For 20 years, the Ella Fitzgerald Music Festival has brought a plethora of amazing artists to the city of Newport News. To mark this monumental milestone in honoring the legacy of our "First Lady of Song", we are proud to present two unforgettable concerts with iconic figures in Jazz music. 

On Friday, April 20th, join us at the Ella Fitzgerald Theater for an amazing night with Grammy-nominated Jazz vocalist, Jane Monheit. Drawing inspiration from Ella Fitzgerald herself, you can hear the emotion in Jane's soul-stirring voice. Opening for the evening is singer/songwriter and Richmond-native, Jon Bibbs.

On April 27th, we bring to you the legendary Jennifer Holliday. She catapulted to stardom 35 years ago in the smash Broadway musical, Dreamgirls, with her show-stopping performance as Effie "Melody" White, the iconic role which garnered her a Tony Award for Best Actress in A Musical.  She was discovered at age 17 while singing in her church choir in Houston, Texas by dancer Jamie Patterson, who persuaded her to move to New York City, where she made her Broadway debut in Vinnette Carroll's Your Arms Too Short To Box With God as a featured soloist.  Beyond Broadway, Ms. Holliday appeared as Lisa Knowles on the Fox TV dramedy, Ally McBeal.  She has also enjoyed a successful recording career, winning Grammy® Awards for her mesmerizing performances of "And I Am Telling You, I'm Not Going” (1982) and Duke Ellington’s “Come Sunday” (1985).  Ms. Holliday has also received rave reviews for her first album in two decades, The Song Is You (2014).

You can see both of these women of jazz this year for the 20th Annual Ella Fitzgerald Music Festival. Now offering a combo pack to see both shows for a discounted price. The Combo Pack is only available when purchased over the phone (757-247-8950) or in-person at the box office. It cannot be purchased online.

Join us in the Newport News Community Gallery (on the second floor) for our monthly open mic series: 25 Mics! Hosted by Nina Brewton. It takes place on the second Tuesday of every month at 7PM. This event is free and open to the public. 

“To me, photography is an art of observation. It’s about finding something interesting in an ordinary place… I’ve found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them.”
— Elliott Erwitt

The young photographers of Point, Aim, & Shoot Studios are proud to present an exhibit dedicated to finding the quietly beautiful parts of Newport News. Join us on April 6th at 6:00 PM for the gallery reception, where you can meet the young photographers, learn more about their work and enjoy the wonder of our city. This event is free and open to the public. 

Rhyme Time! Adventures in Poetry presented by Bright Star Children's Theatre

Best for Grades 3rd-8th

Join our duo of traveling actors, Lenny and Mabel – “The Greatest Actors in the World” – as they share their favorite poetry selections. From the mysterious origins of nursery rhymes to the homespun wisdom of folk poetry; from the lofty language of Shakespeare to the spoken word of modern times, this show is a perfect selection for National Poetry Month! Lenny and Mabel will capture the audience’s imagination while celebrating the magic of words!

Tickets are only $5 and are available now! 

Sponsored by

Lions Bridge Financial Advisors

Young Lady You Are is an event geared towards girls ages 12-17 in which they will explore the cultural and educational opportunities that their community has to offer. The goal of this program is to expose the young ladies of our community to creative and cultural avenues that will enhance their outlook on life, equip them to face opposition in a positive way, and become better women with bright, successful futures.

The event will feature an introductory activity followed by three, hour-long workshops. There is a dance workshop lead by Dreams in Motion Studio Owner and choreographer, Liza Infanzon-Smith. Local designer, Erika Randolph will lead a fashion/vision board workshop and a culinary arts workshop will be led by owner of Deliciously Done, Danielle Williams. The day will culminate in a presentation including a keynote address from motivational speaker, life coach, and children’s book author, Florenza Denise Lee. It will also include a panel discussion, and a performance from local poet Glo-Shines.

YLYA seeks to cultivate and nourish a warm, vibrant, supportive, convivial, and creative atmosphere for these young women to liberate their creativity and imagination at DGCAC, one of Newport News’s own “Hidden Gems”. They will be experience a network of both local and national creative talent that exposes feasible avenues to express themselves in successful ways- ways which would have otherwise remained “hidden” to them.

The registration deadline is March 26th, 2018. To view the women participating in this event, click here!

REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT IS CLOSED. ALL ATTENDEES HAVE RECEIVED AN EMAIL CONTAINING THE FULL REGISTRATION FORM ON MONDAY, MARCH 26th. 

Come and experience the other-worldly artwork of artist J. Ortiz, who will create an experience for the audience that stimulates the senses. Ortiz will recreate “the artist at work” while the viewer explores his celestial and abstract creations made from a variety of media to include spray paint and acrylics, made with unconventional materials and techniques. 

Creative Spray opens on March 24th with an opening reception from 7-9 PM in the Newport News Community Gallery at Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center. Come out and enjoy the work of J Ortiz and be inspired to create. On display March 24th-30th.

The Saga of Faith Mission is a panel discussion exploring the preservation of important local black history and the role of religion in folk art through the story of Anderson Johnson.

The panel will include the original members of the Committee to save the Faith Mission, as well as those who knew Elder Anderson Johnson himself and collected his artwork. Also included will be the co-curator of our permanent exhibit "Working in the Spirit: The Visionary Art & Life of Elder Anderson Johnson 1915-1998", who will shed light on how to curate a space meant to re-create the sensory experience of entering Johnson's Faith Mission.

The discussion will be preceded by the introduction of prolific Folk artist Everna Lee Taylor who will display in our Foyer Gallery from February 1-March 31, 2018.

The afternoon will be concluded with a Q&A and reception. RSVP is recommended. 

For more information on the panelists and others who will be a part of this event, click here. 

Join us in the Newport News Community Gallery (on the second floor) for our monthly open mic series: 25 Mics! Hosted by Nina Brewton. It takes place on the second Tuesday of every month at 7PM. This event is free and open to the public. 

Unfortunately, the 3Sixty Concert scheduled for March 10th with Taylor McFerrin and Chantae Cann has been cancelled. Refunds will be given to those who have purchased a ticket to this event and the promotional contest  has now ended. Thank you to everyone who participated. We apologize for any inconvenience and we appreciate your continued
support. 

Throughout February 2018, Downing-Gross brings you "Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka" as you have never seen it before! Journey with us into a world of wonder and pure imagination. Bring the entire family for an unforgettable show featuring the iconic characters that we all know and love. Tickets are only $10 and are available now!

Directed by Michelle Gilliam · Music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley · Adapted for the stage by Leslie Bricusse and Timothy Allen McDonald · Based on the book "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" by Roald Dahl · Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka is presented through special arrangement with music theater international (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by mti. www.mtishows.com

Throughout February 2018, Downing-Gross brings you "Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka" as you have never seen it before! Journey with us into a world of wonder and pure imagination. Bring the entire family for an unforgettable show featuring the iconic characters that we all know and love. Tickets are only $10 and are available now!

Directed by Michelle Gilliam · Music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley · Adapted for the stage by Leslie Bricusse and Timothy Allen McDonald · Based on the book "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" by Roald Dahl · Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka is presented through special arrangement with music theater international (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by mti. www.mtishows.com

Throughout February 2018, Downing-Gross brings you "Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka" as you have never seen it before! Journey with us into a world of wonder and pure imagination. Bring the entire family for an unforgettable show featuring the iconic characters that we all know and love. Tickets are only $10 and are available now!

Directed by Michelle Gilliam · Music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley · Adapted for the stage by Leslie Bricusse and Timothy Allen McDonald · Based on the book "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" by Roald Dahl · Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka is presented through special arrangement with music theater international (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by mti. www.mtishows.com

Throughout February 2018, Downing-Gross brings you "Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka" as you have never seen it before! Journey with us into a world of wonder and pure imagination. Bring the entire family for an unforgettable show featuring the iconic characters that we all know and love. Tickets are only $10 and are available now!

Directed by Michelle Gilliam · Music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley · Adapted for the stage by Leslie Bricusse and Timothy Allen McDonald · Based on the book "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" by Roald Dahl · Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka is presented through special arrangement with music theater international (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by mti. www.mtishows.com

Throughout February 2018, Downing-Gross brings you "Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka" as you have never seen it before! Journey with us into a world of wonder and pure imagination. Bring the entire family for an unforgettable show featuring the iconic characters that we all know and love. Tickets are only $10 and are available now!

Directed by Michelle Gilliam · Music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley · Adapted for the stage by Leslie Bricusse and Timothy Allen McDonald · Based on the book "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" by Roald Dahl · Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka is presented through special arrangement with music theater international (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by mti. www.mtishows.com

Throughout February 2018, Downing-Gross brings you "Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka" as you have never seen it before! Journey with us into a world of wonder and pure imagination. Bring the entire family for an unforgettable show featuring the iconic characters that we all know and love. Tickets are only $10 and are available now!

Directed by Michelle Gilliam · Music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley · Adapted for the stage by Leslie Bricusse and Timothy Allen McDonald · Based on the book "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" by Roald Dahl · Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka is presented through special arrangement with music theater international (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by mti. www.mtishows.com

Throughout February 2018, Downing-Gross brings you "Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka" as you have never seen it before! Journey with us into a world of wonder and pure imagination. Bring the entire family for an unforgettable show featuring the iconic characters that we all know and love. Tickets are only $10 and are available now!

Directed by Michelle Gilliam · Music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley · Adapted for the stage by Leslie Bricusse and Timothy Allen McDonald · Based on the book "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" by Roald Dahl · Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka is presented through special arrangement with music theater international (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by mti. www.mtishows.com

Throughout February 2018, Downing-Gross brings you "Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka" as you have never seen it before! Journey with us into a world of wonder and pure imagination. Bring the entire family for an unforgettable show featuring the iconic characters that we all know and love. Tickets are only $10 and are available now!

Directed by Michelle Gilliam · Music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley · Adapted for the stage by Leslie Bricusse and Timothy Allen McDonald · Based on the book "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" by Roald Dahl · Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka is presented through special arrangement with music theater international (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by mti. www.mtishows.com

Join us in the Newport News Community Gallery (on the second floor) for our monthly open mic series: 25 Mics! Hosted by Nina Brewton. It takes place on the second Tuesday of every month at 7PM. This event is free and open to the public. 

Throughout February 2018, Downing-Gross brings you "Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka" as you have never seen it before! Journey with us into a world of wonder and pure imagination. Bring the entire family for an unforgettable show featuring the iconic characters that we all know and love. Tickets are only $10 and are available now!

Directed by Michelle Gilliam · Music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley · Adapted for the stage by Leslie Bricusse and Timothy Allen McDonald · Based on the book "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" by Roald Dahl · Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka is presented through special arrangement with music theater international (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by mti. www.mtishows.com

Throughout February 2018, Downing-Gross brings you "Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka" as you have never seen it before! Journey with us into a world of wonder and pure imagination. Bring the entire family for an unforgettable show featuring the iconic characters that we all know and love. Tickets are only $10 and are available now!

Directed by Michelle Gilliam · Music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley · Adapted for the stage by Leslie Bricusse and Timothy Allen McDonald · Based on the book "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" by Roald Dahl · Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka is presented through special arrangement with music theater international (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by mti. www.mtishows.com

***Registration deadline: February 8th, 2018 at 11:59 PM***

Follow along with Hampton Roads “Eco-Artist” Juliette Marshall as you learn basic wire-wrapping and beading techniques. Design your very own eco-bracelet using wire and colorful beads made from various materials. This 2-hour class is enjoyable for beginners as well as the experienced. Everyone leaves with their own handmade one-of-a-kind eco-couture bracelet.

Throughout February 2018, Downing-Gross brings you "Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka" as you have never seen it before! Journey with us into a world of wonder and pure imagination. Bring the entire family for an unforgettable show featuring the iconic characters that we all know and love. Tickets are only $10 and are available now!

Directed by Michelle Gilliam · Music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley · Adapted for the stage by Leslie Bricusse and Timothy Allen McDonald · Based on the book "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" by Roald Dahl · Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka is presented through special arrangement with music theater international (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by mti. www.mtishows.com

Throughout February 2018, Downing-Gross brings you "Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka" as you have never seen it before! Journey with us into a world of wonder and pure imagination. Bring the entire family for an unforgettable show featuring the iconic characters that we all know and love. Tickets are only $10 and are available now!

Directed by Michelle Gilliam · Music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley · Adapted for the stage by Leslie Bricusse and Timothy Allen McDonald · Based on the book "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" by Roald Dahl · Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka is presented through special arrangement with music theater international (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by mti. www.mtishows.com

Join us in commemorating the life and legacy of Frederick Douglass for his 200th birthday. We are proud to present this live speaking event with author, poet, and Douglass historian, Nathan Richardson. Experience the words of this orator and abolitionist as you've never heard them before. 

Following the 7:00pm show, there will be a reception at no additional cost.