Ballet Virginia: Heart & Soul

with Ballet VA

February 22, 2025

7:30 PM

Main Stage Theater

Contemporary and classical works with a focus on diversity and hope by Ballet Virginia Artistic Director Lydia Roberts Coco. Ms. Coco, a former Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater principal dancer, will be tapping into the diverse cultural roots of the Hampton Roads community. This transcendent program will feature a work honoring local and international ballet star, Lorraine Graves who passed away in 2024. Join us for inspiring dance with soulful music.

 

Performances Feb. 21-22 on The Z Mainstage

 

VAACC Artist Masterpiece Series: MLK Day Celebration featuring The King Project

A FREE Z Ticket Bank Event

January 17, 2025

7pm

Main Stage Theater

Virginia African American Cultural Center Artist Masterpiece Series MLK Day Celebration featuring Beauty for Ashes Dance Company.

Beauty for Ashes will present The King Project, a dance tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr.

A Z Ticket Bank FREE performance provided by Virginia African American Cultural Center. Additional funding for this performance comes from the City of Virginia Beach Cultural Affairs through the Arts and Humanities Commission. 

VAACC Artist Masterpiece Series: Black History Month Celebration featuring Nathan Richardson

A FREE Z Ticket Bank Event

February 18, 2025

7pm

Main Stage Theater

The celebration will include Nathan Richardson performing speeches by Frederick Douglas, intertwined with musical selections from two soloists. The performance will be followed by a panel discussion.

A Z Ticket Bank FREE performance provided by Virginia African American Cultural Center. Additional funding for this performance comes from the City of Virginia Beach Cultural Affairs through the Arts and Humanities Commission.

Kids Comedy Show

Plan B Kids Comedy Show

March 22, 2025

2:00 PM

Main Stage Theater

Plan B Comedy Kids Show. A family favorite, this show offers a delightful mix of laughter, creativity, and memorable moments for everyone in an interactive setting. Our talented comedians create hilarious scenes on the spot based on your suggestions. So come and experience a unique, engaging performance that will have the whole family laughing together!

Plan B Comedy is very proud to be the resident comedy group at The Z. Performing regularly in both the Studio and the Main Stage, Plan B Comedy provides a high energy, fast paced and exciting experience. Plan B Comedy’s brand is “FUN” and it shows.

Tidewater Winds: Santa Swings

Live at The Z Music Series

December 22, 2024

6:30pm

Main Stage Theater

A Tidewater Winds Big Band Christmas featuring The Tidewater Winds Big Band with guest jazz vocalist Danielle Roby.

Under the direction of John Brewington

The program will feature the Tidewater Winds Big Band playing some of the original arrangements from the Glen Miller Christmas Songbook, music from Jazz at the Lincoln Center, and even a couple of charts from Tommy Newsom as performed by Doc Severinsen and the Tonight Show Band! This performance is filled with holiday favorites, new arrangements, the debut of new vocalist Danielle Roby and classic holiday music of today and yesterday!

VBGIGs presents: Ethio Blue featuring Meklit Hadero

REGISTER FREE ONLINE

February 28, 2025

REGISTER FREE

Lobby, Main Stage Theater, Studio Theater, The Outside Terrace

Meklit Hadero is an Ethiopian-American vocalist, songwriter, and composer, known for her electric stage presence, innovative sound and vibrant cultural activism. This exciting and exclusive performance in Hampton Roads will feature works from her latest album, released March 8, 2024: Ethio-Blue.

Meklit’s Ethio-Jazz performances have taken her to renowned stages across 4 continents. Her albums have topped world music charts across the US + Europe, received rave reviews, and been covered extensively by the press. Meklit has collaborated with renowned artists such as Kronos Quartet, Andrew Bird, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and the late creator of funk music, Pee Wee Ellis.

Meklit is a National Geographic Explorer, a TED Senior Fellow, and a former Artist-in-Residence at Harvard University, and former Chief of Program at the famous Yerba Buena Arts Center in Sand Francisco.  She is the co-founder of the Nile Project, a featured voice in UN Women’s theme song and the winner of the 2021 globalFEST Artist Award. Her music has been featured by the New York Times, BBC, CNN, NPR, Washington Post, Vibe Magazine, San Francisco Chronicle, Boston Globe and many more.

Meklit is co-founder, co-producer and host of Movement, a podcast, radio series , live performance series and community building initiative uplifting the stories, songs and cultural power of immigrant musicians. The show airs monthly on PRX’s The World to an audience of 2.5 million listeners.  Season 2 of Movement launches July 16, 2024, wherever you get your podcasts.

“There is a raw beauty about Ethiopian vocalist and songwriter Meklit. Her voracious musical appetite is always evident, and she manages to honor her heritage while remaining fiercely original.” – JAZZ TIMES

*Reserve your free seats before they run out: https://culture.virginiabeach.gov/710/1017

Learn more about Meklit (rhymes with beat)