When: Every Thursday at 7:30 pm
Cost: Donations are accepted.

Back by popular demand!!

Foppish Dandies & Co. Production
The Gospel of Craig: Verses From The Best Of Craigslist

“Avenue Q” meets the “The Vagina Monologues”
in this musical comedy world premiere at The Venue on 35th.

This crowd-pleasing musical created by Philip Odango enjoyed a sold out run at The Venue in April. We are bringing back a revised Gospel for a two-weekend run in June. Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy this provocative (naughty), touching and funny show. The same talented cast will perform.

A non-fiction musical comedy where actors and puppets perform scenes from the funniest and most provocative postings found on Craigslist. From “Missing Connections” to “Rants and Raves”, Gospel brings to life the fascinating lives of perfect strangers through puppets. Created and directed by Phillip Odango, Gospel offers an evening of unbridled fun at The Venue – make plans to see it now – limited to three performances.

* Adult humor and strong language.

Dates: June 12, 13, 26, 2009 
            Fri & Sat at 8 PM (no late admissions)
Tickets: $15.00 (no credit cards)

First Fridays R Movie Nites @ The Venue

Beginning June 5, 2009, Cinema House Café’ Group will bring movies to The Venue. James Davis, founder of Cinema House and formerly with the Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Naro Theater in Ghent, is the force behind Movie Nite @ The Venue. Davis is convinced The Venue, located in the 35th Street Business District with its 1940’s buildings, and the surrounding Park Place neighborhood with its beautiful old Victorian houses, is the perfect location to try out his brand of a movie house; one that shows double features, with news reels and cartoons – like in the old days. Join us Friday, June 5th for our first movie nite. We’re showing a double feature - House On Haunted Hill with Vincent Price, and Night of the Living Dead – the original version.

Tickets: $6.00
Doors Open: 7:00 PM show time starts 7:20 PM

*** In time for Father’s Day ***

About Fathers:  A Themed-Variety Show About Fathers

The Venue’s Open Mic performers are at it again – this time the topic is fathers; Fathers Past, Fathers Present, Fathers Not-to-Be, and Fathers To-Be. Conceived and directed by Patti Wray, About Fathers will explore how artists today and in the past have dealt with their memories and relationships with their fathers. The show includes original songs, poems, and spoken word pieces from local performers interspersed with songs, poems and quotations from artists from the past. This show promises to touch everyone who sees it. Come see About Fathers – there will be an open mic following the show where you can express your feelings in song or poetry about yours. Give the show as a gift to your dad or honor the memory of your dad by attending About Fathers. Bring a new dad to see the show – inspire him to be a dad whose “words weave a cloth that feels like love” and whose presence offers a sense of security that may one day inspire a song.

Dates: June 19, 20, 21, 2009 
            Fri & Sat at 8 PM, Sun at 4 PM
Tickets: $10.00

TWP The Movement presents
FREE 2 BE ME – Open Mic

The Venue is proud to be working with Teens With a Purpose The Movement (TWP) – in bringing this Free 2Be Me open mic event to Park Place on
June 27, 2009 – National HIV Testing Day. TWP is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing programming which increases self esteem and empowers teens and young adults to take charge of their lives by improving their knowledge and decision making skills which reduces behaviors that put them at risk for HIV and other STDS. Employing the Free 2Be Me model program, TWP has been having a positive impact on our community’s teens for the past 11 years. Join us for an afternoon of spoken word and music on our outdoor stage. The Venue’s open mic emcee, Dwayne Adams, will help host this event – he hopes many of The Venue’s “regulars” will come out and perform with and for our youth.

Date: June 27, 2009
Time: 3:00 – 5:00 PM
Free Admission & Refreshments

(We will pass the hat around for donations to help fund Hampton Roads Young Poets’ trip to the National Slam Event for Young Poets later this summer – please come and support this event)

Coming in June and July – plans are in the works to have two musical events at The Venue featuring Skye Zentz. Hopefully, Skye & Friends will fill the air with music and song as they take the outdoor stage sometime in June. Then, when the Dog Days hit – Skye will keep us cool - in the dark, intimate, café theatre as she takes our indoor stage to deliver a cabaret performance. 

Stayed tuned – dates, time and all that jazz will be posted later.

Music & Poetry Under the Stars

The Venue’s Summertime Weekend Outdoor Open Mic Series returns – beginning May 23, 2009. Come join us for an enchanted evening of music and poetry under the stars. Some of the area’s best spoken word artists, poets, singers and musicians will be taking the outdoor stage at The Venue. The air will be filled with music, melodious voices and the sweet smell of jasmine – ahhh – life doesn’t get any better than this!

(we'll take it indoors in the event of rain)

Dates:         Saturday May 23, June 6, July 18, August 1, September 5, 2009
Time:          7:00-10:00 PM      
Donation:   $3.00

Support the Arts – Let our Prophets’ Voices Be Heard – Long May The Venue Wave