I was afraid this would happen…

I was so happy when The Norva Theater opened here in Norfolk, Virgina. From what I remember…(I can’t be bothered to do any research..geez.) the guy (Bill Reid) that opened it was part of TicketMaster and had a major part of the Virginia Beach Amphitheater being built. I seem to remember he had a falling out with TicketMaster and broke free from them, and I believe won a lawsuit…and with the monies, opened The Norva. ( I love saying ‘monies’!)

After some years of the Norva being very successful (it was named one of the Top 5 Venues in Rolling Stone a few years back), the new owner bought a theater in Richmond, Virgina called The National. I’ve been to the National, and I really like it. I saw Pinback there. It was a former depression-era movie theater, so it has a balcony and is decorated really ornate. It is awesome…But you know what I REALLY like about the Norva (which is basically a box)? It’s 20 minutes from my house!

What I thought would happen is bands would then only perform in Richmond, and not travel all the way to Norfolk for another show. It’s easier to just hang a right after Richmond, and go to North Carolina or a left and go to Philly or New York and the rest of New England. Unfortunately it has come true. I’m not saying it’s the venue owners fault, it just sucks…

Just from the bands that are currently scheduled…here’s what I see:

• St. Vincent performing at The National in May –  The Norva? No
• Puscifer performing at The National in June – The Norva? No

Last month Jane’s Addiction played The National. The Norva? No

Some bands, like Clutch, perform at both venues. They rock.

It just sucks driving an hour and a half each way (that’s 3 hours being on the road, round-trip) and you never know what the traffic is like coming thru the Hampton Roads Bridge/Tunnel. You could sit there for a hour and miss the opening band!

Now the latest news is Of Montreal is performing at The National on Wednesday June 13th 2012. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 day of the show (plus fees).