This week in NFK: Greenie’s Site, Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Mystery Villains, Earth Day, Reaver Beach Bash, Gongstock, Chiz Whiz, and more.

by | Apr 22, 2022

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Community. 

Some City of Norfolk employees could get a 50% raise as officials explore a policy implementing an $18 minimum wage. Rip it.

Federal, State, and Local officials celebrated the groundbreaking of the Tidewater Gardens Transformation Project. Rip it. 

Temporary parking structures are coming to the former Greenies site for the next two years to allow for dune restoration. Rip it. 

This weekend the City of Norfolk is set to begin listing city-owned vacant lots for auctions later this spring. Rip it.  

Del. Nadarius Clark, D-Norfolk, Norfolk Councilwoman Andria McClellan, and several local congregation leaders called for climate change relief funds for places of worship. Rip it. 

The Elizabeth River Trail Foundation celebrates National Celebrate Trails Day by opening a new trailhead at Harbor Park and hosting a full day of events on Saturday. Rip it. 

The Elizabeth River Project is using a layer of carbon between contaminated sand and new clean sand to mitigate hundreds of years of shipbuilding pollution. Rip it. 

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality plans to study air quality around the major coal terminals in Norfolk and Newport News. Rip it. 

Community leaders gathered to discuss cannabis in the region at the High Tide Cannabis Summit this week. Rip it. 

Another weekend with high levels of demand has forced the Virginia Zoo to require advance reservations. Rip it. 

HRT is celebrating Earth Day with free fares on bus, light rail, paratransit, and ferry – all options that could reduce your carbon footprint. Rip it. 

The Rotary Club of Norfolk awarded 11 grants to regional nonprofits including efforts to provide two apartments for previously homeless and theater workshops for blind and visually impaired youth. Rip it. 

Easter Sunday church attendance reached pre-pandemic levels this past week, almost exactly two years after the start of the pandemic. Rip it. 

The Norfolk Tides lead the INT East League with 10 wins. Rip it.

Norfolk Academy alum Mark Williams has announced his intent to enter the NBA draft. Rip it. 

Culture.

Coastal VA Plein Air Festival returns for the 6th year. (NFK Currents Original). Rip it. 

Mystery Villians, an exhibit exploring creative identify and art outlaws, opens at Slowdive Gallery this weekend. Rip it.

Norfolk resident and international hip-hop star Pusha T dropped a new album Friday morning featuring an opening song entitled “Brambleton.” Rip it.

Local artist Khi the Infinite drops “Keep Your Head Up” next week. Rip it.

NorFunk Fest brings Tauk, Delirious George, The Hookz, Paper Aliens, and Ben & Friends to Maker’s Craft Brewery on June 4th. Rip it.

The Virginia International Tattoo returns on April 28th to Scope Arena, kicking off with the ‘Tattoo Hullabaloo,’ a free festival. Rip it.

The Virginia Opera has four productions planned for its 48th season. Rip it.

With 37 years under their belt, the Hurrah Players plan a performance of “How I Became a Pirate” over Mother’s Day weekend. Rip it.

Ina Garten of Barefoot Contessa fame comes to the Norfolk Forum next month. Rip it.

Grilled Out with Snake Mountain Revival, Shormey, and more comes to Toast on June 11th. Rip it.

Watch out for poems all over the city as Norfolk Arts pains sidewalk poems all over the city. Rip it.

Currently on Display:
FloodZone: Photographs by Anatasia Samoylova at Chrysler Museum. Rip it.
Water’s Rising: A View From Our Back Yard at Chrysler Museum. Rip it.
The Totality of Time Lusters the Dusk at Chrysler Museum. Rip it. 
Art from Guantánamo Bay at Gordon Art Galleries. Rip it.
Motion / Emotion at Barry Art Museum. Rip it.
Hirata Gōyō: The Birth of the Japanese Art Doll at Barry Art Museum. Rip it.

Commerce.

The Federal Reserve’s latest Beige Book indicated that the growth of our region is considered moderate and uneven across industries. Rip it. 

Norfolk-based law firm Vandeventer Black, announced a merger with Roanoke-based Wood Rogers. Both firms are among the Commonwealth’s oldest, dating back to 1883 and 1893 respectively. Rip it. 

An ODU Team was awarded a $1.6 million DOD grant to identify “Known Unknowns” in field research. Rip it. 

The Headwaters Casino conditional use permit to allow a temporary casino at Harbor Park comes before City Planning Commission this Thursday. Rip it.

The OV Beach Tavern is taking another step toward opening with a request for a conditional use permit allowing live music and extended hours. Rip it. 

Norfolk International Airport is exploring a new moving walkway and runway resurfacing. Rip it.  

Two dozen of the region’s newest welders will be women marking a shift in the male-dominated industry as demand for the profession heats up. Rip it.

Two mobile home parks in Norfolk were sold for this week for $9.75 million and $6.4 million. Rip it. 

757 Startup Studios, a program helping startups with 6 months of free rent and lots of resources, closes its next round of applications this week. Rip it. 

In an effort to recruit more employees, Verizon is raising its starting wage to $20 an hour and offering $2500 sign-on bonuses in the area. Rip it. 

The City of Norfolk continues a recruiting blitz with career fairs at MacArthur Center this weekend. Rip it. 

Breeze Airways is adding new nonstop routes to Westchester NY, starting from $49. Rip it. 

A lawsuit brought by Waterside Districts operators against the City of Norfolk was dismissed by the judge. Rip it.

At the State of the Port address, leaders claimed that the Port of Virginia generates $242 billion in economic value for the region every day. Rip it. 

The Port of Virginia is starting a $1.3 billion investment into new projects this year. Rip it. 

Mortgage rates in Virginia hit 5% for the first time in 11 years. Rip it. 

Regional Economic Stats. Port Stats. Labor Stats.

Norfolk Sinking Since Tote

Arches National Snark – Granby Street NFK

Crowds.

Reaver Beach celebrates 1 year in Norfolk this weekend with a huge parking lot bash. (NFK Currents Orginal)  Rip it. 

Next weekend NATO Festival parades through Downtown and brings the International Tattoo to Scope. Rip it.

Push Comedy Theater drops a new lineup of improv shows this weekend. Rip it.

Virginia Arts Fest brings The Sound of Music to the Harrison Opera House in May. Rip it.

The 46th Annual Harborfest lands in Norfolk on June 10th. Rip it.

**Please note that listed times are start times, many events run several hours**
Friday: 
Norfolk Run Club meetup at Yorgo’s. 6:00 am. Rip it.
Spring Plant Sale at Norfolk Botanical Garden. 10:00 am. Rip it.
Reaver NFK 1st Anniversary Pre-Party. 4:00 pm. Rip it.
Happy Hour Wine Tasting with Vino Culture. 4:00 pm. Rip it. 
Alodeuri Shop and Studio Grand Opening. 4:00 pm. Rip it.
PC Duo performs live at Benchtop Brewing. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Mens Paint Night with FreeFormCanvas at 757 Makerspace. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Where the Unsolved Rest: The Cold Cases of Norfolk at Elmwood Cemetery. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Brian Sage performs live at Cova Brewing. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Jim Newsome and Rick Jebavy perform live at Elation Brewing. 6:30 pm. Rip it.
MOcean performs live at Grain. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
ODU Steelband Showcase at Diehn Center for Performing Arts. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Drag Pottery with Naomi Black at All Hands Pottery Studio. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Mystery Villans Opening with Who Got Now at Slowdive Gallery. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Norfolk Tides vs Durham Bulls at Harbor Park. 7:05 pm. Rip it.
Virginia Stage Co presents Dreamgirls at Wells Theater. 7:30 pm. Rip it.
Rainbow Kitten Surprise performs live at the Norva. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
The Improv Hootenanny at Push Comedy Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
PEARS, Old Scars, ShotClock, & Song of Praise perform live at NFK Taphouse. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Late Night Ladies Ride with Social Cycling Norfolk departing Smartmouth. 8:30 pm. Rip it.
James “JJ” Smith performs live at Grace O’Malley’s. 8:30 pm. Rip it.
SALT performs live at Tap It Local. 9:00 pm. Rip it.
DJ Sugabearz and DJ Supladies spin live at Thank You Thank You Bar. 9:00 pm. Rip it.
DJ KO performs live at Longboards. 9:30 pm. Rip it.
Off-Granby: The Musical! Starring: The Impromptunes at Push Comedy Theater. 10:00 pm. Rip it.
Traptastic with DJ Rylo and Jenì Frvncis at Slowdive Gallery. 10:00 pm. Rip it.

Saturday: 
Downtown Norfolk Community Garden Work Day. 8:00 am. Rip it.
Yoga + Coffee with Sky’s the Limit Yoga Co at Coalescence. 9:00 am. Rip it.
Crossroads Civic League Community Cleanup at Northside Park. 9:00 am. Rip it.
MTB Trail Maintenance Meetup at Northside Park. 9:00 am. Rip it.
East Beach Farmer’s Market at 9680 Shore Drive. 9:00 am. Rip it.
Coastal VA Plein Air Paint Out at Virginia Zoo. 9:30 am. Rip it.
Celebrate Trails Day with the Elizabeth River Trail. 10:00 am. Rip it.
Just Start Public Service Career Fair at MacArthur Center. 10:00 am. Rip it.
Drag Bingo Fundraiser at MJ’s Tavern. 10:00 am. Rip it.
WERQ Dance Fitness Class at Cova Brewing Co. 10:00 am. Rip it.
ERT Fun Ride with Pedego E-Bikes. 10:00 am. Rip it.
Earth Day Celebrations at Nauticus. 10:00 am. Rip it.
Auditions: Harold & Improv Riot at Push Comedy Theater. 10:00 am. Rip it.
Bhav Brigade Yoga at Elation Brewing. 10:00 am. Rip it.
757 Maker Market at 757 Makerspace. 11:00 am. Rip it.
BigForestFire performs live at Grain. 11:00 am. Rip it.
Trail Day Appreciation Day Yoga at ERT Harbor Park Trailhead. 11:00 am. Rip it.
Reaver Beach NFK 1st Anniversary Party at Reaver Beach NFK. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Gongstock ’22 at Benchtop Brewing. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
NoCo Spring Wine Fest at Hank’s Filling Station. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
A Very Fairy Tea Party at Hunter House Victorian Museum. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
ERT Walking Tour with Norfolk Tour Co departing Fort Norfolk. 12:30 pm. Rip it.
Coastline 95 performs live at Benchtop Brewing. 2:00 pm. Rip it.
I Love the 90’s Bash Bar Crawl at Waterside District. 3:00 pm. Rip it.
Town Hall with Delegate Glass at Gethsemane Community Fellowship. 3:30 pm. Rip it.
Meet the Maker: Donny Gallagher of Trespass Vineyard at VIA Design. 5:30 pm. Rip it.
Ground Level performs live at Benchtop Brewing. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Haunted Night with the Wraith Chasers Aboard the USS Wisconsin. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Norfolk Tides vs Durham Bulls at Harbor Park. 6:35 pm. Rip it.
Fox and the Bear perform at Maker’s Craft Brewery. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Frank Sings Frank (Frank Sinatra Cover) live at Varia. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Spring Ball Semi Formal at Percolator. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Va Arts Fest present Nashville Ballet: Lucy Negro Redux at Chrysler Hall. 7:30 pm. Rip it.
Virginia Stage Co presents Dreamgirls at Wells Theater. 7:30 pm. Rip it.
Julie Scoggins Comedy Tour at The Granby Theater. 7:30 pm. Rip it.
Karl Werne and Michael Lille perform live at Christ the King School. 7:30 pm. Rip it.
BIG K.R.I.T. performs live at the Norva. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Bare Book Club Presents: Wax Poetic at the Venue on 35th. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Spartacus Fartacus: An Idiotic Journey Through History at Push Comedy Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Venture Club & Hard Rave Collective at Slowdive Gallery. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
James “JJ” Smith performs live at Grace O’Malley’s. 8:30 pm. Rip it.
Dan Stuckie and Zum spin live at Thank You Thank You Bar. 9:00 pm. Rip it.
DJ Saint James performs live at Grain. 9:30 pm. Rip it.
Trouble in Pushville at Push Comedy Theaer. 10:00 pm. Rip it.

Sunday:

MacArthur Center Pickleball Meetup. 9:30 am. Rip it.
Slow-Mo Sunday Ride with Local Bike Shop. 10:00 am.Rip it.
Dustin Furlow performs live at Grain. 11:00 am. Rip it.
Karaoke Brunch at 3900 Colley Avenue. 11:00 am. Rip it.
Dessert Class with Sydney Meers at Syd’s FishPig Cafe. 11:00 am. Rip it.
Stranger Strains Popup at Prime Records. 11:00 am. Rip it.
Zen Mojo performs live at Benchtop Brewing. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Conner Pittman performs live at Cova Brewing. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Reaver NFK – 1st Anniversary Hangover Brunch. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Coastal VA Plein Air Art Show at Cova Brewing. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Pups and a Pint with Sit Mofo Sit at Maker’s Craft Brewery. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Peace & Pints: Bhav Brigade Yoga at Smartmouth Brewery. 1:00 pm. Rip it.
Norfolk Tides vs Durham Bulls at Harbor Park. 1:05 pm. Rip it.
Virginia Stage Co presents Dreamgirls at Wells Theater. 2:00 pm. Rip it.
Yoga & Mimosas at Bags to Riches. 2:00 pm. Rip it.
Yo-Yo Ma & Kathryn Stott perform live at Chrysler Hall. 2:30 pm. Rip it.
Umbrella Affects presents God, I Can’t See at Goode Theatre. 4:00 pm. Rip it.
Brackishwater Jamboree performs live at Benchtop Brewing. 4:00 pm. Rip it.
Crystal Properties class at Aries Apothecary. 4:00 pm. Rip it.
Stories in Stone (Symbols Tour) at Cedar Grove Cemetery. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
Beartooth performs live at the Norva. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Steve Forss performs live at Grain. 7:30 pm. Rip it.

Get a daily rundown of events on our Daily Instagram Story.

Chow.

Chelsea Bakehouse’s legendary pastries, including this pop-tart-esque treat, are showing up at Voyager Cold Brew. Rip it.

Bread Pudding and Smores are the hottest couple in town, especially when they hit it with the torch. Rip it.

Why not experience your favorite Norfolk bars with 10 of your best buds and a Trolley Pub. Rip it.

If you still hate olives, then get down to Crudo Nudo for a proper bowl Spanish olives that will open your eyes to the world of olives. Rip it.

The only thing that makes spring weather and garden dining better is a dash of live music. Catch it all at Grandiflora Wine Garden. Rip it.

Apple and ham is Virginia’s prosciutto and melon. Commune Provisions embraces it with a Apple Ham Melt. Rip it.

Don’t sleep on the strawberry smash. Smashed with love at My Mama’s Kitchen. Rip it.

The espresso and mango is a must-try at Coalescence Coffee. Rip it.

Mack’s Barge might not be fancy, but they do have spicy Catfish Tacos. Rip it.

Put the cheese whiz on everything! Major Phillies knows the truth. Rip it.

Food Truck Sightings:
Friday:
Sense’s Vegan at Reaver NFK. Rip it.
Sour Street Pizza at Cova Brewing. Rip it.
La Cucina at Maker’s Craft Brewing. Rip it.
A Bite of Maine at Benchtop Brewing. Rip it.
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth Brewing. Rip it.

Saturday:
Hades Wood Fired at Benchtop Brewing. Rip it.
Big Belly Food Truck at Cova Brewing. Rip it.
Bite of Maine at Maker’s Craft Brewing. Rip it.
Hangry’s and Miss Kim’s Kitchen at Reaver NFK. Rip it.
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth Brewing. Rip it.

Sunday:
Hashi Chow at Benchtop Brewing. Rip it.
Shawna’s Rich Eats at Maker’s Craft Brewing. Rip it.
Not Your Routine Poutine at Cova Brewing. Rip it.
Deutscher Imbiss at Reaver NFK. Rip it.
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth Brewing. Rip it.

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.