ESSAY: Distorting History

ESSAY: Distorting History

By Tom Robotham Last month, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill banning public-college courses that “distort” historical events. When I read this news, I couldn’t help noting the irony. The American South, after all, has a very long track record of distorting...

read more
A-List Jazz Vocal Summit at The Z

A-List Jazz Vocal Summit at The Z

(Jane Monheit will teach and perform over 3-day event focused on jazz vocalists) By Jerome Langston  It is quite early in my highly enjoyable, recent phone chat with Jane Monheit, when the acclaimed jazz singer pays me a particularly flattering compliment. “You have a...

read more
The Story of The Dome Is a Must-See

The Story of The Dome Is a Must-See

By Jeff Maisey With “That Was Our Room: The Life & Times of the Dome,” Norfolk-based documentarian Paul Unger hones-in his skills as a storyteller. Unger, whose credits include “Hardcore Norfolk: The Movie,” is keen to set the stage with archival television...

read more
Ghent Pride & More

Ghent Pride & More

On Tuesday, June 20, Ghent Pride will return in style thanks to the perseverance of event organizer Robert Roman. Together with his husband, Claus Ihlemann, Roman has been one of the most active people in Hampton Roads lobbying politicians, businesses, and ordinary...

read more
Desplaines Departs Norfolk Botanical Garden

Desplaines Departs Norfolk Botanical Garden

By Kelly Welsh Norfolk Botanical Garden (NBG) announces President & CEO Michael P. Desplaines will step down in late June to accept the CEO position at The Los Angeles County Arboretum in Arcadia, California this July. Mr. Desplaines has been with the Garden since...

read more
Blues Dancing in Norfolk

Blues Dancing in Norfolk

(Mentor artist Joshua Purnell, center, and Noah Stovall, left, dance with partners. Tidewater Blues meets every Monday at the Fred Huette Center in Norfolk for blues dance instruction and a social dance.) Words & Photo By Pat Jarrett  Nationally, the Tidewater...

read more
ESSAY: Distorting History

In Search of Excellence

By Tom Robotham One of my favorite moments in the history of television is the opening scene of Newsroom, a short-lived HBO series about a jaded TV anchor, Will McAvoy, played by Jeff Daniels. In the scene, McAvoy is asked at a college forum why America is the...

read more
THEATER: Escape to Margaritaville

THEATER: Escape to Margaritaville

(The cast from Little Theatre of Virginia Beach’s “Margaritaville.” Photo by Joshua Stubbs. By Jim Roberts Jimmy Buffett’s not touring this summer, but Hampton Roads’ “Parrotheads” can experience the next best thing when the Little Theater of Virginia Beach presents...

ART: A Curatorial Gem

ART: A Curatorial Gem

(Matt Lively, “Orbit”) By Betsy DiJulio I go to art museums to be inspired, transported, challenged, and even provoked, but not perplexed.   Feeling baffled in an art exhibition is deeply unsatisfying and, frankly, irks me because it generally means someone hasn’t...

The Icon & Iconic Album Cover

The Icon & Iconic Album Cover

By Jeff Maisey One of the most recognizable, iconic record album covers in pop culture almost never saw the light of day.  “If it was up to me I would have rejected the cover,” said legendary trumpet player Herb Alpert, who released “Whipped Cream & Other...

Focus on Modern Jazz Composers

Focus on Modern Jazz Composers

Trumpeter Taylor Barnett will perform with local jazz musicians for “The Modernists” By Jerome Langston   “I broke my finger 3 weeks ago while on vacation,” bassist Jimmy Masters says to me earlier this week, before we even start chatting about the latest show in...

Beaching It with Alana Springsteen

Beaching It with Alana Springsteen

By Jeff Maisey Coastal Country is a thing, just ask rising music star Alana Springsteen, who was born and raised in Virginia Beach. “I’m a Beach girl through and through,” said Springsteen. “It made me who I am. It comes out in so many ways in the music that I write....

Top 40 Concerts of Summer

Top 40 Concerts of Summer

(Neo-soul crooner Anthony Hamilton headlines the opening night of Hampton Jazz Festival By Staff Nine-time Grammy nominated smooth jazz saxophonist Dave Koz recently told Veer Magazine the summer of 2023 will mark the true, post-pandemic return to form for the concert...

Reliving the Music of Luther Vandross

Reliving the Music of Luther Vandross

By Jerome Langston   “If you’ve never been to a Luther Vandross show, the real thing—we’re gonna be as close as you’re gonna get,” says singer William “Smooth” Wardlaw, during our recent phone chat about his upcoming tribute show honoring soul music icon, Luther...

Run For The Roads

Run For The Roads

(Blackened yellowfin tuna over cauliflower rice risotto, spinach, citrus gremolata and orange hoisin served up at The Roads Bistro. Courtesy photo.)  By Marisa Marsey Michael Baldwin, who recently opened The Roads Bistro, radiates joy. Even over the phone, you sense...

Studly Brewing Opens with Home Run

Studly Brewing Opens with Home Run

Blake Edmunds has Studly Brewing Company on an early season winning streak   By Jeff Maisey Drinker up.  If you’re a baseball fan, chances are as good as the Astros winning another World Series you’re gonna love Chesapeake’s newest craft beer maker, Studly...

VEGAN DINING: In Session

VEGAN DINING: In Session

  By Betsy DiJulio For vegans and those following a plant-based diet, breakfast out often means a couple of choices: avocado toast or an almond milk smoothie, as most mainstream establishments worth their salt at least offer a nut milk alternative.  Venturing...

Alewerks Wins 2022 Golden Tap Award

Alewerks Wins 2022 Golden Tap Award

  By Jeff Maisey Alewerks Brewing Company was crowned the best brewery in the 757 this year when Veer Magazine presented its 2022 Golden Tap Awards at Elation Brewing in Norfolk. Alewerks, which was founded in 2006 by Chuck Haines, has a vast portfolio of...

757 Battle of the Beers Celebrates 10 Years in September

757 Battle of the Beers Celebrates 10 Years in September

By Jeff Maisey Over the last decade, craft beer festivals have come and gone in the Hampton Roads.   Today the 757 Battle of the Beers, celebrating its 10th anniversary on September 24, is the longest running beer event in the region.  The 757 Battle concept was...

ADVERTISEMENTS