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...
ESSAY: The Summer of Our Discontent
By Tom Robotham November 5th will mark a special anniversary for me: Fifty years earlier on that date, I voted for the first time. I remember the moment vividly—and the sense of pride I felt as I closed the black curtain and flipped the lever next to the name Hugh...
ESSAY: A Moveable Feast
By Tom Robotham The first time I visited Paris, in 1999, I was smitten. Unfortunately, due to financial and time constraints, another 17 years would pass before I was able to return. Since then, I’ve tried to make up for lost time, visiting the city every chance I...
Take 5 with Ghent Pride Co-Chair Chris Reybrouck
Take 5 with Ghent Pride Co-Chair Chris Reybrouck By Jeff Maisey Tell us about your new role this year as Co-Chair of Ghent Pride. What goes into planning the event on Monday, June 17 at the Palace Shops in Ghent? I am honored to have been part of the founding...
Surprising Suffolk…Center
Suffolk Center’s new Outdoors @ The Center event space will host live music this summer on Thursdays. Photo courtesy of Suffolk Center. By Jeff Maisey “You can have it all in Surprising Suffolk.” That was the branding slogan televised and promoted on signage far...
ESSAY: What Kind of American Are You?
By Tom Robotham Last month, I saw Alex Garland’s much-discussed film Civil War. Since then, I’ve not been able to stop thinking about it. I don’t mean to imply that I think it’s a great movie. I continue to have mixed feelings about it. Nevertheless, the specter it...
TRAVEL: A Second Helping
(Lynn, Bruno, and Jeff at Chez Bruno in Dijon.) By Jeff Maisey In last month’s issue of Veer, I wrote solely about one of my favorite dining experiences in Paris, the majestically unique, warmly welcoming Au Vieux Paris d’Arcole. I was heartened by the response from...
MOMIX Alice: Technicolor Masterpiece for All Ages
By Montague Gammon III Virginia Arts Festival’s entrancing presentation of MOMIX: Alice hits all the marks for dance and theater fans, for people who delight in beauty of all sorts, for parents who want to entertain offspring – provided mom and dad do not mind being...
ART REVIEW: Smooth Sailing on the Plastic Sea
Duke Riley, Cob Dock & the Red Hook Lady Fliers (detail), 2017. Wood, tin, roofing tar, latex paint, slip cast ceramic pigeons and performance ephemera from Fly by Night. Courtesy of the artist. Photo by Nye’ Lyn Tho Photograph By Betsy DiJulio If you search...
ART: What She Wore, What She Bore
By Betsy DiJulio This is the story of how the contemporary art trope of the “empty dress,” symbolizing both presence and absence, connected three high school juniors and an ODU professor through a shared passion for women’s social justice. The students—Adaline Scott...
Come Together Over Little Shop of Horrors
REHEARSAL SCENE: Audrey Seymour (Cree Carrico) and Urchins (Nikki Wilson, Jhayda Washington, ShaaNi Dent) Photo by Samuel Flint By Jerome Langston Arriving at the Wells Theatre on a recent Friday afternoon, I spotted theater artist Melissa Mowry, who directed...
Saxophones Take Center Stage for Attucks Jazz Series
(Steve Wilson. Photo by John Abbott) By Jerome Langston “That was my first time really getting to know him,” says well-known saxophonist, Walter Blanding, about interacting with jazz pianist John Toomey, during the rehearsal for the newly formed Attucks Jazz...
Money and Love, Class and Deceit: It’s Comic Opera!
(Soprano Keely Flutterer in a past performance of Rinaldo, Armida. Photo by Evan Zimmerman.) By Montague Gammon III The post-Valentines Day Virginia Opera production of Così fan Tutte, Mozart’s comic tale of tested love and strained fidelity, harkens not just to the...
Sisters Light Up VMT Annie
(Rainier Treviño as Annie and Georgie as Sandy. Photo by Evan Zimmerman for Murphymade.) By Montague Gammon III Virginia Musical Theatre’s February production of the wildly popular musical Annie at the Sandler Center marks a homecoming for the local actress in the...
2025 Veer Music Awards Results
By Jeff Maisey A capacity crowd was treated to a memorable night at Elevation 27 where local musicians were recognized and 757 region bands paid musical homage to the legends who performed at the original Virginia Beach Dome. Here are the final results. Album...
Black Music & Cuisine at the Heart of Fat Ham
Director Jerrell L. Henderson By Jerome Langston “James Ijames is one of the best actors that you will ever see in your life,” surprisingly says Chicago-based play director, Jerrell L. Henderson, who is in town to direct Ijames’s best-known play, Fat Ham, for...
Grateful Dead Air
By Jim Morrison The fourth installment of Dead Air, a cavalcade of Grateful Dead covers that brings together artists from across the Commonwealth, had its roots in Cincinnati. Mark Keefe, radio station WNRN's program director, was a college student at Xavier...
REVIEW: Crudo Nudo is a Delight
(A vegan’s dream come true dish. Photo courtesy of Crudo Nudo.) By Betsy DiJulio Sadly, I was late to the Crudo Nudo party. Until recently, I was under the mistaken impression that the storefront restaurant, open for four years, was charcuterie-heavy with little to...
DINING: Comforts of Ireland
(Robert McGregor Wallace, the general manager at Grace O’Malley’s, displays the house-made fish and chips. The Scotland native said, “That’s the real thing.”) Local pubs serve fish and chips and other traditional dishes By Jim Roberts There may be a friendly rivalry...
Chef Jae in Your Kitchen
(Jae Sinnett prepares everything from scratch in your kitchen. Photo by Mark Robbins By Jeff Maisey Let’s say you enjoy the good things in life and within your social circle are likeminded friends who equally appreciate the sounds of jazz, savor a select bottle of...
Twin Restaurant Weeks
(Restaurant Week is a great way to explore creative culinary creations at Mermaid Winery on Shore Drive. Photo courtesy of Mermaid Winery.) By Jeff Maisey Restaurant Weeks serve as a promotion for dining establishments during what would otherwise be a slow period and...
Benchtop Brewing Wins 2021 Golden Tap Award
(Benchtop Brewing celebrates its 3rd Golden Tap Award) Staff Report Norfolk’s Benchtop Brewing Company took home 10 medals and earned the most cumulative points to make it Veer Magazine’s 2021 Golden Tap Awards overall winner. Gold, silver and bronze medals were...
TRAVEL & DRINK: Sixteen Days in Belgium
(Wife and husband beer writers Diane Catanzaro and Chris Jones at Cafe Den Obelix in Hall, Belgium. Photo by Kate Keese.) By Diane Catanzaro and Chris Jones When you’re sitting there in your silk upholstered chair and thinking about your next beer-focused “Vayca,”...
Get a Taste of Smithfield at Red Point Taphouse
A welcoming sign in Smithfield: (L-R) Nick Hess, Julie Hess and Tim Ryan. Photo by Diane Catanzaro By Chris Jones and Diane Catanzaro Farm-to-table dining AND craft beer brewed on premises in a small-town historic building? Yes, please! If this sounds good to...
Prepare for 757 Battle of the Beers
The Garage Brewery won the last Battle of the Beers event. Photo by Eye of the Storm Photography courtesy of Beach Ambassadors. By Jeremy Bender More than 30 regional breweries will vie for this year’s 757 Battle of the Beers crown. The event is held on the grounds...
Suffolk Surprises with Superb Suds at Nansemond Brewing Station
(Sample a variety of beer styles in scenic downtown Suffolk at Nansemond Brewing Station. Photo courtesy of the brewery.) By Diane Catanzaro and Chris Jones Locals may know the Nansemond River, that the Nansemond Native American tribe lived along the river, or that...
Still Tasty After All These Years
TASTE OF SUCCESS: (L-R) Peter and Jon Pruden have enhanced and expanded the specialty gourmet food brand known for its delicious sandwiches, prepared food items, and spot-on wine selection By Marisa Marsey As nightmarish as the past year and a half was, Hampton Roads...
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