Town Point Park, Downtown Norfolk Waterfront, VA 5pm – 11pm Daily
Friday, Aug. 16 performers: Kirk Whalum, Norman Brown, Rebecca Jade
Saturday, Aug. 17 performers: Larry Carlton, Bob James, Four80East with Jeff Kashiwa
Norfolk’s Jazz History
Attucks Theatre–The “Apollo” of the South
Designed by African American architect Harvey Johnson, the Attucks Theatre opened in 1919. It is celebrated for being distinguished as the oldest remaining legitimate theatre in the nation that was completely financed, designed, constructed and operated by African Americans.
Musicians of the greatest caliber have performed at the Attucks, including legends like Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, Mamie Smith, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole and Redd Foxx. The theatre is named after Crispus Attucks, the first African American patriot to lose his life in the 1770 Boston Massacre.
From its opening until 1953, the Attucks was a vibrant performing arts facility located on Norfolk’s historic Church Street, one of the oldest thoroughfares in the city. It ceased its operations for over two decades until 1977 when it was deemed a National Historic Landmark. Following restoration, the theatre reopened in 2004.
Today, the Attucks is a star on the Norfolk cultural stage featuring an eclectic lineup each season that includes musical performances, plays, dramatic readings and more.
