37 Things To Do This Halloween
Compiled by Staff Fright Nights at the Naro Expanded Cinema The Naro is presented a series of horror flicks for the month of October, including “The Shining” (Oct. 18), “Killer Klowns From Outer Space (Oct. 19), “Elvira” (Oct. 25), “Halloween III” (Oct. 26)....
VOTE: 2024 Golden Tap Awards
CLICK to vote. One vote per IP address will be allowed. We will present gold, silver and bronze medals in each category during our annual Golden Tap Awards ceremony. This year the date is Tuesday, December 3. Big Ugly Brewing is playing host for the program, which...
Deborah Thorpe reflects on 37 years at the Governor’s School for the Arts
(Deborah Thorpe used this selfie for her social media post announcing her retirement.) By Jim Roberts Shelly Cihak, executive director of the Governor’s School for the Arts, addressed hundreds of students and supporters at the Wells Theatre on the first day of the...
Bodies in Motion
By Tom Robotham Over the years, I’ve written a lot about my love of music and the cultivation of that love, from the first piano lessons that my mother gave me at the age of 5 to my foray into the New York City jazz scene after college. Something few people know about...
How Virginia is Addressing the Dark Side of Gambling
Legislators make bipartisan push for more state funding to counter the effects of problem gambling until the Virginia Gaming Commission is up and running By Markus Schmidt The expansion of casinos and the rise of online gambling platforms in Virginia have sparked...
The Scene: Opening Night of Jackie Merritt Exhibition
Do You See Me Now: A Solo Exhibition by Jackie Merritt Through September 13 Norfolk Arts’ Offsite Gallery @ MacArthur Center norfolkarts.net
ESSAY: Born Identities
By Tom Robotham When I was growing up in Staten Island in the 1960s, kids used to ask each other, “What are you?” No further explanation was needed. Everyone knew it meant, what’s your nationality? In my neighborhood, most answered, “Italian” or “Irish”—never mind...
Look Out Norfolk: NBA Ref Tony Brothers Wants to be Your Mayor in 2028
(Tony Brothers is a city of Norfolk all-around MVP. Photo by Joel Rubin.) By Joel Rubin “I have spent over thirty years in conflict resolution,” says Tony Brothers, arguably the most respected professional referee in the country. “When you are trying to keep peace on...
The Annex Set to Open
(The Annex is housed within the former Five Points Farmers Market spot in Norfolk) By Jeff Maisey The Annex, a highly anticipated state-of-the-art music venue, craft beer bar and kitchen, plans to debut August 29 when psychedelic jam band Papadosio is scheduled to...
New Location for Old Beach Farmers Market
(Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer helps cut the ribbon.) By Jeff Maisey Old Beach Farmers Market has a new location, but it didn’t have to move far. Held on each Saturday from 9 AM to noon for 17 years in the parking lot of Croc’s 19th Street Bistro and then extending...
Women Drive Stake Through Heart of Patriarchal Dracula
(Cast of Dracula during rehearsals. Photo by Sam Flint.) By Jerome Langston Walking into the large, nondescript MacArthur Center space, which formerly housed some glitzy retailer during the Norfolk mall’s glory years — but now serves as adequate rehearsal space for...
Heroes and Prodigies and the Marquis de Lafayette
(Brendon Elliott, violin) By Montague Gammon III Heroes and prodigies fill the Francophile Virginia Symphony October 18-20 concerts. The hero in whose honor the concert was programmed with French composers is Lafayette, the young Marquis who took part in the American...
A Feast of French Culture
Marie Bracquemond (French, 1840—1916) Under the Lamp, 1877 Oil on canvas Mr. and Mrs. R. Stephens Philips, Piedmont, CA By Jeff Maisey If you enjoy the hit series Emily in Paris, fell in love with Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris, have a passion for dining in a snug...
MAMA-Girl’s Spirit Lives On
(MAMA-Girl, Woman Giraffe. Photo by Mark Atkinson) By Betsy DiJulio “Cullen, I think we ought to do a MAMA-Girl show,” said the voice at the other end of the line. It was 2023 and Cullen Strawn, Ph.D., ODU’s executive director for the arts, had picked up the phone to...
Don Giovanni: Energy and Experience, Spirit and Spectacle Open Virginia Opera’s 50th Season
By Montague Gammon III One of the greatest operas of all time, by one of the greatest composers of all time, with a libretto by a similarly regarded writer, opens Virginia Opera’s 50h Anniversary Season with two Harrison Opera House performances October...
Talkin’ Songwriting with Warren Haynes
(Warren Haynes’ new album is titled “Million Voices Whisper.” Photo by Shervin Lainez) By Jim Morrison "You know," Warren Haynes says from his home in upstate New York, "Gregg Allman used to say there's as many ways to write a song as there are songs." Haynes turned a...
A Real Jazz Festival in Phoebus
(Saxophonist Steve Wilson) By Jerome Langston Chatting with Jae Sinnett earlier this week, following a dental procedure that he’d just endured — was unfortunate timing for the acclaimed jazz drummer, composer and bandleader, but he was nevertheless a pleasure to talk...
Feldman Season Opens with a Three Way Threesome
By Montague Gammon III The fast rising, internationally acclaimed Trio Zimbalist comes to Norfolk for the Feldman Chamber Music Society’s 2024-25 Season opening concert at the Chrysler Museum’s intimate Kaufman Theater September 23. This threesome of piano, violin and...
Broad Viewpoints Power Made in VA
(Hank the Aquarian, “Wash Me & Comb Me,” 2023. Acrylic paint & latex house paint on canvas. Courtesy of the artist. ) By Betsy DiJulio It could be argued that a juried show, even one mounted by a professional organization, is a capricious act of subjectivity. ...
Jacobsen Bros Tackle Beethoven
(Eric and Colin Jacobsen) By Montague Gammon III One week after the Virginia Symphony Orchestra’s mid-month Opening Weekend, their annual one composer Beethoven Celebration comes to Chrysler Hall for two Norfolk performances, one on Friday evening, Sept. 20, plus a...
Opa! ilo
(Chef Zack Close adds pepper sauce over the Hanger Steak) By Jeff Maisey The “food is phenomenal.” That was a common comment quickly spreading on Instagram following the friends-and-family soft opening of ilo, a neighborhood bistro located in the Historic Freemason...
The Executive Chef at Chesapeake’s Top Steak House is Just 26
By Joel Rubin If you request a 10 oz sirloin ($37), an 8-oz tenderloin ($49) or a 12 oz ribeye ($50) at The Butcher’s Son in Chesapeake, it better be hot, melt in your mouth and medium rare (if that’s your pleasure) when it arrives. “I know that very well,” says Jalen...
Aslin VB: Not Just Beer, It’s a Destination!
(Aslin’s tasting room in Virginia Beach. Photo by Diane Catanzaro) By Diane Catanzaro and Chris Jones How fortunate we are in Hampton Roads that the popular Aslin Beer Company has opened a taproom and brewery in Virginia Beach? Excellent beer, a diverse food menu,...
Green Onion Blooms Bright Again
(A healthy lunch: Poached Pear Pecan Salad with grilled chicken added.) By Jeff Maisey The Green Onion is back and better than ever. Like many independent, locally-owned restaurants, The Green Onion was challenged in a variety of ways during COVID and in the aftermath...
The Table Side Caesar Salad at Isle of Capri is as Popular as Ever
(Isle of Capri servers and Caesar Salad makers Justin Zobel, Nancy Binetti and Az Tomouro with restaurant GM Dave Cox) by Joel Rubin If you are a “server” at Isle of Capri Restaurant on the 6th floor of the Holiday Inn Express (39th and the oceanfront), you do much...
The (Ice Cream) Flavors of Summer
(Randy Windley says vanilla is most popular at Doumar’s.) By Marisa Marsey Call it a double-dip. In 1984, Ronald Reagan proclaimed July to be National Ice Cream Month and designated the third Sunday of the month (July 21 this year) as National Ice Cream Day. Good...
Roast Rider Still Riding High
(Coffee mates: Wayne and Lisa Richmon partner only with roasters who lead the industry in social and environmental responsibility including Equator. Photo by Tyler Kahlil.) By Marisa Marsey Cha-ca-cha-ca-cha-ca. Is there any sound more titillating than your favorite...
Ghent Burger Week
(Pixels Technotronic Burger) By Jeremy Bender Mirror, mirror on the wall, who has the best burger of all? From May 27 through June 2, 13 restaurants will compete in the inaugural Ghent Burger Week. Loyal patrons and hamburger fanatics alike are encouraged to visit...
Pronounced New Eateries
By Marisa Marsey Restaurant names, like baby names, come in waves. Remember the address age (Bistro 210; useful, pre-GPS, for recalling locations)? And the monosyllabic era (here’s looking at you, Stove)? Now restaurateurs are spurning marketing gurus who advise...
Chef Close to Open ILO Bistro
(Chef Zack Close. Photo courtesy of Glass Light Hotel.) By Jeff Maisey Zack Close, who spent a decade in New York City and worked with Daniel Boulud at his Michelin- starred restaurant, Café Boulud, before returning to his hometown of Norfolk to become the Executive...
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