Admission is available on a first come, first serve basis. Seating will begin at 6:00 PM. There are two 45-minute shows. One at 6:30 PM and one at 8:00 PM. Because of the length of the show, latecomers will not be admitted into the theater after the show begins. Again, there is no ticketing or RSVP required.

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Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center hosts a free 1619 Commemorative Performance. For more information, contact 757-247-8950.

About the Show

IN THE EARLY DAWN OF AUGUST 20, 1619, A WOUNDED SHIP LIMPED THROUGH THE MIST INTO THE MOUTH OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY.  ITS MISSION WAS DARK AND SHROUDED IN POLITICAL ESPIONAGE.  IT WAS AN ENGLISH SHIP FLYING UNDER A DUTCH FLAG AND CARRYING A LETTER OF MARQUE – A LICENSE TO LEGALLY PIRATE SPANISH OR PORTUGUESE SHIPS.  THE PIRATE WAS ENGLISH CAPTAIN JOHN COLLIN JOPE AND THE SHIP WAS THE WHITE LION.

AS THE WHITE LION’S HULL CUT SILENTLY THROUGH THE MORNING WATER, THEY PASSED, UNCEREMONIOUSLY, BY CAPE HENRY, THE SITE WHERE CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT HAD LED HIS VIRGINIA COMPANY CREW ASHORE FOR THE “FIRST LANDING”.  AND NOW, JUST 12 YEARS LATER, ANOTHER “FIRST LANDING” WAS ABOUT TO TAKE PLACE; ONE MARKED WITH PAIN AND TRIUMPH.  AND ONE THAT WOULD FOREVER CHANGE THE FACE OF THIS STILL-INFANT NATION. 

1619 TELLS THE COMPELLING STORY OF THE NATIVE AFRICANS WHO FIRST SET FOOT ON AMERICAN SOIL.  STARRING MICHAEL LEMELLE AND LISA HERNANDEZ, IT IS A STORY OF LIVES AND CULTURES INTERRUPTED – AND DESTINIES GRAFTED TOGETHER.  TOLD THROUGH RIVETING LIVE PERFORMANCE AND A POWERFUL MUSICAL SCORE, 1619 IS A STORY THAT, 400 YEARS LATER, MUST BE TOLD.

NO RSVP REQUIRED.

ADMISSION IS AVAILABLE ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE BASIS. SEATING WILL BEGIN AT 6 PM. LATECOMERS WILL NOT BE ADMITTED INTO THE THEATER. THERE ARE TWO SHOWS. ONE AT 6:30 PM AND ONE AT 8:00 PM. AGAIN, THERE IS NO TICKETING OR RSVP REQUIRED.