This week in NFK: Incumbent Sweep, GDP Decline, Teacher Attrition, Riotsville, Black Diamond, Afrobeats Fest, and more.

by | Nov 11, 2022

Supported by:

Community. 

Bring your “I Voted” sticker to Selden Market to get a complimentary NFKVA-approved version. Rip it.

Tuesday’s elections have laid the groundwork for a special election in the 7th Virginia Senate District, which includes parts of Norfolk. Rip it. 

No incumbent in Norfolk’s City Council races lost their race on Tuesday. Rip it.

John (J.P.) Paige won the race for the Ward 4 City Council seat, which was previously held by Paul Riddick. Rip it.

Adele Martin appears to have squeaked out a victory in the Ward 1 School Board race, but provisional ballots and some mail-in votes are still being counted. Rip it. 

Norfolk politicos are turning their focus to the upcoming primary for the Virginia Senate District 21 with Andria McClellan, Angela Williams Graves, and Mike Pudhordsky. This will be the first race in the newly drawn district that is made up entirely of Norfolk. Rip it.

The Supreme Court of Virginia has denied Legacy Nightclub’s request for injunctive relief. Rip it.

The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission released a report indicating that Virginia is losing more teachers than it is hiring, as vacancies have more than quadrupled since the pandemic. Rip it.
​​
The City of Norfolk is seeking proposals for the development of the former John T. West School site in Huntersville. Rip it. 

Norfolk’s Richard A. Tucker Library will soon have a statue of its namesake, who was Norfolk’s first Black principal. Rip it. 

Granby High School is forming it’s own sports hall of fame and inducting its inaugural class this week. Rip it. 

CHKD is critically low in its supply of breast milk and is seeking donations from the community. Rip it.
​​
A local non-profit is helping those in need with gently used suits, food, and training so they can get folks “on the right path.” Rip it.

Norfolk residents looked up to see the rocket departing Wallops Island for a few moments on Monday. Rip it. 

Advocates are calling for a change in Virginia’s tax brackets as the amount of taxes owed have outpaced the increase in median wages. Rip it.

Residents across the region could soon have a new way to properly dispose of electronics. Rip it.

The Virginia Poverty Law Center is seeking a housing justice fellow. Rip it.

The management for the Norfolk Admirals has ousted the head coach after a 1-7 start to the season. Rip it.

Culture.

The 2023 Patriotic Festival at Scope has announced the musical lineup. Rip it. 

Winterfest at Nauticus is expanding throughout downtown Norfolk with a scavenger hunt spanning several blocks. Rip it.

Watch the full short film “Return of the Trap” by the local team Matoso Productions, now available on Youtube. Rip it. 

Catch the student metalworking art exhibition “What the Flux” at the ODU Hixon building through Nov. 20th. Rip it. 

Naro Video and Old Dominion University Libraries are hosting a free screening of Sierra Pettengill’s new documentary: RIOTSVILLE, USA. Rip it. 

Actors’ Workshop of Virginia and TRDance are presenting Angel on Eros, a new play by local actor and playwright Ricardo Melendez. The work is described as a “gay play written by a gay playwright.” Rip it. 

Jazz at the Attucks: Michael Pedicin showcases the saxophone this weekend. Rip it.
 
This Sunday, Crimeline performs live at Norfolk Taphouse. Rip it.

Shelley is back in the biz as DRAM with a new album: What Had Happened Was. Rip it. 

Currently on Display:
To See a World in a Grain of Sand at Chrysler Museum. Rip it.
Lasting Impressions: Prints Collection at Chrysler Museum. Rip it.
Motion / Emotion at Barry Art Museum. Rip it.
Love of Alexander at Barry Art Museum. Rip it.
Rhonda Holy Bear: Artist and Story-Keeper at Barry Art Museum. Rip it.
ALLiGATER HELLHOUND at Gordon Art Galleries. Rip it.
DesignHer: Contemporary Women Graphic Designers at Gordon Art Galleries. Rip it.

Commerce.

757 Collab, the umbrella organization for regional Angel, Accelerator, and Startup Studio programs released their latest impact report showing over $100 million in economic impact. Rip it. 

A study by the American Growth Project says that our region had some of the worst economic growth in the country, with GDP declining .4%. The metro ranked 49th out of 50. Rip it. 

Over $2.5 million was awarded to Black-owned businesses during the Mighty Dream Forum. Rip it. 

Teaming Pro, a Norfolk-based startup, is helping match small businesses to the thousands of government contract opportunities. Rip it.

Black Diamond Weekend will feature over 50 different sessions focused on Black businesses in Downtown Norfolk this weekend. Rip it.

District Apizza is coming to Granby and 24th Street. Rip it. 

Real estate active listings, pending sales, and settled sales are all down as compared to the same month in both 2021 and 2020, indicating that the market is continuing to cool. Rip it. 

Coming up on November 16th, ODU’s Strome Business School hosts the Strome Insights webinar series. Rip it. 

Businesses from across the region are gathering for the HRBizWheel quarterly business expo next month. Rip it.

Norfolk 757 Crop Sweatshirt

Siren City Mug

Crowds.

Punker up punks! The Second Annual Yours, Mine, and Sours collaborative beer fest brings over a dozen breweries to Reaver Beach’s Norfolk location. (NFK Currents Original) Rip it. 

All weekend you can catch Afrobeats Fest 757 at NSU. Rip it. 

Black Diamond Weekend brings dozens of workshops and events to Downtown Norfolk this weekend. Rip it. 

Reaver Beach is bringing back its popular Yours, Mine, & Sours Collaborative Sour Festival this month. Rip it.

Get your rave on with Shrek, Donkey, Farquad, and hundreds of locals at the Norva this weekend. Rip it. 

Make plans for the Grand Illumination Parade returning to Downtown Norfolk for the 36th year. Rip it.

Nightcap at the Museum returns to Hermitage Museum later this month. Rip it. 

The Admirals have announced the activities planned for the ECHL All-Star game and fan festival in downtown Norfolk. Rip it. 

**Please note that listed times are start times; many events run several hours**

FRIDAY:
Norfolk Run Club Friday Meetup. 6:00 am. Rip it.
Sky’s The Limit Yoga at Vessel Craft Coffee. 6:30 am. Rip it.
Thanksgiving Centerpiece Floral Design at Norfolk Botanical Garden. 10:00 am. Rip it.
Norfolk Veterans Day Ceremony at General Douglas MacArthur Memorial. 2:00 pm. Rip it.
Black Diamond Weekend – Black Creatives Networking at Assembly NFK. 4:00 pm. Rip it. 
Bachata Friendsgiving at Mambo Room Dance Center. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
Veteran’s Day Beer Dinner at Grain. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Jarvis Griffin Piano Duo Performs Live at Varia. 6:00 pm. Rip it.

Zen Mojo performs live at Benchtop Brewing. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Soulfood & RnB Fridays Happy Hour with Dj Chris G. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Left to Rust performs live at Cova Brewing. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Serious Black performs live at Bold Mariner. 6:30 pm. Rip it. 
Afrobeats Dance Workshop at Norfolk State. 6:30 pm. Rip it. 
Afrobeats Master Class for aspiring singers at Norfolk State. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Murder Mystery Dinner at The Grandby Theater. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
The Muse Neighborhood Jam at The Muse Writers Center. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Weekly TBMA Bluegrass Jam at Roosevelt Area Civic League. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
The Virginia Symphony presents The Doo Wop Project at Harrison Opera House. 7:30 pm. Rip it. 
Friday Night Magic: Commander at Atlantis Games & Comics. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
ZOSO (The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience) live at the Norva. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Tales from the Campfire at Push Comedy Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it
Dear Evan Hansen at Chrysler Hall. 8:00 pm. Rip it. 
Queens Giving at the Wave. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
“Angel On Eros” performed live at TRDance Center. 8:00 pm. Rip it. 
Aaron Fulcher performs live at Grain. 9:00 pm. Rip it
Friday Night Karaoke at TNT Sports Tavern. 9:00 pm. Rip it. 
Big Trouble in Little China *Flashback Friday* at Naro Cinema. 9:15 pm. Rip it. 
Teacher’s Pet – Improv Comedy Show at Push Comedy Theater. 10:00 pm. Rip it.
The Hip Hop & Rnb Experience with DJ Confusion. 10:00 pm. Rip it. 

SATURDAY:
Ocean View Run Club Weekend Long Run at Karla’s. 7:15 am. Rip it
Send It Saturday Morning Group Ride at East Coast Bicycles. 8:00 am. Rip it.
Living Succulent Wreath Workshop at Norfolk Botanical Garden. 8:30 am. Rip it.
Sky’s the Limiti Yoga + Coffee at Coalescence. 9:00 am. Rip it. 
East Beach Farmers Market. 9:00 am. Rip it.
Nature Journaling at Norfolk Botanical Garden. 9:00 am. Rip it. 
Bhav Brigade Yoga at Elation Brewing. 10:00 am. Rip it.
Cranksgiving 2022 with Pedego Electric Bikes. 10:00 am. Rip it. 
NFK Social Craft and Vintage Market at Toast. 10:00 am. Rip it. 
Live Life Fresh Boom Box Bike Ride at Freshtopia VA. 10:30 am. Rip it. 
Rob White performs live at Grain. 11:00 pm. Rip it.
Dino Digging Fun at Slover Library. 11:00 am. Rip it
Black Diamond Weekend – Nonprofit Recruitment Meet and Greet at Selden Market. 11:00 am. Rip it.
Digimon Store Championship at Atlantis Games & Comics. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Love Petals Floral Arrangement Workshop at Maker’s Craft Brewery. 12:00 pm. Rip it. 
7th Anniversary Party at The Bold Mariner Brewing Company. 12:00 pm. Rip it
The Veil Norfolk 3rd Anniversary with DJ Co Pilot and Vintage Market. 12:00 pm. Rip it. 
Lipgloss & Lashes Drag Brunch at 37th & Zen. 1:00 pm. Rip it
2nd Annual – Yours, Mine, and Sours – Collaborative Sour Beer Festival at Reaver Beach. 1:00 pm. Rip it. 
Kindred Spirit 25th Anniversary and Psychic Fair. 2:00 pm. Rip it. 
Dear Evan Hansen at Chrysler Hall. 2:00 pm & 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Black Diamond Weekend – Diamond University Commencement at Roper Theater. 2:00 pm. Rip it.
Afrobeats Fest Dance Off Competition at Norfolk State. 2:30 pm. Rip it. 
Slow Session: Irish and Scottish Music at Vessel Craft Coffee. 3:00 pm. Rip it. 
Above and Beyond Closing Reception at Gallery 21. 3:00 pm. Rip it.
Tilquin’s Fruit Extravaganza Day at the Birch. 3:00 pm. Rip it. 
Matt and Alli perform live at Cova Brewing. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
Meet the Master Sommeliers at VIA Design. 5:30 pm. Rip it. 
Beth Turner performs live at Varia. 6:00 pm. Rip it
Jacob Vanko performs live at Maker’s Craft Brewery. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
PC Duo performs live at Bencthop Brewing. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Traditional Irish Session at Grace O’Malley’s. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Saturday Night Yugioh at Atlantis Games & Comics. 6:30 pm. Rip it.
The Brightsmiths perform live at Elation Brewing. 6:30 pm. Rip it. 
Afrobeats Fest West African Dinner Concert at Norfolk State. 6:30 pm. Rip it.
LAVA Presents: Allen Hudson and the Halfmoons at Chicho’s Backstage. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
The Unusual Suspects Murder Mystery Show at Push Comedy Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Don’t Tell Mom with DJ Kenny Kruze at The Wave. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
“Angel On Eros” performed live at TRDance Center. 8:00 pm. Rip it
FSU vs Syracuse Watch Party at Bluemoon Taphouse. 8:00 pm. Rip it. 
Michael Pedicin, saxophone player, performs live at the Attucks Jazz Club. 8:30 pm. Rip it.
Steve Forss performs live at Grain. 9:00 pm. Rip it
Shrek Rave with DJ Supladies at The Norva. 9:00 pm. Rip it.
Second Saturday Stand-Up at Push Comedy Theater. 10:00 pm. Rip it.

SUNDAY:
Slow-Mo Sunday Group Ride at Local Bike Shop NFK. 10:30 am. Rip it.
Pokémon TCG: Weekly Casual Play at Atlantis Games & Comics. 1:00 pm. Rip it.
Bhav Brigade Yoga at Sky’s the Limit. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Norfolk Super Sunday Directors Training at DoubleTree Hilton. 12:00 pm. Rip it. 
MTG Modern Sunday at Atlantis Games & Comics. 1:00 pm. Rip it
Lipgloss & Lashes Drag Brunch at 37th & Zen. 1:00 pm. Rip it
Pint for a Pint Blood Drive at Maker’s Craft Brewery. 1:00 pm. Rip it. 
Dear Evan Hansen at Chrysler Hall. 1:00 pm & 6:30 pm. Rip it.
Collaborations Conference 2022 at Norfolk Sheraton. 2:00 pm. Rip it. 
“Angel On Eros” performed live at TRDance Center. 3:00 pm. Rip it. 
Music Bingo at Reaver Beach NFK. 3:00 pm. Rip it.
Kindra McDonald Book Launch at The Muse Writers Center. 4:00 pm. Rip it
NFK Cold Pluge Meetup and Post-Pluge Hang. 4:30 pm. Rip it.
Comedy Bootcamp Graduation Show at Push Comedy Theater. 5:00 pm. Rip it. 
TRL & Talented Sundays at 37th and Zen. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Joe Heilman performs live at Grain. 7:30 pm. Rip it
Goblin performing Suspiria at The Norva. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
 
Get a daily rundown of events on our Daily Instagram Story.
 

Chow.

Barrell aged sours and special brewery collabs will be on draft at Yours, Mine, and Sours at Reaver Beach. Rip it. 

Help out local favorite Legrand Kitchen as they look for a new place to call home. Rip it. 

Smoke N Grease is churning out whole smoked turkeys and a lot more to help your thanksgiving spread. Rip it.

Codex is accepting pre-orders for their thanksgiving sides so you can upstage your inlaw’s cooking. Rip it.

Black truffle burrata? Say less. We’re headed to Luce. Rip it. 

Yendidi Jollof will knock your socks off. Rip it.

The rare Barbender Reserve cheese, formerly known as the Black Betty, is available at the best Cheese Monger in town. Rip it.

Omar’s dropped a new menu this week. Rip it.

Katch ’em if you can: Klassic Doughnuts is serving up Maple glazed for a limited time. Rip it.

Maple Cinnamon Lattes have landed at Ocean View’s Cafe Mudita. Rip it. 

Sauron Blanc or Gandalf Grenache? A Lord of the Rings wine tasting is going down at Press 626. Rip it. 

ICYMI: Wednesday is sushi night at Stony’s Dockside in East Beach. Rip it.

Grab a sample of the island life in Selden Market. Rip it.

Fresh VA Oysters loaded with Crawfish, Andouille, Creamed Kale, and Rice Panko, baked on the half shell. Rip it. 

Vegan Reubens are all the rage at Cafe Milo. Rip it. 

Food Truck Sightings:
Friday:
757 Laos Street Food at Benchtop Brewing. Rip it.  
Ghost Kitchen (AM) and Get Stuffed (PM) at Cova Brewing. Rip it.
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth Brewing. Rip it.
Bar-Q at Bold Mariner Brewing. Rip it.
Hades Wood Fired Pizza at Reaver Beach NFK. Rip it.
Flavor Savor BBQ at Maker’s Craft Brewing. Rip it.

Saturday:
Weng’s Kitchen at Cova Brewing. Rip it.
Hades Wood Fired Pizza at Maker’s Craft Brewing. Rip it.
Sweet Daddy’s BBQ at Benchtop Brewing. Rip it.  
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth Brewing. Rip it.
Big Belly and Flippin’ Hangry at Reaver Beach NFK. Rip it.
Bar-Q at Bold Mariner Brewing. Rip it.

Sunday:
Gavin Dishes at Maker’s Craft Brewing. Rip it.
Flippin Hangry at Benchtop Brewing. Rip it.
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth Brewing. Rip it.

NFK Dad Hat

Norfolk Snapback

Paul Stetson Rice

Chelsea, NFK

Paul is the creator of NFKVA.com. He was born and raised in Norfolk, graduated from Virginia Tech, and narrowly avoided law school. Chat with him about economics, entrepreneurship, hip-hop, and hiking. When he's not working on five different projects, you'll catch him sharing a beer with friends at a local brewery.