Community.

City Council passed an ordinance to trap, neuter, and return the many stray cats that populate Norfolk. Rip it.

A local business owner was awarded $300K from the jury in a defamation suit against the city, but the Attorney’s office is fighting to overturn it. Rip it.

Hampton Blvd is set to get a bit quieter after City Council voted to change the city code and raise fines on truck drivers ignoring the restrictions. Rip it.

The rate of Virginia public school students who struggle with being unhoused is returning to pre-pandemic numbers. Rip it.

Cities across Virginia are planning for sewer system updates after the newest climate change assessments. Rip it.

There is a symposium on Virginia’s part in the slave trade and reparations that is free and open to the public. Rip it.

The plan to clean the Chesapeake Bay hasn’t been going as planned, according to reports. Rip it.

A new limit on the recreational fishing of striped bass has been implemented to curb the declining population. Rip it.

The Virginia Press Association news and advertising contest was last week, granting 28 awards to members of local journalism organizations. Rip it.

Sage, a 3-year-old Labrador Retriever, joins the USS Gerald R. Ford as the first emotional support animal to join the military on deployment. Rip it.

Rite Aid awarded $50K to CHKD to provide to families with poor food access. Rip it.

The Hampton Roads Alliance is launching a new platform to hopefully bring new jobs in growing industries. Rip it.

The Norfolk Tides have been crushing the season; they’re currently the best in the International League. Rip it.

Culture.

Nina Simone takes on a 90-minute one-woman show at Wells Theater. It’s “No Fear and Blues Long Gone,” and Citizen Club members get 20% off. Rip it. 

Sunsets on the River return to the Hermitage next Thursday with Kaboombox. Rip it.

Artist Abby Pawley discusses their new mural on 11th Bay Street in Ocean View. Rip it.

The Virginia Opera has announced their 23-24 season, including “Sanctuary Road,” which explores the story of the underground railroad. Rip it.

This year’s Harborfest poster art and artist have been announced as Ryan Jones, a third-generation Harborfest poster artist. Rip it.

Commonwealth Comedy announced a Summer Series of shows under Chrysler Hall at Generic Theater, including the sell-out Titty Titty Bang Bang show. Rip it. 

Hampton Roads Youth Poets named a Norfolk Academy student as the 2023 Youth Poet Laureate. Rip it.

Norfolk-based Country artist Roberta Lea’s newest music was recently played at Times Square. Rip it.

Next month the Virginia Queer Film Fest lands at ODU for three days of film-focused fun. Rip it.

The goths are gathering for Goth Prom next week. Rip it.

UVA’s University Singers are bringing their tour, “From the Blue Ridge to the Big Apple,” to the Basilica of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception on May 30th. Rip it.

Dwight Easter’s unique digital folk art was featured as official Clean The Bay Day artwork. Rip it.

Jesus Christ Superstar comes to Chrysler Hall May 30 – June 4. Rip it.

Cardinal Skate Shop was featured in Berrics skate magazine. Rip it.

The latest drop from Bleu Being is here. Rip it.

Currently on Display:
Barbara Earl Thomas: The Illuminated Body at Chrysler Museum. Rip it.
Preston Singletary: Raven and the Box of Daylight at Chrysler Museum. Rip it.
Facing Ourselves: Mike Disfarmer and the American Portrait 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.
Sam Bartlett: Low Stakes, Plywood Cutouts & Everyday Comix at Baron and Ellin Gordon Art Galleries. Rip it.
People, Places, Dreams & Things at Gallery 21. Rip it.

Abstract Portraits in Mixed Media by Zander Riegle at The Gallery At Elation. Rip it.

Commerce.

BAUER Compressors is investing $7.4 million and hiring 47, according to an announcement this week. Rip it.

Norfolk’s cruise season kicks off this weekend with Carnival Magic and continues with weekly cruises through October. Rip it.

Norfolk Economic Development selected contractors for the redevelopment of the Rosna Theater. Rip it.

$975K is being granted to NSU’s cybersecurity division by Senator Mark Warner to develop AI capabilities in cyberattack defenses. Rip it.

Norfolk is working to keep outdoor dining spaces open now that pandemic guidelines have expired. Rip it.

Norfolk International has issued an RFP for an on-site hotel. Rip it.

NSU announced increases to tuition and fees for the next school year. Rip it.

Maritime industry workers are getting together for a mixer on June 1. Rip it.

Several local hospitality workers were recognized to celebrate National Travel and Tourism Week. Rip it.

Hubly Surgical, a 757 Accelerate alumni, recently announced its FDA 510k clearance for the Hubly Drill, a safer technology for drilling medically necessary holes in skulls. Rip it. 

Norfolk Public Schools is hosting a job fair on May 20th. Rip it.

757 Accelerator applications are open until May 24th. Rip it.

Regional Economic Stats. Port Stats. Labor Stats.

Crowds.

It’s Bike Month in Norfolk; there’s a bike event every day. Rip it.

Selden Market and NSU Innovation Center co-host the Align Market next week, featuring some of the first Align participants. Rip it.

Later this month, LAVA Presents brings back-to-back nights of jams to Norfolk with NorFunk and Grilled Out. Rip it.

East Beach, Talbot Park, and Ghent Farmer’s Markets are up and running for the season. Rip it.

Next week Nauticus is bringing back its adult “After Dark” event. Rip it.

FRIDAY:
Norfolk 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
Coffee II: Dalí Quartet at St. John’s Episcopal Church. 10:30 am. Rip it
Charlton Phaneuf performs live at Waterside Market Stage. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
Mermaid Mingling at The Plot. 5:30 pm. Rip it
Language of the Dead: Messages from the Dead Tour at Elmwood Cemetery. 6:00 pm. Rip it
Oil Painting Workshop With Anne McNally at d’Art Center. 6:00 pm. Rip it
Bow Tie Ball – Mother & Son Dance to Benefit CHKD. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Vince Kornegay performs live at COVA Brewing Company. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Zach Desocio performs live at Elation. 6:30 pm. Rip it
Bad Movie Night at Michael and Kimthanh Lê Planetarium. 6:30 pm. Rip it
Joaquin D. Garza performs live at Grandiflora Wine Garden. 6:30 pm. Rip it.
Taught by Tawana: Wines of Chile at Vino Culture. 7:00 pm. Rip it
Improv Social with Commonwealth Comedy at Vessel Craft Coffee. 7:00 pm. Rip it
Vince Lee performs live at Chico’s Backstage. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Murder Mystery at The Granby Theater. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Friday Night Magic: Draft at Atlantis Games & Comics. 7:30 pm. Rip it
RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Premier Viewing Party at The Wave. 7:30 pm. Rip it.
Virginia Symphony: From the Silk Road to the Planets at Chrysler Hall. 7:30 pm. Rip it

No Fear and Blues Long Gone at Wells Theater. 7:30 pm. Rip it.
Edward Plus One performs live at Grace O’Malley’s. 8:30 pm. Rip it.
Tales from the Campfire at Push Comedy Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it
Railroad Earth performs live at The NorVA. 8:00 pm. Rip it
James and the Giant Peach at Little Theatre of Norfolk. 8:00 pm. Rip it
NFTW Presents: Lasso, Scarecrow, Bato, Homemade Speed at Norfolk Taphouse. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Teacher’s Pet – Improv Comedy Show at Push Comedy Theater. 10:00 pm. Rip it
A Clockwork Orange Night Owl Screening at Naro Cinema. 11:00 pm. Rip it

SATURDAY:
Send It Saturday Morning Group Ride. at East Coast Bicycles. 8:00 am. Rip it
Step Up for The Up Center 2023 at Harbor Park. 9:00 am. Rip it
Volunteer Workday at Calvary Cemetery. 9:00 am. Rip it
East Beach Farmers Market on Shore Drive. 9:00 am. Rip it
Sky’s the Limit Yoga at Coalescence Coffee. 9:00 am. Rip it
RISE Men’s Retreat || Conversation and Understanding with LGBT Life Center. 9:00 am. Rip it
The OV Beach Tavern Mother’s Day Saturday Drag Brunch. 10:00 am. Rip it
World Street Soccer Pickup at MacArthur Mall Green. 10:00 am. Rip it.
Norfolk Can Fly Career and Stem Fest at Aviation Institute of Maintenance. 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
COVA Moves: Pure Barre at Cova Brewing. 11:00 am. Rip it
Poochella 2023 at Bea Arthur Community Dog Park. 11:00 am. Rip it.
Build A Vegetable Garden at Nauticus. 11:00 am. Rip it
Protection 101 at Kindred Spirit. 12:00 pm. Rip it
MF Bike Swap at The Veil Brewing Co. 12:00 pm. Rip it
Vintage Market at Benchtop Brewing Company. 12:00 pm. Rip it
Beer Fest at Cogans Pizza. 12:00 pm. Rip it
NACC Waggin’ Wheels Mobile Pet Pantry at Jordan-Newby Library. 12:00 pm. Rip it
Speaking Tagalog: The Basics at Tucker Memorial Library. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Chakra Yoga + Bracelet Making Workshop at Sky’s The Limit Yoga Co. 12:15 pm. Rip it
Lipgloss & Lashes Drag Brunch at 37th & Zen. 1:00 pm. Rip it
Va Stage Co’s Every Brilliant Thing at Lamberts Point Recreational Center. 1:30 pm. Rip it
Art Journaling with Amy at 757 Creative ReUse Center. 2:00 pm. Rip it
Mother’s Day Market at Maker’s Craft Brewery. 2:00 pm. Rip it
NATO Community Engagement at Pretlow Library. 2:00 pm. Rip it.
Musical Open Gym at the Push Comedy Theater. 3:00 pm. Rip it
Bay Youth Orchestras of Virginia Finale Concert at NSU. 3:00 pm. Rip it.
Rosé and Bubbles Summer Kick-Off Party! At VIA design. 4:00 pm. Rip it
Michael Clark Band performs live at Maker’s Craft Brewery. 5:30 pm. Rip it
Only You Grand Opening at The Veil. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
TomKat performs live at the Willoughby Fish House. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Saturday Night Yugioh at Atlantis Games & Comics. 6:30 pm. Rip it
Nicholas Charles performs live at Elation Brewing. 6:30 pm. Rip it
Myra Smith & The Phoenix Band perform live at Boss Queens Soul Cafe. 7:00 pm. Rip it

No Fear and Blues Long Gone at Wells Theater. 7:30 pm. Rip it.
Birthday Party with DJ Pauly D at Waterside District. 8:00 pm. Rip it
Kem, Ledisi & Musiq Soulchild performs live at Scope Arena. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
The Unusual Suspects: An Improvised Murder Mystery at Push Comedy Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it
Mother’s Day 90’s R&B Ladies Night Extravaganza at Chartway Arena. 8:00 pm. Rip it
The Soul II Soul Tour at Norfolk Scope. 8:00 pm. Rip it
James and the Giant Peach at Little Theatre of Norfolk. 8:00 pm. Rip it
Obscure Son, Arms Bizarre, ()STANS perform live at Smartmouth Warehouse. 8:00 pm. Rip it
Edward Plus One performs live at Grace O’Malley’s. 8:30 pm. Rip it.
State Of Mind performs live at Chicho’s Backstage. 8:30 pm. Rip it.
Vince Kornegay performs live at Grain. 9:00 pm. Rip it.
Second Saturday Stand-Up at Push Comedy Theater. 10:00 pm. Rip it.

SUNDAY:
Mom’s Day Bike Ride! At Local Bike Shop NFK. 10:00 am. Rip it
Mother’s Day at Grace O’Malley’s. 11:00 am. Rip it
Bhav Brigade Yoga at Sky’s the Limit. 12:00 pm. Rip it
Mother’s Day Sunday Funday at Hank’s Filling Station. 12:00 pm. Rip it
Magic: The Gathering – Commander League at Atlantis Games & Comics. 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
Sunday Funday: Board Game Night at COVA. 1:00 pm. Rip it
Weekly Pokemon League at Atlantis Games & Comics. 1:00 pm. Rip it

No Fear and Blues Long Gone at Wells Theater. 2:00 pm. Rip it.
James and the Giant Peach at Little Theatre of Norfolk. 2:30 pm. Rip it
Blue’s Jam at Cova Brewing Company. 3:00 pm. Rip it
Music Bingo at Reaver Beach NFK. 4:00 pm. Rip it
Colin MacKnight, organ at Christ and Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church. 4:00 pm. Rip it
Kountry Wayne: Help Is On The Way Comedy Tour at Chrysler Hall. 7:30 pm. Rip it

Want a full event calendar months in advance?
Join Citizen Club and get it.

Chow.

Only You, a new experience by the Thank You crew, is coming to the third floor of The Veil. Rip it.

Sneak a peek at Mermaid Winery, opening soon in Downtown Norfolk. Rip it.

Commune Provisions is dolling out huge burgers with double patties from Coastal Cattle. Rip it.

Prime 255 is pushing those paninis. Rip it.

Three courses for moms day, including fried duck leg and waffles at Press 626. Rip it.

Churro Macaroons are cinnamon delights at Cafe Genevieve. Rip it.

Cornbread never looked this good before. Rip it.

Bar-q proves that sometimes a blackout is a good thing. Rip it.

Yendidi is cooking up and serving high-five-worthy hand-made meat pies. Rip it.

Food Truck Sightings:
Friday:
The Lit Auntie at Maker’s Craft. Rip it.
Ghost Kitchen and Big Belly at COVA. Rip it.
The Lit Auntie at Benchtop. Rip it.
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth. Rip it.
Bakehouse at Elation. Rip it.
Bar-q at Bold Mariner. Rip it.

Saturday:
Sour Street Pizza and Deutscher Imbiss at COVA. Rip it.
Flippin Hangry at Reaver Beach. Rip it.
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth. Rip it.
Bakehouse at Elation. Rip it.
Bar-q at Bold Mariner. Rip it.

Sunday:
Locoto’s and Team Fat Kid at Maker’s Craft. Rip it.
Bumbling Bee at COVA. Rip it.
Hades Wood Fired at Benchtop. Rip it.
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth Rip it.
Bakehouse at Elation. Rip it.
Bar-q at Bold Mariner. Rip it.

The Ripcurrent.

Golden Hour in Downtown