Calling all set, lights, sound, and costume designers: LTN is looking for designers for three of our shows during the 97th Season.
But Why Bump Off Barnaby, directed by Jimmy Dragas, is a comedic sendup of the classic murder mysteries beloved around the world.
Chicken & Biscuits, directed by Sharon Davidson Cook, is the funny and heartwarming of estranged sisters coming together to celebrate the life of the family patriarch.
A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder, directed by Alicia Wolters, is the musical story of Monty Navarro as he squares off against the D’Ysquith family. Based on the 1907 novel The Autobiography of a Criminal.
BJ grew up in Virginia Beach, VA where he was a member of the Virginia Youth Symphony Orchestra and other community programs. While in these groups, he performed in various places nationally as well as internationally including China and Greece. He went on to study at James Madison University as a music education, cello performance, and music industry major.
BJ formed a band in 2013 called BJ Griffin and the Galaxy Groove. He also teamed up with long time friend and pianist Jason Brown creating the BJ Griffin Duo. With his band and duo, BJ has a full performance schedule. The band appeared as the supporting act for artists like Ms. Lauryn Hill, Smash Mouth, Sir Sly, Lionel Richie most recently the opening act for Erykah Badu.
As a performer, BJ lives to expand the boundaries of musicians of all genres to a broader audience and conjure even more possibilities to spread the joy of learning and performing music.
We are excited to partner with BJ Griffin and Big Juicy Entertainment next season- stay tuned for some exciting musical updates happening at The Z
See BJ’s Performance at the 2021 TasteBreakers Festival:
Virginia Beach- Drag performer Vivian Valentine presents her “Barbie Brunch” series in partnership with The Z, the Zeiders American Dream Theater, Saturdays this July.
“Every woman deserves to be a Barbie.”
Locals are invited to celebrate their self-confidence and inner supermodel at the all-new Barbie Brunch series, Saturdays at The Z this July.
Drag veteran Vivian Valentine and friends will perform songs, lip syncs, and lead audiences in fun and games to celebrate women of all colors, shapes, sizes and cultures.
Every brunch will culminate with an awards ceremony, with audience members receiving a sash for “Miss Barbie Congeniality”, the chance to “lip sync for their life” in a Barbie Showdown. Some brunch dates will also include a special appearance from Ken.
The Barbie Brunch will be presented at The Z, July 8, 15, 22, and 29 at 11am. Your ticket includes 1 admission to the Barbie Brunch and two complimentary mimosas. Vendors from around Virginia Beach Town Center will provide food options for purchase.
Tickets for the brunch series are available now HERE. Patrons may call the box office at 757-499-0137 or purchase tickets during open hours, M-F 12-6pm.
Check out other events with Vivian Valentine on Instagram: @lettersofadragqueen.
The Z is so excited to announce the 2024 Headlining Act for the Vocal Jazz Summit…
GRAMMY-Award nominated säje
säje is: Sara Gazarek, Amanda Taylor, Johnaye Kendrick, and Erin Bentlage
Featuring: Michael Mayo, voice; Dawn Clement, piano; Ben Williams, bass; Christian Euman, drums
“säje is blazing a new trail for female composers and performers in the jazz world.”- Micah Hendler, Forbes
“…[säje is] taking the vocal jazz ensemble into the 21st century.”- Abe Beeson, KNKX/NPR
“…transcendent music.” – DownBeat Magazine
While it may come as a surprise to hear that the newly-formed vocal super-group, säje (rhymes with beige), received a GRAMMY® nomination for “Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals” for their first original composition “Desert Song”, a John Lennon Songwriting Contest Grand Prize Award for their second composition “Wisteria”, and a Jazz Journalists Association Award nomination for “Best Vocal Group”, those in the know continue to eagerly await the debut album from this transcendent and genre-defining group.
It is through their four previously released singles, ardent social media/patreon following, and multiple self-produced music videos that this all-female compositional/vocal collective has demonstrated their devotion to thoughtful, sophisticated original compositions and heartfelt covers, garnering critical acclaim and fostering a widespread and passionate fanbase.
In their first debut-album single (“As This Moment Slips Away” September 13th, 2022) from their self-produced debut album, listeners got a sneak peek into the sounds and energy that they can expect from the record itself. In collaboration with three-time GRAMMY® winning drummer Terri Lyne Carrington, the single positioned säje as an empowered, genre-defining, and socially conscious powerhouse ensemble. surpassing any expectations of what one might typically associate with a vocal collective.
With their second single, there is more to hear than just lush harmonies, powerhouse vocals, complex contrapuntal lines, and symbiosis with their band. There is a deep relationship with the value systems found in purposeful artistic collaborations, authenticity and connection to shape, texture, interaction, and storytelling. There is a real mastery of craft, not least of which can be heard in the mind-blowing improvisations from featured guest vocalist Michael Mayo. With “(You Are) The Oracle” we see that säje is a group to be watched – and that their newest single is only a mouth-watering snapshot of what’s to come.
“Fresh off starring in the role of Billy Flynn in Broadway’s Chicago, theatre veteran James T. Lane’s solo autobiographical show, Triple Threat, begins previews on Saturday, June 17th in advance of Juneteenth and salutes the show’s diverse creatives. Triple Threat plays at THEATRE ROW (410 W. 42nd Street, NYC NY) in advance of opening night on June 23rd.”-Backstage Pass with Lia Chang
James T. Lane’s “Triple Threat”, which made its debut at The Z, is now off-Broadway!
Virginia Beach- Drag performer Vivian Valentine presents her “Barbie Brunch” series in partnership with The Z, the Zeiders American Dream Theater, Saturdays this July.
“Every woman deserves to be a Barbie.”
Locals are invited to celebrate their self-confidence and inner supermodel at the all-new Barbie Brunch series, Saturdays at The Z this July.
Drag veteran Vivian Valentine and friends will perform songs, lip syncs, and lead audiences in fun and games to celebrate women of all colors, shapes, sizes and cultures.
Every brunch will culminate with an awards ceremony, with audience members receiving a sash for “Miss Barbie Congeniality”, the chance to “lip sync for their life” in a Barbie Showdown. Some brunch dates will also include a special appearance from Ken.
The Barbie Brunch will be presented at The Z, July 8, 15, 22, and 29 at 11am. Your ticket includes 1 admission to the Barbie Brunch and two complimentary mimosas. Vendors from around Virginia Beach Town Center will provide food options for purchase.
Tickets for the brunch series are available now at www.thez.org. Patrons may call the box office at 757-499-0137 or purchase tickets during open hours, M-F 12-6pm.
Check out other events with Vivian Valentine on Instagram: @lettersofadragqueen.
