THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 21, 1996 TAG: 9604200119
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover Story
SOURCE: BY BILL REED, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 168 lines
CHUCK BERRY, American rhythm and blues great, is the latest artist to join a pantheon of pop and western music icons who will perform at the Oceanfront this summer.
While Berry's appearance will lead off the four-day American Music Festival on Labor Day weekend, he's among a full slate of all-star entertainment that begins the first weekend in May and continues nonstop through New Year's Eve.
Berry, now 70 and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner in 1984, is scheduled to appear Friday, Aug. 30, at the surfside venue at 5th Street.
``He's definitely signed on,'' said Danielle Batdorf of Cellar Door Productions, which oversees all oceanfront events as well as booking acts for the new $17 million amphitheater across town.
Berry will precede the Marshall Tucker Band and Willie Nelson, Huey Lewis and the News, The Temptations and Four Tops at the American Music Festival's 5th Street stage, where admission will be charged.
Ticket prices for the performances have yet to determined, Batdorf said.
Berry rose to national prominence in the '50s and '60s with hits like ``Roll Over Beethoven,'' ``Rock 'n' Roll Music,'' ``Johnny B. Goode'' and ``Maybellene.''
While the American Music Festival is the crown jewel of the summer beachfront entertainment calendar, Cellar Door's oceanfront season begins May 4 with Cinco de Mayo, a celebration of Mexican Independence, at the 24th Street Park.
The event is free and will feature several bands, including the Parrothead Party Band and several mariachi bands, Batdorf said.
The summer continues with the second Beach Music Weekend, May 10-12; Viva Elvis Week, May 28-June 2; the Boardwalk Art Show, June 7-16; and a July and August summer theater slate that includes Shakespearean plays and musical comedy productions like ``Pump Boys and Dinettes'' and ``Forever Plaid.''
In addition, a weekly schedule of free movies will be shown at the 17th Street park. Nineteen films in all will be shown on Mondays and Fridays after sundown. They will be mostly family fare, such as ``The Little Princess,'' ``Babe'' and ``Indian in the Cupboard.'' Showings will be preceded by puppet shows.
When the two main oceanfront stages aren't occupied by plays or movies, Cellar Door has scheduled a summerlong series of pop, rock and country-western music performances featuring local and regional artists.
The Elvis celebration this year includes one of the King's best-known impersonators, Dennis Wise, plus a weeklong Elvis karaoke contest that will offer $3,000 in prizes. Also on hand will be Jerry Presley, Elvis' second cousin; the Skydiving Kings (all dressed like Elvis); Too Tall Elvis; Young Elvis; Black Elvis and a host of vendors offering Elvis-style cuisine such as fried peanut butter sandwiches and mega cheeseburgers.
The 41st running of the Boardwalk Art Show - described by organizers as the oldest and ``best'' outdoor show in the country - will feature some 450 artists. It will be part of the Boardwalk International Arts Festival, held June 7-16, and will include musical, dance and theatrical performances.
May 4 (Saturday) - Cinco de Mayo at the 24th Street Park. Celebration of Mexican independence day. Music, food and beverages with a Mexican flavor.
May 10 to 12 (Friday to Sunday) - Second annual Beach Music Weekend on the sand at 30th Street and at the 17th Street stage. Featured performers: Bill Deal & Ammon Tharp with the Rhondells, May 10 at 17th Street stage; The Tams and Chairman of the Board, May 11 at 30th Street stage; The Embers and The Spinners, May 12 at 30th Street stage.
May 17 to 19 (Friday to Sunday) - Country Music Weekend at 24th and 17th street parks. Performers include Jeff Carson.
May 28 to June 2 (Tuesday to Sunday) - Viva Elvis Week at 24th and 17th street parks and the Boardwalk. Featuring Elvis impersonators, karaoke contest, Black Elvis, sky diving Elvises and Elvis food.
June 13 to 16 (Thursday to Sunday) - Boardwalk Art Show featuring 450 artists on the Boardwalk. This is part of the Boardwalk International Arts festival June 7 to 16. For information, call 425-0000.
June 7 to 9 (Friday to Sunday) - Sand Soccer Championships on the Oceanfront at Second Street. Youth, adult and co-ed teams will be featured. For information, call 456-0578.
July 4 (Thursday) - Fireworks at Mount Trashmore. ``Family Fun Day'' with pyrotechnics.
July 4 to 6 (Thursday to Saturday) - British Invasion at 24th and 17th street parks. A tribute to modern day Brit musicians, with a bow to Spencer Davis and the 1964 Beatles.
July and August - Summer Theater at times to be announced at the 24th Street park stage. Shakespeare and musical comedy offerings. Free.
Aug. 30 to Sept. 2 (Friday to Monday) - Atlantic Soccer Tournament at various Virginia Beach sites. For information, call 456-0578.
Aug. 30 to Sept. 2 (Friday to Monday) - Third annual American Music Festival at stages at 5th, 17th and 24th streets. Featured performers at 5th Street stage. Admission prices to be announced. Aug. 30, Chuck Berry; Aug. 31, The Marshall Tucker Band and Willie Nelson; Sept. 1, Huey Lewis and the News; Sept. 2, the Temptations and Four Tops. Other musicians fill out the bill at the 24th and 17th street stages.
Sept. 14 and 15 (Saturday and Sunday) - Virginia Crab Festival at the Oceanfront. Family oriented.
Oct. 4 and 5 (Friday and Saturday) - Blues at the Beach at the 24th Street park. Blues musicians wail by the sea. Free. Food and beverages available.
Oct. 11 to 13 (Friday to Sunday) - Columbus Day Soccer Tournament at various Virginia Beach sites. Non-stop youth soccer competition. For more information, call 456-0578.
Oct. 12 and 13 (Saturday and Sunday) - African American Cultural Festival at the 24th and 25th street stages. Celebration of African American heritage and music, plus a rodeo at Princess Anne Park. For information, call 460-3093.
Oct. 19 and 20 (Saturday and Sunday) - Modern Jazz Festival at 24th and 17th street parks. Jazz musicians groove by the ocean. Free.
Oct. 19 and 20 (Saturday and Sunday) - Great Shore Rockfish Tournament along the Virginia Beach shoreline. Big fishout, featuring three tournaments: rockfish, trout and kiddie. For information, call 552-8526.
Oct. 25 and 26 (Saturday and Sunday) - Micro Brewery Festival-Octoberfest at the Oceanfront. Beer lovers paradise. Enjoy samples from across the United States.
Oct. 27 (Sunday) - Taste of Virginia Beach at Atlantic Avenue restaurants. Resort restaurateurs offer tasty seafood fare, plus a street party. Local menu specialties featured.
Nov. 23 and 24 (Saturday and Sunday) - Hampton Roads Girls Soccer Tournament at citywide sites. Girl booters from all over the East Coast mix it up for two days. For more information, call 456-0578.
Nov. 22 to Jan. 5 - Holiday Lights at the Beach on the Boardwalk. City and resort innkeepers put a seaside twinkle in the holiday season for visiting motorists. Fee to be announced later.
Dec. 31 (Tuesday) - New Year's Eve Party at the 24th Street park. Illuminated beach ball drops at the stroke of midnight for New Year's revelers brave enough to face the elements. Free. ILLUSTRATION: Staff file photo
Chuck Berry, now 70 and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner
in 1984, is scheduled to appear Aug. 30 during the American Music
Festival at the surfside venue at 5th Street.
Staff photo by DAVID B. HOLLINGSWORTH
This ``Flying Elvis'' was among a number of sky-diving Elvises
during last year's Elvis Weekend.
Staff photo by DAVID B. HOLLINGSWORTH
The Spectrum Puppets will be on the Boardwalk the entire season from
4 p.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
Photo by MARLENE FORD
Art lovers stroll and shop the annual Boardwalk Art Show, described
by organizers as the oldest and ``best'' outdoor show in the
country.
AP file photo
Country-and-western icon Willie Nelson will appear Aug. 31 at the
American Music Festival.
AP file photo
Rock group Huey Lewis and the News will appear Sept. 1 at the
American Music Festival.
Photo courtesy COLUMBUS DAY
SOCCER TOURNAMENT PROGRAM
The Columbus Day Soccer Tournament features non-stop youth
competition Oct. 11-13 at various Beach sites.
Staff file photo by DAVID B. HOLLINGSWORTH
For the second year, motorists will get a special lighted treat on
the Boardwalk - such as these fish spouts near the entrance onto
Atlantic Avenue.
by CNB