Hear and Now: Billy Joel in Virginia after 20-year wait

By Jeff Maisey

Correspondent

Tickets for Billy Joel's June 21 concert at the Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater go on sale Saturday at 10 a.m. Prices range from $29.50 to $105. Joel's last local performance was in 1987 at the Hampton Coliseum. Wonder if he'll ask for crowd participation should he sing this lyric from "Only the Good Die Young"? "Come out, Virginia, don't let me wait."

We've been waiting more than 20 years, Billy!

School of Rock, a summer program taught by Blue Lords' drummer Steve Archer, has begun open enrollment for its fifth season this year at Norfolk Academy. The program is designed to give youngsters the skills they'll need to perform.

"One of the hardest things to find for young people is a chance for them to play with talented kids their own age," said Archer. "This camp gives them the chance to do that."

Music lovers from grades 4 through 12 with experience in drums, guitar, bass, keyboards, vocals, strings or horns are welcome. Enrollment is limited. Contact Norfolk Academy Summer Programs at (757) 461-1787 or www.norfolkacademy.org.

Yoga isn't the only way to relieve stress. Chesapeake composer and keyboardist Stephen Peppos has released a soothing collection of material titled "Vertigo." The 16 instrumental tracks are a well-produced mix of smooth jazz ("Summer's End" and "Enchanted") and new age ("Air Floats" and "The Way Home"). You can hear, and perhaps buy, the recording at www.stephenpeppos.com.

New Life Western Branch has released its debut contemporary Christian full-length album, "Welcome." The disc was recorded live last year at New Life at Great Bridge and features cover tunes and originals. The material ranges from ballads such as "Will You Be Desperate for Me?" to high-energy songs like "Welcome." Learn more at www.newlifewb.com.

1983 revisited

When Port Folio Weekly presents its local music awards Thursday at the Granby Theater in Norfolk, the theme of the evening will be the hits from 1983, in honor of the publication's 25th anniversary. Blues act Rylo will give Adam Ant's "Goody Two Shoes" a try; pop-rocking 1888 will revisit Naked Eyes' version of "(There's) Always Something There to Remind Me," folk singer Skye Zentz and Skip Friel will partner on Hall & Oates' "Man Eater," ska band Jackmove will air-out Don Henley's "Dirty Laundry" and pop outfit The Influence hopes to bust a move Michael Jackson-style on "Billy Jean."

Who'll wear the glove?

Admission is free. Showtime is 7 p.m.

Meona.net, a Web site dedicated to promoting local music, presented its annual local music awards this week. The winners included Krunch (best modern rock cover band), Slapwater (best party/dance band), Michael Clark Band (best blues), Heather Edwards Band (best country), Sonya Lorelle (best jazz artist), Julie Clark (best Americana artist), Rylo (best Americana band), Vaughn & Sueanne (best duo) and Joe Maniscalco (best solo acoustic artist).

Web site www.virginiareggaeawards.com is accepting online voting for the commonwealth's best reggae entertainers, promoters and media. The awards presentation will go down on May 10 at MP Island Cafe in Virginia Beach. The instructions say to vote as often as you like. Hmmm...

Jeff Maisey, (757) 222-3934, jmaisey@pilotonline.com