NORFOLK
The NorVa, on Granby Street in downtown Norfolk, is listed as one of the five best rock clubs in America in this week’s Rolling Stone magazine.
The listing is part of the magazine’s cover story, Best of Rock 2008, and includes things such as best live band and best drummer.
Under The NorVa’s logo is this caption: “Artists love the (sic) NorVa, a renovated vaudeville theater that features a backstage basketball court, game room, hot tub and sauna. And with six bars, two smoking lounges and a giant, crystal-clear sound system, concertgoers dig it too.”
The kudos are much deserved and overdue, according to Rick Mersel, the talent buyer and promoter at the Norfolk venue, because Pollstar, an industry magazine, has continuously overlooked The NorVa in its annual awards, choosing instead to pick clubs from major markets.
“It’s certainly an honor,” Mersel said. “This being a nationwide, unbiased opinion by Rolling Stone magazine and its readers, we feel finally we’re getting the recognition we deserve.”
Eastern Virginia’s own R&B recording artist Chris Brown was the only other regional winner in this issue of Rolling Stone. He was crowned as the best new Michael Jackson.
Jeff Maisey, jmaisey@pilotonline.com, (757) 222-3934.
Delicious
Digg
Reddit
Facebook
Google
Yahoo
Upload Your Video
iTunes Podcast
Video Feeds
Watch The Dot
The Best kept secret
please don't tell the Norfolk city hall they will only screw it up. ROCK ON NORVA!!!!
I do like the Norva
I've been to many shows at the Norva and always enjoy it. My only complaint, which is not really a valid one, is drink prices. They are pretty high, but that's to be expected today. Another new venue to check out is the National in Richmond. I went to a show there last month. It used to be an old theatre apparently. It has a balcony with actual stadium style seating. The stage is huge. It has a few bars, outside smoking area, and is decorated pretty nicely. It's a wide place, whereas the Norva is more long and narrow. It's run by the same people as the Norva, so they should be on par with each other.
The Norva is located at 317
The Norva is located at 317 Monticello Avenue. The only part that fronts Granby Street is the backstage entrance.
Rock On!
The Norva is great and this is most certainly overdue. The article mentions bias towards larger markets which is a shame. I think in terms of ampitheaters, the NTelos Ampitheater in Portsmouth is one of the best in the country too. It's got the ambience of sitting on the lawn a large ampitheater has in a smaller venue so you get that the same "the rock stars are right there. i mean right there!" feeling you get at the Norva. And it's on the water so those hot summer nights a cool breeze is always blowing.
The lineup there though, ugh. Haters. So all you critics and writers, show us some love too.
Long Overdue Agreed!
It's been going on ten years now...I believe. A million times better than the VA Beach Amphitheater maligned by tacky design, over priced non import/non microbrews(Miller/Bud/Coors), and an inability to tailgate when compared to fellow owned Nissan Pavilion. Also, on a local scale, the NorVa has much more consistent booking than the Amphitheater as far as variety and talent goes. Plus, when it comes to concerts, a club show is a much more intimate show where one can be close to the band while enjoying a more crisp sound experience. My greatest experience was seeing Stone Temple Pilots @ the Norva on my birthday in June of 2000. Another important aspect of a concert experience is character which is felt at venues such as the NorVa, Red Rocks, Filene Center at Wolf Trap, Stubbs BBQ, random clubs in NYC/London, etc. Nationally, I've had a friend share with me that he enjoyed the NorVa more than the 9:30 Club in DC. Personally, I've been to Roseland Ballroom in NYC which has a nice balcony but lacked in drink variety. Overall, its ambience and sound system did not exceed that of the NorVa. Rival cities of VA Beach/Norfolk, Charlotte, NC & Raleigh, NC, do not even possess venue