It's Music and Magic and Movies, Oh My!!: It's Virginia Arts Festival's 10th Season Finale at the Ferguson Center for the Arts, Newport News

It's Music and Magic and Movies, Oh My!!: It's Virginia Arts Festival's 10th Season Finale at the Ferguson Center for the Arts, Newport News

NORFOLK, Va., May 24 /PRNewswire/ -- The 10th annual Virginia Arts Festival moves to Newport News and the campus of Christopher Newport University in Newport News for six world-class performances, May 31 though June 4, at the Ferguson Center for the Arts. Van Cliburn, the most celebrated classical pianist of the modern era, will launch the Festival's finale celebration when he performs Grieg's "Piano Concerto in A minor" with the Virginia Symphony on May 31st at 7:30 p.m.

Since his Festival appearance in 2003, replete with standing ovations and three encores, patrons have been asking when Van Cliburn would return. The Virginia Symphony Orchestra, with JoAnn Falletta conducting, will accompany him. Also on the bill are Shostakovich and Respighi.

The mood and tempo of the Festival shifts on June 1st when saxophonist, flutist and vocalist James Moody takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. Moody, a "dyed- in-the-wool bebop player," has shared the stage with the likes of Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk and Elvis. Moody appears as part of the NEA Jazz Masters on Tour.

TowneBank's Lunchtime Chamber Music series, led by Andre-Michel Schub, continues on June 1st with a noontime concert featuring works by Ligeti, Bolcom and D'Rivera. Performers include Virginia Symphony Orchestra's flutist Debra Wendells Cross and harpist Barbara Chapman, as well as the Quintet Royale, the Festival's Emerging Masters Ensemble.

The Emmy award-winning Pilobolus Dance Theater will dance its way into your hearts and funny bones on June 2 and 3 at 8 p.m. with two different programs, including the recently premiered piece Prism. Powerful and always playful, one look at Pilobolus' weight-sharing approach and you'll wonder how they do what they do.

Come "Over the Rainbow" with Judy Garland when she performs (on film) with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra on June 4 at 7 p.m. John Goberman's "Oz with Orchestra" production has appeared at Wolf Trap and the Ravinia Festival, receiving popular and critical acclaim. The re-mastered 1939 MGM classic The Wizard of Oz with Garland's original studio recordings will be accompanied by the orchestra, live on stage.

About Virginia Arts Festival

Virginia Arts Festival is celebrating its 10th anniversary season of world-class arts, April 26-June 4, 2006. Venues in nine cities from Williamsburg to Virginia Beach host 52 performances by the world's top-flight artists in classical music, dance, theatre, and jazz. Visit http://www.vafest.com/ or call at 757-282-2800 / toll-free 877-741-ARTS for information, travel packages and performance schedules.

Photos available at http://www.vafest.com/ - Media, call 757-282-2820 for password.

Media Contact: Leigh Mang, 757-282-2820 or 757-615-6580, lmang@virginiaartsfest.com

This release was issued through eReleases(TM). For more information, visit http://www.ereleases.com.

Source: Virginia Arts Festival

CONTACT: Leigh Mang of Virginia Arts Festival, +1-757-282-2820, or
+1-757-615-6580, lmang@virginiaartsfest.com

Web site: http://www.vafest.com/

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Profile: International Entertainment