To kick off its 2020 First Fridays Concerts in the Courtyard performance series, Portsmouth invites everyone to have a good laugh.
The popular free series of comedy and musical performances will begin with yuks and laughs provided by the Norfolk-based Push Comedy Theater from 5-8 p.m. March 6 within the courtyard of the Portsmouth Art and Cultural Center, 400 High St.
The series, as its names suggests, will take place the first Friday of each month through October. It’s presented by PortsEvents, an affiliate of the Portsmouth Partnership, and sponsored by TowneBank, the Portsmouth Economic Development Authority and the Portsmouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority.
Founded by the local Pushers comedy troupe, the Push Comedy Theater is based at a 90-seat venue at 763 Granby St. in Norfolk’s NEON Arts District. The group presents live comedy featuring local as well as national acts. It also offers classes in sketch, improv and stand-up comedy.
Call 333-7442 or visit pushcomedytheater.com for more details.
Besides levity, the free al fresco events will also showcase top local and regional musical artists performing a variety of genres including folk, pop, jazz, blues, rock, Americana, world beat, soul and R&B.
The series’ 2020 schedule is: Julie Clark, April 3; The Wampler Brothers, May 1; Less Cowbell, June 5; Court Street Company, July 3; Lewis McGehee, Aug. 7; Chan Hall Smooth Jazz, Sept. 4; and Brackish Water Jamboree, Oct. 2.
Many of the concerts will also feature a special accompanying art exhibit. Call 393-8543 for more information.
HOMECOMING FOR JIM NEWSOM
The Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts, 110 W. Finney Ave., will feature a popular local and regional award-winning musician returning “home” for a grand concert.
Part of the arts facility’s Downstairs at the Center’s performances, the event will feature singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Jim Newsom in concert backed by his combo, the Cloudless Sky — Gail Keller Smith on keyboards and Rick Jebavy on drums.
Newsom and company will perform original material culled from three of his CD releases: “New Set of Dreams,” “Coffee and Fried Steak” and “Dancing in the Sun.”
Although born in Tennessee, Newsom grew up in Suffolk, graduating from Suffolk High School and, later, Virginia Tech. During his formative years, he learned to play flute and guitar, inspired by the likes of Herbie Mann, Jethro Tull, Bob Dylan and the Beatles.
He’s an accomplished singer, composer and musician who has garnered a loyal following and many critical kudos. Paul Shugrue, host of WHRV-FM’s “Out of the Box,” likened Newsom’s concerts as “relentlessly positive ... a carefree feeling like a day spent hiking in the hills or strolling on the beach,” while Michael Crockett with the Nashville Songwriters Association International called Newsom’s original compositions “the gold standard for songwriting.”
Newsom has performed at every major musical and outdoor event in Hampton Roads including Harbor Fest, the Chesapeake Jubilee, the Seawall Art Show, the Stockley Gardens Arts Festival, the Chelsea Summer Solstice and the Norfolk Folk Festival.
General admission tickets are $17 in advance and $22 the day of the show. Call 923-2900 or visit suffolkcenter.org.
ARTS: TO CELEBRATE, LEARN
Pique your youngster’s creative side while he or she learns valuable life skills.
It all happens at the Children’s Museum of Virginia’s Celebrate the Arts event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 7 at 221 High St., Portsmouth.
Billed as an “interactive family fun day,” according to a press release, this Arts for Learning showcase event will feature interactive performances and workshops for all ages.
Founded in 2005 by Young Audiences Inc., in partnership with the University of Washington, Arts for Learning offers a “literacy curriculum” that uses creativity, arts disciplines and learning to hone reading, writing and life skills in children.
Call the museum at 393-5258 for admission information. Educators and PTA board members are admitted free with a proper ID.
PHOTOS AND FOOD
Fill your artistic soul with the finest examples of photographic art and fill your stomach with the finest examples of Suffolk cuisine.
Opening March 7 with an awards reception from 4-6 p.m., the Portsmouth Art Gallery, at 118 Bosley Ave., will present the 36th Annual Juried Photographic Exhibition.
Billing itself as the largest and oldest juried exhibit in Hampton Roads, the event will showcase the works of the area’s top amateur and professional photographers.
The works can be viewed for no admission from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and from 1-5 p.m. Sundays through April 17.
Saturday’s opening reception is also free and open to the public. Call 514-7284.
Weekend Scoop
RESTAURANT WEEK IN SUFFOLK
Feel the need to feed? Do it with some of Suffolk’s finest edibles during Suffolk Restaurant Week from March 14-21.
Calling itself “Suffolk’s showcase of culinary excellence,” this tasty week will offer diners chef’s specialties, signature dishes and delicacies from Suffolk’s top restaurants, eateries and food services including haute cuisines, Southern and soul food cooking, downhome delights, seafood, chops, steaks, international dishes, gourmet coffees, brews and wines.
Coupons, vouchers or tickets are not necessary. Simply patronize one of the participating restaurants and choose from its special three-course fixed-price menu. Lunch or dinner, it’s up to you. Deluxe lunches are $20 and dinners are $20; premier lunches are $15 and dinners are $30; and ultimate lunches are $20 and dinners are $40.
Some of the participants include Baron’s Pub, Cedar Point Country Club, Decoys Seafood, PourFavor Coffee Shop, River Stone Chophouse and Vintage Tavern.
For more information or additional participants, visit suffolkrestaurantweekva.com or call 514-4130. Bon appetit.
Eric W. Feber, ewjfeber@gmailcom