THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, June 13, 1996 TAG: 9606130046
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Staff Report
LENGTH: 95 lines
Squint a little in the sunshine and it looks like an Impressionist's dream. Ladies strolling in graceful straw hats. Artists hovering over painting displays. White tents glowing in the shimmering light.
The Boardwalk Art Show is a slice of contemporary performance art, too, with an ambience that ripples down the Boardwalk with the ocean breeze.
The yearly treat of sea water and watercolors begins today, running from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Sunday from 15th to 31st streets on the boardwalk in Virginia Beach.
They come to browse - more than 400,000 visitors attended the 1995 event.
And they come to buy - last year's festival accounted for a $30 million residual impact on the local economy.
The outdoor exhibit is at the core of an expanded Boardwalk International Arts Festival. Events began last week with concerts and films on the boardwalk and at the Virginia Beach Center for the Arts, festival sponsors. This year's theme, rock 'n' roll's influence on contemporary art and world culture, is reflected in the exhibits, concerts and films.
Here are some highlights of the Boardwalk International Arts Festival.
Boardwalk Art Show. The sponsors have added some lovely trimmings to the festival menu, but the entree here remains the art show. Now celebrating its 41st year on the beach, the event features more than 450 artists, chosen from a vast field of applicants by a committee of arts professionals.
It's a browser's delight. Items range from very affordable lapel pins and silk scarves up to big ticket sculptures and paintings.
Or just revel in the people watching. Easvesdrop as young couples debate whether a painting will match their new living room group (out of the artists' earshot) and the artists endlessly ruminate on the likelihood of rain.
Children's International Arts Fest. It takes an entire village to entertain a child. The 17th Street Park is transformed into a global village of visual and performing arts and crafts for the Children's International Arts Fest, from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday.
A world of fun is provided by West African storytellers, reggae bands, flamenco dancers, Caribbean steel drums and Native American musicians. The international beat is carried out in the activities, too, with kids learning to make Japanese fans, Central American worry dolls, Hawaiian petroglyphs, and more.
Rock headliners. At a festival honoring rock, it's only proper to pay respects to some of the top groups of the past. Headliners include local blues favorite Gibb Droll (8 tonight at 24th Street Park), Roomful of Blues (7:30 p.m. Friday at 24th Street Park), up-and-coming country star Steve Azar (7:30 p.m. Friday at 17th Street), classic rockers Blood, Sweat & Tears (7:30 p.m. Saturday at 24th Street Park), and '70s rockers Bachman Turner Overdrive (7:30 p.m. Sunday at 24th Street Park).
Blues showcase. Get gritty at the Blues Showcase, beginning at noon today. Acts at the 17th Street and 24th Street parks include Blues Exchange, Bobby Messano and NBO, Beale Street, Freeborn Blues, Mike Seeger and headliner Gibb Droll.
Jazz/Blues showcase. More blues and some tasty jazz on Friday from noon to 9:30 p.m. at the 24th Street Park. Featured acts include the Jae Sinnett Trio, Against All Odds, Plunky Branch & Oneness and headliners Roomful of Blues.
Country rock showcase. The country comes to the Beach with music from noon to 9:30 p.m. Friday at the 17th Street Park, with performances by Street Talk, The Mann Sisters, Cruzin Coyotes and headliner Steve Azar.
International showcase. Bop to a world beat with music and performers from around the world from noon to 7:30 p.m. Saturday at 24th Street Park and noon to 7:15 p.m. Sunday at 24th Street Park and noon to 9 p.m. at 17th Street Park. Performers include the African American Heritage Chorale, Zion Wave, Caribbean All-Star Band, Hispanic Folkloric Ballet, Orquesta Salsa 90 and Orquesta De Guitarras.
Film. An outdoor showing of ``Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band'' winds up the Reel Rock Film Festival segment of the fest tonight at 9 in the 17th Street Park.
But there's more. The Animation Around the World film festival kicks off with shows at the Virginia Beach Center for the Arts. Shows include international animation for kids (10 a.m. Saturday), U.S./ French animation for kids (11:10 a.m. Saturday), U.S. animation for kids (12:20 p.m.), Canadian animation for kids (1:30 p.m. Saturday), international animation for adults (7 and 9 p.m. Saturday), international animation for families (1 and 3 p.m. Sunday).
Rock and Roll as art. A pillow crocheted from audiotape of Beatles music, a frightening painting of a post-suicide Kurt Cobain,and photos of rock stars by the infamous Robert Mapplethorpe: Check out rock as the visual artists see it in ``It's Only Rock and Roll: Rock and Roll Currents in Contemporary Art,'' a touring exhibit at the Virginia Beach Center for the Arts. The blockbuster exhibit, with 154 pieces by major contemporary artists, runs through June 30. The center is open 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Dennis Barrie, former director of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and a judge of the Boardwalk show, gives a free gallery talk at the center tonight at 7. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo by Cory Langley
Children's International Arts Fest.
Country rock showcase.
KEYWORDS: VIRGINIA BEACH BOARDWALK ART SHOW by CNB