Degrading Our Public Discourse
By Tom Robotham Kamala Harris has been subjected to a lot attacks since she became the Democratic nominee for president: She’s a communist; she’s not really Black; she’s morally suspect because she never gave birth; she laughs too much. They’re all so idiotic that...
37 Things To Do This Halloween
Compiled by Staff Fright Nights at the Naro Expanded Cinema The Naro is presented a series of horror flicks for the month of October, including “The Shining” (Oct. 18), “Killer Klowns From Outer Space (Oct. 19), “Elvira” (Oct. 25), “Halloween III” (Oct. 26)....
Deborah Thorpe reflects on 37 years at the Governor’s School for the Arts
(Deborah Thorpe used this selfie for her social media post announcing her retirement.) By Jim Roberts Shelly Cihak, executive director of the Governor’s School for the Arts, addressed hundreds of students and supporters at the Wells Theatre on the first day of the...
Bodies in Motion
By Tom Robotham Over the years, I’ve written a lot about my love of music and the cultivation of that love, from the first piano lessons that my mother gave me at the age of 5 to my foray into the New York City jazz scene after college. Something few people know about...
How Virginia is Addressing the Dark Side of Gambling
Legislators make bipartisan push for more state funding to counter the effects of problem gambling until the Virginia Gaming Commission is up and running By Markus Schmidt The expansion of casinos and the rise of online gambling platforms in Virginia have sparked...
The Scene: Opening Night of Jackie Merritt Exhibition
Do You See Me Now: A Solo Exhibition by Jackie Merritt Through September 13 Norfolk Arts’ Offsite Gallery @ MacArthur Center norfolkarts.net
ESSAY: Born Identities
By Tom Robotham When I was growing up in Staten Island in the 1960s, kids used to ask each other, “What are you?” No further explanation was needed. Everyone knew it meant, what’s your nationality? In my neighborhood, most answered, “Italian” or “Irish”—never mind...
Look Out Norfolk: NBA Ref Tony Brothers Wants to be Your Mayor in 2028
(Tony Brothers is a city of Norfolk all-around MVP. Photo by Joel Rubin.) By Joel Rubin “I have spent over thirty years in conflict resolution,” says Tony Brothers, arguably the most respected professional referee in the country. “When you are trying to keep peace on...
The Annex Set to Open
(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...
New Location for Old Beach Farmers Market
(Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer helps cut the ribbon.) By Jeff Maisey Old Beach Farmers Market has a new location, but it didn’t have to move far. Held on each Saturday from 9 AM to noon for 17 years in the parking lot of Croc’s 19th Street Bistro and then extending...
MAMA-Girl’s Spirit Lives On
(MAMA-Girl, Woman Giraffe. Photo by Mark Atkinson) By Betsy DiJulio “Cullen, I think we ought to do a MAMA-Girl show,” said the voice at the other end of the line. It was 2023 and Cullen Strawn, Ph.D., ODU’s executive director for the arts, had picked up the phone to...
Don Giovanni: Energy and Experience, Spirit and Spectacle Open Virginia Opera’s 50th Season
By Montague Gammon III One of the greatest operas of all time, by one of the greatest composers of all time, with a libretto by a similarly regarded writer, opens Virginia Opera’s 50h Anniversary Season with two Harrison Opera House performances October...
Talkin’ Songwriting with Warren Haynes
(Warren Haynes’ new album is titled “Million Voices Whisper.” Photo by Shervin Lainez) By Jim Morrison "You know," Warren Haynes says from his home in upstate New York, "Gregg Allman used to say there's as many ways to write a song as there are songs." Haynes turned a...
A Real Jazz Festival in Phoebus
(Saxophonist Steve Wilson) By Jerome Langston Chatting with Jae Sinnett earlier this week, following a dental procedure that he’d just endured — was unfortunate timing for the acclaimed jazz drummer, composer and bandleader, but he was nevertheless a pleasure to talk...
Feldman Season Opens with a Three Way Threesome
By Montague Gammon III The fast rising, internationally acclaimed Trio Zimbalist comes to Norfolk for the Feldman Chamber Music Society’s 2024-25 Season opening concert at the Chrysler Museum’s intimate Kaufman Theater September 23. This threesome of piano, violin and...
Broad Viewpoints Power Made in VA
(Hank the Aquarian, “Wash Me & Comb Me,” 2023. Acrylic paint & latex house paint on canvas. Courtesy of the artist. ) By Betsy DiJulio It could be argued that a juried show, even one mounted by a professional organization, is a capricious act of subjectivity. ...
Jacobsen Bros Tackle Beethoven
(Eric and Colin Jacobsen) By Montague Gammon III One week after the Virginia Symphony Orchestra’s mid-month Opening Weekend, their annual one composer Beethoven Celebration comes to Chrysler Hall for two Norfolk performances, one on Friday evening, Sept. 20, plus a...
The One and Only, Herbie Hancock
(Herbie Hancock is the greatest living jazz artist. Photo by Danny Clinch) By Jerome Langston "Hello, Jerome? “This is Herbie. “How you doing?” So starts my wonderful, fairly brief, but generous... phone chat with perhaps the greatest living jazz artist in the...
Fantastique Symphony Concert
(Composer/flutest Valerie Coleman. Photo by Kia Caldwell.) By Montague Gammon III Sandwiching a family-friendly, kid-thrilling, grownup-enthralling, brilliantly colorful new concerto for symphony and animation between a 21st Century fanfare and a 19th Century...
Wells Theatre a Perfect Setting for Arsenic and Old Lace
(DRINK, DRINK: A stage scene from “Arsenic and Old Lace.” Photo by Erica Johnson @majerlycreative) By Jerome Langston “Most of my summer is spent doing these plays in Virginia, which is lovely,” said New York City based theater director, Nicolas Minas, when I reached...
DINING: A Tale of Two Italians
(Something for every Italian taste at Sorella’s. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.) By Marisa Marsey Hibernation season, for me, means hunkering down beneath a mountain of blankets and gorging on classic movies à la “Casablanca” and latter-day faves like “Moonstruck”...
Going to the Dogs
(DOGGONE GOOD: Larry Sauger and Karl Neumann have Pittie Dog Grill sizzlin’) By Marisa Marsey Since adopting a puppy last year, my ears prick up at any mention of the word “dog” as avidly as Sheepish, my Miniature Sheepadoodle, sniffs out squirrels. So when I heard...
Big Ugly Wins 2023 Golden Tap Award
Big Ugly Brewing won the 2023 Golden Tap Award in a region-wide competition where the tally was picked by readers and our committee of judges — including Diane Catanzaro, Chris Jones, Brian Koski, and Jen McDonald — provided expert analysis. The 757 region craft...
VEER’s Golden Tap Awards & The Key to Lager Town
By Jeremy Bender Who is the best brewery in Hampton Roads this year? What are the finest IPAs, stouts, lagers, sours and pilsners? On Tuesday, December 5, VEER Magazine will present its 2023 Golden Tap Awards at Elation Brewing in Norfolk beginning at 6 PM. The...
Stuff Their Stockings…And Yourself
(FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Brian Brinson’s popular Lizard Café is the perfect lunch combo with Prince Books in downtown Norfolk.) By Marisa Marsey Time for the holidays. Yay! Time for holiday shopping. Ugh! I love pretty much any festive tradition (more mistletoe, please)...
WINE REVIEWS: Reds To Splurge On
By Jeff Maisey I’m normally a $25-$50/bottle wine guy at home, but during the festive fall and holiday season this year I’ve splurged a bit, and the upgrades have been noticeable. Moone Tsai Howell Mountain 2018 Red Blend Napa Valley Lynn and I recently hosted a...
Restaurant Reverie
(Daily menu additions like this Roasted Red Pepper Bisque w/fried basil and smoked peppercorn have business booming for chef/owner Kevin Sharkey at 1608 Crafthouse in Virginia Beach.) By Marisa Marsey Heading west on I-64 for a business meeting in Richmond last...
A Wine Education at Crystal Palate
(Crystal Cameron-Schaad enjoys sharing an education in wine culture with patrons.) By Jeff Maisey For the more sophisticated traveler, experiencing a destination through its culinary and winemaking culture is an essential ingredient in understanding the uniqueness...
Craft on Colley: Semi-Fine Dining at its Finest
By Marisa Marsey A cynic might sneer, “What are those guys trying to do, corner NoCo?” The thought’s not ungrounded. Dave Filipowski and Rich Katz own neighboring hangouts Cogans North and Hank’s Filling Station on the north side of Colley Avenue. So it’s reasonable...
Top Shelf Service
(Annie Rostov) By Jeff Maisey Few industries seem to be as impacted coming out of the pandemic as the restaurant business. While customers have returned to near pre-Covid numbers, restauranteurs in Hampton Roads and across the nation have seen their food costs and...
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