The Philadelphia Dance Company, PHILADANCO, is known for the precision dance style from the classical to the contemporary. But this past Thursday at Willet Hall in Portsmouth, they put on a psychedelic performance. Turning, spinning, and leaping to the music of George Clinton and the Parliament-Funkadelic gang, PHILADANCO really got funky with it.

In this new choreographed piece by Jawole Willa Jo Zollar of the Urban Bush Women, the Dance Company revved the crowd with their intricate movements and intense dance style. With bedazzled outfits and cool shades, it was difficult not to be moved "By Way of the Funk." The performance was a seamless mesh of story and history, lending the great times of the past and building up to love and tragedy of the future. And the mesmerizing stunts blended with precise ballet directions added to this features elegance and cool.

Contributed by R.A. Henriquez

This past Friday night, the Chrysler Hall was filled with elegant masterworks of Mozart...and laughter. Directed by Vivienne Benesch, conducted by JoAnn Falletta, and performed by the Chautauqua Theater Company accompanied by the Virginia Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, Peter Shaffer's Amadeus entertained the audience like no other play, opera, musical, or concerto can.

Contributed by R.A. Henriquez

Hampton Roads independent film company, Skelly Films, of Virginia Beach, Virginia announces its first full-length feature film "Unavailable."

With the Virginia Arts Festival well underway, this past weekend the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater took to the stage to WOW a diverse audience. It was more than awe as the performance, from curtains up, inspired a movement. The Alvin Ailey Dance Theater has truly created something of a masterpiece in its fourth appearance at the Virginia Arts Festival.

Since 1958, the Theater came from its roots in New York to travel the world, performing in all corners of the globe. From Switzerland to South Africa, the Theater has been moving audiences of diverse cultures for years. Its founder, Alvin Ailey, came from Rogers, Texas and started the Theater with blues, spiritual, and gospel beginnings. Before being laid to rest in 1989, Ailey created 79 ballets, but his Theater. Now headed by Artistic Director Judith Jamison, has continued to live through his legacy with over 200 masterworks by more than 80 choreographers. And Ailey's vision is sure to thrive in July when renowned Artistic Director Designate Robert Battle takes the helms.

The centerpiece of the Virginia Arts Festival, the Virginia International Tattoo, celebrated its 15th anniversary this past weekend. Once again, the feeling of pride and inspiration was nothing short of mesmerizing and emotional. And this year's theme, "A Celebration of Freedom", couldn't be more appropriate given developing victories across the world in the war on terrorism.

tattooDerived from the Dutch phrase for "Turn off the taps"-doe den tap toe-Tattoo evolved from 17th and 18th century traditional ceremonies to a celebration of music, mass, and more. The Virginia International Tattoo invites military and non-military bands, drill teams, and performances from across the globe to put on a unified and spectacular performance .

Contributed R.A. Henriquez

Last year’s Virginia Arts Festival featured many spectacular performances from around the globe. From twisting Russian dancers to bagpipe blowing Scotsmen and women. This year’s 15^th Virginia Arts Festival is lined up to be no different… in fact, it may be one of the best line ups yet!