Samara Joy and Virginia Arts Festival

The Virginia Arts Festival, established in Norfolk in 1997, is a celebrated performing arts presenter. It showcases diverse genres including international ballet, classical, jazz, rock, and opera. Known for bringing world-class artists to southeastern Virginia, it transforms the region into a cultural destination. The festival commissions new works and offers extensive educational programs, earning national recognition for artistic excellence. It is also known for the Virginia International Tattoo.

Bronx-born Samara Joy, raised on gospel and R&B, is a jazz singer and lyricist known for soulful, inventive jazz. She won the 2019 Sarah Vaughan contest and an NAACP Image Award.