THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, November 11, 1994 TAG: 9411090201
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 02B EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Marlene Ford
LENGTH: Medium: 59 lines
The Virginia Beach trollies are definitely not authentic to the 17th and 18th centuries, but the four historic Virginia Beach homes on their holiday route are.
``History After Dark: Christmas Past,'' set for Dec. 4, is the theme of this year's trolley tour. The winter activity, which had for several years been run by Ocean Occasions, has been taken over the city's historic homes.
``This was such a popular event that when Ocean Occasions announced they were no longer going to offer it, we felt very strongly that we wanted it continued,'' Vicki R. Harvey, education director for the 18th century Francis Land House, said.
So the Land House picked up the idea (and the trolley route) and is presenting a tour to the Lynnhaven House, the Adam Thoroughgood House, Upper Wolfsnare Plantation and winding up back at its own Colonial doorstep. Each of the two trollies on the history run will carry musicians and docents in period costumes.
``And the houses will all be decked for the holidays. Lots of magnolia leaves, the yule log at the Thoroughgood House - but no Christmas trees. That German tradition didn't reach this country until the 1800s,'' Harvey said. ``Each house will also give a tour.''
She added, that on Dec. 4 the Land, Thoroughgood and Lynnhaven houses are also having open houses free to the public. People may choose to attend these open houses on their own.
After the three-hour trolley tour, guests return to the Land House for refreshments, Colonial dancing and a bonfire.
It's too early to line up at the trolley stop, but reservations are being taken through Nov. 18. Tickets are $10 a person and are available at the Francis Land House, 3131 Virginia Beach Blvd., or the Adam Thoroughgood House, 1636 Parish Road. Tickets are limited. For information, call 340-1732.
YOUNG AUDIENCES OF VIRGINIA, the local chapter of a nonprofit arts-in-education program that presents performing artists to students throughout the state, recently received national attention as a recipient of the prestigious National Medal of Arts. Yo-Yo Ma, famed cellist and Young Audiences board member, accepted the award from President Clinton on behalf of the Virginia group and its parent organization, Young Audiences Inc.
Young Audiences of Virginia includes 25 ensembles on its roster and offers more than 1,000 performances, residencies and workshops to almost 300,000 children throughout the state. In addition to its presentations in Virginia Beach public and private elementary and middle schools, four Young Audience ensembles are also currently participating in the Virginia Beach city high school music appreciation project.
FINALLY, VIRGINIA BEACH ARTIST MARTINE A. STROHMEYER is exhibiting her recent works at Tandom's Restaurant at the Ramada in Norfolk. The show, titled ``In Tandem With Tandom's,'' continues through Jan. 2. by CNB