(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 perform with is electrifying light show.
The Annex is a business partnership between Virginia Beach-headquartered Young Veterans Brewing Company and LAVA Presents, a one-man independent concert and event promoter in Josh Coplon.
“This has been my dream for more than half of my life and I am so excited to be opening up the Annex and help to fill the mid-size venue void that Norfolk has had for many years,” said Coplon. “We’re excited to offer a space that will attract a diverse range of touring artists and help to elevate our local music scene.”
In addition to Papadosio, the initial calendar of events includes Bit Brigade (September 6),
The Fall of Troy (Sept. 9), and Berries (Sept. 14), as well as The Steel Wheels and Kishi Bashi on the near horizon.
The Annex is housed within the former Five Points Farmers Market spot in Norfolk on Church Street. The venue will sport a 460-person capacity, large enough to attracting a large interest among touring national acts and yet comfortably able to spotlight local and regional bands.
The Annex is divided as a bar/restaurant on one side and concert space on the other. This is a design element utilized by Young Veterans’ satellite location on the Oceanfront reort strip — The Bunker Brewpub.
“For the past decade, Young Veterans has been integral to our local community, openly embracing our passion for music,” said Tom Wilder, the brewery’s founding president. “Collaborating with LAVA Presents to enhance our vibrant local music scene, aligned with our beer brands, fills us with excitement and fulfillment. We are dedicated to nurturing our community’s appreciation for all things local. The Annex represents another venue where we uphold this commitment.”
Wilder, who is also a musician, singing and playing guitar in alternative rock band Wild Owle, confirmed the establishment will operate regular days and hours as a restaurant with seats and tables serving customers.
The Annex will feature a full-service bar, showcasing beers from Young Veterans Brewing Company along with a curated selection from other local and regional breweries. The venue will also offer craft cocktails and a from-scratch kitchen, including the renowned Hot Chicken Sandwich from The Bunker.
“Depending on the size of the show, the entire establishment may require a ticket; but there will also be nights where a show will be in the venue that is ticketed and the restaurant/bar will be open to the public,” Wilder said.
The Annex plans to program a wide assortment of concerts and other entertainment to meet the desires of a diverse community with varied tastes.
LAVA Presents got its start in 2015. Coplon promoted a series of multi-band shows and thematic mini-fests as well as a popular tribute band showcase for Halloween. These events will continue as a compliment to Coplon’s bookings at The Annex.
“LAVA Presents will continue to produce/book music events at other locations in Norfolk, including outdoor events at Toast,” Wilder explained. “The Annex will serve as a home-base for LAVA Presents shows but not all shows at The Annex will be LAVA Presents shows. The Annex will book all genres of music.”
