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An All American Salute featuring the Virginia Symphony Orchestra - Sunday, January 29th at 3 p.m. at Chrysler Hall

A red, white and blue salute to the USA – from “Battle Hymn of the Republic” to Sousa’s “Washington Post March” to “Yankee Doodle,” we pay tribute to the men and women in uniform who bravely serve our great nation and the families who support them from home.

Pre-concert activites start at 2pm
Concert Starts at 3pm

Tickets only $12.

For tickets, visit www.ticketmaster.com

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Categories: Williamsburg Events

RODNEY CARRINGTON - January 28th at 7 p.m. at the Chrysler Hall

Rodney Carrington is a multitalented comedian, actor, and writer who has recorded eight major record label comedy albums selling over 3 million copies. Morning Wood has been certified gold and Greatest Hits has been certified Platinum by the RIAA. Rodney starred in his own TV sitcom Rodney, which ran for two seasons on ABC. He co-wrote and co-starred with Toby Keith in the feature film Beer for My Horses. In 2011 Rodney partnered with the ACA (American Country Awards) by presenting at their awards show and hosting the American Country New Year's Eve Live show on Fox. 

According to Pollstar, Rodney has been one of the top ten highest grossing touring comedians for the last ten years and among the top 4 or 5 the last several years. Rodney is on track to be in the top 5 again in 2012. He regularly performs to sold out crowds across the US and Canada.

For ticket information, visit www.ticketmaster.com

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Categories: Williamsburg Events

Presented by Lyric Opera Virginia Rodgers and Hammerstein's The King and I

Friday, January 27th at 8 p.m. & Sunday, January 29th at 2:30 p.m.

This beloved American musical is the heartwarming story of The King of Siam who arranges a governess, Anna Leonowens to come from England to teach his many children. Their contentious relationship grows into mutual respect and love. Directed by award winning Broadway veteran Greg Ganakas and performed by an experienced and dynamic Broadway cast, this lavish production will include local children to play the roles of the children of the King. The role of Anna will be performed by Lisa Vroman, who starred for many years on Broadway in The Phantom of the Opera.

For more information, visit http://fergusoncenter.cnu.edu/.

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Categories: Williamsburg Events

William Shakespeare's MACBETH - Friday, January 27th at 8 p.m.

"Fair is foul and foul is fair" in Aquila Theatre's rendering of the chaotic world of Shakespeare's Macbeth where nothing is as it seems.

The play centers on the victorious Scottish general, Macbeth, who chances upon three witches in the forest on his journey home from war. The witches offer an intriguing prophesy, tempting Macbeth with the promise that he will one day become King. When his wife hears this news, she urges him into murderous action; what follows is a wild and maddening descent into war, insanity and demons.

As always, Aquila breathes new life and fire into this wickedly troubled work.

"The classics made relevant with superb acting and clever staging" -The New Yorker

Pre-performance lecture at 7pm.

Tickets are $32.50 or $27.50.

For more information, visit HamptonArts.net

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Categories: Williamsburg Events

State of the Union and Obama’s Plan for Housing

Last night, President Barack Obama took to the podium to deliver his annual State of the Union address before a packed house of his Congressional peers, esteemed White House guests, and millions of Americans who tuned in to the live broadcast.

Obama outlined his plan for economic growth, with an overarching theme of creating an America “where everyone gets a fair shot, everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same set of rules.” While job creation, education, and clean energy initiatives dominated most of Obama’s economic plan of action for his hopeful next term, the issue of the ailing housing market was not side-stepped. “While government can’t fix the problem on its own, responsible homeowners should not have to sit and wait for the housing market to hit bottom to get some relief,” Obama said.

Zillow Chief Economist Dr. Stan Humphries shares a similar view: “Housing presents a bit of a conundrum for Obama,” said Humphries. “People care a lot about it and it will figure prominently in this election year, but there isn’t much the government can do without addressing the main issue of negative equity, which is a $750 billion dollar problem. There aren’t any easy solutions to make it go away.”

What the President did propose to Congress was an expanded refinancing plan “that gives every responsible homeowner the chance to save about $3,000 a year on their mortgage, by refinancing at historically low rates.” Despite an immediate bed of skepticism to the new refinancing plan, the revamped program has the potential to “help a lot of people and represents a decent amount of stimulus for the economy,” said Humphries, who has previously discussed the potential benefit of such a program. But, expectations for this stimulus need to be kept at realistic levels. “It‘s important to note however that it isn’t going to fundamentally change the pace of foreclosures or the trajectory of the housing market,” Humphries continued. “Unfortunately, the plan is going to require Congressional approval, which makes it exceedingly unlikely to happen this election year.”

The second bullet item on Obama’s housing agenda tasked the Attorney General to create a special unit to further investigate abusive mortgage and lending practices that led up to the housing crisis. According to Dr. Humphries this special task force “is an effort to satisfy demands for greater accountability for wrong-doings during the housing boom. That’s fine, but it isn’t necessarily a proactive effort to change things going forward. Foreclosure and short-sales are state issues so there isn’t much the federal government can do.”

What else can be done about housing? What actions can the government realistically take to help turn the market around? A more in-depth analysis from Zillow’s Chief Economist outlines six ideas that could not only push the housing market in the right direction, but are ideas both Democrats and Republicans could support (this seems to be the catch).

There is a consensus that housing and home ownership lie at the base of American values and will play an important role over the next 9 months leading up to the election. Obama showed this in his speech last night and, for now, we’ll continue to absorb what each Presidential hopeful has to say before the big voting day.

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Categories: Real Estate News

What Are the Presidential Candidates’ Positions on Housing Plans?

What are the biggest issues facing the real estate market? What are candidates campaigning to do to encourage a recovery? Presidential hopefuls are facing these questions and others as we head into tomorrow’s sure-to-be heated South Carolina Primary,

Zillow has added to its Election 2012 arsenal a round-up of the top housing issues and the views each candidate offers. Take a look below and see if the plans from Obama, Romney, Gingrich, Santorum or Paul best align with your views about housing:

http://www.zillow.com/blog/files/2012/01/Candidate-Position-Matrix_USEME1.pdf

0 comments - Posted at 10:32 AM

Categories: Real Estate News

Chucho Valdes with the Afro-Cuban Messengers - Tuesday, January 24th at 7:30 p.m.

Universally recognized as the "dean of Latin jazz" and "one of the world's great virtuoso players" multi Grammy Award winner Chucho Valdes has recorded more than 80 CD's during his illustrious career, performing with countless jazz masters including Herbie Hancock, Dizzy Gillespie, Wynton Marsalis and Chick Corea.

Born in Havana in 1941, the pianist, composer, arranger, band leader and music professor began his musical life at home under the direction of his parents. By the time he was 3, he was already playing melodies on the piano and at age 5, he began his formal studies, finishing at the Music Conservatory of Havana at the age of 14! Ever since he formed his first jazz trio (at the age of 15), Chucho Valdes has become one of the true legends not only of Jazz but also of Latin music revolutionizing them both. His unabated love of music and the joy with which he entertains are not to be missed!

Tickets are $32.50 or $27.50.

For more information, visit HamptonArts.net

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Categories: Williamsburg Events