Latest news with #VirginiaInternationalTattoo
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
More than 12K local students see Tattoo
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Local kids took a trip around the world Friday without ever leaving the Norfolk's Scope Arena, as the Virginia International Tattoo did a special matinee performance just for students. Virginia International Tattoo More than 6,000 schoolchildren across Hampton Roads from different schools and grades filled Scope Arena, cheering and counting down as the Tattoo was getting ready to start. 'It's always great for our students to get out of the building and experience different things,' said Stefanie Wilson, fifth-grade teacher at Southwestern Elementary School in Chesapeake. Friday, students got to see Highland dancers from Australia, bagpipes and military bands from all over the world. 'This is a live performance, and a lot of our students are not exposed to that,' Wilson said. 'So to see this is very, very exciting for them.' The Virginia Arts Festival said education is one of the main pillars of the Tattoo, and it wants to teach kids about the different cultures through music. 'It's really cool,' said Christian Washington, a Green Run High School senior. 'I really get to learn about different people's cultures and see things you don't really see in Virginia or anywhere in the states.' Each year, students from local school divisions come out for two student matinees at Scope Arena. 'It makes me excited to even hear the screams because the students have a great time, and they love coming to things like this,' Wilson said. For students who cannot go on the field trip, the cast will go to local schools. By the end of the week, more than 15,000 students will learn about culture, music and the military. '[It's] a different perspective, especially given that, like sometimes we're in school, you pretty much just see the school walls,' Washington said. The Tattoo runs until Sunday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Norfolk NATO flag raising ceremony kicks off the first night of the Virginia International Tattoo
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — The sounds of the Virginia International Tattoo are filling Scope Arena as it celebrates 250 years of the Army, Navy and Marines. Virginia International Tattoo Thursday is the first night of the Tattoo and NATO night. Before the show began, the Norfolk NATO flag-raising ceremony showed 32 member nations parading their flag at Scope Plaza. 'We're happy to have this in our city right here in Norfolk,' said Alli Pereira with the Virginia Arts Festival. 'And it really means a lot to us at the Virginia International Tattoo to have that celebration of friendship. That is really the Tattoo spirit. So we're happy to carry that through with with Norfolk Native Festival activities.' This is the first of many NATO festival events that are happening this weekend. The Tattoo runs from April 24-27. 'For us, you can expect a really detailed and impressive drill display with the band and the drill team and big formations and great Norwegian music,' said Mats Bakken, company commander of His Majesty the King Scott Band and Drill. The NATO parade will happen Saturday morning in Norfolk. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
U.S. Navy drill team practices to perfect routine before the Tattoo
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) – The Virginia International Tattoo kicks off Thursday night at Norfolk Scope Arena, and it's a magnificent display of military precision requiring three things — practice, practice, practice. More than 800 performers from six nations will showcase their talents to hundreds of people, including the U.S. Navy drill team. Wednesday, they were getting in their last practice before they take to the floor for their multiple performances. 'I am super excited, very anxious,' said Stephen Schmitt with the U.S. Navy drill team. '[It's a] big crowd, big stage, but I think we're going to crush it.' Chief Matthew Theis is the commander of the troops for the tea and has been to more than 10 Tattoos. But instead of being in the crowd this time, he is in the show. 'I told all my guys they're helping me fulfill one of my own personal dreams,' Theis said. In a sneak peek of its performance, the U.S. Navy drill team showcased some of the many things it will showcase. 'Lots of spins, lots of throws, lots of stunts, everything,' Schmitt said. It's a whole new performance, and they have been working hard to wow the crowd. 'It's definitely a thank you for the support to be able to come out, show up, show out, and show what we do and represent the Navy,' Schmitt said. David Torrance said it's his first Tattoo, but he is ready to put on a show. 'I get nervous for every performance,' Torrance said. 'I believe all the guys do, too, because we have to do this all the time. But the person that we perform for only gets to see this one. So we want to give them a good performance. I think that's what we're anxious about, not dropping or looking funny. It's more about making sure that they get what they came for.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
NATO Festival Parade to impact traffic in Downtown Norfolk
The video above is from the 2024 Parade of Nations through Downtown Norfolk. NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) – The annual NATO Festival Parade of Nations returns to Downtown Norfolk this weekend. If you have plans downtown Saturday, here's what you need to know. The NATO Festival Parade of Nations will impact traffic from 6 a.m. until approximately 1 p.m. If you're going to the parade, keep an eye out for the WAVY truck and give us a wave! The parade begins at 10 a.m. from Water Street, turns left onto the eastbound lanes of Waterside Drive and continues north in the southbound lanes of Boush Street to Plume Street. It then turns right onto Plume Street and proceeds east to Granby Street. From there, it turns left on Granby Street and travels north to Freemason Street. Click for a map of the parade route. On-street parking will be removed from 6 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 26 along the Parade Route. This includes: Both sides of Granby Street between Plume Street and Charlotte Street Plume Street between Boush Street and Granby Street Eastbound and Westbound Waterside Drive between St. Paul's Boulevard and Main Street Freemason Street between Boush Street and Monticello Avenue Bank Street between Main Street and Plume Street 7:30 a.m. – Water Street between Park Avenue and just east of Dominion Tower Parking Garage along with E. Main St. between Union St. and Park Avenue will be closed. 8:30 a.m. – Parade units line up on Water Street between Park Avenue and St. Paul's Boulevard. 9:40 a.m. – Pre-parade performances on eastbound Waterside Drive. 10 a.m. – Parade step-off onto Waterside Drive. 2025 Virginia International Tattoo Coverage The parade is part of the Norfolk NATO Festival, which is the longest continuously running festival in Hampton Roads. The weekend also includes the Virginia International Tattoo. More than 1,000 performers will converge on the Scope Arena between April 24-27, 2025, including fife and drum corps, bagpipers, military bands and more. Purchase tickets. For information regarding all NATO Festival activities click . Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Japan Air Self-Defense Force Central Band stops by Norview Elementary
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) – A debut performer at the Virginia International Tattoo stopped by a local elementary school to give a taste of its music to students. Virginia International Tattoo The Japan Air Self-Defense Force Central Band, making its debut at this year's Tattoo at Scope Arena, played for students Tuesday at Norview Elementary School in Norfolk. It's the first time the band has come to the United States, and judging by the students' reactions, the crowds at the Tattoo will be in for a treat, as they snapped and clapped along to the music. Virginia International Tattoo will bring more than 100,000 to the Scope and bring $20 million to the economy The young students got the chance to hear different instruments, and one fourth grader told 10 On Your Side it's an exciting opportunity for them to come all this way and stop practicing to perform for his school. Virginia International Tattoo a salute to 250 years of service, sacrifice 'Some schools don't get to experience this,' said Norview Elementary 4th grader Jeremiah Batson. 'We're one of them that gets to experience it, so it is cool for me and our entire school.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
