Featuring a wide range of acclaimed comedians, including Sommore (Netflix’s “Queen Chandelier”), Lavell Crawford (“Breaking Bad,” “Better Call Saul”), Earthquake (“Chappelle’s Home Team: Earthquake Legendary”) and Don DC Curry (“Next Friday”), the all-star lineup of Legends of Laughter offers something for everyone!
John Mulaney is a four-time Emmy Award, Critics Choice award and WGA award-winning writer, comedian and actor. Most recently, Mulaney can be seen as the host, writer and executive producer of his Netflix talk show EVERYBODY’S LIVE WITH JOHN MULANEY. The show serves as the continuation of the series EVERYBODY’S IN LA. The series features monologues, guests, pre-taped sketches, musical segments and more. EVERYBODY’S IN LA, was a six-night live comedy series that explored Los Angeles during the Netflix Is A Joke Festival in 2024. In December 2024, Mulaney starred in the Broadway play “All In: Comedy About Love,” alongside a cast including Fred Armisen, Richard Kind and Renee Elise Goldsberry. Mulaney is currently on the first leg of his newest stand-up tour, JOHN MULANEY: MISTER WHATEVER, performing across North America. Mulaney can next be seen in the Amazon MGM Studios film, MADDEN, an upcoming American biographical sports drama directed by David O. Russell.
Ballet Virginia, Coastal Virginia’s ballet company, presents contemporary and classical works by Artistic Director Lydia Roberts Coco, with a focus on hope and unity. Ms. Coco, a former principal dancer with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, will tap into the
diverse cultural roots of the Hampton Roads community. Join us for inspiring dance with soulful music featuring our company, BVII, exciting guest artists, and a world premiere!
Under license from Hasbro, a leading games, IP and toy company, this fun and interactive classical music experience introduces children 18 months of age and older to the magic of a live orchestra concert.
In Peppa Pig: My First Concert, families will see Peppa Pig, along with Mummy Pig, Daddy Pig, George and baby sister Evie, learn all about the different sounds that instruments make together. Family audiences will enjoy some of their favorite music from the show played by a live orchestra and discover some other exciting orchestral pieces perfect for children. Plus, some little ones will be invited to join Peppa and her family to make music of their own!
Originally from Oshawa, Canada, Phil is now a key figure in the NYC comedy scene, performing regularly at the Comedy Cellar. With nearly 600K followers on Instagram and 370K on TikTok, he’s appeared on major late-night shows like The Tonight Show, Late Night with Seth Meyers, and The Late Late Show.
Hailing from Mobile, AL, The Red Clay Strays are one of music’s fastest-rising bands and poised for a huge breakout this year. The group is currently having a massive moment with their single, “Wondering Why,” which has garnered over 75 million streams to date, spent a week at # 1 on Spotify’s Viral 50 USA Playlist and is currently #1 on the Americana Singles chart for the sixth-consecutive week. The song is also charting on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 as well as Billboard’s Hot Rock Songs chart, AAA chart and Hot Country Songs chart, and continuing to gain support across platforms. “Wondering Why” is from the band’s album, Moment of Truth, which is currently #2 on the Americana Albums Chart and is filled with their eclectic rock-n-roll sound. Of the record, Billboard praises, “Lead singer Coleman’s gruff, impassioned vocal shines here as always, bolstered by the group’s exemplary musicianship.”
Known for their electric live shows, the band will continue to tour through this fall with sold-out shows across the country, including their three-night headline debut at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium in September, all three nights of which sold-out within just hours. The Red Clay Strays are Brandon Coleman (lead vocals, guitar), Drew Nix (electric guitar, vocals, harmonica), Zach Rishel (electric guitar), Andrew Bishop (bass) and John Hall (drums). Since forming in 2016, the group has spent most of their career on the road, honing their craft and establishing themselves as a group to know. In just the past year, they’ve made their Grand Ole Opry debut and toured across the U.S. including shows with Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, Elle King and Old Crow Medicine Show. The band recently returned to the studio with Grammy Award-winning producer Dave Cobb (Chris Stapleton, Jason Isbell) to record a new album, which will be released this year.
Once artists like Brooks & Dunn hit the Country Music Hall of Fame, folks don’t expect much in the way of new ideas. But Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn have always been the restless type. Out November 15 via Sony Music Nashville, REBOOT II is the sequel to their 2019 album and follows the same format; except this time, a brand new group of artists were given maximum creative freedom. Introducing a fresh concept with REBOOT, the duo gave today’s most engaging artists in and out of country music the near-impossible task of reimagining an iconic Brooks & Dunn song to fit their own tastes and style. The result highlighted just how alive Brooks & Dunn’s influence is across the musical scene—and how versatile their songwriting really was.
With styles ranging from progressive country and classic bluegrass to heavy metal, orchestral pop, and beyond, the very fabric of songs most country fans know by heart was transformed. Whether it was ‘90s grunge, ‘70s style studio rock, or swampy soul, the duo encouraged each artist to throw out the playbook. REBOOT II’s 18 tracks include reinterpreted hits such as “Neon Moon,” “Boot Scootin’ Boogie,” “Play Something Country,” and “Believe,” resulting in a dynamic and eclectic collection that spans genres and generations, with a track list that includes Lainey Wilson, Morgan Wallen, Jelly Roll and many others.
Now thirty-plus years into their career, Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn long ago dialed in their generation-defining sound and style. As the best-selling duo of all time, their yin-and-yang country-rock blend has earned them 20 Number Ones—plenty of material to fill stadium-rocking set lists. And with a Grammy-winning, course-of-history-shifting catalog written mostly by themselves, they could rest easy knowing without doubt they left a permanent mark on the American songbook. Brooks & Dunn continue to break records, tallying the longest-running country music residency in Las Vegas, and criss-cross North America year after year on their sold-out tours.
Raised in Sunnyside, WA, Zach Top grew up on classic country music around the family farm. At the age of seven, he formed a band with his siblings which set the stage for his musical ambitions.
Hailed by Rolling Stone as one of the “hottest acts right now,” Zach Top is in the midst of a breakout year following the release of his acclaimed debut album, Cold Beer & Country Music. Produced by Carson Chamberlain, the album landed on several “Best of 2024” lists, including Rolling Stone, Billboard and The New York Times, who praises, “the music is airtight and fluent—a demonstration of vivid coloring within hard lines.” Widely respected by his peers, the 2025 ACM New Male Artist of the Year and CMA Award-nominee also recently collaborated with Billy Strings for an exclusive Apple Music Nashville Sessions three-song EP, which is available now.
Sherri Shepherd is a Daytime Emmy Award-winning talk show host, comedian, actress, and best-selling author. She hosts the nationally syndicated talk show SHERRI, where her warmth and fiery humor shine through her topical headlines, celebrity interviews, comedy, and uplifting stories. Recently, she co-starred in Tyler Perry’s acclaimed film STRAW and is preparing to release her first children’s book, The Sunshine Queens.
A multiple NAACP Image Award winner, Sherri has also earned recognition for her hit podcast Two Funny Mamas, co-hosted with Kym Whitley. Her career spans three decades across television, film, Broadway, and stand-up comedy, with memorable roles in 30 Rock, Friends, Mr. Iglesias, Trial & Error, Everybody Loves Raymond, The Jamie Foxx Show and Beauty Shop. On stage, she tours nationwide as a stand-up comic, both solo and alongside Whitley in their comedy show Two Funny Mamas. Beyond entertainment, Shepherd is a dedicated advocate for inclusivity, representation, and children with special needs.
The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) enters its 55th year of intercollegiate competition with the 2025-26 academic school year. Located in Norfolk, VA., the MEAC is made up of eight outstanding historically black institutions across the Atlantic coastline: Coppin State University, Delaware State University, Howard University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Morgan State University, Norfolk State University, North Carolina Central University and South Carolina State University. The Norfolk State Spartans and the Howard Bison won the 2023 women’s and men’s titles, respectively and received bids to the NCAA Tournament.
Note on parking: the City of Norfolk operates multiple parking garages throughout the downtown area. Most are within easy walking distance of Scope Arena. Should you choose to park in the Main St. garage, feel free to stop in to VisitNorfolk’s Mermaid Market and visitor center for dining and attraction recommendations and to purchase Norfolk-related souvenirs. Note that during the tournament, the Main St. garage will only have a single operating elevator – plan travel time to Scope Arena accordingly.
The below map shows parking garages surrounding Scope Arena.
Garages, distances and event parking rates are listed below.
| Parking Facility | Walking Distance | Special Event Rate* |
| Scope Garage | 1 min. | $10.00 |
| Bank St. Garage | 5 min. | $10.00 |
| Brambleton Lot | 8 min. | $10.00 |
| MacArthur Center (N Garage) | 10 min. | $2.00** |
| St. Pauls Lot | 12 min. | $10.00 |
| York Street Garage | 10 min. | $10.00 |
Find more details on the tournament on the official MEAC website.
Show your MEAC conference badge at these shops and restaurants for big savings while you’re in Norfolk.
