The Program:
VP of Programs Laurie Harrison introduced Rotarian of the day, Dianna Starkey. Dianna has been a member of the Club since 2017. Her favorite part of being a Rotarian is being connected to a thoughtful, caring, and community-minded group of leaders. A fun fact of Dianna is that she is an OPTIMIST; she even has The Optimist Creed hanging in her office. It has certainly served her well this past year.
Dianna introduced Rob Cross, Perry Artistic Director of the Virginia Arts Festival. Rob grew up locally. He is the lead percussionist in the Virginia Symphony Orchestra and has held many leadership roles for the VSO.
He was hired in 1995 to start the Virginia Arts Festival, previously called the Virginia Waterfront International Arts Festival, and has been at the helm as the artistic and executive director of the Festival ever since. Rob shared with the Club that this past year has been hard, to say the least. He said, "we've managed to get through it successfully both from a staffing and financial position".
After canceling the entire 2020 season, the Festival was successfully and safely able to turn their Courtyard into a performance space where they held 16 outdoor concerts - all of the events sold out. The Festival also held several virtual online events and produced educational content for the school system within the region. Education is a big initiative of the Festival, so it was important for the Festival to find ways to help the school division meet the needs of local students with performing arts content.
Continue to be innovative became essential to Rob, so the Festival began working with the City of Norfolk to building a new downtown venue on the corner of Bank Street and Charlotte Street. The venue, a very large tent (98'x144'), named the Bank Street Stage will open on April 12 with Oliver Woods of the Wood Brothers, the additional concert includes, Zakir Hussain and Masters of Percussion, and several other co-production events with Virginia Stage Company, Virginia Opera, Virginia Symphony Orchestra, and Norfolk State University.
Downtown Norfolk Council, Seven Venues, Visit Norfolk, and other organizations have come on board to partner with the Festival on promotions and give marketing support. The Bank Street Stage events will help revitalize Norfolk and help the restaurants, hotels, and retailers. The goal is to bring arts patrons back downtown safely and healthily.
In addition to the tent events, the Festival will be presenting performances in Virginia Beach, Williamsburg, Portsmouth, and Newport News. Rob hopes to see Rotarians at several upcoming events, including Jazz at Lincoln Center Septet with Wynton Marsalis, NSU's A Musical Tribute to Aretha Franklin and Whitney Houston, Virginia Stage Company/NSU Theatre Company/VAF's production of August Wilson's How I Learned, What I Learned, Trouble in Tahiti with Virginia Opera, Olga Kern Trio, Jae Sinnett Trio, Kenny Washington with the John Toomey Trio, and many more.
Another big announcement this year is the relocations and date change of the popular Virginia International Tattoo to ODU's Ballard Stadium June 3-6, 2021. In closing, Rob thanked the Rotarians for all of the support they have given to the Festival throughout the years. We hope to see you at a performance soon.
The Meeting:
Jim rang the bell to begin the meeting at 12:31 PM. Eleanor and Roger Schoonover delighted us with their rendition of “When Irish Eyes are Smiling” and “My country, tis of thee”. Jim led "The Four-Way Test" followed by the “Pledge of Allegiance.” Jim Sell led the club's invocation.
Visitation Report: Jim gave the report that we have two members, under the weather - please keep Ann Morgan, Club secretary, and Stan Tuberville in your prayers.
Introduction of Guest: Deb Davis.
School of the Week: Richard Bowling Elementary School
Club Business:
- We have received a new member application from Major Don Dohmann, Commander of the Salvation Army. The NRC Board approved his membership. A-Zoom Poll was taken, Don received a unanimous vote from the Club.
- In keeping with the FUN mission of our Club, Jim conducted a ZOOM poll to see if the Club agreed with the shaving of his COVID-19 pandemic goatee. The Club agreed, he did the right thing.
- A few volunteer opportunities are coming up, please register on the Norfolk Rotary website.
- Recently, Norfolk Rotarians gathered at the Foodbank for a morning of service and packed 400 food boxes to be distributed to those suffering from food insecurity.
- Rotary Give Day is coming up on 4/6/21. This allows you to double your contribution as the district will match your $100 donation with 100 points.
- The District is hosting a golf event at Kings Mill in Williamsburg, the fee is $90.
- Jim reminded everyone that we don't have another meeting until April 6th. The speaker will be Kim Aston, Yoga instructor, so be prepared to do some exercise.
Happy Bucks/Fines
- Sigur gave happy bucks for the publishing of her 5th book on Indianapolis 500 driver Robert Pensky. The delivery date is June 30, 2021.
- Sharon gave happy bucks for Will helping her daughter get into grad school.
- Marilyn paid a fine for five new wheels. She bought a new Lexus SUV.
- Dianna paid a fine for being on WVEC news regarding the new VAF's Bank Street Stage.
- Dianna gave happy bucks for getting her first vaccine with her husband Mike and for today's speaker Rob Cross.
- Jim gave happy bucks for their upcoming vaccine shot.
Adjourned: 1:20 pm
