This Week in NFK: Tuition Increases, Gazpacho, Punk Rock, Startup Funds, Artists Calls, and more.

by | Jul 28, 2023

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Community. 

Headwaters Casino’s presentations to the Architecture Review Board and Planning Commission were delayed when the project was pulled from both agendas. Rip it. 

City officials met privately with representatives from Headwaters Casino on Tuesday, which was vaguely described as “productive.” Rip it. 

Norfolk has rescheduled the public forum on the former Lambert’s Point Golf Course to August 9th. Rip it

Norfolk’s Barruad Park is set to get a $4.5 million renovation, including an upgraded shoreline with flood mitigation. Rip it. 

Norfolk’s new Police Chief has been making the rounds to rebuild connections at various community meetings. Rip it. 

The Railroad District Business Association hosted community meetings this week to get public input to build a master plan for the area. Rip it. 

Local “YIMBYs” are gathering for a happy hour next week to discuss urbanist policies. Rip it. 

Ocean View residents are rallying to stop the destruction of several old live oaks in Willoughby Spit. Rip it. 

The region has improved the state of its bridges, moving 22 of the 40 identified bridges out of a “poor” rating. Rip it. 

Renovations have begun on the historic Riverview Theater. Rip it. 

Sentara is offering heart screenings to ODU athletes to help prevent cardiac events in athletes. Rip it. 

The Virginia State Board for Community Colleges voted unanimously to raise tuition by 3%. That’s an extra $4.61 per credit hour. Rip it. 

Kent Carpenter, an ODU Professor, won a Fulbright Fellowship to study the effect of modernization on Vietnam’s fish population. Rip it. 

Jordan D. Moody, a Norfolk State University student, has been named a 2023 HBCU Scholar by the White House. Rip it. 

Norfolk boxer Keyshawn Davis, unbeaten in eight pro bouts, is set for another ESPN appearance. Rip it. 

Culture.

Artel Carter dropped the new music video “Superman”. Rip it.  

Andre Love dropped a new EP entitled “Wrong Feelings.” Rip it. 

Teens With A Purpose are hosting their annual Fuse Fest on August 5th with music, arts, food, school supplies, and more. Rip it. 

CAY’s visual for her new single “Sunday’s Remedy” features downtown Norfolk. Rip it. 

Demons drop a new album alongside Community Witch, Wandcarver, Rose Milk, and Karacell at the Norva next month. Rip it. 

Dustin Furlow hits “Waltz for Spring” with Candyrat Records. Rip it. 

Deadheads are heading to Smartmouth for the Missing Digit Fest with Grateful Jed. Rip it. 

Late Night Drive Home, Benches, Pearloid, and Ryan Wright will come to Chicho’s Backstage next week. Rip it. 

Virginia Queer Film Festival announced a screening of Too Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar at the Naro next month. Rip it. 

The NEON District has an open call for artists to showcase their works in the 8th annual NEON Festival. Rip it. 

Currently on Display:
Barbara Earl Thomas: The Illuminated Body at Chrysler Museum. Rip it.
Spring 2023 Glass Studio Assistantship Exhibition at Chrysler Museum (ENDS 7/30). Rip it.
Heather Beardsley: Strange Plants at Chrysler Museum. Rip it.
Perspectives: Modern and Contemporary Glass from the Waitzer Collection at Barry Art Museum. Rip it.
The Great Exhibition: Bébés at the Barry at Barry Art Museum (ENDS 7/30). Rip it.
M/NYC: Rough Draft, a solo exhibition by Thomas O’Casey at Assembly Gallery. Rip it.
“Missing the Mark” by John Runner at Offsite Gallery. Rip it.
Portrayed III at d’Art Center (ENDS 7/29). Rip it. 
Shapes Everywhere at Commune. Rip it.
Dustin Furlow Photography at The Gallery At Elation (ENDS 7/31)Rip it. 
Determined: The 400-Year Struggle for Black Equality at Slover Library (ENDS 7/31). Rip it.

Commerce.

Meet Danielle and hear the story of her starting and building Kitsch, one of Colley Avenue’s beloved local businesses. (NFK Currents Original Video) Rip it.

Hubly Surgical closed a successful $3 million seed series funding round following obtaining FDA clearance for their groundbreaking neurosurgery drill. Rip it.

The City of Norfolk is launching a Façade Improvement Grant program, with applications opening on August 1st. Rip it.

Urban Strategies, Inc. received a $1.5 million grant from the Truist Foundation to launch a small business loan fund that supports Black, Latino, and Indigenous business owners in Norfolk. Rip it.

Norfolk State University ranked top 20 in Fortune’s Best Online Master’s in Cybersecurity programs. Rip it.

Norfolk International Airport had a record-breaking June with 431,637 passengers. Rip it.

Dominion Energy got approval to charge customers an additional $4.44 per month for participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. Rip it. 

Regional Economic Stats. Port Stats. Labor Stats.

NFK Dad Hat

Norfolk Snapback

Crowds.

Don’t miss your chance to catch Norfolk’s best sunset view via the Lafayette River. Sunset tours from Norfolk Kayak Rentals just dropped. (NFK Currents Original Video) Rip it.

Reaver Beach is hosting a Harry Potter Birthdae Brunch this Sunday. Rip it. 

Original live performances inspired by the Claudia Bueno: Echoes of the Heart exhibition come to the Hermitage this weekend. Rip it. 


Pregame with DJ Canrock at Harbor Park this weekend before the Tides take the field. 
Rip it. 

The Norfolk Waterfront Jazz Festival returns for its 40th year on August 18th & 19th. Rip it. 

LAVA MiniFest returns to Toast with no less than nine indie acts taking the stage. Rip it.

FRIDAY:
Run Club Friday Meetup at Yorgo’s Bageldashery. 6:00 am. Rip it
Sunrise Yoga + Coffee On The River at Pagoda & Garden Foundation. 6:30 am. Rip it
Beginner Dungeons & Dragons for Young Adults. 2:30 pm. Rip it
Wine Tasting at The Green Onion. 5:30 pm. Rip it
DJ Canrock pregame at Harbor Park. 5:30 pm. Rip it. 
Gemz757 & Teens With a Purpose: Hopechasers at Smartmouth. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Myths & Legends: Vampires at Aries Apothecary. 6:00 pm. Rip it
The Overnite Lows perform live at Maker’s Craft Brewery. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Taste of VA on the Bay at OV Beach Park. 6:00 pm. Rip it
Marty C Moore performs live at Ocean View Pier. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Brothers Atlantic perform live at Sunset Grill. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
The House of Graves Leather Munch at 37th & Zen. Rip it. 
Norfolk Tides vs. Nashville Sounds at Harbor Park. 6:35 pm. Rip it 
Sunset Tour with Norfolk Kayak Rentals on the Lafayette River. 6:45 pm. Rip it. 
Taught by Tawana: Far Corners of the Wine World at Vino Culture. 7:00 pm. Rip it 
Improv Social with Commonwealth Comedy at Vessel Craft Coffee. 7:00 pm. Rip it
Celeste Kellogg performs live at Waterside Blue Moon Stage. 7:00 pm Rip it
Open Mic Comedy Night at The Artist Vibez Cafe. 7:00 pm. Rip it
Friday Night Magic: Draft at Atlantis Games & Comics. 7:30 pm Rip it
Calos Prom & Auction for Trans Joy at Vibrant Shore Brewing Company. 8:00 pm. Rip it 
Miller Lite Hot Country Nights: Celeste Kellogg at Waterside District. 8:00 pm. Rip it 
Red Stapler performs live at OV Beach Tavern. 8:00 pm. Rip it 
The Improv Riot: The Short Form Improv Show at Push Comedy Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it
Friday Night Magic: Commander at Atlantis Games & Comics. 8:00 pm Rip it
The Improv Riot After Dark: The Short Form Improv Show at Push Comedy Theater. 10:00 pm. Rip it

SATURDAY:
Weekend Long Run with Ocean View Run Club. 7:15 am. Rip it 
Send It Saturday Morning Group Ride at East Coast Bicycles. 8:00 am. Rip it 
East Beach Farmers Market. 9:00 am. Rip it
Botanical Bike Tour – Secret Gardens of Ghent at Fred Heutte Center. 10:00 am. Rip it 
Align with Astrology Workshop at GypSea Roots Collective. 10:30 am. Rip it
Live Life Fresh Boom Box Bike Ride at Freshtopia. 10:30 am. Rip it 
Punk Rock Flea Market at Not For The Weak Records. 11:00 am. Rip it
DJ Ragoza performs live at Grain. 11:00 am. Rip it
Celebrating 50 Years of Hip Hop at Jordan Newby Library. 11:00 am. Rip it. 
Open Studio: Splatterday at Outside the Lines Art Studio. 11:00 am. Rip it
Parking Lot Vintage Market at The Veil. 12:00 pm. Rip it. 
Love Petals Floral Arrangement at Maker’s Craft Brewery. 12:00 pm. 
Rip it 
Fried Fish & Chicken Fundraiser at Tidewater Lodge 106. 12:00 pm. Rip it
Lipgloss & Lashes Drag Brunch at 37th & Zen. 1:00 pm. Rip it 
GAM JAM Music Festival at the Kroc Center. 2:00 pm. Rip it
Summer Film Series at Barry Ar Museum presents The Little Princess. 2:00 pm. Rip it
Creatives & Drafts Collective VIII at Cova Brewing. 5:00 pm. Rip it. 
DJ Canrock pregame at Harbor Park. 5:30 pm. Rip it. 
UVA Club of Tidewater Summer Social at Harbor Park. 5:50 pm. Rip it. 
Felicia Hoyas performs live at Benchtop Brewing. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Culturally Connected Dinner Party: A Celebration of Food, Culture & Spirits. 6:00 pm. Rip it 
Protection Sachet Making at Aries Apothecary. 6:00 pm. Rip it 
Rebel Soul performs live at Maker’s Craft Brewery. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Performing ART: Echoes of the Heart at Hermitage Museum & Gardens. 6:00 pm. Rip it
The Bat Rays perform live at Elation Brewing. 6:30 pm. Rip it
Saturday Night Yugioh at Atlantis Games & Comics. 6:30 pm. Rip it
“This is your last time” Stage Play at University Theater. 6:30 pm. Rip it. 
Norfolk Tides vs. Nashville Sounds at Harbor Park. 6:35 pm. Rip it.
Coalescence Swing at Coalescence Coffee Company. 7:00 pm. Rip it
Murder Mystery Dinner Theater at The Granby Theater. 7:00 pm. Rip it
VCW Liberty Lottery w/ Matt Cardona at Kroc Center. 7:00 pm. Rip it
Rebecca Shultz performs live at Willoughby By The Bay. 7:00 pm. Rip it
Rachel & the JellyCats perform live at 37th & Zen. 8:00 pm. Rip it. 
Girl-Prov at Push Comedy Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it
PRLS, Song of Praise, Hobots, and Ratbox perform live at Norfolk Taphouse. 8:00 pm. Rip it. 
The Nashville Nights Band at The NorVA. 8:00 pm. Rip it 
UFC 291: Poirier vs Gaethje 2 at Waterside. 8:00 pm. Rip it
JAG Duo performs live at Grain. 9:00 pm. Rip it
Improvageddon: Summer Staycation 2023 at Push Comedy Theater. 10:00 pm. Rip it
OutLife757 Presents Our Annual Moonlight Party Cruise. 10:00 pm. Rip it

SUNDAY:
July Beach Cleanup at The Bold Mariner. 8:00 am. Rip it 
Nature & Eco Tour – Norfolk Kayak Rentals x Elizabeth River Project. 9:00 am. Rip it 
Harry Potter Flow at Sky’s The Limit Yoga.10:15 am. Rip it
Slow-Mo Sunday Group Ride at Local Bike Shop NFK. 10:30 am. Rip it 
Beginner Kung Fu and Fitness Training at The Gym Downtown. 11:00 am. Rip it
Trashy Hour Litter Pickup at Reaver Beach. 11:00 am. Rip it. 
Harry Potter Birthday Brunch at Reaver NFK. 12:00 pm. Rip it 
Scarlet & Violet: Obsidian Flames Prerelease at Atlantis Games & Comics. 12:00 pm. Rip it
Backyard Brunch & Silent Party. 12:30 pm. Rip it
Norfolk Weekly Pokemon League at Atlantis Games & Comics. 1:00 pm. Rip it
Lipgloss & Lashes Drag Brunch at 37th & Zen. 1:00 pm. Rip it
Norfolk Sunday Brunch Cruise. 1:00 pm. Rip it
Paint Strokes and Puff Smoke. 2:00 pm. Rip it 
Paul Urban performs live at Hank’s Filling Station. 2:00 pm. Rip it.
Goodvybez Band performs live at Maker’s Craft. 3:00 pm. Rip it
Money Oil at Aries Apothecary. 4:00 pm. Rip it 
Norfolk Tides vs. Nashville Sounds at Harbor Park. 4:05 pm. Rip it
Veterans Open Mic at Push Comedy Theater. 5:00 pm. Rip it
48-Hour Film Project Meet & Greet at Norfolk Taphouse. 6:00 pm. Rip it
Community Sound Bath at Flow Massage & Bodywork. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Big Bands on the Bay at OV Beach Park. 7:00 pm. Rip it

Chow.

Grab a free taco daily at Sanctuary when you join Citizen Club, NFK Currents membership for insiders. Rip it. 

Legrand Kitchen has crab cakes for a limited time this week. Rip it. 

Only You Lounge welcomes a special guest distributor, Natty Wine, for some amazing drinks this Friday only! Rip it

The crew at Vessel is cooking up some special treats for the improv social this Friday. Rip it

Okay, stop what you’re doing and take a look at the loaded tots at Handsome Biscuit. Rip it

Theses Beef Bulgogi Burrito at A World Of Good looks too good to be true. Rip it

O’s Donuts has special Summer donuts only available until the end of August! Rip it

Thirsty for some Christmas cheer? Heart’s Content, a Peppermint Stout from Rip Rap Brewing, is out for a special release. Rip it 

Grab flights from Ruth Lewandowski Wines, a natural wine producer, at Grandifloar this weekend with carbonic co-ferments. Rip it. 

It’s cold soup weather. Multiple Gazpachos have been sighted at the Ten Top. Rip it. 

Get your blueberry lemon scones and cranberry oatmeal cookies without any gluten at Starving Artist Cafe. Rip it. 

The Missing Digit IPA is back at Smartmouth next week for an ode to Grateful Dead. Rip it. 

Food Truck Sightings:
Friday:
Crop Circle Gourmet at Maker’s Craft. Rip it.
Ghost Kitchen & Miami Fusion at Cova. Rip it.
Hades Wood Fired at Reaver Beach. Rip it.
Salty Cactus at Benchtop. Rip it.
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth. Rip it.
lil’za Pizzaria at The Veil. Rip it.
Bakehouse at Elation. Rip it.
Bar-q at Bold Mariner. Rip it.

Saturday:
LITFood Trailer at Maker’s Craft. Rip it.
Reverie, Weng’s Kitchen, & Bumbling Bee at Cova. Rip it.
Salsa Libre at Benchtop. Rip it.
Big Belly Food Truck at Afterglow Brewing. Rip it. 
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth. Rip it.
lil’za Pizzaria at The Veil. Rip it.
Bakehouse at Elation. Rip it.
Bar-q at Bold Mariner.  Rip it.

Sunday:
Crop Circle Gourmet at Maker’s Craft. Rip it.
Moontide Sundries at Cova. Rip it.
Flippin’ Hangry at Reaver Beach. Rip it.
Hades Wood Fired at Benchtop. Rip it.
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth Rip it.
lil’za Pizzaria at The Veil. Rip it.
Bakehouse at Elation. Rip it.
Bar-q at Bold Mariner. Rip it.

The Ripcurrent.

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.