New President and CEO for Virginia Symphony
Shannon Kelly succeeds Dr. Andrea Warren as President and CEO of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra (VSO). Kelly joined the VSO in 2023 as its Vice President of Development. Previously, she worked in leadership at Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts. “It is a...
Virginia Opera Inks Schaefer and Turner
After serving six months as Interim General Director, John-Paul Schaefer has been officially appointed General Director and CEO of Virginia Opera. “I am honored to be entrusted with this role at such an important moment for Virginia Opera,” said Schaefer. “Our...
Threatened by Rising Waters, Norfolk Museum Fights Back
The Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk, Virginia, sits at the culmination of The Hague, an inlet of the Elizabeth River. (Photo by Jim Morrison for the Virginia Mercury) By Jim Morrison When Erik Neil moved to Norfolk to become president of the Chrysler Museum of Art,...
ESSAY: Power
By Tom Robotham The one prudence in life is concentration; the one evil is dissipation:… You must elect your work; you shall take what your brain can, and drop all the rest. – Ralph Waldo Emerson. Lately, I’ve been feeling powerless. One reason, no doubt, is that...
REVIEW: Black Sabbath The Ballet Thrills in American Debut
(Now, in darkness, world stops turning…Hand of God has struck the hour. Photo by David Polston) Review by Jeff Maisey Photos by David Polston Fucking brilliant! These are words I spoke from the heart as the blood red curtain closed at the end of Act I of the...
ESSAY: On Masculinity
By Tom Robotham Male and female represent the two sides of the great radical dualism. But, in fact, they are perpetually passing into one another. Fluid hardens to solid, solid rushes to fluid. There is no wholly masculine man, no purely feminine woman. – Margaret...
ESSAY: Daily News
By Tom Robotham Recently, I sat on a panel—convened at Old Dominion University—to talk about the state of journalism. I was impressed by the students in attendance. They struck me as bright, and they seemed to be knowledgeable about current events. That said, they...
Revved Up Rick Mersel Has Book Ready to Go
(Rick Mersel shares some insights into his new book at Chicho’s Backstage Cafe.) By Jeff Maisey As you might imagine, Rick Mersel has lived an exciting life thus far. Born in Norfolk, Mersel has now spent most of his life in the music business, opening the popular...
Virginia Beach’s ViBe District Celebrates 10 Years in 2025
(Murals painted on the exterior walls of local business are a signature of the ViBe Creative District.) By Kate Pittman In April 2025, the ViBe Creative District will celebrate 10 years of as the creative heartbeat of Virginia Beach, a place where hundreds of local...
VEER’s Top 10 This Week Playlist
Check out this week's Top 10 playlist from 757 region recording artists
REVIEW: Laufey in Concert
Words by By Montague Gammon III Photo by Jeff Moore The jam-packed opening night Chartway Arena-Virginia Arts Festival concert called “Laufey: A Night at the Symphony with Virginia Symphony Orchestra,” provided this opera and classical music (and classic rock and ‘60s...
An Evening of Songs, Stories and Wild Tales with Graham Nash
(Graham Nash’s 2013 autobiography “Wild Tales” is a fabulous example of his storytelling brilliance.) By Jeff Maisey No matter how simple or complex every song has a story behind it, and inspiration for its creation. David Crosby, Stephen Stills, and Graham Nash...
Still Making Sense of Remain in Light
Jerry Harrison and Adrian Belew revisit the classic Talking Heads album “Remain in Light” on the 31st Street Stage at the Oceanfront. Photo courtesy of Remain in Light By Jim Roberts The Talking Heads aren’t reuniting, but Virginia Beach is one of only seven cities in...
Glowing Native Glassworks
Angela Babby (Lakota, born 1964) Melt: Prayers for the People and the Planet, 2019 Kiln-fired vitreous enamel on glass mosaic on tile board, Image courtesy of Angela Babby, Photo by Angela Babby, © Angela Babby. By Betsy DiJulio With a title like Clearly Indigenous,...
Top 50 Local Songs of 2025 (So Far)
By Jeff Maisey If you’re following our Facebook page, you’ve no doubt checked out our VEER Top 10 This Week playlist of new songs released by 757 region recording artists. We cover the full music spectrum including pop, hip hop, jazz, punk, folk, experimental,...
Playtime: Toys and Art
(Artist Clayton Singleton has some fun with his Rock ‘em, Sock ‘em Robots painting as part of the exhibition “Playtime: Toys and Art”) By Betsy DiJulio Toys turn adults into time travelers, telescoping us back to the people, places, and passions of childhood. For...
CONCERT PREVIEW: The Band Perry
By Jim Roberts The Band Perry had a remarkable start in 2010, releasing a self-titled album, selling 5 million copies of their single, “If I Die Young,” and winning three Country Music Association Awards. While the sibling trio went on to win a Grammy Award for Best...
Shining Light on Jazz Vocalists
(Jazz singer René Marie. Photo by Antonio Porcar.) By Jerome Langston In what has been a spectacular year for high level jazz concerts here in Hampton Roads, on both the Southside and the Peninsula — the 5th annual Vocal Jazz Summit returns next month to the Z in...
Sensational Samara
By Jerome Langston It is just a few days following his Carnegie Hall debut with twenty-something, jazz superstar vocalist, Samara Joy, that tenor saxophonist, Kendric McCallister, is chatting with me about their upcoming concert here at Norfolk’s Chrysler Hall. One of...
Ace Frehley Brings 10,000 Volts & More
By Jeff Maisey Ace Frehley, best known as the lead guitar welding Spaceman character in the original lineup of glam metal band KISS, will plug in to the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts on June 4 for an electrifying performance of his solo hits like “New York...
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
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
(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
(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...
The Executive Chef at Chesapeake’s Top Steak House is Just 26
By Joel Rubin If you request a 10 oz sirloin ($37), an 8-oz tenderloin ($49) or a 12 oz ribeye ($50) at The Butcher’s Son in Chesapeake, it better be hot, melt in your mouth and medium rare (if that’s your pleasure) when it arrives. “I know that very well,” says Jalen...
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
(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 Table Side Caesar Salad at Isle of Capri is as Popular as Ever
(Isle of Capri servers and Caesar Salad makers Justin Zobel, Nancy Binetti and Az Tomouro with restaurant GM Dave Cox) by Joel Rubin If you are a “server” at Isle of Capri Restaurant on the 6th floor of the Holiday Inn Express (39th and the oceanfront), you do much...
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
(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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