Choral guild, guitars and opera among updates by Williamsburg Area Arts Commission
Plus, beer and missiles top James City economic development meeting; students worry about being Flocked on campus
An editor used AI tools to help create this report.
The Williamsburg Area Arts Commission (WAAC) is a joint city-county body that supports and stimulates excellence in the arts on behalf of the Williamsburg City Council and James City County Board of Supervisors. At its May 20, 2026 meeting, commissioners reported on numerous organizations, including the following:
Virginia Arts Festival brings world-class performing arts to southeastern Virginia. Coming up on June 4, the Orava Quartet joins pianist Olga Kern for a performance at the W&M Concert Hall.
Stagelights is Williamsburg’s youth theater organization, and their summer camps are set to begin in June 2026.
Williamsburg Choral Guild is a community chorus founded in 1975. The organization recently announced the retirement of their longtime accompanist of eight years, Karen Areheart, and has outlined an ambitious 51st season beginning in October 2026.
Tidewater Classical Guitars is a Norfolk-based nonprofit guitar ensemble. They held a showcase concert in Virginia Beach on May 2nd and are now preparing for their next season, beginning in September.
Virginia Opera is the Official Opera Company of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The company completed its current season with productions of Cinderella, Intelligence, and Aida, with scenes staged at local Williamsburg-area high schools.
An Occasion for the Arts is Williamsburg’s premier annual outdoor art and music festival. Their booth at Art on the Square in late April wrapped up outreach efforts, and applications for this year’s festival closed on May 8th.
Muscarelle Museum of Art at William & Mary was featured on WHRO’s “Curate” program in April and is currently presenting several exhibitions, including “First Looks and Favorites,” on view through June 7.
Arc of Greater Williamsburg serves adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The organization continues its busy schedule of art-related lectures and projects, with Art Martin from the Muscarelle serving as instructor.
Budweiser 150th & Kongsberg Ribbon-Cutting
The James City County Economic Development Authority held its regular meeting on May 19, 2026. The session included reports on industrial projects, the formal adoption of the next fiscal year’s budget, and an update on Anheuser-Busch’s continued investment in the local economy. Additionally, the Authority reviewed recent business recruitment efforts and finalized the schedule for upcoming local events, including the 150th Anniversary celebration of Budweiser at the Williamsburg Brewery on May 30.
Anheuser-Busch will mark Budweiser’s 150th Anniversary and America’s 250th birthday on Saturday, May 30, from noon to 4 p.m in Williamsburg. The celebration will feature day-fresh brews, local food vendors, lawn games, and a special appearance by the Budweiser Clydesdales. The event also supports Folds of Honor, a nonprofit providing educational scholarships to families of fallen or disabled U.S. service members and first responders. Having operated in Williamsburg for over 50 years, Anheuser-Busch has invested nearly $50 million in the brewery over the past five years, reflecting its ongoing role in the Virginia economy.
Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace is launching a 130,000-square-foot facility at the Lovett 64 Commerce Center in Toano, representing a 101 million dollar investment in the region. This factory will manufacture Joint Strike and Naval Strike Missiles, positioning James City County as a participant in the global defense industry. The project is set to create at least 187 jobs. While a ribbon-cutting for the interim administrative office took place in May 2026, the full manufacturing plant is scheduled to reach completion and begin operations in late 2027.
In other news …
Williamsburg ARB May 2026 Meeting Summaries
At the May 26 meeting, staff recommended approval for all six consent agenda items: three sign replacements (Princess Anne Hotel, Blue Smoke Barbecue, Sterling Experiences), two residential fences on Tyler Street and Richmond Road, a 314-square-foot home addition on Ballard Lane, and a townhome rear-elevation update on S Boundary Street. The sole regular agenda item, an after-the-fact vinyl screen door replacement at 234 Griffin Avenue, was not recommended for approval, as vinyl doors are prohibited in the AP-1 Architectural Preservation district.
At the May 12 meeting, staff recommended approval for all seven consent agenda items: a building sign installation on W Duke of Gloucester Street, an exterior repaint on Richmond Road, a roof shingle replacement on York Street, patio furniture replacement at the Rochambeau Inn, demolition of pergolas and privacy screens on Zelkova Road, an exterior update at Fat Tuna on Richmond Road, and the relocation of a historic structure from 315 Franklin Street to 419 East Nicholson Street. The relocation approval was conditioned on Board of Zoning Appeals approval at the June hearing and posting of interpretive information at the new site. There were no regular agenda items.
James City County Police Invite Neighborhoods to Register for National Night Out
The James City County Police Department announced preparations for National Night Out 2026, a community-building campaign designed to strengthen police-community partnerships and encourage residents to connect with their neighbors. The event will take place Tuesday, August 4 from 5 to 8 p.m.
Neighborhoods throughout James City County are invited to host local gatherings such as block parties, cookouts, ice cream socials, neighborhood walks, safety demonstrations, and children’s activities. Registered neighborhoods will receive visits from JCCPD officers during the event, giving residents an opportunity to meet officers and build meaningful connections. The registration deadline is July 7, 2026. Interested neighborhoods should contact Master Police Officer Jeremy W. Morris to register or request additional information.
William and Mary Students Question Use of Surveillance Technology on Campus In late April, the College of William and Mary’s Student Assembly hosted a public forum with campus public safety officials on April 29 to discuss AI surveillance tools Flock and ZeroEyes. Officials defended the technology’s effectiveness, minimize student privacy and ethical concerns. The Flat Hat’s Naman Mishra and Liam Glavin recently posted a review of that meeting.
