This week in NFK: Rap Battles, Railroad Strikes, Trucker Unions, Acquisitions, Norfolk Snap Dogs, Whopper Pizza, and more.

by | Jul 15, 2022

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Community. 

How Norfolk is fighting child hunger over the summer break. (NFK Currents Original). Rip it. 

The City of Norfolk approved an increase in the number of commissioners on the NRHA board. The effort seems intended to influence the “future direction” of the organization amid 
controversy surrounding out-of-state investments. Rip it.

Norfolk City Council approved the purchase of an EVMS building in the Hague as part of a Chrysler Museum of Art expansion. Rip it. 

NRHA reopened the housing choice voucher waitlist for less than 72 hours this week. Rip it.

The Wellness Circle group has entered preliminary negotiations with the City of Norfolk to redevelop Military Circle. The group includes Pharrell Williams, Armada Hoffler, Pusha T, S.L. Nusbaum, and others.  Rip it. 

It’s hot out there. If you need help keeping cool, check out the Cooling Assitance program by the Virginia Energy Assistance Program. Rip it. 

Protests continued on Wednesday as locals joined a national walkout in response to the Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe. Rip it. 

Same-day voter registration will be allowed for the first time in elections coming up this fall. Rip it.  

Over 300 state employees have resigned in the wake of new telework policies announced by Governor Youngkin. Rip it. 

Governor Youngkin broke fundraising records in the second quarter as suspicion over a presidential bid grows. Rip it.

U.S. Rep Elaine Luria, who currently represents parts of Norfolk, will be leading hearings investigating the Jan. 6th insurrection this week. Rip it.

U.S. Customs and Border Patrol reassigned Hampton Roads port control from the Atlanta Field Office to the Baltimore Field Office. Rip it. 

The Urban League of Hampton Roads Young Professionals has openings for several Executive Leadership Council positions. Rip it.

The family of Hall of Fame Boxer Sweet Pea Whitaker is organizing support for a public park to honor his legacy. Rip it. 

Norfolk SPCA is raising funds to support an effort to save several Huskies that were received by surprise. Rip it.

Nauticus announced Sailfest, a fundraiser to support STEM and leadership development for the youth in our community. Rip it. 

Over $25,000 was raised to support longtime Maury orchestra teacher Ryan Featherer in his battle with multiple sclerosis. Rip it. 

Culture.

Infinite Variations: The works of M.C. Escher are dazzling crowds at Chrysler Museum. (NFK Currents Orginal). Rip it.

Roberto Lugo, an acclaimed artist, activist, educator, and poet, showcases his hand-thrown ceramics at Hermitage Museum and Garden through the summer. (NFK Currents Original Video) Rip it.

Thrillest reviews Norfolk in this city guide. Rip it. 

Concert in review: Avatar, Light the Torch, and Callous Daoboys at the Norva. Rip it.

Offsite Gallery has an open call for exhibition proposals for 2023. Rip it.

Catch the Dollyrots and Don’t Panic in town on July 22nd. Rip it. 

Demons, Crime Line, and Please Keep Off The Grass rock the Norfolk Taphouse on July 29. Rip it. 

Merci, Red Weather, Longsleeves, and Captive Birds come to Norfolk on July 30th. Rip it.

The Hurrah Players host Jam Daddies and Ben Branigan for a fundraiser on July 31st. Rip it. 

7 Cities Sharks Rap Battle League hosts Levels battle on August 13th. Rip it. 

Mean Jesus, ShotClock, Shehehe, and Song of Praise prepare to rock out Slowdive in September. Rip it. 

Mauskovic Dance Band is bringing their uniquely danceable chaos to Chicho’s Backstage this fall. Rip it. 

The Norfolk Forum has announced it’s 90th season with a lineup featuring Rick Steves, Mara Liasson, Linda Johnson Rice, and Rt Hon. David Cameron. Rip it.

Currently on Display:
The Totality of Time Lusters the Dusk at Chrysler Museum. (Last Weekend) 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.
Roberto Lugo: Pottery With Purpose. Rip it.
Drones at Nauticus. Rip it.

Commerce.

Fast Fashion meets its nemesis: Selden Market’s Clothing Swap and Vintage Sunday. (NFK Currents Original). Rip it. 

xTuple, a longtime local tech company, has been acquired by CAI Software. Rip it.  

The Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association has compiled a Hospital Price Transparency Tool so you can compare pricing across facilities. Rip it. 

Virginia fell from the top spot to third place in the CNBC rankings of best states for business. Rip it. 

Fishermen are urging the state to ban the harvest of Menhaden in the Chesapeake Bay. Virginia is the last state on the Atlantic Coast to allow it. Rip it. 

Norfolk-based startup Drone-Up is staffing up to expand into Europe. Rip it. 

A pending strike by railroad workers would have major effects on local port activity but could be delayed by 60 days with action by President Biden. Rip it. 

The Port of Virginia broke its record for container traffic with a 15% increase to 3.7 million containers in the 2022 fiscal year that ended June 30th. Rip it. 

Pandemic-driven streatery policies are set to expire at the end of 2022, and Norfolk is looking to formalize a replacement program. Rip it. 

Local restaurants are seeing food costs nearly double, but are only raising prices by a fraction of that, if at all. Rip it. 

Local drivers for Sysco, a major restaurant food supplier, voted to unionize with Teamsters Local 822 this week. Rip it. 

Harbor Park sold over 12,000 hot dogs on Turn Back the Clock Night. The food service at Harbor Park is supplied by Philadelphia-based Spectra Food Services. Rip it. 

Tony Caruana, owner of downtown’s Luce, expanded with a second location in Chesapeake. Rip it. 

Business owners across the Commonwealth are concerned about an expected crackdown on cannabis products as a new law with unclear language takes effect. Rip it. 

Hampton Roads Chamber hosts a business social at Stripers Waterside this Tuesday. Rip it.
 

Historic Freemason District Sticker

Willoughby Mug

Crowds.

Norfolk Currents and Smartmouth are hosting NFK Day, a free all-day street party, next Saturday with over a dozen local vendors, DJ sets, four bands, and a ton of food. (NFK Currents Original) Rip it.

Reaver Beach hosts Christmas in July, an Evening Market for all those folks missing Santa Claus on the 23rd. Rip it. 

Jules Verne and WHRO host Around the World in 80 Days, a steampunk event at Brick Anchor Brew House. Rip it. 

Panties in a Twist, the all-female sketch comedy show by Push Comedy, celebrates 10 years with a two-night showing at the Norva in August. Rip it.

LAVA MiniFest is back at Toast with 14 musical acts and all the energy on August 27th. Rip it. 

The Ocean View Storm the Bay Race Series is on the books for October 8th. Rip it.

Unite Slover celebrates pride and diversity on August 12th. Rip it.

**Please note that listed times are start times, many events run several hours**
Friday:
Sunrise Meditation at 19th Bay Beach. 5:45 am. Rip it. 
Norfolk Run Club meetup at Yorgo’s. 6:00 am. Rip it. 
Sunrise Yoga + Coffee On the River with Sky’s The Limit at the Pagoda. 6:30 am. Rip it. 
Friday Happy Hour Wine Tasting with Vino Culture. 4:00 pm. Rip it. 
Ghent Farmer’s Market at Blair Middle School. 4:00 pm. Rip it.
Make(HER) Collective Popup Shops at Eleanor’s Norfolk. 4:00 pm. Rip it.
Writers Happy Hour with the Muse Writers Center. 5:00 pm. Rip it. 
Movie Night at Larchmont United Methodist. 5:30 pm. Rip it. 
Nick Franzitta performs live at Cova Brewing Co. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Neptune Groove performs live at Varia. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Allegra Duchaine performs live at Green Onion. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Hooks & Hops Meetup at Benchtop Brewing. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Jordan Cooper performs live at Benchtop Brewing. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Little Country performs live at the TGOV Fridays – Ocean View Beach Park. 6:30 pm. Rip it. 
NEON Art Tour with Norfolk Tour Co departing the Plot. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Norfolk Tides vs. Worcester Red Sox at Harbor Park. 7:05 pm. Rip it. 
Full Moon Ritual at Aries Apothecary. 7:30 pm. Rip it.
School Girls; Or, the African Mean Girls Play at Generic Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it. 
The JAM! LP&S Sketch & Improv Show at Push Comedy Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it.  
Karaoke Night at Mack’s Barge. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Late Night Ladies’ Ride departing Smartmouth. 8:30 pm. Rip it. 
DISKFREQ: FREQ OUT at Slowdive Gallery. 9:00 pm. Rip it. 
Lights Out, Barks Out! at the Wave. 9:00 pm. Rip it. 
Montez De Durango & Patrulla 81 at Broadway Nightclub. 9:00 pm. Rip it. 
Gina Payne performs live at Prime 255. 9:00 pm. Rip it.
Joe Gosman Band performs live at Grain. 9:30 pm. Rip it.
Harold Night at Push Comedy Theater. 10:00 pm. Rip it. 

Saturday:
ERT Fun Ride with Pedego Electric Bikes. 7:00  pm. Rip it.
Send It! Road Ride with East Coast Cycles. 8:00 am. Rip it.
East Beach Farmers Market at 9680 Shore Drive. 9:00 am. Rip it.
Farmers Market at Sunset Grill. 9:00 am. Rip it.
Yoga + Coffee at Coalescence with Sky’s The Limit Yoga Co. 9:00 am. Rip it. 
Volunteer Construction Day at Downtown Norfolk Community Garden. 9:00 am. Rip it. 
Bhav Brigade Yoga at the Plot. 9:30 am. Rip it.
Butterfly Festival 2022 at Norfolk Botanical Garden. 10:00 am. Rip it. 
Goat Yoga at Cova Brewing Co. 10:00 am. Rip it. 
Live Life Fresh Boom Box Ride with Freshtopia. 10:30 am. Rip it. 
Eric Staab performs live at Grain. 11:00 am. Rip it.
Faith and Film Cowboy Art Showcase at Slowdive Gallery. 12:00 pm. Rip it. 
Elated Craft Market at Elation Brewing. 12:00 pm. Rip it. 
Norfolk Nighthawks Basketball at Southside Boys and Girls Club. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Salt Hair Collective Grand Opening in East Beach. 1:00 pm. Rip it. 
Pridefest Party at Willougby By The Bay. 4:00 pm. Rip it. 
Welcome to the Safari LIVE! at Goode Theatre. 4:00 pm. Rip it. 
Music Match Bingo at Hank’s Filling Station. 4:30 pm. Rip it.  
Little Did I Know exhibition at Gallery 21. 5:00 pm. Rip it. 
1004 & Friends at Percolator. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
Skip Hancock performs live at Town Point Club. 5:30 pm. Rip it.
SeamLess Duo at performs live at Varia. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
The Heart Stompers perform live at Elation Brewing. 6:30 pm. Rip it. 
Norfolk Tides vs. Worcester Red Sox at Harbor Park. 6:35 pm. Rip it.
Kids Paint Night with Off The Canvas at 757 Makerspace. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Hot and Bothered: A Summertime Burlesque Show at Little Theater of Norfolk. 8:00 pm. Rip it. 
Saved By The 90s performing live at The Norva. 8:00 pm. Rip it. 
Trouble in Pushville improv show at Push Comedy Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it. 
Miller Lite Hot Country Nights: Niko Moon at Waterside District. 8:00 pm. Rip it. 
Dayripper, Obscure Son, & Ghost Curve perform live at Norfolk Taphouse. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Southern Hospitality with three DJs at Slowdive Gallery. 9:00 pm. Rip it. 
Aaron Fulcher performs live at Grain. 9:30 pm. Rip it
Off-Granby: The Musical! Starring: The Impromptunes at Push Comedy Theater. 10:00 pm. Rip it. 
Full Moon Party Cruise Aboard the American Rover. 10:30 pm. Rip it. 
2022 Grown and Sexy Summer Midnight Cruise departing Waterside Marina. 11:00 pm. Rip it. 
 
Sunday:

Slow-Mo Sundays Bike Ride at Local Bike Shop. 10:00 am. Rip it. 
Yoga on Tap with Sky’s The Limit Yoga at Reaver NFK. 10:45 am. Rip it.
Dustin Furlow performs live at Grain. 11:00 am. Rip it. 
Summer Vintage Sunday + Clothing Swap at Selden Market. 11:00 am. Rip it. 
Mimosas & Heels Drag Brunch at Public House. 11:00 am. Rip it. 
Rob Oliver performs live at Cova Brewing Co. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Nate Sacks and Danny Jams perform live at Be Grateful! at Elation Brewing. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Magic the Gathering and Pokemon TCG at Atlantis Comics. 1:00 pm. Rip it. 
Yoga + Mimosas at Bags To Riches. 2:00 pm. Rip it.
Curator Series: Art and the Environment at Chrysler Museum. 3:00 pm. Rip it. 
Norfolk Tides vs. Worcester Red Sox at Harbor Park. 4:05 pm. Rip it.
Red Stapler Duo performs live at Maker’s Craft Brewery. 3:00 pm. Rip it. 
Mermaid Myths & Legends at Aries Apothecary. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Khedive Notables Dance Band performing live at Ocean View Beach Park. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Eric Tubbs performs live at Grain. 7:30 pm. Rip it.

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

Chow.

Norfolk Snap Dogs, seafood boils, homestyle BBQ, and excellent wings are headlining the chow at NFK Day next Saturday. (NFK Currents Original) Rip it.

Coco Jam is now serving their Caribbean chow at Selden Market. Rip it. 

Ocean View Fishing Pier is whipping up weekly beach buckets. This week Tropical Passion Fruit Fizz. Rip it. 

Restaurant Week returns to downtown Norfolk this week, running July 17 – 24th. Rip it. 

Waterside District announced the return of the Norfolk Mac & Cheese Festival this October. Rip it. 

Chicho’s Backstage is serving up their rendition of the BK Whopper on pizza – The Chopper. Rip it. 

If you’re getting fried lobster, might as well pair it with a red velvet waffle. Rip it.

Coconut pownd cakes are rolling out of the oven. Rip it. 

Who needs birthday cake when you’ve got this special latte. Cafe Mudita celebrates one year. Rip it.

Biscoff cookie butter macaroons can only be made with tender love and care. Rip it. 

Food Truck Sightings:
Friday:
Hangry’s at Reaver NFK. Rip it.
La Cucina Di Sophia at Cova Brewing. Rip it.
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth Brewing. Rip it.
Hades Wood Fired at Benchtop Brewing. Rip it.
Bar-Q at Bold Mariner Brewing. Rip it. 
Gavin Dishes at Maker’s Craft Brewing. Rip it.

Saturday:
Hades Wood Fired at Reaver NFK. Rip it.
Weng’s Kitchen & Southern Provisions at Cova Brewing. Rip it.
Shawna’s Rich Eats at Maker’s Craft Brewing. Rip it.
Sour Street Pizza at Benchtop Brewing. Rip it.  
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth Brewing. Rip it.
Bar-Q at Bold Mariner Brewing. Rip it.

Sunday:
Prime 757 at Maker’s Craft Brewing. Rip it.
Miami Fusion at Cova Brewing. Rip it.
A Lyons Den at Benchtop 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.