This week in NFK: Harborfest, Grilled Out, Synthetic Drugs, Liquid Nitrogen, Naro Minded, and more.

by | Jun 10, 2022

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Community. 

The Spirit of Norfolk caught fire and over 100 passengers had to be evacuated to the Victory Rover. Rip it.

Crews worked for over 24 hours to put out the fire aboard the Spirit of Norfolk, which is expected to be a total loss. Rip it.

The 
Norfolk Police Department is asking for the community to share their thoughts in a series of focus groups. Rip it.

The General Assembly approved a significantly scaled-back package of funds for gun violence prevention, with $1 million coming to Norfolk. Rip it.

Gov. Youngkin vetoed legislation that would have transferred the administration of the Community Flood Preparedness Fund from the state to the Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Board. Rip it.

Federal judges have officially ended an effort to force House of Delegates elections in 2022. Rip it.

The Navy opened a new aviation maintenance center in Norfolk this week that is set to drastically increase the number of mission-ready aircraft. Rip it.

U.S. Rep. Elaine Luria, who represents Norfolk through November, said that if serving on the Jan. 6th Committee causes her to lose her re-election, “It’s OK.” Rip it.

Norfolk-based naval ships will not be retired after the House Armed Services Committee voted to prohibit the navy from decommissioning them. Rip it.

Community activists held a vigil outside of Sentara Norfolk General for victims of gun violence on Friday. June is National Gun Violence Awareness Month. Rip it.

Lawmakers are still gridlocked over retail sales of cannabis but legalized the sale of hemp products paving the way for the legal sale of synthetic THC. Rip it.

Eelgrass restoration is making promising strides along Virginia’s coast. Rip it.

YELLOWHAB, a new specialty school started by Pharell, is now accepting applications. Rip it.

Culture.

The Naro Video Collection, housed at ODU, will host a free screening to showcase what’s to come with the collection. Rip it. 

The Hermitage opens an exhibition featuring the works of Robert Lugo on Friday. His pottery is considered a striking mix of traditional ceramic forms and a culturally modern subject matter. Rip it.

Marv.P is set to release a new album with a listening party at Slowdive Gallery. Rip it. 

GWAR returns to the Norva on June 18th. Rip it. 

The Virginia Opera is planning to tell the story of Loving v Virginia, the landmark supreme court case that invalidated bans on interracial marriages, for its 50th Anniversary. Rip it.

Nauticus hosts a traveling drone exhibit starting over Fathers Day weekend. Rip it.

The Foster Beauty Fashion Show comes to the Assembly Rooftop in early July. Rip it.

Thundercat, a collaborator with some of hip-hop’s biggest names and recent Tiktok viral sound producer, comes to Norfolk in September. Rip it.

Currently on Display:
The Totality of Time Lusters the Dusk at Chrysler Museum. Rip it.
MC Escher: Infinite Variations at Chrysler Museum. 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.
Oil Paintings by Rick Seguso at Gallery 21. Rip it.

Commerce.

Norfolk startup, SVT Robotics, is taking center stage in the robotics revolution. (NFK Currents Orginal). Rip it. 

Harborfest is set to bring nearly half a million attendees into downtown Norfolk this weekend, a boon for nearby businesses. Rip it. 

Norfolk Southern announced a new partnership that will allow goods from the Port of Virginia to flow directly to the west coast of the U.S. Rip it. 

Magazine Jukebox, a Norfolk-based company that did a stint in the 757 Startup Studios, just raised a $750K seed round. Rip it. 

Norfolk-based Mantra Inspired Furniture is making a splash in the industry. Rip it.

Building Resilient Solutions is a local firm testing strategies to help save homes at risk of flooding. Rip it. 

Black BRAND, the Black Chamber of Commerce, is investing 120K in grant funding for their B-Force Accelerator. Rip it. 

Mr. Davenport, a barber in Ocean View is retiring after 63 years of serving the same community with hair cuts and conversation. Rip it.

ODU announced the creation of the School of Supply Chain, Logistics, and Maritime Operations to support community career needs. Rip it. 

After just a year of service out of Norfolk International Airport, Breeze Airways is planning to double its fleet of aircraft. Rip it.

The Hampton Roads Small Business Development Center is getting a new director after a nationwide search. Meet Jolie Spiers. Rip it.

The Port of Virginia processed more than 340,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in May, which broke the previous record by more than 14,500 units. Rip it.

Virginia will get $220 million to expand high-speed internet access to more than 76,800 homes and businesses — about 28 percent% of those that lack internet. Rip it. 

Record levels of coal production in Western Virginia are boosting export numbers at Norfolk’s coal terminals. Rip it.

Sentara Healthcare elected new leaders for its Board of Directors. Rip it.

Bon Secours named a new COO for its local market business. Rip it.

Virginia’s housing market is still highly competitive with 26% of all sales happening with homes on the market for under 3 days. Rip it. 

Regional Economic Stats. Port Stats. Labor Stats.

Norfolk Sinking Since Tote

Arches National Snark – Granby Street NFK

Crowds.

Grilled Out, a cookout-themed, indie rock psychedelic, surf rock, outdoor concert by LAVA Presents, returns for it’s third year this Saturday. (NFK Currents Original) Rip it. 

Harborfest is back after a 2 year hiatus with a double stage lineup both nights. Rip it.

Smartmouth brings back their Juneteenth celebration next month with music, vendors, and food. Rip it.

Dazed and Hopfuzed IPA Fest comes to Reaver Beach this month with a stacked lineup of IPAs. Rip it. 

PrideFest returns to Town Point Park on the 25th for one of Virginia’s largest celebrations of the LGBT community. Rip it.

Maker’s Craft Brewery is hosting The Rocky Horror Picture Show featuring Barry Bostwick of the original cast. 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. 
Parade of Sails at Harborfest 2022. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Emergency Response Vessels and Coast Guard Water Demos at Harborfest 2022. 1:30 pm. Rip it.
Jim Newsome and the Cloudless Sky perform live at Harborfest Boathouse Stage. 2:45 pm. Rip it.
U.S. Navy Rock Band performs live at Harborfest Main Stage. 3:15 pm. Rip it.
Bennett Walker Wales performs live at Harborfest Boathouse Stage. 4:45 pm. Rip it. 
U-Nite: Summer Movie Series (Hugo, 2011) at Barry Art Museum. 5:30 pm. Rip it. 
James Ford performs live at Cova Brewing. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Roberto Lugo Opening Celebration at the Hermitage Museum and Gardens. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Blue Dogs perform live at Harborfest Main Stage. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Skylark with Skip Hancock performs live at Varia. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Brad Claywell performs live at Maker’s Craft Brewery. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Charlton Phaneuf performs live at Stripers Waterside. 6:00 pm. Rip it
LittKeys perform live at Harborfest Boathouse Stage. 7:00 pm. Rip it.  
PC Duo performs live at Reaver Beach NFK. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
moe. performs live at Harborfest Main Stage. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Tales from the Campfire at Push Comedy Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it. 
Request Station Duo performs live at Grain. 9:30 pm. Rip it. 
Gabefest with DJ Sup Ladies at Thank You Thank You Bar. 9:00 pm. Rip it.
Lost Vegas with Vega, Durag Daf, Startt, and more at Slowdive Gallery. 9:00 pm. Rip it. 
Teacher’s Pet Improv show at Push Comedy Theater. 10:00 pm. Rip it.
DJ CanRock performs live at Harborfest Boathouse Stage. 10:00 pm. Rip it. 
 
Saturday:
East Coast Cycles Road Ride Group. 8:00 am. Rip it.

East Beach Farmers Market at 9680 Shore Drive. 9:00 am. Rip it.
Yoga + Coffee with Sky’s the Limit Yoga Co at Coalescence. 9:00 am. Rip it.
Virginia Bonsai Society Bonsai Show & Sale at Norfolk Botanical Garden. 9:00 am. Rip it.

Saturday Yoga at Norfolk Botanical Garden. 9:30 am. Rip it. 
Bhav Brigade Yoga at Elation Brewing. 10:00 am. Rip it.

Live Life Fresh Boom Box Ride with Freshtopia. 10:30 am. Rip it.
Rob White performs live at Grain. 11:00 am. Rip it. 

Virginia Children’s Choir Auditions at Talbot Park Baptist. 12:00 pm. Rip it. 
Pride Fest at Reaver Beach Brewing. 12:00 pm. Rip it. 
Lil ‘Za NFK Grand Opening at The Veil Brewing. 12:00 pm. Rip it. 

NEON Art Tour with Norfolk Tour Co at the Plot. 2:00 pm. Rip it.
Artist Talk: Jorge Saenz at d’Art Center. 2:00 pm. Rip it. 
Paper Aliens perform live at Harborfest Boathouse Stage. 2:45 pm. Rip it.
The Michael Clark Band performs live at the Harborfest Main Stage. 3:15 pm. Rip it.
30th Anniversary Minstrels of Spring Concert at Talbot Park Baptist. 4:00 pm. Rip it.
Grilled Out feat. Dan Deacon and six other acts at Toast. 4:00 pm. Rip it.
Music Match Bingo at Hank’s Filling Station. 4:30 pm. Rip it.

Jesse Chong Band performs live at Harborfest Boathouse Stage. 4:45 pm. Rip it. 
David Jones performs live at Cova Brewing. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
Who’s Bad performs live at the Harborfest Main Stage. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Joe Grundmeyer performs live at Maker’s Craft Brewery. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Travis Colby performs live at Varia. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 

Kylie Johnson performs live at Benchtop Brewing. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Lord of the Rings The Two Towers Dinner Experience at Granby Theater. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Haunted Norfolk Tour departing from Moses Myers House. 6:30 pm. Rip it. 
Jim Newsom and the Cloudless Sky perform live at Elation Brewing. 6:30 pm. Rip it. 
Fuzz Band performs live at Harborfest Boathouse Stage. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Adult Salsa Night – a FUNdraiser at Todd Rosenlieb Dance. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
The Unusual Suspects: An Improvised Murder Mystery at Push Comedy Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it. 
Stax Soul Review live at the Harborfest Main Stage. 8:15 pm. Rip it. 
Vince Kornegay performs live at Waterside District. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Splish Splash: A Wet & Wild Revue at the Venue on 35th. 8:30 pm. Rip it. 
Pride Fest Drag Show with Javon Love at Reaver Beach. 9:00 pm. Rip it. 
Gabefest with DJ Sup Ladies at Thank You Thank You Bar. 9:00 pm. Rip it. 
Drum’N’Bass with DJ Gelis, SpaceOne, and Eikkon at Slowdive Gallery. 9:00 pm. Rip it.
Aaron Firestone performs live at Grain. 9:30 pm. Rip it.
Fireworks Finale at Harborfest 2022. 9:30 pm.  Rip it.

DJ CanRock performs live at Harborfest Boathouse Stage. 10:00 pm. Rip it. 
Second Saturday Stand-Up at Push Comedy Theater. 10:00 pm. Rip it. 

Sunday:

Slow-Mo Sundays Bike Ride at Local Bike Shop. 10:00 am. Rip it.
Lion Housewarming Party at Virginia Zoo. 10:00 am. Rip it. 
Philippine Independence Day Celebration at Lafayette Park. 10:00 am. Rip it. 
Dustin Furlow performs live at Grain. 11:00 am. Rip it. 
Golden Slippers Dance at Chrylser Hall. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Matt Thomas performs live at Hank’s Filling Station. 12:00 pm & 5:00 pm. Rip it. 
BJ Griffin Band performs live at Harborfest Boathouse Stage. 12:45 pm. Rip it. 
The 502’s perform live at the Harborfest Main Stage. 2:00 pm. Rip it.
Marty Moore performs live at Benchtop Brewing. 3:00 pm. Rip it. 
Bleubeing & Friends Cookout Fest at 4259 Heutte Drive. 3:00 pm. Rip it. 
Wonderland performs live at Harborfest Boathouse Stage. 3:15 pm. Rip it. 
Moon Taxi performs live at the Harborfest Main Stage. 4:30 pm. Rip it.
Joe Heilman performs live at Grain. 7:30 pm. Rip it. 
Helmet performs live at the Norva. 8:00 pm. Rip it.

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

Chow.

Say Aloha to Norfolk’s newest cold brew shop, specializing in Hawaiian coffee. (NFK Currents Original). Rip it. 

Levity Pop-Up Restaurant is teaming up with Four Eleven York Street for a special six-course dinner. Rip it.

Prime 255 on Granby Street is smoking cocktails for that extra olfactory delight. Rip it.

They’re going gorillas: banana cornbread pudding w/ caramelized bananas and maple banana cream now at Toast. Rip it.

On Ice 2 is bringing out the liquid nitrogen ice cream just in time for summer. Rip it.

Lil’ Za Pizzeria has its grand opening at the Veil this Saturday featuring crowd favorites like Lil Bee and Lil Rico. Rip it.

Bold Mariner has a special Pride Month hard seltzer on deck. Rip it.

Cafe Mudita is turning their affogato up to rainbow levels for Pride Month. Rip it.
 
Food Truck Sightings:
Friday:
Weng’s Kitchen at Reaver NFK. Rip it.
Get Stuffed at Cova Brewing. Rip it.
Pittsburgh’s Best at Maker’s Craft Brewing. Rip it.
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth Brewing. Rip it.
Shawna’s Rich Eats at Benchtop Brewing. Rip it.
Bar-Q at Bold Mariner Brewing. Rip it.

Saturday:
Miss Kim’s Mobile Kitchen at Reaver NFK. Rip it.
Deutscher Imbiss at Cova Brewing. Rip it.
Pitt County BBQ at Maker’s Craft Brewing. Rip it.
Rio Good Food at Benchtop Brewing. Rip it.  
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth Brewing. Rip it.
Bar-Q at Bold Mariner Brewing. Rip it. 

Sunday:
Hades Wood Fired Pizza at Maker’s Craft Brewing. Rip it.
Bumbling Bee at Cova Brewing. Rip it.

Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth Brewing. Rip it.

Bar-Q at Bold Mariner 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.