February Events in Portsmouth, Virginia

Asian Treasures from the MacArthur Collection

Making a Mark

- February 21: An exhibit of art created by children touched by cancer. Sponsored by the Texas Children’s Cancer Center at Houston, the annual collection of art created by children from around the world is part of a very intensive art therapy program at the hospital.

Children who have cancer, or have siblings with cancer, are invited to make and submit a piece of art to Houston. After a judging, the art is hung in the Texas Children’s Hospital and then sent on the road for viewing at other museums and hospitals around the country.

Presented by the Courthouse Galleries, Corner of High and Court St., Portsmouth
757-393-8543 | www.courthousegalleries.com

2010 Outdoor Sculpture

Opening Reception: 5:00-8:00 p.m.

Cast your ballot on your favorite sculpture featured in this historic garden setting and help determine the People’s Choice Award for the fifth annual Outdoor Sculpture exhibit which runs through October 10.

Presented by the Courthouse Galleries, Corner of High and Court St., Portsmouth
757-393-8543 | www.courthousegalleries.com

5 - 7

FirstEvents Olde Towne

A stage for local galleries, shops and museums in Portsmouth’s Olde Towne and one of the city’s most popular evening escapes. Free admission. Sponsored by the Olde Towne Business Association | 757-397-7173

5 Heart to Heart - Courthouse Galleries

5:00-8:00 p.m. Enjoy free admission to the Courthouse Galleries’ exhibits. Live music and light refreshments are offered. Visitors can create their own work of art by making a card for your Valentine.

Presented by the Courthouse Galleries, Corner of High and Court St., Portsmouth
757-393-8543 | www.courthousegalleries.com

6Olde Towne Antiques to Flea Market | 10 am - 2 p.m.

The Olde Towne Antiques to Flea Market is conveniently located in the Middle Street Garage at the corner of Middle & London streets and is held year round, rain or shine on the first Saturday of each month. Gates open at 10 a.m. and close at 2 p.m. Always Free Admission & Free Parking! Call 757-405-3500 for additional information.

6Historic Valentines Program

10:00 am- 5:00 pm Come celebrate Valentine’s Day early with a special program at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum and Lightship PORTSMOUTH.

Admission and activities at both museums will be free and open to the public.

At the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum, learn the history of a Valentine; find out what early Valentines looked like and what they said. Create your own Victorian era Valentines to surprise your classmates or that special sweetheart.

At the Lightship PORTSMOUTH, show that loved one you care by creating a Sailor’s Valentine! Once crafted by sailors on long voyages, this historical art form consists of mosaics of seashells arranged into beautiful patterns. Learn the history behind these maritime valentines and the art of their construction, while you create your very own.

Presented by the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum and Lightship PORTSMOUTH | 757-393-8591 | www.portsnavalmuseums.com

> back to top

The Year of the Tiger - a Chinese New Year Celebration

Happy New Year once again! It's time for the Chinese New Year celebrartion and this year we ring in the Year of the Tiger. Discover the best traditions of the biggest festival of the year with dancing, music, art and home decorations.

• Crafts: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Origami demonstrations: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Tidewater Chinese School Dance & Music performances:
9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
• Brush painting demonstrations: 10 a.m. - Noon
• Calligraphy and name translations: Noon -4 p.m.
• Lion Dance: 2 p.m.

Andalo's Clubhouse, 420 High St. 757-393-5258.
Andaol's Clubhouse is presented by the Children's Museum of Virginia.

ALL I WANT FOR VALENTINE’S DAY IS A CHOCOLATE FACTORY: Chocolate Dipping & Tasting

1:30 p.m. - while supplies last - $2 per person plus museum admission

Maryann Boho of The Williamsburg Chocolatier will be a special guest for museum visitors offering chocolate and offering hands-on, easy chocolate dipping techniques - no cooking experience necessary. She will also answer questions about chocolate and her own family business. Participants will pay $2 for each person who wants to try their hand at making candy out of pure, delicious chocolate.

Presented by the Courthouse Galleries, Corner of High and Court St., Portsmouth
757-393-8543 | www.courthousegalleries.com

> back to top

Pre Valentine’s Day Comedy Explosion Featuring DeRay Davis

Doors Open 6:00 pm Showtime 7:00 pm - Foxy Lady Productions & Swiss Entertainment Presents Pre Valentine’s Day Comedy Explosion Featuring DeRay Davis Also Starring, Sherman Golden, Gary Owens, Mike Bonner. Produced by Herron Entertainment.

Willett Box Office: www.willetthall.com | 757-393-5144
Ticketmaster: www.ticketmaster.com/venue/8280

Portsmouth Founder's Day Celebration

Portsmouth turns 258 years old. To celebrate the event, there will be historic walking tours and a proclamation by Col. Crawford on the steps of the 1846 Courthouse at high noon on Saturday. Many local merchants have celebrations and sales planned at their businesses (see list below). There will also be a Video Presentation of the Colonel’s history of Portsmouth, “Portsmouth, VA – Jewel of the Elizabeth” at the theater in the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame and Museum. Free events include:

LIVING HISTORY TOURS OF OLDE TOWNE PORTSMOUTH

10:30 a.m. & 1 p.m. Join Portsmouth’s founder, Colonel William Crawford (shown iright) for a stroll through our quaint historic seaport. Walk along the heart of Portsmouth’s PATH OF HISTORY. The city has the oldest shipyard in America and one of the nation’s largest collections of surviving historical homes. The stroll will also take a trip to and through Trinity Episcopal Church – circa 1762 – hosted by Reverend Braidfoot, as portrayed by local historian and author, Dean Burgess. Departs and concludes from the Courthouse Galleries at High and Court Streets. Dress appropriately for the weather.

FOUNDER’S DAY PROCLAMATION

Noon. In between walking tours, Col. Crawford will be joined by members of the Virginia Youth Symphony Orchestra at the courthouse steps of the Courthouse Galleries (shown right) as he makes his official Founder’s Day Proclamation.

VIDEO PRESENTATION - “PORTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA”
Jewel of the Elizabeth

3:00 p.m. Be a part of Colonel Crawford’s VIRTUAL Walking Tour of Olde Towne Portsmouth. The 60-minute DVD presentation was created as part of the 400th Anniversary Celebration of the founding of Virginia, in 2007. Follow Portsmouth’s PATH OF HISTORY as you travel through time with Colonel Crawford from 1620 and the beginnings of “the oldest shipyard in America” through the Revolutionary and Civil Wars and beyond. Truly an adventure you will not soon forget. Virginia Sports Hall of Fame and Museum at High and Middle Streets.

TICKETS ARE FREE, but space is limited. Walking Tours are limited to 40 guests and the Video Presentation to 125. Advance Tickets can be picked up at Starboards Coffee Kiosk – High and Water Streets, or immediately before the each event from Colonel Crawford - as available.