BY JEFF MAISEY
Back in early July I sought out opinions/suggestions for the next Veer Music Awards. Overwhelmingly — 81% to 19% — people wanted to continue to experience the awards presentation in a theater setting with seating available but also the ability to roam around and talk with friends, plus video production, and all the other things. Thanks to everyone for your additional suggestions.
We’ll present the Veer Music Awards on Tuesday, February 12, 2019 at The Granby Theater in downtown Norfolk. Please mark your calendars — save the date.
The musical theme of the evening will be “Songs of Protest.” I’ll be pairing bands with members from other local bands to perform as mash-ups. We’ve done this often in the past and it speaks to the art of collaboration so popular these days.
To answer a few questions you’re likely to have.
How was The Granby Theater selected?
The Granby Theater has an in-house sound and lighting system as well as digital video projection and three video screens. Visually, it has an enchanting aura with twin illuminated Romanesque columns and red carpet entrance. We’ll have 120 seats positioned on the floor level in front of the stage, plus space for people to stand and mingle behind the seats and to either side. The middle level of Granby Theater also offers a sizable standing room area for people to mingle and three bars. Then, for those who have visited Granby Theater, there are the stadium level, cushy booths with seats and small tables. All of these make for a unique setting, which we hope you’ll appreciate.
Why Norfolk again?
We received the full gamut of venue suggestions ranging from Shaka’s Live in Virginia Beach, Waterside District in Norfolk, the new Zeider’s Theater at Virginia Beach Town Center, and both The Vanguard and Boathouse Live on the Peninsula. All of these are fantastic. We are lucky to have so many outstanding venues in our region. What many folks probably are unaware of are the production costs associated with presenting the Veer Music Awards as we do. We don’t hand out a paper certificate to winners down at the sports bar. All that you see — and don’t see like insurance etc — aren’t free. Each year the city of Norfolk’s Economic Development Department as well as other entities based in Norfolk have sponsored the event. Their continued support is vital, and other cities in the region have yet to match Norfolk’s enthusiasm as the arts and culture hub of the 757. I hope this can change in the future.
Admission to the event?
Most local bands that I hear from complain if there is an admission charge. Last year’s event at Waterside District was free admission, though you had to provide your email address to download the free ticket. This year admission will be FREE again, but without the email submission requirement. Just show-up. That said we will ask — not require — a donation be made to Hope House Foundation at the point of entry. Staff from Hope House will be onsite to accept donations and 100% of anything you wish to give — $1, $5, $10 or more — goes directly to the non-profit. If you don’t have two pennies to your name, come on in anyway and enjoy the celebration of your local music scene.
We’ll have more information and announcements as the time gets closer. Note to local bands, if you’ve released an album, song, music video this year and/or performed a headlining show at The NorVa or opened for a national act be sure to sent it to us as we’ll begin the nominating process in early November. Veer Music Awards nominees are based on merit — what the band accomplished in the current year.
