The Virginian-Pilot
                            THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT  
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Friday, January 5, 1996                TAG: 9601030123
SECTION: DAILY BREAK              PAGE: E3   EDITION: FINAL 
                                             LENGTH: Short :   39 lines

PREVIEW

TONIGHT

WHEN ARTIST Rieneke Leenders married fellow globe-trotter Thijs, their honeymoon was a 'round-the-world tour that lasted five years.

In 1986, the couple settled in Virginia Beach. Now the Dutch native is painting watercolor portraits of the multicultural folks she photographed on that trip.

Those portraits are among the works on view in her first solo exhibit, opening today at Sacred Heart Church, 520 Graydon Ave., in Norfolk's Ghent neighborhood. A reception, free and open to the public, takes place tonight from 7 to 9.

Leenders' 45 watercolors, also including landscapes and still lifes, will be on view through Jan. 30. The gallery in The Commons is open weekdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free. Call 625-6763 or 499-0873.

- Teresa Annas

SATURDAY

THEY SING LIKE harmonizing angels about TV talk shows, big bugs in the tub and abused women. They write well-crafted songs with witty lyrics that are funny or touching.

One thing they don't do: Cliches.

They are the Four Bitchin' Babes, a quartet of women singer-songwriters led by Christine Lavin, best known for her gently sarcastic ``Sensitive New Age Guys.'' The Babes perform Saturday at 8 p.m. at the Virginia Beach Pavilion.

The concert is sponsored by Tidewater Performing Arts Society. Tickets ($18 to $22) are on sale at the Pavilion box office and at all TicketMaster outlets. Call 671-8100 to charge by phone.

- Teresa Annas by CNB