In the summer of 1882, the little port town of Norfolk, Virginia, welcomed a memorable visitor: one of the giants of literature at the time, Oscar Wilde. Note: The pandemic has had a disastrous effect on our local arts community. This month, in honor of our many local artists and performers on pause, Arts Undercurrent will take a look back at memorable moments in Hampton Roads arts history. These four special episodes were written by and produced in collaboration with Norfolk Tour Company.

In a Portsmouth church in 1932, a legendary R&B singer was born. That’s where Ruth Brown — then known as Ruth Weston — made her singing debut. Note: The pandemic has had a disastrous effect on our local arts community. This month, in honor of our many local artists and performers on pause, Arts Undercurrent will take a look back at memorable moments in Hampton Roads arts history. These four special episodes were written by and produced in collaboration with Norfolk Tour Company.

When was the last time 20,000 people split the bill? In Hampton Roads, it was 1966-1967, when residents donated money towards the purchase of a painting by Auguste Renoir. Note: The pandemic has had a disastrous effect on our local arts community. This month, in honor of our many local artists and performers on pause, Arts Undercurrent will take a look back at memorable moments in Hampton Roads arts history. These four special episodes were written by and produced in collaboration with Norfolk Tour Company.

Virginia Opera brought in four emerging operatic artists for a residency beginning with a two-week quarantine. Now the group will perform weekly concerts outside of the Harrison Opera House, in addition to programming at the Virginia Zoo and a virtual showcase. Rebecca spoke with singers Symone Harcum and Nick Martorano about their upcoming performances.

Over the last few months, the arts community in Hampton Roads has quickly adjusted to a new normal of virtual performances. The Pulitzer Prize-winning murder mystery called “A Soldier’s Play” is running in the Virginia Arts Festival courtyard August 5 through 15. Rebecca interviewed director Anthony Stockard and actor Terrance Livingston, Jr. about how the show came to be and their unconventional rehearsal process.

Classical musicians Sterling and Brendon Elliott will perform live on Facebook on Thursday, July 30 in a concert presented by Soundscapes. Rebecca interviewed the Elliotts about the concert, the impact they hope to make on the classical music landscape, and their creative processes.

Lemon Pepper & Sazon is an all-POC improv and sketch comedy group based in Hampton Roads. Rebecca spoke with three performers about the group and the comedy scene in Hampton Roads.

Generic Theater was planning on presenting the musical A Chorus Line this summer. When the pandemic hit, every part of their creative process, from auditions, to dance rehearsals, to the actual show, went virtual. Rebecca spoke with General Producer Shon Stacy about directing, rehearsing, and filming in the age of COVID-19.

The Push Comedy Theater is presenting a live outdoor improv show featuring poet Tim Seibles on Thursday, July 2 at the Plot in Norfolk. Rebecca interviewed Brad McMurran about how the Push Comedy Theater is adapting and what’s in store for the summer.

C.I.P.H.E.R. Tuesdays is a long-running weekly open mic at the Train Station Restaurant in Newport News. The event went virtual in March due to the pandemic. Rebecca interviewed host Q5 about the online open mic and the passion he hopes to inspire in local artists.