A Tool show is so much more of a visual experience than a Sonic one. I thought they sounded better on their albums but couldn’t take my eyes off the stage.

“I make fairly densely interwoven imagery that isn’t representative of a singular image but is unified in its approach.”

After many months of conversation, HRT has agreed to extend their GoPass365 to businesses with as few as three employees at a sensible price. Score one (big one!) for Norfolk’s small businesses!

Plus all the best dance performances and classes this month in Hampton Roads.

A review of Virginia Opera’s Orphée; a piece that can play with our web of current cultural references while still addressing universal themes that one would expect from a reworking of Orpheus.

Somebody’s got plans for the dandelion…

Statistics show we are hipsterer than I thought.

Elephants, giraffes, kangaroos, tortoises, up close and personal. It’s a sacred feeling to safely travel beyond the barriers we’ve grown up with.

In the interest of advancing the marijuana policy reform discussion, here are five of the most common arguments against legalizing marijuana and why they’re wrong.

The dance floor was packed – an array of swinging arms, kicking legs, and turns. Smiles were in abundance; the bouncing energy filled the room.

“A lot of times ideas pop into my head and I can’t explain them, but I’m glad that they’re there and I hope they never stop coming.” – Brandon Thompson

“They don’t start off bad,” Lisa said. “There are no dogs that are born bad. But life, and what happens, and people’s reaction to them can turn them.”

Clear, dark amber with an eggshell head. Sweet caramel malt nose, citrus notes and a hint of woodiness. Zings off the tongue…

Bring your crappy business and your hair brain schemes to the City of Norfolk. We’ve got millions of our taxpayers’ money, and we’re just dying to spend it.

One of Hampton Roads’ brightest minds, Thom White of Work Program Architects, has donated his time to envisioning The Plot, a ‘community gathering place’ featuring an entertainment amphitheater, outdoor basketball court, a place for vendors, and very cool shipping container public art.

Shouldn’t I, an advocate of education and literature, be glad that people are tuning into news radio instead of say, painting STOOPID LIBERAL HIPPY BITCH on my Sentra?

Norfolk/Virginia Beach is changing, both in real-life-livability, and perception. This is a step in the right direction, and I’m going to be happy to support this pilot program first hand on my next trip out of ORF in mid-February.

The chef prepares seared foie gras under glass. Warning: this video will make you so, so hungry.

At the heart of thinking about these different types of folks is, for me, a sincere desire to serve them and the city with a great, honest, ethical business that delivers an excellent product for a good value.

Topped with fresh roasted salsa for a biting aftertaste, this burrito overloads the senses to a feeding frenzy. Sharks even have a week dedicated to it.

“Place is not confined to mere geographic locations but could extend into the esoteric places, such as the mind.”
VB’s Rich-Joseph Facun, our FFA

A man in a tough position, no doubt, but hiding a big secret: that he was still collecting bonuses upwards of a quarter million dollars on top of his $600k plus salary.

Spoiler alert: we’re all gonna die.

HRT is planning on making real time bus data public. Now it’s up to 757 developers to come up with an app that makes this information useful to the public. Are you in?

Dr. Sabina shares her tips on how to get back on track with your healthy resolutions for 2012.

At Hope House no one is labeled, and everyone is accepted just as they are.

Jules talks about her favorite Friday Featured Artists, the interviews that have left an impact on her, the local art scene, and on re-designing billboards in her head as she drives around town.

When Linda Young became their foster mother, the three of them found a way to increase the potential of each of their lives.

“I enjoy drawing/tattooing things with a comic book feel.” – John Thrasher Thiel

So, while some of the work is a little young- it is definitely youthful in a good way. It’s the kind of feeling you get from talking to a gawky, smart teenager that is bursting with potential and on the verge of coming into their own.

Easy and good for you.

Doug is a CNU student, an up-and-coming cartoonist, and a young man with a squiggly mind. We hope you enjoy this monthly series.

The story of a rooftop venue in Downtown Norfolk that would have been amazing… but never got the chance to get off the ground. The former owner tells us where she went wrong, and how you can do it better.

Known for his editorial cartoons, featured weekly in The Virginian-Pilot, Walt Taylor is an elusive Hampton Roads local whose illustrations capture the essence of the area’s cultural beauty.

“We need to work-on being a destination and not a stagnant trendy novelty.” – Nichole Ashikis

One of the dudes behind Dumskeme Apparel in images and words.

Obama’s marginalization of gays as “the crazy left,” and his turning his back on Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.

After listening to his band’s newest album (fresh after mastering), he took off his headphones, looked to the sky and said “This is the one, motherfucker. This is the one.”

Thanks for donating your dollahs. You guys are a-ma-zing

“I feel like this is an opportunity for Norfolk to prove it’s worth as a market for lowbrow artists and I hope to see similar exhibitions attracted to the area. I certainly plan on doing my part.”

Plus a solution: “Park Up Norfolk” parking.

“From Greek sculpture through contemporary painting, nudity and sexuality have always been part of art and I don’t find any shame in continuing that tradition.” – stuntkid

Local Heroes owner Greg Thompson explains that, no, he is not a pornographer, but a good old-fashioned comic book store owner. And actually, no matter what you like to read, there’s a graphic novel to suit your taste.

Plus dance events and classes around Hampton Roads this month.

Last Friday night was my second time taking advantage of Norfolk’s now-friendly busking laws by performing as ‘the first acquisition of Norfolk’s Human Statuary.’ Here’s what happened.

Norfologists are past their cynicism about Norfolk; they see in it a blank canvas, a place where they can actually make a difference. And nothing could be more exciting to them. In fact, a true Norfologist thrives on this challenge.

A father of two autistic children rises from unemployment to create an app that has the potential to change thousands of lives. It’s available at the Apple app store today.

A Norfolk employee sent an email from work asking for Fraim volunteers. Not good.

What Should Be Done With Flatiron Park Downtown? We say a beautiful community garden.

We had some real characters show up, I’ll tell you.

Self-evaluation: “VOTED AS 1 OF THE TOP 800 DINERS ACROSS AMERICA, CHARLIE’S CAFE IS LEADING A GREASE ROOTS CAMPAIGN TO SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES AND BUY AMERICAN PRODUCTS.” 1800 Granby Street | (757) 625-0824 | Sun-Thurs 7-2. Sat 7-7 Website Readers’ Reviews: 1. 2. 3. Leave your review of Charlie’s Cafe in the Facebook box below to share [...]

This truly was old school Dead, as this tune stretched to at least 30 minutes, but then again who knows, time fades into nothing when you’re dancing like this

Feel free to crib when you bring your friends in from out-of-town; these are places that showcase the absolute best of Norfolk, both in its history, and in its new birth, happening all around you.

It makes me feel ridiculously proud and fortunate to be a part of what makes Hampton Roads super fucking awesome. But those things that I’m so proud of doing here will cease to exist if we do not reach our fundraising goals with the Drive AltDaily Drive.

The goal of Westboro Baptist Church–who staged protests around HR the last two days–is not to recruit followers. More so, it is to make known how unholy the rest of us are, to let us know that “God hates YOU.”

4. Let your city turn your tree into mulch.
7. Remove all the branches. Sharpen the base. Impale as you see fit.

Two of the most talented people in or from Hampton Roads creating art right now are the musician Phillip Roebuck and the videographer/director/overall-filmmaking killing machine Bryon Summers. They hooked up to make this video.

We sat like a family around the dining room table. We held hands as Shelley said grace. I don’t remember all that we talked about, but the talking never stopped.

In his latest installment of “Reinventing Norfolk,” Jerome Spencer blames the holier-than-thou-tattoo’ed-hipster-elite of Cogan’s Pizza (and its Megatouch) for him sending a bad drunk text.

I am not going to try and tell you the death of one of our chickens is a painless transition to the next world. Killing an animal sucks. It is not an enjoyable task. Obviously it is worse for the bird than for us.

Nestled in a quaint shopping center in the heart of Ghent lies a hidden oasis of homemade, authentic, Italian cuisine with the most impressive vegan menu in Hampton Roads.

You will find a story in this post that you love. Click it. You will. Trust us. Go on.

Michael Bergin’s architectural review of 201 Twenty One, which “in theory, with all of the amenities, great location, fancy renderings and exciting program for this project, I should love. But in execution it just feels like I’m walking through a B-movie set. It seems fake.”

More than any other single document, the General Plan will shape the future of our city. For the past several years the City of Norfolk has been quietly updating its vision of the future, the General Plan, which they have named plaNorfolk 2030. It’s a sweeping document encompassing everything from addressing transportation issues to enhancing [...]

Yesterday we set up a camera and filmed the council in action. It’s not the best video in the world, and sometimes the audio isn’t perfect, but it’s a start.

For the next six weeks we will be campaigning to raise $50,000, which can basically make AltDaily happen for the year 2012. Obviously, that amount is not gonna cover a 3D movie every week for our staff or anything, but it’s what we’re looking at for a shoestring budget.

“I want to combat the notion that visual art is a luxury only to be enjoyed by the wealthy and expose the process of creating art through my work, making it more accessible for people to understand.” – Rtistjono

Norfolk’s answer to The Mamas & the Papas plays With Lavender and Lace. Enjoy.

Plus a little creative non-fiction about the invention of the sponge table tennis paddle, starring the great Marty Reisman and a suitcase full of stolen gold.

“We see that all the time—kids people think are developmentally delayed or just written off…then six months later they’ll be in the gifted program. I mean, we don’t have one story like that, we have dozens of stories like that.”

“I drew a naked picture of my aunt and uncle naked at their wedding. But not just naked, it was very creative; my uncle’s penis extended up and around his neck to be used as a tie and her boobs slung over her head as a veil. I don’t know when I drew this but it was sometime around six years old.” – Dana Ellyn

Thinking about it now still shatters my brain. Things make so much less sense when you watch real live people spin like violent cyclones one minute and then suddenly they’re gliding through the air like a wind-plucked dandelion tuft.

Mama said the way to keep a diary was to write down the opposite of everything that happened, so she gave Jason a blank book so each night he could tell how all the boys played kick the cans until the boogeyman came.

The musical mecca, that place where music crosses the line and is no longer secular, is and always will be New Orleans. And if there is a church where we go to hear the sermon, that place is Preservation Hall, with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band the preachers at the altar.

The show will take place one night at The Attucks and then the next night at The NorVa. We’re into this.

“People hear concrete and they think garages and sidewalks,” he said. “But it really is beautiful, and it’s not something many people know exists. We’re always educating people.”

“Traditions and rituals of my Italian Catholic heritage were woven into my life and still play an important role in my work as an artist.” – ODU & TCC’s Nikki Webb

Marty was returning to the States not as a man but as a human asterisk, the answer to a ping pong trivia question: Who was the man that was supposed to win the tournament that changed everything?

There’s just something about it. Something addictive almost, and it’s not the caffeine. Plus, a Norfolk coffee shop guide.

Arts for Life, Virginia Musical Theater, TRDance, The Kings of Salsa, Nutcracker, Southside Stomp, Latin Dance Party, and more…

Norfolk is more bike-oriented than ever. Downtown Granby Street is reverting to its centuries-old, humanistic roots: A fifteen mile per hour speed limit encourages drivers to take parallel streets to their on-ramps, leaving plenty of space for pedestrians and cyclists. T

If you’ve seen a TCC “from here, go anywhere” ad, Dave Iwans has been in your life. If you’ve ever “taken ORF,” Dave Iwans has been in your life…

“There are so many reasons to buy local. Imagine Ghent with big-box stores on every corner, replacing the businesses that know their customers by name with businesses that are only concerned with the bottom line and stripping this historic area of its character.” – Charlie’s Cafe owner Ted Warren

What does Rick Perry’s living room look like? Doug O. knows.

Seven: “In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I’ve been turning over in my mind ever since: “Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone, just remember to whisper, otherwise you might be in for an ass whipping on a regular basis.”

“It’s something you can put your heart and soul into. And when you taste that, it totally comes out, and that’s one of the best parts about it.” – Jimmy Walsh, head brewer

Consumer grade flying cars, space ports, rocket packs, rocket belts, superconductors, HAL, artificial intelligence, cancer vaccines, dogs regrowing retinas, brain co-processors, the theory of everything, real life time travel, etc. etc. etc. Zap! Boom! Zap!

“Sometimes I enjoy looking at the design work I did in school because it is absolute garbage and it makes me laugh.” – Carl Floyd Medley III

Our run-on sentence review: Appropriate and fun for the whole family with a magical set that conjures a world at turns wondrous and terrifying, Hansel and Gretel is an evening where a timeless fairy tale comes alive through the enchanting vehicle of narrative and emotion that is opera.

“We sure hope Pete Townshend likes it.” – Paul Unger, who made this video with DJ Ryan Thomas

Take a lesson from Plan B and get out of the bad relationship fast!!!!

“Maybe my business idea would have happened without Start Norfolk,” said competition winner Brian Wells. “Now, it’s *got to* happen.”

We are shifting the direction of the editorial content of AltDaily.com in a way that will lead to fuller coverage, higher quality content, and a more sustainable business model and work load. We are looking for editor/writers.

As part of RedRail the sketch comedy troupe The Pushers took over The Tide. Ahhh, sookie!

Plus an interview with Monster Truck driver and all-around nice guy John Seasock. “I’m very much an adrenaline junkie. I white-water kayak, scuba dive, sky dive, ski, anything that you can bleed, I’m into. But I make candles at home.”

“They “taught” us how to be professional at art school, but I didn’t really learn that till failing in the field a few times.” – John Sebastian Vitale

“To me, (movies) all say the same thing, which is basically don’t judge other people till you know the complete story, and nobody really knows the complete story unless maybe they’ve done an analysis. Don’t be so quick to judge others.” – John Waters

I was amazed at the ability of sand to defy the laws of physics in order to make entry into my face and ears. I wore a respirator, sandblasting hood, and glasses but I could still feel high velocity sand pluck me in the eye somewhat regularly.

“My work starts from emotional sensations that I try to describe physically.” – Jeannine Harkleroad

Process. This is what art is: the creation, the trial and error, the hours alone in the studio, editing bay, or with a laptop in the dark. Art is not the final product you see in a gallery or museum. It is a team of seven people sweating over a piece of molten glass that literally glows with heat.