Photos by: Wendy Podmenik Darugar
Article by: Wendy Podmenik Darugar & Glenn Woodell

NORFOLK, VA: A gorgeous oversized crystal chandelier hangs from the towering ceiling of the main hall of the NorVa amid the acoustic baffles, utterly out of place and yet perfect, for it harkens back to a time a century ago during the NorVa’s birth in 1917 as a popular vaudeville theater in Norfolk, Va. As times changed and decades slipped on by, the brick structure gradually morphed into a movie theater, then during the Jane-Fonda inspired workout craze of the 80’s and 90’s, it was was remodeled into an athletic club, complete with racquetball court, jacuzzi, and sauna.

Now known as one of the music venues that Rolling Stone readers voted as the “Best Venue” in 2013, these amenities have been incorporated into the backstage area to create one of the most accommodating experiences for bands touring through Virginia. Historic and worn, with burnished, uneven, wide wood planks for flooring and an unending maze of mural-covered hallways winding through three floors, hidden rooms, and forgotten mannequins peering out at you from shadowy corners hidden from space and time, this defines the NorVa experience.

The legendary James Brown performed the inaugural show in 2000, and in 2001 the NorVa hosted Prince- rumor has it that he partook of the jacuzzi, and it is my personal goal to at least catch a glimpse of and maybe even dip a toe into its Holy waters and baptize myself in the (heavily diluted) essence of the Great One himself. One day.

The work crew at the NorVa are a tough, knowledgeable, and friendly bunch of folks, and if anyone has ever “seen it all”, it would be them. Rowdiness is not tolerated inside the venue. Mosh pits, crowd surfing, and drunken fights are all quickly dispatched with selected unlucky individuals briskly tossed out through a hidden side door that exits into The Alley of Broken Relationships. From there, an angry lover or an inebriated Patron of the Arts can slowly stumble down the narrow passageway until they reach the bright lights of Monticello Avenue and then stop by the front door crew to request the retrieval of any missing shoes and take a swallow of a bit of their own pride.

The NorVa was recently featured in a beautifully haunting black and white video by X Ambassadors, “American Oxygen”, complete with scenes of said alleyway.

My partner Glenn Woodell plays bass as a member of this evening’s opening act, The Bill Miles Band. One of the NorVa staff sent headliner Jon Pardi a sample of some music penned by Bill Miles, and reportedly Jon Pardi loved the sound. The Bill Miles Band played a strong 45 minute set to very good reception by the crowd.

Headliner Jon Pardi played a roughly 20 song set to a mid sized, comfortable audience of admirers. Tall, fit and handsome with a definite facial similarity to a young Elvis Presley, complete with sleepy eyes and a widow’s peak, I can personally attest that Pardi takes his sound and his music very seriously. I observed his dedication at his own pre-show sound check. His goal is to give the audience a listening experience as close as possible to his studio album sound. He opened with “Missin’ You Crazy” and ran through a set list that included one surprise piece sung by his guitarist, a rowdy AC/DC classic, “You Shook Me All Night Long”. A two-song encore wrapped up the evening with Pardi’s popular, recent single, “Head Over Boots” and his top ten hit “Up All Night”.

Jon Pardi’s tour stretches at least through August across the United States, with a planned June release of his highly anticipated sophomore album, “California Sunrise”. Promoters for local Country radio station 97.3 The Eagle were in attendance for Thursday’s show, interacting with fans and organizing a pre-show meet and greet. Jon Pardi also took the time after show to stand near the exit doors and once again thank fans and provide autographs and a second photo opportunity to a long line of attendees.

Jon Pardi is a young, up-and coming talent on the Country Music scene, obviously willing to work hard to accomplish his goals and with talent to match the drive. Check out his website for more information and a list of upcoming tour dates

http://californiasunrise.jonpardi.com/