Family Stays are Focus of Ronald McDonald House
(Elyse N. Brown, Executive Director, RMHC of Norfolk) By Jeff Maisey If you’ve driven by the Ronald McDonald House on Norfolk’s Colley Avenue across the street from Sentara medical complex and caught a passing glimpse of a lifelike statue of the famous fast food...
Virginia Beach Art Center Marks 10 Years
By Jeff Maisey On July 26, Virginia Beach Art Center will mark 10 years as “a vibrant creative hub in the heart of the ViBe Creative District, offering an educational and supportive environment that inspires people of all ages and skill levels to experience, engage...
ESSAY: America at 250
By Tom Robotham I’ve never cared much for the Fourth of July. As a child, I associated it with the incessant noise of illegal fireworks and kids I knew who’d been maimed by them: a boy who was missing three fingers because an M-80 had blown up in his hand and a girl...
Juneteenth in Hampton Roads
(George “G-Man” Waters has Jazzteenth at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront ready to make its debut) Juneteenth in Hampton Roads By Jerome Langston Celebrating its sixth year as a federal holiday, Juneteenth — officially known as Juneteenth National Independence Day,...
ESSAY: Toxic Tech
By Tom Robotham Recently I began reading The Anxious Generation, by social psychologist Jonathan Haidt—a book that explores the dramatic rise in mental illness among teens, beginning around 2010. He makes a compelling case that the chief cause is the proliferation of...
New “Angel” Sought for Riverview Theater
(NOT OPENING IN 2026: The Riverview Theater. Photo by Jim Morrison) By Jim Morrison The Riverview Theater was sold at a foreclosure auction Thursday back to the man who held onto it for decades, hoping a buyer would make it the theater jewel of the neighborhood....
30 Years of Great Concerts in Virginia Beach
During the 2009 No Doubt reunion tour stop in Virginia Beach, Gwen Stefanie thrilled the audience on “Don’t Speak” and “Just a Girl.” Photo by Jeff Maisey. By Jeff Maisey Bruce Hornsby was the first act to take the stage at the Virginia Beach Amphitheater. That was...
Hailstork Honored with Ovation Award
By Jeff Maisey Composer Dr. Adolphus Hailstork was recently recognized by the Virginia Arts Festival with its prestigious Ovation Award during a private ceremony on the 6th floor of downtown Norfolk’s Slover Library. The Ovation Award is an annual honor presented...
ESSAY: Colleges in Crisis
By Tom Robotham Now that another academic year has come and gone, I find myself reflecting on the future of American higher education. The challenges facing colleges and universities, after all, are formidable, and there’s every indication that they will grow more...
Virginia Beach Artists Receive Grants From City
Virginia Beach Art Center resident artist Michele Barnes By Jeff Maisey The city of Virginia Beach has once again stepped up its commitment to artists. Earlier this year it announced 28 local artists would receive financial grants in support of their work. Seventeen...
Vivid Colors Shine in Imperial Chinese Glass
By Betsy DiJulio I say, “Chinese decorative arts;” you say, “porcelain.” And you’re not wrong. Blue and white porcelain and celadon, especially, are practically household names in the U.S. and are among the most successful global exports in history. Chinese...
Constellations Brings Universe of Wearable Art to the Chrysler
By Jeff Maisey For as far back in history as is known humans have been fascinated with jewelry. From precious gems such as skillfully cut diamonds, rubies, and emeralds to strung pearl necklaces, shark teeth and sea shells to flowery Hawaiian leis, human and animal...
Sister Act is Divine Musical Comedy
Michelle Ellis (pictured center during rehearsals) plays the role of Delores in Little Theatre of Virginia Beach’s production of “Sister Act.” Photo by Alan Matthews. By Jerome Langston Heading into its 79th season as Virginia Beach’s oldest continually operating...
Ganjacat to Play Point Break Festival
(Jesse Chong and Skanks front Ganjacat at the Point Break Festival on the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. Photo courtesy of Jesse Chong.) By Jeff Maisey Virginia Beach-based pop/reggae group Ganjacat has once again been tapped to perform at the highly successful Point...
Williamsburg Live with Grace Potter
(Grace Potter will perform on the Lawn of the Museums of Colonial Williamsburg. Photo by James Mountford) By Jim Morrison Grace Potter is on the phone from her Topanga Canyon residence, but the restless rocker is about to head out on another cross-country road trip --...
VB Street Art Festival
(Artist Kat Tines sits proud with her street art contribution. Photo by Lori Golding Zontini for ViBe Creative District. ) VB Street Art Festival By Betsy DiJulio Like a person’s identity, a city’s distinct character looks, feels, sounds, and smells like no other. ...
Seamless: Art and Design
Steve “ESPO” Powers, Struggle is My Business. Enamel on aluminum. Courtesy of the artist. By Betsy DiJulio Seamless was conceived as a companion exhibition to Nina Chanel Abney: The American Dream, and it does so both visually and conceptually. The pieces in both...
POTSDAM: When Classical Music Set the Course of World History
VSO Music Director and “Potsdam” director Eric Jacobsen. Photo courtesy of Virginia Symphony Orchestra. By Montague Gammon III Two classical musicians, Army enlisted men, helped the competent amateur pianist who was their Commander-in-Chief set the course of post...
Rolling Stones Fan? Drag Yourself to Catch Wilder Horses
By Jeff Maisey Unsuspecting audience members often do a double-take when Virginia Beach-based Wilder Horses take the stage. “Is that who I think it is?,” you’ll likely overhear. Or, “It couldn’t be.” No, it’s not, but, yes, singer Bobby Alderman is the spitting...
Vai and Satriani Tagteam Guitar Wizardry
By Jim Roberts When you’ve played as many gigs as Joe Satriani, some of the memories blur—venues, crowds, even cities. But every now and then, something sticks. Asked for recollections of his time in Hampton Roads, he doesn’t mention a show. He remembers the ride...
Just Tacos
By Jim Roberts Don't come to Sanctuary Taco Bar expecting burritos or enchiladas—or even chips and salsa. Just tacos. Well … tacos and homemade fudge. It sounds like an odd combination until you meet owner Trey Hannah. For 27 years, Hannah ran his family's Hallmark...
Sensational Sasha
(Sasha Rigney’s creative craft cocktails are exploding in popularity. Photo courtesy of Sasha Rigney.) By Jeff Maisey It’s opening time on a Wednesday at ilo Bistro in Norfolk. Like any other dinnertime throughout the week, a small gathering hovers around the...
Eat to the Beat at Rose’s
(STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN: Food preparation is a culinary art. Photo courtesy of Rose’s. ) By Marisa Marsey I wasn’t sure what to expect at Rose’s, an Atlantic Park-adjacent establishment that opened in May. Its subtitle reads Hi-Fi Sound + Restaurant + Bar, referencing the...
Unleash the Hops! Wasserhund Brewing Comes to Norfolk
(Beer and pizza is the perfect combination at Wasserhund. Photo by Diane Catanzaro.) By Diane Catanzaro and Chris Jones Yes, Norfolk’s Historic Railroad District has officially gone to the dogs! Earlier this year Wasserhund Brewing Company opened its third location,...
Revolutionary Brews
By Jeff Maisey Many independent craft beer makers across Virginia have recently answered the call to brew a commemorative release to promote the Commonwealth’s connection to America’s 250 anniversary and the vital role alehouses played in fermenting discussions and...
Local Indies Rock Atlantic Park Restaurant Scene
Only at Renee's new Atlantic Park home features an open kitchen adorned with capiz shell windows. By Marisa Marsey You probably know that megastar Pharrell Williams backed Atlantic Park, the new mixed-use development encompassing more than 10 acres at the Virginia...
St. George Succession
(Tina and Scott Luers have big plans for The St. George Brewing Company in Hampton.) By Jeff Maisey Mid-April marked the 28th anniversary of The St. George Brewing Company, the Coastal Virginia region’s longest operating independent craft beer maker. Founding owner...
At Redmill, Roast Rider Catches Another Wave
At their second Roast Rider, Wayne Richmon points out Seth Lubaton's mural merging a coffee motif with a VABeachVA vibe and Lisa immerses herself in "The Monk of Mokha" which mentions George Howell, one of their roasters. Photo credit: Annabelle Xanthos By Marisa...
Beer Has A Seat At The Table
(Panelists at the Seat At The Table event at Sojourn Fermentory in Suffolk. Photo by Diane Catanzaro.) By Diane Catanzaro and Chris Jones One of the many things we love about the craft beer community is the camaraderie among those who work in the industry, bringing...
“Come On In My Kitchen” with The Virginia Beer Company
(Robby Willey and Chris Smith. Photo by Diane Catanzaro.) By Diane Catanzaro and Christopher Jones Robert Johnson’s blues masterpiece “Come On In My Kitchen” is a metaphor for sanctuary. The wind is howling and it’s raining outdoors. The kitchen in the song represents...
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