Community.

Here’s a taste of Citizen Club for everyone! Grab a free ticket to Commonwealth Comedy’s ImprOV Show with the code CURRENTS. Rip it.

​​Norfolk City Council voted to approve allocating up to $18 million for the purchase of MacArthur Mall on Wednesday. Public contracts show a purchase price of $11.05 million. Rip it.

The special meeting on the purchase of MacArthur Mall was called just one day before the meeting, leaving little time for public discourse. Rip it.

Norfolk School Board is set to meet on whether to recombine public comment periods after splitting it last fall. Rip it. 

Air quality levels are variable from neighborhood to neighborhood, but some areas are reaching an “unhealthy” AQI and approaching “Very unhealthy” levels. Rip it.

Catch wrapped light rail cars with safety tips across town as part of Operation Lifesaver.” Rip it. 

Senator Kaine has sponsored federal housing legislation that protects veterans and active-duty military members and makes source-of-income discrimination illegal. Rip it.

The Virginia Air Pollution Control Board voted to remove Virginia from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. Rip it. 

The U.S. Supreme Court narrowed environmental protections for wetlands, but Virginia’s strict protections should allow for current rules to continue. Rip it. 

Venomous jellyfish are being spotted in local waterways and washing up on local beaches. Rip it. 

Wideongrass is starting to dominate the Chesapeake Bay as a result of warming waters. Rip it.

Norfolk Public Schools is hosting an event in August to connect students with local non-profits and community organizations. Rip it.

The Admirals are up for ECHL Awards this year. Rip it.

Police departments across Hampton Roads participated in the annual Torch Run to support The Special Olympics. Rip it.

Culture.

“Echoes of the Heart,” a highly-anticipated installation from Claudia Bueno, opens at the Hermitage Museum and Gardens this week. (NFK Currents Original). Rip it. 

NSU Assistant Professor Alexa Harris is among a select few award winners honored by The HistoryMakers, the largest African American video oral history archive. Rip it.

The Virginia Queer Film Festival holds its inaugural fest with dozens of short films and workshops at ODU next week. Rip it.

WHRO documents the history of activism in the queer community. Rip it.

Harborfest features memorabilia from the former Boathouse venue at a “Boathouse Stage” area during the festival. Rip it. 

More than 60 hand-crafted designer birdhouses are now on display at Norfolk Botanical Garden. Rip it.

“For My Brothers with Sons I Paint This” is open at the Offsite Gallery in Macarthur Cente. Rip it.

Aimee Bruce debuted “Flourish,” depicting two hands working together to plant seeds at The UP Center during its 140th anniversary. Rip it. 

The Chrysler Museum will be hosting a multimedia event with short films, poetry readings, and more to celebrate African American freedom on June 16th. Rip it.

Currently on Display:
Echoes of the Heart at The Hermitage Museum and Gardens. Rip it. 
Barbara Earl Thomas: The Illuminated Body at Chrysler Museum. Rip it.
Preston Singletary: Raven and the Box of Daylight at Chrysler Museum. Rip it.
IDEAL, Intentional Designs of Expression in Artistic Languages at Chrysler Museum. Rip it.
The Great Exhibition: Bébés at the Barry Art Museum. Rip it.
Perspectives: Modern and Contemporary Glass from the Waitzer Collection at Barry Art Museum. Rip it.
People, Places, Dreams & Things at Gallery 21. Rip it.
High On Your Supply at The Gallery At Elation. Rip it.

Commerce.

The Norfolk Innovation Corridor is bringing together all of the innovators, creatives, and ambitious professionals to the Norfolk Kickback at Smartmouth later this month. Rip it.

MapQuest Co-Founder Chris Heivly speaks at Assembly this coming Wednesday. Rip it. 

Norfolk Southern is giving all workers sick time. It was the first major railroad in the U.S. to do so. Rip it.

Norfolk-based organization Envisions Lead Grow (ELG) says it’s receiving $43,776.88 of grant funds from the United Way of South Hampton Roads. Rip it. 

Catch two local startups, BOBO Collective and Chainparency, on the Carl Nelson show. Rip it. 

BAUER Compressors showed up at its new facility following the $7.4 million expansion. Rip it. 

IP Configure shows off their motion tracking camera technology. Rip it. 

Regional Economic Stats. Port Stats. Labor Stats.

Crowds.

Reaver Beach is hosting a Pride Pop-Up Party with a ton of vendors and a drag show. (NFK Currents Original) Rip it. 

The first Virginia Queer Film Festival is at ODU June 14-16. Rip it.

Next week the Norfolk Tides play Worcester Red Sox at Harbor Park. Rip it.

Festevents’ Juneteenth Festival will be next Saturday at Town Point Park. Rip it. 

Ghent Pride returns this month with a block party at the Palace Shops on June 20th. Rip it. 

Tickets are now on sale for LAVA Presents next concert event on July 8th. Rip it.

Norfolk Latino Music Festival is coming up on July 22nd. Rip it.

ALL WEEKEND:
Norfolk Harborfest at Town Point Park. Rip it.
Pride Open House in Chelsea Business District. Rip it.
Moana Jr The Musical at Kroc Center Hampton Roads. Rip it.

FRIDAY:
Run Club Friday Meetup at Yorgo’s Bageldashery. 6:00 am. Rip it
Sunrise Yoga + Coffee On The River at Pagoda & Oriental Garden. 6:30 am. Rip it
Lego Days in The Art Room at 757 Creative ReUse Center. 10:00 am. Rip it
KinderSTEM at Mary D Pretlow Anchor Branch Library. 10:30 am. Rip it
Meet & Greet at Red Frog Pub on Carnival Magic Cruise Ship. 4:30 pm. Rip it.
Red Stapler performs live at OV Pier. 6:00 pm. Rip it
Friday Night Live at Cova Brewing Company. 6:00 pm. Rip it
Shadow Work 101 at Aries Apothecary. 6:00 pm. Rip it
Echoes of the Heart Exhibition Opening Celebration at Hermitage Museum and Gardens. 6:00 pm. Rip it
Acid Fish Popup at Only You. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Acoustic Music at Willoughby Fish House. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
The Bay Rats perform live at Elation. 6:30 pm. Rip it
SMILE Gala & Auction. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Socialize n’ Swing lessons and public dance. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Bria Skonberg performs live at Perry Pavilion. 7:30 pm. Rip it
Tales from the Campfire at Push Comedy Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it
imprOV: NFK’s Night of Comedy in Oceanview. 8:00 pm. Rip it
Emo Nite at The NorVA. 9:00 pm. Rip it
The Princess Bride Flashback Friday at Naro Cinema. 9:15 pm. Rip it
Teacher’s Pet – Improv Comedy Show at Push Comedy Theater. 10:00 pm. Rip it

SATURDAY:
OV Run Club’s Weekend Long Run. 7:15 am. Rip it
Bonnewell Annual 5K for Charity. 7:30 am. Rip it.
Send It Saturday Morning Group Ride at East Coast Bicycles. 8:00 am. Rip it
Sky’s The Limit Yoga at Coalescence. 9:00 am. Rip it
Annual Picnic at Weyanoke Bird Sanctuary. 9:00 am. Rip it. 
East Beach Farmers Market. 9:00 am. Rip it
VCC Auditions for New Students! at Talbot Park Baptist Church. 9:00 am. Rip it
Atlantis June 40K Event Hosted by Away Games. 9:15 am. Rip it
Ghent Clean Up on 21st Street. 10:00 am. Rip it
NFK Game of Shrooms 2023 across the city. 10:00 am. Rip it. 
Live Life Fresh Boom Box Bike Ride at Freshtopia. 10:30 am. Rip it
Mommy + Me Yoga at Sky’s The Limit Yoga Co. 10:45 am. Rip it
Yoga for Athletes at Sky’s The Limit Yoga Co. 10:45 am. Rip it
Summer Foliage Fair at Selden Market. 11:00 am. Rip it
BigForestFire performs live at Grain. 11:00 am. Rip it.
Embroidered Pride Flags with Judy-Lynn at 757 Creative ReUse Center. 12:00 pm. Rip it
Southeastern VA Golden Retriever Rescue, Education, and Training Fundraising Event at Smartmouth. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Pivot Dance 1st Performance at Chrysler Hall. 12:00 pm. Rip it
Pride Pop-Up Party at Reaver Beach NFK. 1:00 pm. Rip it
Lipgloss & Lashes Drag Brunch at 37th & Zen. 1:00 pm. Rip it
UEFA Champions League Final at Grace O’Malley’s Irish Pub & Restaurant. 2:30 pm. Rip it
Pivot Dance 2nd Performance at Chrysler Hall. 4:00 pm. Rip it
Crazy DJ Music Bingo at Hank’s Filling Station. 4:30 pm. Rip it. 
Pride Night at The Virginia Zoo. 5:00 pm. Rip it
Healing Bracelet Making at Aries Apothecary. 6:00 pm. Rip it
Tidewater Dogs of War at Maker’s Craft. 6:00 pm. Rip it
Cody Browning performs live at Benchtop Brewing. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Roarin’ 20s Theme Night at Elation. 6:00 pm. Rip it
Jacob Vanko performs live at Maker’s Craft Brewery. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Healing Bracelet Making at Aries Apothecary. 6:00 pm. Rip it
Gentle Yoga, Soundbath & Community Tea at Norfolk Karate Academy. 6:30 pm. Rip it. 
An Underground River: African American History along the ERT. 7:00 pm. Rip it
Step Into the Light Gala at The Granby Theater. 7:00 pm. Rip it
Alisa Amador performing at Robin Hixon Theater, Clay and Jay Barr Education Center. 7:30 pm. Rip it
The Unusual Suspects: An Improvised Murder Mystery at Push Comedy Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it
Cocoa Tea & Friends performs live at The NorVA. 8:00 pm. Rip it
Red Stapler performs live at OV Beach Tavern. 8:00 pm. Rip it
Pride-Fest Drag Show hosted by Javon Love at Reaver Beach NFK. 9:00 pm. Rip it
Hightops & Hookahs event. 9:00 pm. Rip it.
Baila! W/ Gabe Niles, Jo Froxi, Lex Lucent, & Baby Oil at Plaza Del Sol. 9:00 pm. Rip it. 
Second Saturday Stand-Up at Push Comedy Theater. 10:00 pm. Rip it
UFC 289: Nunes vs Aldana at Waterside District. 10:00 pm. Rip it

SUNDAY:
Slow-Mo Sunday Group Ride at Local Bike Shop NFK. 10:30 am. Rip it
Clothing Swap at 757 Creative ReUse Center. 12:00 pm. Rip it
Philippines Independence Day Celebration at Ohef Sholom. 12:00 pm. Rip it. 
Virginia Artisan Market at Bold Mariner. 12:00 pm. Rip it
Pride in the ‘Peake 2023. 12:00 pm. Rip it
Making a Monster: Tea with Mary Shelley at Hunter House Victorian Museum. 12:00 pm. Rip it
Privateer Press Game Night at Atlantis Games & Comics. 12:00 pm. Rip it
Bhav Brigade at Sky’s the Limit Yoga. 12:00 pm. Rip it
Golden Slippers Dance 1st Performance at Chrysler Hall. 12:00 pm. Rip it
CFC Norfolk Red Cross Blood Drive. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
MTG Modern Sunday at Atlantis Games & Comics. 1:00 pm. Rip it
Lipgloss & Lashes Drag Brunch at 37th & Zen. 1:00 pm. Rip it
Weekly Pokemon League at Atlantis Games & Comics. 1:00 pm. Rip it
Mindful Mixer at Fly Girl Boutique. 1:30 pm. Rip it.
Blue’s Jam at Cova Brewing Company. 3:00 pm. Rip it
Music Bingo at Reaver NFK. 4:00 pm. Rip it
Yoga With A Yogi In Training at Sky’s The Limit Yoga Co. 4:00 pm. Rip it
Golden Slippers Dance 2nd Performance at Chrysler Hall. 5:00 pm. Rip it
Crime Line, OC Rippers, and Empty Squares perform live at Taphouse. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Traditional Irish Session at Grace O’Malley’s Irish Pub & Restaurant. 6:00 pm. Rip it
Big Bands on the Bay at OV Beach Park. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Soundscapes at the Hive. 7:30 pm. Rip it. 

Chow.

Catch Acid Fish with their pop-up of Chesapeake Bay speared Sheepshead, North Cack Mackerel, Maine Sticky Scallops & Washington Hammersley Oysters at Only You on Friday. Rip it.

The Chefs are heavy-handed with their salad portions over at Cure. Rip it. 

Coffee cocktails are making Commune’s brunch better than ever. Rip it. 

Purple drink? Grape soda? Nope, that’s a grape beer from The Birch. Rip it. 

Grab farm fresh strawberries from Ghent Grab N Go, our favorite indie convenience store. Rip it.

Hair of the Dog dropped a flight of coffees themed around Little Debbie cakes. Rip it. 

Cafe Genevieve has a new whipped espresso drink for their 1st anniversary in Selden. Rip it. 

Never Recover: Gose brewed with pink sea salt, then dosed with peach and boysenberry purée. Now at the Veil. Rip it. 

Starving Artist Cafe is the Queen of the Quiches. Rip it. 

Mushroom gnocchi with three types of mushrooms and truffle sauce are taking Press 626 by storm. Rip it. 

Smores donuts? Donut mind if I do. Rip it. 

Codex has gone to the dogs. Rip it. .

Food Truck Sightings:
Friday:
Hot Box at Maker’s Craft. Rip it.
Ghost Kitchen & Deutscher Imbiss at COVA. Rip it.
The Lit Auntie at Benchtop Brewing. Rip it. 
Tone Bonez BBQ at Reaver Beach. Rip it.
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth. Rip it.
Bakehouse at Elation. Rip it.
Bar-q at Bold Mariner. Rip it.

Saturday:
Hades Wood Fired & Munchies at Maker’s Craft. Rip it.
Weng’s Kitchen at COVA. Rip it.
Revery at Benchtop Brewing. Rip it. 
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth. Rip it.
Bakehouse at Elation. Rip it.
Bar-q at Bold Mariner. Rip it.

Sunday:
Hot Box at Maker’s Craft. Rip it.
Bumbling Bee at COVA. Rip it.
Ortega’s Street Tacos at Reaver Beach. Rip it.
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth Rip it.
Bakehouse at Elation. Rip it.
Bar-q at Bold Mariner. Rip it.

The Ripcurrent.

Watch your step on the beach this weekend.