Winter Blues Jazz Fest and more events this week

The Winter Blues Jazz Fest returns to Williamsburg this week for its 9th year. 

The four-day festival, which starts Friday, Jan. 13, and goes through Monday morning, Jan. 16 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day), will feature a variety of music and educational programs. The event includes options “to suit all tastes and budgets,” according to the Jazz Fest’s website. 

Some other highlights for this week include a NASA Skywatchers program at New Quarter Park, a concert by the Dirty Dozen Brass Band at the Ferguson Center, an evergreen tree decorating event hosted by the Williamsburg Battlefield Association, and a free Fitness Open House at the James City County Recreation Center.

-Christin

Events This Week

🗓️ Multi-Day

Live Music

• Winter Blues Jazz Fest – The William & Mary Alumni House (Williamsburg). This four-day jazz festival returns for its 9th year, January 13-16, 2023. The event aims to provide an enriching and entertaining weekend filled with music and educational programs, with options for all tastes and budgets. A full schedule of events can be found here, and tickets can be purchased here.

Sports

• 2023 Virginia Duals Wrestling Tournament and Youth Championship – Hampton Coliseum (Hampton). The Peninsula Wrestling Association will host the 2023 Annual Virginia Duals Wrestling Tournament, January 13-15 at the Hampton Coliseum. The Virginia Duals Wrestling Tournament is the largest college and high school tournament in the world. For tickets, click here.

Art

• Exhibit: Chinese Dance, National Movements in a Revolutionary Age, 1945-1965 – Williamsburg Library (Williamsburg). This exhibit, curated by William & Mary professor Dr. Emily Wilcox and University of Michigan Chinese Studies Librarian Dr. Liangyu Fu, explores the history of Chinese dance. Runs January 13-February 17, 2023 (closed Jan. 16). An opening reception and curator’s talk will be held January 27, 2:00-4:30 p.m. and is open to the public.

🗓️ Monday, Jan. 9

Educational

• Misinformation Escape Room – Virtual, hosted by Williamsburg Regional Library (Zoom). This fun program allows you to take an objective look at the way online sources manipulate information and images to influence your opinion. In this scenario, the government wants to add a substance to the water supply that’s used by the elite to make them smarter. You’ll have an hour to navigate a maze of problems and puzzles and discover the truth. See the website link for the Zoom details. For ages 15+. 6:30 – 8:00 pm.  

🗓️ Tuesday, Jan. 10

Films

• Art House Café Film Series: “Ascension” – Williamsburg Library (Williamsburg). Enjoy this film series on Tuesdays. You’ll also meet new friends, hear from film experts, enjoy light refreshments and have a discussion after the film. This week’s featured film is Ascension (2021; NR). 2:00 – 3:40 pm.

Educational

• Chicken Keeping 101 – Tabb Library (Yorktown). This class, led by Peninsula Chicken Keepers (PeCK), will cover the basics of keeping a flock of pet chickens in your backyard. Registration is recommended but not required. 6:30 – 7:30 pm. 

🗓️ Wednesday, Jan. 11

Crafts

• Makerspace: Cricut 101 – Williamsburg Library (Williamsburg). Learn the basics of how a Cricut works. Registration is not required. 11:00 am. 

Recreation

• Bounce & Barre – James City County Recreation Center (Williamsburg). This workshop will introduce you to a unique and fun fitness experience centered on the use of mini trampolines. For ages 14+. $5 6:00 – 6:45 pm. 

Technology

• Top Ten Tips for Using Your New iPhone or iPad– Williamsburg Library (Williamsburg). If you recently got a new iPhone or iPad and trying to learn its many features, this class is for you. Class size is limited to 5 people; see the website for registration information. 2:00 – 3:30 pm. 

Kids

• Finger Gym – James City County Library (Williamsburg). This program focuses on building fine-motor skills like cutting, writing and twisting through various activities. For kids 3-7; an adult caregiver must be present. 6:00 pm. 

Tweens 

• Tween Game Day – Stryker Center (Williamsburg). Tweens ages 9-12 are invited to drop in for board games and Nintendo Switch games. 6:00 – 7:30 pm. 

🗓️ Thursday, Jan. 12

Films

• Throwback Thursday Film Series: “He Walked by Night”– Williamsburg Library (Williamsburg).  This film series features a variety of contemporary and classic movies for an adult audience. This week’s featured film is He Walked by Night (1948; NR). 2:00 – 3:25 pm.
• Celtic Film Series: “Ondine” – The Celtic film series runs the 2nd Thursday of the month through May 2023. This month’s featured film is Ondine (2009; PG-13). 6:00 – 8:00 pm.

Genealogy

• Introduction to Ancestry Library Edition – Williamsburg Library (Williamsburg). Register to use the library’s Ancestry subscription to research your family’s history. Registration is required; see website for details. 2:30 – 4:00 pm. 

Kids

• Snuggle Stories: A Family Story Time – Tabb Library (Yorktown). Families are invited to attend Snuggle Stories, a story time for children of all ages and their parent or caregiver. Children are encouraged to wear their pajamas and bring a favorite stuffed animal. 7:00 – 7:30 pm. 

🗓️ Friday, Jan. 13

Crafts

• Makerspace: Sew a Coffee Sleeve – Williamsburg Library (Williamsburg). Learn to sew a basic coffee sleeve that will keep your coffee warm this winter. Basic sewing experience preferred but not required. See website for registration details. 4:30 pm. 

🗓️ Saturday, Jan. 14

Live Music

• Dirty Dozen Brass Band – Ferguson Center for the Arts (Newport News). New Orleans-based Dirty Dozen Brass Band is celebrating more than 40 years since their founding in 1977. Enjoy a concert by this world-famous band, with a featured opening act by the 7 Cities Brass Band (TRADOC Band). All tickets are $20. Saturday, Jan. 14. 8:00 pm.
• Organ Recital: Dr. JanEl Will – Bruton Parish Church (Williamsburg). Hear sacred music by candlelight in this 300-year-old church. This recital, featuring 18th-century music, will be performed by Dr. JanEl Will, organist at Bruton Parish Church. 8:00 – 9:00 pm.

Outdoor/Nature

• Decorate the Excelsior Evergreen – 7235 Pocahontas Trail (Williamsburg). The Williamsburg Battlefield Association is hosting a “Decorate the Excelsior Evergreen” program on Jan. 14. Make ornaments from home and hang them on the tree to feed our wildlife friends this winter. All ornaments must be made of only edible ingredients and natural materials. See the website for additional details as well as suggested ornaments and how to make them. 10:00 am – noon. 
• NASA Skywatchers – New Quarter Park (Williamsburg). View planets, stars and galaxies in the night sky alongside the NASA Skywatcher’s Club on Saturday, Jan. 14. Telescopes will be set up for viewing and club members will be available to educate and answer questions. Register by January 12. Free. 6:00 – 8:00 pm.

Gardening

• In the Garden: New Home, New Garden – Stryker Center (Williamsburg). Master Gardener Mitzi Balma of the Virginia Cooperative Extension will offer advice about landscaping your home or starting a flower garden from scratch. 10:15 – 11:15 am. 

Health/Wellness

• Fitness Open House – James City County Recreation Center (Williamsburg). Meet instructors, participate in demo classes and receive information on everything James City County Health & Wellness has to offer. See a schedule of events here. Free. Saturday, Jan. 14. 9:00 am – 11:00 am.
• Gait Analysis – James City County Recreation Center (Williamsburg). Local sports chiropractor Dr. Daniel Shaye of Performance Chiropractic will perform a free gait analysis for this event. You might gain insight into why your knee, back of hip hurts or catch injuries before they start. It is ideal to wear shorts and a tank top-style shirt for the best analysis. Call (757) 259-4176 to reserve your time slot. 9:00 – 11:00 am. 

Dancing

• Country Line Dance Lesson – James City County Library (Williamsburg). Get out of the house and participate in a country line dance lesson! 2:00 – 3:30 pm. 

Art

• Opening Reception: Honoring Giants of the Community, A Juneteenth Community Art and Oral History Exhibit – Williamsburg Library (Williamsburg). This exhibit’s opening reception, hosted by The Village Initiative, celebrates the contributions of community leaders Dr J. Blaine Blayton and Mrs. Bessie Gerst. It’s presented through a partnership between William & Mary Distinguished Artist, Steve Prince and The Village Initiative’s Local Black Histories Project. The exhibit itself runs Jan. 9 – Feb. 28, and the reception will be held Jan. 14 at 3:00 pm. 

Science

• Stargazing Night – Virginia Living Museum (Newport News). Join a staff astronomer at the Virginia Living Museum for a live, guided tour of the current evening sky. Tickets are $8 for adults and children over 2; free for kids 2 and under. 6:00 pm. 

Kids

• Science Saturday: Arctic Animals – Tabb Library (Williamsburg). Kids will learn about animals living in the Arctic during this winter-themed program. There will also be a wintry STEM challenge. 10:15 – 11:00 am. 

🗓️ Sunday, Jan. 15

Films

• Italian Film Series: “The Night of the Shooting Stars” – Williamsburg Library (Williamsburg). The Colonial Italian American Organization presents The Night of the Shooting Stars (1982; R). See the website for a film description. 2:00 pm. 

Future Events to Note 🗒️

• Owl Prowl– New Quarter Park (Williamsburg). Look for the owls living in New Quarter Park at this fun event. Free; registration is required. For ages 10 and up. Saturday, January 21. 6:00 – 8:00 pm.
• WSO’s Cabaret & Cocktails – Williamsburg Lodge Ballroom (Williamsburg). Enjoy this special concert featuring Carmen Bradford, one of jazz music’s most diverse and exciting vocalists. This program will feature hits like Love Is Here to Stay, Fascinating Rhythm, I Won’t Dance, Love Me or Leave Me and many more. Tickets are $60+. Sunday, January 22. 8:00 pm.
• Open Door Series: Alcee Chriss – Williamsburg Presbyterian Church (Williamsburg). Enjoy a free concert featuring Alcee Chriss III, an organist and keyboardist who is featured in the PBS documentary, Pipe Dreams (2019). Sunday, January 29. 4:00 pm.