DATE: Friday, April 18, 1997                TAG: 9704170151

SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON   PAGE: 07   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: COVER STORY 

                                            LENGTH:  136 lines

BEACH EVENTS CALENDAR

Looking for something to do for the next few months? Virginia Beach has activities galore. From the Oceanfront to Pungo, you can whoop it at Cinco de Mayo, boogie to big bands, shag in the sand, sing along at a gospel festival or sample Virginia wines and eat strawberries. Here's more:

OCEANFRONT EVENTS

Weekly entertainment begins in May and ends in September. Performances take place seven days a week at the 17th and 24th street stages and include musical performances, comedy shows, plays, magic shows, movies and more. Performance times vary, usually from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Events are free unless otherwise noted.

Saturday and Sunday - Spring Wine Festival from noon to 6 p.m. both days at the 24th Street Park. Enjoy free entertainment while sampling some of Virginia's favorite wines. There will be a nominal charge for tasting.

May 3 - Cinco De Mayo from noon to 7 p.m. at the 24th Street Park. The celebration of Mexican Independence Day features performances by Bio Ritmo and the Mike Latham Band. Food and beverages with a Mexican flavor also will be available.

May 10 and 11 - Multi Cultural Festival from 11 a.m to 6 p.m. at 24th Street Park. Part of the International Arts Festival, there will be ethnic music, dance and fine arts.

May 16 to 18 - Third annual Beach Music Weekend. Shag in the sand at free concerts at the 24th Street Park and a stage set in sand at 30th Street. Featured performers: The Catalinas at 7 p.m. May 16; Bill Deal, Ammon Tharp and the Rhondels at noon, Bill Pinkney & The Original Drifters at 2 p.m., Percy Sledge at 4:45, and a shag dance competition at 6:15 May 17; Band of Oz at 1 p.m. and Chairmen of the Board at 3:45 May 18.

May 23 to 25 - Big Band Weekend at the 24th Street stage. Performers include Dick Crist & The Sounds of Swing May 23, The Pat Curtis Orchestra May 24, and Dreamstreet May 25. Concerts begin at 7 p.m. and end at 9:30.

May 30 to June 1 - Viva Elvis III is from 7 to 9 p.m. at 24th Street Park and 8 to 10 p.m. at 17th Street Park May 30; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. May 31 from 17th to 24th streets on the Boardwalk; and noon to 8:30 p.m. June 1 from 17th to 24th streets. The festival is a tribute to the King, including Elvis artists and karaoke opportunities along the Boardwalk and Elvis impersonators. The Jordanaires with Jerry Presley will perform live. Food vendors will also be on site with some of Elvis's favorite recipes.

June 7 and 8 - Sand Soccer Tournament by the Atlantic Soccer Council. For information on times and locations, call Mike Barrett at 422-5249 or 463-3950.

July 3 to 5 - British Invasion at the 17th Street Stage. The event will feature Eric Burdon performing July 3, Spencer Davis July 4 and 1964, The Tribute on July 5. All concerts begin at 7 p.m.

Aug. 28 to Sept. 1 - Fourth annual American Music Festival at 5th, 17th and 24th streets. Confirmed performers include Wilson Pickett, Average White Band, Tanya Tucker, David Lee Murphy, Dave Mason Band, The Grass Roots, The Turtles, WAR, America, Spin Doctors, Survivor, KC & The Sunshine Band and Hall & Oates. Events at the 5th Street stage are free, however tickets are limited. Tickets are available through hotels and sponsor outlets. Performance times to be announced.

Sept. 5 to 7 - Crab Festival from noon to 6 p.m. at the 24th Street Park. The festival is a taste-testing and educational family event. Vendors will serve up some of the best blue crab at the beach and educational programs will show where the crab originates and its journey through the Chesapeake Bay.

Sept. 6 to 28 - 24th annual Virginia Beach Neptune Festival. It includes an air show, triathlon, wine tasting, country fair day, arts and crafts, treasure hunt, surfing classic, cheerleading competition, volleyball tournament, sandcastle competition, youth day, fireworks, music, a youth art show and the grand parade. Call 498-0215.

Sept. 12 to 14 - Blues at the Beach at the 24th Street Park. Performances are 7 to 9 p.m. Sept. 12; noon to 9:30 p.m. Sept. 13; and 1 to 6 p.m. Sept. 14 featuring blues music by national performers.

Oct. 3 to 12 - '97 Festival of Pride featuring the Bill Pickett Invitational Black Rodeo at 9:30 a.m. (student day only) Oct. 3 and 7 p.m. Oct. 4 and 5 at Princess Anne Park. An Oct. 3 barbecue and auction will be from 6:30 to 10 p.m. at a location to be determined later. A Gospelfest Concert will be held from noon to 6 p.m. Oct. 11 and a blues and jazz concert will be from noon to 6 p.m. Oct. 12, at the 24th Street Park. Both concerts are free and open to the public. Cost for the rodeo is $10 and $5 for children 5 to 12.

Oct. 4 and 5 - Modern Music/Jazz Festival from 2 to 6 p.m. at the 24th Street Park.

Oct. 11 and 12 - Boardwalk Exotic Auto Expo from noon to 5 p.m. will feature antique, vintage and exotic automobiles parked the entire length of the Boardwalk.

Oct. 18 and 19 - Fall Hoedown (times to be announced) at the 24th Street Park. Will feature line dancing groups and cloggers.

Oct. 25 to 26 - ``Oktoberfest'' from noon to 6 p.m. at 24th Street Park. Enjoy microbrews from all over the United States. Music by local groups and German music. Tickets for sampling will be sold at the gate. Entertainment is free. Call 491-6539.

Nov. 21 to Jan. 4 - Holiday Lights at the Beach on the Boardwalk from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and Friday and Saturday from 5:30 to 11 p.m. from 2nd to 27th streets. Enjoy a ``fantasea'' of lights from the comfort of your own car. There'll be more than 150 displays with 25 animated. Prices will be announced later.

All events, performers, dates and time are subject to change. To check a schedule, call 491-SUNN.

OTHER EVENTS

Sunday - K-9 Karnival sponsored by Parks and Recreation will feature the sixth annual Dog-Gonest Dog Show and 20th annual Alpo Canine Frisbee Disc Championships from noon to 4 p.m. at Redwing Park. Call 471-5878.

April 26 - Kids' Fundango Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Oceana Naval Air Station. This festival brings attention to children's issues such as child abuse and is a fund-raiser for Children's Performance Workshops. The Spectrum Puppets and Parachute Express will perform. There will also be kid's karaoke, Balloons With A twist, a face painting clown, Little Big Band and grand prix of power wheels cars.

May 2 - Farmers Market Hoedowns, from 7 to 10 p.m., begin on Friday and Saturday nights through September.

May 3 - Third annual Veteran's Honor Pow Wow will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Mount Trashmore featuring music, food, storytelling, dancing, arts and crafts. It is sponsored by American Heritage and Parks and Recreation. Bring a lawn chair and blanket. No alcoholic beverages. Call 471-5884.

May 9 and 10 - Beach Ag Festival/4-H Livestock Show and Sale, noon to 5 p.m. May 9 and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 10 at Princess Anne Park. Come see what the area has to offer in the way of agriculture and livestock.

May 24 and 25 - 1997 Pungo Strawberry Festival from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. in downtown Pungo.

June 7 - Second annual All-American Soap Box Derby Stock Car Race. Races begin at 10:30 a.m. at Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base. Call 456-1111.

June 12 to 15 - 1997 Boardwalk Art Show and Festival from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. along the Boardwalk from 17th to 30th streets. The annual event, sponsored by the Contemporary Art Center of Virginia, will feature 385 artists who will exhibit and sell their wares. Call 425-0000.

July 4 - Family Fun Day from 6 to 9 p.m. at Mount Trashmore features festivities including games, amusements, food, entertainment and fireworks. Call 471-5884.

Aug. 2 and 3 - Princess Anne Park Art & Craft Festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Princess Anne Park features artisans and crafters displaying and selling their wares. There also will be a children's area, art and craft demonstrations, food and entertainment. Call 471-5884.

Aug. 1 to 10 - The Fair at the Beach, the Southeastern Virginia Regional Fair will be at Camp Pendleton. More details will be announced later. ILLUSTRATION: Photo

Tanya Tucker will perform at the American Music Festival.

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