Virginia Connector 23451 March 2024

Virginia virginia beach edition

CAN YOU DIG G IT

VB’s Hottest 70’s Rock Band

AMBER PIERCE

Sharing Her Passion for Art

Nathan

Beck

TOP BANDS & HAPPY HOURS

THE MAN BEHIND THE LENS

VOLUME 3 | ISSUE 2

23451

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Editor’s Note

V

irginia Connector has always celebrated and looked for new trends and perspectives, and we feel that this month’s issue embraces that concept in many ways. Looking at our coastal community with a new perspective provides learning opportunities, greater clarity, and personal growth.

Famed photographer Nathan Beck has taken shots of England and Greece and of celebrities and world leaders across the globe, but his heart always remains in Virginia. A resident of Crozet who considers Virginia Beach his second home, Mr. Beck’s greatest joy is photographing the people and natural beauty of our state. We sat down with him to discuss his current exhibit, The Recipe, which is on display at the Sandler Center until March 21. Every one of the 82 images in the exhibit brings a new perspective to Virginia Beach and Norfolk, and some photos simply take your breath away. It’s a must see.

This month, we have the pleasure of introducing the band, Can You Dig It. They bring a new perspective to live music in Virginia Beach. There are other local bands that only play one specific type of music such as classic rock or R&B. But this band has the talent to do old-time funk from the 70’s, the harder rock of the 90’s and modern hip hop. Each time I’ve seen them play, their energy and enthusiasm has left a lasting impact.

We also highlight an amazing young artist, Amber Pierce. She is a multi-media artist and native of Virginia Beach. Her work delves into personal experiences and emotional landscapes. As an Atrium Artist in Residence, you can see her work at Virginia MOCA from March 25-April 22. She has been making waves in the art world.

With spring right around the corner, we encourage you to check out our experts who can help you prepare for the warmer weather. Why not plant your garden indoors now? A grow-light and nutrients from the veteran-owned Grow Depot can get your herbs, tomatoes, and peppers started so you are ready to plant outdoors in early May. Will you get a refund from the IRS? Why not plan that home improvement project now?

Our experts want you to call them for advice, even if you aren’t ready to buy. They are on standby so you can make better choices.

Come out of hibernation Virginia Beach! Put on a jacket and visit Nathan Beck’s exhibit at the Sandler, go out dancing with Can You Dig It, and see the latest art at Virginia MOCA.

PUBLISHER Brad Weber Local Umbrella, Inc FOUNDER/CO-PUBLISHER/EDITOR Michelle Westberry michelle@connectormagazines.com FOR ADVERTISING INQUIRIES CONTACT Michelle Westberry michelle@connectormagazines.com (757) 567-9354 CUSTOMER SERVICE office@connectormagazines.com STAFF SUPPORT Paw-ssistants to Michelle Westberry CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Thomas Marshall editor@connectormagazines.com CONTRIBUTORS Nathan Beck Elizabeth Duncan-Hawker Amber Pierce ViBe District

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Michelle Westberry

PHOTOGRAPHY Owner/Publisher

Alex Hopper

(757) 567-9354

Michelle@ConnectorMagazines.com © 2024 Connector Magazines is published by Inspired Media LLC. Reproduction or duplication of any part herein requires written permission from publisher. All information included herien is correct to the best of Publisher’s knowledge as of publication connecting communities, one neighborhood at a time communities date. Corrections should beconnecting forwarded to Publisher at one neighborhood at a time office@connectormagazines.com for consideration.

Paid advertisements or advertorials contained herein are not endorsed or recommended by Publisher and do not reflect publisher’s opinion of political or religious views; therefore, publisher shall not be held liable for business practices of advertisers. Publisher is not liable for images or content accepted in good faith.

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CONTENTS 6 EXPERTS, DEVELOPERS, CONSULTANTS AND TUTORS 8 CAN YOU DIG IT Connecting to the audience on a deep emotional level 16 NATHAN BECK COVER STORY Capturing the romance of photography 21 AMBER PIERCE Versatile multi-media artist 26 TOP LOCAL BANDS AND HAPPY HOURS

5 | MARCH 2 0 2 4

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stairs got you down?

“We want people to engage and move and have a unique experience they remember.”

CAN YOU DIG IT

By Thomas Marshall

T

he Friday night crowd for Can You Dig It at South Beach Grill eagerly waited for the band to take the stage. When they did, the energy and raw emotion exploded to create an unforgettable evening. Everyone was happily dancing or singing along. The vivacious lead singers, Dre Stewart and Wayne Clifton, each sang about 20 songs and created a visual center for the evening. Like Bono bringing someone on stage, Dre and Wayne connected directly with young and old, black and white.

Like the band itself, the crowd this night was diverse, inclusive and amazingly loving. People of all backgrounds and identities came together to enjoy good music. From the grandmothers in their 60s and 70s who knew all the words to Elvis’ Suspicious Minds to the twenty somethings in dreds and piercings who loved the hip hop, Can You Dig It had something for everyone.

There are other local bands that only play one specific type of music such as classic rock or R&B. But this band has the talent to do old-time funk from the 70’s, the harder rock of the 90’s and modern hip hop.

Not many bands can pull that off. “We cover a lot of ground for a lot people,” said Dre. “The fan base who follows us goes from kids to middle age to older people who like something that we do.”

This night was a cathartic experience; it seemed like everyone had a sense of release. After dancing all night long, my troubles from the long week seemed insignificant. Great music has a way of doing that. Music has the power to evoke strong emotions, and Can You Dig It connected to the audience on a deep emotional level. “We don’t want to put on a ‘rock show’ where people just watch,” says Wayne. “We want people to engage and move and have a unique experience they remember.”

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The band played three hours straight! Steve Green, the guitar player, told the crowd, “You are all gonna wear out before we do, so we’ll just keep playin’.”

A truer statement has never been made. This band prides themselves on keeping people’s attention.

Every band member has a rich music history; most have known each other since they were youngsters.

Steve is also the music director who puts together the song list. Can You Dig It was once focused on later 60s and early 70s music, but a few years ago they decided to make it more danceable and reach a broader audience. Steve was once in band that opened for Rick James and he has applied a lot of what he has seen to his work with Can You Dig It. Roderick Brown played with James Brown and Dre sang with Jeffrey Osborne.

The night was a beautiful hodge podge of R&B, hip hop and classic rock, but Purple Rain captured the essence of this band. All members are fans of Prince and they see Purple Rain as a song of survival and triumph to help people come out of difficult situations.

“A lot of us band members have lost brothers, parents, and close personal friends,” said Dre. “At the end of the day, we are glad we are still here and we use Purple Rain as a reflective song pouring our heart and soul in it.” It's clear that band has always been tight with each other, and their love for each other carries over to the audience.

9 | M A RCH 2 0 2 4

“All music has meaning to me in one shape or form,” said Roderick. “All of it is a different experience every time I play music because it is 90% emotion and 10% talent.” Roderick plays a lot of instruments, but growing up as a kid, he gravitated to the bass because of the low frequency tone.

On this night, Roderick said he felt a real joyful connection to his bandmates and the crowd around him. He wanted to play and play because the crowd was enjoying it so much.

“Music is not black or white, or cannot be put into a category, because it is simply universal,” says Dre. “If it is good music and we can deliver it, why not play it?”

If you venture out to see Can You Dig It, be prepared to be in a whole new frame of mind. If you were feeling low when you were walking in the door, you will feel a lot better when you walk out the door.

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NETWORKING IN THE 757 WITH JAKE MAINES Net working is an Investment in your Business

By Jake Maines

Need captions

A few months back, I had suggested not just showing up to a couple of networking events a month, but doing more to promote yourself & stay top of mind.

Some of the things I recommended were hosting an event of your own, distributing an email list to frequently share helpful information, and trying to take on as many speaking engagements, podcast interviews, and magazine features as possible!

the note cards. Some big lessons learned for next time!

Are you finding ways to stay top of mind outside of the networking events? Or better yet, are you finding time to get in front of new folks at networking events?

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Cheers, Jake Maines

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Smile, click,

WOW!

Famed photographer captures the moment

O

n a recent blustery day, Virginia Connector staff spent an hour immersed in the genius of Mr. Nathan Beck and the inspiration that went into his new photography exhibit, The Recipe, which is running now at the Sandler Center until March 21 st . You can’t get any more behind the scenes than a personal tour from the famed photographer himself.

Mr. Beck was commissioned to take one-of-a-kind photographs of Virginia Beach’s restaurants and other places like Pungo’s strawberry fields and vegetable stands. “The exhibit takes the viewer behind the scenes of members of the Virginia Beach Restaurant Association,” said Martha Davenport, Executive Director, Virginia Beach Restaurant Association.

“Some of our best memories of moments and celebrations shared with family and friends took place in a restaurant.”

The exhibit is more than just visual; it stimulates all the senses. Mr. Beck’s hallmark is knowing where and when to look,

and these candid shots pulled us in for a closer look. His photography brings a freshness to all that we love about Virginia Beach.

Mr. Beck says, “I love photographing restaurants and I met some wonderful people in Virginia Beach while putting together this exhibit. I was thrilled meeting the different chefs and seeing the ambiance of the restaurants and I hope to photograph Virginia Beach more in the future.”

16 | CON N ECTO R M AGA Z I N E S.CO M

C

harleston is known for restaurants and Charlottesville for wineries, but do we sometimes overlook the amazing restaurants, fresh seafood, wineries and breweries, and farm-to-table eateries here in our own backyard? From Back Bay to Chesapeake Bay, Oceanfront, Town Center, and throughout the city, Virginia Beach’s restaurant scene offers a rich and diverse food culture. Mr. Beck celebrates this delicious melting pot and reminds us that Virginia Beach is much more than beaches.

We are a food and restaurant destination.

“All the food I photographed was mouthwatering and so full of color,” he says. “The salmon at the Culinary Institute was a bright red, the green scallions were vibrant, there was a whiteness of the rice and the honey glaze glistened.”

Every one of the 82 images in this exhibit has a story and is captivating. You can feel the sun beating down on the herbs as they are cut. You can hear the sizzle of the pancakes. You can taste the brininess of the oysters. You hold your breath when you see the wave ready to crash into the martini glass and wash the whole scene away. Mr. Beck has captured moments that help us see our daily lives through a different lens.

Mr. Beck says, “Sometimes the photo focuses on the steam coming up, or the hot coffee being poured. Sometimes the dessert is glistening with toppings. I want people to feel the whip cream and chocolate sauce melting over the ice cream. I want to put food into action and have people captivated by the taste of the food. It is not always easy to capture the lusciousness when photographing food.”

17 | MARCH 2 0 2 4

...I want people to feel that they can come to the beach and enjoy themselves at the board walk...

M

r. Beck planned the King Neptune shot to celebrate our city and the result was something new, creative, and beautiful. He spent an hour setting up to get the perfect angle and depth. In the image, King Neptune glares at the champagne glasses and demands you take a sip. Hold the orange juice!

“King Neptune is the king of the ocean and I want people to feel that they can come to the beach and enjoy themselves at the board walk,” he said. “It’s like going to DC and photographing the Washington monument. Not everyone is a professional photographer, but I want people to take the oceanfront back with them in a photograph or selfie.”

Nathan Beck’s images are more than the typical shot on your I-Phone; they are a form of art - creative, imaginative, and detailed. During our tour, he frequently mentioned how he helped people relax so he could capture them in a moment of intimacy. When speaking with him, you quickly get a feeling that he has profound patience to get the best picture. He needed to be patient to get the perfect lighting for the shot of the Orion

rooftop in the late afternoon. He had to adjust to the harsh white lighting of kitchens and staging areas. He needed to be patient in order to get his subjects to trust him.

“Lighting indoors is often harsh white fluorescent that can turn the photos green,” says Mr. Beck.

“You have to turn down the temperature and adjust the settings in the camera to balance the lighting so you can compensate for the harshness.”

18 | CON N ECTO R M AGA Z I N E S.CO M

M

r. Beck considers Virginia Beach his second home.

He will be doing talks on photography this year with the Tidewater Community College’s photography class and other student groups. He will also do private artist talks for other youth groups and different charities.

“I want to help the artists of tomorrow with their photography, but also help with their leadership skills,” he says.

“Hopefully I can help a student get a scholarship and maximize his or her potential and dreams.”

Meet The Artist

Mr. Beck has done an amazing service for our community and The Recipe exhibit is something you will want to enjoy with family and friends. Hours are from 10-6, Monday – Friday; 10-2pm, Saturday; and closed Sunday. Enter the Sandler through the Box Office door; the exhibit is on the 2nd and 3rd floors. The Recipe is open to the public for FREE. For group tours, please contact Elizabeth Duncan-Hawker, Publicist, at 757-477-5691.

M

r. Beck is an internationally renowned commercial and editorial photographer who considers Virginia Beach his second home. His images have appeared on ABC News’ 20/20 and in publications such as the Wall Street Journal, New York Times Style Magazine, New York Post, Associated Press, Asian American Times, and of course, your favorite Virginia Beach magazine, Virginia Connector!

Mr. Beck’s prominent reputation is highlighted by his celebrity status across the political, sports, and luxury brand arenas. His clients have included thirteen U.S. Governors, three U.S. Presidents and three Vice Presidents, as well as familiar names like Charlton Heston, Jodie Foster, Jackie Chan, Jeff Gordon, and Tiger Woods. Over the decades, Mr. Beck has earned numerous national and international awards celebrating his photographic eye and master talent.

Visit his website at beckimage.

19 | MARCH 2 0 2 4

Follow @ambrpierce 20 | CON N ECTO R M AGA Z I N E S.CO M

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22 | CO N N ECTO R M AGA Z I N E S.CO M

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