The Dewey Decibel Concert Series returns to bring an eclectic group of musicians to the Williamsburg Library Theatre.
Entering its 17th season, the series brings to the stage a range of music that includes jazz, folk, bluegrass and classical acts from the Hampton Roads region and across the country.
The name comes from the organization system libraries use and the unit that measures the volume of a sound. The series’ name was coined by the band Eddie from Ohio when the group played at the 260-seat theater in the early years of the series.
“We really offer a lot of things for people who are interested in a wide variety of music,” said Barry Trott, special projects director with the library. “Almost anybody can find something to enjoy.”
Next up for the Dewey Decibel concerts will be the Higher Ground Big Band. Up to 20 musicians and a vocalist play in the Latin- and jazz-inspired band. The Virginia Symphony Orchestra’s French horn duo, the Virginia Opera and Christopher Newport University’s wind ensemble also are slated to perform.
“The constant is we’re providing top-notch musical entertainment in a really interesting set of genres,” Trott said.
Prices for the concerts depend on the show. The Williamsburg Library Theatre is located at 7770 Croaker Road.
Info: wrl.org/events/concerts or 757-259-4070.
VSO POPS season
The Virginia Symphony Orchestra has announced its 2017-18 Pops season. Pops is the name given to an orchestra that plays popular music and show tunes.
VSO will celebrate Nat King Cole to start the season before playing music from Journey, Elvis and composer John Williams, the man behind the music of “Star Wars,” “Jaws” and “Harry Potter.”
*Unforgettable: The Music of Nat King Cole — 8 p.m. Sept. 28 at Ferguson Center for the Arts in Newport News and 8 p.m. Sept. 30 Chrysler Hall in Norfolk.
*Faithfully: The Music of Journey — 8 p.m. Oct. 27 at Ferguson Center for the Arts in Newport News and 8 p.m. Oct. 28 at Chrysler Hall in Norfolk.
*Holiday POPS! — 8 p.m. Dec. 8 at Ferguson Center for the Arts in Newport News, 8 p.m. Dec. 9 at Chrysler Hall in Norfolk and 7 p.m. Dec. 10 at Sandler Center for the Performing Arts in Virginia Beach.
*Elvis: The King’s Songbook — 8 p.m. Feb. 1, 2018, at Ferguson Center for the Arts in Newport News and 8 p.m. Feb. 3, 2018, at Chrysler Hall in Norfolk.
*The Music of John Williams — 8 p.m. March 24, 2018, at Chrysler Hall in Norfolk.
Info: virginiasymphony.org or 757-892-6366.
Circus coming to American Theatre
A circus inspired by the mysticism of African history is headed to Phoebus’ The American Theatre at 2:30 p.m. Feb. 19.
Cirque Zuma Zuma’s lineup features Egyptian limbo dances, Gabonese tumbling and the Zulu reed dance, a traditional ceremony of the Zulu people from several countries in southern Africa. Audiences also can expect circus staples such as aerial acts and contortionists.
Tickets start at $40. The theater is located at 125 East Mellen St. in Hampton. Info: hamptonarts.net or 757-722-2787.
More shows
*Christopher Newport University’s music and English departments will co-present “Jane Austen’s Songbook” in a free lecture-recital commemorating the bicentennial of Austen’s death at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Pope Chapel on campus. The recital features CNU Elan Ensemble, with soprano Elissa Edwards and music professor Anastasia Pike on harp. Visit elanensemble.org for more information.
*The Hampton History Museum will host the next in its Front Porch Series from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday featuring honky tonk artist Gina Dalmas and the Cow Tippin’ Playboys from Norfolk. The show is free for members and $5 for nonmembers. The museum is located at 120 Old Hampton Lane in Hampton. More info at hamptonhistorymuseum.org or 757-727-1610.
Summer concerts begin to take shape
As the temperatures begin to rise, so do the number of acts coming to the region this summer.
* Nickelback will perform July 4 at the Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater in Virginia Beach. The concert is part of the “Feed The Machine Tour,” which is named after the rock band’s most recent album. Nickelback will be joined by Daughtry. Tickets on sale now. Info: virginiabeachamphitheatre.net or 757-368-3000.
* The Australian Pink Floyd Band will return July 23 to the Portsmouth Pavilion. A tribute to the band’s namesake, the Australian Pink Floyd Band has been performing across the globe for nearly 30 years. Performances are accompanied by a laser and lights show, LED animations and large inflatable animals. Tickets: pavilionconcerts.com or 757-393-8181.
Black can be reached by phone at 757-247-4607.
