Good things, small packages
Tucked into the tony neighborhoods that populate the north end of Virginia Beach is a little gem of a golf course that not only meshes beautifully with its environment, but evidently it’s also pretty dang good.
GOLF Magazine recently named the trek at Princess Anne Country Club one of the top 25 sub-6,000-yard courses in the world. The judges called the 5,995-yard, par- 70 course a “stunning golf course in a fittingly stunning area” and noted that it was a “narrow, tricky and well-appointed test.”
We can swear to that. And to how much fun it is to play. It’s the perfect walking course. A few of the others to make the list: Kobe GC, Hyogo, Japan; Iona, Isle of Iona, Scotland; and Fanø Golf Links, Fanø, Denmark.
More little things
While we are on the topic of smaller treasures, you might want to check out this cool art exhibit at the Charles H. Taylor Visual Arts Center in Hampton.
Small Works runs Dec. 12-Jan. 2 and features regional artists and art from a wide range of styles, techniques, content, imagery and intent. The only thing they will have in common is their size.
Check it out. But keep in mind, the center will have limited guest capacity and visitors are required to adhere to COVID-19 guidelines while in the galleries. Appointments are needed to view the gallery; to schedule one, call 757-727-1490
Get some culture, virtually
The Virginia Museum of History & Culture is hosting live virtual gallery walks on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month. The online tour, a 30-minute highlight of museum galleries, is free and open to all.
Exhibits include the 41st Annual Watercolor Society Exhibition and The capABLE Project, both of which run through Dec. 31.
The capABLE Project is an exhibit that features Richmond residents with diverse abilities and viewpoints thriving in their communities. Beyond the beautiful series of portraits, this display proves the power of inclusion, demonstrating that when we’re all allowed to participate, the entire community benefits. For details, visit VirginiaHistory.org.
Getting organized
We all could use some help improving our home offices these days. Here is an idea from Kimberly Higgins of Made Mod Virginia Beach, a local craftsman who is getting noticed for her minimalist peg boards. She offers several models, including the Vanity Peggie-Leaning Tabletop Pegboard which sells for $65. Check her out at mademod_vb on Instagram.
Keeping Time
In this smartphone era, the relevance of the once-iconic clock can be overlooked. But back before apps and podcasts, the ability to tell the exact time was revolutionary. A new exhibition at the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum in Williamsburg explores the power and significance of those ticking neighbors of yesteryear. Keeping Time: Tall Case Clocks looks at how these timepieces evolved by examining more than 20 tall case clocks from different regions, including New England, the Middle Atlantic, the American South and England. The exhibit is showing now and will run through the end of December. (Image courtesy of the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg).
Get some culture, personally
It may not be as easy to catch a live performance these days, but it is still possible. The American Theatre in Hampton offers some great shows in the new year, including Desiree Roots, a Virginia native and vocal powerhouse.
On Feb. 5 and 6, in an intimate cabaret setting, Roots, who has had lead roles in Dreamgirls and The Color Purple, pays tribute to Nancy Wilson, one of the great female jazz and pop voices of the 20th century.
Because of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Virginia Department of Health guidelines, The American Theatre will offer no reserved or assigned seating. It will be limited to 44 seats in the auditorium at first, and all events will be general admission.
Take a journey with Scott Silven
The Virginia Arts Festival is presenting The Journey with Scott Silven, an online, interactive, immersive, live production unlike anything audiences have experienced. Silven is a world-renowned illusionist who for the past two years performed a set titled At the Illusionist’s Table in which he executed incredible feats before small groups over dinner. We attended one of the performances and we still don’t know how he pulled off his tricks. The event takes place Dec. 8-13. For more information, check out VAFest.org.
Witness glassmaking
The Chrysler Museum of Art is offering free demonstrations Tuesdays through Sundays at noon at the Glass Studio. Take advantage of this chance to see the glass take form as experts from the studio team explain the dynamics of the process.
COVID-19 restrictions apply. The museum is limiting the number of people in the Glass Studio to 25 percent of normal capacity, so reserve your tickets.
Visitors are required to wear face masks and keep a distance of at least 6 feet between parties. Because of the capacity cap, visitors must arrive by noon – any later and you will likely lose your place.
Simply the best
Chesapeake native Adrienne Warren has earned a Tony nomination for her role as Tina Turner in the Broadway musical Tina. Warren is up for best performance by an actress in a leading role in a musical. Warren, a 2005 graduate of The Governor’s School for the Arts in Norfolk, originated the role in London’s West End in 2018 and has earned glowing reviews. The New York Times called Warren’s a “star-making performance” after the musical’s North American debut last fall.
The nomination is Warren’s second. In 2016, she was nominated in the same category for her role in Shuffle Along. In mid-October, Tina received 11 nominations in addition to Warren’s, including the categories of best musical, best choreography and best orchestrations. This year’s ceremony will honor a season cut short by the coronavirus pandemic and as of October, there was still no official word on when the event, to be held virtually, will take place.
