The Hampton Arts 34th Anniversary Gala, Broadway Under the Stars, will celebrate the performing and visual arts in Coastal Virginia on Saturday, September 18, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. at The American Theatre. The evening will feature an exclusive concert by Virginia Jazz legend, Desirée Roots, as well as the presentation of the annual Coastal Virginia Renaissance Award to three recipients for their long-term civic leadership and contributions in Hampton, Coastal Virginia and beyond. The Gala Festivities will begin on August 21, 2021, with the opening of the online Silent Auction, featuring autographed items like signed guitars, sports jerseys, and various movie memorabilia.
“Our Anniversary Gala is truly a celebration of the dedication and commitment from our community, which values and celebrates the arts,” said Hampton Arts Artistic Director Richard M. Parison, Jr. “Our industry strives to thrive once again after feeling the effects of the global pandemic. The Gala stands as a beacon to guide our artists from around the corner and around the world back home to Hampton for our upcoming season.”
Headliner Desirée Roots has been showcasing her triple threat talent regionally for more than 35 years. She has traveled extensively throughout the East Coast performing with many singing groups, theatrical productions and workshops. In 2015, she won the Richmond Theatre Critics Circle award for “Best Actress in a Musical” for her portrayal of Caroline in the mini operetta Caroline or Change, and in the summer of 2016 she wowed audiences in Virginia Repertory Theatre’s box office sellout Dreamgirls as the lead character, Effie White. Since then she has performed at The American Theatre in multiple productions including Ella at 100, Pump Boys and Dinettes, and The Jazz Side of Aretha Franklin.
This year’s Coastal Virginia Renaissance Award will be presented to actor Terry O’Quinn, Coliseum Central Business District, and The City of Hampton. O’Quinn, who currently lives in Virginia Beach, Virginia, most notably played John Locke on the TV series Lost, the title role in The Stepfather and Stepfather II, and Peter Watts in Millennium, which ran for three seasons (1996-1999).
“The Hampton Arts Foundation is proud to present this year’s gala once again,” said Foundation President Steve Hussell. “Since its inception 34 years ago, Hampton Arts has been a cornerstone of Coastal Virginia. The Foundation views this vital work, which ranges from performance and visual art to educational programming, as critical to the growth of future generations and a defining component of our cultural fabric.”
Want to Go?
Hampton Arts 2021 Gala: Broadway Under the Stars
Saturday, September 18, 2021, 6:30 PM
Tickets on sale now
