The Chrysler Museum of Art recently announced the renowned exhibition, Early Days: Indigenous Art from the McMichael Canadian Art Collection will be on view in the Special Exhibition Gallery at the Museum, One Memorial Pl, Norfolk from May 24 – Sept. 1, 2024.
Early Days is the first survey of Canadian Indigenous art to be presented internationally. Organized by the McMichael Canadian Art Collection in collaboration with current Indigenous stakeholders—scholars, traditional knowledge keepers, and living artists—the exhibition includes both historic and contemporary art from coast-to-coast.
The exhibit, which reveals the diversity and vitality of Indigenous art in Canada, features approximately 111 objects ranging from 18th-century ceremonial regalia to the work of the vanguard artists of the ’60s, ‘70s and ‘80s. The show brings together traditional objects—beadwork garments, ceremonial masks, and stone carvings—in dialogue with contemporary Indigenous practices for visitors to will discover the thriving traditions of First Nations groups from across Canada. Early Days features such artists as Norval Morrisseau, Carl Beam and Alex Janvier and includes leading contemporary Indigenous artists like Kent Monkman, Meryl McMaster and Rebecca Belmore. As the only museum in Canada devoted exclusively to Canadian art, the McMichael’s collection offers a definitive account of Indigenous art in Canada today, and the powerful tensions and continuities that exist between the present and the past.
“Early Days explores our relationship to the land, to our ancestors, and to each other. It invites a deep connection with the issues that lie at the heart of Indigenous experience, revealing cultures that are vibrant and transforming in the 21st-century. This exhibition, along with Preston Singletary: Raven and the Box of Daylight in 2023, Clearly Indigenous coming in 2025, and the Tsenacommacah installation that graces the Museum’s entrance, are commitments to increasing Indigenous representation within the Chrysler Museum of Art.” said Chelsea Pierce, McKinnon McKinnon Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art.
MEMBER PREVIEW CELEBRATION Thursday, May 23, 6–9 p.m. Exhibition preview of a rich selection of Indigenous works and stories that celebrate two centuries of powerful legacies in the McMichael’s Canadian Art Collection. Free for members $20 for non-members
Before you even set foot into Riverview’s LeGrand Kitchen, the restaurant makes its intentions very clear: this place is about rock ‘n roll, good times and even better hamburgers. Swathed in a baby-blue-on-gray exterior paint scheme featuring a large mural of singer Gary U.S. Bonds, LeGrand is an unabashed ode to the music, food and sometimes raucous culture that shaped Norfolk in the middle of the 20th Century.
Visiting on a quiet Thursday afternoon, the kitchen is in full-on pre-shift prep mode. Owner/chef Stephen Marsh, an unassuming restaurateur who looks like he’d be equally comfortable practicing ollies in a local skate park, quietly presides over his staff as fruit infusions are expertly prepared at the bar and sauces whipped up before the evening’s rush.
As he shows off his collection of postcards and early Norfolk memorabilia, one of his chefs glides by with a spoonful of what appears to be a creamy aioli. Marsh takes a quick taste and gives the thumbs up. Without a word, it’s clear everything is on track for another successful night at the new location at 4226 Granby St.
Despite having moved into this location after a massive crowdfunding effort just over a year ago, LeGrand is still known for its staple dish: the OG Burger. Featuring a double patty topped with grilled onion, pickled lettuce, American cheese and covered in roasted shallot mayo on a Big Marty bun, the burger is still the reason people flock from around the region – and even the country – to pack LeGrand on a given night.
“We still sell a lot of burgers and to-go burgers,” Marsh says. “The burger is exactly the way you remember it from the old location.”
In fact, the burger has developed such a following that it recently ranked number 61 on Yelp’s list of Top 100 Burgers in America, which means Marsh’s creation shares the same space as burgers from Gordon Ramsay and the Michelin-starred kitchen at Minetta Tavern in New York City.
Courtesy LeGrand Kitchen
“The burger, we always say it’s like a gateway drug,” Marsh says. “Burgers are served everywhere, but not all of them are good, so if you can gain someone’s trust with something as simple as that … it takes a couple of times for them to come and say, ‘that’s so good, now let’s try something else on the menu.’”
Marsh says the key to the perfect burger is a thin patty combined with high heat for a searing effect. LeGrand uses trimmings from its steaks that are aged in house and then ground up.
“We don’t charge more money for it. We just add that extra quality,” he says.
A New Start in Riverview
Marsh is quick to point out that he’s “been in the kitchen” for as long as he can remember. He cut his teeth in the kitchen at 15 as a dishwasher in Pungo and has worked his way up in the industry in the intervening decades. Over the years, he’s operated the original LeGrand at Colley and 46th Street, as well as old-school oyster bar and seafood restaurant Shiptown just down the road. When he was priced out of the old location, he packed up and moved to the Riverview section of Granby Street – the same area generally occupied by MJ’s Tavern, Blanca and Mi Hogar Mexican, just south of the Granby Street Bridge. The space was previously home to Crackers Little Bar Bistro.
With a soundtrack provided by the Pixies, the Cure and the Smiths, LeGrand offers a distinctively laid back vibe. That’s intentional, Marsh says.
“From day one, we wanted to be the working man’s place, so they don’t feel like they’re underdressed. We just want to be a place where you can come in any day of the week and it doesn’t have to feel like an event.”
Despite Marsh’s humbling demeanor, he isn’t just about making great burgers. A look at the current menu displays a broad range of kitchen talent. Diners can choose from pork belly served with cherries, almond, coconut and candied jalapeno; or opt for a Pimento Cheese on toasted bread from local French bakery La Brioche. Scallops, fresh fish, steaks, chicken and the aptly-named “Tour de Pork” are also on offer.
Working with local purveyors like La Brioche is critical to being part of the community, he says.
“There’s so many things we do here in house, but we’re not gonna get better baking than what they produce. It’s a nice symbiotic relationship.”
Behind the bar, his lead bartender, Patrick, works on infusions such as clarified banana water for ice cubes, as well as apple infused sweet vermouth and a champagne cocktail mixed with Asian pear and vanilla infused syrup.
“He has a wealth of knowledge back there,” says of his bartender “We have a larger staff here now, but we’re still doing the same style of cuisine. None of that has really changed.”
Preserving the Legacy of LeGrand Records
Marsh says the restaurant’s name is a tip of the hat to Norfolk’s own musical heritage. Just as Memphis is famous for Sun Studios and Stax Records, and Detroit was home to Motown, Norfolk was the birthplace of LeGrand Records. Situated on nearby Church Street, LeGrand’s namesake produced early rock and doo-wop hits in the 1950s under the guidance of producer Frank Guida. Performers such as the Hamptons, saxophonist Gene “Daddy G.” Barge and crooner Gary “U.S.” Bonds churned out hits for several years in the halcyon days before large corporations took over the game.
In a recent Instagram post, Marsh says, “Legrand was named after Norfolk’s very own Legrand Records started in the late ‘50s on Church Street by Sicilian transplant Frank Guida. The label put out many influential and groundbreaking songs and huge bands from overseas like The Rolling Stones requested to be driven down Church Street to see where history was made.”
The decor in LeGrand Kitchen reflects this history. The large mural of a pompadour-coiffed Bonds was painted by local artist John Hickey and one of the restaurant’s two bathrooms is plastered in LeGrand Records history (the other serves as an ode to Shiptown). The bar features more than a thousand local postcards, and it was a labor of love for Marsh, who originally built it as part of a coffee table in his home. Staring up at patrons in the postcard collection is a prized autographed headshot of Bonds, famous for the sons “New Orleans” and “Quarter to Three.”
Marsh seems to understand his prominent place in Norfolk food culture, but takes it all in stride. In the end, he just hopes people come in and enjoy themselves at his eatery.
“We’re just kind of a staple now. It’s a great feeling to have the community backing us on what we’re doing,” he says. “Somebody just told us, ‘when you go to Norfolk, you have to go here.’ It’s a really good feeling.”
LeGrand Kitchen is open Tuesday through Thursday from 5-9 p.m. and Friday-Saturday from 5-10 p.m. Learn more at https://www.legrandkitchen.com/
If You Go What: An Evening With Phil Rosenthal of “Somebody Feed Phil” When: 7 p.m. Saturday, April 20, 2024 Where: Harrison Opera House, 160 W. Virginia Beach Blvd., Norfolk, VA Cost: $25-$55 before taxes and fees Details:Ticketmaster
Phil Rosenthal is not only the luckiest guy you’ll ever meet, he’s probably also the happiest.
Rosenthal, the creator of ‘90s TV juggernaut “Everybody Loves Raymond,” and the host of Netflix culinary travel series, “Somebody Feed Phil,” has no apparent dark side; no skeletons hidden deep in his closet … all of which is exceedingly rare in a business where nice guys are supposed to finish last.
In fact, if the very real Phil Rosenthal were pitted against fictional Ted Lasso in a contest for the most authentically kind person around, Phil would probably win in a knockout. His enthusiasm for life is the real deal and he’s bringing it to the stage of Harrison Opera House in Norfolk on Saturday, April 20. There, he’ll talk about helming one of the most popular sitcoms of all time while sharing tales of his time exploring unique cuisines around the world.
Rosenthal was gracious enough to speak with VisitNorfolk ahead of his evening in Mermaid City. A Q&A follows.
Question: You’ve recently started this 25-city tour in your hometown of New York City. How is it going so far? Answer: It was just lovely. I love it everywhere we play. I love meeting the people who watch the show and like it enough to come out and see me. I’m just so touched by it. My favorite part is the Q&A with the audience.
Q: There’s lots of questions from fans on social media about the content of the show. What can we expect? A: What I tell people is, you pay your money, you come in, the lights go up and I walk out onstage and eat a sandwich and then I leave. “Thank you, everybody!” (laughs) No, actually they show a highlight reel and I come out with a moderator and I tell funny stories about all the stuff that’s happened to me, all the way up through “Raymond” and trying to get a food and travel show and all the stuff that’s happened behind the scenes on the show. Then the Q&A is more than half the show because every new question can spark a story.
Q: You’re playing in our Harrison Opera House. I know your mother (Helen, who was the inspiration for the Doris Roberts character on “Everybody Loves Raymond) was a big opera fan. A: She would be very proud of me playing in an opera house, and she would be very ashamed of me that I wasn’t singing!
Q: You recently worked with your daughter, Lily, writing a children’s book. How was that experience? A: It’s hell! (laughs) No, I couldn’t love it more. She texted me about a year and a half ago and said, “kids love your show, so why don’t you write a children’s book?” I texted her back and said, “that’s a good idea. Only if you’ll do it with me.” So, we came up with the idea for a story about a dad who will eat everything and his little girl who won’t eat anything and it’s called, “Just Try It.”
Q: Lots of people want to know if your brother Richard (who was the inspiration for the Ray Romano character) will be part of the live show. A: He will not. I forbid it! (laughs) Actually, he’s gonna join me later in the tour. He came with me to New Haven (Connecticut) and The show at the Beacon. He lives around the corner. He came and he heckled.
Q: You have run a TV show, hosted a podcast, written books, performed live and you host an incredibly popular Netflix show. Which is your favorite role? A: I love every aspect of show business except the business. The business gets in the way of the show. But the travel show (“Somebody Feed Phil”) is the ultimate. I’m the luckiest person you’re ever going to talk to. The rest is great, I love the variety, I love doing that … it’s all great.
Q: After seven seasons on Netflix, how do you pick where to travel to next? A: It’s primarily based on where I want to go. Either I’ve been to a place and can’t wait to show it to the world or I haven’t been there — which is most of time — and we discover it together. It’s really fun. I Google, “where should I eat?” I have a production company in New York that used to be Anthony Bourdain’s production company. They have pictures all over the walls from the places he went all over the world from his 18 years on TV. There’s still a lot more left to do if they’ll let me. We’ve done maybe 40 shows, and there’s 197 countries, let alone cities, so there’s a lot to do still.
Q: You famously do a “happy dance” when you eat something on the show that you really enjoy. Is that voluntary? Do you notice yourself doing it? A: It’s somewhat involuntary, but the moment I start and see that people around me start to enjoy it, I do extend it a bit. Because it’s fun. There’s no acting. My reactions are for better or worse spontaneous. I can’t really hide my feelings. I’m both blessed and cursed with this face.
Q: Do you have a death row meal? A: All my childhood favorites. All the things I loved as a kid that I still love. Pizza, hot dogs, sandwiches, french fries, fried chicken, roasted chicken. I love chicken. A hot, open faced sandwich. Lots of chocolate. And I would finish with a bowl of my mom’s matzo ball soup.
Q: Are you a fan of the Hulu culinary drama “The Bear?” A: I think it’s brilliant. It’s a great show, and it got even better the second season.
Q: Have you ever been pleasantly surprised by a place you’ve visited? A: I wasn’t (initially) excited about going to Vietnam because I grew up in the ‘70s and what did I know? All I knew was “Apocalypse Now” and “The Deer Hunter,” so that was my frame of reference. And I got there and it’s this magical, beautiful place. Now it’s like a dream. The food is great, the people are really sweet and friendly and it’s fantastic.
Q: A lot of people weren’t sure that a food/travel show could be a hit after Anthony Bourdain passed away. But yet a lot of people have found their way back to the format thanks to your show. There are a lot of obvious contrasts between you two, so how does it work so well? A: Thank you for mentioning me in the same sentence as him. All of us who do these shows owe a tremendous debt to him because he revitalized and reinvented an entire genre. Everyone who does this is merely doing a take on what he did. I would watch him and go, “I’m never doing that because he’s like a superhero and an adventurer and I’m decidedly not.” And I thought, “maybe there is a show for people like me who love the whole idea of travel and are a little nervous to get out there.” Just getting off the couch for some people is a step outside their comfort zone. So I thought, “what if there was a show for us?” And if people look at me and they go, “if that putz can go outside, maybe I can, too!”
Q: Where does your relentless positivity come from? A: I’ll tell you where it comes from: it comes from being the luckiest guy in the world. If you wake up feeling a little grateful, then everything else is gravy.
Update Aug. 19, 2024: Norfolk’s 2023 Triple-A National Champions are set to finish off August before playing a dozen home games in September, meaning there’s lots of action to still be had at Harbor Park. Check out their complete home schedule below.
Sun., Jul 21 vs. Nashville 4:05 pm EDT Ladies Day Networking Event At The Ballpark
Tue., Jul 23 vs. Jacksonville 6:35 pm EDT Faith & Family Night
Wed., Jul 24 vs. Jacksonville 6:35 pm EDT Virginia Beach Night Wine Down Wednesday
Thu., Jul 25 vs. Jacksonville 12:05 pm EDT Business Special Matinee
Fri., Jul 26 vs. Jacksonville 6:35 pm EDT Youth Jersey Giveaway Pre-Game Party With DJ CanRock
Sat., Jul 27 vs. Jacksonville 6:35 pm EDT Star Wars Night Fireworks
Sun., Jul 28 vs. Jacksonville 4:05 pm EDT Princess Night
Tue., Aug 6 vs. Durham 6:35 pm EDT Tides Baseball Card Giveaway Pack 1
Wed., Aug 7 vs. Durham 6:35 pm EDT School Supply Drive Wine Down Wednesday
Thu., Aug 8 vs. Durham 12:05 pm EDT Business Special Matinee
Fri., Aug 9 vs. Durham 6:35 pm EDT Triple-A National Champion Ring Replica Giveaway United States Coast Guard Night
Sat., Aug 10 vs. Durham 6:35 pm EDT United States Navy Night Fireworks
Sun., Aug 11 vs. Durham 4:05 pm EDT Meet The Oriole Bird VA 811 Day
Tue., Aug 20 vs. Worcester 6:35 pm EDT Turn Back The Clock Night Sounds by #IzzyTheDJ and the first pitch by #Fam-Lay and #PushaT. Gates open at 5:30pm.
Wed., Aug 21 vs. Worcester 6:35 pm EDT Tides Baseball Card Giveaway Pack 2 Wine Down Wednesday
Thu., Aug 22 vs. Worcester 12:05 pm EDT Business Special Matinee
Fri., Aug 23 vs. Worcester 6:35 pm EDT Tides Blackout Baseball Cap Giveaway Marvel’s Defenders Of The Diamond Game
Sat., Aug 24 vs. Worcester 6:35 pm EDT Filipino American Heritage Night Fireworks
Sun., Aug 25 vs. Worcester 4:05 pm EDT Bark In The Park – August Bark In The Park Rope Flyer Giveaway
Tue., Sep 3 vs. Charlotte 6:35 pm EDT $2 Tuesday
Wed., Sep 4 vs. Charlotte 6:35 pm EDT Tides Baseball Card Giveaway Pack 3 Wine Down Wednesday
Thu., Sep 5 vs. Charlotte 12:05 pm EDT Business Special Matinee
Fri., Sep 6 vs. Charlotte 6:35 pm EDT Jackson Holliday Bobblehead Giveaway United States Air Force Night
Sat., Sep 7 vs. Charlotte 6:35 pm EDT Fireworks Pre-Game Party With DJ CanRock
Sun., Sep 8 vs. Charlotte 1:05 pm EDT Football Day
Tue., Sep 17 vs. Nashville 6:35 pm EDT $2 Tuesday
Wed., Sep 18 vs. Nashville 6:35 pm EDT Wine Down Wednesday
Thu., Sep 19 vs. Nashville 12:05 pm EDT Business Special Matinee DECA Day Fall
Fri., Sep 20 vs. Nashville 6:35 pm EDT Copa De La Diversion – Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month Pre-Game Party With DJ CanRock
Sat., Sep 21 vs. Nashville 6:35 pm EDT Fireworks Fan Appreciation Night
Sun., Sep 22 vs. Nashville 1:05 pm EDT Bark In The Park – September Bark In The Park Rope Flyer Giveaway
Downtown Norfolk Council has partnered with Norfolk Tour Company to offer twenty-one free monthly walking tours of the NEON District and Downtown Norfolk. The tours begin in April and run through December 2024 and include notable public art in the NEON District, the importance of the Granby Street corridor, a history of Downtown theaters, an urban design-themed tour focusing on Downtown’s redevelopment, the Elizabeth River Trail, as well as tours of historic homes and churches in Downtown.
“Downtown Norfolk has so many unique attributes and stories to tell that we are excited to be able to share this with the community,” said Downtown Norfolk Council President and CEO Mary Miller. “We are always looking for new opportunities to bring people together and show off everything happening Downtown.”
The NEON District tours explore more than 100 pieces of public art and many local businesses that make up the neighborhood fabric. All tours begin at The Plot at the corner of Granby Street and Olney Road. NEON District public parking is available on the street, at the Plot’s parking lot and the Harrison Opera House lot. The NEON District Tour Facebook page offers more information and tour details.
“I am very excited to renew this partnership with Downtown Norfolk Council,” said Joshua Weinstein, owner of Norfolk Tour Company. “We believe our tour programming enriches Downtown Norfolk by highlighting its attractions and architecture, as well as the beauty and intrigue of its stories. We offer these tours to the public for free, thanks to the support of DNC.”
If you’ve been waiting for the opportune moment to visit Battleship Wisconsin – Norfolk’s resident testament to 20th Century American sea power – well, a birthday is as good as any!
The ship, launched in 1943 and commissioned in 1944, officially turns 80 this year and its keepers are prepping for a monthlong party for this craft that saw action in World War II, the Korean War and the Persian Gulf War.
From April 1-30, Nauticus will be packed with a full calendar of events and programs honoring the Wisconsin’s rich history. Here’s a quick look at some of the highlights:
Birthday Bash & Ice Cream Workshop (April 13)
Mingle with Wisconsin veterans, explore the ship with enhanced programs, and even learn the fascinating connection between ice cream and World War II victory at a special workshop! VIP tours available on April 14.
Nauticus After Dark: Battleship Blast! (April 25)
This exclusive 21+ event lets you enjoy the Battleship’s stunning views and historic features after-hours, complete with themed drinks and the Battleship Wisconsin Commemorative bottle of Ironclad Bourbon.
Battleship Birthday Family Overnight (April 27)
Spend an unforgettable night aboard the battleship! This unique experience includes a VIP tour, engaging activities, and breakfast in the historic wardroom – perfect for families of all ages.
Free Military Admission (April 1-30)
Nauticus is partnering with World of Warships to offer complimentary admission to active duty and veteran service members, with discounts for dependents.
More Ways to Celebrate
If that’s not enough, April promises even more fun for everyone.
Daily Programs: Take a guided tour of the battleship, learn to sail, or catch a special “WisKy Wednesday” program on the Nauticus YouTube channel.
The Norfolk Grille’s .80 Cent Specials: Throughout April, enjoy rotating specials priced at just 80 cents!
April Toddler Time: Bring your little ones (ages 3 and under) for a special educational program celebrating the Battleship’s commissioning.
For details on these programs, head over to the Nauticus website: Battleship Wisconsin Turns 80! for start times and to purchase tickets.
There’s little doubt that Norfolk, Virginia is the spot along the Mid-Atlantic coast to get your fill of events, attractions, dining and culture. But what if you’re here on a Monday? Nothing is ever open on Mondays, is it?
Turns out, much more than you might expect.
While several major Norfolk attractions and eateries close up shop on Mondays to give their staff a much-needed day of rest, others keep plowing ahead, and that’s great news for you.
So, let’s look at some of the top things to do on a Monday in Norfolk, VA.
Norfolk Botanical Garden
Outdoors Attractions
Norfolk enjoys a full four seasons, which means three-quarters of the time, it’s pretty enjoyable outdoors. Open year-round, the Norfolk Botanical Garden (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) is a great option for a Monday visit. With 175 acres of gardens, wildlife and kids’ exhibits, it’s perfect any time of year. Speaking of wildlife, the Virginia Zoo (9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.) lets you explore the plains of Africa where you’ll meet crocs, orangutans, snakes and other exotic critters without leaving Tidewater.
If you’re up for a walk, Downtown Norfolk has plenty of paths that take you to several only-in-Virginia type attractions. Stroll through the grounds of the Taiwanese Pagoda Garden Teahouse to see one of Norfolk’s most photographed locations, then make your way down to the site of the historic (and majestic) Battleship Wisconsin. While the ship and museum are shuttered on Mondays, you can still walk the length of the ship on the adjacent dock, where many a classic Norfolk selfie has been taken. Look behind you and you’ll see the Trail of Honor, the city’s nod to its citizens who fought in battles from the Civil War to Vietnam.
Two nearby parks are worth your time. Closest to downtown is Town Point Park (6 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.) a seven-acre waterfront park with water fountains and green spaces for chilling out on a warm day. Up the road a bit is Plum Point Park (8 a.m. to 7 p.m.), which boasts five acres of paths, Navy tributes and views galore of the Elizabeth River. The adjacent Elizabeth River Trail connects both parks and is a must-see for anyone touring the area on foot or bicycle. And, while the estate is closed on Mondays, there’s not much to stop you from walking around the 12 beautiful acres of the Hermitage Museum and Gardens grounds and admiring the scenery.
Get on the Water
On warmer days, the Elizabeth and Lafayette rivers are positively beckoning you to spend time on the water. Fortunately, the rivers don’t care that it’s Monday, so hop into a craft you can paddle at Norfolk Kayak Rentals. If you want to let someone else do the driving, we totally get it. For that, take a cruise on the Victory Rover or American Rover (both 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and the Spirit of Norfolk. Learn more about cruise schedules and pricing on our Harbor Cruises page.
Dig Into Culture
Art, anyone? Norfolk is happy to oblige. While downtown, swing into the Glass Light Hotel Gallery(8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) to see glass artworks from Dale Chihuly, Peter Bremmers and other masters of the medium. Or, walk around and see the colorful – and often inspiring – murals that dot the city’s landscape.
Feeling up for a movie? The Naro Expanded Cinema is a throwback single-screen theater in the historic and vibrant Ghent neighborhood. They routinely play first-run films alongside classics from the past and, yes, they’re open on Mondays.
Pick up a few souvenirs on your way into or out of town when you stop by the VisitNorfolk Mermaid Market (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.) at 232 E. Main St. next to the Selden Market (also open for shopping on Mondays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
Ocean View Beach, Norfolk
Hit the Beach
Perhaps you don’t want to be in the water so much as adjacent to it. Well, we’ve got a beachin’ good time for you. Head 20 minutes north from downtown to Ocean View Beach Park where you’ll find lighter crowds and plenty of shoreline on which to relax. The nearby Ocean View Pieris the place to fish (gear for rent in the pier’s tackle shop) and dine during the spring, summer and early fall.
Delve into History
Take a walk along the Cannonball Trail, which winds along the shoreline of the Elizabeth River and traverses 400 years of local and national history. See if you can spot the Revolutionary War-era cannonball still lodged in the wall of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church!
To go further afield, hop on the Elizabeth River Ferry for a short (less than 10 minute) ride over to Old Town Portsmouth, kick around there and hop back on to return to Norfolk. The ferry runs daily every half-hour from 5:45 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. with seasonal/holiday hours varying.
Elizabeth River Ferry
For more history, visit the inspiring End of Massive Resistance Wall, an eight-foot tall, 57-foot-wide tribute to a group of students who broke the color barrier in Norfolk city schools in 1959. Honor Norfolk’s fallen citizens – both military and civilian – at the historic, peaceful West Point and Cedar Grove cemeteries on Princess Anne Blvd. near Ghent. Both resting grounds are great for a meditative morning of photography, but keep it respectful: both are still in active use.
Norfolk’s moving Armed Forces Memorial uniquely recalls final letters from soldiers sent just before they paid the ultimate sacrifice. It is located at the end of Town Point Park, nestled between the Elizabeth River and Downtown Norfolk.
Fort Norfolk
Finally, see the town’s last remaining harbor-front forts at Fort Norfolk, authorized in 1794 by President George Washington. The fort overlooks the Elizabeth River and includes earthwork embankments, ramparts, a dungeon, officers’ quarters, powder magazine, barracks and guardhouse. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operates the site and it’s open on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
You really can’t go wrong however you say it, unless you go with the last one. We all agree that’s just weird, right?
Norfolk is a city of contradictions. It’s where North meets South, where the traditional and the modern coexist peacefully and where you can go from enjoying a Doumar’s Coed sundae to tucking into a Foie Gras Torchon at Todd Jurich’s Bistro in no time flat and no one will bat an eye.
It’s also a place where everybody has an opinion about how to pronounce its name.
As Spring 2024 dawns, VisitNorfolk is leaning into this dichotomy with our new campaign, “How Do You Say Norfolk?”
And boy, do people have some opinions on that.
Old-School vs. Modern
Spend a few minutes in the cafes of Ghent or Freemason and you’ll quickly hear longtime residents pronouncing it as NAW-fik.
Younger residents of the city are more likely to be split along the NOR-fik / NOR-FUK line, with some insisting that the first is correct, while others (often with a mischievous grin on their face) assure you it’s the latter. There also remains a strong contingent of locals who can’t bring themselves to pronounce it as NOR-FUK, lest they be accused of cursing in public.
In recent years, Norfolk’s legendary music venue the Norva even took things a step further by painting a warning sign to visiting headliners on the stairs ascending to the stage that reads, “ IT’S NOT NOR-FOLK, IT’S NOR-FUK.” That sign has probably warded off more spontaneous audience boos than can be counted. `
What most agree on is that pronouncing the L as in nor-FOLK will get you quickly branded as an outsider. As someone who has yet to experience all the charms Mermaid City has to offer, from sweeping ocean views in the north to stunning harbor scenes in the south and seemingly a million different places to eat in between.
The thing is, many people call Norfolk home for the long-term, while others are only here to soak up the culture for a short time. With the naval base, the port and NATO located here, we get our share of folks who bring their own distinctive way of pronouncing the city’s name and that’s A-OK with us.
But that’s the beauty of this place, we say. Norfolk has layers just waiting to be peeled back on every return visit.
So, maybe you aren’t yet sure the answer to the question, “How Do You Say Norfolk?” That’s quite alright with Norfolk. All anyone asks is that you spend a little time getting to know the city’s charms, from its 600+ independent restaurants to its late-night cocktail scene and its staggering historic attractions and outdoor recreation along the Elizabeth River Trail.
Now, we’d love to hear from you. How do you say Norfolk? Tag us on social media with #VisitNorfolkVA to share all the creative and inventive ways you’ve come up with.
Whoever said cats can’t be as friendly as dogs never set foot in Norfolk’s Catnip Cafe. Upon walking into this Colley Ave. storefront in Ghent, you’re greeted by nearly two dozen shelter cats – some eager for “scritches” and pats – others hanging back to size you up before engaging.
On any given day, the cafe is home to approximately 23 cats, owner Freeda Steele says as she leads Buddy, a sleek, senior Russian Blue with a distinctively gruff meow, to his water bowl.
“In June, it will be seven years since we opened,” Steele says. “In that time, we’ve adopted out more than 1,600 cats.”
Which brings us to the dual purposes of the Catnip Cafe: to serve as a halfway home for shelter cats in need of socialization and as a springboard for adoption. The residents of the cafe come from two local rescue organizations – Billy the Kidden out of Virginia Beach and Feral Affairs Network in Norfolk. Steele says the rescue groups select the cats that live at Catnip Cafe based on their ability to be sociable and their age, which ranges from six months and up. (A semi-annual Kittenpalooza event is extremely popular with kitten lovers).
It’s a win-win for the cats, the rescue organizations and the streams of visitors who flock to the cafe to play with the residents. Cost for a session runs $9 per person for a 30-minute power visit and $13 for an hour-long appointment. The number of groups allowed at any given appointment window is kept small to avoid overwhelming the residents. Visitors must be five years or older.
People visit Catnip Cafe for a variety of reasons, Steele says. Some come to play with the cats, while others arrive with adoption on their minds. Visitors who aren’t allowed to have cats – or who are allergic – come to get the temporary fix of a little feline playtime, she says.
The cafe portion of Catnip Cafe
“Some people will pop a Benadryl, hang out and love on the cats and get their cat time without a lifetime commitment of allergies,” Steele says.
Catnip Cafe is also popular with students and remote workers seeking a break from the usual coffee shop routine. They can set up shop, enjoy complimentary beverages and snacks and spend time among the purrs and playful meows of a room filled with adorable cats.
An hour-long visit is enough to give you the sense of the fluctuations in energy levels in the cafe. Some kitties tuck into tunnels and perch atop couches to nap while others frolic and chase each other around until they tire out.
Steele says, “some of the cats are new and shy and some are super active. But then they flip and the nappy ones start playing, then the ones who were playing take a break.”
As for long-term residents, there are several who have been around since last summer: Virgil, Peaches and Tonic. Steele suspects they will eventually be adopted.
“Some cats are shy, but shy cats can go fast at certain times. Some people are looking for that. Some people want a cat that’s independent while others want ones that are cuddly and all over them.”
At Catnip Cafe, there are both types in abundance, all waiting for you to visit.
When poet T.S. Eliot wrote, “April is the cruelest month,” he’d clearly never been to Norfolk in the spring. Here, it’s not just the temperatures that heat up, it’s also the events, concerts, plays and more. Here are a few of our favorites slated for April 2024.
Your 2023 Triple-A International League champions make their triumphant return home with two week-long home stands in April against Scranton and Gwinnett.
As an affiliate team of the Baltimore Orioles, the Norfolk Tides play at Harbor Park on the Elizabeth River in downtown Norfolk. Prior to being an affiliate team of the Baltimore Orioles, they had a 38-year affiliation with the New York Mets. The Tides have won the Governors’ Cup, the championship of the International League, six times, and played in the championship series 10 times.
Traveling from the National Portrait Gallery in London to Norfolk, the Chrysler Museum of Art will be the first venue in the United States to host this major exhibition, burnishing the Chrysler’s reputation as an institution committed to the presentation of the diverse histories of photography through exhibitions and the permanent collection.
It’s the Wait Wait Stand-Up Tour — a night of stand-up comedy featuring some of Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me’s funniest panelists. Wait Wait’s panelists are a talented bunch — some of the most hilarious and insightful people in the country. Here’s a chance to enjoy a full evening of their brilliant stand-up comedy. Your host is veteran stand-up and Wait Wait regular, Alonzo Bodden. Joining Alonzo will be a rotating group of panelists/performers including Mo Rocca, Maeve Higgins, Maz Jobrani, Alzo Slade, Hari Kondabolu, Helen Hong, Negin Farsad, Adam Burke, Faith Salie, and Brian Babylon.
Celebrate Norfolk’s favorite battleship all month long! The ship, launched in 1943 and commissioned in 1944, officially turns 80 this year and its keepers are prepping for a monthlong party for this craft that saw action in World War II, the Korean War and the Persian Gulf War.
From April 1-30, Nauticus will be packed with a full calendar of events and programs honoring the Wisconsin’s rich history.
Norfolk Flea Market – a monthly market transforming Waterside District into a haven for aficionados of oddities, curiosities, and all things unique! More than just a market, this vibrant affair is held the first Sunday of the month from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Harlem, 1930. The Blues are getting bluer and the gin is running dry. A free-spirited Cotton Club singer has just been fired with nowhere left to go but down. So, she turns to her best friend, an extravagant costume designer with plans to dress Josephine Baker in Paris. Maybe they can run away together? Or maybe the handsome southerner that just came knocking can offer an even better life? But the saxophone dreams of Harlem rarely end as smoothly as they start.
Mounting a mighty spectacle that changes every year, the Virginia International Tattoo summons hundreds of performers including fife and drum corps, bagpipers, military bands, precision drill teams and performing ensembles ranging from step dancers to motorcycle stunt drivers. A salute to international friendship and an emotional call to the love of country in us all, the Tattoo is an unmissable celebration.
Phil Rosenthal is the award-winning creator, executive producer, and host of “SOMEBODY FEED PHIL,” as well as a New York Times Best Selling Author. “Somebody Feed Phil” – one of Netflix’s most popular food and travel shows has garnered a cult-like following and released its seventh season in March. This Emmy-nominated unscripted documentary series combines his love of food and travel with his unique brand of humor has become must-see TV for foodies, restaurateurs, travelers, and armchair enthusiasts all over the world. Rosenthal also created and served as showrunner for “Everybody Loves Raymond.”
The Norfolk NATO Festival is proud to present its annual Parade of Nations, the longest continuously running parade in Hampton Roads and the only parade in the United States honoring NATO. Over 75 Parade Units with local and visiting high school bands, U.S. and International Military bands and colorful floats which represent each of the NATO Member Nations. Local community organizations and Festival partners are also featured. Free and open to the public.
Fresh off the heels of his sold-out “Live and In Person 2023” North American tour, John Mellencamp confirms its continuation with “Live and In Person 2024.” Mellencamp will perform for one night only in 27 new cities. The new dates celebrate Mellencamp’s most recent album, Orpheus Descending, released to widespread critical acclaim this June on Republic Records. He will continue to perform songs from the new LP, Orpheus Descending, during his live set.
Renowned for his extraordinary musical sensitivity and technical virtuosity in both classical and flamenco styles, Grisha Goryachev is undoubtedly the greatest solo flamenco guitarist in the world. He carries on the tradition of solo flamenco guitar in a concert setting that was practiced by legendary flamenco masters such as Ramón Montoya, Sabicas and Paco de Lucia. Do not miss what will be one of the most electrifying concerts of the year.
Since formally introducing themselves in 2011, The Piano Guys have released five studio albums, two Christmas releases and a fan-favorite live album, earning six No. 1 debuts on Billboard’s Top Classical Albums chart and garnering an impressive two billion-plus global streams, more than 1.6 billion YouTube views, and averaging nearly two million monthly listeners on Spotify alone.
Multi-platinum selling country rock group ALABAMA has announced their “Roll On 2 North America” tour will include a stop in Norfolk featuring very special guest Lee Greenwood.
2023 Freedom Tour, legendary rock band JOURNEY has announced a new round of shows for their 50th Anniversary Freedom Tour 2024 featuring very special guest TOTO.
Ladies R&B Kickback Concert at #ChartwayArena on Saturday, April 27 — featuring Next, Ginuwine, Bobby V, Case, H Town, Day 26, Shai, J Holiday and Sammie.
HADESTOWN intertwines two mythic tales — that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of King Hades and his wife Persephone — as it invites you on a hell-raising journey to the underworld and back. Mitchell’s beguiling melodies and Chavkin’s poetic imagination pit industry against nature, doubt against faith and fear against love. Performed by a vibrant ensemble of actors, dancers and singers, HADESTOWN is a haunting and hopeful theatrical experience that grabs you and never lets go.
