My name is Laurie Brown. Williamsburg Native is dedicated to all of the things that make me love my hometown. I was just plain lucky to be born in a place that draws people from all over the world. People come to learn about America’s colonial history, study at the college, play at world-class theme parks, or [...]
The Spring Art on the Square show was the best yet. OK, ok … I say that every year. Well, it’s true! I’ve been attending these shows since I was little, so I’m always surprised when I ask friends, “are you going to the art show this weekend?” and they reply, “what art show?” It’s [...]
Danny Schmidt explains the archaeological process so that even newbies like me could understand during his “In the Trenches” tour on Jamestown Island.
Friday night at Lake Matoaka was about singing, dancing, remembering, and getting downright psychedelic! We could almost smell the Strawberry Alarm Clock ringing. The English Channel far exceeded our* expectations. This was not just a tribute band singing a few oldies. The English Channel is a group of six highly accomplished musicians paying tribute to an entire era, with an amazingly long play list that covers all the best English pop-rock artists from the 60s to the mid-70s.
I hope you get to see the decorations in Colonial Williamsburg for yourself, but if you can’t get here, enjoy my video tour. The soundtrack includes Greensleeves, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, and In the Bleak Midwinter. Merry Christmas!
Enjoy a small-scale, low-key outdoor art show and festival from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. this Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011 on Prince George Street. 2nd Sundays Williamsburg is featuring artist Rob Ingalls of Yorktown and 35 other artisans. There will be hayrides for families through Colonial Williamsburg, Celtic-style music, kid’s crafts, and other fun activities.
Nothing puts me in the Christmas spirit faster than music and this weekend offers some wonderful options. Today at 2:00 p.m. head to the Williamsburg Presbyterian Church at 215 Richmond Road for the Virginia Choral Society‘s Family Festival of Carols. They’ll perform contemporary seasonal music and traditional Christmas carols. Tickets are $18 at the door ($15 for mil/sr/stu).
This evening, enjoy acoustic sounds of the season at Lana Puckett and Kim Person’s Christmas Show at 7:30 p.m. at the Williamsburg Regional Library. You can hear Kim Person‘s lyrical voice on her web site. The concert will feature original and traditional songs from the duo’s Christmas CD releases ”At Christmas the Heart Goes Home” and “The Gift of Christmas.” I’ve never been disappointed by groups in the Dewey Decibel series at the library.
Tomorrow, opera fans will love the Williamsburg Choral Guild’s free presentation of Amahl and the Night Visitors, a one-act opera by Gian Carol Menotti, sung in English. It tells the story of a poor shepherd boy’s meeting with the three kings and the miraculous healing of his lame leg when he gives his crutch to the kings as a gift for the baby Jesus. No tickets required; if you care to take a canned or non-perishable food item, it will be give to Fish or Grove Christian Outreach.Performances are Sunday, December 11, 2011, 2:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. at King of Glory Lutheran Church, 4897 Longhill Road.
The big event this weekend is the Grand Illumination at Colonial Williamsburg. If the weather is good, you can expect tens of thousands of people to celebrate the start of the Christmas season with you. The Illumination activities begin at 5:15, with fireworks at 7:00 p.m. Get there before dusk so you can stroll Duke of Gloucester Street and enjoy the decorations. Colonial Williamsburg has a full day of activities planned, plus some a capella programs at the DeWitt Wallace Musem. It’s free to walk around the historic area and enjoy the sights; you need tickets to go inside the exhibits.
Be sure to make your way to Merchants Square, where the following activities are planned:
Dec. 4 Grand Illumination Sunday on Merchants Square
This annual show is fun to attend and admission is free. Exhibitors from 6 states show and sell fine art, jewelry, folk art, clothing, paper, baskets, pillows, photography, quilts, Christmas decorations, food and more.
Location: Trinkle Hall at the back of the Campus Center on Jamestown Road (across from the Wren Building).
Dates: Dec. 3, 2011, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Dec. 4, 2011, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
You have at least two great options to hear a live performance of Handel’s Messiah this year.
Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011 at 5:00 p.m. Volunteers perform at the Williamsburg Methodist Church on Jamestown Road. See their 2009 performance on YouTube.
Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011 at 8:00 p.m. the Virginia Symphony Orchestra performs at Phi Beta Kappa Hall, College of William and Mary. Tickets $20.
Having the whole family in town for Thanksgiving? You’ll need to plan some activities for the non-football fans. There’s always shopping on Black Friday, but if that’s not your thing, try these ideas:
Tired of cooking and cleaning this year? Williamsburg has oodles of options for feasting with the family on Thanksgiving. Many of my Top 10 Restaurants are open on Thanksgiving, so give them a call. If you can’t get reservations, there are a couple of large venues offering Thanksgiving buffets that are worth a try.
In years past, the Williamsburg Hospitality House has done a wonderful job with their holiday buffets in a pleasant hotel-conference-room setting. It’s not the same as a view of Duke of Gloucester Street from one of the taverns, but it’s elegant enough. Besides, if you eat there, you’re close enough to go for a walk afterwards on the college campus or in the historic area to work off some of the feast. Their spread this year costs $32.95 for adults and $13.95 for kids 6-12 (5 and under eat free). Call (757) 229-4020 for reservations.
A venue I’ve not tried, but I bet offers excellent food is the Williamsburg Hellenic Center at 4900 Mooretown Road. Since many of our local restaurants are owned and managed by the Greek-American community, you can bet they’ll offer some fabulous food for Thanksgiving. Their buffet costs $24.95 for adults and $14.95 for kids 12 and under. Call (757) 220-4284 for reservations.
Many thanks to Jimmy’s Oven & Grill at 7201 Richmond Road in Norge for offering a free Thanksgiving feast to anyone in need. Call Mo at (757) 565-1465 to reserve your spot.
Paintings on loan from the High Museum of Art in Atlanta make the Muscarelle Museum exhibit a “must see” this fall. You can preview the paintings with a fun interactive showcase on the museum’s web site. Admission is $10.
Public Hours
Tuesday – Friday : 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday – Sunday : 12 noon – 4 p.m.
Closed Mondays
If you can’t make it to the special dinner on Jamestown Island Thursday night, you have another option on Saturday, Oct. 8 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to learn about the most recent discoveries at James Fort during the 2011 field season. This special day will include historic trades demonstrations, ranger and archaeologist tours, and kids’ activities. Admission is $10 for adults, free for children under 16.
