NEWS: Virginia Arts Festival 2025

NEWS: Virginia Arts Festival 2025

(Birmingham Royal Ballet’s “Black Sabbath”) By Jeff Maisey Familiar names — each with their own twist — in the performing arts world represent the highlights of the 2025 Virginia Arts Festival season. Perhaps top of the list will be the Birmingham Royal Ballet’s...

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NEWS: Virginia Beach Dome

NEWS: Virginia Beach Dome

As part of the Atlantic Park entertainment complex, the grand opening of The Dome — the live concert component of the city-owned project — has yet to be formally announced, but officials from partner Live Nation have stated Spring 2025 with more details to be shared...

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Big Ugly Wins Golden Tap Award

Big Ugly Wins Golden Tap Award

By Jeff Maisey Veer Magazine’s annual Golden Tap Awards ceremony was held December 3 at Big Ugly Brewing in Chesapeake, and the host brewery claimed the overall Golden Tap Award. City of Chesapeake Mayor Rick West was on-hand to welcome brewers from across the Hampton...

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2024 Holiday Happenings

2024 Holiday Happenings

HOLIDAY LIGHTS & PARADES 30th Annual Garden of Lights Norfolk Botanical Garden Through January 5 5-9:30 PM Nightly NBGlights.org  Get out and enjoy the spectacular 1.5 million lights at Norfolk Botanical Garden.   Barks & Bulbs Norfolk Botanical Garden...

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ESSAY: Mourning in America

ESSAY: Mourning in America

By Tom Robotham When Donald Trump ran for president in 2016, I disagreed with many friends who thought there was no way he could win. The book I mentioned in my last essay—Amusing Ourselves to Death—kept coming to mind, and Trump personified author Neil Postman’s dark...

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Degrading Our Public Discourse

By Tom Robotham Kamala Harris has been subjected to a lot attacks since she became the Democratic nominee for president: She’s a communist; she’s not really Black; she’s morally suspect because she never gave birth; she laughs too much.  They’re all so idiotic that...

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37 Things To Do This Halloween

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)....

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Upbeat Christmas with Dave Koz & Friends

Upbeat Christmas with Dave Koz & Friends

By Jeff Maisey Smooth jazz saxophonist Dave Koz has made a successful seasonal career hitting the road for the past 27 years in the month leading up to Christmas Eve with his critically acclaimed Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour. When the tour makes a stop at the...

Channeling Aretha

Channeling Aretha

By Jeff Maisey R&B/gospel singer CeCe Teneal released a new single, “Try,” during the spring, but a major focus of her performing career is a tribute to her greatest inspiration in music. The show — coming to The American Theatre in Hampton on Saturday, December 7...

Days Gone Bayou

Days Gone Bayou

(Fighting Gravity was a crowd pleaser at The Bayou. They'll perform December 7 at The NorVa.)  By Rick Mersel Unfortunately, what initially appeared like promising waves, with perfectly smooth double sets rolling off the sun-spangled ocean, had flattened almost...

Transformative Gospel Music 

Transformative Gospel Music 

By Jerome Langston Speaking with award-winning choir conductor and workshop leader, Karen Gibson, MBE, the founder of the Kingdom Choir, the highly successful London based gospel choir, via Zoom a few days ago, felt akin to chatting with a genuine friend. Karen exudes...

A Carol or Two from Virginia Stage Company 

A Carol or Two from Virginia Stage Company 

The Cast and Production Stage Management Team of Virginia Stage Company's A Sherlock Carol : (L-R)Patrick Halley, Scott Wichmann, Seth Patterson, Steve Pacek, Sarah Manton, Beatty Barnes, Tia Collier, Emma D. Emde, Rachel Fobbs, and Abbigail LaRocque. Photo by TOC...

Local Musicians Pay Homage to The Last Waltz

Local Musicians Pay Homage to The Last Waltz

By Jim Morrison In Patrick Higgins' memory, he saw the iconic film, "The Last Waltz," in downtown Washington, D.C.'s Warner Theatre on a big screen with an impressive sound system.  "We were teenagers," he says, "so likely we were somewhat stoned." At the time, he was...

Man At Work

Man At Work

By Jim Morrison Colin Hay is touring as Men at Work, but he hasn't brought back the band that made those early ‘80s, ear-worm hits like "Down Under," "Who Can It Be Now?" and "Overkill." "It's not really putting Men at Work back together," he said in a call from Los...

Wines For The Season

Wines For The Season

By Jeff Maisey   Caymus 50th Anniversary  Cabernet Sauvignon California After our Fall Arts Preview issue featuring Virginia Opera’s 50th Anniversary on the cover, I decided to uncork my bottle of Caymus 50th Anniversary for a private toast to life and the...

A Tale of Two Sweeties

A Tale of Two Sweeties

An international array of savory and sweet treats entice at Tous Les Jours. (Clockwise from left: coffee bun, kimchi croquette, Portuguese egg tart)   By Marisa Marsey Two buzzy bakery-cafés – one on the Peninsula, a Hampton Roads inroad for a red-hot...

Start Spreadin’ The News…And The Schmears

Start Spreadin’ The News…And The Schmears

(Baker's Crust Bagel offers a slice of New York with skyscraping sandwiches. Courtesy photo.)  By Marisa Marsey Nostalgic for New York City? Haven’t yet gotten to Gotham? You could watch “When Harry Met Sally” or read some Meg Wolitzer for a fix. Better still, schlep...

Opa! ilo

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...

Aslin VB: Not Just Beer, It’s a Destination!

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

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 (Ice Cream) Flavors of Summer

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

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...

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