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VA Shows You Must See This Week: February 26 – March 3

Marilyn Drew Necci | February 26, 2020

Topics: 3:33, Ages, Bashful, Bbigpigg, Black Button, black mass, Bodysnatcher, Boogaloo's, Born A New, Chamber, CornCob, Creeping Death, Cruel Streak, Cruzer, Cut The Architect's Hand, Dan Deacon, Dozing, Ed Schrader's Music Beat, Enforced, events in richmond va, events near me this weekend, events richmond va, Fallout, Faucet, Fuzzy Cactus, Genosha, Gnawing, Great American Ghost, Guardrails, In Battle, Jono Stewart's Big Mistake, Kemtrailz, Lovelorn, music, must see shows, Nat Baldwin, Night Sins, OnceDrowned, Only Sibling, Pitch'n A Fit, Prayer Group, Recital, richmond events, richmond va, richmond va bands, Riffhouse Pub, RVA, Satanic Richmond, Shockoe Denim, shows this week richmond, shows you must see, Slump, Smallhands, So Badly, Split Wrist, The Canal Club, The Southern Cafe, things to do in richmond va, things to do richmond va, Thirsty's RVA, True Body, Vacation, Wonderland

FEATURED SHOW
Thursday, February 27, 8 PM
Satanic Richmond presents Black Mass, feat. 3:33, Ages, Cut The Architect’s Hand, Cruel Streak, Pitch’n A Fit @ Fallout – $6 suggested donation

Old-lady storytime: When I was a kid in the late 80s starting to get into music in a big way, any modern band I really dug was subject to potential labeling by adults as “Satanic.” I came to expect it, and not just about extreme metal bands that truly did dabble in Satanic imagery — your Slayers, your Ozzys — but even about innocuous musicians like Def Leppard, Aerosmith, and Madonna. Even though I was still young and hadn’t really started to question the religion I was raised in just yet, this cultural environment nonetheless created an undeniable allure around Satanic iconography. If the bands I like are all at least debatably Satanic, shouldn’t I be making a point of checking out other supposedly-Satanic bands?

At least for me, a fortysomething survivor of the Satanic-panic 80s, an edgy allure still remains around anything that overtly labels itself Satanic. Of course, I grew up and found out that Satanism as it exists in the world today is really more of a philosophy than anything, one that isn’t really about the Christian conception of Satan at all. In fact, it isn’t even a religion, and its adherents are closer to agnostic than anything. Their real purpose is to engage in social activism to promote separation of church and state, and the value of individual freedom, in the face of state oppression. That’s pretty excellent as an overall value system, and it’s certainly a long way from what my elders told me as a kid about what all the ostensibly-Satanic music I was listening to wanted me to believe.

That said, my old Black Sabbath and Slayer records are still cool as hell, and if you see where I’m coming from — or even if you kinda don’t — you should probably head to Fallout this Thursday night to see what Satanic Richmond are all about. They’ll be hosting some speakers and having a charity raffle, but the main focus of the evening is music — for the most part, the exact same kind of music my parents warned me about back in the day. This includes a variety of local groups: metallic punk stalwarts 3:33, chaotic metalcore veterans Cut The Architect’s Hand, and metal newcomers Cruel Streak will bring the heaviness, while Ages moves in a dark, postpunk direction and Pitch’n A Fit brings some old-time string-band styles with a 21st century sensibility. This evening at Fallout will be a ton of sinful fun, and who doesn’t love that?

Wednesday, February 26, 8 PM
Slump, Black Button, Cruzer @ Fuzzy Cactus – $8

There’s no getting around it; Slump are a strange band. This Richmond quartet released an LP, Flashbacks From Black Dust Country, late last year on Feel It Records, and it is full of the kind of batshit psychedelic punk with tinges of noise-rock, space-rock, and even wild-ass outlaw country that puts them somewhere in the neighborhood of Jesus Lizard, No Trend, the Meat Puppets, and Hawkwind, all at the same time. It’s certainly not the kind of thing you’re going to encounter on a weekly basis of listening to whatever comes through your Spotify Discover playlist; nope, this is a unique offering, with all the outsider oddity that implies.

And if you think this group, which even features an analog synth these days, are going to be a typical humdrum live band experience, you definitely need to recalibrate your assumptions — and the perfect time and place to do that is tonight at Fuzzy Cactus, where Slump will be kicking off a tour that will take them somewhere else for some amount of time (they aren’t exactly forthcoming about this info online, but I’d expect no less from these weirdos), and should be in fine fighting form in preparation for devastating the world with their bizarre noise. They’ll have similarly-minded noise-punk newcomers Black Button and surf-punk noisemakers Cruzer along for the ride, making for a pretty entertaining way to spend a midweek evening, no matter how you slice it.

Thursday, February 27, 7 PM
Only Sibling, Smallhands, Dozing, So Badly @ Thirsty’s RVA – Free!

It’s an undeniable fact: scruffy Mac DeMarco-looking indie rock boys with hardcore-punk backgrounds are a great source for the best shoegaze tunes of the 21st century. That band Nothing did a lot to demonstrate that fact, and Only Sibling are now here to make it even more clear. This New York-based quartet have released some singles and EPs on Other People Music, but still haven’t really taken the plunge into a full-length, so a lot of people haven’t woken up to what they have to offer as yet. But you have a chance to do so this Thursday night, just over the James on Forest Hill Ave, as Only Sibling come to Thirsty’s RVA for a free show that is well worth your time.

They’ll be joined on this bill by Smallhands, who hail from Fredericksburg and are, like a lot of that city’s scene, primed for discovery after years of floating just under the radar. Their hazy sound definitely shares some characteristics with that of Only Sibling, so if you dig one of these bands, you’re sure to dig the other. Smallhands will be accompanied on their trip an hour South down the I-95 corridor by So Badly, a Fredericksburg indie group with a lot to offer on their own behalf, and the whole bill will be rounded out with a set from Dozing, who bring the early-90s post-hardcore sound from right here in 21st century Richmond. Gotta love that.

Friday, February 28, 8 PM
Bbigpigg, Prayer Group, Faucet, Recital @ Boogaloo’s – $5

Speaking for myself, I am totally used to the fact that the world of noise-rock is often unfathomably bizarre. I grew up in the days when the Melvins and the Jesus Lizard were in their prime, so I’m totally desensitized now. However, if you’re a noise-rock newcomer, a lot of aspects of the band Bbigpigg might throw you for a loop. For a start, there’s the fact that there name looks like a typo of a late 80s Australian funk group they have absolutely nothing to do with. Then there’s their minimalist internet presence, which is matched by a less-than-prolific discography featuring nothing more than a few EPs, the last of which came out damn near five years ago.

But if you can get past all these aspects — and you should — there’s a lot to appreciate here, from this band’s undeniably Jesus Lizard-ish tendency toward bent notes and off-kilter chords to the driving stomp that makes their music so unstoppably awesome and fun. If you wish the Melvins would experiment a little less, or that Captain Beefheart was still kicking, this is the band for you. They’re joined on this bill by Richmond’s own Prayer Group, who engage in a slightly sludgier and significantly rantier take on Bbigpigg’s noise-rock attack, making this the perfect pummeling pairing for you noise nutcases. Make a note of it.

Saturday, February 29, 7:30 PM
Nat Baldwin, Jono Stewart’s Big Mistake @ Shockoe Denim – $10

Props to the folks over at Little Dumbo — they always bring unexpectedly fascinating musical treats to our city, often in the sales room of a literal denim workshop located in Shockoe Bottom. How cool is that? This weekend, they’re giving us another delightful evening of unique music when they bring upright bassist Nat Baldwin to town. If you know Baldwin’s name, it’s probably from the credits section of your Dirty Projectors LPs; he’s been in the group since 2005, and has also lent his talents to the work of Vampire Weekend, Grizzly Bear, and others.

That said, Baldwin is also a talented solo musician. While his previous solo albums showcased his ability to construct beautiful melodies around his acoustic bass and falsetto vocals, his latest returns him to his roots as avant-garde jazz bassist and improviser, originally honed at the start of his career, when he studied under jazz legend Anthony Braxton. Autonomia I: Body Without Organs, released only a week ago, finds Baldwin experimenting with the sounds created by pairing his bass with a broken bow. It’s certainly not anything like the Dirty Projectors, but the result is unique, fascinating, and well worth your time. See what he does with it in a live environment, and enjoy a set from Richmond experimentalists Jono Stewart’s Big Mistake beforehand — it’s sure to subvert your expectations in the most delightful of ways.

Sunday, March 1, 9 PM
Lovelorn, Night Sins, True Body @ Wonderland – $10

Remember Creepoid? The Philadelphia shoegaze quartet blew my mind when I caught them at Gallery 5 several years ago; unfortunately, though, they broke up soon after, leaving co-leaders Anna and Patrick Troxell sitting on a whole bunch of unfinished material. Thankfully, they didn’t let that stop them, and used that material as the genesis for their new project, Lovelorn. While this group is definitely more postpunk in nature than psychedelic a la Creepoid, the dark, moody atmosphere remains intact, now with an increased dose of programmed beats and synth sounds, but still driven by the contrast of ethereal vocals and spooky, rumbling bass.

Lovelorn have still only released a couple of isolated EPs, but while the world eagerly awaits a debut full-length from them, we’re lucky enough to get a full live set this Sunday night at Wonderland. And we’d be fools not to take advantage, and experience everything this dark, psychedelic postpunk group has to offer us. They’ll be joined by fellow Philadelphian combo Night Sins on this trip to town; Night Sins are fully prepared to light up our evening with a dose of gothic postpunk darkness all their own — and it will surely be appreciated. And of course, Richmond postpunk gloom merchants True Body will be on hand to let us all know what they’ve got in store for us on their soon-to-be-released LP. Can’t wait for that.

Monday, March 2, 6 PM
Creeping Death, Chamber, Enforced, In Battle, Guardrails @ The Canal Club – $13 (order tickets HERE)

Monday night’s been slim pickings around the Richmond live music world in recent months; fortunately, it only takes one good show to turn a night from a bust into a boom, and we’ve got exactly that with this Canal Club performance by Texas’s own Creeping Death, which is sure to light up our dreary Monday evening. This hard-as-fuck quartet not only touch on the same confluence of death metal, thrash, and hardcore that Power Trip have so fruitfully exploited for the past decade but also have strong connections with their fellow Texans, even touring with them last year.

So yeah, if you’re looking for a dose of that death-thrash roar on a Monday night, look no further than this Texas combo. What’s more, Nashville’s Chamber are along for the ride, bringing their more metalcore-derived sound to The Canal Club, a venue that’s proven itself over the years to be very comfortable with metalcore. Opening sounds are provided by Richmond blackened-thrash hardcore rulers Enforced, and by newcomers In Battle (about which all I can tell you is that they are NOT the Swedish In Battle you’ll find if you try and google) and Guardrails (who are probably the most straightforward USHC group on this whole bill). This is going to be a very heavy evening, in the best possible way.

Tuesday, March 3, 9 PM
Vacation, Gnawing, Kemtrailz, Bashful @ Fuzzy Cactus – $7

It’s really nice to have reliable venues around this town; there was a point where the demise of Strange Matter probably left us all a little concerned that street-level rock n’ roll would no longer have a home in the good ol’ RVA. Thankfully, several places have stepped in to fill the void, and at this point, Fuzzy Cactus definitely distinguishes themselves as first among equals. A show like this one proves it; by hosting Cincinnati’s Vacation and a trio of scrappy local groups on a quiet winter weeknight, Fuzzy Cactus proves itself a true utility player in the game of Richmond live music.

And thank goodness for that; Vacation are bringing the sort of sound we need more of around here, and it’s wonderful that they have a venue in which to present it to us all. Their name might lead you to expect pop-punk out of them, but one listen to 2019’s Zen Quality Seed Crystal shows that Vacation have a lot more to offer than just that, channeling Guided By Voices at their lo-fi peak in the early 90s and filling in some Pavement-ish slacker-rock swing to keep your toes tapping and your booty shaking. This is going to be a scrappy, fun evening of catchy tunes, and the addition of Richmond power-pop powerhouse Gnawing, as well as newcomers Kemtrailz and Bashful, to this bill, will only enrich what’s already sure to be the best thing happening in your life on any Tuesday night in March.

Elsewhere Around The State:

Wednesday, February 26, 6:30 PM
Dan Deacon, Ed Schrader’s Music Beat, CornCob @ The Southern Cafe (Charlottesville) – $15 (order tickets HERE)

Damn, Dan Deacon’s come a long way since I used to see him performing in gross Jackson Ward basements back in the mid-00s. And thank goodness for that, because his music has only grown in catchiness and maturity over the past 15 years. He demonstrates that on his newest album, Mystic Familiar, which follows up several years in which Deacon focused on creating soundtracks for films like Rat Film, a documentary about segregation and infestation in his native Baltimore. Deacon has a conscience, and it shows through in his work, even as he first and foremost focuses on making you dance.

Where dance-party starters are concerned, Mystic Familiar‘s got plenty of material for you; on this emotionally transcendent album, Deacon remains adept at his signature building crescendos, which evoke a rush of feels even as you can’t help but bounce frantically around the room, caught up in the waves of gorgeous sound. It’s the same whether you’re in a basement with sweat dripping from the walls or a clean and lovely venue like Charlottesville’s The Southern Cafe — the joy will find you and the spirit will move you. And isn’t that what we all want out of a Wednesday night at the club?

Friday, February 28, 6 PM
Bodysnatcher, Born A New, Great American Ghost, Genosha, OnceDrowned, Split Wrist @ RiffHouse Pub (Chesapeake) – $13 in advance/$15 day of show (order tickets HERE)

You know you’re in for a heck of an evening when the Facebook event page features the words “no fighting, throwing chairs, or breaking tables.” If that’s the kind of activity the promoters are prepared for in advance, chances are things are going to get pretty crazy, even if none of those things actually come to pass. But with Bodysnatcher on the bill, you can’t really expect anything less. This Florida group’s crossbreed of beatdown hardcore and slam-style death metal is positively crushing on their brand new LP, This Heavy Void, and if it didn’t generate at least a few explosive mosh pits over the course of a live set, I’d have to wonder if the entire city of Chesapeake was asleep.

They certainly won’t be after the five bands paving the way for Bodysnatcher get done setting the stage for the headliners. Bodysnatcher’s labelmates on Stay Sick Recordings, Born A New (whom, to my eyes, should really have been “born anew” — spending a decade as a copyeditor will make you fixate on this sort of thing), bring a slightly groovier take to this sort of headstomping deathcore brutality, while Boston’s Great American Ghost simultaneously conjure up memories of Zao and Eighteen Visions, both of which are positive associations to evoke, for sure. With regional heavy hitters like Genosha, OnceDrowned, and Split Wrist filling out the bill, things are sure to get hectic at RiffHouse this Friday night.

—-

Email me if you’ve got any tips for me about upcoming shows (that take place after the week this column covers -– this week’s column has obviously already been written): [email protected]

Planning A Trip? Hampton Roads Is Your LGBTQ Destination.

Eric Hause | July 12, 2019

Topics: Hampton Roads, LGBTQ travel, MJ's Tavern, Norfolk, Spirit of Norfolk, Summer 2019 Pride Guide, The Rainbow Cactus, Vacation, ViBe Creative District, Virginia Beach

Our 2019 Summer Pride Guide, in collaboration with VA Pride, is out now! Here’s one of our articles from that magazine, in which Outwire 757’s Eric Hause gives us a guide to the perfect LGBTQ vacation in Hampton Roads.

When you think about LGBTQ-friendly vacation destinations, there’s no doubt that big cities come to mind: San Francisco and New York, Buenos Aires and Sydney. But if you can’t afford a day or two — let alone a week — on such a globetrotting trip, look no further than your backyard for a destination that’s welcoming, affordable, and full of exciting things to see and do. 

I’m talking about Hampton Roads. 

Sure, you’re not going to collect beads at the carnival in Rio, or march in the World Pride Parade. But as a 25-year resident and leader in the local LGBTQ community, I can tell you that Hampton Roads has plenty to offer. Whether you’re looking for an all-gay, all-day party vacation, a refined cultural experience, or a sea adrift on memory bliss beach vacation, we’ve got it in Hampton Roads — Virginia’s cul de sac. 

Hampton Roads has come a long way in a short amount of time when it comes to affirming and welcoming LGBTQ visitors. The visitor bureaus in three of the major cities (Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and Hampton) have active LGBTQ travel marketing programs, and the local hospitality industry (which we all know would evaporate without queer employees) whole-heartedly supports those initiatives. 

In addition, Hampton Roads Pride and HRBOR (the area’s LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce) work closely with LGBTQ-owned and allied businesses to develop inclusive activities and safe spaces. 

Oh, and did I mention that you can’t swing a cat around here without hitting a festival, museum, or performing arts organization that offers LGBTQ programming? 

But that’s enough of the travel brochure propaganda. Let’s get on with it. Here are a few queer-themed and affirmative vacation itineraries, whether you’re visiting for a day or a week. 

Disclosure: I have personal experience with each of the businesses mentioned in this article. All are LGBTQ-friendly. 

Courtesy Virginia Beach CVB

The Urban Experience

Downtown Norfolk has become the spiritual center of the Hampton Roads LGBTQ community. That’s a far cry from the days when it was a collection of rundown warehouses, tattoo parlors, and shady bars with a level of debauchery so depraved that The New York Voice deemed it “Hell’s Half Acre.” 

The city’s contemporary version is a world-class destination that frequently ranks in Top Ten lists of mid-sized cities to visit. With waterfront festivals nearly every weekend from spring through autumn, world class arts organizations, museums, shopping, dining, and nightlife, it’s not your grandmother’s Norfolk any longer. 

Accommodations are varied, and range from the five-star mega-hotels to luxurious bed-and-breakfasts and quaint historic inns. 

The Hilton MAIN is the crown jewel of downtown Norfolk’s bustling scene. Plopped right in the center of it all, it’s definitely an upscale experience. With three excellent restaurants (including a rooftop bar with thrilling views of the harbor), immaculate overnight rooms with five-star amenities, and superior customer service, The MAIN competes with high-end hotels found mainly in large cities. 

For those interested in a quieter accommodation, check out two nearby LGBTQ-friendly inns. The Page House Inn is in a historic (and reputedly haunted) 1899 house in the Hague. The décor harkens back the home’s Victorian origins, but the rooms are spacious and comfortable with modern amenities. Your hostess, Miss Deb, always gets rave reviews from her guests. 

Option number two is Four Eleven York, a new boutique inn and restaurant concept located in the Freemason Historic District. Located in the former Freemason Inn Bed and Breakfast, the inn has been completely renovated, with amazing touches and a modernist feel. The owners also own the restaurant of the same name next door, which features an eclectic Modern American menu. 

Both Page House and Four Eleven are just steps from the Chrysler Museum, and a short walk to downtown, Ghent (Norfolk’s Gayborhood), and the artsy NEON district. 

Hilton MAIN (Photo by Keith Cephus)

After settling in, it’s time to explore, and all you’ll need is a comfortable pair of shoes. Downtown Norfolk is delightfully walkable. In the event you want to move more quickly, the Tide Light Rail traverses most of downtown with stops at nearly every street corner. If biking is more your speed, rent a PACE bike from one of the many rental stations throughout the area. 

Start at the Waterside District, located on Norfolk’s waterfront. Waterside is open year-round, day and night to accommodate next-level dining and entertainment for all ages. Grab a bite, a drink, and a seat overlooking the harbor, and take in some live tunes. This is where your vacation begins. 

From there, take a walk (or a bike) along Norfolk’s beautiful waterfront, which starts at Harbor Park (home of the Norfolk Tides baseball team), then proceeds to Town Point Park, the USS Wisconsin, and the Freemason District. This route is part of the Elizabeth River Trail, a 10.5-mile walking/biking trail that winds along the city’s harbor and riverfront. 

Nightlife is never in short supply downtown. Between restaurants and bars, live entertainment, and special events, there’s always something happening. Your best bet is to take a stroll down Granby Street after dark; you’ll find something appealing. 

If you’re in town between April and October, First Fridays are a must, with entertainment ranging from live music to June’s Stiletto Stomp drag race. A harbor cruise also brings a beautiful perspective on the city, with The American Rover offering sailing cruises departing daily from Waterside Marina. This summer, OutWire757 hosts two Rover LGBTQ charters: a Midnight Moonlight cruise in July, and a Farewell to Summer sail on Labor Day weekend.

The Spirit of Norfolk is also a great option for nightly dinner and dance cruises, as well as the occasional late-night drag show cruise. 

Head over to FestEvents for a schedule of upcoming festivals in Town Point Park. There’s one going on almost every weekend between May and October — of course, the one you won’t want to miss is Hampton Roads Pride in June. 

Finally, don’t forget to check out the performance schedules for Virginia Stage Company, Virginia Arts Festival, and SevenVenues. In the past, these organizations have brought top-notch LGBTQ favorites such as Kristin Chenoweth, Richard Alston Dance, Storm Large, and Wanda Sykes to town. 

You can also find the local queer community at three hopping LGBTQ clubs. MJs Tavern is a popular neighborhood bar, with a mixed clientele that’s open for lunch, dinner, and brunch on the weekends. The Wave is a late-night dance club with decidedly younger vibe. 37th and Zen hosts a mixed crowd and some interesting entertainment offerings, from Goth to kink, as well as karaoke and drag shows. 

Life’s A Beach

If a beach retreat is more to your liking, look no further than Norfolk’s sister city, Virginia Beach. The resort area is the heart of the region’s travel industry. 

Comprised of a four-mile stretch of resorts, restaurants, nightlife, and activities along a paved oceanfront boardwalk, the resort area has seen its share of reputation-challenging events over the past couple of decades. However, Virginia Beach has turned that around with the advent of a development facelift and world-class events and festivals, such as the recent Something in the Water Festival, that are committed to creating an inclusive and diverse experience for all travelers. 

The newly-remodeled Cavalier Hotel on the north end lends a luxurious touch to any vacation. Over the past 100 years, the Cavalier has welcomed ten U.S. Presidents, as well as countless celebrities and distinguished guests from around the world. Perched on a grassy hill overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, that history has earned the Cavalier a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. 

Today, it offers a complete vacation experience and actively welcomes the LGBTQ community. With 85 jaw-dropping guest rooms, five-star dining in one of the resort’s three restaurants, a full-service spa, and an on-site whiskey and bourbon distillery, you might not want to leave the property. 

Courtesy The Cavalier

One of our other favorite hotels is the delightfully modern Oceanaire Resort. The 18-story oceanfront tower is filled with contemporary touches, which garnered the distinguished Project of Excellence Award at the 2013 ARDA World Convention. 

There’s so much to do here, too. Catch a breathtaking sunrise over the ocean from the tenth floor Skydeck. Spend the day basking on the beach. Take a dip in the adults-only Aqua 21 indoor pool. Head out for an evening of bar-hopping along the boardwalk, then be lulled to sleep to the sound of the surf in your ocean-view room. It’s worth mentioning that the Cavalier and the Oceanaire are two of many Virginia Beach resorts that host weddings, with a particular emphasis on LGBTQ nuptials. 

Virginia Beach is also known for its thousands of vacation rental homes. Particularly suited for long, lazy family or group beach vacations, homes range from mansions to quaint cedar-shingle beach boxes. 

For a get-away-from-it-all beach vacation, take a look at Sandbridge. Often compared to North Carolina’s Outer Banks, Sandbridge is only minutes from the resort area, but worlds away in terms of its relaxed pace and beach community vibe. Most of the homes are in a vacation rental program, and none are more than two blocks from the oceanfront. LGBTQ-friendly Siebert Realty carries hundreds of fully-furnished beach home and condo rentals. 

So it’s Saturday night, and you’re asking yourself, where’s the queer nightlife in Virginia Beach? 

First of all, you’re going to want to head over to the ViBe Creative District. Just a couple of blocks off the Oceanfront, ViBe is Virginia Beach’s cultural arts enclave, and a hub for artisans of all disciplines. Food and beverage options are plentiful, and range from pork all ways at Beach Bully Barbecue to organic, seasonal, and sustainable fare at Commune. 

After dinner, take a stroll around the ViBe to admire the colorful original murals, pop in to Chesapeake Bay Distillery for a tasting of their signature Blue Ridge Vodka, or settle with a good cup of java at Bad Ass Coffee. 

After dinner, head to Virginia Beach’s Town Center for a show at The Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, or something more cutting-edge at Zeiders American Dream Theater. 

Sandler focuses on nationally-renowned artists, and has hosted LGBTQ performers such as Melissa Etheridge, David Sedaris, and Michael Feinstein. Just across the street, the new Zeiders American Dream Theater’s mission is to foster and introduce new artists, composers, and creative writers. Here you’ll find original comedy, story slams, live music of all genres, and an open and welcoming community. 

After the show, stop in to The Rainbow Cactus, Virginia Beach’s only traditional LGBTQ bar. The Cactus welcomes all ages and identities, with everything from live music to drag shows to late-night dance parties. 

Of course, a beach vacation wouldn’t be complete without exploring Virginia Beach’s natural wonders. We suggest you head out to sea with a Rudee Tours cruise. The company has operated local sightseeing tours out of Rudee Inlet for more than 35 years, including dolphin tours, whale-watching tours, sunset cruises, and the infamous Rudee Rocket (a must for high-speed thrill seekers). 

For another view of the area’s oceangoing wildlife, spend a couple of hours at the Virginia Aquarium, where you’ll be wowed by 800,000 gallons of aquariums and animal habitats. The Aquarium also produces a number of learning boat tours, as well as a challenging Adventure Park ropes course for those who enjoy a more hands-on experience. 

On the north end, First Landing State Park is a queer camping and outdoor recreation favorite. Sprawled across 3,000 acres of wetland and sandy beaches at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, it’s a quiet oasis adjacent to the fast pace of the resort area. 

Visiting for the day? Grab a quiet spot on the beach, take a hike or a bike on 19 miles of trails, or spread out a picnic under the shade of ancient cypress and pine trees. 

The park is a great overnight option for those inclined to commune closely with nature. It has 200 wooded or open campsites nestled behind the back dunes of the beach, and 20 modern cabins with central heat and air, running water, and kitchens. 

Beyond The Metro

Queer Hampton Roads isn’t just Norfolk and Virginia Beach. Take a look beyond the well-worn path for other LGBTQ-owned and allied businesses in places like Hampton, Williamsburg and the Eastern Shore. For a self-reported list of those across the Commonwealth, visit Virginia Tourism at www.virginia.org/LGBT. 

Top Photo by Eric Hause

RVA Shows You Must See This Week 6/24-6/30

Marilyn Drew Necci | June 24, 2015

Topics: Bare Thoughts, Beldam, Big Zit, Blood Pressure, Broadside, Caves, Chain Rank, Close Talker, Concealed Blade, Creepoid, Dikembe, Ecstatic Vision, Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate), Firing Squad, Foehammer, from fragile seeds, gallery 5, Gouge Away, Inquiry, Lady God, Never Wrong, Old Again, Pretty Pretty, Reps, shows you must see, Smoke Break, strange matter, Such Gold, sundials, Teen Death, Tenement, The Canal Club, the concussion theory, Thera Roya, Underdog Champs, Vacation, Wonderland, Worriers, Yankee Roses

FEATURE SHOW
Sunday, June 28, 5 PM
Broadside Hometown Album Release Show, feat. Broadside, Such Gold, Old Again, Inquiry, Underdog Champs, The Concussion Theory @ The Canal Club – $5

This weekend at the Canal Club, it’s time to celebrate a local band made good!
[Read more…] about RVA Shows You Must See This Week 6/24-6/30

Fest 13: Three days of hectic Halloween punk rock action

Marilyn Drew Necci | November 14, 2014

Topics: Candy Hearts, Caves, Circle Takes the Square, Close Talker, Descendents, Dikembe, Dowsing, Florida, Foxing, Gainesville, Halloween, Hold Tight!, Into It Over It, Kittyhawk, live music, Ma Jolie, music, Paint It Black, Post Teens, Rapturous Grief, RVIVR, Spraynard, Strike Anywhere, sundials, The Fest, The Hotelier, The Marked Men, The Menzingers, tim barry, Timeshares, Touche Amore, Typesetter, Underground Railroad to Candyland, Vacation, You Blew It!

The 2014 edition of the long-running punk music event known simply as Fest was held Oct 31, Nov 1st, and Nov 2nd at various venues, restaurants, bars, and public parks in Gainesville, Florida. Bands playing The Fest come from all over the globe–including quite a few from Richmond.
[Read more…] about Fest 13: Three days of hectic Halloween punk rock action

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