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Hidden Histories of the Transcontinental Railroad

Date: February 19 - March 9 Time: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Ages: All Cost: Free Location: Seaboard Station Railroad Museum at 326 N. Main Street A traveling exhibit from the Union Pacific Railroad Museum, “Hidden Histories” explores the seldom listened-to stories of railroad industry workers on the way to Promontory Point in Utah and the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad. The exhibit challenges everyone to examine the hidden histories in their own lives.

Suffolk Tourism Debuts New Dining Website

Suffolk Tourism is pleased to announce the launch of a new website that highlights eateries throughout Suffolk, Virginia. This new site, DiningInSuffolkVa.com, features a modern and functional design, offering quick and easy access to essential information about all the dining opportunities in the rapidly growing city. The colorful site showcases elements that work to inform and inspire a dining decision, including vibrant and engaging photography, creative content for all of the eateries in the Suffolk area, a personalized blog, and information about the popular Suffolk Restaurant Week promotion.

Suffolk Mystery Authors Festival (VIRTUAL)

Date: Saturday, March 6 Time: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Ages: All Cost: $12 per person Location: SMAF Website Join us online for this unique, one-day event that showcases 40 best-selling mystery, suspense, paranormal, horror, romance, and women’s fiction authors. Attendees will enjoy multiple live panels and prerecorded interviews, plus an attendee swag bag with t-shirt and festival goodies. The Suffolk Mystery Authors Festival is a partnership between Suffolk Tourism and the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts. More information can be

found at SuffolkMysteryAuthorsFestival.com.

Suffolk Restaurant Week 2021

Date: March 20 - 27 Time: 10:00 AM - 11:00 PM Ages: All Cost: $10 Lunch/$20 Dinner; $15 Lunch/$30 Dinner; $20 Lunch/$40 Dinner Locations: Various Suffolk Eateries From Suffolk’s best-kept culinary secrets to national award winning restaurants, Suffolk Restaurant Week promises a savory blend of the City’s signature flavors. During this culinary showcase, participating eateries offer chef-created delicacies and simple three-course, price fixed menus. No coupons, vouchers, or tickets! For more information, visit DiningInSuffolk.com.

Riddick’s Folly House Museum

Hours: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Wed, Thurs, & Fri); 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM (Saturday); and 1:00 - 5:00 PM (Sun). Closed on major holidays. Cost: $7 Adults; $6 military and seniors 55+; $3 students 18 and under; free for children 5 and under; $4 for partial tours Location: 510 N. Main Street, Downtown For more information, please contact 757-934-0822 or visit RiddicksFolly.org.

While Mills Riddick’s contemporaries may have mocked his Greek Revival home when it was built in 1837, the house now stands as a beautiful reminder of the past and is one of Suffolk’s most popular attractions.

The impressive structure features striking architectural details. The five frieze band windows across the front of the house are rarely seen in eastern Virginia. The front of the mansion is bricked in Flemish bond, and double chimneys rise from both ends of the stately historic landmark. Slender columns of the Greek Revival period frame the main entrance. The interior showcases intricately carved moldings and elaborate ceiling medallions throughout the house.

Riddick’s Folly has four floors, 21 rooms, and 16 fireplaces. All four floors are open to the public. The building features elegantly furnished double parlors, a gentleman’s library, and adult and children’s bed chambers. Also open are the laundry, dining rooms, and kitchen.

Registered with the Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission and the National Register of Historic Places. During the Civil War, Riddick’s Folly served as headquarters for the Union Army.

From Stage to Screen

The Suffolk Division of Tourism, in partnership with the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts, proudly presents three former Broadway masterpieces that found huge success on the big screen. Shows begin at 7:00 PM and admission is $3 per person. Limited seating available; social distancing rules apply (please wear masks). For more information, please contact the Suffolk Center’s box office at 757-923-2900, or visit SuffolkCenter.org.

Hairspray

Date: January 14 A 1962-era teenager with all the right moves is selected for a popular television dance show. Upset that black kids can only dance on the show once a month, Tracy decides she’s going to integrate the show...all without denting her ‘do. The all-star cast includes John Travolta, Nikki Blonsky, Zac Effron, and Michelle Pfeiffer. This film is rated PG and has a running time of 117 minutes.

Dreamgirls

Date: February 11 Personal struggles reign when a 1960s Detroit R&B trio go from backup singers to headliners. How long can Deena and the Dreams stay at the top, and will plus-sized, big-voiced Effie ever get her due? An all-star cast includes Jennifer Hudson, Beyoncé, Jamie Foxx, Anika Noni Rose, and Eddie Murphy. This film is rated PG-13 and has a running time of 130 minutes.

The Phantom of the Opera

Date: March 11 Young ingénue and soprano Christine finds herself tutored by a disfigured and murderous musical genius who lives beneath the Paris Opera House. Who will be able to help when the Phantom’s obsession grows and he kidnaps Christine to be his eternal bride? An all-star cast includes Gerard Butler, Emmy Rossum, Patrick Wilson, and Minnie Driver. This film is rated PG-13 and has a running time of 143 minutes.

“Walk On The Wild Side” Exhibition

Date: March 18 - April 24 Time: 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM (Tues - Sat) Ages: All Cost: Free Location: Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts This exhibit features work in a variety of mediums that depict the beauty of wildlife throughout the region and the world. Artists including Guy Crittenden, Captain John A. Leonard, Mark McNair, and Ian McNair work in woodcarving in traditional and modern forms, painting, sculpture, and mixed media.

Disney’s Moana Jr. by The Hurrah Players

Date: Saturday, March 20 Time: 2:00 PM Ages: All Cost: $25 Adult; $20 Youth (18 & Under) Location: Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts The Hurrah Players are once again thrilled to be one of the first companies to perform a new Disney Jr. show onstage with the support of Disney Theatrical Productions. Disney’s Moana Jr. is a musical adaptation of the 2016 Disney animated film, bringing the adventures of Moana to life onstage. This thrilling and heartwarming coming-of-age story follows the strongwilled Moana as she sets sail across the Pacific to save her village and discover the truth about her heritage. With empowering messages of bravery and selflessness, Moana Jr. is sure to bring out the hero within each of us.

Chowan University Choir

Date: Sunday, April 25 Time: 3:30 PM Ages: All Cost: $10 Location: Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts The Chowan University Singers and Men’s Chorus combined with the Chowan Community Chorus will present a special concert at the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts that will feature choral masterwork Requiem of Gabriel Fauré. Additionally, the Chowan Singers and Men’s Chorus will sing works ranging in style from classical acappella music to contemporary gospel, including choral standards by Felix Mendelssohn, Thomas Tallis, and Alice Parker.

Exhibit of Excellence: Suffolk Student Art 2021

Date: February 2 - 26 Time: Tuesday - Saturday, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM; Sunday, 1:00 - 5:00 PM Ages: All Cost: Free Location: Suffolk Art Gallery at 118 Bosley Avenue The Suffolk Art League presents a juried exhibition featuring artwork by Suffolk’s 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students; the exhibit is open to students who either live in Suffolk or attend school in Suffolk (private, public, or home school). Presented in cooperation with the Suffolk Fine Arts Commission. Free and open to the public. For a complete prospectus, visit SuffolkArtLeague.com or call the Suffolk Art League at 757-925-0448.

Suffolk-Nansemond Historical Society’s Annual Sale

Date: Saturday, April 17 Time: 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM 137 Bank Street One day only! There will be many items available, including Victorian furniture, heirloom items, lamps, trinkets, outdoor furniture, art, glassware, silver, and much more! All proceeds go towards the SuffolkNansemond Historical Society operating budget. Visit SuffolkHistory.org for donation information.

Garden Week in Suffolk

Date: April 17 Time: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Ages: All Cost: $30 Advance; $35 Day of Tour Location: Governor’s Pointe (various locations) This easily-accessible walking tour at Governor’s Pointe spotlights private homes with expansive gardens in a lovely neighborhood located on the banks of the Nansemond River. For more information, visit VAGardenWeek.org.

Interactive Guides Available from Suffolk Tourism

Interested in learning more about Suffolk but don’t want to leave the comfort of your home? Discover all of Suffolk Tourism’s interactive publications, including Cedar Hill Cemetery, walking tour of Historic Downtown Suffolk, activity books for the kids, and online at VisitSuffolkVa.com/602/Flip-Books.

Ages: All Cost: Free Location: Phillips-Dawson House at the Suffolk Good Time Guide! View and download