the bird-like Pteranodon soar above and watch a head-butting Pachycephalosaur. Then enter the Ice Age and meet the mighty mammals that succeeded the dinosaurs as the dominant species on Earth: the Saber-tooth Cat, Baluchitherium and Woolly Mammoth. The Virginia Living Museum is will have extended Sunday hours, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. from June 20 to August 8.

We’ve thrown open the vaults and are bringing out an alphabetical assortment of rarities, oddities and masterpieces, including some never-before-seen artifacts from our 76 years of collecting. Museum hours: Wednesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.

It’s a dinosaur summer in Newport News! Stomping, roaring, robotic dinosaurs and Ice Age mammals come alive with Dinosaurs & More! an all-new exciting exhibit from Kokoro, the inventor of robotic dinosaurs. See your favorite dinosaurs: the mighty T-Rex and the gentle Apatosaurus mother and baby. Watch a Maiasaura mother tend her nest filled with hatching eggs. See the bird-like Pteranodon soar above and watch a head-butting Pachycephalosaur. Enter the Ice Age and meet the mighty mammals that succeeded the dinosaurs as the dominant species on Earth: the Saber-tooth Cat, Baluchitherium and Woolly Mammoth.Included in regular admission. Adults, $17; children (3-12), $13. May 29 – September 6; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., extended Sunday hours (June 20-August 8) hours, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

What was the world like before, during, and after the dinosaurs ruled the earth?  Explore the ancient world filled with amazing creatures while you discover more about dinosaurs and their neighbors. Included in regular admission. Adults, $17; children (3-12), $13. Times vary; call for specific days and times.

Grab a picnic basket, a bottle of wine, a chair or a blanket and come out for a great night of music and entertainment with some of today’s top local and regional bands in a family-friendly atmosphere. Scheduled bands include: Rhythm Kings (June 2); Josh Walker Quartet (June 9); Winds of Grass (June 16); Neversink (June 23); USAF Blue Aces (June 30); Mercy Creek (July 7); Soul Army (July 14); Adrian Duke (July 21); Retros (July 28); Planet Full of Blues (August 4); Sonya Lorelle (August 11); Pete Frostic JamGrass (August 18); Muckrakes (August 25); USAF Satellite (September 1); William Walter & Tucker Rogers (September 8); Quatro Na Bossa (September 15) and Slapwater (September 22). Free.

Join the museum for its annual free concert series on the banks of Lake Maury, overlooking the full-scale replica of the Civil War ironclad USS Monitor. Bring a blanket or chair and enjoy live music. Adult beverages, soft drinks and food for sale. Arrive early and take advantage of free admission to the museum after 4 p.m. Free; items for sale.

In partnership with the Newport News Public Art Foundation, Pfac presents a selection of sculpture and drawings by the Italian sculptor Emanuele De Reggi. His work is familiar to Newport News residents who have seen the playful “Carambola” that sits near the library on Main Street in Hilton village and the figurative “Il Segreto” in Port Warwick. The centerpiece of this exhibition is “Francesco,” a sculpture destined for outdoor display at Christopher Newport University. Included in regular admission. Adults, $7.50; seniors, students and active-duty military, AAA members, $6; children (6-12), $4. Free admission Tuesday from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Continuing through July 11; Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Wednesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Combining precision and passion, observation and expression, Newport News artist Mary Lee Ruff has created a remarkable body of work that relies on the simplest of art techniques – a drawn mark on paper. This exhibition includes 40 works, with a range of size and subject matter, including a distinctive series drawn from Eyreville Plantation on the Eastern Shore. Ruff will periodically be in residence in the Halsey Gallery, where she will work on a large drawing in progress. Included in regular admission. Adults, $7.50; seniors, students and active-duty military, AAA members, $6; children (6-12), $4. Free admission Tuesday from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Wednesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

ARTventures Summer programs are held each Tuesday to Friday and are designed for children ages 5 to 8 (morning sessions) and 9 to 12 (afternoon sessions). Each week offers a different theme to explore various media. Themes include Clay Safari, Seaquarium, Architect for a Week, Super Heroes, Nature’s Sketchbook and many more. Call for fees for each session.

Children can learn about America’s rich military heritage, while developing skills such as teamwork and leadership; all while having fun and getting some exercise! Designed for boys and girls ages 8-12, experiences include camp life, drills and mock battles. Participants receive basic soldier’s equipment. The theme for this year's camp is the Petersburg Campaign. Registration and pre-payment of fees is required. Go online for more fee information and registration details.

Indulge in an evening of kayaking on Lake Maury, while you enjoy one of Newport News’ favorite summer traditions – The Mariners’ popular Concerts by the Lake. The Mariners’ Museum and Chesapeake Experience are teaming up to offer this delightful end to a summer’s day. Paddlers will set off from the Paddle Boat Dock for a 2- to 2½-hour trip. Limited to 16 participants. Minors must be accompanied by an adult. Registration required. Members, $30; non-members, $40.