Here we help you connect more deeply with your community and/or waste time at work. All the stories from the past 7 days on AltDaily, for your enjoyment.

Art, concerts, clubs, activism, love, fear, sex, destruction, and a cash bar. Get yourself in some really uncomfortable situations and live your damn life.

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.

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

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.

A healthy serving of fresh, local (mostly) cycling news.

John McManus uses his big old brain to break the news down for all us sinners here in Hampton Roads.

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

Troop Deployment; Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell; GOP Nominee; Virginia Beach School Board and City Council; Death of Russian Scientists; Chinese Warships; Three Marines Mugged.

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.

Curt Wynn sits down with Drive-By-Truckers’ Patterson Hood to chat about touring, Virginia, and Letterman.

Forget staying in. This weekend is packed full of music, barbeques, and great local art shows.

A revisit to a Pushers’ classic.

Summer is here–get out and have fun this weekend.

We’re looking for writers willing to help give voice to those left unheard in the Norfolk area.

Give me your crazy, your outgoing, and outlandish–Art | Everywhere Closing Night needs you.

The ins & outs of shooting a local music video. Plus, the end result.

A chat with PJ Morton about being a PK, playing with Maroon 5, and his mix tape.

“It’s the end of the world as we know, it’s the end.” Whether you’re counting down to the end of the world or celebrating still being alive on Sunday, we have your weekend mapped out! Let the good times roll!

An overview of what we’ve done and what we’re all about.

Former Delegate Found Guilty of Bribery and Extortion; Gang Violence; Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority Shortfall; Virginia Beach Council Budget; Cuccinelli and Health Care Lawsuit; Treasury Auctions; Steve Forbes; Gaddafi on TV and NATO in for the kill.

SEALs honored privately; outsourcing things that could be done here (and saving a bundle); new Midtown tunnel?; and GreenBuildIt kicking green butt.

Lot going on here for all you art lovers, from the one and only Kat.

And a bunch more fun and informative stuff to make your life better here in Norfolk/Virginia Beach, in If You Read the Paper.

If the dollar is ditched by the major powers, as is already in the process of happening, its value will plummet and your paycheck will buy far less than it used to.

Star viewing party at Mount Trashmore. Plus an interview with astronomer Chuck Dibbs about those crazy shiny things in the sky.

Kat from AltDaily’s Monthly Art Events suggests these hot tickets.

Suffolk considers ditching HRT, WHRO safe for now, average wages in Hampton Roads, and more from that lovable Addy Smith.

Here is a comprehensive list of the city council members in the cities of Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and Portsmouth and how to contact them.

Grunwell gives the 2011 Darden Lecture in Education on April 6th at 7:30 p.m. at Old Dominion University.

In a world where people sit in their homes all evening watching crappy shows on TV, one website is fighting to save street life in Norfolk…

“People are going to be totally pissed if you do that.” And then I said, “That’s exactly what I should do then.”

And more in today’s If You Read the Paper.

“I became fascinated by the myriad ways national iconography surfaces and the ironies that emerge in the story of the American experience. These stories and mythology create a common identity among members of the nation.”

Silly me, I actually assumed our legislators wouldn’t act like children and draw lines reminiscent of a kid with a box of crayons.

The Bartender’s Ball, Slick Rick, Cherry Blossoms, and Classical Clowns are just a small taste of what’s headed your way this weekend! Hope you’re ready!

Norfolk Police Chief an honest man, redistricting, Obama on Libya, and more.

How to climb stairs really really fast, a preview of Step Up For The Up Center Stair Climb.

Be it recording, performing, or even being around family and friends, they all contribute to the best Tommy can give you. The episodes to come will show you the creative process and pursuit of success of Tommy Fly Guy.

Whoever says there’s not much of an art scene in Hampton Roads needs to meet Kat Marsh. Right now.

Sharp-minded, highly analytical and very articulate, Dahlia could see through all the lies and hypocrisy surrounding the war. She slowly began to speak out against it.

Riding from Norfolk to North Carolina, the drivers make all the difference. Plus sea level rise, nookular power nose-dives and more in today’s If You Read the Paper.

Zucchini fries are all-the-rage. Hannah stops by to learn from Mike Farrell, executive chef at Still. Plus Portsmouth Restaurant Week arrives full-force.

This past fall Jesse and I spent three months collecting, splitting, pondering, cooking and eating our CSA. And helping to grow a new community.

Obama, VCU, Save the Bay (next year), doling out road candy, and more.

And more in today’s If You Read the Paper, by John McManus.

A call to the Jacoby Group, the guys behind the redeveloping of the former Ford Plant, to take a cue from the Facebook experience and challenge new friends and neighbors to bring forth their creativity and spirit to expand his vision.

“When I turned 40, everything changed. I decided that I didn’t give a shit about what people thought about me. I was going to live my life with no apologies.” Beth “Equality” Brooker.

Don’t let my awful Rebecca Black reference fool you, this weekend is jammed pack with fun things to do! From Sci-fi conventions, to Puck crawls, art shows, play openings, and dirty dancing – there is a little something for everyone!

Rock, Country, Hip-hop. We got it covered this week. Plus, a sic act coming out of VA.

Weed can be good. Guns can be bad. At least there’s unstoppable hip-hop tonight.

The first thing you can do is respect her. Even when she’s being a ninny, even when she’s being a bitch, especially when she’s feeling simple or low or like a loser.

Find out about the latest CAC exhibit, an SPCA fundraiser (with food from Hell’s Kitchen and New Belmont!), and where there’s gonna be a awesome free drawing session with local street models, for all you arty types out there.

Plus, the effect of redistricting on Hampton Road’s political power.

As chickens are a hot topic this week, I’d like to share the story of my Japanese chicken and the Buddhists who saved him. And more in today’s If You Read the Paper.

Generally regarded as the opera most performed in the U.S., it was great to see such a well performed and innovative production right here in Norfolk.

“For some, having no ‘formal’ art training is an advantage because no boundaries have been set and their palette is limitless (i.e., milk jugs, bottle caps, model airplane enamel, tin roofing, etc.)”

Once known as The Wave’s DJ Android, Andra Rosenberg has evolved into a multi-faceted artist, while facing responsibilities she never imagined.

The Tide needs to reach out to Gen X’ers and younger. Call it “The Party Train.” It’s a simple way to make our region safer, cooler, and to help ensure The Tide’s success.

The production never really seems to find its focus and many moments are problematic, but the high energy approach keeps the two-and-a-half hours interesting.

An inspiring interview with local high student Connor Norton, and the dirt on some upcoming shows and performances. You don’t want to miss the “lesbian Jimi Hendrix,” right?

And more in today’s If You Read the Paper for Thursday, March 17.

From a legendary photographer to surviving in the woods and reacquainting yourself with classic tales, this weekend is going to bea-u-ti-ful!

In the spring, I love nothing more than to cook as Southern as possible. Of all my back issues of Southern Living magazine, the ones with the most wear and tears are the spring and summer issues.

Poems from the Park Place Child Life Center, and Mary’s story of following through.

The one who challenges the power of automobiles, standing boldly in street centers.

I believe that God loves each and everyone of us, good or bad.

The Shake By Shantel, 15 Can you hear what I hear? Do you feel what I feel? I think about the Shake. I awake from my dreams. Can you help me? Do you ever feel like you can’t get out, when the Shake is all that you hear? You hear about God. Let me know [...]

What’s to stop other people with lots of time and money to bully their City Council into doing whatever they want at the expense of the little guy?

With an ever-changing city like Norfolk, I’m not sure this guide will ever be complete. But then again, isn’t that what makes a city great?

Dancing in underwear and having the ability to move with no restrictions or limitations must be so freeing.

In today’s If You Read the Paper for Tuesday, March 15th.

Virginia is called the mother of presidents, but her lineage of groundbreaking hip hop stars may eventually be what truly puts this state on the map.

In an exclusive interview, Venable talks to AltDaily about his thoughts on Hampton Roads’ culture, the direction of journalism and The Pilot, and the realities of getting older.

Ten songs. Don’t overthink it. No taking out a notebook and honing it. Just the first ten you think of and what they mean to you.

As I just told George, my point in the short article “Novel Ideas” was that literature is not removed from those who reject the genre.  But I never meant to suggest that Hollywood truly loves books.  Hollywood loves books like the wife-beater loves his family: he might think he does, but ego and insecurity have [...]

As I just told George, my point in the short post “Novel Ideas” was that literature is not removed from those who reject the genre.  But I never meant to suggest that Hollywood truly loves books.  Hollywood loves books like the wife-beater loves his family: he might think he does, but ego and insecurity have [...]

At the beginning of many residencies at the Bennington Writing Seminars, the late Liam Rector would screen this clip from Glengarry GlenRoss, leaving at least some of the new students squinting and wondering exactly what he meant by its display.  It’s the “Always Be Closing” scene, with Alec Baldwin aggressively berating the sales staff to [...]

In your series, “Liberty,” you photographed the “liberty wavers,” the employees of Liberty Tax Service who dress up as the Statue of Liberty and wave at cars driving by. The word ‘liberty’ is a definitive term that sums up “The American Dream.” Yet the individuals that work as “liberty wavers” are often the least likely [...]

Your interest in primitive art is apparent in much of your illustration and mixed media; some of it has a childlike innocence. Are you influenced by any kind of animated art? Yes, there are quite a few influences from Winsor McCay to PIXAR, not to mention children’s book illustrations, comics, and old magazine ads. It’s [...]