Hampton Roads has a rich arts and music scene with festivals, and local and national acts performing across all genres. Audiences have access to a wide array of options and venues — including the newly restored Dome in Virginia Beach.

More than 30 years after it first closed, The Dome is returning to the Oceanfront in early May as a 5,000 capacity music hall.

“The Dome will quickly become a go-to destination for music, comedy and special events, all while paying homage to the legacy of the original Dome — a celebrated home for jazz, soul and rock ’n’ roll,” Mayor Bobby Dyer said.

Construction of the $350 million Atlantic Park project has been progressing at a steady pace with the entertainment venue, surf lagoon, parking garages and adjacent buildings taking shape.

Virginia Beach owns the entertainment venue, which will be operated in partnership with Live Nation. The indoor music hall will have capacity for 3,500 people, similar to Chrysler Hall in Norfolk, and the outside viewing area overlooking Atlantic Park includes space for 1,500 more guests. Fans will be able to experience The Dome from a variety of lounges including a second-story VIP area with an outdoor terrace and balcony, according to the city.

The original Dome was near the same location and was known for its unique geodesic structure. The venue hosted jazz legend Louis Armstrong in its inaugural year, 1958. On July 4, 1966, The Rolling Stones performed a 15-minute concert in front of more than 3,000 screaming teenagers, The Virginian-Pilot reported. The Dome was torn down in 1994.

The Dome joins an impressive list of other area venues on both sides of the water, such as the Virginia Beach Amphitheater, the Sandler Center in Town Center, the Atlantic Union Bank Pavillion in Portsmouth, Chrysler Hall, Norfolk Scope, Harrison Opera House, Chartway Arena at ODU, Christopher Newport University’s Ferguson Center for the Performing Arts and Hampton Coliseum, among others.

The Virginia Arts Festival , which has been providing Hampton Roads with interesting programming since 1997, kicks off its season in April and brings everything from modern dance and ballet to classical music and bluegrass. This year’s Williamsburg Live, on the Lawn of the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg, features The Beach Boys.

Other acts scheduled to appear at venues across the region this year include Luke Bryan, Ziggy Marley, Lil Wayne, Travis Tritt, The Temptations and The Four Tops, Wynton Marsalis, Laufey, Pat Benatar, The Doobie Brothers, Ryan Adams, Yo-Yo Ma, and the Outlaw Music Festival with Willie Nelson and friends.

And those are just some of the big names. There are many other up-and-coming performers who are playing smaller venues throughout our region.

The arts also make a huge economic impact on South Hampton Roads — to the tune of $270 million in 2022, according to a national study.

The nonprofit arts and culture sector in South Hampton Roads generated $140 million from organizations and another $130 million from event-related audience expenditures, according to the “Arts & Economic Prosperity 6,” the sixth in a series of national studies conducted by Americans for the Arts based in Washington, D.C.

The sector supported nearly 5,000 jobs and produced $52 million in local, state and federal government revenue in that time period, according to the economic and social impact study.

For example, The Dome will create 200 jobs with base pay starting at $20 an hour. Hiring fairs will be held in early spring, according to the city.

Access to this much culture is a gift. For the arts to continue to thrive, residents need to show up. Buy tickets. Buy merchandise. Check out the big names but also support the lesser known artists. Bring young people so the next generation of arts lovers can grow.

So, Hampton Roads, let’s get out there and support this vibrant arts scene.