Hampton Events Calendar

The City of Hampton: Through the Lens of Reuben V. Burrell and James Van Der Zee

Reuben V. Burrell has documented through photographs a half of a century of Hampton University events – both big and small. Not only is Mr. Burrell the Griot (historian) of the University but his lens goes beyond the campus into the surrounding community. Coming to Hampton as a student in 1938 Burrell finished his course requirements in 1940, after which, World War II was pending.  He received a B.S. degree in Industrial Arts from Hampton in 1947, and then enrolled at New York University where he earned his M.A. degree in Industrial Arts Education in 1949.  Hired at Hampton in December 1949, Mr. Burrell began his career as the school photographer. For more than sixty years, he has provided an invaluable service to the university documenting its history as well as reprinting historic photographs. He has also documented landmarks, businesses, social and civic activities in the city of Hampton.  His photographs include well known individuals in the city as well.  

James Van Der Zee is recognized as the dean of African American photographers based on his large body of photographs taken in Harlem, New York during more than half of the 19^th century.  In 1906 Van Der Zee left his hometown of Lenox, MA here he met and married Kate L. Brown, a seamstress from Newport News, Virginia.  The couple’s first child, Rachel, was born in 1907 and shortly afterward they traveled to Virginia.  The Van Der Zee’s decided to remain in Tidewater, VA where Van Der Zee found employment as a waiter at the Hotel Chamberlin.  The photographs will share images of two categories: the everyday activities of Slabtown residents and the academic community at Whittier Preparatory School.

Partial funding for this exhibition provided by the City of Hampton, 400^th Anniversary Celebration Fund.

January 29-August 30

Hampton University Museum

757-727-5508

Coliseum Central 1^st Wednesdays

Live entertainment changes weekly. Refreshments to benefit charity. Town Square in Peninsula Town Center, 5:30pm-9pm.

peninsulatowncenter.com

Saturdays in the Square

Music, activities for kids, fountain fun! Town Square in Peninsula Town Center, 12pm-4pm.

peninsulatowncenter.com

The Claire Lynch Band

September 10

Long recognized and praised as a creative force in acoustic music, Claire Lynch has been one of the pioneers who continually pushes the boundaries of bluegrass music. Blazing her own trail in the mid 70’s when there were few role models for a young woman on the touring circuit. Claire Lynch made history when she led the Front Porch String Band—a band which evolved into one of the sharpest and most exciting post-modern bluegrass bands. She formed the Claire Lynch Band in 2004 and has consistently been the top pick of prestigious publications, critics and discerning audiences across the nation ever since. $25-30, 8pm.

The American Theatre.

757/722-ARTS, www.hamptonarts.net

Bluebird County Hayride

September 11

Come on down to Bluebird Gap Farm for a good old-fashioned country hayride. We load up near the Bluebird Amphitheatre and take a leisurely ride in a tractor-drawn hay wagon down the road a ways to the back of the farm, around the fishin’ pond, through the woods, and back. Wanna go again? Well just get back in line and ride again if you want to!

Free Admission, 12pm-2pm.

Bluebird Gap Farm behind the Bluebird Amphitheatre stage.

757/825-4750, www.hampton.gov/bbgf

Snakes of Sandy Bottom

September 12

Are you fascinated by snakes? Do they frighten you? You can learn many interesting facts about snakes and why they are to be welcomed, not feared. Learn which venomous as well as non-venomous snakes live at the park. You will have the opportunity to touch and look at several snakes up close. This is a fun experience for the whole family!

Ages 8 and up.

Register one day prior by 3pm. $2, 12pm-1pm.

Meet at the Sandy Bottom Nature Park Nature Center.

757/825-4657, www.hampton.gov/sandybottom

Lunch in Time Series—“The Yorktown Halfway House”

September 15

Presented by Robert C. Emerson. You are invited to bring a bag lunch and enjoy this historical presentation. Drinks and dessert will be provided. Panera Bread is graciously providing drinks and dessert as the Museum’s “Lunch in Time” sponsor/partner. If you would like to pre-order a boxed lunch from Panera, call 757/825-2670 on Tuesday the 14^th or by no later than 9am on the 15^th and they will deliver your lunch to the Museum.

Hampton History Museum, 757/727-1610. www.hampton.gov/history_museum

September 2010 Southeastern Guns & Knives Show

September 17-19

Hampton Roads Convention Center. (757) 315-1610, www.hrcc.com

An exhibit of photography dating from 1894 through the 1960s. C. Ethelbert Cheyne and his son W. E. “Happy” Cheyne were the premiere recorders on film of Hampton’s citizenry and its downtown scenes.  Hampton History Museum. 757/727-1610. www.hampton1610.com

Native American Festival: Thunder on the Bay          400th Anniversary Feature Event

A 400th Anniversary Signature Event, Thnder on the Bay is a drumming and dancing pow-wow, focusing on the continued Native American presence in our region and along the East Coast, with educational exhibits, food vendors, and craft vendors.

September 18, 2010

Buckroe Beach Park

Call (757) 726-5437 for more information on this event

Hampton Master Gardener’s Fall Plant Sale

September 18

9am-2pm at the Bluebird Gap Farm’s Demonstration Garden. The rain date is Sep. 19 from 9am-2pm. Email your name to hmptmgplantsale@yahoo.com if you would like to be added to the email notification list.

Bluebird Gap Farm.

757/825-4750, www.hampton.gov/bbgf

Water JAM 2010

Virginia Section American Water Works Association

September 19- 23

Hampton Roads Convention Center

Call (757) 315-1610 for more information about this event

Disney on Ice

Combines the incredible talent of world-class professional skaters and heartwarming, innovative scenic designs, lavish costumes, dazzling lighting and enchanting music to create an extraordinary show for families around the world.

September 22 & 23

7:30pm

September 24

10:30am & 7:30pm

September 25

11am, 3:30pm, & 7:30pm

September 26

1:30pm & 5:30pm

Hampton Coliseum

Call 757-838-4203 or visit www.hamptoncoliseum.org for more information about this event.

Owl Prowl

September 26

Join a ranger in a leisurely hike through our park and find out what birds of prey hang out at Sandy Bottom this time of year. Ages 8 and up. Register that Friday prior by 3pm, $2, 7pm-8pm. Meet at the Sandy Bottom Nature Park Nature Center.

757/825-4657, www.hampton.gov/sandybottom

Pumpkin Patch       Month of October

Town Square in Peninsula Town Center.

Peninsulatowncenter.com

Five Alarm & Festival Chili Cook-Off

Enter your own famous chili recipe or bring your friends and sample some of the best tasting chili in the area. With food vendors, fire safety demonstrations, children’s activities, and boat, dive team, and car fire demonstrations.  Cooks can compete for prizes in a variety of categories.

October 2, 2010

Carousel Park

Noon-4pm

757-727-1210

Port Lecture Series— “Growing Up in Crabtown”

October 4

Presented by Tommy Thompson, Whiting Chisman, and Johnny Ishon, local Hampton businessmen. Features authors, living historians, and local history buffs discussing topics from Hampton’s past as well as related historical subjects of a regional and national flavor. Hampton History Museum, 7pm. 757-727-1610, www.hampton.gov/history_museum