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
All Fired Up — Perry Glass Studio
Spectators (in the background) are entertained by the process of glassmaking by Cedric Mitchell in the auditorium of the new Perry Glass Studio of Chrysler Museum of Art. By Jeff Maisey Take your seat; the show’s about to begin. Light-tight mechanical black curtains...
Live it Up
By Tom Robotham Our total attitude towards art, was, like, get up and do something — quit sitting there whining. – David Johansen, on the spirt of The New York Dolls In 1982, when I was working as a reporter and music columnist for The Staten Island Advance, I got...
Cancer Survivor Sam Hunter Has Brought Open Faced Goodness and Healthy Drinks to Summit Pointe
Samaria Hunter By Joel Rubin Toastique Gourmet Toast and Juice Bar (www.toastique.com) is a 21st century breakfast/lunch place. With hearty helpings of such ingredients as avocado, smoked salmon, lump crab, peanut butter, Tuscan tuna, and ricotta atop healthy...
50 Years of Arlo On Your Radio
(Arlo working the board before his 10 AM to 3 PM mid-day shift in February 2025. Photo by Jeff Maisey) By Jeff Maisey “The enormity of the importance of Mike Arlo in our lives can best be described by imagining what the past 50 years would have been like without him:...
Williamsburg Symphony celebrating 40th anniversary
(Michael Butterman conducts the Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra. Image by Kim Kiely Photography.) By Jim Roberts Dr. Jon E. Krapfl was a loyal subscriber to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for 20 years. So loyal, in fact, that even after he moved to Williamsburg in...
An Exhibition Celebrating the 150th Birthday of Susan Watkins & Other Lesser Known Women Artists
Susan Watkins (American, 1875–1913), Le Five O’Clock (Tea), ca. 1903, Oil on canvas, Mr. and Mrs. Edward T. Miles By Jeff Maisey Chances are you’ve never heard of American artist Susan Watkins. You likely had no idea she lived on Duke Street in Norfolk, died at age...
Soweto Gospel Choir Spreads Joy, Peace and Happiness
By Jerome Langston “I’ve been a fan of this music since I was a kid,” says Robert Cross, Executive Director and artistic director of the Virginia Arts Festival, referring to gospel music — which he became immersed in through the local scene of gospel choirs here in...
Queen of Soul Gets Symphonic Boost
(Capathia Jenkins is sensational singing Aretha Franklin hits) By Jerome Langston "I have the best airport in the world. The busiest airport in the world, right? So I can get, almost anywhere, on a direct flight from Atlanta because it’s Delta’s hub,” says Broadway...
WAR Headlines Neptune Festival
By Jeff Maisey Many of you know the classic hit songs from the band WAR — “Low Rider,” “The Cisco Kid,” “Summer,” and “Why Can’t We Be Friends?” What you may not recall is the musical crossover group from Southern California known for weaving elements funk, jazz,...
Last Stop on the O’Jays Love Train
By Jeff Maisey The O’Jays are one of America’s most beloved old school soul and R&B groups. You no doubt know the songs from radio play and television commercials: “Love Train,” “I Love Music,” “Use Ta Be My Girl,” and “Backstabbers.” Perhaps their 1973 hit,...
How Soon Is Now, Johnny Marr?
(The Smiths’ iconic guitarist is coming to Norfolk. Photo by Heiko DeWees By Jim Roberts How much money would it take for Johnny Marr and Stephen Patrick Morrissey to reunite and tour as The Smiths? According to recent reports, $75 million wasn’t enough to get them...
Jaleel Shaw Opens Fall Jazz Series Season at The Attucks
By Jerome Langston When I reached jazz saxophonist Jaleel Shaw for our phone chat a few days ago, the Philadelphia native was navigating the running of errands around the city in New Jersey — and was especially zeroed in on the need to drop off a suit at a local dry...
Broadway Show Brings Beautiful Noise of Neil Diamond to Life
Nick Fradiani as 'Neil - Then' (center) and 'The Noise' in “A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical.” Photo credit Jeremy Daniel. By Jim Roberts “A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical” ran for less than two years on Broadway, but a national tour featuring...
Stockard to Shine in Ain’t Misbehavin’ Director’s Chair
(Director Anthony Mark Stockard) By Jerome Langston “But ‘Honeysuckle Rose’ is a song I sang a lot, and it used to be my go to audition song,” recalls Anthony Mark Stockard, university professor and NSU Theatre Company’s producing artistic director, during a recent...
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...
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...
Neptune Festival preparing for back-to-back beer and wine festivals
By Jim Roberts The small staff at the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival is gearing up for a number of large events the last weekend in September: the Neptune Festival Art & Craft Show, the 49th Annual Boardwalk Weekend, and the Neptune Festival Grand Parade, among...
Filibuster bourbon
By Marisa Marsey Heading to Derby Day, my fancy races to mint juleps and the bourbon that braces them. (Of course, my fancy races to bourbon many a day, anyway). A good bet for those juleps – if you want to stay true to Virginia while toasting Kentucky – is...
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