Community. 

The City is seeking proposals for the former Greyhound Station. We want to hear your big dreams for the space. (NFK Currents Original) Rip it. 

Delegate Jay Jones announced his resignation from the House of Delegates, which will trigger a special election in the 89th House District. Rip it. 

Journalist Brandon Jarvis reports that City Councilmember Andria McClellan is seriously considering a run for the 89th House District. Rip it. 

Ransomware attacks on State computer systems have impacted legislative systems, payroll operations, and more. Rip it.  

Keith Clark has led an effort that has given more than 850 bikes to public schools across the region. Rip it.

The Elizabeth River Trail Foundation has a new executive director, Kindra Greene. Rip it. 

The arrival of the USS Iwo Jima to Norfolk this week signaled the completion of the shift of the East Coast amphibious fleet to the region, representing 1,150 sailors and their families. Rip it. 

Pharrell encouraged graduates of Norfolk State University to help ‘create the city that you deserve’ in his commencement address. Rip it. 

Nauticus has finished the installation of a new gangway in preparation for a very busy cruise season. Rip it. 

Norfolk Public Schools is replacing water fountains with water bottle filling stations to reduce possible disease transmission. Rip it. 

Norfolk Naval Shipyard leaked substantial amounts of biodiesel fuel into an adjacent creek. Rip it. 

The HRBT Expansion Project welcomed “Mary the Tunnel Boring Machine” to the project this week. Rip it. 

The U.S. Navy is preparing to kick out around 5,700 sailors who refuse to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Rip it. 

Thanks to community organizing after a 5-year-old boy was struck by a driver there are new safety signs along Tidewater Drive near Northside Park. Advocates still want full crosswalks. Rip it. 

Virginia conservationists are testing oyster reefs as living barriers to coastal erosion. Rip it. 

Culture.

Visit Hermitage Museum and Gardens to check out the 2021 Gingerbread House Contest on display and free to visit. (NFK Currents Original) Rip it. 

d’Art Center celebrates 25 years this month. Rip it.

The long-awaited “Melodicallusion” by @dettermeine is out now on all streaming platforms. Rip it. 

Shelley fka D.R.A.M. and Gabe Niles takeover Attucks Theater this weekend for a Rated R Christmas event. Rip it. 

Mudita Cafe and Coffeehouse hosts Heidi Joy for an immersive art experience in Ocean View. Rip it. 

Devyn Owen’s Timecampsule, a solo exhibition, comes to Kobro’s this Friday, December 17th. Rip it.

Nick Cannon’s Wild ‘N Out Tour is coming to the region on May 22nd, 2022. Rip it. 

757 Headspace’s first event “Open Floor” featuring over a dozen choreographers comes to ODU’s Univesity Theater on January 27th. Rip it. 

Preview ‘Missed Calls’ by Khi Inifinite before you catch him at Slow Dive Gallery this weekend. Rip it. 

Currently on Display:
Life and Limb: Works by Matt Sesow at Baron and Ellin Gordon Art Gallery. Rip it. 
Fence Street Gallery in the NEON District. Rip it.
Pier Luigi Nervi: Art and Science of Building at Chrysler Museum. Rip it. 
Karen LaMonte: Théâtre de la Mode at Barry Art Museum. Rip it. 
Tuan Andrew Nguyen: The Boat People at Chrysler Museum. Rip it. 
Alpha / Beta at Offsite Gallery. Rip it. 

Commerce.

A JLARC report indicates that Virginia needs another 200,000 affordable housing units. Rip it. 

EVMS, ODU, and Sentara are moving forward with finding “closer alignment or affiliation.” Rip it. 

Norfolk’s World Trade Center officially traded hands this week for $69 million. The buyer was an LLC with an unknown owner. Rip it. 

Keith Clark has led an effort that has given more than 850 bikes to public schools across the region. Rip it. 

The Face Cos, a Norfolk-based firm, has invented a new technology to protect against electromagnetic radiation. Rip it. 

Culture Nightclub reached an agreement with the City of Norfolk to surrender their conditional use permit and operate only as a restaurant. Rip it. 

The Port of Virginia hit its highest volume on record in November, with more increases expected as the port continues expansion. Rip it. 

Norfolk International had its busiest November ever last month. Rip it. 

Selden Market is seeking new tenants for spaces currently filled by Vessel Coffee and Slide Thru Fam. Rip it. 

Ynot Italian has grown across the region and is eyeing expansion to other parts of Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and North Carolina. Rip it.

Virginia’s rental market in review and a look ahead to 2022. Rip it. 

Regional Economic Stats. Port Stats. Labor Stats.

Crowds.

Waterside District is lining up the grandest NYE party in Downtown Norfolk. (NFK Currents Original) Rip it.
 
See all of the best Christmas lights Norfolk has to offer on Dec 23rd with Local Bike Shop. Rip it.

Support cancer research and rock out with this Christmas Eve Eve concert. Rip it. 

Catch Demons, Obscure Son, and the Sandtones at Taphouse Grill on the 22nd. Rip it. 

**Please note that listed times are start times, many events run several hours**
All Weekend:
DoPortugal Circus at Military Circle. Rip it. 
Zoolumination at Virginia Zoo. Rip it.
Million Bulb Walk at Norfolk Botanical Garden. Rip it. 
Winterfest at Nauticus. Rip it. 
MacArthur On Ice at MacArthur Center. Rip it. 
Model Train Exhibit at Selden Market. Rip it.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever at Hurrah Players Copeland Center. Rip it. 
Hairspray performed live at Chrysler Hall. Rip it.
A Merry Little Christmas Carol with Va Stage Co at Wells Theater. Rip it.

Friday: 
Norfolk Run Club Meetup at Yogros. 6:00 am. Rip it. 
Ocean View Yoga Info Meeting at Mudita Cafe. 11:00 am. Rip it. 
Cotton Candy Grooves: Heart & Solstice at 2500 Church Street. 4:00 pm. Rip it.
Kimberly Anne Jones Craft Popup at Cova Brewing Co. 5:00 pm. Rip it. 
Izzy the DJ runs it back at Culture Lounge. 5:00 pm. Rip it. 
James Ford performs live at Cova Brewing. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Cody Browning performs live at Maker’s Craft Brewery. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Holiday Open House Tasting at Vino Culture. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Fox and the Bear perform live at Elation Brewing. 6:30 pm. Rip it. 
Heidi Joy Immersive Art Experience at Cafe Mudita. 6:30 pm. Rip it. 
Outlaw Country Christmas Spectacular at the Granby Theater. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Clara Zimm performs live at Varia. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Ugly Christmas Sweater Mayhem Party at PBR Norfolk. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Fortresses perform live at Slow Dive Gallery. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Sensual Bachata Classes at Mambo Room. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Norfolk Admirals vs. Wheeling Nailers at Norfolk Scope. 7:30 pm. Rip it. 
“Guess Who’s Coming To Kwanza” with The Diversity JAM at Push Comedy. 8:00 pm. Rip it. 
James “JJ” Smith performs live at Grace O’Malley’s. 8:30 pm. Rip it. 
Late Night Ladies Christmas Light Ride departing Cafe Stella. 8:30 pm. Rip it. 
Die Hard showing at Naro Cinema. 9:15 pm. Rip it.
Anthony Rosano and the Conqueroos perform live at Waterside District. 9:30 pm. Rip it.
Kevin Brinson performs live at Grain. 9:30 pm. Rip it. 
Harold Night Improv Show at Push Comedy. 10:00 pm. Rip it. 
Khi Infinite, Boris the Elucid, and Lundii perform live at Slow Dive Gallery. 10:00 pm. Rip it. 

Saturday: 
Weyanoke Nature Walk with Cape Henry Audobon Society. 9:00 am. Rip it. 
Brunch With Santa at Norfolk Yacht & Country Club. 9:00 am. Rip it.
Artist and Makers Market: Holiday Home Edition at Selden Market. 10:00 am. Rip it.
Adopt-A-Spot with Park Place Civic League. 10:00 am. Rip it.
The Muse Book Sale at The Muse Writers Center. 10:00 am. Rip it. 
Train Rides with Santa at The Virginia Zoo. 10:30 am. Rip it. 
BigForestFire performs live at Grain. 11:00 am. Rip it. 
Thank You Card Workshop at 757 Creative Reuse Center. 12:00 pm. Rip it. 
Santa Speedo Run and Holiday Dog Party at Bold Mariner Brewing. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Pints, Puppies, and Pictures at Hank’s Filling Station. 1:00 pm. Rip it. 
Milk Crate Mafia performs live at Hank’s Filling Station. 2:45 pm. Rip it. 
Cookie Decorating at Cova Brewing. 3:00 pm. Rip it. 
Shark City Drum and Dance Corp perform live at Kroc Center. 5:00 pm. Rip it. 
A Chocolate Christmas performed live at Meredith Center for the Arts. 5:00 pm. Rip it. 
Ugly Sweater Party at Reaver Beach NFK. 5:00 pm. Rip it. 
Brett Williams performs live at Maker’s Craft Brewery. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Sail Nauticus Parad of Sails at Nauticus. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
The Bay Rats perform live at Cova Brewing Co. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Yule Community Celebration at Mystic Moon Norfolk. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Brett Williams performs live at Maker’s Craft Brewery. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Night Before Christmas at Hunter House Victorian Museum. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Chris Keys performs live at Varia. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Halleujah! Handel’s Messiah performed live at Harrison Opera House. 7:30 pm. Rip it. 
Norfolk Admirals vs. Wheeling Nailers at Norfolk Scope. 7:30 pm. Rip it.
Girl-Prov at Push Comedy Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it. 
Big Baby’s Bakery Holiday Jam at Attucks Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it. 
Bare Book Club Presents: Baby, It’s Cold Outside at the Venue on 35th. 8:00 pm. Rip it. 
RFAFR Productions Presents Pleasure at Percolator. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
James “JJ” Smit performs live at Grace O’Malley’s Irish Publ. 8:30 pm. Rip it. 
Gremlins showing at Naro Cinema. 9:15 pm. Rip it. 
DJ Boisey performs live at Grain. 9:30 pm. Rip it. 
Runnin’ Shine performs live at Waterside District. 9:30 pm. Rip it. 
Platform’d A Sketch Comedy Showcase at Push Comedy Theater. 10:00 pm. Rip it. 

Sunday:

Chow.

Catch Voyager Cold Brew with Egg Nog Lattes at Elation Brewing’s Elated Craft Market this Sunday. Rip it. 

Put me in Coach! Hit up Coach House 5 Star Philly Popup Friday at lunch only. Rip it. 

The legends are true. Legrand’s infamous burger with a triple patty lurks in the shadows. Rip it. 

Christmas with Chorizo? Who’s been bribing Santa? Rip it. 

Walter’s Toast returns to Benchtop with Coffee Porter with Cinnamon, Vanilla, and Maple Syrup. Rip it. 

Cork & Co is showing up with surf and turf drizzle. Rip it. 

12 Christmas cinema cocktails are awaiting you at Four Eleven York. Rip it.

Bosc & Bartlett Pears with Maple are loaded into the Kobro’s Craft Latte of the week. Rip it. 

Did you know you can get spicy sauce on any Cogan’s pizza? Rip it. 

Drink a beer that gives back: 25% of all sales of Smartmouth’s Brave Noise IPA goes to the YWCA to aid in strengthening social movements and eliminating racism. Rip it. 

Food Truck Sightings:
Friday:
The Coop and La Cucina Di Sophia at Cova Brewing. Rip it. 
Flavor Savor BBQ at Maker’s Craft Brewing. Rip it. 
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth Brewing. Rip it. 
Big Belly at Benchtop Brewing. Rip it. 

Saturday:
Sense’s Vegan at Benchtop Brewing. Rip it. 
 Vang’s Sushi at Reaver Beach NFK. Rip it.
 Weng’s Kitchen at Cova Brewing. Rip it. 
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth Brewing. Rip it. 
Hadassah’s Grill at Maker’s Craft Brewery. Rip it. 

Sunday:
Pitt County BBQ at Maker’s Craft Brewing. Rip it. 
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth Brewing. Rip it.
The Coop VA at Benchtop Brewing. Rip it.  
DC Smoothies and Vang’s Sushi at Cova Brewing. Rip it. 

The Ripcurrent.

Get hype for Shark City Drum and Dance

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!