[Sponsor of the Week]

Community. 

After pulling SITW from Virginia Beach, Pharrell posted a nod to Norfolk on Instagram stoking festival rumors. Rip it. 

There are several upcoming meetings for the public to hear more about the multimodal Norfolk plans. Rip it. 

A shipping company was fined $2 million in Norfolk’s federal court this week for discharging oily bilge water and not reporting it. Rip it.

HRT is gathering feedback on a potential light rail expansion to Military Circle Mall and there’s still time to contribute. Rip it. 

According to the latest polling Virginia’s gubernatorial election is in a dead heat. Rip it. 

If you’re early voting by mail this week, don’t forget you’ll need a witness signature. Rip it. 

Norfolk Public Schools is launching free 1:1 virtual tutoring for grades 3 through 12. Rip it. 

New renderings showing the future of St. Paul’s Quadrant are here. Rip it. 

Booster vaccine shots are now available in Norfolk. Rip it. 

DMV appointments are no longer by appointment only. Rip it. 

The organization of state and federal entities overseeing the cleanup of the Chesapeake Bay agreed to address climate change more aggressively as part of its restoration effort. Rip it. 

Norfolk Tides ended the season with a streak-breaking win over the Durham Bulls. Rip it. 

The Norfolk Tides will be looking for a new manager for their 2022 season as Gary Kendall steps down. Rip it. 

Is your Saint Bernard a superstar? Auditions are underway for a canine cast at Attucks Theater. Rip it. 

This Saturday Shiloh Baptist Church hosts its 10th annual Community Service Day with a free market, healthcare screenings, a job fair, and more. Rip it. 

The Virginia Redistricting Commission is stuck as members stay divided over the issue of how to consider race in the redistricting process. Rip it. 

Culture.

Demons’ latest album Privation captivates with punk precision. (NFK Currents Orignal) Rip it. 

Applications are open for 757 Headspace’s Open Floor Choreographers’ Showcase. Rip it.

Celebrate 50 years of Norfolk Scope arena with a Chrysler exhibit dedicated to its Italian architect Pier Luigi Nervi. Rip it.

Little Theatre of Norfolk opens its 95th Season with Oscar Wilde’s “An Ideal Husband” next weekend. Rip it.

Local bands cover the Backstreet Boys, Paramore, the Beastie Boys, and more at Lava Present’s Halloween Extravaganza. Rip it.

The Virginia Zoo will be hosting a light-up drive-thru version of the zoo, known as Zoolumination, this winter. Rip it.

Lenis Guess, a Norfolk music legend, passed this week at 81. Rip it.

A new Garbage Horror Show set in 2854 brings an interactive art experience to MacArthur Mall (NFK Currents Original) Rip it.

The Stockley Gardens Arts Festival, benefiting the Hope House Foundation, is back in action on October 16th and 17th. Rip it.

NEON Fest is on the books for October 21st and 22nd, celebrating its 6th year. Rip it.

Currently on Display:
Going Places at Nauticus. (Last Weekend) Rip it.
Washed Ashore at Norfolk Botanical Garden. Rip it.  
SITE-SEEING at Slow Dive Gallery. Rip it.
Life and Limb at Baron and Ellin Gordon Art Gallery. Rip it.
Fence Street Gallery in the NEON District. Rip it.
Edward Steichen: In Exaltation of Flowers at Chrysler Museum. Rip it.
Karen LaMonte: Théâtre de la Mode at Barry Art Museum. Rip it.

Commerce.

City With Bite, a partnership between Visit Norfolk, Sway Creative Labs, and Nomaram, was awarded the 2021 Brand USA Video Storytelling Award. Rip it. 

The State of the Region report by ODU’s Center for Economic Analysis is out. (Warning: big file link) Rip it. 

Waters Advertising, now WB Marketing, has relocated to downtown Norfolk. Rip it. 

Senators Warner and Kaine are pressing for more Restaurant Revitalization Funds as local eateries continue to struggle with pandemic pain. Rip it. 

Are you a veteran in need of a new job? There’s a free job fair focused on vets this week at the Half Moone Cruise Center. Rip it. 

Nauticus is preparing for it to be the “busiest cruise season” yet with an expected 180,000 passengers coming to town. Rip it. 

$7.8 million in grants for flood preparedness projects will fund 19 projects around the state including several in Norfolk. Rip it. 

The City of Norfolk has 800 job vacancies affecting services from 911 calls to librarians. Rip it. 

The Hampton Roads Innovation Collaborative is hosting Aazia Mickens-Dessaso, Techstars’ executive director of ecosystem development for Hampton Roads, for its Tech Tuesday. Rip it.

1 Million Cups a networking event for entrepreneurs comes to Assembly in Downtown Norfolk this week. Rip it.

757 Startup Studios is taking applications for its fall 2021 program that provides free office space. Rip it. 

The regional ecosystem of startups and entrepreneurship is expanding. Rip it. 

Those passionate about the emergence of a wind energy industry emerging in Virginia are taking to celebrating weekly on Windsday. Rip it.

Siren Skate Shop is stocking up for the holidays as small businesses anticipate shipping issues to pinch supply. Rip it. 

 Andre + Marquez Architects, Inc. a Norfolk-based architecture and interior design firm is bringing big impact to the community. Rip it. 

Pat Davis-Hangens is the new president of Bon Secours Hampton Roads market. Rip it. 

Lighthouse Point, a 36-unit apartment complex on Bayville Street, sold for $4.1 million this week in Norfolk. Rip it. 

Regional Economic Stats. Port Stats. Labor Stats.

Crowds.

Crafted is back with over 60 vendors for their 7th year this Saturday. (NFK Currents Originals) Rip it. 

**Please note that listed times are start times, many events run several hours**
Friday: 
Yoga + Coffee at Cafe Mudita with Sky’s the Limit Yoga Co. 6:30 am. Rip it. 
Pumpkin Picnic at Hunter House Victorian Museum. 11:00 am. Rip it. 
Throw yourself into pottery at All Hands Pottery Studio. 4:30 pm. Rip it. 
Matt Holloman performs live at Benchtop Brewing. 6:00 pm
History Meets Real Estate Tour of Freemason with Crystal Salazar and Norfolk Tour Co. 5:30 pm. Rip it. 
Black and Gold – Acoustic Duo perform live at Maker’s Craft Brewery. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
The Little Prince: A Bilingual Reading at ODU Planetarium. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
2021 Horror 48 Hour Film Project Kickoff at Pixels Pints & Bytes. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Sunset Yoga with Lakia at 4th View Beach. 6:00 pm. Rip it.  
Nightcap at the Museum at Hermitage Museum and Gardens. 6:30 pm. Rip it. 
PBR Norfolk Birthday Bash at Waterside District. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Skylark with Skip Hancock performs live at Varia. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Lauren Daigle: World Tour at Norfolk Scope. 7:30 pm. Rip it. 
ODU Rep Theater performs The Bacchae at ODU Goode Theater. 7:30 pm. Rip it.
Tales from the Campfire performed live at Push Comedy Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it. 
Blood Brothers performed live at Generic Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it. 
James “JJ” Smith performs live at Grace O’Malley’s. 8:30 pm. Rip it. 
The Black Jacked Symphony performs live at Harrison Opera House. 9:00 pm. Rip it. 
Bad With Names performs live at Waterside District. 9:30 pm. Rip it. 
MOER Acoustic performs live at Grain. 9:30 pm. Rip it. 
Teacher’s Pet live improv show at Push Comedy Theater. 10:00 pm. Rip it. 
Baby Oil Pimp performs live at Slowdive Gallery. 10:00 pm. Rip it. 

Saturday: 
Spiketoberfest with Norfolk Roundnet Club at Lakewood Park. 9:00 am. Rip it. 
Bhav Brigade Yoga at the Plot. 9:00 am. Rip it. 
Yoga + Coffee at Coalescence with Sky’s The Limit Yoga Co. 9:00 am. Rip it. 
East Beach Farmer’s Market at 9680 Shore Drive. 9:00 am. Rip it. 
Chesapeake Bay Art Association Art Crawl. 10:00 am. Rip it. 
Selden Market 4th Birthday Party. 10:00 am. Rip it. 
Freshtopia Live Fresh Boombox Ride. 10:00 am. Rip it.
Intro to Ceramics at Dragonfly Art Studio. 10:00 am. Rip it. 
Vendor Market at De Panyard. 10:00 am. Rip it. 
Bhav Brigade Yoga with Carly at Elation Brewing. 10:30 am. Rip it. 
Guided Mindfulness Walk at Norfolk Botanical Garden. 11:00 am. Rip it.
BigForestFire performs live at Grain. 11:00 am. Rip it. 
Bennett Wales performs live at Blue Moon Taphouse. 11:00 am. Rip it. 
Fall Crafted Market at Reaver Beach NFK. 12:00 pm. Rip it. 
Rock Painting with Dita at 757 Creative Reuse Center. 12:00 pm. Rip it. 
Dan Pellegrino performs live at Reaver Beach NFK. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Saturday Afternoon Wine Tasting at Vino Culture Wine Shop. 1:00 pm. Rip it. 
Acoustic Legend performs live at Hank’s Filling Station. 1:00 pm. Rip it. 
Inside Out Youth Art Course at LGBT Life Center. 2:00 pm. Rip it. 
Ceramic Open Studio at d’Art Center. 3:00 pm. Rip it. 
An Evening of Poe at Hunter House Victorian Museum. 5:00 pm. Rip it. 
Chocolate & Cocktails at the Bonbonnier. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
Jacob Vanko performs live at Maker’s Craft Brewing. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Haunted Norfolk Tour at Moses Myers House. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Intro to Wheel Throwing at 757 Makerspace. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Travis Colby performs live at Varia. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Jesyka & Friends perform live at Coalescence. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
ODU Rep Theater performs The Bacchae live at ODU Goode Theater. 7:30 pm. Rip it. 
Courtney Marie Andrews performs live at Smartmouth Warehouse. 8:00 pm. Rip it. 
The Unusual Suspects: An Improvised Murder Mystery at Push Comedy. 8:00 pm. Rip it. 
Lauren Daigle: World Tour at Norfolk Scope. 8:30 pm. Rip it. 
James “JJ” Smith performs live at Grace O’Malley’s. 8:30 pm. Rip it. 
Dariel Clark and Superfang perform live at Taphouse in Ghent. 9:00 pm. Rip it.
Ben Egan performs live at Slowdive Gallery. 9:00 pm. Rip it. 
DJ SDOT performs live at Grain. 9:30 pm. Rip it. 

Sunday:

Chow.

Grandiflora is the secret wine garden you didn’t know you needed in your life. (NFK Currents Original) Rip it. 

Don’t miss the elusive Umami Dogs at Crafted Fall Market on Saturday. Rip it. 

Perla, an Italian Filipino pop-up is on its way to town. Rip it. 

Cure Coffeehouse is whipping up Ginger Pear Lattes with all the fall spices. Rip it. 

The Republic on Granby has a Beyond Burger for the vegan fam. Rip it. 

The Toasted Black Sesame and Red Grapefruit Latte by Kobro’s is a nightmare on 21st Street. Rip it. 

Authentic Hazenut Eclairs at La Brioche will transport you to the cafes on the Seine. Rip it. 

Slide Thru honors Phife Dawg with a slider loaded with beets, thyme, and hope. Rip it. 

Did you miss the Vegan Ceviche at Chorizo? Rip it. 

Mea Culpa is taking a La Brioche to new heights with a new tapenade-focused sandwich. Rip it. 

Get Baked AF has the spooky season baked goods crown on lockdown. Rip it.

Now at Birch Bar: Blueberry Maple Mead Aged in Imperial Stout & Wheat Wine Barrels for 8 months. Rip it.

Union Taco apps are made to pair well with a good time. Rip it. 

Food Truck Sightings:
Friday:
Flavor Savor BBQ and DC Smoothies at Cova Brewing. Rip it. 
Lacotos at Benchtop Brewing. Rip it. 
Vang’s Sushi at Reaver Beach NFK. Rip it.
Sour Street Pizza at Maker’s Craft Brewery. Rip it. 
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth Brewing. Rip it. 

Saturday:
Lumpia King at Cova Brewing. Rip it. 
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth Brewing. Rip it. 
Hangry’s & Umami Dogs at Reaver Beach NFK. Rip it.
Flavor Savor BBQ at Maker’s Craft Brewery. Rip it. 

Sunday:
TFK Taco Bar at Reaver Beach NFK. Rip it. 
Shawna’s Rich Eats at Maker’s Craft Brewing. Rip it. 
Brunch by Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth Brewing. Rip it.
Sour Street Pizza at Benchtop Brewing. Rip it. 

The Ripcurrent.

These plants look super realistic – but they’re made of glass.

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. Go Hokies!