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Free Events

The Sandler Center hosts a variety of free events throughout the year. Join us all year round to enjoy free live local music and interactive art programs. 

Out of the Box - Emerging Artist Series


In the interest of public safety, the Out of the Box Emerging Artist Series at the Sandler Center has been postponed. The new start date for the series will be Thursday, February 17 and will feature The Oliver Gable Project as originally scheduled. Best efforts will be made to reschedule the four performances affected by the change (Anthony Rosano and The Conqueroos, Kendall Street Company, Lucky 757, and ETC3) and we will announce these shows in the near future.

Make your New Year's Resolution to support local artists! Out of the Box is an expression to describe creative and nonconformal thinking. This is exactly what you will discover with the 8 unique local talents that are performing with the Out of the Box series at the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts. Out of the Box, Emerging Artists Series is back for its ninth year. Support locally curated artists on Thursdays in the Miller Studio Theatre. In collaboration with WHRO's Paul Shugrue, this great after-work event is free and open to the public.

Enjoy a night out while listening to eclectic bands from right here in the 757 while enjoying food and drinks from Three Notch'd Brewing & Craft Kitchen. The event starts at 7 PM with doors opening at 6 PM. Admission is free - standing room only!

Learn more about this year's bands on the Out of the Box event page.

Ynot Wednesdays? - Free Summer Concert Series

This annual free outdoor concert series takes place from 5:00 – 9:00 pm on the Sandler Center Outdoor Plaza every Wednesday from July - September. 

Over the series, visitors will enjoy music ranging from country to rock to blues to Motown. Along with free music, visitors can purchase food and drinks while shopping and learning about our different vendors, some of which include Ynot Italian, Southern Automotive, Sinclair Radio Station, White Claw, Cantina Laredo, Apex Entertainment and ROX Rapid Overland Xpress, and many more.

Ynot Wednesdays? FAQs

What food and drinks are available?

Title sponsor Ynot Italian will be serving up delicious pizza, sandwiches, and gelato all season long. Water, soda, wine, beer, and various mixed drinks will be available to purchase and enjoy as well. Make sure to get a wristband from security (wearing white) before you purchase your drink voucher(s). Patrons must purchase a Ynot Wednesdays Drink Cup if they are ordering mixed drinks. Cups can be purchased with your drink voucher(s). Bring back the cup each week to reuse.

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Where should I park?

Town Center has over 3,000 free parking spots in Town Center. For a map of the parking garages, visit the Directions & Parking page. Please note: Bank Street will be closed.

What do I need to do to buy an alcoholic drink?

To buy an alcoholic drink at Ynot Wednesdays, you must first get a wristband from a security staff member (wearing white) by showing them a valid ID. Then you can purchase a drink voucher at the entrance of Ynot Wednesdays (near McCormick & Schmick's) or at the Sandler Center Box Office. If you plan on having a liquor drink, you must also purchase a Ynot Wednesdays Drink Cup while purchasing your drink vouchers. You can then proceed to 1 of the 3 locations where we sell alcohol.

Where do I buy alcoholic drinks?

Alcoholic drinks can be purchased from 1 of 3 locations. Locations include: inside the Sandler Center Lobby, on Bank Street, and located to the left of the stage near Commerce Street. Please note: the location near Commerce Street only sells canned beer.

Where do I buy non-alcoholic drinks?

Non-alcoholic drinks including water and soda may be purchased at the Ynot Italian tents.

Where are the bathrooms located?

The bathrooms are located inside the Sandler Center lobby.

Can I bring a chair?

Yes, you can bring a chair. Chairs may be set up on the grass ONLY and are on a first-come, first-served basis.

How do I know if the event has been cancelled?

In case of bad weather, check the website or our social media for information about cancellations.

Are kids welcome?

Yes! Our event is kid-friendly. Be sure to check out the Kids Craft Corner in the Miller Studio inside the Sandler Center.

Do I need a ticket to attend?

No, this is a free event!

Can I bring the Ynot Wednesdays Drink Cup back ?

Yes! Cups are good all season long – and even at future seasons of Ynot Wednesdays! - so we recommend you keep your cup and bring it back each week so you don’t need to purchase another one. Plus, it reduces waste!

Is the Sandler Center Lobby open?

Come inside the Sandler Center lobby to cool off, take a free educational tour of the building, visit one of our bars, or see the public art displayed on the 2nd and 3rd-floor lobbies! Be sure to visit the Kids’ Craft Corner in the Miller Studio where children can enjoy make-and-take activities. Guests can also shop from local artists at the Artisan Market located in the Sandler Center's main lobby during the weeks of June 12, July 3, and August 14.

Anything new this season?

New this season, each week will highlight a different organization, charity, or group. Come out and support these organizations by stopping by their table to learn what they do and how you can support them all year long. During select weeks, we will be collecting donations to support the organization as well. For more information on the donations we will be collecting, check out our donation list. Also, new this season, be sure to grab a Ynot Wednesdays Stamp Card in partnership with Hoffman Beverage. Collect each set of stamps and turn your completed card into the Sandler Center Marketing Table for a surprise gift from your favorite breweries for one lucky winner! The first stamp card will feature select beers from week 1-6. The second stamp card will feature select beers from week 7-13.

Optima Health presents Dancing with the Seniors

The 2020 and 2021 Dancing with the Seniors series have been cancelled out of caution for our guests, instructors, and employees. Stay tuned for more information on the next series.

The Optima Health presents Dancing with the Seniors program is a bi-monthly dance series that will span from February to May. This year's program will feature one class from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM. The program kicks off with an Open House on January 27, 2020, at Noon. During the Open House, participants are able to interact with sponsors and dancing instructors and register for the program. Interested in being a vendor or sponsor of Dancing with the Seniors? Learn more about vendor opportunities during Open House, Senior Prom, and series sponsorship by downloading our DWTS Vendor Application. We are looking for a wide range of vendors that can provide services to the 55+ community. Email tmckeating@sandlercenter.org for more questions or call (757) 385-2528.

Optima Health presents Dancing with the Seniors is a free dance class for seniors 55+. The program is led by Marquita Bianca, one of Hampton Roads' most renowned dance instructors and owner of Baila Fuzion Dance and Creative Arts Center in Virginia Beach. Participants in the program will learn ballroom, Latin, cultural, line dances, and more throughout the eight instructional sessions.

Registration: Attend the Open House on January 27, 2020, at Noon.

Class Schedule: February 10 and 24, March 9 and 23, April 6 and 20, and May 4 and 18 with Senior Prom on May 21.

This series is supported by Optima Health, Baila Fuzion, and Quality Advantage.

More About BailaFuzion 

Vendor Application

Senior Summer Camp

The 2020 and 2021 Senior Summer Camp series have been cancelled out of caution for our guests, instructors, and employees. Stay tuned for more information on the next series.

The Senior Summer Camp program is a weekly dance series that will span from June to August and is broken up into two six-week sessions. The program kicks off with an Open House. During the Open House, participants can interact with sponsors and dancing instructors while registering for the program.

Senior Summer Camp is a free dance class for seniors 55+. The program is led by Marquita Bianca, one of Hampton Roads' most renowned dance instructors and owner of BailaFuzion Dance Company in Virginia Beach. Participants in the program will learn ballroom, latin, cultural, line dances, and more throughout the two six-week sessions. 

*Yoga mat required by all Yoga and Baila Barre classes

Open house and program dates to be announced.

More About BailaFuzion