
DATE: Friday, April 25, 1997                TAG: 9704250590

SECTION: FRONT                   PAGE: A1   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY ROY A. BAHLS, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: NORFOLK                           LENGTH:   78 lines

FLORA THE ELEPHANT STEALS THE SHOW

After two years in the works, the Virginia Waterfront International Arts Festival started throwing its weight around Thursday evening at its opening night celebration at Nauticus.

Some mighty influential people showed up: a mayor, Navy brass and even a queen - although her only reign is over the Azalea Festival.

But it was an 8,600-pound, teen-age pachyderm named Flora who stole the show. The star of Circus Flora tromped in to the festivities to the tune of the ``Thunder and Blazes'' circus march, played by the Virginia Wind Symphony.

``Flora loves this,'' said circus producer David Balding from under his big, black top hat. ``She loves to perform. What she hates to do is to be stuck around doing nothing.''

Circus performances begin May 2 and continue through May 11 at Town Point Park - part of the 70 world-class events to be presented between Williamsburg and Virginia Beach during the 18-day festival.

After days of chilly rain, the skies cleared and the sun peeked out for a rousing festival kickoff. Music was performed by guest artists from the International Military Tattoo, the Bay Area Youth Orchestra, the Virginia Wind Symphony and The Rhythm Project, 13 middle school students from Portsmouth.

The $1.9 million festival has a three-pronged goal: to put Hampton Roads on the cultural map, foster inter-city cooperation and market the entire region.

The inter-city cooperation has been seen as a major plus for the festival.

``I think it's been wonderful,'' said Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim. ``It has been a very energetic, cooperative coming together that's resulted in this explosion.

``This first year is blowing the lid off. This has exceeded everyone's expectations and it will be tough to top this next year. The ticket sales, the sponsorships, the enthusiasm and the great acceptance that it has received has been more than we had hoped for.''

Organizers reached for a broad audience in booking the schedule. Performances range from classical, chamber, contemporary and world music to Garth Fagan Dance and the Mark Morris Dance Group, both regarded as among the world's leading troupes.

Jack and Carol Scatarige of Norfolk were among the hundreds who attended the ceremony.

``We have tickets to go to the Mark Morris Dance Group performance,'' Jack Scatarige said. ``We understand that some of the venues are already sold out. That's a good sign.''

And about the inter-city cooperation?

``We think that's a great idea,'' Scatarige said, ``and we would like to see a lot more of it.''

Tonight at 8, Norfolk Scope hosts the International Military Tattoo, which is being presented in conjunction with Norfolk's XLIV International Azalea Festival. Opening ceremonies for that festival, which runs through Sunday and features a parade on Saturday and air shows on Saturday and Sunday, were also held Thursday evening at Nauticus.

``I'm thrilled,'' said waterfront festival director Robert W. Cross. ``It has come together faster than I had ever expected it would. Ticket sales are ahead of what we projected. The local arts groups, and specifically the International Azalea Festival, is sharing the spotlight with us. The weather is even cooperating.''

For Virginia Waterfront International Arts Festival information, call 664-6492. For XLIV International Azalea Festival information, call 664-2525. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo

TAMARA VONINSKI/The Virginian-Pilot

David Balding leads Flora, a 16-year-old African elephant from

Circus Flora, through the crowd at the opening of the 18-day

festival Thursday at Nauticus. Balding says of Flora: ``She loves to

perform. What she hates to do is to be stuck around doing nothing.''

Photo

TAMARA VONINSKI/The Virginian-Pilot

Grace Bonnewell, 3, at left, and her brother David dance to the

sounds of the Virginia Wind Symphony during the opening of the

Virginia Waterfront International Arts Festival at Nauticus on

Thursday evening. KEYWORDS: THE VIRGINIA WATERFRONT INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL