FREEDOM: Evolution of the Motorcycle – July 3 – October 11, 2009

FREEDOM: Evolution of the Motorcycle
Courthouse Galleries, Corner of Court & High Street
Portsmouth, VA
July 3 – October 11, 2009
Museum Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Sunday, 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. and First Weekend Friday: 10 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Fee: Museum Admission $5/adult, $2/child
For more information call 757-393-8983

Technology and enthusiasm in riding motorcycles has inspired changes in motorcycle designs since their early origins in the late nineteenth century. From generation to generation, motorcycling has always drawn riders for sport and accessible, inexpensive transportation who were also seeking a sense of adventure and freedom on the road. This exhibit explores transformations through designs by American, European and Asian companies and the explosion in riding popularity during the twentieth century.

Over forty motorcycles will go on view at the Courthouse Galleries on July 3, 2009. Featured are motorcycles from the early to late twentieth century. Amongst them are such brand names as Brough Superior, BMW, BSA, Ducati, Fabrique National (FN), Harley-Davidson, Henderson, Honda, Indian, New Map, Triumph, Vincent and more. FREEDOM: Evolution of the Motorcycle continues through October 11, 2009.

Would you like to share your motorcycle or participate in a motorcycle ride? Join us for special Bike Shows, rides and runs. Join us on First Weekend Sundays for special family oriented programming. See programs listed below for more information.

Programs, Events and Rides

FREEDOM WEEKEND
FREEDOM FRIDAY
Freedom: Evolution of the Motorcycle Exhibit opens
Exhibit opening weekend
Courthouse Galleries, Corner of Court & High Street, Portsmouth, VA
July 3, 2009, Friday, 5:00-8:00 p.m.
No Registration Required
Fee: Programs and admission are free.
For more information call 757-393-8983

Free your spirits to the sounds of music and motorcycles, as bikers make their way to the museum historic courtyard while The Blue Lords southern rock band (http://www.bluelordsband.com/) performs live in the Courtyard. This musical act has appeared with top-notch celebrities including ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd, 38 Special, the Doobie Brothers, and the Charlie Daniels Band, among many others. Like a blast from the past, Norfolk-based Blue Lord’s band-members will take the audience back to traditional rock-n-roll entertainment. The smell of pizza from Amore’s Casual Italian restaurant on High Street, and hot dogs/hamburgers, will fill the air as food, and beverages are sold in the parking lot.

Try your hand at airbrush painting in a hands-on airbrush demonstration by commercial artist, Bill Tippit. Those who want to experience this unique form of painting will be introduced to beginner airbrush techniques using several end-nozzles to produce different effects (lines, spots and fogs) combined with stencils to create scenes of sunsets, flaming dice and more The airbrush demonstrations will be in the courtyard near the Museum Shop, where unique merchandise and works by local artists are for sale.

The exhibit FREEDOM: Evolution of the Motorcycle will be open free this evening, encompassing both floors of the Courthouse Galleries, with over forty motorcycles on display. The exhibit will remain on view through October 11th 2009.
Leather and sunglass vendors will be in the courtyard and lot adjacent to the museum. At 8:00 p.m. motorcyclists will form a parade of bikes leading the party to Bill Deal Street for a live performance by Blackbird Pond, which was a hit at last year’s Stockley Gardens Art Festival. Visit their website at: http://www.blackbirdpond.com/. The party will continue with food and beer sales. Fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. Food and beer sales end at 10:00 p.m. For more information on music at the Main Stage call Parks & Rec. at 757-393-8481.

July 4, 2009, Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
SATURDAY SWAP-MEET
Courthouse Galleries, Corner of Court & High Street, Portsmouth, VA
Fee: Free programs, museum admission $5.00 adult, $2.00 ages 2-17 years
Registration: $10/table (bring your own), $15/table (we provide)
For more information call 757-393-8983, ext. 17.

Swap Meet and Vendors including leathers and sunglasses will display their goods in the lot adjacent to the Museum. From 12:00-3:00 p.m. tattoo artist will demonstrate their works by creating a collaborative canvas, to be raffled off. Participants can “race to the finish” by changing tires in the Pit-Stop Challenge, a simulated drag-race pit crew experience, for ages 8 and up. This event is free and open to the public, while admission to the exhibit FREEDOM: Evolution of the Motorcycle, will be $5-adults, $2-children.

July 4, 2009, Saturday, 3:30 – 10:00 p.m.
Fireworks, Music, Food & Beverages
North Street & Bill Deal St., Portsmouth, VA
Food and beer sales open @ 3:30 p.m.
4:00-5:30 p.m. Annie Johnson Band (main stage)
5:30-7:30p.m. Strictly Bizzness Band (water stage)
8:00-9:30 p.m. Zapp Band (main stage)
Fireworks @9:30 p.m.
Food and beer sales end @ 10:00 p.m.
For more information call Parks & Recreation Department @ 757-393-8481, ext. 4107

July 5, Sunday, 2009, 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
SUNDAY FUN-DAY
Make-n-Take Art Activity with Artist Bill Tippit
Courthouse Galleries, Corner of Court & High Street, Portsmouth, VA
Fee: Museum admission and programs are free and open to the public.
For more information call 757-393-8983

Try your hand at airbrush painting in a hands-on airbrush demonstration by commercial artist, Bill Tippit. Those who want to experience this unique form of painting will be introduced to beginner airbrush techniques using several end-nozzles to produce different effects (lines, spots and fogs) combined with stencils to create scenes of sunsets, flaming dice and more The airbrush demonstrations will be in the courtyard near the Museum Shop, where unique merchandise and works by local artists are for sale.

Participants can “race to the finish” by changing tires in the Pit-Stop Challenge, a simulated drag-race pit crew experience, for ages 8 and up. This event is free and open to the public, Free admission to exhibit “Freedom: Evolution of the Motorcycle.”

Bike Show Weekends
American-made Bikes
July 11, 2009, Saturday, noon – 4:00 p.m.
Courthouse Galleries, Corner of Court & High Street, Portsmouth, VA
Fee: Free programs, museum admission: $5.00 adult, $2.00 ages 2-17 years
Registration of Bikes Required: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
For more information, call 757-393-8983, ext. 17

British/European-made Bikes
July 25, 2009, Saturday, noon – 4:00 p.m.
Courthouse Galleries, Corner of Court & High Street, Portsmouth, VA
Fee: Free programs, museum admission: $5.00 adult, $2.00 ages 2-17 years
Registration of Bikes Required: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
For more information, call 757-393-8983, ext. 17

Sport Bikes
August 8, 2009, Saturday, noon – 4:00 p.m.
Courthouse Galleries, Corner of Court & High Street, Portsmouth, VA
Fee: Free programs, museum admission: $5.00 adult, $2.00 ages 2-17 years
Registration of Bikes Required: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
For more information, call 757-393-8983, ext. 17

Trike/Sidecar Bikes
August 22, 2009, Saturday, noon – 4:00 p.m.
Courthouse Galleries, Corner of Court & High Street, Portsmouth, VA
Fee: Free programs, museum admission: $5.00 adult, $2.00 ages 2-17 years
Registration of Bikes Required: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
For more information, call 757-393-8983, ext. 17

Metric Cruisers Bikes
September 12, 2009, Saturday, noon – 4:00 p.m.
Courthouse Galleries, Corner of Court & High Street, Portsmouth, VA
Fee: Free programs, museum admission: $5.00 adult, $2.00 ages 2-17 years
Registration of Bikes Required: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
For more information, call 757-393-8983, ext. 17

Antique Bikes
September 26, 2009, Saturday, noon – 4:00 p.m.
Courthouse Galleries, Corner of Court & High Street, Portsmouth, VA
Fee: Free programs, museum admission: $5.00 adult, $2.00 ages 2-17 years
Registration of Bikes Required: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
For more information, call 757-393-8983, ext. 17

Event
CELEBRATE KIDS—IT’S YOUR DAY!
August 2, 2009, Sunday, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
All four Portsmouth Museums
Courthouse Galleries, corner of Court & High Street, Portsmouth, VA, Children’s Museum, 221 High Street, Portsmouth, VA
Naval Shipyard Museum, corner of High & Water Street
Fee: Key Pass, good for all four Portsmouth Museums @ $9/adult, $6/child
For Information call Courthouse Galleries @ 757-393-8983, Children’s Museum @757-393-5258 or Naval Shipyard Museum @ 757-393-8591

During “Celebrate Kids!”, make your way to the Courthouse Galleries to see the impressive (and cool!) motorcycles on display. Experience what its like to race to the finish with Pit-stop Challenge, a simulated drag-race pit crew experience for ages 8 and up.

Learn how to make your own motorcycle designs with airbrush artist Bill Tippit and encaustic artist Martine Strohmeyer who will demonstrate how to paint with wax.

At the Children’s Museum, step inside a world crafted for kids! During “Celebrate Kids!,” face painters and balloon artists will inspire children’s imaginations. Children can tumble away with the “Little Gym.” Also available will be the Sheriff’s “Ident-a-Kid” program, crafts, and much, much more! Of course, don’t forget to say hello to Andalo, the museum’s mascot, during this fun filled day! For more information, please call: 757-393-5258.
Come on over to the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum and step back in time! Did you know that many games you play today, like Blindman’s Buff and Hopscotch, were played over one hundred years ago? Play these historic games and many more! Create historic crafts in the Museum’s Discovery Cove!

Motorcycle Rides
Poker Run
October 4, 2009, Sunday, 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Begins at Bayside Harley-Davidson, Portsmouth, VA I-264/Exit 5
Fee: To be Announced
Registration for participants required at Bayside Harley-Davidson from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Completion at Courthouse Galleries, Prizes announced at 3:30 p.m.
Courthouse Galleries, Corner of Court & High Street, Portsmouth, VA
For more information, call Bayside Harley-Davidson at 757-397-5550 or Courthouse Galleries at 757-393-8983

Rumble through the Tunnel
October 10, 2009, Saturday
Registration at Bayside Harley-Davidson
For more information, call Bayside Harley-Davidson at 757-397-5550

Sponsors:
Bayside Harley-Davidson, 2211 Frederick Blvd (I-264, Exit 5), Portsmouth, Virginia 23704, Phone: 757.337.8444, Fax: 757.337.8445

Velocity Motorcycles, 1202 N. Boulevard, Richmond, VA 23230, ph: 804-353-3456

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