NORFOLK CURRENTS - News + Events in the 757 and Virginia

Dive into the vibrant celebration of arts at the Virginia Arts Festival with host Paul Rice and guest Alli Pereira on Norfolk Currents. Explore a spectacular lineup of Grammy award-winning artists, world-class performances, and immersive experiences, from jazz to classical and beyond. Tune in to discover the fusion of tradition and innovation in Norfolk's premier cultural event, promising enchanting experiences for every art lover.

Dive into the imaginative world of the Barry Art Museum with Charlotte Potter Kasic on Norfolk Currents, where groundbreaking exhibitions merge the past with the present. Explore the intersection of art and innovation, from dolls that teach about global health to futuristic automata, along with the museum's transformative expansion and role in nurturing local talent. Tune in for a journey through art history and contemporary creation right in the heart of Norfolk's cultural landscape.

This week on the Currents podcast we're joined by Amber and Carrie from the Hermitage Museum's new Visual Art School to discuss upcoming classes, making art accessible to everyone, and more.

Dive into the transformative journey of the Elizabeth River with Norfolk Currents as host Paul Rice and guest Luisa Black of the Elizabeth River Project uncover the riveting success of local environmental stewardship. Explore the inspiring story of the Moneypoint restoration, innovative green practices at the Ryan Resilience Lab, and the community's united front in turning the tide against pollution. Tune in to learn how grassroots efforts are forging a path for a revitalized, resilient waterway that thrives with wildlife and community spirit.

In this episode of Norfolk Currents, we sit down with Michael Mahgerefteh of Colley Executive Offices to delve into the world of small business and entrepreneurship. Michael shares the fascinating story behind the family-owned business, touching on his background in music, commercial real estate, and the driving force behind creating a supportive environment for local entrepreneurs.

We got to sit down with the Hermitage Museum team as they unveil the recently renovated Visual Arts School on their Norfolk campus. The historic space is now outfitted with modern amenities, beautiful light-filled spaces, a new digital arts classroom, and so much more. New and improved classes, summer camps, and events are on the way.

Learn more about the history, the process, and the fundraising that went into making this stunning space a reality.

Join us in this enlightening episode of Norfolk Currents as host Paul Rice sits down with acclaimed architect Mel Price to discuss her firm's community-centric projects, navigating coastal and social resilience, and the future of Downtown Norfolk. Hear the inspiring journey of Mel's firm, as she shares how their role extended far beyond architecture during the pandemic to support local businesses. Dive in to uncover her insights into the challenges and solutions for housing and urban design in Norfolk, as we discuss the power of collaboration and inclusiveness in building vibrant communities.

This week we sit down with Danielle Talley to hear her story of leaving a career in finance, moving to Norfolk, starting Sky's the Limit Yoga Company, and more.

Hosted by Erin Lindstrom.

Catch all the latest Norfolk News, events, and happenings at NFKVA.com

Jessica and Chris of Norfolk indie folk rock band Berries join us on the podcast this week to discuss their origins and new music!Topics covered:

• How the band came together, with Jessica casually joining a practice one day
• The story behind their upcoming double album "Two Autumn Sun" and "Two Autumn Moon" which was 10 years in the making Balancing recording the album only in autumn vs. pragmatismA
• fun, impromptu show in Richmond with their friends Whitehall Crafting setlists to pair well with who they're performing with
• How their close friendship allows them to easily improvise and add their own flair to the songs live

Charles Rasputin, a leader in the city's creative community, sat down to discuss Norfolk's evolution and why arts and culture are so vital to the area. From the emergence of the NEON District to Work | Release and Slowdive to what comes next for NFK.

Follow @nfk.va on Instagram and join Citizen Club for daily insights, local deals, and a full event calendar.

In this episode of the Norfolk Currents podcast, Gillian Pressman from YIMBY Hampton Roads discusses solutions to the housing shortage in the region. She explains how YIMBY advocates for abundant, affordable housing development to promote equity and sustainability.Key topics covered:The housing shortage is limiting opportunity and displacing lower-income residents.Policy changes like zoning reform and reduced parking requirements can make housing more abundant.YIMBY supports diverse housing at all income levels to meet demand and reduce displacement.State policy can help streamline development across multiple jurisdictions.Listeners can get involved by volunteering, attending events, and sharing endorsements.Follow @nfk.va on Instagram

We sit down with Rich Meredith ahead of opening a major redevelopment project in Norfolk. The Railyards at Lambert's Point are being led by a 100-year old firm, Meredith Construction.

Join us as we speak with Mike Merritt, owner of Siren Skate Shop and advocate with Bike Norfolk. Mike talks about starting the skate shop in Norfolk after retiring from the US Navy. He discusses the shop's offerings of skateboards, bikes, scooters and roller skates, and how they survived supply chain issues during COVID.

Mike also shares his work with Bike Norfolk, advocating for more bicycle infrastructure in the city of Norfolk. He discusses the current biking conditions, priority projects like protected bike lanes on Granby St, and the importance of bikes for issues like climate change, safety, and transportation equity.

Mike encourages everyone to get out and ride more in Norfolk! Whether you're a casual rider or need a repair, he invites you to connect with the local cycling community.

Join me as I tour Less Than - Zero Waste Shop, Norfolk's plastic-free sustainable shop. You won't believe all the ways owner Chris is helping locals reduce waste with reusable, package-free alternatives. From edible toothpaste tablets to self-serve refill stations, this shop is changing how Hampton Roads thinks about sustainability. Chris shares the crazy story of how he launched his business during COVID, the community's overwhelming support, and his vision to expand into an alcohol-free bar. This spot is a must-see for anyone trying to go green and ditch disposable plastics!

Turn up the volume and get ready to rock with The Currents podcast! We're crashing the scene at Not For The Week Records for a raw, real convo with owner Greeno.

This hardcore rocker invites you into the mosh pit of his passion - building community through punk music and culture. Greeno keeps it 100, taking us behind the curtain into late nights on DIY tours, mosh pit memories, and how he's created an inclusive space for music lovers of all types.

Whether you're a punk purist or just punk-curious, Greeno's here to start the dialogue and get you headbanging. There's a seat saved for you in his record shop, so plug in and let the good vibes flow! This is The Currents podcast - where we dive deep with local legends and discover the currents flowing through Hampton Roads. It's time to make some noise, Norfolk!

Find us at NFKVA.com

Hosted by Erin Lindstrom

Ashley Branton is a Psychic Medium and Professional Tarot reader and owns Velvet Witch in Norfolk. Hear her story on finding her witchy side, opening a shop, and manifesting her local business.

Josh Coplon leads LAVA Presents, a business focused on promoting and showcasing indie artists and local musicians. With over a decade of music management under his belt, Josh is cementing his place in the region's culture. Concerts, shows, and a whole lot more are covered in this interview.

To get more of what's happening in Norfolk, Virginia follow @nfk.va on Instagram or go to nfkva.com.

Delegate Jackie Glass discusses a new policy proposal she is developing around encrypting data from license plate readers used by police. This is in response to the increased use of license plate readers across Virginia. Glass explains how license plate readers work - they are cameras that photograph license plates and collect data on plate numbers and locations. However, there are concerns around privacy, potential misuse of data, and predicting people's movements through machine learning algorithms. Glass wants to balance public safety with privacy protections.

Nicole is building a personal and intentional retail experience in Downtown Norfolk as she chases her passions in fashion.

Intersectional feminist bookstore and bottle shop, community space, and more. Meet Erin, the owner of Eleanor's in Ghent. She shares her story of creating a unique space and building community.

Hosted by Erin Lindstrom

Find all the latest Norfolk news, events and happenings at NFKVA.com and on our IG @nfk.va

In this episode, Paul interviews Tyler Donavan, a Norfolk hip-hop artist. Tyler covers his 10+ years of making music, his next project drop, and a few of his upcoming shows.