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

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.

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

“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

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.

“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.

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.

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.

“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.”

“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.

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.

“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

“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.

“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

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

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…

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.”

“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.

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

“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

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.

Virginia Stage Company’s electrifying production of Red, an intense and exciting drama by John Logan, is buoyed by brilliant performances, passionate direction, and exquisite design work.

Dance It Up, November | This Month in Local Dance

Artists. Photo series. Op-eds. Fine arts. Music. Occupy Norfolk. Local History. Science, zombies, bikes, and food. It’s probably been our best month of content ever.

Rumor has it that way back when in 2011 a zombie virus broke out in Norfolk on October 28th. Remember that?

Describe your perfect day in three sentences:

Wake up around noon and ride my motorcycle down Potters Rd. naked.
Shotgun beers with my mom and get Chik-fil-A on a Sunday.
End up watching “Waiting Mortuary” or something loud, and doing hoodrat things with my friends.

Local photographer Robert Kurtz put together a photo comic called ALIVE. Here is a selection of images from the comic. Enjoy.

With the taste of arsenic on my tongue, I’d fantasize of following one of these sirens down to the water’s edge. As she watches the water, I’d slide up silently behind her, wrapping one arm around her waist, the other across her chest…

I am now convinced: pop up art events are good for the soul.

A collaboration with East Village Opera Company, Remember Me is described on the company’s website as a rock-dance opera. The inspiration for the piece came from the music itself.

I don’t think I was alone in my temptation to throw an undergarment or two at Mr. Glass, as slick at storytelling as Elvis was at hip-swiveling.

The VB native shares his thoughts on designing the Stockley Gardens logo, his artistic influences, and his complicated relationship with The Beach.

We headed out to that beautiful campus on the water to check out the band and to get to some input from HU alumni on what makes the school so special. Turns out there was a football game going on as well.

My first time on board was in support of RedRail, a two week long shin dig that showcases all types of art on the Tide. The first night showcased the Virginia Stage Company performing Julius Caesar as riders watched in wonder.

The big arts and culture institutions in Norfolk are coming together in hopes of growing the scene. Here are some ideas they should consider implementing.

Bringing art back to peoples’ lives as a necessity. – Barry Harbour

The Wet Boys, who are performing at the New Radicles show at New Belmont Friday, share their best surf spots and late night dining spots in VB. They also dream about the sacred Navajodown.

Two weeks of performance on The Tide, and art around it. Plus a deal on 50% off Tide tickets for opening night.

At Prince Books, our displays reflect what Hampton Roads is reading right now, not what is dictated by co-op money from publishers.

Plus, an invitation’s to AltDaily’s Sneak Preview night, with ticket prices only $10 plus free hors d’oevres from Snapper’s.

“I borrowed a community college Photography 101 book for about two years and would read a chapter and practice what I learned over the next month until I had finished the book. ” – Kurtz

“We want the ‘Wow’ factor and we will know what we want when we see it.” – Rick Mersel, The NorVa

The October dance happenings around Hampton Roads, as well as a dance mini-lesson and interview with Elbert Watson.

As a matter of fact, I dare you to watch it and not fall madly in love with it.

“I don’t want it to just be a drawing of an apple or a tree…I want the apple or tree to tell something much further about itself to the viewer. Sometimes a dream will also inspire a piece. I like to leave the viewer with a mix of satisfaction and thought. I also like my pieces to represent the current state of the outside world, how I see it, and how it could possibly be.”

A Public Service Announcement.

They floated in and out of unison… each dancer, in turn, stretched out as if to break free, but the others pulled her back.

An Interview with Virginia Opera’s Lillian Groag and John Demain.

Affluent intellectuals are reduced to acting like children.

The winning films from the Hampton Roads 48 Hour Film Project, including “In Captivity,” “Dead Air,” “King of the Roosts,” and “Seizure.”

Last Tuesday the Avett Brothers played a packed show at The Ted.  Folk, folk, aaand folk. Enjoy. next>>    

A lot has happened this past month. We had an earthquake, hurricane, the 10th anniversary of 9/11, and I got sunburned on my balding head. These cartoons are my take.

“If we were to allow our “heroes” to emote fully then wouldn’t that allow those of us not wearing the uniform a broader (acceptable) emotional and masculine performance?” – Jason Hanasik, showing this weekend with Lorrie Saunders.

Or maybe that you are in a paperback bar, where the women
wear polka-dot dresses and the men take their hats off when they come
inside and everyone is alone. But it is not sad. It is slow.

“When I started making art again I stopped questioning the purpose of life and was able to be constantly engaged in each day and each experience. I can’t not make art.” – Erin Schwinn

Summer’s over. Back to school kids. Just in time for the first day of school, a guide to back to school fashions. Clothing-model’s own Next >>

“A lot of what I do in art is me saying, ‘This is what God has called you to be. This is what God has called you to do. This is what God desires for you.’” – James Davis, whose favorite artist is Banksy

AltDaily is working with the City of Norfolk Department of Cultural Affairs on a yet-untitled zine featuring four or more urban legends set in Norfolk.

Arriving in Norfolk in the midst of Norfolk’s Post-war transformation, Kenneth Harris began to make watercolors of the city’s monuments and areas of decay. Here is some of what he painted.

Swing at The Attucks, new local ballet company with TRDance, Lindy Hop, Elisa Monte, Elbert Watson, and more. Hampton Roads has the moves, y’all.

“If you draw happy things you soak them in. If you draw sad things you slip into hell.”- MSYIII

The Reys gave the world a reminder that despite what is going on, it’s still okay to smile.

One thing that Hampton Roads now has in abundance that can be helpful to an artist is rental property. In any economic conditions, these vacant spaces can be a unique opportunity for holding art shows.

Tom Barbee is a talented photographer working and living in Virginia Beach. He’s also a pretty rad guy as far as I can tell.

“‘I saw Dad eating Mom in the dressing room. She’s long gone. In his belly.’ I point up to the wedding figures at the top of the cake. ‘He ate her up just like a toy.’”

“My creativity was driven almost strictly by a desire to have weird shit in my house that wasn’t like other stuff you could get at Target or something. I function better when I’m surrounded by a carnival-like atmosphere.” – Christopher Jude Ranes

I realized that’s what Keillor gives us–He gives us ourselves, our memories and our vintage tunes, reminiscing about days of cooling pies on windowsills, when kids could safely ride their bikes blocks away as long as they were home before the street lights came on, when young lovers listened to love songs on the radio and dreamed of kissing, nothing more.

“I want people to see our videos and say. ‘Yo, I know that dude who is dancing. He goes to my school in Chesapeake!’ or hear an out-of-towner say, ‘Yo seriously, the 757 region they got their scene rockin’!'”
-Johnny Breaker of RadioActive Cardboard

Like to write, edit, and make an impact in your community? Check this out.

“I love that you can make something and someone can think it’s great, they love it, and then someone can come along and think it’s crap. And then as the artist you don’t have to care about either of them.” – Troy Summerell

“I can’t stand the thought, with all the love I put into these pieces, that one day it will mean nothing. Generations will pass, and I want my name to be scattered in with all the prolific artists of their time.” – SKELE

His beach bungalow is littered with the tools of his craft: wood lathe (used for spinning wood at rpm’s of 500-2500), saws, and drills. As we stood in the sunlight, Blake grabbed a piece of sycamore, placed it on the lathe, and began spinning.

An online gallery and Q&A with local charcoal artist Michael Smigiel. Much of his work focuses on the 757 bar and restaurant scene.

The hotel is leaking and the little girl thinks it’s funny to throw her glass of milk onto the carpet. At the check-in desk, two men shake hands – one of them is on fire. The deal has been made.

Aristotle summed up ancient Greek sentiment about the essence of humanity by declaring that “man is by nature a political animal.” My interpretation is that we are meant to thrive within a community, are made to help each other. I really believe that.

Written while between cars, hitching through Newport News.

For those who enjoy a laugh over some witty sketches, feast your eyes.

It is an ambitious undertaking. The nearly three-hour long musical is almost completely through-sung, and every role is both vocally and dramatically demanding.

I believe there is much less than we are willing to admit separating us from everything else in nature. The images I painted for this series are warped, beaten and bloodied, not idealized or pretty. Once we separate humanity from the abstract ideals in which we wrap ourselves we are no better or worse than anything else that exists.

Any new projects or upcoming shows you have in the works for the rest of 2011? “Meeting Of Stylez”, July 20, Gallery Bar, New York, NY “Chocolate and Art”, July 22, Los Angeles, CA Art For Change, “Hacia Afuera Outdoor & Music Fest”, August 15 “Who’s Next” Showcase, Paris, France “Hampton Roads, The Canvas” Project, [...]

Local writer Michal Mahgerefteh shares two poems with us. “Frozen in a Mask of Calm” and “The Childless”

Have you received formal art training, or do you consider yourself self-taught? I took a couple of drawing courses while I was in college. Found out that I had a knack for drawing subjects such as faces, bottles, skeletons, etc. It was cool, but it was never what I really wanted to do. So I [...]

More often than not, the momentum for an idea comes from prolonged effort and enthusiasm that, like the labyrinth itself, prevails through twists and turns along the way.

“Collaborative Consumption describes the rapid explosion in traditional sharing, bartering, lending, trading, renting, gifting, and swapping redefined through technology and peer communities.” – Rachel Botsman

Take a second look at these “pests” we find at all our summer hang outs, they might just pleasantly surprise you.

If you’ve ever wanted to make your own documentary or fiction film but thought to yourself, “How? I don’t have a fancy camera or even know where to start,” then have we got the class for you…

Four awesome public art-meets-community building projects win $500 to debut July 2 at Art|Everywhere Closing Night.