The Hampton History Museum’s holiday variety show aims to entertain and provide a special message for the holiday season.
“Hampton for the Holidays: The Present,” brings together magicians, comedians, storytellers, acrobats and musicians from different genres for an all-ages show.
In its seventh year, show creator, artist and musician, Msesippi said this year’s show has the most varied list of acts ever.
Co-hosted by Vivian Devereux Valentine, the show’s title, “The Present,” is an acronym that stands for Perceive, Recognize, Empathize, See and Embrace.
“This is a celebration of community,” Valentine said. “You are the present in the moment. You are the gift. By focusing on the present, we emphasize the importance of living fully in the moment, cherishing the time we have together, and finding joy in the everyday experiences that define our lives.”
Valentine will sing a medley of jazz standards promised to inspire.
“I think that art is therapeutic, and it brings people together from all backgrounds and I love the spirit of the holiday season too,” she said.
La Primavera Strings will present Casey Copeland, a violinist and singer-songwriter. The Virginia Beach native is an ensemble performer in La Primavera Strings, Dunkirk Riots and the nationwide touring band, The American ELO. She will be improvising acoustic violin music for the show.
Americana and Folk Musician Phoenix Roebuck will bring swamp blues, ballads and shanties to the stage while Sean K. Preston, an internationally touring artist, will play a mixture of classic country heartbreak, blues, ’50s rock’n’roll and raw punk energy.
Musicians Amy Ferebee and Regina Scott Sanford, better known as Two Muthas Chirpin, will perform traditional Christmas classics such as “Go Tell It on the Mountain” and “Here We Come a Wassailing.”
Alan Gibson, also named Unk Al, is a bass player from Virginia and will bring electrifying energy to the stage. A throwback to the ’80s will happen with Deloreans singers Wendell McFly and Jeanette Sverresson performing.
Other features include Norfolk-based digital folk artist Dwight Easter who blends traditional folk elements with modern digital techniques. The result is art that celebrates local culture and reflects the unique spirit of Hampton Roads with passion and authenticity.
Nicole Mangune, with Hampton Roads-based Visual Artistry Entertainment will create family-friendly experiences through live performance and visual art.
Entertainer Harold Wood will combine comedy with magic and juggling. Laughs will also include The Darlings, a duo who for the past eight years have blended singing, dancing and lighthearted comedy.
Lucian Ford, a talented Hampton Roads drummer and owner of FM Audio, will provide percussion.
Even Hampton city staff will get involved: city hall’s Communications Coordinator Mike Holtzclaw will contribute some spoken word artistry.
“Hampton for the Holidays: The Present” will be 7-9 p.m. on Dec. 13 at the Hampton History Museum. Tickets are $5 and free for museum members. Proceeds benefit the museum. For more information and tickets, visit the Hampton History Museum online.
