This week in NFK: SoftySZN is Here, Resigned or Fired, Cell Phone Tracking, Gatsby, Egg Hunts, Moontide, Spicy PB&J Burgers, and more.

by | Apr 8, 2022

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Community. 

To help make sense of the Military Circle Redevelopment plans we graded them all against a common rubric. (NFK Currents Originals) Rip it. 

Amid building public pressures surrounding recent gun violence Police Chief Larry Boone announced his retirement. Rip it. 

Councilman Paul Riddick alleges that City Manager Chip Filer fired Police Chief Larry Boone on Wednesday. Rip it. 

Leaders of all cities in the region gathered to tackle spikes in gun violence with the consensus being a boost in enforcement. Rip it. 

Mayor Alexander gave the State of the City Address on Thursday. Rip it. 

New renderings circulated this week for a Greyhound Station development project designed by WPA. Rip it. 

Virginia Mercury reports that Virginia police agencies have been making heavy use of cell phone GPS data tracking that requires no notice to device owners. Rip it. 

The Virginia Education Association plans to release the list of resources that the Youngkin administration deemed “divisive.” Rip it. 

Virginia lawmakers are still working to finalize a budget deal. Rip it. 

Virginia is off-track of meeting it’s net-zero goal for greenhouse emissions by 2050. Rip it. 

Spring Break tends to be the busiest weeks of the year at Virginia Zoo, some dates require pre-purchased tickets. Rip it. 

NSU President Javaune Adams-Gaston was named to the President’s Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Rip it. 

The Norfolk Admirals put down three straight victories on the Solar Bears this week. Rip it. 

The Norfolk Tides held their season opener on Tuesday. They lost to the Charlotte Knights. Rip it.

Culture.

NEON District is looking for digital submissions for two small signs in the district. Rip it.

Enjoy free admission to the Norfolk Botanical Garden on April 9th for WPA Memorial Garden Heritage Day. Rip it. 

Coastal VA Plein Air Festival returns for the 6th year. (NFK Currents Original). 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 Great Gatsby comes to Norfolk’s Attucks Theater this weekend as a part of the Virginia Arts Festival 2022 season. Rip it. 

Showing this weekend: Generic Theater: “Sweat” by Lynn Nottage. Rip it. 

Everything Everywhere All at Once, a new indie sci-fi flick is showing at the Naro this weekend. Rip it. 

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

Virginia Arts Fest has announced its star-studded cast for its production of The Sound of Music at Harrison Opera House in May. Rip it. 

Thank You Thank You bar dropped their second “thank you for listening mixtape” featuring refixes, remixes, disco, R&B, and more. Rip it. 

Pears, Old Scars, Shotlock, and Song of Praise come to Taphouse Grill on April 22nd. 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. 
Shine A Light at Commune Provisions. Rip it. 

Commerce.

Plant Norfolk is putting down roots and opening its doors to plant lovers in the NEON District. (NFK Currents Originals) Rip it. 

Norfolk Biotech firm, Embody, a collagen-based implant manufacturer announced plans to spend $5 million on lab and hire 92 additional employees. Rip it. 

Six new businesses are coming to Selden Market as a round of new tenants moves in. Rip it. 

Join HR Commercial Real Estate for an update on major transportation projects across the region on April 20th. Rip it.

Automation and augmentation efforts in the region are being led by SVT Robotics and ODU programs. Rip it. 

February saw a 17% increase in sports betting, with Virginians betting more than $400 million. Rip it. 

With high pressure on the housing market, why won’t builders build more houses? Rip it. 

Regional Economic Stats. Port Stats. 

Norfolk Sinking Since Tote

Ocean View Norfolk Crab Mug

Crowds.

​One of Norfolk’s largest events of the year, the Virginia International Tattoo, comes to Scope arena this month. Rip it.

This weekend a helicopter will drop thousands of eggs at Tarrallton Park in an unusual celebration of Easter. Rip it.

Reaver Beach celebrates 1 year in Norfolk later this month with a huge parking lot bash. Rip it.

Hey man, the Big Lebowski returns to the Naro on April 20th. Rip it.

Spring feeling spooky? Norfolk Tour Co brings a haunted tour to downtown. Rip it.

Next weekend join Moontide Sundries for a special Friday night at Assembly. 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.
Vino Culture Happy Hour Wine Tasting. 4:00 pm. Rip it.
U-Nite: The In[HEIR]itance Project at Barry Art Museum. 4:00 pm. Rip it.
The Bay Rats perform live at Cova Brewing Co. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Houses of Worship Walking Tour with Norfolk Tour Co in Downtown. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Porcelain Egg Painting at 757 Makespace. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Black and Gold perform live at Benchtop Brewing. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
The Gruesome World of Victorian Medicine Tour at Elmwood Cemetery. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
48 Hour Play Festival at Little Theatre of Norfolk. 6:30 pm. Rip it.
Piano Performance Series at Hermitage Museum and Gardens. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
PBR Norfolk hosts Monthly Buckin’ Birthday Bash. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Jennifer Gammill performs live at Varia. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Skylark with Skip Hancock performs live at Varia. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Norfolk Tides vs. Charlotte Knights at Harbor Park. 7:05 pm. Rip it.
Aquila Theatre: The Great Gatsby at Attucks Theatre. 7:30 pm. Rip it.
Friday Night Magic: Draft & Commander at Atlantis Comics and Games. 7:30 pm. Rip it.
Tales from the Campfire at Push Comedy Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
SWEAT by Lynn Nottage at Generic Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Todd Rosenlieb Dance Spring Concert Series at ODU University Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Gabriel Donohue performs live at Grace O’Malley’s. 8:30 pm. Rip it.
6 Ways 2 Sunday Acoustic Aboard the American Constitution at Half Moone Cruise Terminal. 8:30 pm. Rip it.
Rn’R performs live at Grain. 9:30 pm. Rip it.
Teacher’s Pet Improv Comedy Show at Push Comedy Theater. 10:00 pm. Rip it.
Lost Vegas with Vega and Gabe Niles at Slowedive Gallery. 10:00 pm. Rip it.
Jo Froxi and Vinny Del Sol spin live at Thank You Thank You bar. 10:00 pm. Rip it.

Saturday: 
Solidarity Saturday Ukraine Fundraiser in North Colley. 8:00 am. Rip it.
Yoga + Coffee with Sky’s the Limit Yoga Co at Coalescence Coffee. 9:00 am. Rip it.
Underwater Easter Egg Hunt at Kroc Center. 9:45 am. Rip it.
Hanging Macrame Planter Workshop at Norfolk Botanical Garden. 10:00 am. Rip it.
Spring Volunteer Work Day at the Plot. 10:00 am. Rip it.
Coaster Coffee Community Egg Hunt at Ocean View Elementary. 10:00 am. Rip it.
Succulent Spring Wreath Workshop at Hermitage Museum and Gardens. 10:00 am. Rip it.
Bhav Brigade Yoga at Elation Brewing. 10:00 am. Rip it.
14th Annual Garden Heritage Celebration at Norfolk Botanical Garden. 10:30 am. Rip it.
EGGS-Treme Egg Drop at Tarrallton Park. 11:00 am. Rip it.
BigForestFire performs live at Grain. 11:00 am. Rip it.
Stranger Srrains Double Header at Prime Records. 11:00 am. Rip it.
Coffee-n-Coffins with Blakhart Coffee at Quixotic Arts. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
BAM Saturday Tour: The Birth of the Japanese Art Doll. 1:00 pm. Rip it.
Terrarium Workshop with 757 Creative Reuse Center at Nauticus. 2:00 pm. Rip it.
ERT Waterfront Walking Tour with Norfolk Tour Co. 2:00 pm. Rip it.
Blind Tasting Class at Vino Culture. 5:30 pm. Rip it.
2022 HR Youth Poet Laureate Competition at Assembly. 5:30 pm. Rip it.
Jacob Vanko performs live at Maker’s Craft Brewery. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Marty Moore performs live at Benchtop Brewing. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Saturday Night Yugioh at Atlantis Comics and Games. 6:30 pm. Rip it.
Karl Werne & Michael Lille perform live at Elation. 6:30 pm. Rip it.
Norfolk Tides vs Charlotte Knights at Harbor Park. 6:35 pm. Rip it.
Taylor Tomlinson: Deal With It Tour at Harrison Opera House. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Travis Colby performs live at Varia. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Anastasia: The Musical at Norfolk Collegiate School. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Va Arts Fest presents Cahnticleer at Christ and Saint Lukes Episcopal Church. 7:30 pm. Rip it.
The Unusual Suspects: An Improvised Murder Mystery at Push Comedy. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Last Laugh Comedy Tour at Smartmouth Brewing. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
SWEAT by Lynn Nottage at Generic Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Gabriel Donohue performs live at Grace O’Malley’s. 8:30 pm. Rip it.
Saturday Night Karaoke at Cogan’s Pizza Ghent. 9:00 pm. Rip it.
EDEN: Sunnyside Collective Music and Art at Slowdive Gallery. 9:00 pm. Rip it.
Vince Kornegay performs live at Grain. 9:30 pm. Rip it.
Second Saturday Stand-Up at Push Comedy Theater. 10:00 pm. Rip it.
Afro Gala: The AfterParty at ODU Webb Center. 10:00 pm. Rip it.
DJ Confusion performs live at Ultra Lounge. 10:00 pm. Rip it.
DJ Supladies spins live at Thank You Thank You bar. 10:00 pm. Rip it.

Sunday:
Sunday Dog Days at Norfolk Botanical Garden. 9:00 am.Rip it.
Shaolin Weapons Training with Fox Den Kung Fu at Town Point Park. 9:00 am. Rip it. 
Brewed to Run at Smartmouth Brewing. 9:30 am. Rip it.
Slow-Mo Sunday Ride with Local Bike Shop. 10:00 am.Rip it.
Bella’s Creations Craft Popup at Cova Brewing Co. 10:00 am. Rip it.
Dustin Furlow performs live at GRain. 11:00 am. Rip it.
LFC vs Man City watch party at 80/20 Burger Bar. 11:30 am. Rip it.
Bhav Brigade at Sky’s The Limit Yoga Co. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Indoor Cornhole Tournament at Maker’s Craft Brewery. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Pups and a Pint at Maker’s Craft Brewery. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
COVA Easter Egg Hunt at Cova Brewing Co. 1:00 pm. Rip it.
Pokemon TCG & MTG Modern at Atlantis Game sand Comics. 1:00 pm. Rip it.
Norfolk Tides vs. Charlotte Knights at Harbor Park. 1:05 pm. Rip it.
llusions the Drag Queen Show at EZ Lounge. 1:30 pm. Rip it.
SWEAT by Lynn Nottage at Generic Theater. 2:30 pm. Rip it.
Brett Williams performs live at Maker’s Craft Brewery. 3:00 pm. Rip it.
Traditional Irish Session at Grace O’Malley’s. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Bright Eyes performs live at the Norva. 7:30 pm. Rip it. 
Rob White performs live at Grain. 7:30 pm. Rip it.
Zenmojo performs live at Benchtop Brewing. 1:00 pm. Rip it.

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

Chow.

SoftySZN: Codex at the Veil is serving up buttermilk fried softies with pickled mustard seed. Rip it.

SoftySZN: Omar’s Carriage House is gourmet-ing up softies with smoked bacon, fried green tomatoes, and truffle aioli. Rip it.  

SoftSZN: Softies go fast down at Coach House, don’t miss their stock-ups. Rip it.

SoftySZN: Fried softies with a side of stuffed jalapenos down at AW Shucks. Rip it. 

PDS Street Tacos is popping up at Harbor Park on game days, be sure to grab some elote. Rip it. 

Bar-Q’s PB&J burger with peanut butter, jalapeno bacon, hot pepper jelly, and pepper jack cheese is ready to change your peanut butter forever. Rip it. 

Now that’s one dainty desert. Bonet Alla Pimeontese at Four Eleven York. Rip it. 

Commune Provisions is taking classic chicken and waffles to the glory it deserves. Rip it. 

When you hit Voyager Cold Brew, you can now grab a Tree of Life fresh juice. Rip it. 

Yes, Redwood Smoke Shack does have an actual “Dumpster Fire” on the menu. Rip it. 

Don’t miss Karla’s Beach House, a hidden beachside brunch gem. Rip it. 

Next Saturday, Moontide brings its Supper Club back to Assembly. Rip it. 

Cocojam is coming soon to Selden Market and we could not be more eager. Rip it.

Food Truck Sightings:
Friday:
Sense’s Vegan Comfort Food at Reaver NFK. Rip it. 
Weng’s Kitchen at Cova Brewing. Rip it. 
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth Brewing. Rip it.
Prime 757 at Maker’s Craft Brewing. Rip it. 
Shawna’s Rich Eats at Benchtop Brewing. Rip it.  

Saturday:
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth Brewing. Rip it.
Sour Street Pizza at Benchtop Brewing. Rip it.  
Get Stuffed at Cova Brewing. Rip it. 
La Cucina Italian at Maker’s Craft Brewing. Rip it. 
757 Laos Street Food + TFK Taco Bar at Reaver NFK. Rip it. 

Sunday:
Hades Wood Fired Pizza at Benchtop Brewing. Rip it.  
DC Smoothies & Wraps at Maker’s Craft Brewing. Rip it. 
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth Brewing. Rip it.
Bumbling Bee at Cova Brewing. Rip it. 
Big Belly Food Truck at Reaver NFK. 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.